Heating value/concentration

Suitability of waste feed to a SCWO system is determined by several factors, including heating value/concentration, chemical composition, and material form. Considerations in regard to these factors are provided as follows. 

Fuel economy is measured usiag a carbon balance method calculation. The carbon content of the exhaust is calculated by adding up the carbon monoxide (qv), carbon dioxide (qv), and unbumed hydrocarbons (qv) concentrations. Then usiag the percent carbon ia the fuel, a volumetric fuel economy is calculated. If the heating value of the fuel is known, an energy specific fuel economy ia units such as km/MJ can be calculated as well. 

Fuel. Propylene has a net heating value of 45.8 MJ/kg (19,700 Btu/lb) and is often contained in refinery fuel-gas streams. However, propylene is diverted from streams for refinery fuel use in large quantities only when economics for other uses are unfavorable, or equipment for propylene recovery does not exist or is limited in capacity. Propylene is also contained in Hquid petroleum gas (LPG), but is limited to a maximum concentration of 5 vol % in certain grades (83) (see Liquefied PETROLEUM gas). 

The vortex burner maintains stable combustion temperature when the organic concentration ia the waste is sufficiently high and has a heating value of ca 10.5—12.6 MJ/kg (4500—5400 Btu/lb). AuxiUary fuel may be required when the chloride concentration ia the waste exceeds 70% (30). 

Natural gas with H2S or other sulfur compounds present is called sour gas, while gas with only CO2 is called sweet. Both H2S and CO2 are undesirable, as they cause corrosion and reduce the heating value and thus the sales value of the gas. In addition, H2S may be lethal in very small quantities. Table 7-1 shows physiological effects of H2S concentrations in air. 

The preceeding discussion was confined mostly to the carbon deposition curves as a function of temperature, pressure, and initial composition. Also of interest, especially for methane synthesis, is the composition and heating value of the equilibrium gas mixture. It is desirable to produce a gas with a high heating value which implies a high concentration of CH4 and low concentrations of the other species. Of particular interest are the concentrations of H2 and CO since these are generally the valuable raw materials. Also, by custom it is desirable to maintain a CO concentration of less than 0.1%. The calculated heating values are reported as is customary in the gas industry on the basis of one cubic foot at 30 in. Hg and 15.6°C (60°F) when saturated with water vapor (II). Furthermore, calculations are made and reported for a C02- and H20-free gas since these components may be removed from the mixture after the final chemical reaction. Concentrations of CH4, CO, and H2 are also reported on a C02 and H20-free basis. 

The higher heating value is plotted on the composition coordinate in Figure 6. These curves are for 50 atm and 700 °K. The contours of constant heating value increase uniformly in the direction of pure methane. These contours, of course, are very similar to the contours of CH4 concentration which are plotted in Figure 7 for the same conditions, 50 atm and 700°K. 

Figure 10 depicts the effect of temperature on higher heating value and on CH4, H2, and CO concentrations for four different starting compositions. The four starting compositions are ... 

In practice, the efficiency of a fired heater is controlled by monitoring the oxygen concentration in the combustion products in addition to the stack gas temperature. Dampers are used to manipulate the air supply. By tying the measuring instruments into a feedback loop with the mechanical equipment, optimization of operations can take place in real time to account for variations in the fuel flow rate or heating value. 

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