An overview of research and development activities of USC, IGCC and Oxy-fuel combustion in Korea

Abstract

As a responsible partner in the global community, Korea is actively pursuing research and development activities with an aim to reduce the environmental burden from the utilization of fossil energy. As related with power industry, being the major contributor in energy utilization and CO2 emission, major thrust area for research and development have been identified to be the ultra super critical cycle (USC), integrated gasification and combined cycle (IGCC), and oxy-fuel combustion. Research groups have been teamed up from participants from the utility power companies, power-equipment manufacturers, and research institutes and universities. A major USC projects has started since 2002, and the project team envisions a 1, 000MW plant of 265 kg/cm2, 610/621 C to be introduced by 2011. As one of the national projects, IGCC project team has been newly regrouped with an objective of introducing a commercial plant (300MWe) to be completed by 2012. Oxy-fuel combustion has drawn new attention, and a research team has recently started a new proposal for a national project which emphasizes international collaboration.