Oxy-fuelling (coal)

An oxy-fuelling coal-fired power plant involves the combustion of coal using nearly pure oxygen instead of air, resulting in a flue gas composed of CO2 and water vapour, which can be dehydrated to obtain a high-purity CO2 stream. Typically, oxygen is commercially produced via low-temperature air separation. Lowering the energy consumption and cost for oxygen production (via improved low-temperature air separation or air-separating membranes, or by generating oxygen during periods of low-cost power, e.g. during night time), and the overall oxyfuel process, are key factors in reducing capture costs.