Early entrance coproduction plant : the pathway to the commercial CTL (coal-to-liquids) fuels production

In coproduction mode, ultra clean CTL (coal-to-liquids) fuel is coproduced with electric power, chemicals, and steam by incorporating a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) sub-system into an IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) complex. The near-commercial readiness of the IGCC technology suggests this mode could offer the earliest opportunity for the commercial production of CTL fuels. In 1999, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated a solicitation seeking proposals to evaluate the feasibility of EECP (early entrance coproduction plant) projects which are aimed at demonstrating the advanced CTL technologies in integrated mode at pre-commercial or commercial scale units. This paper will review the highlights of the two EECP projects awarded by DOE. Successful implementations of EECP projects can reduce technical risks and are considered essential for the undertaking of commercial projects based on advanced CTL technologies.