Basic Technological Concepts of a Capture Ready Power Plant

Recent proposals concerning the European Commission, directives introduce stricter conditions on obtaining permits for the construction of new power engineering systems. The CO2 storage site has to be specified, and the possibility of completing the technology with a CO2 capture system has to be documented. The designed system has to be ready for completion as soon as commercial CO2 capture technologies arise (i.e, it has to meet the capture ready requirements). CO2 separation is a process that needs a large input of energy (the heat flux necessary for desorption), The integration of the CO2 separation system with the thermal cycle of an existing power unit usually calls for a significant reconstruction of the cycle turbine (the intermediate 7 and low-pressure parts) and, especially, low-pressure regeneration; as well as an adjustment to the turbine cooling system to meet the new conditions. Capture ready technologies are reviewed, and the possibility of the intake of steam from the turbine will be determined on the example of a high-capacity (900 MW) hard-coal- and brown-coal-fired power unit. A preliminary scope of the turbine modernization with the use of the absorption method will be analyzed.