Keynote 1: Development and Research needs of the Allam Cycle

The Allam Cycle is leading the push in reducing emissions from fossil fuel power generation by using an oxy-combustion cycle that employs high-pressure supercritical CO₂ as a working fluid.  The cycle recuperates and reuses much of the waste heat, including waste heat from the air separation process. In this manner, the cycle is able to achieve an efficiency from natural gas ranging from 50% to >60% (LHV).  The efficiency depends on desired CAPEX, firing temperatures, and specific project conditions such as other possible industrial integration. The only by-products are liquid water and a stream of nominally pure (>97%) CO₂ that is already at pipeline pressure as a result of the operating conditions of the cycle. The inherent operational characteristics of the Allam Cycle allows it to avoid the necessity of additional capture and compression systems for CO₂ carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS). The result is a power cycle with major advantages over conventional systems that do not capture CO₂.  The current state of the art will be discussed, along with current developments and future pathways for improvement.

Speakers

Jeremy Fetvedt

Chief Engineer, 8 Rivers Capital