Simulation of Coal Gasification Process using ASPEN PLUS

Abstract

Gasification is an important route for conversion of coal or solid wastes materials to useful gaseous products for direct firing in thermal applications and as well as raw gas for production of fuels or chemicals. Gasification with O2, H2O, CO2 and H2 produces combustibles such as CH4 and CO/H2 mixtures for use as gaseous fuels or chemical feed stocks. Among the coal-gasification processes, the fluidized-bed process with inherent advantages of high heat transfer and easy handling of solids is a natural choice. Coal gasification with O2 and H2O in a fluidized-bed reactor involves pyrolysis, combustion and steam gasification. Gasification in fluidized bed offers advantages, since fluidized beds are capable of being scaled up to medium and large scale, overcoming limitations found in smaller scale, fixed-bed designs. This paper gives overview of the coal gasification process. Simulation of coal gasification process was carried out using Aspen Plus. Effect of various parameters like steam to coal ratio and oxygen flow rate effects on product gas composition were studied.