Comparison between two-stage gasifier and space furnace

Key differences: 1. Xi’an Thermal Power Institute’s two-stage dry coal powder pressurized gasification technology features a water-cooled wall furnace chamber and liquid slag discharge. During operation, pulverized coal, water vapor, and oxygen are injected into the lower furnace, while a small amount of pulverized coal and water vapor are injected into the upper furnace. Utilize the sensible heat of the gas in the lower furnace chamber to drive the pyrolysis and gasification reactions of the coal in the upper furnace chamber, thereby improving the overall cold gas efficiency ； It also significantly reduces the temperature of the hot gas, lowering the gas at the furnace outlet below the ash melting point; as a result, the need for a cold gas quenching process is eliminated. This gasification furnace has been granted a **patent**. There are currently no industrial plants operating using this technology, but a 2,000 tons/day two-stage dry coal powder pressurized gasification furnace (waste boiler system) has been applied in Huaneng Group’s “green coal power” project, with completion expected in 2009 ； A 1,000-ton/day two-stage dry coal powder pressurized gasification furnace (quenching process) has been applied to the 300,000-ton-per-year methanol production project of Inner Mongolia Shilin Chemical Co., Ltd., with operation expected to begin in 2008. 2. HT-L gasification technology: This technology was developed by the Beijing Aerospace Power Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The design of its gasification furnace combines the advantages of SHELL and TEXACO technologies, and it is similar to the GSP gasification method (dry coal powder + water quenching). Demonstration projects are currently being carried out, including those conducted by Anhui Linquan Chemical Co., Ltd. and Puyang Longyu Chemical. As can be seen from the above, the main difference between the two is that the former is quenched inside the furnace, while the latter is quenched behind the furnace. This post was last edited by zjyang168168 on 2007-12-13 08:39.]

If I have to choose one of the two, could you give me some advice and explain why? Thank you: handshake What was their investment in vaporization furnaces? This post was last edited by zhangwei643 on 2007-12-13 08:42.]

1. Technically, the TPRI two-stage furnace is similar to Shell and PRENFLO, while the space furnace is similar to GSP. Shell and PRENFLO currently have the highest coal feeding capacity internationally at 2,600 tons per day, and several units of this type are already in operation in China. The largest coal feeding rate for GSP at the international level is currently 720 tons per day, and it has been out of operation for many years. 2. The TPPR two-stage furnace underwent pilot and pilot-scale studies with the support of **863**, after which commercial production began ； The space furnace, on the other hand, is only the result of simulation calculations. 3. The design institutes for the two-stage TPPR furnace include the Fourth Chemical Engineering Institute, the Fifth Chemical Engineering Institute, and other such institutions – all of them are well-known large chemical engineering design firms in China. The SHELL gasification technologies designed by these institutes have manufacturers that operate them in practice. The design institute for space furnaces is an affiliate of its own organization; it is likely the Lanzhou Petrochemical Design Institute at the municipal level. These are some of my views; if there are any mistakes, please feel free to point them out.

So, in terms of performance, the two-stage TPRI furnace is somewhat superior to the space furnace; but would the investment cost for the two-stage version be higher?

Linquan in Anhui is also installing space furnaces. The design institute for space furnaces is a petrochemical design institute that was acquired by the company itself; it is the former Gansu Provincial Chemical Engineering Design Institute.

I know that space furnaces have also been installed at the Henan Xinlianxin Fertilizer Factory, with an investment of over 900 million yuan; the several partner companies invested around 500 million yuan. I don’t know what considerations they were based on. I’m not sure if the Gansu Provincial Chemical Engineering Design Institute is good or not

Could there be any conflicts between these two technologies and foreign technology patents? In the long run, which one has more potential for development?

I used to think that space furnaces had more potential for development; since satellites can be sent into space, the materials and technologies involved must be excellent. However, the space furnace is not as good as imagined, but no one can say what its future development will hold! The two-stage gasification furnace is also still in the exploratory stage. It’s really hard to decide! :(

If you are launching rockets and satellites, of course turn to aerospace. If it’s something that doesn’t exist, you need to turn to a professional. It’s not the case that just because satellites can be sent into space, we can research anything without any problems. There are so many research institutes in the country, each with its own strengths. Of the projects undertaken by that family, aside from the first one which was an investment in a space furnace, the rest were all part of the same group. I’m not sure if what I said is correct. I also spent a long time researching this area.

The research institute under the aerospace sector is also involved in coal-related work; their materials are of high quality, capable of withstanding high temperatures and wear. Nozzle technology is also very advanced.

How would you know? The manufacturers of space furnaces do not need to invest any funds; the China National Space Administration provides all the funding. There are certainly risks associated with testing furnaces at no cost, but now the manufacturers are required to invest 20% of the cost.

Is the news that manufacturers need to invest 20% now reliable? If the pilot companies don’t have to make any investments of their own, what risks remain then?

Is the news that manufacturers will now invest 20% reliable? If so, what risks remain for those pilot companies that don’t have to invest their own funds? What risks are left for those pilot companies that don’t need to invest their own money?

The statement that no investment is required from the user here is relative; in the gasification project in Linquan, Anhui, only the gasification part does not require investment on the part of the user, while other associated elements such as air separation, purification of syngas, as well as construction and installation, still require investment by the user. If the gasifier does not operate properly after the project is completed, it will be very difficult for the company to recover its investments, and of course the company faces significant risks as well.

It’s still too early to say which type of furnace is more viable. When choosing a gasification furnace, factors such as the type of coal, the products produced, and the production process must be taken into account, in addition to the technical and economic aspects of the entire production system. It’s not simply determined by the quality of the gasification technology; moreover, there are different criteria for evaluating the quality of such technology. Well, one can only say that the most suitable option should be chosen.

The selection of a gasification furnace is closely related to factors such as the type of coal, available funds, the level of management in the enterprise, and the skills of the employees. It’s not possible to say which specific furnace is the best; only that one particular indicator is better. In fact, there is no absolute best option – only the most suitable one for a given situation, as the one that fits one’s needs is the good one. Just like Hubei Shuanghuan chose SHELL – the operation didn’t go smoothly, which ultimately led to its acquisition by Yihua. Through capital injection and improved management, operations are said to be performing well now. Similarly, due to its access to relatively inexpensive bituminous coal, Orchid Group still opted for the conventional atmospheric fixed-bed reactor, which is considered quite outdated by external standards, for its new ammonia synthesis plants.