PLASMA PROCESSING OF SOLID FUELS

Abstract

This paper presents the results of numerical and experimental study of plasma steam and air gasification of solid fuels at an arc reactor. Calculations were fulfilled using numerical code TERRA for thermodynamic computation. The numerical results were compared with experimental data. Kazakhstan bituminous coal of 40 % ash content and Canadian petrocoke of 3 % ash content were investigated. As a result of plasma gasification of these solid fuels high quality synthesis gas was produced. Composition of H2 + CO varied from 43.3 % at air gasification to 97.4 % at steam gasification of the solid fuels.