Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) commenced shipment of components of a coal gasification furnace that will serve as the core of the 540 megawatt Nakoso IGCC (integrated coal gasification combined cycle) plant under construction by Nakoso IGCC Power GK in Iwaki, Fukushima. The components are the first of their kind produced at MHPS’ new coal gasification furnace plant at Nagasaki Works. Going forward, the gasification unit and auxiliary equipment will be shipped. A ceremony was held at the Nagasaki Works to commemorate the maiden shipment.
Coal gasification furnaces consist of two basic components together enabling the efficient gasification of coal: a gasification unit capable of withstanding high temperatures and a pressure container to maintain high pressure levels. The shipment contains the pressure container, the gasification unit and auxiliary equipment. MHPS completed construction of its new coal gasification furnace plant at its Nagasaki Works and began manufacturing there in June 2017. To produce gasification units that accommodate high temperatures and pressure levels, the production system utilizes welding and other technologies nurtured through the production of boilers for conventional coal-fired power generation systems, as well as proprietary technologies such as automated welding machines and ICT systems.
In an IGCC system, coal is gasified in a gasification furnace and power is generated using a high-efficiency combined cycle system integrating gas and steam turbines. Compared to conventional coal-fired power generation systems, IGCC is a revolutionary system that delivers approximately 10-15% higher power generation efficiency and also helps reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
