Optimization Studies of Various Coal-Conversion Systems: A Mathematical Model for Coal Liquefaction in the Solvent Refined Coal Process. Final Report

摘要

A more precise and realistic hydrodynamic model has been set up for SRC liquefaction processes. In this model, the mass transfer resistance between (i) the gas phase and the slurry phase and (ii) the coal particle and the liquid bulk phase can be assessed. This model has been verified to be consistent with the data from the literature and from existing pilot plants. The most reasonable estimation methods for hydrodynamic parameters have been chosen for the model from the literature. The kinetic rate constants have been determined using pilot plant data (coal: Kentucky No. 9 and 14 coal). This model has been used successfully to estimate the detailed product distributions in the pilot plant runs of Pittsburgh and Midway Coal Mining Co. (PAMCO), Southern Service Inc., and Hydrocarbon Research Inc. According to the calculated results, no mass transfer resistance exists at typical conditions in the PAMCO pilot plant such as coal mass flow rate = 640 g/sec, solvent to coal ratio = 1.6, feed gas mass flow rate = 45.4 g/sec, hydrogen purity in feed gas = 0.91, dissolver temperature = 725 exp 0 K, total pressure = 10/atm and mineral content (MF coal) - 0.098. It has been determined that the critical parameters for reactor performance are temperature, pressure, slurry flow rate and gas flow rate. In designing commercial plants, these points should be taken into consideration. 86 references, 34 figures, 26 tables. (ERA citation 09:021666)