Theoretical study of pilot-scale PETC coal-liquefaction reactor. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5089867

Calimli, A; Abichandani, J S; Shah, Y T

It is generally accepted that the performance of a coal liquefaction reactor can be modelled by lumping the products into kinetically similar fractions. The products are usually grouped according to their solubility or boiling points. Once the lumped product parameters are identified, the performance prediction of the reactor, requires the knowledge of (a) reaction paths correlating reactants and products and (b) hydrodynamics of the reactor. In a continuous coal liquefaction reactor, coal slurry (coal + solvent) and gas (hydrogen) flow through a column (either coil or vertical tube). The reaction mixture first passes through a preheater where its temperature is raised to around 425/sup 0/C. The slurry then passes through the main reactor where the temperature and pressure are kept essentially constant. The extent of conversion depends on the total residence time in the preheater and reactor. The purpose of this research program was to fit experimental data on coal liquefaction to kinetic networks. The data are obtained by the Department of Energy at Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center coal liquefaction unit. Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of the liquefaction unit at PETC. Kentucky (Homestead) coal and a coal derived solvent from their 400 lbs/day unit were used in the experiments. Tables I and II give the analysis of the coal and solvent. The products of liquefaction were characterized as Preasphaltenes, Asphaltenes, Oils, Gas and unreacted coal, according to their solubilities, as outlined.

• Research Organization: Pittsburgh Univ., PA (USA). Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• DOE Contract Number: FG22-80PC30340
• OSTI ID: 5089867
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/30340-T1; ON: DE82017075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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ARRHENIUS EQUATION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
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COAL LIQUEFACTION
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
EQUATIONS
KINETICS
LIQUEFACTION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
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SIMULATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES