IGCC is a clean coal technology that combines two technologies – coal gasification
and combined cycle – to offer the potential to achieve the
environmental benefits of gas-fired generation with the thermal performance
of a combined-cycle plant, yet with the low fuel cost associated with coal.
Coal gasification is the process by which coal is partially combusted with
oxygen and steam to form what is commonly called syngas. The syngas then is cleaned
to remove particulates and other emissions.
Combined cycle plants generate electricity more efficiently and consume less
fuel per kilowatthour of output than do conventional generators. A typical combined-cycle
plant employs one or more gas turbines, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and
a steam turbine. Both the gas and steam turbines produce power.
The technology offers potential for future retrofit of carbon-capture systems at
a lower capital cost and with lower efficiency losses when compared with conventional
pulverized coal technologies.
