COAL TO LIQUIDS

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Gasification is a process that converts carbonaceous
materials, such as coal, petroleum coke or biomass, into
carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

In a gasifier, the carbonaceous material undergoes three

processes: pyrolysis (devolatilization), combustion, and
gasification
pyrolysis

Gasification (and combustion forming CO2) 6

Coal pyrolysis and ignition

Fuel-rich zone
flame

Size in nano
meter, formed in
fuel-rich zone
Breakage
during pyrolysis
oxidation
(combustion)

oxidation
(gasification)
reduction

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oxidation reduction

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combined cycle power plant

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High temperature flue gas
released to atmosphere
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CO2 separation from syngas

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Scrubbing of the syngas

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The main Solvents

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Water gas shift reaction
Bourdouard reaction

reduction

oxidation
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 Heat transfer mode in gasification
 Based on the heat transfer a gasification process can be autothermic or
allothermic.
 In an autothermic process, internal combustion of a part of the solid
feedstock with oxygen produces the heat required to run the gasification
reaction inside the reactor. This has the advantage that any losses
associated with the heat transfer are avoided and the construction of the
gasifier is simplified. Further, the temperature can be adjusted quickly and
accurately by regulation of the oxygen content in the gasification agent.
 In an allothermic process, the heat required is transferred by means of a
gaseous, liquid (molten slag, salts or metals), or solid heat carrier brought
into direct contact with the reactants or indirectly via heat exchange
surfaces.
Products of gasification
1. In moving (incorrectly called fixed) bed reactors hydrocarbon content
(CH4, C2H6) high - require their separation from the gas produced and
supplementary steam reforming
2. In fluidized bed reactor, hydrocarbons other than CH4 are not formed
3. In entrained-bed reactor, methane content is very low - therefore does
not require specific fractionation
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 Autothermic heat transfer
Moving bed gasifier Fluidised bed gasifier Entrained flow gasifier

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Pulverized coal-fired

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Main Processes in Pulverized Coal Combustion

homogeneous
combustion
volatiles
CO2, H2O, …
coal particle
p-coal, d=30-70m
heterogeneous
combustion
char
CO2, H2O, …

devolatilization

tdevolatile=1-5ms tvolatiles=50-100ms tchar=1-2sec

time
Flue gas desulfurisation, to reduce SO2
Selective catalytic reduction, to reduce NOx

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The five coal-based IGCC power plants currently in operation
worldwide, commissioned between 1990 and 2000

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The 262 MW Wabash River Coal Gasification Repowering Project
is the first full-size commercial gasification-combined cycle plant
built in the United States. Located outside West Terre Haute,
Indiana, the plant started full operations in November 1995.

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253 MW Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Plant,
Buggenum, Netherlands

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