Method of oxygen-enriched two-stage underground coal gasification

Two-stage underground coal gasification was studied to improve the caloric value of the syngas and to extend gas production times.A model test using the oxygen-enriched two-stage coal gasification method was carried out.The composition of the gas produced,the time ratio of the two stages,and the role of the temperature field were analysed.The results show that oxygen-enriched two-stage gasification shortens the time of the first stage and prolongs the time of the second stage.Feed oxygen concentrations of 30%, 35%,40%,45%.60%,or 80%gave time ratios（first stage to second stage） of 1：0.12,1：0.21.1：0.51,1：0.64, 1：0.90.and 1：4.0 respectively.Cooling rates of the temperature field after steam injection decreased with time from about 19.1-27.4℃/min to 2.3-6.8℃/min.But this rate increased with increasing oxygen concentrations in the first stage.The caloric value of the syngas improves with increased oxygen concentration in the first stage.Injection of 80%oxygen-enriched air gave gas with the highest caloric value and also gave the longest production time.The caloric value of the gas obtained from the oxygenenriched two-stage gasification method lies in the range from 5.31 MJ/Nm^3 to 10.54 MJ/Nm^3.

Employment of Two-Stage Oxygen Feeding to Control Temperature in a Downdraft Entrained-Flow Coal Gasifier

The traditional practice of employing a two-stage coal-fed gasification process is to feed all of the oxygen to provide a vigorous amount of combustion in the first stage but only feed the coal without oxygen in the second stage to allow the endothermic gasification process to occur downstream of the second stage. One of the merits of this 2-stage practice is to keep the gasifier temperature low downstream from the 2nd stage. This helps to extend the life of refractory bricks, decrease gasifier shut-down frequency for scheduled maintenance, and reduce the maintenance costs. In this traditional 2-stage practice, the temperature reduction in the second stage is achieved at the expense of a higher than normal temperature in the first stage. This study investigates a concept totally opposite to the traditional two-stage coal feeding practices in which the injected oxygen is split between the two stages, while all the coal is fed into the first stage. The hypothesis of this two-stage oxygen injection is that a distributed oxygen injection scheme can also distribute the release of heat to a larger gasifier volume and, thus, reduce the peak temperature distribution in the gasifier. The increased life expectancy and reduced maintenance of the refractory bricks can prevail in the entire gasifier and not just downstream from the second stage. In this study, both experiments and computational simulations have been performed to verify the hypothesis. A series of experiments conducted at 2.5 - 3.0 bars shows that the peak temperature and temperature range in the gasifier do decrease from 600?C - 1550?C with one stage oxygen injection to 950?C - 1230?C with a 60 - 40 oxygen split-injection. The CFD results conducted at 2.5 bars show that 1) the carbon conversion ratio for different oxygen injection schemes are all above 95%;2) H2 (about 70% vol.) dominates the syngas composition at the exit;3) the 80% - 20% case yields the lowest peak temperature and the most uniform temperature distribution along the gasifier;and 4) the 40% - 60% case produces the syngas with the highest HHV. Both experimental data and CFD predictions verify the hypothesis that it is feasible to reduce the peak temperature and achieve more uniform temperature in the gasifier by adequately controlling a two-stage oxygen injection with only minor changes of the composition and heating value of the syngas.

Model Prediction and Optimal Control of Gas Oxygen Content for A Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Process

In the municipal solid waste incineration process,it is difficult to effectively control the gas oxygen content by setting the air flow according to artificial experience.To address this problem,this paper proposes an optimization control method of gas oxygen content based on model predictive control.First,a stochastic configuration network is utilized to establish a prediction model of gas oxygen content.Second,an improved differential evolution algorithm that is based on parameter adaptive and t-distribution strategy is employed to address the set value of air flow.Finally,model predictive control is combined with the event triggering strategy to reduce the amount of computation and the controller's frequent actions.The experimental results show that the optimization control method proposed in this paper obtains a smaller degree of fluctuation in the air flow set value,which can ensure the tracking control performance of the gas oxygen content while reducing the amount of calculation.

