Investigation on the effect of superheated water vapor on gas production from pyrolysis of long-flame coal

Abstract A self-developed superheated water vapor pyrolysis system was used to conduct superheated water vapor pyrolysis experiments on Tashan and Madaotou long-flame coals at 350–534 °C. The gas phase products were analyzed by gas chromatography. The yield and composition of gas phase pyrolysis products from two different long-flame coals were determined, and the role of superheated water vapor in the pyrolysis process was elucidated. The optimal temperature of the long-flame coal injection superheated water vapor mining technology was obtained through heat value analysis. The results showed that when the temperature of the superheated water vapor exceeded 400 °C, the yield and combustible components of the gas phase products rapidly increased. As such, the release rate reached 10–15 times that observed below 400 °C, and the components of the combustible gases, such as hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen, exceeded 80%. Superheated water vapor not only is an excellent heat and mass transfer medium, but also provides a reactant for the re-formation reaction of hydrocarbon gas. The pyrolysis of long-flame coal under superheated water vapor at 500 °C yielded the best economic benefits. The low calorific value of gas phase products produced via pyrolysis per ton of coal per unit time could reach 715 MJ/(t·h).