Robust modeling, analysis and optimization of entrained flow co-gasification of petcoke with coal using combined array design

This study is focused on robust modeling, analysis and optimization of entrained flow co-gasification of petcoke with coal, which is very important to the stable operation of this process as well as downstream processes. Unlike general robust modeling method that traditional Taguchi's crossed array design is applied, combined array design was used in this study. Then based on the exiting general experiments and the constructed robust models, a systematic investigation was conducted into the effects exerted by oxygen and steam concentrations (OC and SC) not only on the mean but also on the variance of H-2, CO and (H-2 + CO) production. Finally, the co-gasification process was robustly optimized. The result reveals that the average production of H-2, as well as that of (H-2 + CO), rises with OC increasing but declines with SC increasing. Moreover, higher OC inhibits the fluctuations in H-2 and (H-2 + CO) production, while higher SC makes their fluctuations more notable. The robust optimization solutions of OC and SC are observed to be 1.56% and 50%, respectively. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.