Techno-economic analysis of polygeneration systems with carbon capture and storage and CO2 reuse

Several decarbonised polygeneration schemes exploiting carbon capture and storage (CCS) or CO2 reuse technologies for the generation of clean fuels, chemicals, electricity and heat have been systematically analysed for techno-economic feasibility. Process simulation, energy integration and economic analysis were undertaken to analyse the effect of process configurations and operating conditions on the economic potential (EP) and risks. CO2 capture and reuse producing methane using Sabatier’s reaction shows less favourable economics compared to the counterpart CCS based scheme, both producing electricity, hydrogen, acetic acid and methanol in common. Post-combustion CO2 tri-reforming into methanol production in addition to electricity generation shows overall favourable economics compared to the counterpart integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) with CCS scheme. Thus, increasing product portfolio from energy products in a cogeneration plant to chemical products evolved from thermodynamic and process integration synergies increases the techno-economic viability. Bio-oil can be processed as an alternative low carbon feedstock. While bio-oil creates environmental incentives, its economic competitiveness can be enhanced by introducing credits on product prices.

► Polygeneration framework provides flexibility in product diversion. ► Economic impacts reduce in order: acetic acid/methanol > hydrogen > electricity. ► Economic potential increases from cogeneration to polygeneration systems. ► Feedstock use efficiency increases from cogeneration to polygeneration systems. ► CO2 reuse pathways are more sensitive to CO2 taxation, compared to CCS based systems.