Study of a coal gasification combined-cycle power plant with methanol storage

This study examines the design and performance of a coal gasification combined-cycle power plant with an integrated facility for producing and storing methanol (GCC/methanol power plant). The methanol is produced at a steady rate and is burned in the combined-cycle to generate additional power during periods of peak electrical demand. The GCC/methanol plant takes advantage of electricity generation and energy storage in one coal-based facility. It is of potential interest to electric utilities seeking to meet increasing baseload and peak electrical demand on their systems, and is somewhat analogous to other energy storage facilities such as pumped hydroelectric or compressed air energy storage plants.; The plant configuration is determined by means of an economic screening study considering capital and fuel costs over a range of cycling duties (load factors). Estimated levelized electricity production costs indicate that a GCC/methanol plant could be of economic interest as premium fuel prices increase relative to coal. The plant could potentially be of interest for meeting daily peak demands for periods of eight hours or less.; The conceptual plant configuration is developed in greater detail using a Texaco gasifier and a Lurgi methanol synthesis plant. Plant performance is estimated at peak and baseload output levels using the ASPEN process analysis computer program. An acceptable use of by-product flows from the methanol plant was developed. No unusual design or operational problems were identified.