The Steam Gasification of Coal under Milder Low Temperature Conditions—Nonisothermal Kinetics Studies for Reactor Design

Abstract

Advanced systems of power generation, such as integrated gasification combined cycle power generation, are being demonstrated as the next generation of clean coal technology. It is important commercially to exploit the coal in such a way that premium and added value chemicals are recovered from coal before subjecting this to destructive gasification to yield the smallest molecules, such as H 2 and CO, from coal macromolecules (C 20 -C 240 ). In the present studies, original Talcher coal was subjected to organo-refining using coal-derived solvents, such as anthracene oil and liquid paraffin. The residual coal obtained from organo-refining was pyrolyzed in steam atmosphere. The kinetics of the low temperature steam gasification of the original coal, residual coal, and their chars was studied. These studies would help in designing the reactor for the steam gasification of coals, residual coals, and chars, thereof. These pretreatments beneficially disrupt the structure of coal by exposing more active sites on the surface, by exposing more mineral matter, and by affording sufficient residual volatile matter in treated coals/chars to render these reactive for the steam gasification.