Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) combines two highly efficient and environmentally friendly technologies - petroleum coke gasification and combined cycle power generation - to offer the potential to achieve the environmental benefits of gas-fired generation from a petroleum coke feedstock. IGCC is the cleanest power generation technology when compared to other power technologies that consume solid fosil fuels.
Petroleum coke gasification is the process by which petroleum coke is partially combusted with oxygen to form what is called syngas, a clean burning fuel. The syngas then is cleaned to remove sulfur, particulates and other emissions. Hydrogen is then removed from the clean syngas for use in the refinery.
The process used by IGCC plants can be broken down into five steps:
- The petroleum coke from the refinery is gasified to produce a synthetic gas (syngas)
- Hydrogen, for the refinery, and sulfur, a byproduct, are removed from the syngas, then electricity is generated using a combined cycle, consisting of the following three steps:
- A gas turbine-generator burns the syngas
- Heat from the exhaust and heat from the gas turbine are used to create steam
- The steam is used to power a steam turbine-generator, also some of the steam will be used in the refinery.
The concern about climate change and the potential for carbon dioxide sequestration makes IGCC one of the most environmentally responsible technologies available today. The proposed Hyperion IGCC plant will be Carbon Sequester Ready from the beginning of operations.
Below is a process diagram demonstrating the basic operation of the IGCC plant. Note the gas cleanup portion of the process which seperates contaminants prior to combustion, the key reason IGCC minimizes emissions when compared to traditional coal or petcoke fired plants.
A simplified diagram demonstating the IGCC process at the Hyperion Energy Center.
Engineering work is ongoing and certain processes or elements depicted here may change in the future.