BIOMASS MEDIUM BTU FUEL GAS FOR COMBUSTION TURBINES: INITIAL OPERATING EXPERIENCE FROM THE BURLINGTON, VERMONT COMMERCIAL DEMONSTRATION UNIT

摘要

One of the most promising possibilities for increasing the efficiencies of biomass for electric power is to convert the biomass into a gas that can be utilized in a high efficiency gas combustion turbine. Gas turbines in simple and combined cycle now dominate both new industrial and utility generating capacity additions worldwide because they are substantially more efficient, lower capital cost, and produce substantially lower environmental emissions than traditional boiler/steam turbine power plants.One technology with promise to allow the integration of biomass with advanced combustion turbines is the 'Low-Inlet Velocity Gasification' ('LIVG') process. The first commercial demonstration of this technology in Burlington, Vermont involves a partnership between the owners of the technology Future Energy Resources Company (FERCO) as well as the U.S. Department of Energy ('DOE'), and the owners of the host facility the McNeil Generating Station. Equipment design and turnkey facility engineering, construction, and start-up was done by National Energy Production Corporation (NEPCO). Construction was completed during the second quarter of 1997, start-up and shakedown will be completed during the third quarter, and parametric testing will be initiated at that time.The paper summarizes project objectives and design features as well as start-up and initial operating experience at the Burlington Plant. The paper describes testing and unit performance to date and future test plans. Initial test results and the implications for future plant cost reductions and efficiency gains are summarized.