Pilot application of the ECO2 technology began by Powerspan at the Burger Plant facility in December 2008. This pilot plant has been designed to produce approximately 20 tons of sequestration ready CO₂ per day while achieving a 90 percent capture rate and is expected to run through 2010.

In early 2010 Powerspan assigned WorleyParsons to undertake a thorough assessment of the facility’s design, operation, and performance. WorleyParson’s tests concluded that Powerspan’s pilot facility provides a sound-basis for the full-scale application of the ECO2 system, underlining that the technology is ready for application in 200 MW or larger plants.

According to Powerspan, the capital and operating costs of the ECO2 process retrofitted to a 220 MWnet subcritical pulverized coal plant were estimated at less than €33 per tonne. Transport and storage has been estimated to cost a further €8-18/tonne for the first demonstration plants. This means that the Powerspan project confirms that actual costs of CCS are in the lower end of earlier estimates.

The WorleyParsons assessment will be made available to prospective customers and partners of Powerspan.

For the full announcement released by Powerspan click here.