What are the advantages of IGCC technology?
Coal-fueled IGCC technology offers a number of potential benefits over conventional pulverized coal plants. Depending on the final configuration of the IGCC plant, these can include: • Higher efficiency – The use of two turbines—a gas turbine and a steam turbine—leads to higher system efficiencies • Lower emissions – The gasification process enables improved removal of naturally-occurring pollutants in coal, such as sulfur and mercury, resulting in lower emission than conventional coal based power plants. • Carbon sequestration potential – The IGCC process makes it easier to capture carbon dioxide for carbon sequestration. • Marketable byproducts – The byproducts associated with the gasification and gas clean-up process may have commercial value in nearby industries. • Hydrogen as an alternative fuel source – Hydrogen is gaining popularity as a potential clean-burning fuel source of the future for vehicles and other industries. The ability to produce hydrogen from coal for such future
