JP2013151577A - System and method for processing solid powder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for transporting and gasifying solid powder such as solid carbonaceous fuel powder.SOLUTION: In a system, a transportation unit 12 includes one or more transportation tanks 18 configured to receive solid powder, and a solid pump 20 being in fluid communication with each of transportation tanks 18 and arranged in the downstream thereof, and further includes a feeder 24 arranged between the solid pump 20 and a gasification furnace 14, and comprises the gasification furnace 14 being in fluid communication with the feeder and arranged in the downstream thereof.

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for processing solid powders. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for the transport and gasification of solid powders such as solid carbonaceous fuel powders.

  Gasification is a process that allows the conversion of carbonaceous fuels such as coal into combustible gases such as coal gas or synthesis gas. In general, the gasification process includes conveying carbonaceous fuel into a gasifier along with a controlled and / or limited amount of oxygen and other steam. Such a stable and controllable flow of carbonaceous fuel into the gasifier is beneficial to obtain the desired gasification performance.

  In conventional gasification systems, pneumatic conveying techniques are typically used to convey carbonaceous fuel into the gasification furnace. Such a gasification system includes a storage tank, a gasification furnace, and a plurality of piping in fluid communication with each tank and the gasification furnace. The storage tank receives carbonaceous fuel and carrier gas via piping. The introduction of the carrier gas into the storage tank raises the pressure in the storage tank to a desired level higher than the pressure in the gasifier, creating a pressure difference between the storage tank and the gasifier. The solid-gas mixture can then be transferred from the storage tank into the gasifier.

  However, in such conventional gasification systems, the flow of carbonaceous fuel into the storage tank may not be uniform. As a result, the transport of carbonaceous fuel into the gasifier may become unstable. This can cause temperature fluctuations in the gasifier, which are detrimental to gasifier performance and service life. Furthermore, when transporting a carbonaceous fuel such as coal having a high moisture content in such a conventional gasification system, this carbonaceous fuel is used to avoid blocking the transport into the gasifier through the storage tank. Needs to be dried to have a relatively low humidity level. This drying process consumes more energy and increases the overall cost of the gasification process.

  Accordingly, there is a need for new and improved systems and methods for solid powder delivery and gasification.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for gasification of a solid powder is provided. The system includes one or more transfer tanks configured to receive solid powder and one or more solid pumps disposed in fluid communication with the one or more respective transfer tanks downstream thereof. The system further includes a gasifier disposed in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps downstream.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, a transport unit for transporting solid powder for gasification is provided. The transport unit is disposed downstream of the one or more transport tanks configured to receive the solid powder and the one or more transport tanks for gasifying the solid powder from the one or more transport tanks, respectively. One or more solid pumps configured to pressurize and convey.

  One embodiment further provides a method for gasification of a solid powder. In this method, solid powder is introduced into one or more transfer tanks, solid powder is introduced into each of one or more solid pumps from one or more transfer tanks, and the solid powder is pressurized with one or more solid pumps to form a gas. Transporting into the furnace. Here, the one or more solid pumps are respectively arranged downstream of the one or more transport tanks.

  The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a gasification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart in a gasification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an illustration of a gasification system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of a gasification system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an illustration of a gasification system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an illustration of a gasification system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an illustration of a gasification system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a gasification system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gasification system 10 is configured to gasify a solid powder such as carbonaceous fuel to produce a combustible gas such as synthesis gas. Non-limiting examples of carbonaceous fuels include coal, bitumen, soot, biomass, petroleum coke, or combinations thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gasification system 10 includes a transfer unit 12, a gasification furnace 14, and a cooler 16. In some embodiments, the transport unit 12 may be configured to transport the solid powder 100 having a desired particle size distribution and a desired humidity level into the gasifier 14. The gasification furnace 14 is in fluid communication with the transport unit 12 and is arranged downstream thereof to receive the solid powder 100 and gasify it. In a non-limiting example, the gasifier 14 can comprise a reactor and can have a cylindrical shape with a substantially conical or convex upper and lower ends (not numbered). As an example, the gasification furnace 14 includes a spouted bed type gasification furnace.

