EVALUATION OF AMMONIA CO-FIRING FOR COAL FIRED POWER PLANT RETROFIT

• Main Author: Danella Christabel I, Audrey
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/81983
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from coal combustion is a primary contributor to global warming. Power plants are currently mandated to reduce emissions, which includes the implementation of biomass co-firing and low-carbon fuel adoption. Ammonia, characterized by a higher energy density than hydrogen, serves as a viable carbon-free fuel and transportation medium. This study investigates the retrofit installation of co-firing ammonia technology in coal-fired power plants (CFPP) in Indonesia. Combustion and power generation process in CFPPs are simulated using Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS software for five CFPP types with varying co-firing ratios (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) and capacities (300 MW, 660 MW, and 1000 MW). Simulation results are utilized for technical and financial evaluations, focusing on key indicators such as CO2 and NOx emissions, equipment modification costs, and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCoE). Based on techno-economic analysis, the LCoE of ammonia co-firing is predominantly influenced by the price of low-carbon ammonia. The implementation of ammonia co-firing is estimated to increase LCoE by 3 – 4 times, ranging from $150 to $200/MWh depending on the co-firing percentage (10 – 50%). Conversely, CO2 emissions decrease linearly with the applied co-firing percentage. The escalated LCoE corresponds to a minimum carbon reduction price of $243/tCO2, indicating the economic viability of ammonia co-firing requires aggressive policy measures, such as a minimum carbon tax at that value. The substantial increase in LCoE, despite achieving a maximum 50% reduction in emissions from the baseline, underline the necessity to compare with other decarbonization technology alternatives such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), biomass co-firing, and other alternatives.