A simulation study on the enhancement of the shift reaction by water injection into a gasifier

Although coal gasification is a clean and efficient use of coal, a reduction of CO₂ emissions is needed to mitigate global warming. The aim of this study was to improve the thermal efficiency of fuel production and electricity generation by dry coal feed gasification. The primary cause of thermal efficiency loss is steam use in a water-gas shift reactor. The shift reactor, installed downstream from the gasifier, uses a catalyst to adjust the H₂/CO ratio of the syngas. We have proposed a new process in which water is injected at the outlet of the gasifier and is vaporized to enhance the extent of the shift reaction. This process utilizes the high temperature of the syngas, which is sufficient for the shift reaction to occur without a catalyst. We have developed a model that incorporates the shift reaction velocity to evaluate our proposed process. In an optimized 5-stage water supply case, we found that the CO conversion reaches 9.9% at a water/syngas ratio of 0.14 mol/mol (water/CO = 0.25 mol/mol); the CO conversion needed for dimethyl ether production is 31%. This new process can improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of coal gasification.