  The cooler 16 is in fluid communication with the lower end (not numbered) of the gasifier 14 to receive and cool products such as slag and / or synthesis gas from the gasifier 14. In a non-limiting example, the cooler 16 can have a cylindrical shape and can include, for example, a radiant syngas cooler (RSC) or a cooler with a slag bath (quenching chamber).

  In the illustrated example, the gasification furnace 14 and the cooler 16 are separate devices, but in other examples, the gasification furnace 14 and the cooler 16 may be integrated into a single structure. In some applications, the cooler 16 may not be used and the synthesis gas from the gasifier 14 is passed to a subsequent reactor (not shown) such as a fixed bed reactor for further processing. It may be introduced.

  In the case of the illustrated configuration, the transport unit 12 includes a transport tank 18 and a solid pump 20. The transfer tank 18 receives the solid powder 100 and transfers it to the solid pump 20. In some applications, the transfer tank 18 can operate at a pressure near atmospheric pressure, and a transfer body such as gas 22 is introduced into the transfer tank 18 to facilitate transfer of the solid powder 100 into the solid pump 20. May be. In some examples, the pressure in transfer tank 18 may be in the range of 1-2 megapascals (Mpa).

The solid pump 20 is in fluid communication with the transfer tank 18 and is disposed downstream thereof. The solid pump 20 pressurizes the solid powder 100 from the transfer tank 18 and sends it into the gasification furnace 14 for gasification. In some embodiments, the solid pump 20 can transport the solid powder 100 from a lower pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, to a higher pressure, such as a pressure in excess of 1000 psig, where the rotational speed of the solid pump 20 and There is a linear relationship with the mass flow of the solid. In some examples, the solid pump 20 may also have the ability to measure the flow rate of the solid powder 100. As an example, the solid pump 20 is composed of a rotary focusing space type Solids Transport and Metering pump called a “Stamet ^™ solid pump” commercially available from GE Energy, Atlanta, Georgia.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer tank 18 is located on the solid pump 20, and the solid pump 20 is located on the gasification furnace 14. That is, the outlet (not numbered) of the transport tank 18 is located above the inlet (not numbered) of the solid pump 20, and the solid powder 100 is transferred from the outlet of the transport tank 18 to the solid pump 20. And the outlet of the solid pump 20 (not numbered) is located above the inlet of the gasifier 14 (not numbered), so that the solid powder 100 is solid. The gas can be transferred from the outlet of the pump 20 to the inlet of the gasification furnace 14 for gasification. In another example, the inlet of the transfer tank 18 may be located above the inlet of the solid pump 20, and the inlet of the solid pump 20 may be located above the inlet of the gasifier 14.

  In such a configuration, the solid powder 100 from the solid pump 20 can be introduced into the gasifier 14 with less energy consumption. In some applications, the transfer tank 18 may be located below the solid pump 20 and / or the gasifier 14. In the illustrated example, the solid pump 20 is directly connected to the transfer tank 18. In other non-limiting examples, other elements such as at least one valve (not shown) may be disposed between the solid pump 20 and the transfer tank 18.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, during operation, in step 11, solid powder 100 is introduced into the transfer tank 18. In step 13, the solid powder 100 is transferred from the transfer tank 18 into the solid pump 20. In step 15, the solid powder 100 is pressurized and sent from the solid pump 20 into the gasifier for gasification.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 12 further includes a supply device 24 disposed between the solid pump 20 and the gasification furnace 14. The supply device 24 is located on the gasification furnace 14, and the conveyance of the solid powder 100 from the solid pump 20 to the gasification furnace 14 is promoted, so that the solid powder 100 is gasified more uniformly and stably. It can be introduced into the furnace 14 and blockage of the solid powder 100 at the outlet (not numbered) of the solid pump 20 can be avoided.

