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Interpretation of coal gasification modeling in commercial process analysis simulation codes

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to recognize modeling methods for coal combustion and gasification in commercial process analysis codes. Many users have appreciated the reliability of commercial process analysis simulation codes; however, it is necessary to understand the physical meaning and limitations of the modeling results. Modeling of coal gasification phenomena has been embodied in commercial process analysis simulators such as Aspen. Commercial code deals with modeling of the gasification system with a number of reactor blocks supported by the specific code, not as a coal gasifier. However, the primary purpose of using process analysis simulation code is to interpret the whole plant cycle rather than an individual unit such as a gasifier. Equilibrium models of a coal gasifier are generally adopted in the commercial codes, where the method of Gibbs free energy minimization of chemical species is applied at the given temperature and pressure. The equilibrium model of the coal gasifier, RGibbs, in commercial codes provides users with helpful information, such as exit syngas temperature, composition, flow rate, performance of coal gasifier model, etc. with various input and operating conditions. This simulation code is being used to generate simple and fast response of results. Limitations and uncertainties are interpreted in the view of the gasification process, chemical reaction, char reactivity, and reactor geometry. In addition, case studies are introduced with examples. Finally, a way to improve the coal gasifier model is indicated, and a kinetically modified model considering reaction rate is proposed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Systems Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea

    Hookyung Lee & Sangmin Choi

  2. Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Daejeon, 305-811, Korea

    Minsu Paek

Authors
  1. Hookyung Lee
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  2. Sangmin Choi
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  3. Minsu Paek
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sangmin Choi.

Additional information

This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Ohchae Kwon

Hoo-Kyung Lee received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Inha University, Korea, in 2008. He then received his M.S. degree from KAIST in 2010. Mr. Lee is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Division of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST in Daejeon, Korea. His research interests include coal gasification and simulation of the coal gasifier.

Sang-Min Choi received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 1985. Dr. Choi is currently a professor at the Division of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST in Daejeon, Korea. His research interests include solid fuel combustion and gasification, and oxy-firing coal combustion.

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Lee, H., Choi, S. & Paek, M. Interpretation of coal gasification modeling in commercial process analysis simulation codes. J Mech Sci Technol 24, 1515–1521 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-0411-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-0411-7

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