Nelson Industrial Steam Co. (Nisco) dedicated its $200 million cogeneration unit at Gulf States Utilities' (GSU) Roy S. Nelson station, north of Westlake, La.
The joint venture of Citgo Petroleum Corp., Conoco Inc., GSU, and Vista Chemical Co. will generate electricity for sale to GSU and supply 55,000 lb/hr of steam to Vista and Conoco. GSU will operate the plant.
Two existing generating units at Nelson station were sold to Nisco for the cogeneration project. The units have been fueled by natural gas since the plant started up in September 1988.
Nisco uses a new fluidized bed combustion technology designed to burn fuel grade petroleum coke as the main fuel source. Citgo and Conoco are to supply about 1,800 tons/day of coke needed to generate at least 200,000 kw of power.
The project is designed to meet current and anticipated air quality standards by removing sulfur emissions.
At the heart of the unit is a Foster Wheeler Corp. circulating fluidized bed steam generator. Petroleum coke and limestone are burned in a combustion chamber while being circulated by high velocity air.
Sulfur released from the burning coke combines with the limestone to form calcium sulfate ash, an inert, nontoxic, nonhazardous solid. The ash will be stored at Nelson station until a market can be developed.
The four companies launched the project to stabilize power costs, remain competitive, and make operations more attractive for growth.
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