Cold inert gas produced esp. for mines and quarries - from combustion gases sprinkled with water then cooled to condense water

摘要

Cold inert gas is produced by burning fluid fuel, then cooling the combustion gases. The hot combustion gases are subjected to direct water contact and produce a humid vapour stream, typically at approx. 88 deg.C, having a dew point higher than the combustion dew point. This stream is air-cooled to below the dew point of the combustion gases, typically to 5-10 deg.C above ambient temp., and the condensed water is then recycled into the hot combustion gases. Process is used in partic. for the prodn. of large quantities of inert gas as required, i.e. in mines and quarries, more specifically, in remote areas where water supply is not available or difficult. The arrangement enables the water to be recirculated with an absolute minimum of make-up and utilises approximately 96% of the heat produced in the burner for evaporating the water in the circuit. The resultant gas stream may be produced at rates of several thousand m3 per hr.