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Title: Central Arkansas Energy Project: coal to medium-Btu gas. Volume 1. Feasibility study. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5151532

The Central Arkansas Energy Project has as its objective the conversion of coal in a central location to a more readily usable energy source, medium Btu gas (MBG), for use at dispersed locations as fuel for power production and steam generation, or as a feedstock for chemical processing. The gasification plant will be located adjacent to AP and L's existing White Bluff Steam Electric Station near Redfield, Arkansas. A comprehensive 14-month study was performed to investigate the project feasibility. The study included preliminary design of the gasification plant including process engineering design bases, process flow diagrams, utility requirements, system descriptions, project engineering design, equipment specifications, plot plan and section plot plans, preliminary piping and instrument diagrams, and facilities requirements. Financial analyses and sensitivities were determined. Detailed design and construction schedules and manpower loadings were developed. Site characteristics and site suitability as well as an evaluation of the environmental safety, health and socioeconomic issues were performed. The results of these evaluations indicate that the gasification plant and pipeline are licensable and will have a minimal effect on the environment. An overall schedule for construction of the gasification plant was developed which indicated a 76 month requirement for design engineering and construction, including a 10 month start-up period. The estimated 1981 dollar project capital cost is $964 million. The escalated 1988 project capital cost is $1.370 billion. Financial analyses have indicated the plant would provide a 25% after-tax return on investment, based upon a 1988 MBG price of $11.02 MM Btu.

Research Organization:
Arkansas Power and Light Co., Little Rock (USA); Ebasco Services, Inc., Norcross, GA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG01-81RA50552
OSTI ID:
5151532
Report Number(s):
DOE/RA/50552-1220-Vol.1; ON: DE82016338
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English