Simulation software shows viability of clean coal in South Korea

KEPRI is South Korea's electric power research institute (part of Korea Electric Power Corporation), and says it will use the system, from Invensys Operations Management, for operator training and simulation in the development phase of its IGCC clean coal-burning power plant, in Taean,. Invensys has provided an operator training simulator (OTS), including its Dynsim simulation for operator training and process engineering design studie, as well as a Wonderware InTouch human machine interface (HMI) for process visualisation. Yong-Jin Joo, project manager for KEPRI/KEPCO, explains that the solutions will be implemented at KEPRI's generic-model IGCC plant. Viewed as a state-of-the-art facility and testing ground, the plant will be used to prove the viability of clean-coal power plants. KEPRI process, mechanical and control engineers will use dynamic simulators, he says, to understand new IGCC technology, make design decisions, prepare operating procedures and train plant operators. "We needed a robust solution that was scalable, customizable and flexible enough to meet the special needs of our engineers during the design phase and to give our operators a jump start on learning this new technology," says Joo. "I am extremely pleased with the dynamic model Invensys delivered. As the first OTS of the first IGCC plant in this country, the Invensys simulator will provide operational insight into applying IGCC technology, helping to lower the barriers to developing clean-coal power in South Korea and the world."