Thermodynamic analysis of coal pyrolysis to acetylene in hydrogen plasma reactor

Abstract

A systematic re-examination of the thermodynamic study on the process of coal pyrolysis to acetylene in a hydrogen plasma reactor was performed with referenced pilot-plant data at the scale of 2-MW plasma. At the ultra-high temperature conditions, the gas phase composition may reach thermodynamic equilibrium immediately no matter whether the solid carbon exists or not. The mass ratio of C/H in the gaseous phase plays a significant role in the acetylene concentration at the thermodynamic equilibrium states. It is demonstrated either in thermodynamics calculation or in hot tests that a mass ratio of C/H near or above 2 is essential to gain an acceptable concentration of acetylene in the mixed gases, which indicates that the mixing efficiency between gas and coal particles near the coal injection point becomes pivotal to the yield of acetylene for its direct influence on the devolatilization of coal, i.e., the gaseous C/H ratio. Being consistent with the hot test experience, the extra amount of water added into the system may inhibit the production of acetylene. However, the addition of methane might impose a positive effect on the yield of acetylene and therefore on the overall reactor performance.