Hydrogasifier development for the Hydrane process. Second quarter report, June--August 1977

This report describes work performed on a program to develop a single-stage, short-residence-time (SR) reactor for direct hydrogenation of coal. The program comprises both experimental and analytical tasks. Experiments involve two different hydrogasifier reactor systems. The first is a bench-scale apparatus with coal feed rates of 2 to 4 lb/hr. Results are reported for a subbituminous coal reacted with hydrogen at pressures up to 1500 psig, reactor temperatures ranging from 1500 to 1728/sup 0/F, and residence times ranging from 300 to 3500 msec. Overall carbon conversions varied between 18.6 and 42.1%, and were quite comparable with conversion of lignite observed previously. The second reactor has a nominal coal feed rate of /sup 1///sub 4/ ton/hr. Facility buildup and initial checkout experiments with subbituminous coal are described. Analytical efforts consists of two parts. One is a computerized numerical model of pulverized coal flow and reaction in an entrained-flow reactor. The other is a computer model of a complete commercial coal gasification plant utilizing an SR hydrogasifier. The model comprises material and energy balances for all plant subsystems, and factored economic correlations for capital requirements and operating costs. Reactor operation will be optimized to minimize predicted cost of SNG. Progress in programmingmore » both models is described.« less