Advanced Coal Gasification System
DOE Phase I Project DE-FG02-05ER84200
The efficient, clean, and cost effective conversion of coal remains a principal goal of the U.S. energy industry. The indirect liquefaction of coal via gasification is currently the most effective, though still costly, method of conversion of the raw feed stock syngas for liquid fuel production, hydrogen for fuel cells, or combustion in a gas turbine generator. Gasifiers usually operate at high temperature and pressure, resulting in materials problems and the need for costly coal feed mechanisms or mechanisms which reduce overall gasifier efficiency.
This proposal concerns the combination of two technologies for the gasification of coal: the integration of fluidized bed gasification with chemical looping for the direct partial oxidation of coal.
Oxygen carriers will be identified. The chemical looping system will be combined with a fluidized bed reactor to produce a single assembly where coal and air are fed and syngas produced. That syngas will then be shifted to maximize hydrogen production.
The capital savings from elimination of the air separation unit will reduce plant cost by a significant amount. Commercialization of advanced coal gasification is an important goal of energy production in the US to reduce national dependence on foreign oil.