A thermal plasma gasification of coal has an objective to obtain useful gases such as acetylene and hydrogen. Using a new 100kW plasma gasifier having three torches, quenching effect was studied. Additional hydrogen and heliumwere used as quenchants, and Akabira coal (bituminous coal) was used as a sample.
The contact efficiency between coal and plasma flame was found to be fairly improved after some modifications of the reactor and the coal feeder.
When methanewas used as a sample, hydrogen quench was not so effective.
In the case of coal, the large amount of acetylene was decomposed in the absense of quenchants. Coke like materials were produced in the reaction zone, and reactedwith acetylene to make carbon and hydrogen in the cooling zone. Additional hydrogen quenched these materials, and prevented acetylene decomposition. Consequently, acetylene yields were considerably enhanced with hydrogen quench.
The highest acetylene yield per 1kWh was 59g, which is about 1. 7 times as much as our previous results. The carbon conversion to acetylene was 14%, and the concentration of acetylene in the exit gases was 7.0% in the same operation. Thehighest carbon conversion to acetylene was 24%. In this operation, acetylene concentration was 8.8%, and acetylene yield per 1kWh was 55g.
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