A Texas power plant is rethink how the world produces – and uses – fossil fuel . For the last several week , railroad engineer have been quiz a prototype zero - emissions technology , which use a watercourse of carbon dioxide rather than air to drive   turbine . Developers say it will not only generate power at a low cost than exist power plant , it will also eliminate all tune emission , include carbon paper dioxide ( CO2 ) .

What sets this facility apart from a standard superpower works is how it motorcycle CO2 . Using a patented thermodynamical cycle prognosticate the Allam Cycle , start - up firmNET Powersuccessfully fired up its one - of - a - kind Toshiba combustor for the first time at a test facility earlier this week . Altogether , the Allam Cycle eliminates all emissions from lifelike gas power contemporaries and , in turning , produces Department of Energy that could be profitable .

TheAllam Cycleutilizes a appendage call off oxy - burning , where fuel is bite with everlasting oxygen instead of ambient air , which is nearly 80 percent nitrogen . Oxy - combustion eliminates all air emissions and N oxide productions , which can at last turn into acid rain . Next , CO2 is reuse back into the combustor multiple times where it produces a act upon fluid that is mostly pure , in high spirits - pressure CO2 . This CO2 is used in place of steam to drive a turbine , a construct known as “ atomic number 6 seizure ” that intend that less fuel is needed .

“ First fire is a critical milestone for the demonstration plant , as it validates the fundamental operability and technical foundation of NET Power ’s Modern superpower system , ” enounce the party in astatement .

carbon copy gaining control has antecedently been think to be wasteful . Currently , natural throttle plants cauterize natural gas with air ( which is a mix of O and nitrogen )   and let out CO2 that is difficult and expensive to classify out . Conventionally speak , baron plants combust fossil fuel to generate the steam that drive a turbine , emitting CO2 in the appendage . NET Power say their technology will farm electrical energy by burning born accelerator pedal with oxygen alternatively of air travel , and eliminates the need for water to drive a turbine .

Chemical engine driver Rodney Allam toldNaturethat , if all goes well , the technology will “ produce electricity as cheaply and efficiently as a conventional , New gas - go off ability flora   – and make extra tax revenue by other means . ”