This photo, taken in August 1998, shows part of Isab Energy's new IGCC complex. The methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) regenerator and three Claus units are in the center of the photo. On the top right is the soot recovery and recycle unit.
THE NEW INTEGRATED GASIFICATION combined-cycle (IGCC) plant in Priolo, Sicily, is about 97% complete, according to Foster Wheeler Italiana, Corsico, Italy.
The plant is owned by Isab Energy, a company formed by Erg Petroli SpA (51%) and Edison Mission Energy (49%). Erg Petroli is 80% owned by ERG SpA and 20% owned by Agip Petroli SpA.
Foster Wheeler Italiana completed the basic design in April 1993. The plant's feed will be about 132 tons/hr of asphalt from the solvent deasphalting unit of the nearby Isab refinery.
The IGCC plant uses Texaco Inc.'s gasification technology to produce syngas. The plant will have two gas turbines, each a Siemens frame 94/2. Oxygen will be purchased from an air-separator unit, constructed, owned, and operated by Air Liquide Group.
In 1995, Isab awarded the lump-sum, turnkey project to Consortium Snamprogetti-Foster Wheeler Energy, which consists of Snamprogetti SpA (50%) and Foster Wheeler Italiana (50%). Contract terms include engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, start-up, and operation until performance guarantees are met.
Peak construction occurred in the summer of 1998, when 2,000 people were involved in the project.
Start-up of the plant is scheduled in April 1999. The new plant will produce about 512 megawatts of power. The electricity will be sold to the national power grid, the Italian National Electricity Board (ENEL). Byproducts are process steam and desalinated water.
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