R&D Projects

A-1　Improvement of IGCC

(IGCC : Integrated coal Gasification Combined Cycle)

As proven in the Nakoso IGCC Demonstration Plant (250MW), IGCC now stands on the threshold of successful commercial application. Further efficiency increases will be possible by decreasing auxiliary power consumption, decreasing plant utilities - water, chemicals and support fuels, increasing heat recovery from the waste heat of the flue gas and cooling water, etc.

A-2　Improvement of IGFC

(IGFC: Integrated coal Gasification and Fuel cell Combined Cycle.)

Gas turbine technology has made great progress in these several years, and the temperature at the gas turbine inlet is expected to be 1700℃.
How to maximize the overall plant efficiency in IGFC with this 1700℃ gas turbine will be studied and optimized.

A-3　Improvement of USC Plant

(USC: Ultra Super Critical )

Conventional Rankine cycle power plant (boiler - stream turbine cycle) can be increased in efficiency by elevating the pressure and temperature of the steam at steam turbine inlet. This depends greatly on the development of new materials to withstand the higher pressures and temperatures.
We will pursue the investigation of how high the steam condition can be raised based on newly developed materials.