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Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has concluded the Dry Solids Pump Coal - Feed Technologies (DSP-CFT) program that was initiated on October 1, 2013. The project?s primary objectives have been to gather data to increase the fidelity of the economic benefits of the Dry Solids Pump (DSP) technology for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants, mature the technology to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of TRL 6 by continued testing and upgrades to the existing DSP, advance pump configuration knowledge to the point that a commercial pump can be confidently designed for low rank coal feed stocks and develop the next generation design configuration of a 1000 ton per day (tpd) DSP.<
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After initial efforts with the existing DSP, a subscale pump was built to reduce the cost and time required to develop upgrades. The subscale development program evaluated three exit configurations and a host of geometric variations in each configuration concluding a side exit upward discharge configuration offered the greatest improvements. Both configuration and operation focused improvements were implemented on the full scale existing DSP and demonstrated 500 psi operation.<
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An initial Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) and later update that was undertaken by Mr. Chris Higman and associates. The TEA quantifies the dramatic savings in capital and operational expenses achieved by reducing plant height and nitrogen consumption/compression, respectively in a commercial gasifier application.<
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Drawings of the suggested design configuration for a commercial DSP feeder reflect the side exit design and incorporate lighter weight and lower cost fabrication methods. Features used for development testing are removed.<
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A follow-on optimization program to allow the DSP technology to achieve TRL 7 is outlined.<
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