Thermogravimetric characteristics of corn straw and bituminous coal copyrolysis based the ilmenite oxygen carriers

Herein,the co-pyrolysis reaction characteristics of corn straw(CS)and bituminous coal in the presence of ilmenite oxygen carriers(OCs)are investigated via thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry.The results reveal that the participation of OCs weakens the devolatilization intensity of co-pyrolysis.When the CS blending ratio is<50%,the mixed fuel exhibits positive synergistic effects.The fitting results according to the Coats-Redfern integral method show that the solid-solid interaction between OCs and coke changes the reaction kinetics,enhancing the co-pyrolysis reactivity at the high-temperature zone(750-950C).The synergistic effect is most prominent at a 30%CS blending ratio,with copyrolysis activation energy in the range of 26.35-40.57 kJ·mol^(-1).

Safety research in the gasification process of novel multi-thermal-source coal gasifier

In order to collect the gas safely produced in the gasification process of the novel multi-thermal-source coal gasifier,based on its gasification skill and the characteristics of the products,this paper analyzes the possible dangers in the gasification process,devises the gasifier eruption and explosion experiments,explores the conditions of gasifier eruption and gas explosion,studies their effects on the gasification process and establishes safe operation measures.Gasifier eruption hazard occurs easily in the gasification process of one-thermal-source coal gasifier when MSiO2 is far higher than that in the normal adjuvant.The gas permeability in the gasifier is not the same and the power supply is too large.However,similar conditions in the gasification of multi-thermal-source coal gasifier do not produce a gasifier eruption accident so easily.When it erupts,the gasifier should be stopped and then cooled down naturally or inert gas can be sprayed on the gasifier to cool it off,and thus gas explosion can be avoided.There is a possibility of direct gas explosion,but it can be avoided when the gas in the gas collecting space is replaced slowly by supplying a small amount of power or the inert gas fills the space in the previous gasification.The time a fire is lit is strictly controlled,the gas is drawn in by using the aspirator pump,and the gasifier pressure is kept in the state of micro-positive pressure in the middle and later gasification process.The conclusion is that the gasification process of the novel multi-thermalsource coal gasifier is safe according to normal operation rules.

Paleo-fires and Atmospheric Oxygen Levels in the Latest Permian:Evidence from Maceral Compositions of Coals in Eastern Yunnan,Southern China

Inertinite maceral compositions of the Late Permian coals from three sections in the terrestrial and paralic settings of eastern Yunnan are analyzed in order to reveal the paleo-fire events and the atmospheric oxygen levels in the latest Permian. Although the macerals in the studied sections are generally dominated by vitrinite, the inertinite group makes up a considerable proportion. Its content increases upward from the beginning of the Late Permian to the coal seam near the Permian- Triassic boundary. Based on the microscopic features and the prevailing theory that inertinite is largely a by-product of paleo-fires, we suggest that the increasing upward trend of the inertinite abundance in the latest Permian could imply that the Late Permian peatland had suffered from frequent wildfires. Since ignition and burning depend on sufficient oxygen, a model-based calculation suggests that the 02 levels near the Wuchiapingian/Changhsingian boundary and the Permian-Triassic boundary are 27% and 28% respectively. This output adds supports to other discoveries made in the temporal marine and terrestrial sediments, and challenges the theories advocating hypoxia as a mechanism for the PermianTriassic boundary crisis.

Three Stage Equilibrium Model for Coal Gasification in Entrained Flow Gasifiers Based on Aspen Plus

A three stage equilibrium model is developed for coal gasification in the Texaco type coal gasifiersbased on Aspen Plus to calculate the composition of product gas, carbon conversion, and gasification teml^erature. The model is divided into three stages including pyrolysis and combustion stage, char gas reaction stage, and gas p.hase reaction stage. Part of the water produced in thepyrolysis and combust!on stag.e is assumed to be involved inthe second stage to react with the unburned carbon. Carbon conversion is then estimated in the second stage by steam participation ratio expressed as a function of temperature. And the gas product compositions are calculated from gas phase reactions in the third stage. The simulation results are consistent with published experimental data.

