Method for measuring amounts of components and calorific value of coal gas

Abstract

A method for measuring the component and calorific value of goal gas. The method includes measuring a volume concentration of H.sub.2 (T.sub.H2) using a thermal conductivity detector (TCD), measuring a volume concentration of O.sub.2 using an electrochemical detector (ECD), measuring volume concentrations of CO, CO.sub.2, CH.sub.4, and C.sub.nH.sub.m in the coal gas, revising an interference of CH.sub.4 in C.sub.nH.sub.m, revising a measured volume concentration of H.sub.2, and calculating the calorific value of the coal gas.

Claims

1. A method for measuring components and calorific value of coal gas, the method comprising: 1) measuring a volume concentration of H.sub.2 (T.sub.H2) in the coal gas using a thermal conductivity detector (TCD), and measuring a volume concentration of O.sub.2 in the coal gas using an electrochemical detector (ECD); 2) measuring a volume concentration of CO (T.sub.CO), a volume concentration of CO.sub.2(T.sub.CO2), a volume concentration of CH.sub.4 (T.sub.CH4), and a volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m (T.sub.CnHm) in the coal gas using a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology; 3) calculating a revised volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m (R.sub.CnHm) using the equation R.sub.CnHm=T.sub.CnHmAT.sub.CH4, wherein A is 0.02868, and T.sub.CnHm and T.sub.CH4 are as defined in 2); 4) calculating a revised volume concentration of H.sub.2 (R.sub.H2) using the equation R.sub.H2=T.sub.H2a(T.sub.CH4+R.sub.CnHm)bT.sub.CO2, wherein a is 0.13989, b is 0.11026, T.sub.H2 is as defined in 1), T.sub.CH4 and T.sub.CO2 are as defined in 2), and R.sub.CnHm is as defined in 3); and 5) calculating the calorific value of the coal gas (Q) using the equation Q=T.sub.CO12.64+R.sub.H218.79+T.sub.CH435.88+R.sub.CnHm93.18, wherein T.sub.CO and T.sub.CH4 are as defined in 2), R.sub.H2 is as defined in 4), and R.sub.CnHm is as defined in 3).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of CH.sub.4 using the NDIR, a center wavelength (CWL)/half-peak bandwidth (HWBP) of a selected narrowband filter is 7.850.05 m/1805 nm.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m using the NDIR, a CWL/HWBP of a selected narrowband filter is 3.460.05 m/1205 nm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of CO using the NDIR, a CWL/HWBP of a selected narrowband filter is 4.660.05 m/905 nm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of CO.sub.2 using the NDIR, a CWL/HWBP of a selected narrowband filter is 4.260.05 m/1205 nm.

6. A method for measuring components and calorific value of coal gas, the method comprising: 1) measuring a volume concentration of H.sub.2 (T.sub.H2) in the coal gas using a thermal conductivity detector (TCD), and measuring a volume concentration of O.sub.2 in the coal gas using an electrochemical detector (ECD); 2) measuring a volume concentration of CO (T.sub.CO), a volume concentration of CO.sub.2 (T.sub.CO2), a volume concentration of CH.sub.4 (T.sub.CH4), and a volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m (T.sub.CnHm) in the coal gas using a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology; 3) calculating a revised volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m (R.sub.CnHm) using the equation R.sub.CnHm=T.sub.CnHmAT.sub.CH4, wherein A is 0.02837, and T.sub.CnHm and T.sub.CH4 are as defined in 2); 4) calculating a revised volume concentration of H.sub.2 (R.sub.H2) using the equation R.sub.H2=T.sub.H2a(T.sub.CH4+R.sub.CnHm)bT.sub.CO2, wherein a is 0.14097, b is 0.11091, T.sub.H2 is as defined in 1), T.sub.CH4 and T.sub.CO2 are as defined in 2), and R.sub.CnHm is as defined in 3); and 5) calculating the calorific value of the coal gas (Q) using the equation Q=T.sub.CO12.64+R.sub.H218.79+T.sub.CH435.88+R.sub.CnHm93.18, wherein T.sub.CO and T.sub.CH4 are as defined in 2), R.sub.H2 is as defined in 4), and R.sub.CnHm is as defined in 3).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of CH.sub.4 using the NDIR, a center wavelength (CWL)/half-peak bandwidth (HWBP) of a selected narrowband filter is 7.850.05 m/1805 nm.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m using the NDIR, a CWL/HWBP of a selected narrowband filter is 3.460.05 m/1205 nm.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of CO using the NDIR, a CWL/HWBP of a selected narrowband filter is 4.66+0.05 m/905 nm.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein in the process of measuring the volume concentration of CO.sub.2 using the NDIR, a CWL/HWBP of a selected narrowband filter is 4.260.05 m/1205 nm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a principle diagram for analysis of components and calorific value of coal gas in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is an infrared absorption spectrum of CO, CO.sub.2 and CH.sub.4;

