Thermodynamic analysis of 350 MWe coal power plant based on calcium looping gasification with combined cycle

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology is needed for fossil fuels (FFs) based power generation, in order to make it sustainable in future. Calcium looping gasification (CLG) is a novel energy technology that fulfils CCS, unlike IGCC post combustion, CO2 capture is not required, making it less energy demanding and saving capital cost, moreover CaO-CaCO3 is an exothermic reaction, hence the generated heat is adequate to perform CLG. In this study, both experiments and simulations of CLGCC, with CaO as a CO2 sorbent, were performed at varying gasifier temperatures and pressures using Aspen Plus, while results were compared to maximize the overall efficiency. Here, we propose calcium looping gasification with combined cycle (CLGCC) simulation using Aspen Plus with CaO as CO2 sorbent, and results are validated against experimental data in terms of gasifier temperature and pressure. The IGCC without CCS system along with CLGCC are simulated simultaneously for comparison. The CLGCC system achieved an efficiency as high as 54.93%, while IGCC's system without CCS efficiency was calculated as 53.22% and corresponding exergetic efficiencies are 51.67% and 50.03%, respectively. The carbon capture efficiency of CLGCC is 83.5 % with 94.4 vol% of CO2 achieved after steam condensation for carbon capture system. On the basis of results, we demonstrate the applicability of CLGCC against the conventional power plants and it has a great window for adaptation in the future in advanced power plants.

Automated summary

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology is essential for sustainable power generation from fossil fuels. Calcium looping gasification (CLG) is a novel energy technology that eliminates the need for CO2 capture, making it more energy efficient and cost-effective. The simulation and experimental results show that CLG combined cycle system has higher efficiency compared to traditional power plants, demonstrating its potential for future adaptation in advanced power generation.