Development of a compact plasma reactor for coal gasification

• Grant number: 13/01566-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto Petraconi
• Grantee: Gilberto Petraconi
• Visiting researcher: Alexei Mikhailovich Essiptchouk
• Visiting researcher institution: National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB), Belarus
• Host Institution: Divisão de Ciências Fundamentais (IEF). Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The goal of the project is the experimental study of the plasma reforming of mineral coal for production of synthesis gas (a mixture of H2 and CO). The plasma assisted gasification have been considered as an economical and environmentally favorable alternative for obtaining combustible gases and other products from gasification of organic and inorganic raw material. There are several advantages over conventional technologies: the ability of plasma to supply high power for the process, flexibility in the choice of gasification feedstock, fast response time, using low cost material for fabrication, high efficiency of feedstock conversion and ability to operate in different chemical processes, including partial oxidation, pyrolysis and steam reforming (with minimal emission of CO2 and NOx). The project is focused on plasma gasification process which make use of a water vapor plasma torch. The project aims to develop a prototype (physical model) of plasma assisted coal gasifier, where the thermodynamic and kinetic models of chemical reactions induced by plasma will be checked and the efficiency of the coal gasification process for production of CO and H2 will be evaluated. Considering that the gasification chamber contributes to the development of the thermodynamic and kinetic model of chemical processes by means of determination of the main reactions involved, this project is intended to: a) define the parameters and requirements for the development of coal gasification chamber; b) develop an experimental system (the furnace), integrated with the water vapor plasma torch and auxiliary systems for produced gas detection and characterization of plasma; c) characterize the operation of the furnace by using an oxidative plasmas (water vapor and CO2); d) evaluate technical and economical feasibility of the synthesis gas production from mineral coal gasification; e) point out the main advantages and limitations. (AU)