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Coal gasification process optimization for maximum calorific value and minimum CO2 emission using Taguchi method and utility concept

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Abstract

The present research work proposes an optimization procedure using Taguchi method and utility concept with the main objective of maximizing the calorific value of syngas with lower CO2 yield during coal gasification process using thermodynamic equilibrium model based on stoichiometric approach. After validating the model with experimental results, the effect of air supply and steam supply on output gas composition and temperature were analyzed in detail. For the purpose of optimization, six control variables at three levels consisting of coal properties, oxidant properties, and reaction properties are considered for optimization of objective functions. The trial runs for Taguchi analysis were carried out using L27 orthogonal array and the concept of signal-to-noise ratio was used to optimize the process. Taguchi method produced two sets of levels of the control variables, one for maximum calorific value of 3.59 MJ/m3 and another set for minimum CO2 yield of 6.25%. To obtain a common set of control variable levels, utility concept has been implemented for optimization of maximum calorific value with low CO2 yield simultaneously. Among the control variables considered, air supply, steam supply, and H/C ratio of coal are found to be the most influencing parameters. It is observed that the calorific value and CO2 yield calculated from the utility concept differ by 3.34% and 2.30%, respectively, compared to the values calculated by the Taguchi method.

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Acknowledgements

The first author would like to thank the MHRD, Government of India, for providing the financial support for pursuing Doctoral studies at IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, India.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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  1. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247 667, India

    Rupesh Palange & Murugesan Krishnan

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RP: modeling and simulation, analysis of results, and writing—original draft preparation. MK: analysis of results, and writing—reviewing and editing.

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Correspondence to Rupesh Palange.

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Palange, R., Krishnan, M. Coal gasification process optimization for maximum calorific value and minimum CO2 emission using Taguchi method and utility concept. Int J Energy Environ Eng 12, 335–351 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-020-00377-7

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