Annual Report for the School of Energy Resources – GA Program A New Concept for the Gasification of Wyoming Coal

Wyoming produces 36 % of US coal, most of which is burned in pulverized coal boilers to produce electricity. As a result, Wyoming coal is used to generate about 20 % of the United States ’ electrical output. This coal is sold at fuel value, minus transportation cost, resulting in a relatively low economic value because the majority of the coal is shipped out of state. Higher value products from the coal could be produced through gasification to make a synthesis gas composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, followed by conversion to liquid fuels or chemical products, which would result in much higher economic values for the state. Unfortunately, most coal gasification plants are designed for operation at altitudes near sea level and are less efficient at elevations near the coal mines in Wyoming. Current gasifiers are also designed for use with higher rank coals, mostly mined in the Eastern US. General Electric and the University of Wyoming are therefore designing a gasifier to operate at high altitudes (above 4000 feet) and with Wyoming coals. The gasifier design is unique for several reasons. The operation is once-through, meaning no recycle of ungasified char and coal is required, which reduces the size and complexity of the gasifier. Further, the fluidized reactor bed has reactant injection along the length of the bed, which reduces hot spots that occur when reactant injection is done at on