Power from waste

Following on from combined-cycle power plants, the emerging integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology shows great promise in burning oil refinery residues to generate low-cost and environmentally friendly electricity. Worldwide there could be (based on projected refinery capacities and residues for the year 2010) an estimated 135 GW of power available from burning oil refinery residues irrespective of quality. A typical IGCC plant configuration is described and the economic factors outlined.