Abstract:
A coal-based synthesis natural gas (SNG) project was planned to set up near the Baganuur coal mine in Mongolia. To mitigate carbon dioxide (CO
2) emissions and promote the sustainable development of coal conversion projects, a pre-feasibility study of full-chain carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) retrofitting to the SNG project was assessed. Based on the characteristics of the SNG project and the geological setting of Mongolia, a feasibility study framework was used to assess the potential CCUS project. The feasibility study framework includes evaluation and selection of storage sites, site performance evaluation, project design of full-chain CCUS, techno-economic evaluation, etc. Results showed that there are sufficient high suitability and a huge capacity for CO
2 aquifer storage in most parts of the Nyalga basin, and the selected site is with low geological risks. The technical scheme of full- chain CCUS is that high purity CO
2 from industrial separation can be directly compressed and transported to the suitable geological sites nearby by onshore pipeline. It assumed that 90% of the total CO
2 capture is used for enhancing the recovery of water (CO
2-EWR) and 10% is for sale to oil companies for enhancing the recovery of oil (CO
2-EOR) projects or other utilizations. The project can annually reduce CO
2 emissions of 5Mt and produce saline water of 5.13 Mt with a levelized cost of 18.8 USD/t. This study shows that the full-chain CCUS project accompanied by the SNG factory is applicable and low-cost. It is a sign for the low-carbon and sustainable development of fossil-based industries in the Mongolia and other countries of one Belt and one Road region.