Monitoring Particulates in High Pressure/Temperature Gasifiers

70862 For power generation applications in general, and for new generation Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems in particular, there is a need for a continuous particle sensor to measure low concentration (<1 mg/cm3) particles in the range 0.5-50 microns. The measurement must be made at high temperature and pressure downstream of the candle filters and upstream of the gas turbine. Also, real time operation is needed to provide continuous process control and optimization, minimizing unscheduled downtime. This project will use an external optical (real-time) particle monitor in conjunction with a high pressure/temperature extraction system to obtain both concentration and size distribution on a continuous basis. The device will operate in a stand-alone mode, and will provide both total mass and particle loadings at critical sizes above 10 microns. Phase I will build a high pressure/temperature prototype instrument. A high pressure sampling system will be designed and an ambient sampling system will be fabricated and tested under conditions that simulate actual Reynolds/Stokes numbers. The prototype instrument will then be tested in a two-phase wind tunnel to determine the accuracy of direct in-line measurements with simulated high-pressure extraction measurements. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Commercial applications should include all power generation systems that use solid fuels with undesirable mineral matter. Continuous monitoring would allow improved process optimization, improving process efficiency by 1-5%, thereby generating significant process cost savings while minimizing particulate emissions.