Factors affecting dustcake drag in a hot-gas filter system collecting coal gasification ash

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of laboratory drag measurements and filter operating data to analyze factors affecting dustcake flow resistance in a hot-gas filter at the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF). The hot-gas filter is a Siemens–Westinghouse two-tier candle filter system that is collecting coal gasification ash from a KBR Transport Gasifier. Operating experience with this system has shown that the flow resistance of the dustcake is responsible for most of the pressure drop across the hot-gas filter, and the pressure drop varies substantially with the type of coal being gasified and the operating conditions of the gasifier and filter systems. To analyze factors affecting dustcake drag, samples of gasification ash from various coals and various operating conditions were resuspended in a laboratory test apparatus, and the drag was measured as the dust was collected on a sintered metal filter. The lab-measured drag values were compared to actual values of transient drag determined from the increase in pressure drop, the inlet dust loading, and the face velocity in the hot-gas filter. After correcting the lab drag data to hot-gas filter conditions, good agreement was achieved between the lab measurements and the hot-gas filter transient drag values. Both types of measurements showed that drag was strongly influenced by coal type and carbon content.