Desulfurization kinetics of ZnO sorbent loaded on semi-coke support for hot coal gas

Zn-based sorbent （Z20SC） prepared through semi-coke support in 20 wt% zinc nitrate solution by high-pressure impregnation presents an excellent desulfurization capacity in hot coal gas,in which H2 S can not be nearly detected in the outlet gas before 20 h breakthrough time.The effects of the main operational conditions and the particle size of Z20SC sorbent on its desulfurization performances sorbent were investigated in a fixed-bed reactor and the desulfurization kinetics of Z20SC sorbent removing H2 S from hot coal gas was calculated based on experimental data.Results showed that the conversion of Z20SC sorbent desulfurization reaction increased with the decrease of the particle size of the sorbent and the increases of gas volumetric flow rate,reaction temperature and H 2 S content in inlet gas.Z20SC sorbent obtained from hydrothermal synthesis by high-pressure impregnation possessed much larger surface area and pore volume than semi-coke support,and they were significantly reduced after the desulfurization reaction.The equivalent grain model was reasonably used to analyze experimental data,in which k s=4.382×10-3 exp（-8.270×103/RgT） and Dep=1.262×10-4exp（1.522×104/RgT）.It suggests that the desulfurization reaction of the Z20SC sorbent is mainly controlled by the chemical reaction in the initial stage and later by the diffusion through the reacted sorbent layer.

Methane Oxidation to Synthesis Gas Using Lattice Oxygen of La_(1-x)Sr_xMO_(3-λ)(M =Fe,Mn) Perovskite Oxides Instead of Molecular Oxygen

In this paper, the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas using lattice oxygen of La1- SrxMO3-λ (M=Fe, x Mn) perovskite oxides instead of molecular oxygen was investigated. The redox circulation between 11% O2/Ar flow and 11% CH4/He flow at 900℃ shows that methane can be oxidized to CO and H2 with a selectivity of over 90.7% using the lattice oxygen of La1- SrxFeO3-λ (x≤0.2) perovskite oxides in an appropriate reaction condition, while the lost lattice x oxygen can be supplemented by air re-oxidation. It is viable for the lattice oxygen of La1- SrxFeO3-λ (x≤0.2) perovskite x oxides instead of molecular oxygen to react with methane to synthesis gas in the redox mode.

Preparation of Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalyst to Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Influence of Protective Gas Flowing on Its Activity

A non-precious metal catalyst MnHMTA/C to oxygen reduction reaction was prepared by py- rolyzing a precursor from manganese chloride, hexamethylenetetramine and acetylene black in nitrogen gas atmosphere. The effect of heat treatment temperature and flowing of nitrogen gas were investigated. A catalyst with the highest activity can be obtained at 700 ℃. Mn（Ⅱ） ion was changed to MnO in heat treatment, which improved the catalytic activity of the catalyst. Hexamethylenetetramine takes part in the formation of active site of the catalyst as its decomposed gases. The flowing of protective gas takes the decomposed gases out of the tube furnace and brings negative effect on the catalytic activity of the MnHMTA/C catalyst.

Failure characteristics of surface vertical wells for relieved coal gas and their influencing factors in Huainan mining area

Based on data from through-hole and logging,we studied the failure characteristics of surface drainage wells for relieved coal gas in Huainan mining area and its influencing factors.The results show that the damaged positions of drainage wells are mainly located at the thick clay layer in the low alluvium and the lithological interface in the upper section of bedrock in west mining area.The failure depth of casing is 244-670 m and concentrates at about 270-460 m deep.These damaged positions are mainly located in the bending zone according to three zones of rock layers in the vertical section above the roof divided. Generally,the casing begins to deform or damage before the face line about 30-150 m.Special formation structure and rock mass properties are the direct causes of the casing failure,high mining height and fast advancing speed are fundamental reasons for rock mass damage.However,the borehole configuration and spacing to the casing failure are not very clear.

Experimental Study of Active Magnetic Bearing on a 150 M^(3)Turbo Oxygen Gas Expander

This paper is concerned with the investigation, experiment and design analyses on the application of active magnetic bearings for a 150M 3 turbo oxygen gas expander having 1.16 kg weight and 30 mm diameter rotor, which was supported by two aerostatic bearings formerly. Now, the machine can work steady at a rotation speed of 92,000 r/min, and can be run up to a maximum rotation speed of 104,000 r/min.

