Task 3.17 -- Hot-gas cleanup. Semi-annual report, July 1--December, 31, 1996

The programmatic goal in advanced power systems will be to develop advanced methods for gas stream cleanup in combustion and gasification systems, using in situ and back-end technologies. The characteristics of the fuel, its ash, and sorbents will be evaluated to determine their impact on overall performance, including the reduction of gas stream contaminants. Objectives for the work to be performed under this subtask include the following: identifying effective means for hot-gas cleanup and testing in-bed sorbents for accomplishing 99% alkali capture as well as effective capture of sulfur and chlorine during PFBC; developing catalysts and effective operating ranges for removing tar from gasification process streams. Accomplishments to date and conclusions from the literature survey, thermogravimetric testing, and bench-scale testing on the capture of alkali during PFBC using in-bed sorbents are described. In addition Englehard EMcat Elite S-3699 was tested for its ability to crack coal tar produced during steam gasification of bituminous coal. Preliminary results are described.