Technical economic analysis of an intensified Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant featuring a sequence of membrane reactors

Abstract

In this work, a technical economic analysis (TEA) is carried-out for the design of an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant featuring a sequence of hydrogen-permeable ceramic membrane reactors (MRs). The proposed design features membrane reactors that generate hydrogen of higher purity than conventional reactor-separator systems used in IGCC plants, and enable over 90% carbon capture in the Dual-Stage Selexol unit. A multi-scale model is used to simulate the proposed MR sequence, and a commercial process flowsheet simulator is used to create the proposed intensified MR IGCC plant flowsheet, which is subsequently heat integrated. The TEA developed for the MR IGCC power plant allows for the economic characteristics of its design to be compared with those of a traditional IGCC plant equipped with carbon capture storage (CCS) technology.