THE BRITISH-COAL SPOUTED FLUIDIZED-BED GASIFICATION PROCESS

British Coal Corporation has been developing an air-blown spouted fluidised bed gasification process for the production of low calorific value fuel gas. Development of the gasifier at atmospheric pressure for the industrial market has established the commercial basis for a flexible gasification process, which can achieve coal conversion efficiencies of up to 95%. For larger-scale use, a pressurised gasifier is under development as part of an integrated partial gasification combined cycle, coal-fired, electricity generating system. Known as the British Coal Topping Cycle, the system offers significant advantages in terms of improved thermal efficiency, reduced generating costs and low environmental impact. The paper outlines the gasifier development programme for both applications.