NYAKOBER LAURA OKOT 23/U/16340/PS
COAL GASIFICATION
is the process of producing syngas; a mixture consisting primarily of carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O)
from coal and water, air (oxygen) in limited amounts. Coal gasification is carried out in gasifier
at in the pressure of heat and pressure. Gasification reactions are particularly sensitive to
the temperature and pressure in the system high temperature and low pressure are suitable for the
formation of most of the gasification products, except methane; methane formation if favoured
by low temperatures and high pressures.
Coal is introduced into the system with water forming a slurry with the consistency of heavy oil.
The slurry is introduced into the gasifier along with oxygen, where it’s heated at very high
temperatures to produce synthesis gas. The hot syn gas is fed into the radiance and gas cooler
heat from the gas is transferred to the high-pressure steam system.
REACTIONS DURING COAL GASIFICATION
Water gas reaction C +H2O CO + H2
Boudouard reaction C + CO2 2CO
Partial combustion C + O2 CO
Hydrogasification C + 2H2 CH4
Secondary reactions
CO + H2O H2O +CO2
3H2 +CO2 CH4 +H2O
GASIFICATION SYSTEMS
The operating temperature of a gasifier usually dictates the nature of the ash-removal system.
Operating temperatures below 1,000 °C (1,800 °F) allow dry ash removal, whereas temperatures
between 1,000 and 1,200 °C (1,800 and 2,200 °F) cause the ash to melt partially and
form agglomerates. Temperatures above 1,200 °C result in melting of the ash, which is removed
mostly in the form of liquid slag. Gasifiers may operate at either atmospheric or elevated
pressure; both temperature and pressure affect the composition of the final products.
Types of gasification systems
1. Kopper’s Totzek process
In this process, pulverized coal is blown into the gasifier with a mixture of steam and oxygen.
The gasifier is operated at atmospheric pressure and high temperatures of about 1600-1900oC.
the coal dust and the gasification medium flow co currently in the gasifier, and, because of the
small coal-particle size, the residence time of the particle in the gasifier is approximately one
second. Although this residence time is relatively short, high temperatures enhance the reaction
rates, and therefore almost any coal can be gasified in the Koppers-Totzek system. Tars and oils
are evolved at moderate temperatures but crack at higher temperatures, so that there is no
condensable tarry material in the products. The ash melts and flows as slag. The product gas,
known as synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen), is primarily used
for ammonia manufacture.
2. The Winkler system
The Winkler gasifier is a fluidized-bed gasification system that operates at atmospheric pressure.
In this gasifier, coal (usually crushed to less than 12 millimeters) is fed by a screw feeder and is
fluidized by the gasifying medium (steam-air or steam-oxygen, depending on the declared
calorific value of the product gas) entering through a grate at the bottom. The coal charge and the
gasification medium move concurrently (in the same direction). In addition to the main
gasification reactions taking place in the bed, some may also take place in the freeboard above
the bed. The temperature of the bed is usually maintained at 980 °C (1,800 °F), and the product
gas consists primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The low operating temperature and
pressure of the Winkler system limits the throughput of the gasifier. Because of the low operating
temperatures, lignites and subbituminous coals, which have high ash-fusion temperatures, are
ideal feedstocks. Units capable of gasifying 40 to 45 tons per hour are commercially available.
3. The Lurgi system
The Lurgi gasifier is a dry-bottom, fixed-bed system usually operated at pressures between 30
and 35 atmospheres. Since it is a pressurized system, coarse-sized coal (25 to 45 millimeters) is
fed into the gasifier through a lock hopper from the top. The gasifying medium (a steam-oxygen
mixture) is introduced through a grate located in the bottom of the gasifier. The coal charge and
the gasifying medium move in opposite directions, or counter currently. At the operating
temperature of about 980 °C (1,800 °F), the oxygen reacts with coal to form carbon dioxide,
thereby producing heat to sustain the endothermic steam-carbon and carbon dioxide-carbon
reactions. The raw product gas, consisting mainly of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane,
leaves the gasifier for further clean-up. Besides participating in the gasification reactions, steam
prevents high temperatures at the bottom of the gasifier so as not to sinter or melt the ash. Thus,
the Lurgi system is most suitable for highly reactive coals. Large commercial gasifiers are
capable of gasifying about 50 tons of coal per hour.
