EPRI Completes Predesign for IGCC Plant
Pre-design specifications for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant were completed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, Calif., using the design of the Excelsior Energy’s Mesaba Energy Project. The predesign of the IGCC plant specification defines technical information in the permit application for the plant. The data is critical for regulators in determining whether to grant permission to utilities to build new generation plants.

The Mesaba IGCC plant in Taconite, Minn., is scheduled to begin operations by 2011. EPRI analyzed data that was available in the permit application filing and condensed thousands of pages into a 183-page document.

This work is being performed as part of EPRI’s Coal Fleet for Tomorrow Program, a collaborative involving more than 50 power industry companies to encourage the early deployment of advanced coal power generation technology.

A key aspect of the Coal Fleet program is to promote standardization of design, which lowers initial capital cost, supports repeatable, reliable performance and reduces the time to develop an IGCC plant.

An IGCC plant uses syngas produced in a coal gasifier as a fuel for a combustion turbine cycle. Heat recovered from the turbine exhaust and gasification processes produces steam that boosts overall plant output and efficiency. The basic processes of IGCC plant design are conductive to the efficient reduction and removal of air emissions, liquid dischargers and solid wastes.

National Lab Improves Access to Technologies
Details of more than 150 technologies developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in Richland, Wash., and available for licensing are now consolidated online. A Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, PNNL solves complex problems in energy, national security, the environment and life sciences. To simplify identification of specific solutions, the web site organizes technologies by portfolio name and potential industry applications. Contacts are also provided for inquiries.

How Should I Calibrate?
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Some -- but not all -- process variables have to be accurate to get the demanded quality, yield, safety and energy efficiency. For optimum cost and efficiency, controls expert Arthur Holland suggests you focus where your diligence and tight tolerances will best pay off.

How to Install An Infrared Thermometer
There are many ways to measure temperature in a process. Sensors such as thermocouples, RTDs and infrared thermometers are the most common temperature sensors utilized today.

Cleaning Organic Heat Transfer Fluid Systems
Heat transfer fluids will give long and trouble-free service in properly designed and operated systems. However, less than ideal operating conditions can result in degradation of the heat transfer fluid, formation of solids, and even deposits on heat transfer surfaces.

Flame Temperature: What is it, and What Becomes of It?
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And what does a holey bucket have to do with your oven? Combustion expert Dick Bennett explains it all in a two-part series.

Reduce Energy Costs With a Fluid Bed Dryer
One construction dry products manufacturer realized energy savings and improved productivity following a switch to fluid bed drying.

Rotary Concentrator
Rotary concentrator and regenerative thermal oxidizer system is designed for low concentration, large airflow applications in which the exhaust stream is at or near ambient temperature. The system performs a multistep process: removal of the VOC/HAP using a hydrophobic Zeolite rotating wheel; desorbing or removing the VOC/HAP from the Zeolite with a reduced airstream; and destruction of the concentrated VOC/HAP using the oxidizer.

CMM Group
(920) 336-9800

Boiler Flame Safeguard Control
Part of the BurnerLogix line, Model Z fully integrates boiler control and flame-safeguard functions into one compact package. It incorporates specific boiler control functions such as a programmable PID firing rate via a dedicated 4 to 20 mA command rate output and thermal shock protection with low fire hold or timed override. Its lead-lag system can be tailored to meet exacting site conditions.

Fireye Inc.
(603) 432-4100

Chemical Seals
Seals provide a protective barrier between a pressure sensor such as a gauge, switch, transmitter or transducer and the process media. Diaphragm seal housings are available in stainless steel, carbon steel, Hastelloy, PTFE and titanium materials. Diaphragm materials include 316 stainless steel, PTFE, Viton, Monel and tantalum metals. Configurations include threaded, flanged, in-line flow-through, sanitary and remote capillary systems.

ReoTemp
(800) 648-7737

Heated Tanks and Pots
Suitable for use melting and dispensing waxes, adhesives, plastics, asphalt, pitch and other industrial compounds, heated tank as well as heated dispensing tanks and pots utilize the company’s “Even Heat” multiple-circuit, blanket-type element. Accurate, selective thermostat closely controls wall temperature. Dispensing can be accomplished through a heated hand-operated needle valve orifice.

Sta-Warm Electric Co. Inc.
(330) 296-6461

One-Step, Water-Based Coating Process
Thermadep provides a consistent finish and is available in a range of colors. The one-step process replaces the environmentally less-friendly procedures of oiling, painting and plating. Users dip a heated part (at temperatures from 300 to 1,700°F [149 to 925°C]) into a bath of the water-based polymer solution. After 5 to 50 sec, remove the part from the bath and air dry or bake it. Rinsing or additional steps are not needed. Parts coated with the process are ready for immediate processing or shipping.

Egyptian Coatings
(615) 790-3881

Energy Recovery Systems
Secondary and tertiary heat recovery systems can help reduce operating costs. Heat recovery through the use of air-to-air heat exchangers or air-to-thermal fluid systems can be added to equipment to capture heat and return it to the process. Steam or hot/chilled water can be supplied through the addition of waste-heat boilers or absorption chillers. In areas where building heat is required, water/glycol systems can be installed to capture heat from the process and use it to preheat building makeup air.

Megtec Systems
(920) 336-5715