Dry Petroleum Coke Gasification in a Pilot-Scale Entrained-Flow Gasifier and Inorganic Element Partitioning Model

Entrained-flow
gasification has several advantages over competing
technologies for converting petroleum coke, a byproduct of oil refining.
However, due to the high capital costs and limits of current commercial
technology, the economics look favorable only with high natural gas
and oil prices, and high CO2 emission penalties. The objective
of the current study is to accelerate the development of petroleum
coke gasification technologies via dry-feed pressurized entrained-flow
gasifier pilot-scale tests with petroleum coke. The results indicate
carbon conversion generally increased with higher O:C ratios. Thermodynamic
model predictions generally vary by less than 25% from the experimental
outlet gas flow rates of the main species, CO and H2. The
predicted flow rates for other gases vary much more from experimental
values, while the predicted carbon conversion values are similar (±16
percentage points), and the predicted temperatures are mostly lower
than experimental values. Mass balances and enrichment factors were
calculated for inorganic elements due to their potential environmental
and technological impact. In general, results from this study indicate
similar or lower volatility for elements when compared to combustion
systems. An inorganic element partitioning model is presented and
compared to experimental values. Considerations for other types of
petroleum coke are also provided.