EXPERIENCE FROM THE GASIFICATION OF GREEK LIGNITE IN A PILOT INDIRECT HEAT ROTARY KILN GASIFIER

Abstract

During the past two decades experimental and theoretical work on the gasification of Greek lignite in an indirect heat (allothermal) rotary kiln gasifier has yielded results that could be exploited for the implementation of scaling-up design to a demonstration, or a full industrial size. This novel reactor concept has been implemented in two pilot plants as follows: Pilot Plant A (ca. 100 kg/h raw lignite). Owner: Public Power Corporation (PPC) of Greece. Project funded by PPC and NATO-SFS Programme, in 1985-1991 and directed by one of the authors (G.P.A.). The unit produced medium heating value gas (12-13 MJ/Nm3) with satisfactory daf coal conversions, under mild temperature and pressure conditions. Pilot Plant B (ca. 10 kg/h raw lignite) has been installed at the semi-Industrial Laboratory of the School of Chemical Engineering (NTUA). This equipment has been built, by the first author (K.S.H.) [1] under the supervision of G.P.A. Plant B is a small and operationally flexible pilot gasification installation exhibiting effective phase mixing and enhanced heat transfer. This gasification unit is currently employed in the context of the European project entitled C2H Upgrade (RFCS Fund (ex. ECSC)). This project aims to a zero-emission coal technology, where lime enhanced steam gasification of coal derives rich in hydrogen product gas and limestone; the recirculating limestone is calcined to produce clean CO2 to be used in chemical industry or to be sequestrated in fossil minerals. Additionally, a theoretical model of allothermal rotary kiln gasifier has been developed. This model is based on a scheme of three consecutive - partially parallel processes (i.e., drying, pyrolysis and gasification). The theoretical model predicts daf lignite conversion and gas composition in good agreement with relevant experimental data, typical of the rotary kiln gasifier performance.

Keywords

Dates

  • Submission Date2005-07-19
  • Revision Date2006-11-13
  • Acceptance Date2006-11-16

References

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