Lurgi system

The Lurgi system is a type of fixed-bed gasifier developed in Germany in the 1930s. It is designed to convert combustible solids, primarily coal, into combustible gases like carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. This process operates at elevated pressures, typically between 30 and 35 atmospheres, and a temperature of about 980 °C (1,800 °F).1

Coarse-sized coal is fed into the top of the gasifier, while a steam-oxygen mixture is introduced from the bottom. This countercurrent flow allows oxygen to react with the coal, generating heat for endothermic reactions. Steam is used to manage the temperature at the bottom, preventing the ash from melting. The resulting raw product gas, rich in carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane, is then sent for further processing. The Lurgi system is particularly suitable for highly reactive coals and can gasify approximately 50 tons of coal per hour.1