A Review of the Efficacy of Silicon Carbide Hot-Gas Filters in Coal Gasification and Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion Environments

Abstract

Reviews of relevant literature and interviews with individuals cognizant of the state of the art in ceramic filters for hot-gas cleaning were conducted. Thermodynamic calculations of the stability of various ceramic phases were also made. Based on these calculations, reviews, and interviews, conclusions were reached regarding the use of silicon carbide-based ceramics as hot-gas filter media. Arguments are presented that provide the basis for our conclusion that high-purity silicon carbide is a viable material in the integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (PFBC) environments we examined. Clay-bonded materials are, we concluded, suspect for these applications, their extensive use not-withstanding. Operations data we reviewed focused primarily on clay-bonded filters, for which a great deal of experience exists. We used the clay-bonded filter experience as a point of reference for our review and analysis.