(3) FIG. 3 is a mutual interference pattern of hydrocarbons approximately at 3.3 m; and

(4) FIG. 4 is an infrared absorption spectrum of CH.sub.4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(5) For further illustrating the invention, experiments detailing a method for measuring the components and calorific value of coal gas are described hereinbelow combined with examples.

Example 1 Gas Analysis of Coal Gas from Biomass Gasification Using Six-Component Gas Analyzer

(6) 1. Selection of Various Gas Filter Parameters, Gas Chamber Length, and Measuring Range of Gas Detectors.

(7) As shown in the infrared absorption spectra of CO and CO.sub.2 in FIG. 2, the absorption peak of CO at 4.66 m is not affected by CO.sub.2, and the absorption peak of CO.sub.2 at 4.26 m is not affected by CO. Thus, a CO detector with the measuring range of 40% and a CO.sub.2 detector with the measuring range of 30% are made, with the narrowband filter parameters respectively of 4.66 m/90 nm and 4.26 m/120 nm, reference channel of 3.91 m, and chamber length respectively of 43 mm and 2 mm.

(8) Then, based on the infrared absorption spectra of CH.sub.4, C.sub.2H.sub.6, C.sub.3H.sub.8 and C.sub.4H.sub.10 in FIGS. 3-4, the absorption peak at 7.85 m is selected, instead of the absorption peak at 3.3 m, in order to eliminate the influence of C.sub.nH.sub.m on CH.sub.4 absorption peak. As a result, the CH.sub.4 detector with the measuring range of 20% is made, with the narrowband filter parameters of 7.85 m/180 nm, reference channel of 3.91 m and CH.sub.4 chamber length of 68 mm.

(9) According to the infrared absorption spectrum of C.sub.nH.sub.m in FIG. 3, C.sub.nH.sub.m has absorption peaks at 3.3-3.5 m. In order to reduce the influence of CH.sub.4 on C.sub.nH.sub.m, it is necessary to avoid the absorption peak of CH.sub.4, and select center wavelength at 3.35-3.5 m. Test of different filters at 3.35-3.5 m shows that C.sub.3H.sub.8 can represent C.sub.nH.sub.m (C.sub.nH.sub.m is calibrated with C.sub.3H.sub.8) with the narrowband filter of 3.46 m/120 nm as the filter for C.sub.nH.sub.m detector. The C.sub.nH.sub.m detector with the measuring range of 5% is made, with the reference channel of 3.91 m and C.sub.nH.sub.m chamber length of 43 mm. The test data are provided in Table 1.

(10) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Influence of C1-C5 on the detector at 3.46 m Volume Volume Proportionality Average proportionality concentration concentration coefficient of volume coefficient of volume Inlet gas of CH.sub.4 of C.sub.nH.sub.m concentration concentration (%) (%) (%) (C.sub.3H.sub.8/C.sub.nH.sub.m) (C.sub.3H.sub.8/C.sub.nH.sub.m) CH.sub.4 0 0 0 (C1) 3.79 3.76 0.11 7.68 7.71 0.22 11.67 11.66 0.34 15.78 15.80 0.45 20.00 20.01 0.57 C.sub.2H.sub.6 1.01 0 0.69 0.68 0.687 (C2) 2.03 0 1.41 0.69 3.98 0 2.73 0.69 C.sub.3H.sub.8 0.43 0 0.42 0.98 1.00 (C3) 1.76 0.01 1.78 1.01 3.42 0.01 3.44 1.01 5.00 0.02 5.01 1.00 NC.sub.4 1.01 0.01 1.32 1.31 1.315 (C4) 2.00 0.02 2.68 1.34 IC.sub.4 1.01 0 1.29 1.28 (C4) 1.99 0.01 2.64 1.33 NC.sub.5 0.998 0.01 1.67 1.67 1.68 (C5) IC.sub.5 1.00 0.01 1.69 1.69 (C5)

