Tomorrow
Clean Coal
How does it work?
The technology being proposed by SaskPower is an oxyfuel concept. This
involves the removal of the nitrogen from air by an air separation unit
before coal combustion. Combustion takes place in boiler similar to a conventional
boiler currently used by SaskPower, however it happens in an environment
with oxygen and flue gas consisting of a high percentage of carbon dioxide
(CO2). This produces an exhaust stream with a high carbon dioxide
content that is easily captured and compressed for disposal or sale.
What is its potential as a supply option in SaskPower’s
system?
Coal is abundant in Saskatchewan and the price of coal is stable. Saskatchewan
has excellent CO2 storage opportunities. SaskPower has considerable
expertise in coal technology.
Low emissions of greenhouse gases.
Market opportunity to sell CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.
Significant expertise in Saskatchewan on coal fired generation and CO2 capture.
Potential market opportunity for this leading edge technology to world markets.
Potential to develop a clean coal engineering and technology centre in the province.
There is a technology risk because SaskPower would be the first in the world to use this on a commercial level.
Non-renewable.
There is a relatively high cost unless the CO2produced can be sold.
Mining of coal can result in landscape alterations, depending on type of landscape.
