OXYCOAL-AC: Towards development of a zero-CO2-emission coal combustion process for efficient power generation

The OXYCOAL-AC cooperative research project, presented here, aims at the development of the main components for an integrated zero-CO2 emission power plant process which comprises combustion of pulverised coal in a mixture of recirculated flue gas (RFG) and oxygen produced from a ceramic ion transport membrane (ITM). This article focuses on the specifics of coal combustion in a CO2/O2 atmosphere including flame stability and related burner design as well as the changes in the heat transfer inside an oxy-firing utility scale furnace. The membrane-based air separation modules and their design for oxycoal conditions are reviewed as well. (authors)