Monitoring
Particulates in High Pressure/Temperature Gasifiers--Process Metrix, LLC, 2110 Omega Road, Suite D, San
Ramon, CA 94583-1295;
925-837-1330
Dr.
Donald J. Holve, Principal Investigator, dholve@processmetrix.com
Dr.
Donald J. Holve, Business Official, dholve@processmetrix.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER83438
Amount:
$99,986
For
power generation applications in general, and for new generation Integrated
Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems in particular, there is a need for a
continuous particle sensor to measure low concentration (<1 mg/cm3)
particles in the range 0.5-50 microns. The
measurement must be made at high temperature and pressure downstream of the
candle filters and upstream of the gas turbine. Also,
real time operation is needed to provide continuous process control and
optimization, minimizing unscheduled downtime.
This project will use an external optical (real-time) particle monitor in
conjunction with a high pressure/temperature extraction system to obtain both
concentration and size distribution on a continuous basis.
The device will operate in a stand-alone mode, and will provide both
total mass and particle loadings at critical sizes above 10 microns.
Phase I will build a high pressure/temperature prototype instrument.
A high pressure sampling system will be designed and an ambient sampling
system will be fabricated and tested under conditions that simulate actual
Reynolds/Stokes numbers. The
prototype instrument will then be tested in a two-phase wind tunnel to determine
the accuracy of direct in-line measurements with simulated high-pressure
extraction measurements.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
Commercial applications should include all power generation systems that
use solid fuels with undesirable mineral matter. Continuous monitoring would allow improved process optimization,
improving process efficiency by 1-5%, thereby generating significant process
cost savings while minimizing particulate emissions.