How will the IPFC process handle heavy metals in the feedstock?
The IPFC process will use two alternate approaches for feedstock processing. The first, and preferred method, is to directly feed the hydrocarbon to the Hydrogen Plasma Black Reactor, processed as to form only. For example, coal will be crushed to a suitable size. High temperature processing in the plasma black reactor permits direct feeding with little or no pre-treatment or chemical processing to remove contaminants. At the operating temperature of the plasma reactor, most contaminants will be volatilized and removed from the exhaust gases by well-known separations processes. Most of the ash and heavy metals will be a part of the molten vitreous frit material, similar to that in an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, which is removed at the bottom of the gasifier. Ash and heavy metals transported with the exhaust gases will be cleaned from the molten carbonate salt using known processes. The second method will involve de-ashing coal feedstocks before introduction in the HPBR. In
