Assessment of main energy integration elements for decarbonized gasification plants based on thermo-chemical looping cycles

Abstract Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) design represents a versatile electricity production method with key advantages for decarbonization. Carbon capture, utilization and storage methods are predicted to perform an essential role in reducing CO2 emissions. In this paper, two innovative reactive gas-solid systems are assessed in pre-combustion designs for gasification plant decarbonization. The most essential mass & energy integration issues for a decarbonized coal gasification power plant by innovative chemical & calcium looping systems are evaluated. The designs produce roughly 435–592 MW net electricity outputs having an adjustable hydrogen production (up to 200 MW thermal output) and a plant decarbonization degree higher than 90%. The prominent aim of this analysis is put on assessment of mass and energy integration elements to raise global energy conversion yield. The evaluation includes thermal integration of plant units and performing flexibility analysis. The overall conclusion is that gasification technology coupled with innovative chemical & calcium looping cycles proves to be very promising to deliver higher energy efficiency (up to 1.3 net percentage points), carbon capture rate (96–99% vs. 90%) and better economics and operational flexibility compared to Selexol™ gas-liquid absorption.