Production of hydrogen in an autothermal fluidized gasifier

Abstract

Production of hydrogen has gained increasing importance because of its use as a clean fuel and also for various industrial uses. For this purpose a laboratory scale fluidized bed autothermal gasifier has been designed to gasify the solid carbonaceous materials with steam. The heat required for the steam-carbon reaction is provided by the partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon gases. Highly reactive carbonaceous materials like charcoal and lignite have been gasified with steam in the presence of a high temperature flame produced by the partial oxidation of acetylene/natural gas with oxygen. About 95% carbon gasification and 40% steam decomposition have been achieved. The product gases contain about 80% synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen). Further investigations with non-caking high ash Indian coals and agricultural wastes are planned to be carried out. © 1984.