Electric power generation combined-cycle systems

Electric Power Research Institute Final Report AF-642 "Economic Studies of Coal Gasification Combined Cycle Systems for Electric Power Generation" EPRI, Palo Alto, California,... 

Proposals for the propulsion of liquefied natural gas ships have called for combined cycle systems much like those used for electric power generation. Such systems are much more efficient than conventional steam systems. 

In apphcation to electric utihty power generation, MHD is combined with steam (qv) power generation, as shown in Figure 2. The MHD generator is used as a topping unit to the steam bottoming plant. From a thermodynamic point of view, the system is a combined cycle. The MHD generator operates in a Brayton cycle, similar to a gas turbine the steam plant operates in a conventional Rankine cycle (11). 

Whereas near-term appHcation of coal gasification is expected to be in the production of electricity through combined cycle power generation systems, longer term appHcations show considerable potential for producing chemicals from coal using syngas chemistry (45). Products could include ammonia, methanol, synthetic natural gas, and conventional transportation fuels. 

Combined Cycle Boiler Systems These boiler types are used to harness the waste heat from one power source to provide the heat source for a second power source, usually an electricity generator via a steam turbine. They are a form of cogeneration boiler plant. 

Siemens-Westinghouse Power Corporation of Pittsburgh, PA developed and fabricated the first advanced power plant to combine a solid oxide fuel cell and a gas turbine. The microturbine generator was manufactured by Northern Research and Engineering Corporation of Woburn, Mass. The factory acceptance test was completed in April 2000. Southern California Edison will operate the new hybrid plant at The National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California-Irvine. A year of testing in a commercial setting will be performed at this site. The system cycle is expected to generate electric power at 55 % efficiency. 

---