Combustible gases

If there are hydrocarbons present in the formation that is being drilled, they will show in the cuttings as oil stains, and in the mud as traces of oil or gas. The gas in the mud is continuously monitored by means of a gas detector. This is often a relatively simple device detecting the total combustible gas content. The detector can be supplemented by a gas chromatograph, which analyses the composition of the gas. 

The unit Kureha operated at Nakoso to process 120,000 metric tons per year of naphtha produces a mix of acetylene and ethylene at a 1 1 ratio. Kureha s development work was directed toward producing ethylene from cmde oil. Their work showed that at extreme operating conditions, 2000°C and short residence time, appreciable acetylene production was possible. In the process, cmde oil or naphtha is sprayed with superheated steam into the specially designed reactor. The steam is superheated to 2000°C in refractory lined, pebble bed regenerative-type heaters. A pair of the heaters are used with countercurrent flows of combustion gas and steam to alternately heat the refractory and produce the superheated steam. In addition to the acetylene and ethylene products, the process produces a variety of by-products including pitch, tars, and oils rich in naphthalene. One of the important attributes of this type of reactor is its abiUty to produce variable quantities of ethylene as a coproduct by dropping the reaction temperature (20—22). 

To calculate electron production must be balanced against electron depletion. Free electrons in the gas can become attached to any of a number of species in a combustion gas which have reasonably large electron affinities and which can readily capture electrons to form negative ions. In a combustion gas, such species include OH (1.83 eV), O (1.46 eV), NO2 (3.68 eV), NO (0.09 eV), and others. Because of its relatively high concentration, its abUity to capture electrons, and thus its abUity to reduce the electrical conductivity of the gas, the most important negative ion is usuaUyOH . 

At the high temperatures found in MHD combustors, nitrogen oxides, NO, are formed primarily by gas-phase reactions, rather than from fuel-bound nitrogen. The principal constituent is nitric oxide [10102-43-9] NO, and the amount formed is generally limited by kinetics. Equilibrium values are reached only at very high temperatures. NO decomposes as the gas cools, at a rate which decreases with temperature. If the combustion gas cools too rapidly after the MHD channel the NO has insufficient time to decompose and excessive amounts can be released to the atmosphere. Below about 1800 K there is essentially no thermal decomposition of NO. 

A calcining kiln is a horizontal steel cylinder, slightly sloped to help the coke move forward and lined with refractory brick. The raw coke is fed at the upper end, natural gas or oil is burned at the lower end, and the combustion gas flows through the kiln above and against the coke stream. 

The yield of coke calcined in a kiln is usually slightly above 80% of the dry raw coke. Higher yields are achieved in rotary hearths because very Htde of the fines are burned or carried away by the combustion gas. 

In the second phase, performed at a maximum temperature of about 370°C, the sulfur and a portion of the coke are removed by combustion. The rate and exothermicity are controlled by limiting the flow of combustion gas through the catalyst. Spent base metal catalysts may have sulfur levels of from 6 to 12 wt % in the form of metal sulfides. A high degree of sulfur removal must be achieved in these first two regeneration steps to avoid the formation of sulfate on the support during the final combustion step. Such a formation causes a loss of catalyst activity. 

SpiHs should be confined and prevented from entering water sources. Smother with foam and take up residue with an absorbent and put into dmms for disposal. The suggested method of disposal is incineration at an approved waste handling facHity in a system equipped with a combustion gas scmbber system (23). 

Circulating fluidized-beds do not contain any in-bed tube bundle heating surface. The furnace enclosure and internal division wall-type surfaces provide the required heat removal. This is possible because of the large quantity of soflds that are recycled internally and externally around the furnace. The bed temperature remains uniform, because the mass flow rate of the recycled soflds is many times the mass flow rate of the combustion gas. Operating temperatures for circulating beds are in the range of 816 to 871°C. Superficial gas velocities in some commercially available beds are about 6 m/s at full loads. The size of the soflds in the bed is usually smaller than 590 p.m, with the mean particle size in the 150—200 p.m range (81). 

A concentration of 35,000 ppm in air produces unconsciousness in 30—40 minutes. This concentration also constitutes a serious fire and explosion hazard, and should not be permitted to exist under any circumstance. Any person exposed to ethyl ether vapor of any appreciable concentration should be prompdy removed from the area. Recovery from exposure to sublethal concentrations is rapid and generally complete. Except in emergencies, and then only with appropriate protective equipment, no one should enter an area containing ether vapor until the concentration has been found safe by measurement with a combustible-gas indicator. 

With the grab sampling technique, a samphng probe is placed at the center of the stack, and a sample is drawn direcfly into an Orsat analyzer or a Fyrite-type combustion-gas analyzer. The sample is then analyzed for carbon dioxide and oxygen content. With these data, the diy molecular weight of the gas stream can then be calculated. 

The combustible gas indicator must be cahbrated using the appropriate cahbratinggas, such as methane or pentane. 

The analysis shallbe in the following sequence oxygen concentration, then the combustible gas or vapor. 

Natural Gas Natural gas is a combustible gas that occurs in porous rock of the earth s crust and is found with or near accumulations of crude oil. It may occur alone in separate reservoirs, but more commonly it forms a gas cap entrapped between petroleum and an impervious, capping rock layer in a petroleum reservoir. Under high-pressure conditions, it is mixed with or dissolved in crude oil. Natural gas termed dry has less than 0.013 dmVm (0.1 gaLlOOO fF) of gasoline. Above this amount, it is termed wet. 

Background Converting coal to combustible gas has been practiced commercially since the early nineteenth century. The first gas-producing companies were chartered in 1812 in England and in 1816 in the United States to produce gas for illumination oy the heating or pyrolysis of coal. This method of producing gas is still in use the gas is a by-product of the carbonization of coal to manufacture coke for metallurgical purposes. 

A typical NO, le cl in the combustion gas is around 107 rng/lVlJ (0,25 lb/l(F Btii), and the (X) leyel tends to be high (near 86 rng/MJ [0,20 lb/l(f Btii]), Only one design has used secondaiv air, and this lowered the NO, to 86 rng/AlJ and the (X) to about 43 rng/AlJ (0,10 lb/l(h Btii), NO, reduction by selectiye noncatalytic reduction (SNCR) has not been tested in a bubbling AFBC, but without the assistance oF secondary air, it maybe diFFicult to distribute the ammonia adequately across the Freeboard to achie e the desired effect. 

Indirect Heating If the process material cannot tolerate exposure to the combustion gas or if a vacuum or an atmosphere other than air is needed in the furnace chamber, indirect firing must be employed. This is accomplished in a muffle furnace or a radiant-tube furnace (tubes carrying the hot combustion gas run through the furnace). 

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