Coal Log Pipeline: A New Process to Transport and Burn Coal

摘要

Based on this one-and-half year study sponsored by DOE, it can be concluded that: (1) Coal can be extruded into logs which in turn can be hydraulically transported through pipelines to distant places with little damage to the logs in the pipeline during transportation. (2) The headloss or energy used for moving coal logs through pipelines is not much more than for pumping water alone through pipelines. Therefore, the energy consumpton is expected to be much less for coal log pipeline (CLP) than for coal slurry pipelines. (3) Under high pressure of the order of 500 psig, coal logs without surface treatment absorb several percent of water. This is detrimental but not fatal because the logs can be dried easily after they have completed their journey through pipelines. (4) No costly dewatering system is required for CLP. (5) By putting a sulfur sorbent such as limestone, hydrated lime, or dolomite into coal logs, effective sulfur removal is expected for boilers operating at a temperature in the neighborhood of 1600/degree/F. (6) Although a great deal has been learned and no insurmountable problem has been discovered in this study, many areas remain to be explored before this emerging new technology or new process can be used successfully in commercial operations. An extensive R and D program over a period of three to five years is required before CLP can be readied for commercial use. 14 refs., 15 figs., 1 tab. (ERA citation 13:032115)