9. Technology evolution paths

9.1 Current state of the industry

Combined cycles and air separation units already benefit from a wealth of industrial experience, reflected in numerous projects and substantial installed capacities. For gasification and gas treatment, the current stage of development (1995) varies from one process to another. The BGL, Dow (Destec), PRENFLO, Shell, Texaco and Winkler (HTW) processes have already been or are currently being implemented on an industrial scale.

Relatively few industrial-scale demonstration units have been in operation to date: these include the 170 MWe Lünen power plant (Germany) (in operation from 1972 to 1978), the 100 MWe Cool Water power plant (USA) (in operation from 1984 to 1990), and the 160 MWe Plaquemine power plant (USA) (in operation...