Design, develop, and manufacture process gas lubricated hot recycle gas circulators. Final technical report, MTI--77TR5
D.G. Dominy, J.D. Hurley · 1976
In the SYNTHANE coal gasification process raw product gas of approximately 35 mole % methane is passed through a methanator which increases the methane content (and heating value) to approximately 86 mole % methane. The reaction is highly exothermic. In order to limit the temperature rise of the reaction, high BTU methane process gas is diluted with raw product gas. A pressure increase is necessary to force the mixed gases back into the methanator. In addition, varying recycle ratios affect the total flow of the gas stream necessitating a compressor or other device to operate at varying flow capacities. The present hot gas recycle methanator system utilized an eductor to mix and raise the pressure of the product gas. This method has limitations. The pressure rise is small, in the order of 1/2 psig, and the eductor does not allow proper mixing pressures and temperatures if the flow conditions are changed. An eductor is useful for this purpose only in a pilot plant and represents an expedient solution to the problem. For commercial use a compressor is essential.