Technical-economic evaluation of O2/CO2 recycle combustion power plant based on life-cycle

In this study, a detailed technical-economic analysis on a O-2/CO2 recycle combustion power plant (Oxy-combustion plant) retrofitted from the existing coal-fired plant (with a capacity of 2x300 MW) in China was carried out by using life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) method. The CO2 emissions, investment cost, cost of electricity and CO2 avoidance cost within the life cycle were calculated respectively. The results showed that the CO2 emission avoidance rate of retrofitted Oxy-combustion plant in the life cycle was about 77.09% without taking account of the CO2 compression; the annual cost increased by 5.9% approximately, the net power decreased by 21.33%, the cost of electricity increased by 34.77%, and the CO2 avoidance cost was about 28.93 USD/t. Considering the compression process of CO2, the avoidance rate of CO2 emission was about 73.35% or so; the annual cost increased by 9.35% approximately, the net power decreased by about 26.70%, the cost of electricity increased by 49.13%, and the CO2 avoidance cost was about 45.46 USD/t. The carbon tax (the CO2 tax) should be more than about 24 USD/t and 34 USD/t under the condition of considering CO2 compression or not, respectively, which is beneficial to promote transformation of existing coal-fired plant for reducing the CO2 emissions.