Coal Conversion Industries Research Articles

Opportunity and Challenges of Integrated Enhanced Oil Recovery Using CO2 Flooding with Geological CO2 Storage in the Ordos Basin, China

In the current global economic and technological environment, integrating geological CO2 storage with enhanced oil recovery is the most practical way to reduce green-house gas emissions and increase the energy supply (CCUS). The overlapping development of large-scale coal conversion industries with existing oil and gas industries in the Ordos Basin, Northern Shaanxi Province has created a unique opportunity to apply a systematic approach to an energy/environmental protection development strategy: the integration of geological CO2 storage and enhanced oil recovery utilizing CO2 flooding (CO2 EOR) and geological storage that has been developed in Wyoming. The coal conversion industry in the Ordos Basin (i.e., coal-to-methanol, coal-to-olefins, etc.) provides affordable, capture- ready CO2 sources for developing large-scale CO2 EOR and CO2 storage projects in the Ordos Basin, China. Currently, over 40 Mt of highly concentrated CO2 (> 95%) are being captured and vented from the methanol plants. Compared with other CCS projects, the ability to use CO2 from the coal-conversion industry for CO2 EOR and geological CO2 storage will make these CCUS projects in the Ordos Basin more cost effective, technologically efficient, and environmentally sound. Supported by US-China Clean Energy Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial Government, and Yanchang Petroleum Group Company, the University of Wyoming, Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Energy Resources and Chemical Engineering, and Research Institute of Yanchang Petroleum (Group) Company have developed a CO2 enhanced oil recovery demonstration project that includes geological CO2 storage in a mature, depleted oil field located in the Northern Shaanxi Province, Ordos Basin. Various scenarios for enhanced oil recovery using CO2 flooding integrated with geological CO2 storage are being simulated and optimized. The results of the reservoir characterization and CO2 flooding simulation show that integrating CO2 EOR with geological CO2 storage is a viable way to reduce CO2 emission in the region.

A Feasibility Study of the Integration of Enhanced Oil Recovery (CO2 Flooding) with CO2 Storage in the Mature Oil Fields of the Ordos Basin, China

Rich in energy resources, China's Ordos Basin Shares many similarities with Wyoming's Powder River Basin. As a result, the experience and expertise pertaining to energy development in the Powder River Basin should prove helpful in the Ordos Basin. The b reserves are ranked fourth. The coal deposits in the Ordos Basin account for 39 percent of total Chinese coal reserves (3.98 trillion tonnes), and six of the thirteen largest coal mines in China are located in the basin. The overlapping development of relatively new coal conversion industries with existing oil and gas industries in northern Shaanxi Province is creating an opportunity to apply the systematic approach developed in Wyoming: the integration of geological CO2 storage and CO2-EOR. The coal conversion industry (i.e., coal-to-methanol, coal-to-olefins, etc.) provides affordable, capture-ready CO2 sources for developing large-scale integrated CO2-EOR and carbon storage projects in the Ordos Basin, China. Compared with other CCUS projects, the ability to use CO2 from the coal- conversion industry for CO2-EOR and subsequent geological CO2 storage will make integrated projects in the Ordos Basin more cost-effective and technologically efficient.The low porosity, low permeability, low oil saturation, anomalously low reservoir pressure, and high reservoir heterogeneity of the target storage formations in the Ordos Basin make using CO2 for enhanced oil recovery much more challenging here than in the US. These reservoir characteristics together constitute a major reason that CO2- EOR is not widely employed in the Ordos Basin, even though sources of highly concentrated CO2 (coal conversion plants) have been available for years. Comparisons of reservoir and crude oil properties in the Ordos Basin with the current US CO2-EOR screening guidelines reveal that gravity, viscosity, crude oil composition, and formation type of the Ordos reservoirs all are favorable for CO2 miscible flooding. The major challenges in deploying EOR result from anomalously low reservoir pressure, low porosity, and higher reservoir heterogeneity.

96/02127 Multicomponent analysis of phenols in waste waters of the coal conversion industry by means of UV-spectrometry

96/02127 Multicomponent analysis of phenols in waste waters of the coal conversion industry by means of UV-spectrometry

Multicomponent analysis of phenols in waste waters of the coal conversion industry by means of UV-spectrometry

A procedure for the determination of phenols has been developed as an alternative to the method DIN 38 409 H16. Based on multicomponent analysis using the PLS algorithm it is possible to analyze phenols selectively within three groups. Moreover, two methods of back-ground correction have been explored, the so called UVMA-method [1] and the method of turbid standard solutions. The procedure described provides advantages in the determination of poly-hydric and/or para-substituted phenols. It can be preferably used for the analysis of phenolic waste waters of the brown coal conversion industry. Furthermore, sample preparation is not required because turbidity does not interfere the analysis.

The sedimentation‐dispersion model for slurry bubble columns

Slurry bubble columns have been widely used in petrochemical and coal conversion industries, and increasingly applied in fermentation and wastewater treatment fields. A slurry bubble column operated under the expanded bed regime is characterized by an axial solids concentration distribution in the column. Quantitative description of this distribution has been based mainly on the sedimentation-dispersion (S-D) model. In this paper, the physical nature of the S-D model in the literature is discussed in light of a rigorous analysis of the axial solids concentration distribution based on a macroscopic balance of the solid phase. General validity of the model for various modes of operation of slurry bubble column systems is also discussed.

