Apparatus or the gasification of carbonaceous matter by plasma arc pyrolysis
The plasma-arc pyrolysis system, which provides a reliable, efficient system for gasifying carbonaceous material, especially coal, consists of a refractory-lined furnace with a depression along its base, holding a pool of molten metal that acts as the external electrode for a bank of long arc-column plasma torches that provide a heat mass for the process. The plasma-arc pressure imparts momentum to the surface of the melt, causing it to flow in cusping eddy currents during the process. Crushed coal, deposited through the furnace roof by a rotary feeder in continuous plural streams, is devolatilized in a matter of milliseconds; the volatiles are cracked as the coal falls by gravity through the furnace. The remaining carbon-rich char collects at plural sites on the surface of the melt; the mounds of char are rotated by the eddy currents. Steam continuously injected into the furnace reacts with the carbon-rich char to produce hydrocarbon gases. A residence time of 5 to 30 min produces a carbon utilization of up to 92%. The hot raw gases enter a gas cooler where heat is extracted for producing the process steam. The cooled raw gases reach pipeline quality by conventional dehydration and carbon dioxide removal techniques and by methanization with a suitable catalyst. The raw gas may also br burned directly as a medium-Btu gas or used in the direct reduction of iron ore.
- Assignee:
- Technology Application Services Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4141694
- OSTI ID:
- 6688688
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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