  In some examples, supply device 24 is not limited to a particular feeder for supplying solid powder 100 from solid pump 20 into gasifier 14 having a higher pressure. As an example, the supply device 24 includes a venturi feeder. In other examples, the supply device 24 may include other configurations including, but not limited to, screw feeders or conical piping having at least one inlet for input of injection gas (not shown). It may consist of. In a non-limiting example, during operation, gas 36 may be introduced into supply device 24 for transport of solid powder 100 into gasifier 14. In some applications, the supply device and / or gas 36 may not be used.

  In some applications, the transfer tank 18 may receive the solid powder 100 via one or more transfer devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 12 further includes a grinding device 26, a storage tank 28, and a gas for transporting a solid powder 100 having a desired particle size distribution and a desired humidity level into the transport tank 18. -It also includes a solid separator 30.

  In some configurations, the crusher 26 is configured to mill solid material (not shown) into the solid powder 100 and transport the solid powder 100 into the storage tank 28. The storage tank 28 is in fluid communication with the grinding device 26 and the gas-solid separator 30 and receives solid powder from the grinding device 26. In order to pneumatically convey the solid powder 100 into the gas-solid separator 30, a gas 32 may be introduced into the storage tank 28. Non-limiting examples of these gases 22, 32 include inert gases such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, or other suitable gases.

  The gas-solid separator 30 is configured to separate at least a portion of the gas 32 from the solid powder 100. The gas 32 from the gas-solid separator 30 is exhausted after passing through the filter 34. The separated solid powder 100 is introduced into the transfer tank 18. In the illustrated example, the gas-solid separator 30 comprises a cyclone separator and is located on the transfer tank 18. In other examples, the gas-solid separator 30 may be located below the transfer tank 18 and / or the solid pump 20.

  Thus, during operation, the solid material is introduced into the grinding device 26 to produce a solid powder 100 having the desired particle size distribution. The solid powder 100 is then introduced into the storage tank 28 to form a gas-solid mixture. This gas-solid mixture is introduced into the gas-solid separator 30, and the solid powder 100 is separated and transferred to the transfer tank 18.

  Note that the configuration of FIG. 1 is merely exemplary. Although a single solid pump, a single transfer tank, a single supply, and a single gas-solid separator are shown, more than one solid pump, more than one transfer, depending on the different applications Tanks, more than one feeder and / or more than one gas-solid separator may be used.

  In some applications, the grinder 26, storage tank 28 and / or gas-solid separator 30 may not be used. Other suitable transport devices may be used to transport the solid powder 100 to the transport tank 18. Non-limiting examples of other transport devices include conveyor belts, pumps and screw feeders. Further, the gas 32 separated from the filter 34 may be recycled to the storage tank 28 for pneumatic conveyance of the solid powder 100 to the gas-solid separator 30.

  FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of a gasification system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of FIG. 3 is the same as the configuration of FIG. The two configurations of FIGS. 1 and 3 differ in that the solid pump 20 and the supply device 24 are arranged under the gasification furnace 14 in FIG. In other applications, the supply device 24 may be located above the gasifier 14.

  Thus, during operation, the solid pump 20 pressurizes the solid powder 100 and sends it to the gasifier 14. The supply device 24 supplies the solid powder 100 to the gasification furnace 14. The pressure at the outlet of the solid pump 20 can be determined according to the pressure in the supply device 24. In a non-limiting example, the pressure in the supply device 24 can be higher than the pressure in the gasifier 14 to lift the solid powder 100 into the gasifier 14 and offset the pressure drop during transport.

  In some applications, a buffer vessel 38 as shown in FIG. 4 is placed between the solid pump 20 and the gasifier 14 to ensure that the gasifier operates stably, so that the solid powder 100 May be received from the solid pump 20 and introduced into the gasifier 14. The configuration of FIG. 4 is the same as the configuration of FIG. The two configurations of FIGS. 3 and 4 differ in that the transport unit 12 further includes a buffer vessel 38 located between the solid pump 20 and the gasifier 14. In the illustrated example, the buffer container 38 is located on the gasification furnace 14.

