Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)

The chemistry and technology of gasification is presented within the global context of enabling the cleanup of fossil and biomass fuels for energy production. The historical development of gasification is compared and contrasted to combustion processes. While gasification has historically been applied to the production of high-valued chemical products, the focus here is to offset commodity power production using fossil fuel technologies less amenable to carbon capture. For this reason, integrated gasification and combined cycle processes are discussed with respect to electrical power production. The 12 major gasifiers being marketed today are described, some of which are fully deployed while others are in various stages of development. The hydrodynamics and kinetics of each are reviewed along with salient differences in performance, such as gas composition, when using a variety of fuels under different conditions. Critical operational features are discussed including oxidizing media, air or oxygen blown; the system pressure; fuel feedstock; and downstream cleanup. Thermal integration is discussed with respect to its impact on the gasifier performance and gas cleanup is also considered with respect to the removal of potential pollutants and the shifting to environmentally benign transportation and process fuels.