Aspen Plus simulation of steam-gasification of different crude oils: A detailed comparison

The gasification process is being developed to obtain environmentally clean and efficient syngas from solid (coal, biomass, and municipal solid waste) or liquid (heavy oil and waste lubricant oil) fuels for power generation. An Aspen Plus model of crude oil gasification in presence of steam as a gasifying agent that can predict syngas yield, tar concentration, and performance parameters was developed. Effects of some critical parameters such as gasification temperature, steam-fuel-ratio on hydrogen yield, tar content, and char conversion of three different crude oils were explored. Results showed that the hydrogen yield increases by increasing steam/fuel ratio from 0.5 to 0.7 (wt/wt), and then reduces smoothly due to the endothermic behavior of methane reforming reaction, which releases three hydrogen moles. It also found that as the temperature increases within the range, hydrogen yield increases dramatically, which can be explained according to the Le Chatelier's principle on the endothermic reforming reactions of methane and tar cracking. Modeling results validated against the experimental measurements and found to be in a good agreement.