gCCS

End-to-end high-fidelity whole chain systems modelling

gCCS is the commercial system modelling tool for whole-chain carbon capture & storage systems that will be released by PSE at the end of the CCS System Modelling Took-Kit Project.

gCCS operates like many standard process flowsheeting tools, but unlike these it contains high-fidelity models of all major CCS operations. In addition, powerful modelling and solution capabilities mean that it can be used for detailed steady-state and dynamic simulation and optimisation across large sections of CCS networks.

The diagram below shows a 'drill-down' view from a whole CCS chain model (left) into a pulverised coal and CCGT power station models (centre and right).

Major features

gCCS is built on PSE's gPROMS advanced process modelling platform, and inherits many of the platform's powerful capabilities. Key features are:

High-fidelity models of all main CCS chain components with multicomponent streams, equilibrium and rate-based phase modelling
Rigorous gSAFT physical properties
Intuitive drag & drop flowsheeting environment
Steady-state and dynamic simulation within the same environment
Powerful solution capabilities, allowing simultaneous analysis of large sections of CCS networks with many recycles
Optimisation – including mixed-integer and dynamic optimisation – capabilities, allowing economic optimisation with many decision variables
Custom modelling capabilities, allowing easy creation of new process models
Execution on multiple Windows and Linux platforms.

Screenshot showing an expanded view of a whole-chain model

Scope at-a-glance

gCCS provides models for the whole CCS chain:

Power generation	Capture
Conventional generation – pulverised coal Conventional generation – CCGT New generation – Oxyfuel New generation – IGCC	Physical & chemical solvent-based pre- and post-combustion capture to be extended in future
Compression & transmission	Injection & storage
Compressors Onshore and subsea pipelines Instrumentation	Distribution headers & choke valves Well Simplified reservoir models
Utilities	Physical properties
Standard process models (heat exchanger, valves, etc.) Control models	Standard VLE physical properties Steam properties gSAFT advanced thermodynamics

It is possible to integrate standard PSE's offerings, such as air-separation unit (ASU) models, with the gCCS libraries.

Application

Some typical applications of gCCS are to:

Investigate flexible operation of a post-combustion capture plant attached to a coal-fired power station
Optimise integration between the power plant and capture plant
Design optimal compression trains for flexible service
Investigate the effects of upstream or downstream changes in operation (for example, injection trip)
Screen and rank economic alternatives
Optimise design or operation based on an economic objective function.

Availability

gCCS will become commercially available at the end of March 2014. It is currently available to project participants and approved evaluators.

If you wish to evaluate the software, please contact gccs@psenterprise.com for more information.