Q: How do we address the issues of global warming?
A: We promote CO2 separation and capture technology development!
Absorbing and Separating CO2 Chemically or Physically
Reducing CO2 emissions is a major issue for thermal power. To solve this problem, the technology to separate and recover CO2 emissions has been developed. “Basically we seek to reduce CO2 emissions by improving the overall efficiency, but if we have to reduce CO2 emissions even further we can store it after being recovered, which is a solution called ‘CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS)’. NEDO is aiming to resolve the issues involved with the separation and capture technology first. Improving efficiency and CO2 separation and capture will work together simultaneously,” says Dr. Koichi Takenobu, Chief Officer of NEDO Environment Department.
Among CO2 separation and capture technologies, there are two methods for CO2 absorption: the chemical absorption method and the physical absorption method.
“In the chemical absorption method, CO2 is absorbed using a chemical solution that reacts to capture CO2 when heated. Alternatively, the physical absorption method uses adjustments in pressure and temperature conditions to selectively absorb CO2.”
The interim report of the “Council for Promoting the Early Realization of Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation” co- hosted by METI and NEDO, set a process cost in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 yen per ton CO2 as a development goal for CO2 separation and capture. To accomplish this, NEDO has focused attention on the physical absorption method which is relatively lower in cost for CO2 separation and capture. Therefore, the “CO2 separation and capture” system in the second phase of the “Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle” Osaki CoolGen project is a demonstration using the physical absorption method.
CO2 from Separation and Capture Will Be a Valuable Resource
“As part of a METI project, an experiment to store CO2 in an aquifer under the sea floor has been conducted (see P.11). Our future goal is to connect the CO2 separation and capture technology NEDO has been working on with these technologies, and establish a new system to separate, capture, and store CO2,” says Dr. Takenobu.
In addition, if we establish technology to extract carbon (C) from captured with a high-purity level of 99%, and then convert it to energy such as methane (CH4), it is possible to transform “bad” into a valuable resource. NEDO is also conducting research into such potential uses of .
In addition, if we establish technology to extract carbon (C) from captured CO2 with a high-purity level of 99%, and then convert it to energy such as methane (CH4), it is possible to transform “bad” CO2 into a valuable resource. NEDO is also conducting research into such potential uses of CO2.
“In the context of thermal power generation and CO2 emissions, the main issue is to improve the efficiency of power generation to reduce CO2 emissions, but I believe it is important to have the capability to also separate and capture CO2. By disseminating these next-generation thermal power generation technologies, I think the image of coal will also be changed.”
Demonstration Tests for CO2 Storage Have Been Conducted in Japan Too
Japan CCS Co., Ltd. has been conducting demonstration tests to store separated and captured CO2 at the Tomakomai CCS Demonstration Project Center (part of the METI “Carbon Dioxide Reduction Technology Demonstration Project”). More than 100 thousand tons of CO2 annually is injected into a reservoir under the sea floor within the port area of Tomakomai Port.
Five Pillars for NEDO’s Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation Technology Development
1. Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Combined Cycle Demonstration
- Establishment of oxygen injection IGCC technology
- Demonstration of triple combined power generation technology
2. High Efficiency Gas Turbine Technology Demonstration
- Practical application of 1,700°C-class gas turbines
- Practical application of advanced humid air turbines (AHAT)
3. Advanced Ultra-Supercritical (A-USC) Thermal Power Technology Development
- Development of high-capacity boiler-turbine systems
4. Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation Fundamental Technology Development
- Development of next-generation gasification system technology
- Research on component technologies for cleaning up coal gas for use in fuel cells
- Development of gas turbine fuel cell combined cycle technology
- Research on the applicability of fuel cell coal gas
- Development of CO2 separating chemical combustion coal utilization technology
5. CO2 Capture Closed IGCC Technology Development
Technology Development for Next-generation Thermal Power Generation
- Efforts towards FY 2030 (coal, LNG)
- Efforts towards beyond FY 2030 (CCUS, hydrogen power generation)
Advertisement
The 10 largest coal producers and exporters in Indonesia:
The 10 largest coal producers and exporters in Indonesia:
