Method and apparatus for producing clean reducing gases from coke oven gas

Abstract

A process and system for producing reducing gases are disclosed, wherein volatile components derived from coal are transformed into reducing gases suitable for utilization as synthesis gas, as a reducing agent for the direct reduction of iron ores and/or as a clean fuel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention refers to a process and system for producing reducing gases mainly composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from coke-making operations where coal is transformed into metallurgical coke, and more particularly to a process wherein the volatile components derived from coal are transformed into reducing gases suitable for chemical utilization as synthesis gas, as a reducing agent for direct reduction of iron ores and / or as a clean fuel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is known that in the process of producing metallurgical coke, coal is heated in order to eliminate most of the volatile components and preserving mostly the carbon structure. Coke is thereby provided with the physical and chemical properties which make it fit for providing energy and burden support in blast furnaces. Volatile matter of coal comprises a number of compounds which are distilled in coke ovens constituting what is known as coke oven gas. The volume and composit...

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Benefits of technology

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a process and system for treating coke oven gas and producing a synthesis gas useful as raw material in chemical processes or for producing heat, steam, electricity or power avoiding the complex and expensive cleaning processes normally utilized in coking plants.

Problems solved by technology

Cleaning of coke oven gas require's a complex and costly chemical plant.

This patent does not teach or suggest carrying out a partial combustion of coke oven gas for producing a high-quality reducing gas.

The partial combustion process of this patent however has a number of disadvantages and does not teach or suggest a process and apparatus which integrates the energy in an improved way.

Although this patent teaches generally that the coke oven gas may be used as a reducing gas in an iron ore reduction shaft furnace, no detail is provided about a preferred manner of utilizing the integration of the thermal energy that the coke oven gas contains.

This process scheme has a number of disadvantages since all equipment involved in the handling and conduction of the coke oven gas from the coke ovens to the shaft reactor must be prepared for high-temperature operation.

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