Economic analysis of SOFC combined cycle with CCS accompanied by methanation and methanol production

Abstract

This study investigates a combined solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) CO2 utilization system that employs green hydrogen methanolization and methanation to utilize the CO2 captured by the system. The system is able to efficiently utilize the CO2 generated from power generation and effectively reduce CO2 emissions from power plants. Carbon dioxide is separated from the exhaust gases of the system and is captured, stored and efficiently utilized through methanation and methanolization. The synthesized methane is used for SOFC power generation and the synthesized methanol is sold. The economic benefits of the proposed system were evaluated using a discounted cash flow approach. With a unit electricity price of $0.36/kWh (rated output = 750 MW, PV capacity = 151.3 MW, discount rate = 3%, methanization reactor share = 50%) and considering periodic replacement of equipment over time, the simple integration of the system has a balanced payback period of 9 years, a NPV of 10 years, and a dynamic payback of 18.86 years, which indicates that the proposed system is economically viable. This indicates that the proposed system is economically feasible.