A simplified model of predicting coal reaction in a partial oxidation environment

The partial oxidation of two different high-volatile pulverized coals in a drop tube furnace is investigated experimentally to simulate coal reactions in blast furnaces and entrained-bed gasifiers. A simplified model, without considering carbon content in residual particles, is also developed to predict the performance of coal reaction. The model is conducted based on the mass conservation of inert gas N-2. The analyses suggest that, despite the proximate analyses of the two coals being similar, the carbon conversion ratio depends intrinsically on the nature of coal. It is also found that a higher carbon conversion ratio may result from a richer carbon dioxide generated, whereby the concentration of syngas does not increase accordingly. The developed model has provided a simple and fast method to aid analyzing the reactivity of coal employed in industrial furnaces. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.