Integrated Drying Gasification System for Coal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gasification processes face challenges in efficiently drying water-containing coal due to the complexity and high cost of pressurization systems, and the need for additional heat exchangers to adjust synthesis gas temperature, which increases equipment size and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A gasification method and integrated drying system that uses recycled synthesis gas from a gasifier to dry coal in a dryer, followed by a loop seal type transfer system to transfer dried coal to the gasifier without a heat exchanger, enhancing drying capacity and simplifying the process by eliminating the need for mechanical valves and additional heat exchangers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a conventional pressurization system with mechanical valves is used to transfer dried coal to the gasifier, then the coal can be supplied at high pressure, but the system becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply pressure of dried coalVSAvoidcomplexity of pressurization system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical valve-based pressurization system with a pneumatic system using a loop seal and aeration gas. Dried coal is fluidized and transported through a loop seal mechanism driven by gas flow rather than mechanical valves, eliminating complex mechanical components while maintaining high-pressure supply capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing aeration gas to fluidize dried coal and create a gas-solid mixture that can be transported through pipelines and loop seals. This pneumatic transport system replaces mechanical pressurization methods, reducing device complexity while achieving the required supply pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Temperature

If a heat exchanger is added to adjust synthesis gas temperature before drying coal, then the drying temperature can be controlled, but the equipment size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of synthesis gasVSAvoidnumber of heat exchangers
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the self-service principle by utilizing the inherent temperature characteristics of synthesis gas directly from the gasifier for the drying process. The high-temperature synthesis gas is routed directly to the dryer without intermediate heat exchangers, allowing the system to self-regulate temperature based on the gasifier's output rather than requiring active temperature adjustment equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the heat exchanger component from the conventional drying system. By taking out the heat exchanger and directly connecting the gasifier to the dryer, the system reduces equipment size and cost while maintaining effective drying through direct utilization of synthesis gas temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If synthesis gas is cooled before recycling to the dryer, then the drying efficiency improves, but the equipment size increases due to additional heat exchangers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying capacityVSAvoidequipment size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the synthesis gas recycling function directly with the drying process by routing hot synthesis gas from the gasifier outlet directly to the dryer inlet. This combined approach eliminates separate cooling and heating equipment, achieving high drying capacity through the integrated heat transfer from synthesis gas to coal while minimizing equipment footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach increases the drying capacity of water-containing coal by 3 to 4 times, reduces equipment costs, and allows for the co-production of high-quality coal and synthesis gas, while simplifying the process and improving the transfer of dried coal to the gasifier.

Implementation Method 1

transferring the residual separated dried coal to a gasifier in a fluidic state using a loop seal type transfer means to which aeration gas is supplied by a plurality of ports

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidisation: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

drying the water-containing coal in the dryer, in which thermal energy necessary for drying the water-containing coal is supplied in contact with synthesis gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

C+1/2O2 → CO (partial oxidation)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartial oxidation: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

C + H2O → CO + H2 (steam reforming)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam reforming: Chemical Transport Reactions

Implementation Method 5

C + CO2 → 2CO (carbon dioxide reforming)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbon dioxide reforming: Chemical Transport Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP2937405B1Integrated drying and gasification process for simultaneously producing synthetic gas and high rank coal
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 SK INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP2937405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2937405B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a gasification process for efficiently co-producing synthesis gas and high-grade coal from water-containing coal, and to an integrated drying and gasification system for realizing the same.