Dynamic analysis and open‐loop start‐up of an integrated radiant syngas cooler and steam methane reformer

Abstract

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article:Dynamic analysis and open-loop start-up of an integrated radiant syngas cooler and steam methane reformer Ghouse, J., Seepersad, D., Adams, T. A. II, in press, AIChE J (2017) http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aic.15655This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.The pre-print is not the final version of the article. It is the unformatted version which was submitted for peer review, but does not contain any changes made as the result of reviewer feedback or any editorial changes. Therefore, there may be differences in substance between this version and the final version of record.This pre-print has been archived on the author's personal website (macc.mcmaster.ca) and/or on the McMaster University institutional archive (MacSphere) ABSTRACTIn our previous work, the modeling, design and steady-state performance of a novel integrated Radiant Syngas Cooler (RSC) of an entrained-bed gasifier and Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) was presented.The base-case designs that were established for both the co-current and counter-current configuration are used to evaluate the performance under a transient operating mode, evaluating the flexibility and feasibility to transition new operating steady-states. Each system, under open loop, is subjected to changes in key variables of the SMR feed on the tube side and disturbances to variables of the coalderived syngas on the RSC side to determine the dynamics and stability of the integrated system. The results indicate that the co-current configuration is both more flexible and more inherently safe than the counter-current configuration, although it provides less cooling capability and has poorer methane conversion. In addition, the key variables that are more likely to violate the design limit in the event of a disturbance are identified thus aiding in the design of an effective control system. A realistic start-up procedure is also established for the integrated system based on current industrial practices that are employed for entrained-bed gasifiers and steam methane reformers.

Performance evolution of industrial radiant syngas cooler with radiation screens using numerical simulation

“…The inlet syngas temperature is one of the important factors affecting the heat transfer efficiency of the water wall of the RSC. [45,50] The water wall can absorb more heat in the high-temperature environment, but at the same time, the wall temperature and the outlet syngas temperature will be higher. In this work, six inlet syngas temperature values near the temperature value of the basic working conditions are considered for numerical simulation.…”