Kędzierzyn Zero-Emission Power & Chemical Plant
editThe Zero-Emission Power & Chemical Complex is a unique facility combining energy and heat production with that of chemical products and Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS). It will be constructed in the Upper Silesian town Kędzierzyn-Koźle, located in the Opole province of Poland. The plant will achieve three key results, namely (1) produce synthesis gas from hard coal, (2) convert the produced gas – depending on needs – into electricity and heat or chemicals, and (3) capture and store any CO2 produced in natural geological reservoirs or convert it into synthesis fuels, fertilisers or plastics.
Technical specifications
editGasification of coal
Latest Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology allows to turn coal into synthesis gas, potentially reducing the dependence on gas imports from abroad. CO2 separation is required in order to obtain a gas composition adequate for further processing. As a result of the gas purification process the obtained CO2 has a concentration of up to 99%, which permits its commercial use or storage. The deployment of the IGCC technology allows for a diversification of energy sources and raw materials. It allows the production of gas and liquid fuels, which can be a significant step forward to reduce the continent’s dependence on external suppliers and enhance its energy security.
Polygeneration
The demonstration plant will be generating electricity and thermal power, while CO2 will be sequestrated and purified for the production of carbo-chemical products or stored underground. Two gasification reactors of identical capacity can be used in an exchangeable way in order to either adapt to enhanced needs in the production of synthesis gas or the generation of electric energy.
Pre-combustion Carbon Capture and Storage
The use of IGCC technology allows to remove the carbon content of coal before burning it (pre-combustion carbon capture). As a consequence the costs of carbon capture are reduced as the only costs that occur are the carbon compression and its transport to an underground storage. There are no additional separation costs which are usually very high in post-combustion carbon capture. The best way of storing CO2 is to force it more than one kilometre under ground into porous Jurassic and Triassic sandstones. Extremely favourable conditions mean that this is possible in Poland. Four areas within a range of 150km from Kędzierzyn-Koźle can come into consideration for permanent underground carbon storage. The biggest of these four areas can store up to 30m tonnes of CO2.
Chemical sequestration and carbo-chemical production
Around 23% of CO2 will be used and thus permanently captured in chemical products such as methanol, fertilizers or polycarbonates. This so-called chemical sequestration takes place as part of the carbon-dioxide, which would normally have been emitted, is used for the chemical industry. Taking into account both the pre-combustion carbon capture as well as the chemical sequestration, a total reduction of 92% of potential CO2 emissions can be achieved.