Abstract

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is an emerging technology for electric power generation from coal with minimum impact on the environment. Power is generated efficiently by a combination of syngas-driven gas turbines and steam turbines. Studies have shown that the capital cost of an IGCC plant is relatively high when compared to a natural-gas-fired combined cycle plant while its variable operating costs are comparatively low because coal is a lower priced fuel. Favorable IGCC economics thus require high capacity utilization as well as the high availability and reliability normally required for utility industry power plans. A base load plant will meet these criteria if adequate attention is paid to gasifier reliability. In a study sponsored by Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Bechtel investigated the addition of an operating spare gasification train with methanol co-production from the syngas in order to improve the reliability of a base load electric power plant. As shown, the net result was an improved plant availability along with the co-production of a valuable by-product which paid for the addition of the spare gasifier. Co-production of hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) technology is a logical alternative to methanol co-production becausemore » it can offer the similar synergistic effects on the power plant similar to the methanol co-production scheme. Bechtel is currently carrying out a Baseline Design/Economics Study for Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (DOE/PETC) on indirect coal liquefaction using advanced F-T technology.« less

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