Energy conversion coal gasification

N. Berkowitz (Alberta Research Council) provided a stimulating account of the potential of coal in Canada s energy future. Coal can be used directly as an industrial fuel or be converted to other combustible hydrocarbons. Berkowitz described the three different conversion techniques gasification, liquefaction, and partial conversion techniques to produce gases, oils, and solid fuels. 

This paper touches on the chemistry of coal gasification and liquefaction comments on the current status of conversion processes and the influence of coal properties on coal performance in such processes and examines the contributions which coal conversion could make towards attainment of Canadian energy self-sufficiency. Particular attention is directed to a possible role for the medium-btu gas in long-term supply of fuel gas to residential and industrial consumers to linkages between partial conversion and thermal generation of electric energy and to coproduction of certain petrochemicals, fuel gas and liquid hydrocarbons by carbon monoxide hydrogenation. 

Energy demand, the implementation of sulfur oxide pollution controls, and the future commercialization of coal gasification and liquefaction have increased the potential for the development of considerable supplies of sulfur and sulfuric acid as a result of abatement, desulfurization and conversion processes. Lesser potential sources include shale oil, domestic tar sands and heavy oil, and unconventional sources of natural gas. Current supply sources of saleable sulfur values include refineries, sour natural gas processing and smelting operations. To this, Frasch sulfur production must be added. 

Other programs which have this kind of government support include the sodium-sulfur battery and coal conversion, both gasification and liquefaction all with the Department of Energy. 

As mentioned already in the previous chapter, time does not play a role in the formulation of equilibrium conditions. The mass and energy balances and the maximum conversion rate that can be achieved when the system is in thermal equilibrium are therefore not sufficient to define the dimensions of the best suited coal gasification equipment, which will here be termed the gas generator. A knowledge of how the gasification reactions proceed with time is therefore indispensable. To measure and, wherever possible, calculate this dependence on time is the object of reaction kinetics. Dealing with details of kinetic laws would go beyond the scope and purpose of this book and the reader should turn to the relevant literature [1.4]. 

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