User Manual: Integrated Environmental Control Model

The product of this work is a desktop computer model that allows different technology options to be evaluated systematically at the level of an individual plant or facility. The model takes into account not only avoided carbon emissions, but also the impacts on multi-pollutant emissions, plant-level resource requirements, costs (capital, operating, and maintenance), and net plant efficiency. In addition, uncertainties and technological risks also can be explicitly characterized. The modeling framework is designed to support a variety of technology assessment and strategic planning activities by DOE and other organizations. The model currently includes four types of fossil fuel power plants: a pulverized coal (PC) plant, a natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) plant, a coal-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant, and an oxyfuel combustion plant. Each plant can be modeled with or without CO2 capture and storage. The IECM-cs can thus be employed to quantify the costs and emission reduction benefits of CCS for a particular system or to identify the most cost-effective option for a given application. This model also can be used to quantify the benefits of technology R&D and to identify advanced technology options having the highest potential payoffs. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) facilitates the configuration of the technologies, entry of data, and retrieval of results.