(11) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Coefficient of low calorific value of C.sub.nH.sub.m Coefficient of low Ratio of coefficient of calorific Gas name calorific value (MJ/m.sup.3) value (C.sub.nH.sub.m/C.sub.3H.sub.8) C.sub.2H.sub.6 64.35 0.69 C.sub.3H.sub.8 93.18 1.00 C.sub.4H.sub.10 123.16 1.32 C.sub.5H.sub.12 156.63 1.68

(12) From the comparison of Table 1 and Table 2, the proportionality coefficient of the volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m measured with the detector made of the narrowband filter at 3.46 m/120 nm is very close to its coefficient of calorific value, so the calorific value of C.sub.nH.sub.m can be calculated as that of C.sub.3H.sub.8.

(13) Likewise, a TCD of H.sub.2 with the measuring range of 20% and an ECD of O.sub.2 with the measuring range of 25% are manufactured according to conventional methods.

(14) 2. Measurement of the Volume Concentration of Various Gases

(15) CO, CO.sub.2, CH.sub.4 and C.sub.nH.sub.m are measured using NDIR, and the readings are respectively expressed as T.sub.CO, T.sub.CO2, T.sub.CH4 and T.sub.CnHm.

(16) The volume concentration of H.sub.2 is measured with a TCD, and is expressed as T.sub.H2.

(17) The volume concentration of O.sub.2 is measured with an ECD, and is expressed as T.sub.O2.

(18) 3. Revision of the Gas Volume Concentration and Calculation of the Calorific Value.

(19) 1) Revise the Volume Concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m with CH.sub.4.

(20) CH.sub.4 has certain influence on C.sub.nH.sub.m, so it is also necessary to get the revised volume concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m (R.sub.CnHm) through revising the measuring result of C.sub.nH.sub.m (T.sub.CnHm) obtained from the calibration curve according to the volume concentration of CH.sub.4 (T.sub.CH4).

(21) In order to revise the influence of CH.sub.4 on the measuring result of C.sub.nH.sub.m, the calibrating gas CH.sub.4 is introduced into the six-component gas analyzer present in the biomass gasification system of this example. Volume concentration and measuring result of the calibrating gas are provided in Table 3.

(22) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Volume concentration and measuring result of the calibrating gas CH.sub.4 Volume concentration of the calibrating gas (%) Measuring result (%) CH.sub.4 T.sub.CH4 T.sub.CnHm 0 0 0 1.88 1.90 0.05 3.79 3.80 0.11 5.72 5.75 0.16 7.68 7.70 0.22 9.66 9.69 0.28 11.67 11.65 0.34 13.71 13.70 0.40 15.78 15.80 0.45 17.87 17.90 0.51 20.00 20.02 0.57

(23) The following correction equation can be obtained through data analysis:
R.sub.CnHm=T.sub.CnHmAT.sub.CH4

(24) Data in Table 3 are substituted into the equation to conclude that A=0.02868.

(25) Therefore,
R.sub.CnHm=T.sub.CnHmAT.sub.CH4=T.sub.CnHm0.02868T.sub.CH4

(26) 2) Revise the Volume Concentration of H.sub.2.

(27) The balance gas N.sub.2 used to calibrate H.sub.2 is greatly different from CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 in the relative thermal conductivity, as shown in Table 4, so CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 have certain influence on the measuring results of H.sub.2 using an TCD. C.sub.nH.sub.m is different from N.sub.2 in the thermal conductivity, but its content in the coal gas is only about as much as CH.sub.4, therefore it can be neglected. CO and O.sub.2 are very slightly different from N.sub.2 in thermal conductivity, and can also be neglected. Hence, it is only necessary to get the revised volume concentration of H.sub.2 (R.sub.H2) through revising the measuring results of H.sub.2 (T.sub.H2) according to the measuring results of CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 (T.sub.CO2, T.sub.CH4).

