Warm Gas Multi-contaminant Removal System

Gasification technologies convert coal and biomass into synthesis gas feed streams that can either be used as a fuel for highly efficient power generation cycles or converted into value-added chemicals and transportation fuels. However, coal-derived synthesis gas contains a myriad of contaminants that may be regulated in power plant emissions and act as poisons for the catalysts used in downstream chemical manufacturing processes. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a low-cost, high capacity, sorbent that can remove ammonia and hydrogen cyanide (NH3 and HCN), the acid rain precursors and the trace metal contaminants (such as mercury, arsenic and selenium) from the synthesis gas in a single process step. Unlike the commercially available gas clean-up technologies, our multi-contaminant control system operates at 250oC (500oF), above the dew point of the synthesis gas. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits Our technology will reduce the operating cost of the advanced Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power plants. The use of a single step multi-contaminant control system will reduce the capital investment for the gas clean-up system. The sorbent also operates above the dew point of the synthesis gas which will improve the overall power plant efficiency could be improved by 3 to 4%. Our sorbent will also provide gas cleaning capability for the coal-biomass-to-liquids technologies where the synthesis gas is converted into liquid fuels which can provide an immediate viable alternative to crude oil needed for energy independence of the Nation.