ELCOGAS 14 MWth pre-combustion carbon dioxide capture pilot. Technical & economical achievements

This paper introduces the experiences from the planning, installation and operation of a pilot-scale CO2 capture and H2 production plant. This Project is the main activity of ELCOGAS (owner of the Puertollano IGCC Power Plant) in relation to carbon capture topic. he aim to demonstrate the feasibility of capture of CO2 and production of H2 in an IGCC, as well as to obtain economic data, Elcogas launched in 2004 the construction of a 14 MWth Pilot fed by a 2% slip-stream of the Puertollano IGCC Plant, able to capture 100 t/d of CO2, while producing 2 t/d of high purity H2, and using proven and commercial technology. The first tonne of CO2 was captured on 13th September 2010 (thus becoming the first installation of this kind in the world) and the commissioning was accomplished by October 2010. h the paper, a precise description of the technology used in this pilot is presented, the main milestones of the Project are identified, and the behavior of the pilot during characterization tests is reported. Special attention is given to the lessons learned during project execution and commissioning, and to economics aspects of the installation and its implication in CO2 capture and H2 production costs estimation.