Weekly Topic: What impacts does using coal with high ash content and high internal moisture as fuel for gasification have on corporate profitability?

Things like this are not very suitable for gasification! This type of coal belongs to the low-quality coal category for gasification! High ash content and high internal moisture result in lower volatile matter and fixed carbon, which in turn leads to a lower calorific value! And the process load, apart from that of fly ash, has to be increased! Furthermore, if the fixed carbon content is low, then the amounts of CO and CO2 in the target product will be reduced, which in turn will cause problems during the subsequent conversion process!

It directly affects the profitability of enterprises. The reasons are as follows: A high ash content reduces the amount of effective gas components after gasification, which in turn affects the gasification process and lowers its efficiency ； Increasing the slag discharge rate and the coal circulation ratio in the furnace leads to an increase in carbon loss due to slag discharge, thereby shortening the lifespan of the gasification furnace ； Increase the indicators for oxygen consumption, steam consumption, and coal consumption. High internal moisture content, resulting in significant consumption of heat of vaporization ； It affects gasification stability.

High coal consumption, low amount of useful gas, low output, high costs, and poor profitability.

Firstly, high ash content and high internal moisture inevitably increase transportation costs, resulting in additional expenses. Secondly, high ash content and high internal moisture levels inevitably result in a lower content of fixed carbon; in other words, the effective components are fewer and the calorific value is low. For autothermal gasification furnaces, this means that more coal is required for combustion and heat generation, while for exothermic gasification furnaces, additional external heat input is needed, which reduces the gasification efficiency. Third, the high ash content results in increased heat carried away with the ash; furthermore, large amounts of ash can also encapsulate some of the carbon, further reducing the gasification efficiency. Fourth, coal with a high moisture content is highly susceptible to weathering and is fragile; therefore, the use of a Lu Odd furnace for gasification necessarily requires the addition of screening equipment. Due to the high internal water level, the screened coal continues to break down significantly inside the furnace, which can easily have an adverse effect on the operating conditions. Fifth, if the pulverized coal gasification process is used, high internal moisture levels prevent the production of qualified coal powder, or it requires the addition of extensive drying equipment. To gasify this type of coal, it is recommended that coal mines install additional sorting equipment to reduce the proportion of gangue and thereby lower the ash content; screening and drying should be carried out at the mine itself to save on transportation costs.

At present, this type of coal accounts for a large proportion; there is no coal variety that cannot be utilized comprehensively, so it is necessary to choose the appropriate gasification technology

Impact on corporate efficiency: 1. High ash content and high moisture levels result in a lower calorific value, thereby increasing coal consumption； 2. A high ash content reduces the amount of useful gas components after gasification, which in turn affects the gasification process and lowers its efficiency ； 3. High internal moisture consumes a large amount of heat of vaporization, resulting in less CO and CO2 being vaporized, which affects the stability of vaporization.

There are indeed disadvantages, as those upstairs have already mentioned. But then again, such coal is cheaper when purchased, isn’t it?

High ash content can lead to slag blockages, and if not addressed promptly, it will cause the gasification furnace to stop operating, thereby significantly affecting the company’s profitability.