The formation mechanism of CO2 and its conversion in the process of coal gasification under arc plasma conditions
As we have, from other sources, previously documented, technologies exist wherein Carbon Dioxide can be utilized, recycled, by being employed as a co-reactant in some indirect processes of Coal conversion intended to synthesize higher hydrocarbons.
Herein, we see that China, whose extensive Coal and Carbon conversion developments we have many times reported on, is working to further develop and enhance the "plasma arc" technology that, again as we have reported, has been under joint development by scientists in Switzerland and Israel for the productive recycling of CO2; and, separately, by other researchers for the conversion of Coal.
In this report, we see that CO2 can, indeed, be added to the products of Coal gasification, and thereby enable the production of more hydrocarbon products.
Comment follows excerpts from:
"The Formation of CO2 and its Conversion in the Process of Coal Gasification
Journal: Plasma Sources Science and Technology
Date: March 2006
Authors: Xiaojun He, et. al.
Affiliations: Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, People's Republic of China, et.al.
Abstract: The carbon dioxide (CO2) formation mechanism and co-conversion of CO2 with coal was investigated in the process of coal gasification in a steam medium at atmospheric pressure under arc plasma conditions in a tube-type setup. The arc plasma was diagnosed in situ by optical emission spectroscopy and the gas products were analysed by gas chromatography. CO2 yields are correlated with the quantitative emission peak intensity of the active species in plasma when the operating parameter is changed. The results show that the greater the emission peak intensity of the CH radicals, C2 radicals, OH radicals or O atoms, the smaller the CO2 yield is, which means that the CO2 formation process is inhibited by increasing the concentration of the mentioned active species under arc plasma conditions. On the basis of the diagnosis results, co-conversion of CO2 and coal in a steam medium under plasma conditions was carried out in the same setup and the results show that CO2 conversion reaches 88.6% while the concentration of CO + H2 reaches 87.4%; at the same time, coal conversion is in the range 54.7–68.7%, which proves that co-conversion of CO2 and coal in a steam medium under plasma conditions might be a prospective way to utilize CO2 in the production of synthesis gas."
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We point out that the Chinese technology disclosed herein, in addition to specifying the use of plasma arcs, seems also to include elements of other technologies we've previously cited, wherein H2O can be made to provide the needed Hydrogen, for hydrogenating the Carbon in Coal and CO2, as in "co-conversion of CO2 and coal in a steam medium under plasma conditions".
Their rather diffident conclusion, that such technology only "might be a prospective way to utilize CO2 in the production of synthesis gas", leaves much to be desired in terms of assertive encouragement. Still, it sounds a whole lot better to us than shipping, all at our Coal Country expense, our CO2 to West Texas, to be poked down a leaky oil field rat hole, where it might stay put.
Finally, though, this is just further confirmation of other credible reports we've cited that Carbon Dioxide can be combined with Syngas generated from Coal, and with Steam to supply needed Hydrogen, to synthesize valuable hydrocarbons.
It is, we confess, difficult for us to understand why such technology isn't the focus of public discourse and open development, as opposed to the wasteful schemes and scams of Cap&Trade and Geo-Sequestration.
