Abstract
Catalytic coal gasification using K_2CO_3 is an efficient way to gasify coal to FT suitable synthesis gas. This study reports the development of a continuous catalytic gasification process to gasify low rank coals and lignite to produce FT suitable synthesis gas in a single direct step using K_2CO_3 as a catalyst and a mixture of Steam and CO_2 as gasifying agent. A small 0.2 g/min laboratory scale continuous catalytic gasification unit was developed and experiments were carried out at 700 ・C with pure steam and a mixture of steam and CO_2. Synthesis gas with H_2/CO= 1, 2, and 3 was produced by changing the steam/CO_2 ratio of the gasifying agent. Experimentally observed gas composition was compared with the calculated values obtained by using thermodynamic equilibrium conditions and a good match was obtained.
