Dynamic simulation of Exxon's Catalytic Coal-Gasification process

Conference · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6876378

Franklin, H D; Parnas, R S; Kahn, C D; Gaitonde, N Y

The Exxon Catalytic Coal Gasification process is a novel method for producing methane directly from coal. Its key features from a process dynamics standpoint are use of a catalyst which causes both the highly endothermic gasification and exothermic methanation reactions to occur in the same reactor, separation of product gas in a highly heat-integrated cryogenic section, and recycle of product carbon monoxide and hydrogen back into the reactor. A dynamic simulation of this process has been developed, and closed control loop responses are presented. The unique features of the CCG process make prediction of the process dynamics very difficult. The mass and energy balances in the gasifier are very tightly coupled due to the large heats of gasification and methanation relative to the overall heat of reaction. For example, an upset to the gas composition entering the gasifier will result in an upset in the gasifier energy balance. The resulting gasifier temperature upset will affect the flow and composition of the gases leaving the gasifier, and this material balance upset will be fed back to the gasifier due to the recycle of syngas (CO and H/sub 2/) from the cryogenic distillation section. A dynamic simulation of the CCG process was therefore commissioned to determine whether the process interactions presented any controllability problems as well as to help design a control scheme for the process. While there have been previous dynamic simulation of both fixed and fluidized bed coal gasifiers, these simulations were all performed for noncatalytic gasification processes, and thus would not show the process dynamics implications resulting from the unique features of the CCG process.

• Research Organization: Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Baytown, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-78ET13005
• OSTI ID: 6876378
• Report Number(s): CONF-821106-9; ON: DE82021973
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL GASIFICATION
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DIAGRAMS
EXXON GASIFICATION PROCESS
FLOWSHEETS
GASIFICATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM CARBONATES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
SIMULATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES