Clean and efficient coal technology integrated with CO2 sequestration and hydrogen energy systems

In view of the threatening global environmental issues and depletion of fossil fuel resources, a hydrogen energy-oriented society is expected to be realised around 2030-2050 supported by the introduction of a large amount of renewable energy. To achieve this, however, it will take a long time and a realistic intermediate scenario is needed which is practical and socially acceptable. For this purpose, a new system integration for CO2-free coal utilisation combined with hydrogen energy and CO2 sequestration is proposed and discussed. The method is based on the present status and future prospect of various related technologies in Japan including O-2/CO2 (oxy-firing) coal combustion with CO2 recovery, hydrogen gas turbine power station, highly sophisticated utilisation of hydrogen and CO2 sequestration.