High Temperature Heat Recovery Integrated Gassification Combined Cycle

High Temperature Heat Recovery units in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems are exposed to hot-ash-laden syngas, which typically flows through the tubeside of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. However, the ash in these systems adheres to the metallic tube surfaces, reducing heat transfer coefficients and occasionally plugging the unit, which results in unplanned facility outages. This project will implement an approach for the in situ mechanical cleaning of syngas heat exchanger tubes. The technology, which can be automated to mimimize labor expense, will keep the tubes clean and allow the heat exchanger to operate at peak performance conditions at all times. In Phase I, a duct analysis of the hot syngas fluid flow will be conducted along with a full-tube-diameter cold gas experimental test. Phase II will be focused around the design, fabrication, and operation of a slipstream prototype heat exchanger equipped with the in situ cleaning technology. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: This technology should find use in a wide range of petrochemical plant heat exchanger applications. IGCC-based power generation can reduce foreign oil dependency, reduce CO2 emissions, and virtually eliminate sulfur dioxide and mercury emissions.