Guide for the assessment of the availability of gasification-combined-cycle power plants

A guide that can be used for predicting the reliability and availability of coal gasification-combined-cycle (GCC) electric power generation units, as well as other electric power generation unit types is given. A prediction of plant effectiveness, a measure that can be directly related to availability, equivalent availability, forced-outage rate, and other performance measures is given. A seven-step availability assessment methodology that uses the concepts of unit states and state capabilities (the power output capability associated with each state) to produce predictions of a unit's effectiveness, availability, equivalent availability, critical components, and other measures of interest is given. As an illustration, the method is used to prepare an assessment of an 1150-megawatt baseload GCC plant that employs seven gas turbines, one steam turbine, and six oxygen-blown (Texaco) gasifiers. A complete data base of failure rates and mean downtimes for the GCC plant components and a documented computer program used for this analysis are also included.