On a Numerical Model for Gasification of Heavy Fuel Oils: An Alternative Technology for Processing Refinery Residues

Thermochemical equilibrium modeling is the basis of the numerical method implemented in this study to predict the performance of a heavy fuel oil gasifier. Numerical results are shown to be in good agreement with those of the experiments. The model provides the corresponding synthetic gas (syngas) composition and calorific value, the gasification temperature, cold gas efficiency, and the carbon conversion efficiency. The effect of important processing parameters including equivalence ratio, air inlet temperature, gasification pressure, and the type of gasifying agent is also studied. It is shown that the gasification of heavy fuel oil can lead to calorific values as noticeable value as 18 MJ/m3 and efficiencies as high as 90%. Increasing oxygen enrichment from 21% (as in atmospheric air) to 100%, results in a considerable increase of 118% in syngas calorific value. Gasification under pressure makes a slight increase in calorific value and temperature. Increasing gasification pressure is shown to be economically more feasible than increasing the syngas pressure in downstream equipments.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gasification technology ، Numerical modeling ، Thermochemical equilibrium ، Heavy fuel oil