Scenario analysis of gasification process application in electrical energy-freshwater generation from heavy fuel oil, thermodynamic, economic and environmental assessment

Today heavy fuel oil is still produced and plays an important role in providing required energy. However, there could be environmental problems as a result of burning these utilized fuel oils. Also, the heavy fuel oil cannot be used in high efficiency power plants same as combined cycle because of physical characteristics. Partial oxidation (Gasification) process is introduced as a solution to reduce the emission production in the power generation cycle from heavy fuel oil. In this process, the heavy fuel oil is converted into the syngas (mainly consist of CO and H-2). The chemical energy content of syngas can be converted into the electrical energy with high efficiency and low emission production through high efficient cycle like combined cycle and Solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine. To improve the efficiency of high temperature power generation system, a thermal desalination unit is coupled with them during the scenario analysis. Thermodynamic simulation, economic and environmental assessment are performed to investigate the feasibility of introduced power generation system. Results show that the suggested scenarios are not economic in the current condition. Applying the emission penalty cost and producing the more valuable product same as freshwater can improve the system feasibility. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.