Exergy-based analyses of an advanced zero emission plant

Abstract

CO2 capture and storage from energy conversion systems is widely known as a potential method to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and to limit the impact of energy use on the climate. This study uses the exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analyses to provide an evaluation from an economic and environmental perspective, respectively, of an advanced zero emission plant (AZEP) and to reveal possible ways to improve the overall effectiveness of the plant. The AZEP, which is an oxy-fuel power plant, is evaluated and compared with a reference plant without CO2 capture. The exergoeconomic analysis shows a high increase in cost for the AZEP, due to the introduction of the membrane technology, while on the other hand, its environmental impact is significantly reduced. When compared with competitive alternatives, like chemical absorption—a post-combustion technology for CO2 capture—the oxy-fuel plant achieves lower relative cost and exergy expenditures.