The Open Fuels & Energy Science Journal

2017, 10 : 48-67
Published online 2017 August 10. DOI: 10.2174/1876973X01710010048
Publisher ID: TOEFJ-10-48

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Comparison of Two Coal-Gasifier-Designs with Moving-Bed and Internal-Circulating-Fluidized-Bed Configuration in One Reactor

Martin Schurz, * , Alexander Laugwitz , Steffen Krzack and Bernd Meyer

* Address correspondence to this author at Department of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Fuchsmühlenweg 9, Reiche Zeche, , ; Tel: +49-(0)3731-39 4483; E-mail: martin.schurz@iec.tu-freiberg.de

ABSTRACT

Background:

Coal gasification is the promising technology for syngas routes to produce chemicals or transportation fuels. Additionally, it enables clean power generation from coal in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycles (IGCC). So far, coal fines with high ash contents could not be feasibly used in such routes.

In this regard, the Internal Circulation gasifier (INCI) is designed to gasify high-ash coal fines efficiently. The staged system is combining a moving bed, a fluidized bed and a jetting fluidized bed in one reaction chamber.

Method:

The present paper substantially describes the laboratory-scale prototype development in the COORVED-project (“CO2-reduction by innovative gasifier design”) based on the INCI gasification principle of about 50-125 kW thermal input. Information about the gasifiers compounding, especially the reaction chamber, peripheral components and applied measurement systems are given.

Results:

Experimental results are presented, confirming the targeted, typical flow pattern inside the reaction chamber. Furthermore technical and operational limits of the COORVED prefiguration are discussed. Based on these results a major design change of the reaction chamber is required and explained in detail. Additionally, results of the feedstock variation from coke to lignite are shown.

Conclusion:

Finally, the operability of the INCI gasification principle is proven by a stationary operating system with controlled ash agglomeration.

Keywords:

Fluidized bed gasification, High-ash coal, COORVED gasifier, INCI, Internal circulation, Ash agglomeration.