Method for satisfying variable power demand

A process for intermittently producing electrical power and methanol, comprising:

• (a) continuously feeding an oxidant stream comprising at least 90 volume % oxygen into one or more gasifiers;
• (b) reacting said oxidant stream with a carbonaceous material in said one or more gasifiers to produce one or more synthesis gas streams comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and sulfur-containing compounds;
• (c) passing at least one of said synthesis gas streams to a power-producing zone comprising at least one combustion turbine during a period of peak power demand to produce electrical power;
• (d) gradually diverting all of said at least one synthesis gas stream from said at least one combustion turbine to a methanol producing zone during a transition period from peak power demand to off-peak power demand while cofeeding methanol to said combustion turbine at a rate sufficient to maintain said at least one combustion turbine at 50% or more of maximum capacity;
• (e) shutting down said at least one combustion turbine during said period of off-peak power demand;
• (f) passing at least one of said synthesis gas streams to said methanol-producing zone during a period of off-peak power demand to produce methanol;
• and
• (g) gradually diverting up to 100 volume % of said at least one synthesis gas stream from said methanol producing zone to said at least one combustion turbine during a transition period from off-peak power demand to peak power demand while cofeeding methanol to said at least one combustion turbine sufficient to maintain said combustion turbine at 50% or more of maximum capacity.

A method for maximizing monetary value of a synthesis gas stream from a gasification process, comprising:

• (a) continuously feeding an oxidant stream comprising at least 95% oxygen into a gasifier;
• (b) reacting said oxidant stream with a carbonaceous material in said gasifier to produce a synthesis gas stream;
• (c) passing said synthesis gas stream to a power-producing zone comprising at least one combustion turbine during a period of peak power demand;
• (d) passing said synthesis gas stream to a methanol-producing zone during a period of off-peak power demand;
• and
• (e) shutting down said at least one combustion turbine during said period of off-peak power demand.