Our country is working on integrated technologies for producing clean coal through IGCC

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Author/Source: http://www.cheminfo.gov.cn/ Date: 2009-4-2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the 2009 China IGCC Cogeneration Summit Forum held on March 26–27, Xiao Yunhan, head of the expert group for the major demonstration projects related to coal gasification-based cogeneration under the 11th Five-Year Plan and the 863 Program, as well as deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of High Technology Research and Development, revealed that: \"Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is a super-clean and efficient power generation technology; it represents a technological approach aimed at achieving near-zero carbon dioxide emissions. It meets the strategic needs of China’s energy development.\" To develop a cluster of clean coal technologies with core competitiveness, China is working on advanced technologies such as IGCC, coal liquefaction, gasification, and coal chemical engineering, as well as multi-product systems based on gasification; it has already established the first IGCC and methanol co-production demonstration system at Yankuang. ” Weng Shile, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told reporters that the main clean coal technologies available internationally are IGCC cogeneration and supercritical/supersupercritical processes. When comparing the two technologies, without considering carbon dioxide capture, IGCC cogeneration has a slightly higher efficiency ； If carbon dioxide capture is taken into account, its efficiency is 5% higher, and carbon capture is easier. Therefore, IGCC cogeneration is globally recognized as the most effective way for the clean utilization of coal. Ni Weidou, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, suggested that coal will remain the main source of energy in China in the future, and its use for power generation is increasing. Over 70% of the sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide contributing to air pollution in China stem from the direct combustion of coal. He said that we are currently in a new phase of power generation development in our country, and the power plants built now will determine the pattern of coal utilization from 2020 onward. If the transition to gasification-based cogeneration technologies is delayed, it will **increase the costs associated with addressing air pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our country in the future.** Xiao Yunhan said that IGCC co-generation is an important option for China to develop clean coal technology. The coal gasification-based cogeneration demonstration project aims to develop significant products and technical systems. Relying on the IGCC and cogeneration projects that China’s energy enterprises plan to build during the 11th Five-Year Plan period, this project will carry out research and development as well as validation of related technologies such as large-scale coal gasification, retrofitting of heavy-duty gas turbines for lower pollution levels in the use of syngas, synthesis of liquid products, system optimization and integration, as well as operations and control. It will also include tests and demonstrations of typical systems such as those for the co-generation of liquid products and electricity using IGCC technology ； Build key technology R&D platforms and demonstration bases to support independent innovation in coal-based efficient and clean power generation as well as the production of liquid products in our country, thereby establishing the capability for independent research and development, complete engineering solutions, and system integration of key IGCC and co-production technologies and equipment. This conference was hosted by the Shanghai Petroleum Society and Shanghai Yahua Consulting Company.