Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila

363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila

College of Engineering and Architecture

Chemical Engineering Department

CHE202- Prelim Period

Homework #1
Gaseous fuels and Orsat Analysis

Submitted by:
LAHOM, Krystel Wendy G.

Submitted to:
Engr. Charles Bonn Kirby Mayo

Date:
November 18, 2019
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila
I. What are gaseous fuels?

Gaseous fuels are hydrocarbons, hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixtures

present in gaseous state which forms the basis of potential heat energy or light energy
that can be readily disseminated by means of pipes from the origin to the place of
consumption.
Gaseous fuels are generally easier to handle and burn than are liquid or solid fuels.
Gaseous fossil fuels include natural gas (primarily methane and ethane) and liquefied
petroleum gases (LPGs) primarily propane and butane. Gaseous man‐made or artificial
fuels are mostly derived from liquid or solid fossil fuels. Liquid fossil fuels have evolved
from animal remains through eons of deep underground reaction under temperature and
pressure, while solid fuel evolved from vegetable remains.

i. Classes of Gaseous Fuels

Properties that concern most users of natural gases relate to the heat available from their
combustion, flow characteristics, and burnability in a variety of burner types.

A. Natural Gases

Natural gas is a fossil energy source that formed deep beneath the earth's surface.
Natural gas contains many different compounds. The largest component of natural gas is
methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Natural
gas also contains smaller amounts of natural gas liquids (NGL; which are also
hydrocarbon gas liquids), and nonhydrocarbon gases, such as carbon dioxide and water
vapor. We use natural gas as a fuel and to make materials and chemicals.

Natural gas exists already formed in the earth, and is obtained by boring tube wells,
similar to petroleum wells. Its essential heat producing constituents are methane (CH4)
and hydrogen. It is the cheapest and most efficient of all fuels, when properly burned; but
it requires a large amount of air for its combustion, and special burners must be used.

Millions to 100’s of millions of years ago and over long periods of time, the remains
of plants and animals (such as diatoms) built up in thick layers on the earth’s surface and
ocean floors, sometimes mixed with sand, silt, and calcium carbonate. Over time, these
layers were buried under sand, silt, and rock. Pressure and heat changed some of this
carbon and hydrogen-rich material into coal, some into oil (petroleum), and some into
natural gas.
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila
In some places, natural gas
moved into large cracks and spaces
between layers of overlying rock. The
natural gas found in these types of
formations is sometimes
called conventional natural gas. In
other places, natural gas occurs in
the tiny pores (spaces) within some
formations of shale, sandstone, and
other types of sedimentary rock. This
natural gas is referred to as shale
gas or tight gas, and it is sometimes called unconventional natural gas. Natural gas also
occurs with deposits of crude oil, and this natural gas is called associated natural gas.
Natural gas deposits are found on land and some are offshore and deep under the ocean
floor. A type of natural gas found in coal deposits is called coalbed methane.

In places where natural gas pipelines are not available to take away associated
natural gas produced from oil wells, the natural gas may be reinjected into the oil-bearing
formation, or it may be vented or burned (flared). Reinjecting unmarketable natural gas
can help to maintain pressure in oil wells to improve oil production.

Coalbed methane can be extracted from coal deposits before or during coal
mining, and it can be added to natural gas pipelines without any special treatment.
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila
B. Producer Gas

Producer gas is a combustible gas manufactured by blowing a mixture of steam

and air upwards through a bed of hot coke, or coal, such that the fuel is completely
gasified. The gas obtained from coke consists mainly of a mixture of carbon monoxide
and hydrogen with the nitrogen from the blast of air. When coal is used the gas will
contain, in addition, tar and the gases liberated during the carbonization of the coal in the
fuel bed.

The process is carried out usually by charging the fuel by gravity from hopper into
a vertical, cylindrical, steel chamber, which is either lined with fire bricks, or it has an
annular water-jacket from which steam required for gasification can be raised by heat
transmitted from the fuel bed. The fuel bed is supported at the bottom by a
grate/distributor, through which is introduced the blast, made by adding steam to the air
supply such that it is saturated at a temperature of about 50°C.

