Analysis of steady-state filtration and backpulse process in a hot-gas filter vessel

Abstract

The need to develop a technology for clean and efficient electric power generation has led to the development of advanced pressurized fluidized bed combustors (PFBC) and integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC). The effective filtration of hot gases for removal of ash and sulfur sorbent, however, is the key to the success of these advanced coal energy systems. Recently, attention has been given to the use of ceramic candle filters for hot-gas cleaning. The ash cake formation on these filters needs to be removed by the backpusle for their successful operation. In this paper, steady-state filtration as well as the transient gas flow during the backpulse process in the integrated gasification and cleanup facility (IGCF) (located at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, NETL) is studied. The steady-state filtration condition is first evaluated, using a compressible heat-conducting flow analysis. Particle transport patterns are studied, and the deposition patterns of 1-30 μm particles on the ceramic filters and the vessel surfaces are analyzed. To simulate the backpulse process, the pressure at the filter exit is increased sharply in a period of about 0.01 s pressure. The stress transport model of the FLUENT code is used to evaluate the time evolution of the transient gas flow velocity, pressure and thermal fields, as well as turbulence intensities and stresses inside the candle filter and in the IGCF filter vessel. Contour plots of the hot-gas flow conditions from the start of the pressure buildup to its saturation level are presented. The results show the rapidly changing flow conditions during the initial stages of the backpulse. The pressure wave propagates along the length of the filter until a monotonic increase of pressure with time is achieved; that is, the pressure field inside the filter at the initial stages of the backpulse is strongly nonuniform. Therefore the potential for incomplete filter cake removal exists. Motions of particles that enter the vessel and/or are ejected from the candle filter during the backpulse process are also studied, and illustrative particle trajectories are presented.