Modeling and Simulation of the Low-Pressure Rectification Column in an IGCC Power Plant

The technology of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) is one of the most promising power producing and coal utilization types. A typical IGCC power plant mainly consists of an air separation unit, gasification system, and the combined-cycle unit. This paper closely investigates the upper part of the rectification column, which is the core of the air separation unit. The first principles mathematic model of the column is firstly developed, and the pressure, temperature and static liquid nitrogen, oxygen and argon concentrations in the upper column are presented. Starting from the steady-state, various step changes of the mass flows are introduced to simulate the dynamic characteristics of the system.