Developments in the pre-combustion CO2 capture pilot plant at the Buggenum IGCC

N.V. Nuon (part of the Vattenfall Group) operates an IGCC in Buggenum and is developing a multi-fuel IGCC with CO2 capture and storage (Nuon Magnum) in Eemshaven, the Netherlands. In order to prepare for large-scale application of CO2 capture and storage, a CO2 capture pilot plant is constructed at the Buggenum IGCC plant and will be ready for testing in January 2010. The overall objective of the CO2 Catch-up project is to demonstrate pre-combustion CO2 capture and to generate knowledge in the form of useful data and operational experience. In parallel with the development, realisation and operation of the pilot plant, a test and R&D programme has been initiated together with Delft University of Technology, ECN and KEMA. In this paper, the technology is described in more detail and the test and R&D programme is outlined.