Process modelling and optimization of a 250 MW IGCC system: ASU optimization and thermodynamic analysis

Qilong Xu, Shuai Wang, Kun Luo, Yanfei Mu, Lu Pan and Jianren Fan

Energy, 2023, vol. 282, issue C

Abstract: Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) underpins the advancement of pulverized coal combustion, yet the optimization of the air separation unit (ASU) in the IGCC system is still lacking, resulting in the limited reduction of energy consumption and efficiency improvement. Accordingly, a full-process IGCC model developed in our previous work (Energy, 2023,272: 127,040) is employed to optimize the ASU in a 250 MW IGCC power plant at an industrial scale. The feasibility of the ASU optimization was verified, and thermodynamic analysis evaluated the optimized IGCC system efficiency. The results show that the partial integration of ASU significantly reduces the compressor's energy consumption while the nitrogen re-injection method minimizes the use of saturated steam. Furthermore, reducing oxygen purity decreases the minimum separation work of the system. After optimization, the ASU uses only 53% as much power as the traditional system, and the total energy efficiency (44.9%) and exergy efficiency (43.6%) are improved by 2.2% and 1.8%, respectively. Consequently, the total energy consumption and exergy consumption decrease by 10.8% and 35.9%, respectively. The present work provides a comprehensive framework for optimizing other components of the IGCC system, which is expected to further reduce energy consumption and improve the system's efficiency.

Keywords: IGCC; Air separation unit; Process modelling; Parameter optimization; Energy analysis; Exergy analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:282:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223022582

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.128864

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