Computer Models and Simulations of IGCC Power Plants with Canadian Coals

摘要

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant has been identified as one of the high efficiency, clear technology to generate electricity from coal. The SO_x, NO_x and particulate emissions from IGCC are in the range of those from the natural gas fueled combustion plant. The solid residures from gasification are environmentally benign because of high temperature employed. Furthermore, the overall thermal efficiency is higher than that of the conventional pulverized coal combustion plants. This translates into decreased emissions of CO_2 per unit of electricity generated by almost 20percent. In Canada, there has been lots of activities in IGCC research and study. Several feasibility studies to construct IGCC plant were completed in 80s and early 90s. However, major decisions to construct a commercial IGCC plant were postponed because of the availability of natural gas. CANMET Energy Technology Center (CETC) of Natural Resources Canada has been doing research and feasibility studies on IGCC technology for Canadian power industry since 80s. One of the project CANMET did was to establish accurate computer model to simulate such complex process. All major commercially available gasifiers should be studied and their corresponding model should be built. Once the model has been tested, the performance of several selected Canadian coals should also be carried out on the model.