Integration of IGCC Plants and Reachable Multi-Objective ThermoEconomic Optimization

Abstract

The gasification process of IGCC plants enables the production of electricity as main product and production of heat and some chemicals (e.g., sulfur, slag) as by-products. In order to testify its feasibility for large scale production, IGCC control and optimization methodologies are needed to enhance its characteristic performance and environmental sustainability via IGCC system integration. Thermoeconomic optimization has been proposed to coordinate multiple components of IGCC plants (compressor, air separation unit, gasifier, gas cleanup system, gas turbine cycle and steam turbine cycle) using advanced control technologies. IGCC technology allows the environment-friendly use of coal. It converts coal to synthesis gas and sends it to the gas turbine system. When gas turbine is fired on a gas fuel emitted from gasification of solid carbonaceous material, this cycle becomes an integrate cycle. In the mean while, control oriented thermoeconomic optimization takes an important role in this potentially widespread commercial technology.