Determination of Air/Fuel and Steam/Fuel Ratio for Coal Gasification Process to Produce Synthesis Gas

In this study, a coal gasification model is developed based on nine simultaneous reactions. For given gasification temperature and pressure, the air/fuel and water vapor/fuel ratio are optimized for maximum H2/CO ratio by parametric study. Furthermore, the cold gas efficiency and higher heating value of the synthesis gas produced are computed for each case. Optimum locations of investigated parameters are also searched for maximizing cold gas efficiency and higher heating value of the synthesis gas.

Analysis of irrationality of coal susceptibility to spontaneous combustion determination method with fluid oxygen adsorption

Based on experiment results and theoretical analysis,pointed out that the method of coal susceptibility to spontaneous combustion determination with fluid oxygen adsorption can not present the essence of coal oxidation process and oxidation reaction. The method is incorrect,paying attention at one aspect and ignoring the rest.The method is not reasonable for coal susceptibility to spontaneous combustion determination.Sus- ceptibility to spontaneous combustion of coal reflects chemical property of coal oxidation with oxygen absorption and heat release at low temperature.Coal's susceptibility to spon- taneous combustion is mainly decided by the number of molecules with reaction activation energy and activation molecule production rate at certain temperature.Therefore,index of susceptibility to spontaneous combustion should adopt accumulative value or trend of heat release or oxygen adsorption during oxidation process.

Characteristics of oxygen consumption of coal at programmed temperatures

Oxygen consumption is an important index of coal oxidation.In order to explore the coal-oxygen reaction,we developed an experimental system of coal spontaneous combustion and tested oxygen consumption of differently ranked coals at programmed temperatures.The size of coal samples ranged from 0.18~0.42 mm and the system heat-rate was 0.8℃/min.The results show that, for high ranked coals,oxygen consumption rises with coal temperature as a piecewise non-linear process.The critical coal temperature is about 50℃.Below this temperature,oxygen consumption decreases with rising coal temperatures and reached a minimum at 50℃,approximately.Subsequently,it begins to increase and the rate of growth clearly increased with temperature.For low ranked coals,this characteristic is inconspicuous or even non-existent.The difference in oxygen consumption at the same temperatures varies for differently ranked coals.The results show the difference in oxygen consumption of the coals tested in our study reached 78.6%at 100℃.Based on the theory of coal-oxygen reaction,these phenomena were analyzed from the point of view of physical and chemical characteristics,as well as the appearance of the coal-oxygen complex.From theoretical analyses and our experiments,we conclude that the oxygen consumption at programmed temperatures reflects the oxidation ability of coals perfectly.

Prediction of oxygen concentration and temperature distribution in loose coal based on BP neural network

An effective method for preventing spontaneous combustion of coal stockpiles on the ground is to control the air-flow in loose coal. In order to determine and predict accurately oxygen concentrations and temperatures within coal stockpiles, it is vital to obtain information of self-heating conditions and tendencies of spontaneous coal combustion. For laboratory conditions, we designed our own experimental equipment composed of a control-heating system, a coal column and an oxygen concentration and temperature monitoring system, for simulation of spontaneous combustion of block coal （13-25 mm） covered with fine coal （0-3 mm）. A BP artificial neural network （ANN） with 150 training samples was gradually established over the course of our experiment. Heating time, relative position of measuring points, the ratio of fine coal thickness, artificial density, voidage and activation energy were selected as input variables and oxygen concentration and temperature of coal column as output variables. Then our trained network was applied to predict the trend on the untried experimental data. The results show that the oxygen concentration in the coal column could be reduced below the minimum still able to induce spontaneous combustion of coal - 6% by covering the coal pile with fine coal, which would meet the requirement to prevent spontaneous combustion of coal stockpiles. Based on the prediction of this ANN, the average errors of oxygen concentration and temperature were respectively 0.5% and 7 ℃, which meet actual tolerances. The implementation of the method would provide a practical guide in understanding the course of self-heating and spontaneous combustion of coal stockpiles.

