FUEL SLURRY HEATING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for heating a slurry to increase a solids concentration of the slurry while maintaining the viscosity of the slurry below a threshold viscosity. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes a fuel slurry preparation system having a slurry tank configured to hold a fuel slurry, the fuel slurry having a solid fuel and a liquid. The fuel slurry preparation system also includes a heat source and a controller configured to control the heat source to heat the fuel slurry to decrease a viscosity of the slurry below a threshold viscosity.

主权项

1. A method for generating a fuel slurry for a gasification process, comprising:
monitoring one or more parameters of the fuel slurry in a vessel with a controller, wherein the one or more parameters comprise a viscosity of the fuel slurry and a solids concentration of the fuel slurry, and the fuel slurry comprises a solid fuel and a liquid; and maintaining the fuel slurry below an upper viscosity threshold by heating the fuel slurry in the vessel, wherein the upper viscosity threshold is at a transition between a pumpable viscosity and an unpumpable viscosity of the fuel slurry by a slurry pump configured to pump the fuel slurry.