Effect of hydrogen-rich gas from char gasification on rapid pyrolysis products of low rank coal in a downer pyrolyzer

For guiding a novel integrated process of low-rank coal pyrolysis and gasification with char gasification gas as a heat carrier, this study investigated the effect of simulated coal gas from char gasification (SCGG) on rapid pyrolysis products of low rank coal from 550 to 700 degrees C in a downer pyrolyzer. Results indicated that the component of SCGG directly affected the distribution and composition of pyrolysis products. Compared with N-2, SCGG facilitated the formation of tar below 600 degrees C. H-2 in SCGG and that from water gas shift reaction (WGS: CO + H2O -> CO2 + H-2) increased the tar yield by reacting with solid-phase free radicals in coal and inhibiting the secondary reaction of gas-phase volatile radicals. Also, CO2 in SCGG raised the tar yield due to its promotion to coal cracking. When the pyrolysis temperature exceeded 600 degrees C, the reforming reactions of nascent tar with steam occurred, resulting in a reduced tar yield. SCGG could distinctly reduce the coke yield (coke-S) and pitch content in tar due to the inhibiting effect of H-2 from SCGG and WGS on the polycondensation reactions of volatile radicals and reforming reactions of nascent tar. The chemical composition analysis of tar by GC x GC-MS demonstrated that compared with under N-2, the contents of phenols, oxygenated compounds, and heterocyclic compounds in tar under SCGG were decreased while the content of aromatics was the opposite mainly due to hydrogenation and reforming reactions of nascent tar. Also, the H/C and O/C ratios of char under the action of SCGG were higher than those under N-2 at the same temperature.

Automated summary

The study found that simulated coal gas had a significant impact on the rapid pyrolysis products of low-rank coal, facilitating tar formation while reducing coke yield and pitch content. The presence of H-2 and CO2 in the simulated coal gas played a key role in these effects, leading to changes in the distribution and composition of the pyrolysis products.