Partial oxidation process with production of power

Abstract

A highly efficient partial oxidation process with the production of power comprising the steps of producing fuel gas by the partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous fuel, cooling said fuel gas at high pressure by quenching in water to produce quenched fuel gas and by indirect heat exchange with BFW to maximize the production of IP and MP steam, cleaning said fuel gas, preheating scrubbing water comprising process condensate and make-up water by direct contact and direct heat exchange with clean fuel gas and using said preheated scrubbing water in the cleaning of said fuel gas, reducing the pressure of said cooled fuel gas stream prior to heating water for fuel gas saturation, cooling the process fuel gas stream in stages and condensing water for use as said scrubbing water, purifying the process fuel gas and saturating it with water, and burning said purified and saturated fuel gas in the combustor of a power-producing gas turbine along with saturated nitrogen to produce exhaust gas with a reduced NO.sub.x. In one embodiment, the hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine is passed through a HRSG to superheat the process steam. The superheated process steam is then used as part of the working fluid in an expansion turbine for the production of power. Steam condensate may be converted into high pressure (HP) steam and superheated in the HRSG. The power generation steam cycle is optimized to assist in maximizing the process steam which can be used most efficiently in the cycle.