Evaluating Coal, RDF, and Ammonia Blends in Power Plants: Techno-Economic Insights and Coal Phase-Out Implications

Antonio Chavando, Valter Bruno Silva (), João Sousa Cardoso and Daniela Eusebio
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Antonio Chavando: Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Valter Bruno Silva: Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
João Sousa Cardoso: Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
Daniela Eusebio: Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-29

Abstract: This comprehensive techno-economic analysis focuses on a proposed power plant that uses cleaner alternatives to traditional combustion methods. The study meticulously examines ternary blends of ammonia, refuse-derived fuels (RDFs), and coal. Utilizing an Aspen Plus simulation equilibrium model, a thorough review of the relevant literature, and evaluation reports on biomass-to-energy power plants and ammonia combustion, the analysis spans 20 years. It considers vital financial metrics such as the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period (PBP). The findings indicate that the combustion of pure coal is the most energy-efficient but has the highest global warming potential (GWP). In contrast, ammonia and RDF blends significantly reduce GWP, with ammonia showing a 3215% lower GWP than coal. Economically, pure coal remains the most attractive option. However, blends of 80% coal, 10% ammonia, and 10% RDF also show promise with a PBP of 11.20 years at a 15% discount rate. These results highlight the potential of ammonia and RDF blends to balance environmental and economic considerations in power generation.

Keywords: ammonia; refuse-derived fuels; coal; combustion; co-combustion; techno-economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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