Erosion of metals during in situ gasification of lignite

Abstract

In situ gasification of lignite can provide an alternate source of energy. The Petroleum Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Departments at Texas A&M University, and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, the Center of Energy and Mineral Resources and a group of companies have sponsored a series of experiments on Texas lignite. The investigation of the behavior of gasification products on metals has resulted in the conclusion that the products are both erosive and corrosive. The erosion effects of the gases is severe and is caused by direct impact of the solid particles on the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the particles and target materials. During the most recent in situ gasification experiment, we placed a cyclone at the end of the production line to collect particles. The laboratory studies of the particles included size, shape, bulk density, bulk thermal conductivity, composition, proximate and ultimate analysis. Both experimentally determined and calculated data on the particles are presented. In addition, this study, presents and discusses the relationship between the properties of solid particles and the weight loss of metals during in situ gasification of lignite.