The “cost tool” is a model that calculates the CAPEX & OPEX
of the ULCOS routes. Along with the “CO2 tool”, it provides
one of the key elements necessary for selecting the best
routes: it was used for decision making when the program
moved from phase I, where 80 different routes where
under investigation, to phase II, where 5 routes only are
studied further; it now provides updated information on the
on-going routes of the last phases of the program. OPEX are
calculated by an extension of the CO2 tool, based on plant
by plant simulation of the flow sheet, and CAPEX result from
the concepts provided by the line SPs scaled by standard
chemical engineering design rules. The tool is embedded in a
sophisticated futures studies framework, using the same longterm
(2050) scenarios as the economic modeling of energy
futures carried out by LEPII [E. Bellevrat, P. Menanteau - Scenarios and economic mod-eling, Proceedings, ULCOS-4, Essen, October 2008.], which assumes a series of
futures ranging from mild to strong CO2 constraint. This gives
an unusual vision of when and how the CO2 externality
will be internalized in the economy. Indeed, as claimed
by the Steel Industry, the existing process routes are very
efficient and, therefore, in the context of prices encountered
since 2000, there are not any no-regret ULCOS routes. The
selection of ULCOS routes has been carried out in coherence
with the tool conclusions, although other, non-model based
considerations have also been taken on board.