Numerical simulation of pitch–water slurry gasification in both downdraft single-nozzle and opposed multi-nozzle entrained-flow gasifiers: A comparative study

Analogous to the coal–water slurry (CWS) gasification technology, the pitch–water slurry (PWS) gasification technology was proposed to gasify pitch with high softening point from the deasphalting unit. The PWS gasification behavior in both downdraft single-nozzle (DSB) and opposed multi-nozzle (OMB) entrained-flow gasifiers were predicted by a three-dimensional numerical model based on Eulerian–Lagrangian method. The flow, temperature, and species mole fraction distributions indicated that PWS was a good feedstock for gasification. The contributions of different competing reactions to the oxygen and fixed carbon consumption were quantitatively analyzed to compare the gasification performances between DSB and OMB gasifiers.