(28) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Thermal conductivity of different gases Relative thermal Relative thermal Gas name conductivity, /.sub.air Gas name conductivity, /.sub.air Air 1.000 CO 0.964 H.sub.2 7.130 CO.sub.2 0.614 O.sub.2 1.015 SO.sub.2 0.344 N.sub.2 0.998 NH.sub.3 0.897 He 5.910 CH.sub.4 1.318

(29) In order to revise the influence of CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 on the measuring result of H.sub.2, the calibrating gases CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 are introduced into the six-component gas analyzer present in the biomass gasification system of this example. Volume concentration and measuring result of the calibrating gases are provided in Table 5:

(30) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Influence of CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 on H.sub.2 Volume concentration of the calibrating gas (%) Measuring result (%) CH.sub.4 CO.sub.2 T.sub.CH4 T.sub.CO2 T.sub.H2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.75 0 2.73 0.29 0 5.54 0 5.51 0.61 0 8.40 0 8.36 0.93 0 11.30 0 11.35 1.23 0 14.27 0 14.21 1.59 0 17.29 0 17.34 1.90 0 20.37 0 20.43 2.25 0 23.52 0 23.61 2.58 0 26.73 0 26.69 2.96 0 30.00 0 29.97 3.30 1.88 0 1.84 0 0.27 3.79 0 3.82 0 0.54 5.72 0 5.76 0 0.82 7.68 0 7.71 0 1.06 9.66 0 9.63 0 1.38 11.67 0 11.62 0 1.66 13.71 0 13.83 0 1.93 15.78 0 15.81 0 2.23 17.87 0 17.91 0 2.50 20 0 19.98 0 2.80

(31) The following correction equation can be obtained through data analysis:
R.sub.H2=T.sub.H2aT.sub.CH4bT.sub.CO2

(32) Data in Table 5 are substituted into the equation to conclude that a=0.13989; b=0.11026.

(33) Therefore,
R.sub.H2=T.sub.H2aT.sub.CH4bT.sub.CO2=T.sub.H20.13989T.sub.CH4+0.11026T.sub.CO2.

(34) 3) Calculate the Calorific Value of Coal Gas

(35) According to the above gas concentration, the calorific value of coal gas is obtained through substituting T.sub.CO, T.sub.CH4, R.sub.CnHm and R.sub.H2 into the equation Q=T.sub.CO12.64+R.sub.H218.79+T.sub.CH435.88+R.sub.CnHm93.18; in which, Q is expressed as MJ/m.sup.3, 12.64, 18.79, 35.88 and 93.18 are respectively the coefficient of low calorific value of CO, H.sub.2, CH.sub.4 and C.sub.nH.sub.m expressed as MJ/m.sup.3.

(36) This example is provided to design a six-component gas analyzer with the measuring range of CO of 40%, that of CO.sub.2 of 30%, that of CH.sub.4 of 20%, that of C.sub.nH.sub.m of 5%, that of H.sub.2 of 20%, and that of O.sub.2 of 25%. This gas analyzer is applicable to many industries, such as air coal gasification, biomass air gasification, blast furnace, and endothermal and exothermal gas generators for heat treatment.

Example 2 Gas Analysis of Coal Gas from Biomass Pyrolysis and Coking Using Six-Component Gas Analyzer

(37) 1. Selection of the Length and Measuring Range of Various Gas Chambers

(38) Filters in the NDIR gas detector are selected as that in Example 1. Gas chamber design: CO detector with the measuring range of 40% and CO chamber length of 43 mm; CO.sub.2 detector with the measuring range of 20% and CO.sub.2 chamber length of 3 mm; CH.sub.4 detector with the measuring range of 50% and CH.sub.4 chamber length of 34 mm; C.sub.nH.sub.m detector with the measuring range of 10% and C.sub.nH.sub.m chamber length of 20 mm.

(39) A H.sub.2 detector with the measuring range of 75% and O.sub.2 detector with the measuring range of 25% are manufactured according to conventional methods.

(40) 2. Measurement of the Volume Concentration of Various Gases

(41) CO, CO.sub.2, CH.sub.4 and C.sub.nH.sub.m are measured using NDIR, and the readings are respectively expressed as T.sub.CO, T.sub.CO2, T.sub.CH4 and T.sub.CnHm.

(42) The volume concentration of H.sub.2 is measured with a TCD, and is expressed as T.sub.H2.

