Integration of oxygen transport membrane with coal based dri process

Abstract

A process for the integration of oxygen transport membrane with a coal based DRI process is provided. The process includes introducing a heated, compressed air stream into an oxygen transport membrane separator, thereby producing a permeate stream and a retentate stream, introducing at least a portion of the retentate stream into a fired heater along with a combustion air stream, and introducing at least a portion of the permeate stream into a DRI shaft furnace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ) A process for the integration of oxygen transport membrane with a coal based DRI process comprising;
 a) introducing a heated, compressed air stream into an oxygen transport membrane separator, thereby producing a permeate stream and a retentate stream,   b) introducing at least a portion of said retentate stream into a fired heater along with a combustion air stream, and   c) introducing at least a portion of said permeate stream into a DRI shaft furnace.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said oxygen transport membrane separator is located within said fired heater. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said permeate stream is introduced into said DRI shaft furnace along with a syngas stream. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said permeate stream is introduced into a coal gasifier, said coal gasifier producing said syngas stream. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 d) providing at least a portion of the heat in said heated compressed air stream by indirect heat exchange with at least a portion of said retentate stream.   
     
     
         6 . ( FIG. 4 ) A process for the integration of oxygen transport membrane with a coal based DRI process comprising;
 a) introducing a heated, compressed air stream into a first oxygen transport membrane separator, thereby producing a high pressure permeate stream and a high pressure retentate stream,   b) introducing said high temperature retentate stream into a second oxygen transport membrane separator, thereby producing a low pressure   c) compressing at least a portion of said low pressure retentate stream, thereby producing a second high pressure retentate stream,   d) combining said first high pressure retentate stream and said second high pressure retentate stream, thereby forming a combined retentate stream,   e) introducing at least a portion of said combined retentate stream into a coal gasifier and   f) introducing at least a portion of said low pressure permeate stream into a DRI shaft furnace.   
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein said permeate stream is introduced into said DRI shaft furnace along with a syngas stream generated by said coal gasifier.