Aju Business Daily

SEOUL -- Researchers have developed a new technology that combines pure oxygen combustion with cyclic fluidized bed combustion technology to reduce carbon dioxide. 

The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), a state-run energy research institute, said its research team has developed the oxy-circulating fluidized bed combustion (Oxy-CFBC) technology. Compared to other thermal power generation technologies that require high temperatures, Oxy-CFBC technology uses pure oxygen instead of air.

"It is not cheap because it is a pure oxygen process, but it is not expensive considering social costs in consideration of environmental problems," team leaders Lee Jae-koo said in a statement published on Thursday. Most of the emissions generated during combustion are supplied to combustion and reused to reduce the amount of exhaust gas emitted into the chimney.

The new technology can be used for low-grade fuel and desulfurization, the institute said, adding that to capture a high concentration of carbon dioxide, oxygen supply and emission recirculation facilities can be added to existing thermal power plants.

The oxygen concentration used in combustion plays an important role in improving efficiency. The institute said that if oxygen with a concentration level of 60 percent or more is used, the size of combustion furnace and rear installation facilities can be reduced.

"In order to reduce greenhouse gas and ultrafine dust, it is urgent to develop innovative technologies," Moon Tae-young from KIER's clean fuel lab said, promising to secure basic design, engineering and operation technologies. The technology enables the stable conversion of air combustion and pure oxygen combustion, leading to the collection of more than 90 percent of carbon dioxide within an hour.