A layer of ash is maintained at the bottom of the fuel bed; it serves to protect the
grate and to distribute and preheat the blast. Immediately above the ash zone is a narrow
combustion zone in which oxygen in the air reacts with carbon in the fuel to form carbon
dioxide, thereby generating the heat to sustain the subsequent gasification reactions. The
hot gases and steam move upwards into the reduction zone where endothermic reactions
occur between carbon and carbon dioxide, and between carbon and steam to produce
carbon monoxide and hydrogen. At the top of the bed the incoming fuel is dried and
carbonized. Most of the sulfur in the coal appears as hydrogen sulfide in the product gas .
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila

C. Coal Gas

Methane is often found in association with coal deposits. These deposits might be
virgin coal seams (coal seam methane/coal bed methane), be in the process of being
mined or may be abandoned. Gas from each of these may be suitable for the production
of power. Using coal gas for power in
the form of electricity and heat (via
cogeneration) helps prevent emissions
to atmosphere and provides a useful
form of on-site power. It is also
possible to gasify coal deposits in situ
to provide synthetic gases for use in
power generation. Coal Bed Methane
(CBM).

Coal Bed Methane (CBM)

Coal Bed Methane (CBM) or Coal Seam Methane (CSM) is primary coal seam gas
collected from unmined coal beds. These coal seams are drilled down into, releasing the
associated gas which is extracted and can be used to generate electricity. CBM consists
of over 90% methane and can be harvested independently of coal mining in some
locations. The gas composition is normally stable, meaning that the gas can be fed
directly into the natural gas network or a gas engine.
Coal Mine Methane (CMM)

Coal mine methane (CMM) is a type of gas present in active, working mine sites. This
gas is extracted from the air in the coal mine helping improve safety and preventing
uncontrolled release of methane to atmosphere. CMM is a mixture of methane & air
released during the process of coal mining and must be vented for safety reasons.
Methane has significant effects as a greenhouse gas being 21 times higher than that of
carbon dioxide, therefore its capture and use in gas engines has significant environmental
benefits. CMM typically has an oxygen content of 5-12%. The methane content ranges
from 25-60%. However, the methane/air proportion can change suddenly, thus
complicating its use in gas engines
Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM)

Even after coal mines are shut down, coal mine gas continues to be released. Coal mine
gas from abandoned mines typically contains no oxygen, and its composition changes
slowly. The methane content ranges from 60-80%.
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)

Underground Coal Gasification is an industrial process by which coal is gasified in situ.

This process converts the physical coal to a product gas (a type of synthetic/syngas).

II. What is Orsat Analysis?

Orsat analysis is one of techniques to analyze flue gases. Orsat analysis is even
now regarded as the most beneficial technique to analyze flue gases correctly. Orsat
device as shown in Figure 1 contains some components (labeled) such as:
- Label A is straight burette which flow from bottom to top and contains
100 sections
- Label B is aspirator container
- Label D1, D2, and D3 are pipettes that are numbered 3 pieces
comprising absorbents stuffed with beads or glass tubes intended for improving
absorption areas. Each pipettes contains solution as follow:
· CuCl2 (cuprous chloride) in HCl intended for CO
· Alkaline pyrogallol intended for O2
· KOH (Potassium hydroxide) intended for SO2 dan CO2)

Each one pipette is linked to an unoccupied pipette lurking behind it so absorbent

could subside directly into this when the gas is accepted. Label C is the primary
separating cock pertaining to gas maintenance in the process in conjunction with Label
F1, F2, and F3 which is 3 separating cocks intended for 3 pipettes.

Figure 1: Orsat Device for Orsat Analysis

(Source: Book-Boiler for Power and Process-Kumar Rayaprolu)
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila
The process of orsat analysis is as follow:
1. Aspirator container aspirates gas approximately 100 cc.
2. 3 absorbents absorbs gas in certain series
3. Record absorption through variation in the burette. Caution, tight
adherence to the right planning of absorbents and the process to specific focus
are required to get mistake-free outcomes. To get correct samples on a continual
base, a suction pump is utilized to suck up flue gas, because the aspirator only is
normally not sufficient.
 Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
363 P. Casal, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila

REFERENCES

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/gaseous-fuel
: https://www.lenntech.com/chemistry/gaseous-fuels.htm#ixzz65Xy2NqSv
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/
http://thermopedia.com/content/1062/
https://www.clarke-energy.com/coal-gas/
http://steamofboiler.blogspot.com/2011/08/orsat-analysis.html