Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) demonstration plant achieve success
in long term continuous operation

Over 2000 hours of long term continuous operation was successfully achieved with the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) demonstration plant delivered to Clean Coal Power R&D Co., Ltd. in Nakoso, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Since the gasifier firing in September last year, progress was made on proving tests with IGCC demonstration plant. Long term continuous operation began in June this year. In September this year, it proved its reliability with its ability to operate nonstop during three summer months when electric power demand was high. This is a large advance towards commercialization of IGCC. There are no other examples of successful long term continuous operation within one year of operation start. This result is due to advanced technical abilities based on previous experience and achievements.

MHI worked with Mitsubishi Electric Company to deliver to CCP the IGCC demonstration plant (gross output 250MW). This was a full turnkey project, including supply of the main equipment such as air-blown gasifier, cold gas clean-up unit, and a 1200ºC class gas turbine. This IGCC uses Japan’s unique “air-blown” technology which performs gasification with air, so its oxygen production power is relatively low compared to “oxygen-blown” IGCC being developed in Europe and the U.S. Thus this generation system obtains the world’s highest net thermal efficiency in commercial plant.
There are now plans to perform operation optimization tests, coal type variation tests, full year operation test, etc. The plan is to further verify the performance, durability, economy, etc. required of IGCC as commercial plant.