Advancement of flash hydrogasification. Quarterly technical progress report, July-September 1984

Abstract

The design of test hardware and process development unit (PDU) modifications had been completed previously. Task VII involves the fabrication of test hardware and the modification of an existing 1-ton/h hydroliquefaction PDU at Rockwell's facilities for use as a hydrogasifier test facility. Modifications to the PDU have been completed. The modified facility is designed to accommodate both 10- and 20-ft-long hydrogasifier reactors so that residence times will be in the range of 2 to 6 s when coal is fed at a nominal 1/2 ton/h into reactors at 1000-psia pressure. Provisions have been made for real-time analysis of the product gases using an on-line gas chromatograph system. Separate supplies of coal, hydrogen, oxygen, methane, and water (for steam generation) are also provided. The facility and hardware changes now permit short-duration (1 to 2 h) hydrogasification tests and preburner assembly performance evaluation tests to be conducted to meet the test program objectives. Test program planning and scheduling were approved by DOE in July, and programming of test data reduction programs was completed. During August, activation of the PDU was completed and testing was initiated. This involved conducting preburner performance characterization/checkout tests and the first two coal reactor tests. In general, themore » preburner assembly performed well and according to design; operation of the PDU has been smooth. Carbon conversions for the baseline (low steam concentration) coal hydrogasification tests were near predicted values. 8 refs., 11 figs., 10 tabs.« less