AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF A COMBINED SONIC AGGLOMERATION AND CROSSFLOW FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR HOT GAS CLEANUP

The Institute or Gas Technology has investigated a combined sonic agglomeration/crossflow filtration system to remove particles smaller than 10 microns from high-temperature, high-pressure gas streams. Sonic energy induces agglomeration so that particles can be removed in a continuously operating cross-flow filler element. Cold-model and preliminary high-temperature, high-pressure results are promising.

The objective of this investigation was to explore the potential effectiveness of sonic agglomeration, crossflow filtration, and a combination of these techniques to remove particles from high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) gas streams. The technique of sonic agglomeration has been known since the 1930's, and crossflow filtration has been used successfully in liquid filtration. This investigation is unique in that these two techniques were combined. Sonic energy was used to agglomerate particles to sizes large enough to be separated from the gas stream in a crossflow filter. The crossflow filter has advantages over conventional filters as a paniculate agglomerate removal system because it (1) operates continuously, (2) does not subject the fragile agglomerates to the high stress typical of inertial capture devices, and (3) can control the buildup of a filter cake when properly combined with a sonic agglomerator.

This investigation was supported by the Gas Research Institute and the Institute of Gas Technology Internal Research and Development Fund.

In this preliminary study, we found that—

• A 2-micron porosity filter must be used to achieve 98% paniculate removal from 95% of a dust-laden stream. (In the crossflow operating mode, 5% of the stream bypasses the filter.)

• When sonic agglomeration is combined with crossflow filtration, the same removal efficiency can be achieved with a 10-micron porosity filter.

• Combined sonic agglomeration/crossflow filtration removed particulates smaller than 10 microns in experiments at 265° C and 7000 kPa.

• The pressure drop across a 10-micron filter is about one-half that of a 2-micron filter, which could reduce the energy requirements for filtration.

This method of particulate removal should be applicable to many different coal reactor effluent streams, especially because it can operate at elevated temperatures and avoid gas cooling, liquid condensation, and subsequent liquid-solids separation. Preliminary estimates show that the power requirements of a combined sonic agglomerator/crossflow filter are lower than those of a crossflow filter alone, and that they are lower than or comparable with other particulate removal techniques. Additional tests are needed to establish the degree to which these benefits can be realized.