Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) announced today that it will work with
Fundacion Ciudad de la Energia (CIUDEN), a Spanish government agency,
to develop a pilot facility incorporating advanced technologies for
carbon dioxide abatement and capture from coal-fired electricity
generating plants.
To be located in El Bierzo, in northern Spain, the initial phase
of project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009. It will conduct
tests using anthracite coal and petroleum coke fuels in both
pulverized-coal and circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers under a
wide range of operating conditions and with different degrees of
oxy-coal combustion. Biomass fuel may be tested at a later stage.
In oxy-coal combustion technology, pure oxygen instead of air is
introduced to the boiler, creating a highly concentrated stream of
carbon dioxide, which is more economical to capture. Praxair will
provide the upstream oxygen supply facilities; the oxygen mixing and
injection technology; the downstream carbon dioxide capture and
gas-processing technologies and equipment; and the overall control
systems integration for the power systems.
"By bringing together government, industry and research
institutions, we hope to identify the best combination of engineering,
design and equipment to achieve both environmental and economic goals
in the reduction of greenhouse gases in power generation," said Prof.
Dr. Vicente J. Cortes Galeano, program manager for CIUDEN.
Charles McConnell, Praxair's vice president for gasification and
oxy-coal technology, said, "Praxair is well positioned to be a strong
partner in clean-coal projects. We bring proven engineering and design
capabilities, gas-processing and systems expertise, and global
experience in the capture and purification of carbon dioxide. This
project will help us develop the most cost-effective and efficient
routes to carbon dioxide capture in power-generation applications."
Praxair Spain is a leading industrial gases supplier in Spain,
with 20 air separation and carbon dioxide plants, four pipeline
complexes and 15 cylinder-filling stations located throughout the
country.
Praxair, Inc. is the largest industrial gases company in North and
South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2006 sales of
$8.3 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric
and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair
products, services and technologies bring productivity and
environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including
aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy,
healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on
Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.
CIUDEN, created in May 2006, is the main institution of the
Spanish Government responsible for developing national geological
CO(2) capture and storage programs. Its board of directors includes
the Ministries of Education, Industry and the Environment.