  Note that the configuration of FIG. 4 is merely exemplary. In some applications, the buffer vessel 38 may not be located on the gasifier 14. In other examples, the solid pump 20 may be disposed on the buffer container 38 as shown in FIG.

  The configuration of FIG. 5 is the same as the configuration of FIG. The two configurations of FIGS. 4 and 5 differ in that the solid pump 20 in FIG. 5 can be placed on the buffer container 38 and does not use the supply device 24. In some examples, the supply device 24 may be located between the solid pump and the buffer container.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the buffer container 38 and the gasifier 14 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the buffer container 38 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially conical or convex upper and lower ends (not numbered). In other examples, the buffer container may have other shapes suitable for receiving and transporting solid powder.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the buffer container 38 includes an inlet 40 in fluid communication with the solid pump 20. A valve (not shown) may be disposed between the solid pump 20 and the buffer container 38. In addition, a gas inlet 42 is defined at the upper end of the buffer container 38, and a gas (not shown) is introduced into the buffer container 38 to increase the pressure in the buffer container to a desired level. The solid powder 100 is transported into the gasification furnace 14. The gas flow rate through the gas inlet 42 can be adjusted by a valve (not shown) according to the solid powder feed rate and the pressure drop between the buffer vessel 38 and the gasifier 14. In some applications, an inert gas or synthesis gas can be introduced into the buffer vessel 38. As an example, the pressure in the buffer container 38 may be about 1500 psi.

  Further, in order to avoid thermal decomposition of coal in the buffer container 38, a cooling element 44 such as a water cooling wall is disposed inside the buffer container 38 to lower the temperature in the buffer container 38. In some applications, the buffer vessel 38 further includes a backup coal inlet 46 in the event of a pump failure, which can provide a solid powder 100 for a period of time to keep the operation within the gasifier 14 stable. In some examples, a solid flow meter 48 may be placed between the buffer vessel 38 and the gasifier 14 to monitor the flow of the solid powder 100 into the gasifier 14.

  4-5, in operation, the solid powder 100 is pressurized by the solid pump 20 and then supplied to the buffer container 38. In the configuration of FIG. 4, the solid powder 100 passes through the supply device 24 after being pressurized by the solid pump 20 and before entering the buffer container 38.

  FIG. 7 shows an explanatory diagram of a gasification system 10 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the configuration of FIG. 7 is similar to the configuration of FIG. The two configurations of FIGS. 7 and 3 differ in that the configuration of FIG. 7 uses a buffer hopper 50 disposed between the solid pump 20 and the gasifier 14 instead of the supply device of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the buffer hopper 50 is located under the solid pump 20 and the gasifier 14.

  During operation, the solid powder 100 is pressurized and enters the buffer hopper 50. Carrier gas 52 is introduced into buffer hopper 50 to increase the pressure therein, creating a pressure differential between buffer hopper 50 and gasifier 14 and forming a gas-solid mixture. Non-limiting examples of the carrier gas 52 include an inert gas such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, synthesis gas, or other suitable gas. In some examples, the pressure in the buffer hopper 50 may be higher than the pressure in the gasifier. As an example, the pressure in the buffer hopper 50 is about 3 Mpa.

  Thereafter, the gas-solid mixture is transported from the buffer hopper 50 to the gasifier 14 via a pipe 58 connecting the gasifier 14 and the buffer hopper 50. In some applications, the fluidizing gas 54 is introduced into the buffer hopper 50 from below the buffer hopper 50 (not numbered) to avoid agglomeration of the solid powder 100 within the buffer hopper 50. Can do. Furthermore, the auxiliary gas 56 can be introduced into the pipe 58 to adjust the concentration of the solid powder in the pipe 58, and the pneumatic conveyance of the solid powder into the gasification furnace can be promoted. In some applications, fluidizing gas 54 and / or auxiliary gas 56 may comprise a gas similar to carrier gas 52.

