Environmental impact analysis of ACFB-based gas and power cogeneration

A second-law analysis is presented to assess the environmental impacts of the simultaneous generation of a fuel gas and electric power from coal. The analysis is based on the life-cycle evolution of exergy contained in successive energy carriers involved in the process. The impact on the environment is quantified in terms of defined indexes of environmental efficiency and hazard. Particular hazards associated with the process are evaluated and compared for low- and high-sulphur coals.