Simultaneous optimization and integration of gas turbine and air separation unit in IGCC plant

In Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant, Gas Turbine (GT) and Air Separation Unit (ASU) have great influences on the thermal efficiency, especially their interaction. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss them as a whole. The obstacle to achieve this is the complexity of the double-column ASU modeling. In this paper, a simultaneous optimization and integration methodology is developed for the system of ASU and GT to increase the net power generation. The rigorous mathematical model of ASU and GT is proposed as the basics. Some novel simplifications of ASU, such as the limiting temperature difference of heat transfer, are proposed to increase the model flexibility with same energy prediction accuracy. After the validation through the base case, two improved case are introduced and shows additional 10% and 14% power output increment compared with the current industrial practice (base case).