Underground Coal Gasification

Underground coal gasification (UCG) - Co-firing into Majuba Power Station

On 28 October 2010 at 13:22, Eskom's UCG demonstration plant commenced delivery of gas to Unit 4 at Majuba Power Station.  The gas is being co-fired with coal, and contributes 3MW to the unit's current electrivity production of approximately 650MW.  This is a historic occasion, as it marks the first porduction of commercial electricity from UCG gas outside the former Soviet Union.  The team that worked tirelessly to bring this to fruition comprise Majuba power station, UCG-CSD, CED, EON, Steinmuller, the Generation MIT's and many others. 

Definition of Co-firing: the simultanious combustion of two fuels.  In the case og Majuba power station, six standard pulverised coal burners on unit 4 have been modified with retractable gas lances to introduce the UCG gas.  The gas introduction is fully integrated into the boiler control systems. The effects of co-firing will be researched by CSD in the next months, and compared to baseline data.  Modelling has indicated that there should be a reduction in unburnt carbon, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

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