Power Generation

We operate the IGCC plant (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) owned by Sarlux, which is located within the perimeter of the Sarroch refinery and is fully integrated with the refinery’s production processes. All of the electricity generated by the IGCC plant is sold to the Grid Manager.

The primary objective of these plants is the conversion of heavy residues from refining, which can be assimilated into very low quality-high density fuel oils, into high value-added products with a low environmental impact (such as electricity). These residues are now rarely used in any production process as there is practically no market for them in developed countries. They have therefore become a problem for the refineries, which will have to invest increasing amounts to find a solution going forward.  Gasification is a very efficient process that Saras has adopted after investing over EUR 1 billion at the end of the 1990s.

The plant integrates the oil refining cycle and the power generation cycle to produce electricity, hydrogen and steam, thus creating a single, closed production cycle.

Conceptually, an IGCC plant can be divided into two main sections:

• a gasification unit, which can be assimilated into a typical refinery unit, which is able to convert heavy residues from refining into a very clean gas (metals and sulphur are completely eliminated). This process also enables a substantial quantity of hydrogen to be produced, which is essential for the desulphurisation process and conversion in the refinery
• a combined cycle electricity generation unit, which burns the gas mentioned above in a turbine to produce electricity and steam

Last update 01/09/09