Scientists of the Siberian Federal University (SibFU) have proposed a way to improve the technology of coal processing at thermal power plants (TPP). The results obtained by scientists can be used to design new power plants that will be more environmentally friendly and will help achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of the 21st century. The research work was carried out within the framework of two areas of activity of the Yenisei Siberia Research Center: advanced industrial technologies and the greening of the economy of the macroregion.
Modern experimental and theoretical research aimed at modernizing the energy industry in order to make it more environmentally friendly is highly relevant and in demand. Currently, the energy industry in most regions of Russia is based on coal processing. Traditional methods of generating electricity from this material lead to a large number of harmful emissions into the environment. However, there are already highly environmentally friendly methods of burning coal, for example, the technology of combined cycle gas plants with in-cycle gasification.
SIBFU scientists have proposed combining this relatively new technology with another “green” development in the field of energy — in-line coal gasification in a special environment. As a result of such processing, a large volume of carbon dioxide is captured and disposed of, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the carbon footprint in the energy sector.
According to experts, the results obtained will be useful to research engineers conducting research and development work on the design of new power plants.
“New methods of coal processing, such as the technology of combined cycle gas plants (CCGT) with in-cycle gasification (HCG), may replace traditional boilers at thermal power plants in the future. It is too early to talk about the timing when this will happen: a comprehensive modernization of equipment is required, large capacity – this will lead to a high cost of structures. Currently, CCGT technologies are in the development stage in Russia, but in the foreseeable future, as they are implemented, they will be able to reduce harmful emissions from coal-fired thermal power plants, including reducing the carbon footprint,” said Viktor Kuznetsov, co–author of the study, senior researcher at the Laboratory of Low-carbon Metallurgy and Energy at SibFU.