Entrained Flow Gasification: Current Status and Numerical Simulations

Abstract

Entrained flow gasification is perhaps the most adopted gasification technology around the world. Most of the IGCC deployments around the world have chosen entrained flow gasification as the coal conversion technology. It offers high temperatures, high mass throughput, low amount of tars and oils in the flue gas stream, and high carbon conversion efficiencies. The drawbacks of this technology include frequent maintenance of critical equipment such as wall refractory and injectors. This chapter focuses on both the commercial aspects, in terms of worldwide deployment and operational experience, and the technical aspects of entrained flow gasification. The technical discussion is centered on the computational fluid dynamics modeling, owing to the deep complexity inherent in the turbulent fluid mechanics of these systems. There is a dedicated discussion on the char consumption model, including the heterogeneous kinetics, as well since it plays a key role in determining the sizing and overall design of the gasifier.