Syngas Produced By Plasma Gasification

Abstract

A syngas stream composition comprising on a dry basis up to about 50,000 mg / Nm3 particulates; 5-39 vol % H2; 5-39 vol % CO; 15-50 vol % CO2; 8-30 vol % N2, 0-2 vol % Argon; and 15-50 vol % moisture on a wet basis. The stream includes a H2 / CO ratio that is about 0.3-2 and at least 15 wt % of particulates have an aerodynamic particle diameter of less than or equal to 1 micron. A gasified waste stream and a method for forming a gasified waste stream are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 61 / 412,078, filed on Nov. 10, 2010. The disclosure of Application No. 61 / 412,078 is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed to a process and system for the generation and treatment of syngas. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a syngas stream and a method for producing a syngas stream produced by the plasma gasification of waste, including municipal solid waste (MSW).[0003]The effective management and utilization of waste is a global issue. Current waste management techniques, as suggested by regulatory agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), include source reduction first, recycling and composting second, and, finally, disposal in landfills or waste combustors. Other techniques of managing waste include converting the waste to energy involving processes such as incineration and pyr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The process produces a high-quality syngas with a wide range of feedstocks, reducing energy costs and simplifying equipment control, while achieving efficient particulate and impurity removal, suitable for power generation and chemical production.

Problems solved by technology

The effective management and utilization of waste is a global issue.

However, the crude syngas of Faaij contains 13.98 v / v % CO in wet syngas (16 v / v % CO in dry gas), which is undesirably low compared to desired syngas composition from waste gasification systems.

In addition, the Faaij reference does not disclose COS or HCl as part of the syngas.

In addition to the other drawbacks above, the concentration of NH3 in Faaij is undesirably high for known waste gasification and cleanup systems.

As in the case of the Faaij reference, the CO concentration is undesirably low for conventional waste gasification and cleanup systems.

As in the case of the Faaij reference, the TPS Termiska reference does not disclose a plasma gasifier, but is limited to a circulating fluidized bed gasifier.

In addition, the TPS Termiska reference is limited to air-fired gasification.

In addition to the above drawbacks, the TPS Termiska reference requires pre-sorting and processing of MSW prior to gasification, increasing cost and energy requirements.

The Jae Ik Na reference discloses gasification of MSW in a fixed bed gasifier. FIGS. 9 and 10 in the Jae Ik Na reference disclose a CO2 composition of 20-60% and 5-20% CH4, in the syngas, which is undesirably high, thereby leading to higher costs due to special processes associated with removal of these species.

In addition, the Jae Ik Na reference does not disclose a particulate loading.

The amount of CO, therefore reducing the H2 / CO ratio, disclosed in the University of Cassino reference is undesirably high for conventional waste gasification and cleanup systems.

Instead their research involves use of refuse derived fuel (RDF) which is created from MSW by sorting and processing to eliminate as much noncombustible material as possible, thereby significantly increasing the cost and energy associated with the process.

As one skilled in the art of particulate removal would appreciate, particulates below 1 micron become increasingly difficult to remove.

Images