Coal Gasification

At present, 85% of the world's energy is derived from fossil fuels, presenting challenges with respect to energy supply security and environmental protection. In order to transition to a long-term sustainable energy future, it is essential that fossil fuels are used in such a way as to minimize their environmental impact until the time when renewable sources are capable of meeting our energy needs. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) that employs gasification and pre-combustion capture of CO2 recognized as one of a suite of technology options that can be used to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from continued fossil fuel usage.

Gasification is defined as the process of reacting a carbon-rich feedstock (coal, petroleum coke, biomass, waste, etc.) with steam and oxygen to form a synthesis gas containing H2 and CO. It can be viewed globally as extremely rich combustion and usually utilizes solid or liquid feedstocks. Developing an understanding of the physical, chemical and dynamic processes involved in gasification through multiscale simulation will allow us to optimize gasifier design and plant layout, increasing reliability, availability and maintainability of gasification-based energy systems, while decreasing costs.