System and method for generating a gaseous fuel from a solid fuel for use in a gas turbine based power plant

Abstract

A system and method for generating power by producing a clean gaseous fuel from a solid fuel, such as coal. A flow of oxygen enriched compressed air is formed by combining compressed ambient air from a gas turbine compressor and a flow of oxygen from a air separation unit. The coal is supplied to a gasifier, along with the flow of oxygen enriched compressed air in which the coal is combusted. The gasifier produces a flow of hot gaseous fuel containing slag and other particulate matter. The slag is removed from the hot gaseous fuel and, after processing, forms the bed media for filter that removes particulate matter from the gaseous fuel. The air separation unit also produces a flow of nitrogen. The nitrogen is mixed into the air prior to filtering so as to cool the air. After cooling and cleaning, the gaseous fuel is combusted in the combustor of a gas turbine, thereby generating shaft power.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.