High-pressure coal fuel processor development
The objective of Subtask 1.1 Engine Feasibility was to conduct research needed to establish the technical feasibility of ignition and stable combustion of directly injected, 3,000 psi, low-Btu gas with glow plug ignition assist at diesel engine compression ratios. This objective was accomplished by designing, fabricating, testing and analyzing the combustion performance of synthesized low-Btu coal gas in a single-cylinder test engine combustion rig located at the Caterpillar Technical Center engine lab in Mossville, Illinois. The objective of Subtask 1.2 Fuel Processor Feasibility was to conduct research needed to establish the technical feasibility of air-blown, fixed-bed, high-pressure coal fuel processing at up to 3,000 psi operating pressure, incorporating in-bed sulfur and particulate capture. This objective was accomplished by designing, fabricating, testing and analyzing the performance of bench-scale processors located at Coal Technology Corporation (subcontractor) facilities in Bristol, Virginia. These two subtasks were carried out at widely separated locations and will be discussed in separate sections of this report. They were, however, independent in that the composition of the synthetic coal gas used to fuel the combustion rig was adjusted to reflect the range of exit gas compositions being produced on the fuel processor rig. Two major conclusions resulted from this task. First, direct injected, ignition assisted Diesel cycle engine combustion systems can be suitably modified to efficiently utilize these low-Btu gas fuels. Second, high pressure gasification of selected run-of-the-mine coals in batch-loaded fuel processors is feasible. These two findings, taken together, significantly reduce the perceived technical risks associated with the further development of the proposed coal gas fueled Diesel cycle power plant concept.
- Research Organization:
- Caterpillar, Inc., Peoria, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-88MC25141
- OSTI ID:
- 6542729
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/25141-3339; ON: DE93000276
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
COAL GASIFICATION
TEST FACILITIES
DIESEL ENGINES
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUEL GAS
COMBUSTION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
IGNITION
LOW BTU GAS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENGINES
FLUIDS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
OXIDATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
010404* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Gasification
330102 - Internal Combustion Engines- Diesel
330800 - Emission Control- Alternative Fuels