Simultaneous Optimization and Integration of Gas Turbine and Air Separation Unit Using Novel Simplified Model

As a promising green technology, Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology holds an urgent requirement to be upgraded by process optimization and integration. Directly power related Gas Turbine (GT) and energy intensive Air Separation Unit (ASU) in IGCC plant are selected as the target. A novel mathematical simplified ASU model is proposed to decrease the simulation complexity. It is built with GT model together using Microsoft Excel 2010. What's more, in this paper the optimization and integration are taken simultaneously instead of sequentially to get a more efficient configuration further closing the global optimal solution. Operation conditions optimization, especially considering the pressure matching between GT combustor and ASU columns, and heat and mass integrations are considered to decrease work consumption and enhance the environmental performance. The specific performances can be demonstrated by case study results. The conclusion shows that the methodology we developed can achieve more effective operation of GT and ASU with about 3 % more power generation.