PRESSURIZED ENTRAINED FLOW REACTOR
The University of Utah’s pressurized entrained-flow reactor is a downwards-fired, refractory-lined system with the flexibility to utilize either oxygen, air, or enriched air as the oxidant with provisions to co-feed other gases such as carbon dioxide. It has a maximum capacity of more than 1 ton per day. When operated as a gasifier, liquid or slurry feedstock is fed with oxygen or air into a burner at the top of the reactor and undergoes partial oxidation to form a combustible synthesis gas containing high concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The gas and smelt (slag) products exit the bottom of the reactor and enter a water-cooled quench system where they are cooled and gas is separated from the condensed material. The cooled syngas is then fed to the system’s thermal oxidizer (afterburner), where it is combusted.
Specifications
- Fuel types: coal-water slurry, bioliquids (bio-oils) and slurries, spent pulping liquor (black liquor) and other liquid fuels
- Oxygen-blown with optional co-feeding of CO2
- Max. fuel feed rate: 1.5 ton per 24 hours
- Max. heat input: 1 million Btu/hr (300 kW)
- Max. temperature: 3000°F (1650°C)
- Max. pressure: 450 psi (30 bar) shell pressure, 350 psi (24 bar) operating
- Design: Steel pressure vessel lined with multiple layers of refractory and insulation
- Multiple ports for measurements, probes, optical access
- Overall dimensions: Ø 30 in (0.75 m) x 17.5 ft (5.3 m)
- Reactor dimensions: Ø 8 in (0.20 m) x 5.6 ft (1.7 m)
Capabilities
- Pressurized entrained-flow gasification
- Pressurized oxy-fuel combustion
- Pressurized partial oxidation cracking of hydrocarbon gases
Research
- Development of experimental data for validation of simulations of pressurized, oxygen-blown entrained-flow gasifiers
- Characterization and development of models for the performance of high temperature, pressurized gasification of black liquor
- Wavelength-multiplexed diode laser absorption sensors for rapid monitoring of coal-derived synthesis gas