IGCC is getting significant attention because its emissions are much lower than older coal combustion technologies and far lower than those currently required by the EPA. IGCC can dramatically reduce these regulated emissions:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOX)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) — 99%
- Mercury — 90-95%
- Particulate matter — 99%
It is also capture-ready for carbon dioxide (CO2). IGCC plants eventually scrub coal down to hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) or CO2 before the combustion process. The concentration of CO2 using this process is much higher than conventional coal facilities, making it much easier to scrub out. The remaining hydrogen can then be combusted or stored for other uses.
Conventional coal plants use significant amounts of water to cool them and spin steam turbines. IGCC facilities use about half as much water as conventional coal facilities.
