Integrated Gasification Apparatus Using High-Pressure Steam for Fuel Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of gasification processes using carbonaceous fuels with high water content due to increased costs and energy requirements for drying, as well as the need for additional high-pressure steam in the water gas shift process, which complicates the production of syngas with the desired H2/CO ratio.
Innovation Solution
An integrated gasification apparatus that utilizes high-pressure steam produced during the gasification process to dry carbonaceous fuels in a flash dryer, with the dried steam then being used in the water gas shift process, reducing water content and oxygen consumption, and optimizing syngas composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high water content carbonaceous fuel is used for gasification, then fuel availability and resource utilization are improved, but gasification efficiency decreases and plugging occurs during handling and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by drying the high water content carbonaceous fuel before gasification. The drying unit removes excess water from the fuel in advance, preventing plugging during handling and transport while improving gasification efficiency. This preliminary water removal enables the system to process fuels with initially high water content without suffering from the associated problems.
2Productivity
If water content of fuel is lowered to improve gasification efficiency, then gasification efficiency is improved, but additional drying facilities and energy costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying function with the existing gasification system by integrating a drying unit into the overall process flow. Rather than adding completely separate drying facilities, the drying unit is combined with the fuel handling and gasification system, sharing infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity. The dried fuel then feeds directly into the gasification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by using high-pressure steam generated during the gasification process itself to provide the drying function. The gasification process produces high-pressure steam as a byproduct, and this steam is redirected to the drying unit to remove water from the fuel. This eliminates the need for external energy sources or separate steam generation facilities for drying.
3Productivity
If high-pressure steam is produced during gasification for drying fuel, then drying efficiency is improved, but additional water resources and water purification facilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by capturing and reusing the high-pressure steam that would otherwise be discarded or underutilized during the gasification process. The steam generated as a byproduct of gasification is recovered and redirected to the drying unit, transforming waste heat into a useful drying medium. This closes the water cycle within the system and eliminates the need for additional water resources.
4Loss of substance
If steam is used to dry carbonaceous fuel, then water content is reduced, but the discharged steam requires heat recovery and purification facilities before atmospheric emission
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by having the dried fuel feed directly back into the gasification process, where it serves as additional fuel. This internal recycling eliminates the need for atmospheric emission and the associated heat recovery and purification facilities. The steam that would have been discharged is instead utilized for drying, and the dried fuel is reused, creating a self-contained loop within the gasification system.
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 enhances gasification efficiency, reduces water resource usage, and lowers overall process costs by directly utilizing high-pressure steam for drying and shifting the H2/CO ratio, thereby improving syngas production for chemical products.
Implementation Method 1
high-pressure steam produced during a gasification process is directly used to dry the carbonaceous fuel
Implementation Method 2
flash dryer to lower water content of the carbonaceous fuel containing water fed into the flash dryer using high-pressure steam
Implementation Method 3
a water gas shift reactor to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide from the steam discharged from the flash dryer and the syngas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
This invention relates to an integrated gasification apparatus for carbonaceous fuel, wherein high-pressure steam produced during a gasification process of carbonaceous fuel is directly used to dry the carbonaceous fuel, and steam obtained through the drying process is directly used in a water gas shift process.