TRIG™: An advanced gasification technology to utilize low rank coals for power

•Low rank coal use becomes urgent or accessible.•Costs to reduce emissions for power generation are increasing.•LRC TRIG™ IGCC is advanced and cost effective clean coal technology.•LRC TRIG™ IGCC has a higher performance than conventional USC.•TRIG™ IGCC provides a viable solution for low rank coal.

This paper presents the results of a recent low rank coal 850 MW class IGCC (“Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle”) feasibility study for the 50 Hz market. The study aimed to position the Transport Integrated Gasification (“TRIG™”) technology for power generation in the China market where coal gasification has been widely practiced. It assumed a mine mouth project in eastern Inner Mongolia, China and used a low rank coal from the area. Results from the study indicate that the low rank coal TRIG™ IGCC is more efficient and with a superior environmental performance and less water usage than the best available conventional ultra-supercritical (“USC”) technology in the China market. With environmental regulation compliance costs increasing in China, the low rank coal TRIG™ IGCC will become competitive as one of the viable clean coal technologies for power generation. Converting the large reserve of low cost and low heating value coals located in remote areas to electricity for the coastal areas will certainly help these areas manage the increasing pressure for further reductions in emissions from coal firing power plants. The paper also provides an update on Southern Company’s Kemper IGCC project in the USA that includes CO2 capture and is currently in its final stage of construction.

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