Control technology assessment for coal gasification and liquefaction processes: Report of site visit on Apeton, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6625186

A survey was conducted at the Synthane Pilot Facility (SIC-5161) in Bruceton, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1979. The operation of the facility was discontinued in 1978; however, it was included in the study of control technology because certain aspects of the process were important to development of coal gasification technology and because of relevant process modifications. The facility had maintained a high pressure, deep injection, fluidized bed gasification process designed to convert caking, bituminous and subbituminous coals and lignite to pipeline quality substitute natural gas. Major hazards of the process were carbon-monoxide (630080) and hydrogen-sulfide (7783064). Nickel-carbonyl (13463393) formation in the methanation unit was also a hazard. A safety supervisor was responsible for the work environment. Safety policies and standards were set by a safety committee. Inspections and accident reporting and investigations were stressed. A full time nurse and a part time doctor were available. Preemployment, annual, and termination physical examinations were given to all employees. The author concludes that because the facility was not in operation, a thorough assessment was not possible. They recommend surge tankage increase to prevent process upsets, installation of remote control shutoff valves, and completion of design work to reduce material sifting through baghouse bags.

• Research Organization: Enviro Control, Inc., Rockville, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6625186
• Report Number(s): PB-84-181304
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONYLS
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL GASIFICATION
COAL GASIFICATION PLANTS
COAL LIQUEFACTION PLANTS
GASIFICATION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS