Kedzierzyn Zero-Emission Plant


The Kędzierzyn Zero-Emission Power and Chemical Complex is a proposed facility in Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland. It will combine power and heat generation with that of chemical products and carbon capture and storage. The project is proposed by a consortium of chemicals producer Zakłady Azotowe Kędzierzyn and electricity company Południowy Koncern Energetyczny. The plant will produce synthesis gas by gasification of hard coal. The produced gas will be used for power and heat generation or for production of chemicals. The plant will capture produced carbon dioxide, which will be stored in natural geological reservoirs or used as a raw material for production of synthesis fuels, fertilisers or plastics.
The project is now dead for lack of funding, due in part to the low carbon price, which generally provide
scant incentives for CCS investments, so this low-carbon type of investments is dead for the time being.

Concept

The zero carbon emissions are planned to be achieved by the combination of integrated gasification combined cycle and carbon capture and storage, as well as the supplement of up to 10% biomass in the combustion process. The generated CO2 will be utilized by depositing it underground in the deep layers of porous rock of the Jurassic and Triassic period, located at the depth of over one kilometer, and by chemical sequestration of CO2 in methanol, urea and other chemical products. As a result, the total reduction of CO2 emissions will amount to nearly three million tons annually. Taking into account the biomass as a renewable energy source excluded from the carbon balance, it is even possible to achieve a negative CO2 emissions.

Technical specifications

Gasification of coal

Coal is converted into synthesis gas by the integrated gasification combined cycle technology. 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.

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 integrated gasification combined cycle technology allows to remove the carbon content of coal before burning it. 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. CO2 is injected more than one kilometre under ground into porous Jurassic and Triassic sandstones. Four areas within a range of from Kędzierzyn-Koźle can come into consideration for permanent underground carbon storage. The biggest of these four areas can store up to 30 million 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. The chemical sequestration of CO2 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.

Technical parameters

Units and abbreviations used are:
The project is developed the cooperation of chemicals producer Zakłady Azotowe Kędzierzyn and electricity company Południowy Koncern Energetyczny.

Media response

The technically innovative concept of the Kędzierzyn Zero-Emission Plant was received with great interest by the international press, such as the New York Times, the Guardian, or EurActiv.