Process for base-load and peak-load power generation

• US 4,092,825 A
• Filed: 09/16/1976
• Issued: 06/06/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chevron Research Company (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Chevron Research Company (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Egan, Clark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Croyle, Carlton R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Casaregola, L. J.
• Application Number:
  US05/724,124
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 60/39.02, 60/39.12, 60/39.46, 260/449 M, 260/449.6
• US Class Current: 60/781
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 1/0485 Set-up of reactors or accessories; Multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 2523/74 Iron group metals
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 2529/04 having base-exchange properties, e.g. crystalline zeolites, pillared clays
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1606 Combustion processes
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1659 to liquid hydrocarbons Fischer-Tropsch process C10G2/00
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1671 with the production of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1693 with storage facilities for intermediate, feed and/or product
• CPC Class Codes: C10J 2300/1838 Autothermal gasification by injection of oxygen or steam
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 23/067 the combustion heat coming from a gasification or pyrolysis process, e.g. coal gasification gas turbines with fuel gasifiers F02C3/28
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 3/28 using a separate gas producer for gasifying the fuel before combustion
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/16 Combined cycle power plant [CCPP], or combined cycle gas turbine [CCGT]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 20/18 Integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC], e.g. combined with carbon capture and storage [CCS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/10 Process efficiency

Abstract

Disclosed is an integrated process for the generation of base-load and peak-load power, particularly electrical power, from a solid carbonaceous material. A solid carbonaceous material is gasified to produce a combustible synthesis gas. A portion of this synthesis gas is contacted with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to produce condensable hydrocarbons. Preferably, a second portion of the synthesis gas is combusted and utilized to generate a base-load power output and the condensable hydrocarbons are utilized as a fuel as needed for peak-load power production.

Claims

1. A process for the generation of power from a solid carbonaceous material which comprises:

(a) forming a combustible synthesis gas by reacting said carbonaceous material with steam and oxygen at an elevated temperature;

(b) contacting a first portion of said synthesis gas with a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst, thereby forming a reaction product mixture containing water, H₂, CO, CO₂, oxygenated organic compounds and synthetic hydrocarbons;

(c) contacting said reaction product mixture prior to formation of an aqueous phase therein with a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions, thereby converting said organic compounds to water and combustible hydrocarbons;

(d) thereafter separating from said reaction product mixture C₃ + hydrocarbons;

(e) combusting a second portion of said synthesis gas and generating power from the resulting combusted synthesis gas; and

(f) combusting at least a portion of said C₃ + hydrocarbons and generating additional power from the resulting combusted hydrocarbons.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said additional power is generated by passing said combusted hydrocarbons through an expansion turbine as the working fluid.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein in step (f) said portion of said C₃ + hydrocarbons which is combusted comprises C₅ and higher boiling hydrocarbons.

6. The process of claim 1 comprising the additional step following step (c) of separating from said reaction product mixture a fraction comprising H₂, CO, CO₂ and light hydrocarbons.

7. The process of claim 6 comprising the additional step of combusting at least a portion of said fraction and generating power from said fraction.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein said power in steps (e) and (f) is electrical.

2. A process for the generation of power from a solid carbonaceous material which comprises:

(a) forming a combustible synthesis gas by reacting said carbonaceous material with steam and oxygen at an elevated temperature;

(b) passing said synthesis gas into a reaction zone containing a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and a hydrogeneration catalyst forming a reaction product mixture containing water, H₂, CO, CO₂, oxygenated organic compounds and synthetic hydrocarbons including propane and higher boiling hydrocarbons;

(c) separating from said reaction product mixture C₃ + hydrocarbons and a combustible normally gaseous fraction;

(d) combusting said gaseous fraction and generating power from said combusted fraction; and

(e) combusting at least a portion of said C₃ + hydrocarbons and generating additional power from said combusted hydrocarbons.

3. The process of claim 2 comprising the additional step of separating from said reaction product mixture a fraction containing water and water-soluble oxygenated organic compounds and reacting said fraction with said carbonaceous material, steam and oxygen forming additional synthesis gas.

9. A process for the generation of power from a solid carbonaceous material which comprises:

(a) forming a combustible synthesis gas by reacting said carbonaceous material with steam and oxygen at an elevated temperature;

(b) passing a first portion of said synthesis gas into a reaction zone containing a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst and forming a reaction product mixture containing water, H₂, CO, CO₂ and synthetic hydrocarbons;

(c) separating from said reaction product mixture a gaseous first fraction comprising H₂, CO, CO₂ and light hydrocarbons, a second fraction comprising normally liquid hydrocarbons and a third fraction comprising water;

(d) combusting at least a portion of said gaseous first fraction and combusting a second portion of said synthesis gas and generating power from said combusted gaseous first fraction and said combusted second portion of said synthesis gas; and

(e) generating additional power from said liquid hydrocarbons by combusting at least a portion of said hydrocarbons forming a flue gas and passing said flue gas through an expansion turbine as the working fluid.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein said power in steps (d) and (e) is electrical.