  Note that the configuration of FIG. 7 is merely exemplary. In the illustrated example, the solid powder 100 is conveyed into the gasification furnace 14 from the lower part of the buffer hopper 50. In another example, the solid powder 100 may be conveyed into the gasifier 14 from the top of the buffer hopper 50 (not numbered). In some examples, one or more buffer containers 38 and supply devices 24 may also be disposed between the buffer hopper 50 and the gasifier 14. The buffer hopper 50 may be disposed on the gasification furnace 14. Further, in the case of the apparatus / configuration of FIGS. 1 and 3-7, the gasification furnace inlet is arranged at the upper part thereof, but the gasification furnace inlet may be provided at the lower part thereof.

  In an embodiment of the invention, the gasification system uses one or more solid pumps to transport solid powder into the gasification furnace for gasification. Due to the presence of one or more solid pumps, the flow of solid powder can be more uniform and stable. In addition, if the solid powder is made of coal having a high moisture content, less energy can be consumed to dry the solid powder conveyed through the solid pump into the gasifier. In another example, one or more supply devices, buffer containers, and buffer hoppers are used to reliably and stably operate the gasifier. The position of the solid pump, feeder, buffer hopper and buffer container can vary based on various applications. In certain applications, one or more solid pumps can be used to stuff a blast furnace-like device for processing.

  While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in exemplary embodiments, it will be limited to the details shown since various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure in any way. There is no. That is, other modifications and equivalents of the disclosure described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art without the use of more than routine experimentation, and all such modifications and equivalents are defined in the claims. Within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims (20)

A system for gasification of a solid powder,
One or more transport tanks configured to receive solid powder;
One or more solid pumps in communication with each of the one or more transport tanks and disposed downstream thereof;
A system comprising one or more solid pumps and a gasifier disposed in fluid communication therewith and downstream thereof. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more solid pumps are disposed below the one or more respective transfer tanks. The system of claim 1, further comprising a supply device disposed in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps and the gasifier. The system of claim 3, wherein one or more of the one or more solid pumps and feeders are located below the gasifier. The system of claim 1, further comprising a buffer vessel disposed in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps and the gasifier. The system of claim 5, wherein the buffer vessel is located above the gasifier. The system of claim 1, further comprising a buffer hopper disposed in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps and the gasifier. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more solid pumps are located above the gasifier. Furthermore, a grinding device, one or more gas-solid separators configured to transport solid powder to one or more respective transport tanks, and a storage tank in fluid communication with the grinding device and one or more gas-solid separators The system of claim 1, comprising: A transport unit for transporting solid powder for gasification,
One or more transfer tanks configured to receive solid powder;
A transport unit comprising one or more solid pumps each disposed downstream of the one or more transport tanks and configured to pressurize and transport the solid powder from each of the one or more transport tanks for gasification. 11. The transport unit of claim 10, further comprising a supply device in fluid communication with one or more solid pumps and disposed downstream thereof. The transport unit of claim 10, further comprising a buffer container in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps and disposed downstream thereof. 11. The transfer unit of claim 10, further comprising a buffer hopper disposed in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps and the gasifier. 11. The transport unit according to claim 10, further comprising one or more gas-solid separators configured to transport solid powder to each of the one or more solid pumps. A method for gasification of a solid powder comprising:
Introducing solid powder into one or more transport tanks,
Introducing solid powder from one or more transfer tanks into each of one or more solid pumps respectively disposed downstream of the one or more transfer tanks;
Pressurizing the solid powder with one or more solid pumps and transporting it to the gasifier. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more solid pumps are located above the gasifier. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a supply device for conveying solid powder from one or more solid pumps to the gasifier. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a buffer vessel for receiving solid powder from one or more solid pumps and transporting it to the gasifier, wherein the buffer vessel is disposed on the gasifier. . 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a buffer hopper for receiving solid powder from one or more solid pumps and transporting it to the gasifier, wherein the buffer hopper is located under the gasifier. . The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more solid pumps are located below the gasifier.