System and method for operating power generation systems

Abstract

A method and system for supplying fuel are provided. The fuel supply system includes a supply of a flow of fuel wherein the fuel includes an amount of moisture in a first predetermined range, a supply of a flow of gas wherein the gas includes an amount of moisture in a second predetermined range and wherein the second predetermined range is less than the first predetermined range. The fuel supply system further includes a vessel configured to receive the flow of fuel and the flow of gas, mix the flow of fuel and the flow of gas, and separate the flow of fuel from the flow of gas wherein moisture is transferred from the flow of fuel to the flow of gas.

1 . A fuel supply system comprising:
 a supply of a flow of fuel, said fuel comprising an amount of moisture in a first predetermined range;   a supply of a flow of gas, said gas comprising an amount of moisture in a second predetermined range, the second predetermined range being less than the first predetermined range; and   a vessel configured to:
 receive said flow of fuel and said flow of gas; 
 mix said flow of fuel and said flow of gas; and 
 separate said flow of fuel from said flow of gas 
   wherein moisture is transferred from said flow of fuel to said flow of gas.   
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein heat is transferred from said flow of gas to said flow of fuel. 
     
     
         3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said vessel comprises a longitudinal axis, said vessel rotatable about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said flow of gas comprises a flow of nitrogen. 
     
     
         5 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said flow of fuel comprises a flow of a carbonaceous fuel. 
     
     
         6 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said flow of fuel comprises a flow of at least one of a solid and a liquid carbonaceous fuel. 
     
     
         7 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said flow of gas comprises a flow of syngas. 
     
     
         8 . A system in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a cleanup device downstream of said vessel, said cleanup device configured to remove particles of fuel from the flow of gas exiting the vessel. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a fuel supply system, said method comprising:
 receiving a flow of carbonaceous fuel, the fuel comprising a first amount of moisture; and   mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of a gas such that the first amount of moisture in the fuel is reduced and a second amount of moisture in the gas is increased, the flow of gas comprising an amount of heat wherein at least some of the amount of heat is transferred to the flow of fuel during the mixing.   
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein receiving a flow of carbonaceous fuel comprises receiving a flow of coal. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel comprises mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of nitrogen. 
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of a gas comprises mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of syngas. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of a gas comprises mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of a gas in a vessel. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of a gas comprises mixing the flow of carbonaceous fuel with a flow of a gas in a vessel rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the vessel. 
     
     
         15 . An integrated gasifier combined cycle power system comprising a fuel dryer configured to:
 receive a flow of fuel;   receive a flow of fluid;   transfer moisture from the fuel to the gas; and   transfer heat from the gas to the fuel.   
     
     
         16 . A system in accordance with  claim 15  further comprising a separator configured to separate at least a portion of the flow of fuel from the flow of fluid. 
     
     
         17 . A system in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said fuel dryer comprises a longitudinal axis, said fuel dryer rotatable about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         18 . A system in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said flow of fluid comprises a flow of at least one of a solid and a liquid carbonaceous fuel. 
     
     
         19 . A system in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said flow of fluid comprises a flow of syngas. 
     
     
         20 . A system in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said separator is positioned downstream of said fuel dryer, said separator configured to remove particles of fuel from the flow of fluid exiting the fuel dryer.