This paper presents a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for performing structural and parameter optimization of utility plants that satisfy given electrical, mechanical and heating demands of industrial processes. In this model a nonlinear objective function that accounts for the cost of equipment and operation is minimized. The proposed approach allows for the simultaneous opti...

When a heat exchanger in a Fast Breeder Reactor cracks, highly pressurized water or steam escapes into the surrounding liquid sodium. A sodium-water reaction then occurs, forming disodium oxide (and hydrogen gas). It can cause secondary damages to the heat exchangers by the reaction heat and erosion corrosion. The released flow of steam from the cracks of the heat exchanger is an underexpanded ...

A radio-frequency (RF) helicon plasma reaction chamber (HPRC) is developed and used to decompose methane gas into high-purity hydrogen gas and solid carbon in the form of graphite. A single-turn (m = 0) helicon antenna, operated at 13.56 MHz, and a 100 G dipole magnetic field are used to excite a helicon mode in a nonthermal plasma, creating plasma densities exceeding 1013 cm−3 using 8–20 SCCM ...

The paper deals with simulation of both dynamics and control of power plant superheaters by means of Simulink Sfunctions. Superheaters are heat exchangers that transfer energy from flue gas to superheated steam. A composition of superheater, its input and output pipelines, and fittings is called a superheater assembly. Inertias of superheater assembly are often decisive for design of a steam te...

In the Nuon/Vattenfall CO2 Catch-up project, a pre-combustion CO2 capture pilot plant was built and operated at the Buggenum IGCC power plant, the Netherlands. The pilot consist of sweet water-gas shift, physical CO2 absorption and CO2 compression. The technology performance was verified and validated models were obtained. This paper describes the validation of a WGS reactor model and the excel...

Ethanol oxidation rate in high pressure steam at the pressure of 10 MPa in the temperature ranging from 430 to 490 °C was studied with the fuel equivalence ratio of 0.4. On the assumption that the reaction order is first order, the reaction rate parameters obtained in the experiments are 10 ± 0.4 s for the pre-exponential factor and 166.5 ± 6.1 kJ·mol for the activation energy. This ethanol oxi...

Catalytic steam reforming of glycerol for H(2) production has been evaluated experimentally in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor. The experiments were carried out under atmospheric pressure within a temperature range of 400-700 degrees C. A commercial Ni-based catalyst and a dolomite sorbent were used for the steam reforming reactions and in situ CO(2) removal. The product gases were measured...

We are developing a novel high-efficiency, high-temperature steam electrolyzer. Although water or steam electrolysis is well known to be one of the cleanest ways to produce hydrogen, widespread utilization is hindered by high operational costs because of high electricity consumption. To decrease the electrical power input requirements in electrolysis, our approach uses natural gas as an anode d...

Light olefins such as ethylene, propylene, and butylenes, are basic building blocks for petrochemicals. Further, these olefins are also useful for production of clean fuels such as alkylates – which have high octanes but no sulfur, olefins, and aromatics – or as octaneenhancers such as ethers. The conventional olefin production process is steam cracking of C2−C4 light paraffins from natural gas...

Wolfgang Faller is the manager of mechanical design at Solar Turbines' Gas Compressor Business, overseeing advanced technology introduction, new product development as well as engineering maintenance the existing natural gas compressor product line. Prior to joining Solar in San Diego, he held positions at Concepts NREC, Woburn MA, Linnig Trucktec, Markdorf and Sulzer in Ravensburg, Germany. Ov...