Operating Results through HYCOL Coal Gasification Pilot Plant

Abstract

An advanced coal gasification pilot plant, with a capacity of 50tons coal par day, located in Sodegaura, Chiba, Japan successfully completed its three-year operation program on April 15, 1994. The program proved the fundamental features of the HYCOL coal gasification technology ; an entrained flow, oxygen blow, one chamber with two-step spiral flow multi-burners.
The pilot plant completed ten runs, logged 2164 hours of operation, including a 1149 hour long and uninterrupted run, and four different coals. These results confirmed the process viability and validated study efforts by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization and Research Association for Hydrogen-from-coal Process Development.
Operations at several oxgen/coal ratios confirmed favorable temperature profiles of the gasification section as envisioned in the design concept.
Targets of carbon conversion rate (98% +) and cold gas efficiency (78% +) were achieved simultaneously.
Direct hot char recycle was stable and uninterrupted during 1149 hours.
Sub-bituminous and bituminous four coals were gasified including an on fly mode feed coal switching and demonstrated addition of fluxing agent.
Problems due to ash component experienced during the shake down phase were successfully overcome.