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.