Co-Production of Methanol and Electric Power Using an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) System

摘要

The gasification of coal (and other solid fuels) to produce gaseous fuels that can be used in a combustion process to produce electricity or other forms of thermal based power is a relatively mature technology that has been in existence for over a century. In addition, the use of gasified fuel as feedstock or raw material for the production of various chemicals such as methanol is more recently gaining acceptance as an added incentive to economically justify the construction of a gasification facility. The co-production of power and methanol from an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) system and a proprietary liquid phase methanol plant, with the ability to sell or use both electricity and methanol has the potential to provide the impetus for capital investment in these types of facilities. The use of coal as the carbon source for gasification is advantageous due to its abundance and relatively low cost. An additional environmental benefit of combining these technologies is the avoidance of a significant quantity of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) from the process. CH2M HILL-Lockwood Greene and CH2M HILL have recently completed a preliminary engineering, environmental, and cost feasibility assessment of a co-production facility proposed for construction in China. The proposed facility will produce methanol for sale to the open market,while simultaneously generating electricity to provide power to the methanol production facility as well as to the local power grid. The emphasis of this presentation will be to present many of the lessons learned during the study. Areas discussed will include: coal analysis, choice of gasifier, acid gas cleaning, power generation, and the environmental impacts (and benefits) associated with the use of these technologies.