Abstract: A method of operation of a thermal power plant having an air separation system with a plurality of air storage unit (ASU) compressors and a liquid oxygen/liquid air (LOX/LA) storage facility for oxyfuel firing of fossil fuel and a power plant having a control system to perform the same are described. The method is characterized by the step of controlling the net power output of the plant in response to short term variations in grid demanded net plant output by dynamically adjusting the works power of the ASU compressors preferably in conjunction with co-ordinated changes in firing demand. The method is in particular a method to produce an improved primary and secondary response to transient changes in grid demand and to provide accurate response to load dispatch ramps.

Abstract: A column structure is described for the containment of high surface area packing and absorbent liquid reagent for the removal of a target gas from a gas stream. The column structure comprises a plurality of vessel column modules each having an elongate upright wall structure, each column module comprises a plurality of vertically disposed sub-modules, the modules being disposed together alongside one another in two dimensional array to constitute collectively the column structure. A column top support structure is located in the vicinity of the upper part of a column structure so assembled and each column module is mechanically supported from the column top support structure. A method of assembly of such a column and to a method of removal of a target gas from a gas phase using such a column are also described.

Abstract: A column structure is described for the containment of high surface area packing and absorbent liquid reagent for the removal of a target gas from a gas stream. The column structure comprises at least one vessel having an elongate upright wall structure to define an absorption process volume for the containment of high surface area packing and for the countercurrent flow of absorbent liquid reagent and target gas in use; and a column perimeter structure comprising an elongate upright wall structure disposed around the at least one vessel in such manner that an inner wall of the elongate upright wall structure and an outer wall of a vessel cooperably define and fluidly enclose at least one secondary fluid volume fluidly isolated from the absorption process volume(s). A method of assembly of such a column and to a method of removal of a target gas from a gas phase using such a column are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for the simultaneous drying and transport of low-rank coal is described. The apparatus has a first pipe having an inner wall surface surroundingly defining a first flow channel and an outer wall surface; a low-rank coal supply system to supply particulate low-rank coal to an inlet of the first flow channel; a transport gas supply to supply transport gas to an inlet of the first flow channel; a heating apparatus to apply heat to an outer wall surface of the first pipe along at least part of the length thereof for example in the form of a drying fluid supply to supply a drying fluid, configured such that a drying fluid is brought into contact with the outer wall surface of the first pipe along at least part of the length thereof. A system of design of thermal power plant incorporating such an apparatus is also described. A method for the simultaneous drying and transport of low-rank coal is also described. A system and method for supplying dried low-rank coal for combustion are also described.