Solar-assisted post-combustion carbon-capturing system retrofitted with coal-fired power plant towards net-zero future: A review

The foremost purpose of this review study is to summarize the potential of solar thermal energy in coal-fired power plants retrofitted with post-combustion carbon-capturing (PCC) system to mitigate carbon dioxide gas. The integration of the PCC system in coal-fired power plants required thermal energy for solvent regeneration in the reboiler. This thermal energy is supplied by the steam bleeding from the turbine and it causes a reduction in the thermal efficiency of the power plant as well as electricity production, which is termed as energy penalty. Thus, the integration of solar thermal energy in PCC retrofitted coal-fired plants is utilized to eliminate the energy penalty by offsetting the thermal energy requirement of the reboiler. Also, it seems to be a suitable method of introducing renewable energy to existing power plants. This review paper discusses different post -combustion techniques, their integration with solar thermal energy along with integration types, economic and environmental impacts, benefits and challenges.

Automated summary

The foremost purpose of this review study is to summarize the potential of solar thermal energy in coal-fired power plants retrofitted with post-combustion carbon-capturing (PCC) system to mitigate carbon dioxide gas. The integration of solar thermal energy in PCC retrofitted coal-fired plants is utilized to eliminate the energy penalty by offsetting the thermal energy requirement of the reboiler, and it seems to be a suitable method of introducing renewable energy to existing power plants.