Coal gasification—combined cycles for electricity production

This introductory review summarizes a series of specific areas of technology which must contribute to the development of a coal gasification-combined cycle power plant. The optional combinations of the gas and steam turbines are each seen to pose different technical problems. The paramount importance of the development of a high temperature (> 1200°C) turbine inlet temperature and the subsidiary role of high temperature gas cleaning and water requirements are discussed; the prospective reliability of gasifier/boiler couplings are largely unknown.

The cost of electricity from the combined-cycle process has been shown to be most attractive in regions of high cost coal. It is considered likely that combined cycle power production will be implemented where conditions of high coal cost, low water availability and strict emission regulations coexist.

The commentary is framed in the perspective of Canadian coal resources, however most comments apply to all coal gasification combined cycle power plants and examples are drawn from all sources.