CO₂ capture from coal power demonstrated in Queensland

Low emissions coal technology research reached an important milestone in Queensland recently with the first capture of CO₂ from Queensland’s Tarong Power Station flue gases, using post combustion capture (PCC) technology. The $5 million PCC demonstration project is a partnership between CSIRO and Tarong Energy Corporation.

PCC uses a liquid solvent to capture CO₂ from power station flue gases and has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions from coal-fired power stations by more than 80%.

CSIRO's Advanced Coal Technology Director, Dr John Carras, said PCC technology can help strike a balance between the increasing global demand for energy and the need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions: “Australia is fortunate enough to have access to affordable and reliable electricity, and that security of supply has been underpinned by coal. However, greenhouse gas emissions arising from the use of coal need to be mitigated. The pathway to achieving this objective is through large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies.

“Collaborating with industry partners like Tarong Energy allows CSIRO to undertake rigorous technology trials, build experience and accelerate the adoption of PCC to reduce emissions from the energy sector in Australia and overseas.”

The pilot plant is designed to capture approximately 1000 tonnes of CO₂ per annum. It will evaluate the effectiveness of CO₂ capture using amine-based solvents and inform the development of efficient and economical PCC technology at commercial scale.

Tarong Energy Chair Graham Carpenter added: “The opening of the plant marks a significant milestone as it is the first time in the Tarong Power Station’s 26-year history that carbon has been successfully captured on site. The corporation is acutely aware of its environmental responsibilities and we have introduced a number of initiatives to reduce our impact on the environment over the past few years.

“If the trial is successful and carbon storage sites are identified, this PCC technology has the potential to lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from not only Tarong Power Station, but also from other coal-fired generators throughout Queensland and Australia.”