(43) The volume concentration of O.sub.2 is measured with an ECD, and is expressed as T.sub.O2.

(44) 3. Revision of the Gas Volume Concentration and Calculate the Calorific Value.

(45) 1) Revise the Volume Concentration of C.sub.nH.sub.m with CH.sub.4.

(46) In order to revise the influence of CH.sub.4 on the measuring result of C.sub.nH.sub.m, the calibrating gas CH.sub.4 is introduced into a six-component gas analyzer present in the biomass pyrolysis and coking system of this example. Volume concentration and measuring result of the calibrating gas are provided in Table 6:

(47) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Volume concentration and measuring result of the calibrating gas CH.sub.4 Standard gas volume concentration (%) Measuring result (%) CH.sub.4 T.sub.CH4 T.sub.CnHm 0 0 0 4.29 4.30 0.12 8.72 8.75 0.25 13.3 13.28 0.38 18.02 18.00 0.51 22.91 22.94 0.65 27.96 28.00 0.78 33.18 33.20 0.94 38.59 38.61 1.11 44.19 44.23 1.26 50.00 50.00 1.41

(48) The following correction equation can be obtained through data analysis:
R.sub.CnHm=T.sub.CnHmAT.sub.CH4

(49) Data in Table 6 are substituted into the equation to conclude that A=0.02837.

(50) Therefore,
R.sub.CnHm=T.sub.CnHmAT.sub.CH4=T.sub.CnHm0.02837T.sub.CH4

(51) 2) Revise the Volume Concentration of H.sub.2.

(52) In order to revise the influence of CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 on the measuring result of H.sub.2, the calibrating gases CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 are introduced into the six-component gas analyzer present in the biomass pyrolysis and coking system of this example. Volume concentration and measuring result of the calibrating gases are provided in Table 7:

(53) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Influence of CH.sub.4 and CO.sub.2 on H.sub.2 Standard gas volume concentration (%) Measuring result (%) CH.sub.4 CO.sub.2 T.sub.CH4 T.sub.CO2 T.sub.H2 50 0 0 0 7.05 44.19 0 0 1.91 6.24 38.59 0 0 3.81 5.44 33.18 0 0 5.71 4.68 27.96 0 0 7.66 3.92 22.91 0 0 9.62 3.23 18.02 0 0 11.61 2.55 13.3 0 0 13.75 1.86 8.72 0 0 15.81 1.23 4.29 0 0 17.91 0.61 0 20.00 0 19.99 2.22 0 17.88 4.32 0 1.99 0 15.78 8.71 0 1.74 0 13.72 13.28 0 1.50 0 11.68 18.04 0 1.30 0 9.67 22.93 0 1.05 0 7.69 27.92 0 0.86 0 5.73 33.15 0 0.65 0 3.79 38.62 0 0.42 0 1.88 44.23 0 0.19 0 0 50.03 0 0

(54) The following correction equation can be obtained through data analysis:
R.sub.H2=T.sub.H2aT.sub.CH4bT.sub.CO2

(55) Data in Table 7 are substituted into the equation to conclude that a=0.14097; b=0.11091.

(56) Therefore,
R.sub.H2=T.sub.H2aT.sub.CH4bT.sub.CO2=T.sub.H20.14097T.sub.CH4+0.11091T.sub.CO2

(57) 3) Calculate the Calorific Value of Coal Gas

(58) According to the above gas concentration, the calorific value of coal gas is obtained through substituting T.sub.CO, T.sub.CH4, R.sub.CnHm and R.sub.H2 into the equation Q=T.sub.CO12.64+R.sub.H218.79+T.sub.CH435.88+R.sub.CnHm93.18, in which, Q is expressed as MJ/m.sup.3, 12.64, 18.79, 35.88 and 93.18 are respectively the coefficient of low calorific value of CO, H.sub.2, CH.sub.4 and C.sub.nH.sub.m expressed as MJ/m.sup.3.

(59) This example is provided to design a six-component gas analyzer with the measuring range of CO of 40%, that of CO.sub.2 of 20%, that of CH.sub.4 of 50%, that of C.sub.nH.sub.m of 10%, that of H.sub.2 of 75%, and that of O.sub.2 of 25%. This gas analyzer is applicable to many industries, such as coking, biomass pyrolysis, dry distillation, and mixed gas in steel.

(60) While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.