Up-to-date CO2 Capture in Thermal Power Plants

An up-to-date review of CO2 capture technologies for coal-fired power plants is presented. This study is based on EDF experience on CO2 capture build through collaborative projects and pilot plants operation follow up. This review focuses mostly on most mature technologies and provides insight on the interest of least developed technology with high potential. Technologies are compared and assessed based on energy performance, maturity and economic criteria. A specific method for assessing uncertainties in this process is proposed. Amine based post-combustion technology remains the best reference for short and medium terms with a tight competition with cryogenic oxy-combustion. Both share the highest maturity and similar energy performance in their most advanced embodiments. At the moment IGGC based capture looks less promising for power generation due to the high cost of the plant even without CO2 capture. Regarding more innovative technology, promising candidates, such as inertial extraction, chemical looping combustion or oxy-fired CO2 cycle, are highlighted but their effective development up to industrial ground is not guaranteed due to the constant improvement of reference technology and their difficulty to be retrofitted.