Date of Award
December 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Energy Engineering
First Advisor
Oluwasegun Tomomewo
Abstract
CO2 emissions from the power sector continue to increase annually owing to global economic growth and the electrification of end-use energy consumption. Natural gas power plants are recognized for their flexibility in ensuring grid stability. The rise in the share of renewable energy sources in the grid has led to part-load operation and reduced capacity factors for fossil fuel power plants. The importance of carbon capture technology (CCT) in reducing CO2 emissions is generally recognized. This study investigates the integration of post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) technology in the power sector as a means of addressing three closely related challenges: first, reducing the carbon emission intensity in the power sector; second, the impacts of part load operation on the technical and cost performance of integrated gas plants and PCC; and third, estimation of realistic capacity factors for cost studies and decision-making. This work adopted analytical methods, process modelling, and integrated energy systems modelling. Two process configurations of MEA-CO2 absorption, namely the conventional and Lean Vapor Recompression (LVR), are investigated at base load and part-load outputs of the Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC). The columns’ performances were verified, and L/G values are below 0.78.Technoeconomic assessment (TEA) drives policy development and decision-making in technology adoption. Static TEAs are unable to capture vital aspects when compared to a dynamic TEA, which captures the changes in cost and technical variables over the plant lifetime. The Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) would likely be above 110 $/MWh due to operational flexibility in the grid. Furthermore, a load dispatch model with power supply constraint of the NGCC-PCC in a renewable energy-dominant grid shows that the net present value remains negative at all loads. The Monte Carlo simulations and model optimization indicate profitability in a favorable CO2 market environment, alongside regulatory frameworks such as carbon taxes and adequate incentives, which are currently absent in the United States. The NGCC-PCC is a low-carbon energy system that must operate at base load and high capacity factors for PCC technology to aid in achieving the net-zero objective.
Recommended Citation
Akinmoladun, Akinwale Akinwunmi, "Dynamic Techno-Economic Analysis Of Advanced Configuration Of Chemical Absorption Carbon Capture Technology Integration With Natural Gas Combined Cycle" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 8207.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/8207