The Oxy-combustion burner development for the CO2 pilot at Lacq

Steam demand is increasing for Oil & Gas projects, and in particular oil sands and extra-heavy oils thermal recovery schemes. Use of oil residues and bitumen can be a cost-effective solution for natural gas substitution in SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage). However, use of such fuels gives rise to higher specific GHG emissions. Oxy-combustion technology is an elegant solution to this problem since oxygen allows complete combustion of very high viscosity and heavy fuels, and because it provides a concentrated CO2 stream, for easier Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).Air Liquide has acquired over the last two decades extensive industrial experience of full oxy-combustion for the glass, metals, cement and waste treatment industries. This expertise and extensive scientific knowledge have been used to develop an innovative oxy-burner technology, specific to steam and power production applications.This oxy-burner technology presents novel and differentiating features, which will be described in this paper. In particular, it features a direct oxygen injection into the burner, without external mixing of oxygen with the flue gas recycle, which provides additional flue gas recycle rate flexibility, and enables a safe handling of the oxygen. Air Liquide has demonstrated the performance of this oxy-burner concept through downscaled (1 MW) oxy- combustion tests in a dedicated cold-wall test-rig with flue gas recycle. Total will retrofit the air-fired boiler at its Lacq CO2 Project (SW of France) with an intermediate size of this oxy- burner technology (four 8 MW oxy-burners).The paper presents:
• the innovative oxy-burner technology, its challenges and novelties,
• a description of the Air Liquide 1 MW oxy-combustion test rig and the test results obtained over a wide range of flue gas recycle rates,
• the integration of the oxy-combustion system into Total’s existing 30 MWth boiler.