Abstract

DA SILVA, José et al. Thermoelectric generation alternatives using petcoke fuel. Rev. Fac. Ing. UCV [online]. 2008, vol.23, n.4, pp.81-92. ISSN 0798-4065.

This paper shows the results of the technical, financial and economic evaluation of an electric generation plant for Eastern Venezuela which uses petcoke fuel. Three technological alternatives were considered for comparison: petcoke pulverized in conventional boilers, pressurized fluidized bed boilers and an integrated gasification combined cycle. The evaluation was made considering three criteria: technical evaluation, financial evaluation and finally, environmental impact evaluation which considered environmental costs and benefits of the project insofar as CO2 and ashes handling and the replacement of plants with larger emissions and lower energy efficiencies. Results indicate that the best technology is the petcoke gasification integrated to a combined cycle; nevertheless, this result is very dependant on the amounts invested and the market costs of petcoke. In conclusion, a project to make effective use of the petcoke generated by Venezuelan refineries that process heavy petroleum is feasible and generates benefits for the promoter of the project, the industries of the Eastern area of the country and for Venezuelan society.

Keywords : Petcoke; Generation; Economic evaluation; Environmental impact; Technical evaluation.