Renewed Interest in the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle

The growing demand for electricity in the U.S. is fueling an interest in building new power plants. Although there is some activity in developing renewable resources, such as wind and solar energy, the more traditional energy sources are likely to be relied on for the majority of large increments in power generation. Yet, volatile natural gas prices, tightening emission regulations, and an abundant world coal supply provide an ideal backdrop for integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) to be a mainstream "clean coal" commercial offering.

Gasification is a commercially proven method of efficiently converting coal and other hydrocarbons into a clean gaseous fuel called synthesis …