Review of CO2 capture technologies for power plant application

Coal based power generation plants are the major contributors to the increasing global anthropogenic emission that is causing climate change. Therefore, one of the important strategies to address climate change is to target these sources. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is viewed as a promising option to slash CO2 emission from these plants. There are three broad technology approaches namely, pre combustion, post combustion and oxy fuel combustion, of which post combustion capture is the most likely option for the existing plants to be retrofitted with. In a post combustion capture, CO2 is separated from other gases of the flue gas stream. There is research and development ongoing and with the present development there are varieties of CO2 separation technology such as, absorption, adsorption, membrane and cryogenic, all at different stages of development for application as post combustion capture. This study reviews these CO2 capture technologies, their technology development status, and major advantages and disadvantages as an option for post combustion capture. It is found that chemical absorption capture is the most matured technology and ready for commercial application in the power generation plant as post combustion capture.