Oil Heavy Residues Oxy-combustion with CO2 Capture

Saudi Aramco and General Electric have been jointly developing oxy-combustion technology with CO2 capture for difficult to burn liquid fuels. The technology enables direct combustion of such fuels while addressing CO2 emissions concerns in a cost effective way. A 15 MW thermal testing campaign was performed in Windsor, CT firing heavy asphalt in air and oxy mode. The testing campaign results show a significant improvement in fuel combustibility in oxy mode compared to air firing in addition to 50% reduction in NOx emissions. The test results were used to validate a CFD model enabling simulation of various configuration for scale-up studies. The test results were considered in the basis of design for a 2800 MW OHR oxy-fired power plant with CO2 capture. The technology is ready for demonstration at a larger scale in a refining environment where it can synergistically be integrated with the refinery optimizing its operation and performance.