Characterizing and modeling combustion of mild-gasification chars in pressurized fluidized beds

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is supported by the Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) of the Department of Energy (DOE) under FWP-FEAA310 to characterize the fuel properties of liquid and char coproducts from the mild gasification of coal, Because most of the energy content of coals subjected to mild gasification is retained in the byproduct char, efficient and cost-effective utilization of the char is essential in insuring that candidate gasification processes are commercially viable. One potential use for char of particular interest to DOE is pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC). PFBC is of particular interest because it has the potential for 10 to 30 percent greater overall energy efficiency than atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC), While bench-scale tools and analytical procedures for characterizing fuels for AFBC have been recently demonstrated, no such tools have been reliably demonstrated for PFBC. This report summarizes the results of joint research collaboration between ORNL and B&W that has been directed at modifying the previously developed AFBC fuel characterization procedures to be applicable for mild-gasification chars and PFBC conditions. The specific objectives were to: (1) characterize the combustion reactivity of a selected set of candidate mild- gasification chars at PFB conditions; (2) compare the measured char characteristics with those of more conventional PFBC fuels; (3) modify an AFBC computer code previously developed by B&W and ORNL for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to predict PFBC performance; and (4) apply the modified code and measured char combustion characteristics to make performance predictions for the candidate chars relative to more conventional fuels