Control Technology Assessment for Coal Gasification and Liquefaction Processes, Report of Site Visit on April 6, 1979 to Bruceton Energy Technical Center, Synthoil Process Development Unit, Bruceton, Pennsylvania

摘要

A survey was conducted to assess engineering controls in the process development unit (PDU) of the Bruceton Energy Technical Center (SIC-1211) in Bruceton, Pennsylvania, on April 6, 1979. The purpose of the PDU was to assess the technical and economic feasibility of the synthoil process for scaleup to commercial use. The PDU was nearly completed, but had never been operated. The PDU was designed to convert 750 pounds per hour high sulfur, Western Kentucky coal to a low sulfur liquid fuel suitable for industrial use. No health or safety plans were available for review or evaluation because the facility was not operational. Control technology features that were designed into the process included: louvered walls and exhaust fans in the roof for dilution ventilation; a positive pressure control room with outside makeup air; carbon-dioxide and nitrogen used in reactors as inert gas; separation of high pressure separator from other process units by brick and steel walls, with blow out sections; and a lock out system in the reactor unit and high pressure separator, with controlled access. The authors conclude that a thorough assessment of control technology could not be made because a large portion of the facility was not complete.