Life Cycle Environmental Impacts Assessment of Post-Combustion Carbon Capture for Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant in Iraq, Considering Grassroots and Retrofit Design

Abstract

In this work, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is used to examine the implications of CO2 capture from a natural gas combined cycle power plant with post-combustion carbon capture (NGCC-CCS) in Iraq, taking into account two different design scenarios. In the first scenario (retrofit), the carbon capture unit is considered as an end pipe technology that can be linked to an existing power plant. The second scenario considers a grassroots design, in which a new power plant equipped with a carbon capture unit needs to be constructed. The LCA is carried out based on different impact assessment (LCIA) methodologies of ReCipe 2016 Midpoint (H), TRACI 2.1, and IMPACT 2002+ to investigate whether the chosen LCIA method influences the LCA scenario analysis for decision support in process development. The results of three impact categories applied to both scenarios reveal a 28% reduction in Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) and a 14% and 17% increase in the Particulate Matter Formation Potential (PMFP) and Acidification (AP) potential in the grassroots scenario, respectively. Finally, an uncertainty analysis is performed to more accurately reflect the influence of uncertain factors on the statistical significance of the environmental impact evaluation in this research, indicating that these uncertainties may significantly affect the ultimate decision.