Siemens will help a Florida power generator capture the carbon dioxide emissions from a coal-fired power plant on Tampa Bay.

The pilot test seeks to demonstrate Siemen's Postcap technology, which absorbs CO2 with an amino acid salt formulation. A portion of Tampa Electric's Big Bend Power Station's flue gas stream will be targeted, with the expectation of capturing 90 percent. The goal is to make the carbon capture process more energy efficient.

Siemens will build and operate the pilot plant that will treat the side stream of the power plant, which is owned by Tampa Electric. The project will receive nearly $9 million in funds from the Department of Energy.

The DOE announced last month its would reward $67 million over three years to 10 projects that advance carbon capture technologies. The DOE wants to reduce the extra costs for CCS-related electricity to less than 30 percent for new pulverized coal plants, and to 10 percent for new advanced gasification plants.

Tampa Electric also said last week it would pursue a second project aimed at bringing down the cost of CCS technology at an integrated gasification combined cycle plant. The unit will be tested at the Polk Power Station, one of the country's most efficient power generation units. Located in west central Florida, the facility was also designed to maximize water recycling and minimize groundwater withdrawals.

Joining the project will be RTI International and the Shaw Group, both of which will have a hand in designing and building the sulfur removal demonstration unit.

Image courtesy of Tampa Electric.