Gasification characteristics of petcoke and coal blended petcoke using thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry analysis

The particle size effect of petcoke and blended samples of coal and petcoke with similar sizes were investigated during steam gasification. A simultaneous thermal analyzer and mass spectrometry was used to characterize the tested samples and the identification of the volatiles evolved during the heating up to 1150 C under combustion cum gasification related conditions. The TG and DTA results are discussed for the investigations in steam gasification process. The effect of blending petcoke with coal was studied in order to determine the possible presence of synergetic phenomena. The TG-MS profile of the petcoke provides information on gasification performance on different particle size, reaction temperature and time. It gives the chemical changes of petcoke during gasification and gas evolution profiles. The size effects on temperature of petcoke and coal blended petcoke during gasification are discussed. It was found that temperature and particle size had the greatest influence on the gasification rate and final products. With the smaller sized particles, initial higher reaction stage is continued up to larger conversion level, whereas it is shifted to second stage of reaction for larger particles. The appropriate temperature range to the petcoke and blended petcoke gasification was evaluated for different particle sizes. A synergistic effect was ascertained during the gasification of coal and petcoke mixture in steam ambience. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.