The erosion of candidate materials for valves in coal gasification systems

The erosion of ashlock hopper valves in coal gasification systems and the maintenance downtime resulting from this erosion are a cause of considerable concern for the coal conversion industry. In order to alleviate this problem a test rig was designed and built to simulate service conditions of temperature, pressure differential and valve geometry. The macro- and microscopic appearance of the worn surfaces closely resembled that of the valves themselves. The fine ash, moving at sonic velocities, caused rapid erosion of metallic alloys and the wide range of hardness values obtained in heat-treated steels did not influence their rate of erosion. Numerous coated and surface-treated alloys, hard cermets and ceramic materials have been tested and ranked according to erosion resistance. The eroded surfaces and cross-sections have been closely studied in order to detect the extent of plastic flow, microfracture and thermal degradation. Surface treatments such as carburizing of steels provided only a small improvement in resistance; cobalt, nickel and Co-Cr-based cemented carbides together with sialon-type ceramics provided good resistance. Low binder contents and small carbide particle size were found to improve the erosion resistance of the cermets. The paper will discuss the performance and erosion mode of the various materials in terms of their mechanical and thermal properties.

Water and Energy Systems: A Planning Model

In regions where energy facilities place major demands on the water resources, it is desirable to plan the development of these systems with an understanding of their interrelationships. A mathematical model of these interlocking systems is described. The major model components are the supply and demand points for water, electrical power, and pipeline gas that is produced from coal. The model allocates water to the various demands and locates energy facilities by subregions. Linear programming is used to evaluate the model that is designed for preliminary screening purposes. An application to Illinois demonstrates the utility of sensitivity analysis and parameterization techniques for examining trends and tradeoffs for alternative regional plans. The example also demonstrates the interrelated nature of the water-resources and energy systems and demonstrates the potential impact of a large new coal-conversion industry on water resources.

Hazardous chemicals from coal conversion processes?

It is evident that some health hazards are to be expected with the advent of a large-scale coal-conversion industry. The paper deals with the need to investigate the hazards associated with carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, toxic metals and organometallic compounds. Although these processes look promising with respect to the removal of traditional pollutants, it is likely that they will produce chemicals that have not even been identified or characterized with respect to their health and environmental effects. The development of any new technology requires investigation of toxicological and environmental impacts of that technology. This is especially true of coal-conversion processes because of the diverse nature of the raw material. In order to prevent any delay in the large-scale development of this industry, a major effort should be made now, before developments proceed beyond the pilot-plant stage, to eliminate potential hazards that may be imposed upon the environment and the health of personnel.

Coal Hydrogenation and Environmental Health

Planning of coal hydrogenation processes, such as liquifaction and gasification, requires consideration of public health implications. Commercial plants will require coal quantities greater than or equal to 20,000 tons/day and the large size of these plants calls for careful consideration of the potential health hazards from the wastes and products of such processes. Analysis of pollution potential can roughly be divided into three categories: raw material structure and constituents, process design, and mode of plant operation. Identifiable pollutants include hydrogen cyanide, phenols, cresols, carbonyl and hydrogen sulfides, ammonia, mercaptans, thiocyanides, aniline, arsenic, trace metals and various polycyclic hydrocarbons. One study of workers in a hydrogenation process has revealed an incidence of skin cancer 16-37 times that expected in the chemical industry. In addition, a number of high boiling point liquid products were identified as being carcinogenic, and air concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene up to 18,000 mug/1000 m3 were reported. Health statistics on occupational groups in other coal conversion industries have shown significantly higher lung cancer rates, relative to groups without such occupational exposures. These data suggest that coal hydrogenation plants must be carefully planned and controlled to avoid harm to environmentally and occupationally exposed populations.

Coal hydrogenation and environmental health.

Planning of coal hydrogenation processes, such as liquifaction and gasification, requires consideration of public health implications. Commercial plants will require coal quantities greater than or equal to 20,000 tons/day and the large size of these plants calls for careful consideration of the potential health hazards from the wastes and products of such processes. Analysis of pollution potential can roughly be divided into three categories: raw material structure and constituents, process design, and mode of plant operation. Identifiable pollutants include hydrogen cyanide, phenols, cresols, carbonyl and hydrogen sulfides, ammonia, mercaptans, thiocyanides, aniline, arsenic, trace metals and various polycyclic hydrocarbons. One study of workers in a hydrogenation process has revealed an incidence of skin cancer 16-37 times that expected in the chemical industry. In addition, a number of high boiling point liquid products were identified as being carcinogenic, and air concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene up to 18,000 mug/1000 m3 were reported. Health statistics on occupational groups in other coal conversion industries have shown significantly higher lung cancer rates, relative to groups without such occupational exposures. These data suggest that coal hydrogenation plants must be carefully planned and controlled to avoid harm to environmentally and occupationally exposed populations.