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Optimization of electricity-methanol coproduction: Configurations of integrated - gasification - combined - cycle/once-through methanol

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7126866

An attractive alternative providing considerable flexibility in an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant involves plant modification to coproduce methanol and electricity. The methanol, produced continuously and stored during off peak hours, becomes a storable liquid fuel saleable as a by-product or usable as supplemental fuel during peak demand periods. The Once-Through Methanol (OTM) process converts to methanol without shifting into a balanced gas as required by conventional vapor phase. A promising OTM concept involves the liquid-phase methanol (LPMEOH{sup TM}){asterisk} process, particularly suited for use with carbon monoxide (CO) rich coal-derived synthesis gas, which has the potential to produce methanol at lower costs than traditional vapor-phase processes. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost of methanol coproduced in IGCC/OTM configurations, including baseload and intermediate load following applications. The study developed an OTM design based on the LPMEOH process for a 650 MW Texaco-based IGCC facility load following a design previously developed by Flour. Using a portion of the synthesis gas generated in the gasification plant to coproduce methanol, methanol cost was calculated to maintain the same revenue requirements from power sale (cost of electricity) as the IGCC plant. The report also evaluated incorporation of the LPMEOH unit for load following, and estimated and compared electricity cost with and IGCC-only facility cycled to produce the same base and peak power load for summer and winter ambient conditions. 14 refs., 52 figs., 73 tabs.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Chem Systems, Inc., Tarrytown, NY (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
EPRI
OSTI ID:
7126866
Report Number(s):
EPRI-GS-6869
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English