By Gary Thomas
Synthesis Energy Systems (SES), a global provider of equipment, engineering services and technology for converting low cost, low rank coal into chemical products and energy, has completed laboratory-scale testing of Turkish lignite coals for clean power generation projects in Turkey.
SES had conducted the coal tests in facilities in Des Plaines, Illinois at the Gas Technology Institute. SES fluidized bed gasification technology was used to test three coals individually. They demonstrated 96% to 99.5% single-pass carbon conversions.
TUTEN, a developer of independent power projects, is developing this project for a major utility company in Turkey. The test results will enable the company to continue its project development. TUTEN, SES and Istroenergo have collaborated to develop a design concept for 100 MW and 50 MW size plants utilizing low cost, low rank coal. SES' synthesis gas production technology is used to provide fuel to a General Electric LM2500+G4 aeroderivative gas turbine. The turbine has the capacity to generate over 36 MW of power within 10 minutes. It can operate on a variety of gases including syngas, landfill gas and coke oven gas.
Low rank coals and lignite are comparatively lower cost coals. They are available in plenty in many parts of the globe. Turkey has high moisture, high ash coal. Thermally these cost six times less when compared to low ash coal. Coal with a higher rank has to be imported, which leads to significant costs. Usage of the local low grade lignite helps reduce import of coal and improves usage of the local natural resources.
Source: http://www.synthesisenergy.com/