Earth-abundant coal-derived carbon nanotube/carbon composites as efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc-air batteries

The exploration of active and robust electrocatalysts for both the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)is the bottleneck to realize the commercialization of rechargeable metal-air batteries and regenerative fuel cells.Here we report facile synthesis of three-dimensional(3 D)carbon nanotube(CNT)/carbon composites using earth-abundant coal as the carbon source,hydrogen reductant and heteroatom dopant to grow CNTs.The prepared composite featuring 3 D structural merits and multiple active sites can efficiently catalyze both ORR and OER,affording high activity,fast kinetics,and long-term stability.With the additional incorporation of manganese,the developed catalyst afforded a potential difference of 0.80 V between ORR at the half wave potential and OER at a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2).The optimized sample has presented excellent OER performance within a constructed solar-powered water splitting system with continuously generating oxygen bubbles at anode.Notably,it can be further used as a durable air-electrode catalyst in constructed Zn-air battery,delivering an initial discharge/charge voltage gap of 0.73 V,a remained voltaic efficiency of 61.2%after 160 cycles and capability to power LED light for at least 80 h.This study provides an efficient approach for converting traditional energy resource i.e.coal to value-added alternative oxygen electrocatalysts in renewable energy conversion systems.

Molecular Organic Geochemical Characteristics and Coal Gas Potential Evaluation of Mesozoic Coal Seams in the Western Great Khingan Mountains

Coal-bearing strata are widespread in the western Great Khingan Mountains. Abundant coal resources have been found in the Jurassic Alatanheli Groups, the Cretaceous Bayanhua Groups, the Damoguaihe Formation and the Yimin Formation. The organic geochemical characteristics were analyzed in combination with hydrocarbon source rock evaluation and molecular organic geochemistry experiments, and the coal gas potential of coal seams was evaluated. The source rock evaluation results indicated that the Mesozoic coal samples have the characteristics of high organic matter abundance(TOC>30%), low maturity(Ro values of approximately 0.6%), and type Ⅲ composition. The hydrocarbon generation potentials of the Alatanheli Groups and Bayanhua Groups are high, while the generation potentials of the Damoguaihe Formation and the Yimin Formation are low. The results of geochemistry show that the depositional environment of the coal seam was a lacustrine, oxidizing environment with a low salinity, and the source of the organic matter was mainly higher plants. Affected by weak degradation, the coal seams mainly formed low-maturity gas of thermal catalytic origin. The Cretaceous coal seams contain a large amount of phytoplankton groups deposited in a low-stability environment affected by a transgression event, and the potential range varied widely. For the Jurassic coal seams, the depositional environment was more stable, and the coal seams feature a higher coal-forming gas potential.

Studies on Oxygen Characteristics of YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x) and Its Applications to Air Separation and Gas Purification

Oxygen diffusion and oxygen selective adsorption properties of rare earths material YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x) (YBCO) were investigated by thermogravimetric, oxygen static adsorption and selectivity adsorption experiments. The results show that YBCO is a very good deoxidizing material. The oxygen desorption of YBCO begins remarkably at about 400 ℃, mass loss can arrive at 1.2% of its original quantity at 800 ℃. Oxygen can be completely absorbed back into the sample again when temperature descends to 400 ℃. The oxygen adsorption selectivity, reproducibility and oxygen adsorption under very low oxygen partial pressure make the material desirable for air separation and gas purification. High purity nitrogen gas was produced with the YBCO molecular sieves in the air separation and gas purification experiments. 0.017 m^3 of high purity nitrogen (>99.9999%) can be obtained with 1 kg YBCO molecular sieve in one cycle. As a deoxidant, an obvious advantage of YBCO is that no hydrogen is needed in its applications.

Reduction behavior and kinetics of vanadium–titanium sinters under high potential oxygen enriched pulverized coal injection

In this work, the reduction behavior of vanadium–titanium sinters was studied under five different sets of conditions of pulverized coal injection with oxygen enrichment. The modified random pore model was established to analyze the reduction kinetics. The results show that the reduction rate of sinters was accelerated by an increase of CO and H2contents. Meanwhile, with the increase in CO and H2contents, the increasing range of the medium reduction index (MRE) of sinters decreased. The increasing oxygen enrichment ratio played a diminishing role in improving the reduction behavior of the sinters. The reducing process kinetic parameters were solved using the modified random role model. The results indicated that, with increasing oxygen enrichment, the contents of CO and H2in the reducing gas increased. The reduction activation energy of the sinters decreased to between 20.4 and 23.2 kJ/mol. © 2017, The Author(s).