Slide 3 Biomass for Energy
Biomass is major renewable energy resource
Can be used for power generation by:
direct combustion
co-firing in existing plants
gasification for boiler fuel or GTCC
typically high moisture content, needs drying
econmics depend on technology and size of plant
IDGCC is a technology that is suited to biomass
 

Slide 4 Typical Composition and Calorific Values of Selected Biomass and Coal Fuels

Slide 5 Electricity Production Costs for Different Biomass Conversion Technologies

Slide 6 IDGCC Benefits
30% increase in efficiency over brown coal steam power plant
Corresponding 30% reduction in CO2 emissions
Power costs 30% less than conventional steam plant
Suitable for high moisture fuels including biomass
Slide 7 Diagram of the IDGCC Process

Slide 8 Cost of Electricity from IDGCC Compared with Other Technologies

Slide 9 Typical Ranges of CO2 Emissions for Different Fuels and Technologies

Slide 10 Predicted Data for Victorian Brown Coal 120 MW-Scale IDGCC

Slide 11 IDGCC Emission Control Strategy
Particulates
ceramic filter (>99.95% removal efficiency)

SO2
in-bed capture using limestone/dolomite additive
H2S removal from fuel gas (absorber/regenerator)

NOx
ammonia scrubbing of fuel gas
low-NOx (rich-lean) gas turbine combustors

Slide 12 IDGCC Development Program
IDGCC process development stages:
1. Laboratory scale tests.
2. Atmospheric pressure gasifier at 50 kg/h dry coal feedrate.
3. Pressurised Gasifier at 300 kg/h dry coal feedrate, 10 bar.
4. Pressurised gas combustion test rig, at 500 kg/h gas flowrate, 6 bar.
5. Pressurised coal drying test rig at 1500 kg/h raw coal feedrate, 10 bar.
6. CGDF - Integrated gasifier, dryer and 5 MW gas turbine, 10,000 kg/h raw coal feedrate, 25 bar.

Slide 13 The CGDF includes the following key elements
The pressurised coal feed system.
The pressurised coal drier.
The coal gasification unit.
The hot gas filtration unit.
Combustion of the coal gas in gas turbine.
An ammonia scrubber.
Sulphur absorption test rig.
 

Slide 15 Plant Operation
process confirmed, drying and gasification integration works well
CGDF tests on 5 coals, produced gas for 1465 hours
 considerable development work done on some systems - successful outcomes
results incorporated into 125 MW power station design

Slide 16 Biomass Issues
Fuel preparation, drying and feeding
Fuel property variability
Carbon conversion with coarse particles
Ash formation, slagging and fouling
Pollutant formation including halides
Fuel costs
Technology costs

Slide 17 Conclusions
The IDGCC process is designed to produce electricity at low cost and high efficiency from low-rank coals.
The process has been demonstrated at the 10 MW scale and the technology is ready to be applied to 120 to 400 MW scale plant.
Biomass is a renewable energy resource for power generation using combustion, gasification or co-firing.
IDG is a suitable process for preparing biomass for power generation, either for gas turbine or co-firing in boilers.
Biomass use has some practical issues, including fuel preparation and feeding, and control of ash behaviour.