Abstract: Method and apparatus for indicating mass flow of a solid particulate material through a rotary feeder. A radiation source and detector are positioned in a manner whereby radiation flux is directed through, and attenuated by, particulate material contained in rotating pockets. A Cesium-137 gamma source can be mounted within the shaft of the feeder, and one or more detectors can be mounted outside of the feeder housing. The detected signal is indicative of the mass of particulate material contained within a given pocket rotating within the feeder.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed gasification system an ash removal system to reduce the particulate ash to a maximum size or smaller, allow the ash to cool to a temperature lower than the gasifier and remove the ash from the gasifier system. The system consists of a crusher, a container containing level probes and a means for controlling the rotational speed of the crusher based on the level of ash within the container.

Abstract: This invention provides a heat exchanger, particularly useful for systems requiring cooling of hot particulate solids, such as the separated fines from the product gas of a carbonaceous material gasification system. The invention allows effective cooling of a hot particulate in a particle stream (made up of hot particulate and a gas), using gravity as the motive source of the hot particulate.In a preferred form, the invention substitutes a tube structure for the single wall tube of a heat exchanger. The tube structure comprises a tube with a core disposed within, forming a cavity between the tube and the core, and vanes in the cavity which form a flow path through which the hot particulate falls. The outside of the tube is in contact with the cooling fluid of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: High temperature corrosion and erosion resistant electrodes particularly useful for magnetohydrodynamic generators which electrodes utilize chemical ionization of combustion reactants to diffuse the current flow into the electrode. A combustible fuel, oxidant and electrically conductive material flow through porous, graded electrode components toward the plasma. Catalyzed combustion occurs near the face of the electrode exposed to the plasma which diffuses current transfer in the boundary layer and into the electrode. The reactants and combustion products thus combine simultaneously to cool the inner portions of the electrode, heat the outer portions, protect the exposed electrode surface from erosion, and alleviate the physical or chemical bonding of the by-products of coal combustion to the electrode surface which otherwise results in chemical degradation of the electrode.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed gasification system an ash removal system to reduce the particulate ash to a maximum size or smaller, allow the ash to cool to a temperature lower than the gasifier and remove the ash from the gasifier system. The system consists of a crusher, a container containing level probes and a means for controlling the rotational speed of the crusher based on the level of ash within the container.

Abstract: Slab-shaped high efficiency catalytic reformer configurations particularly useful for generation of fuels to be used in fuel cell based generation systems. A plurality of structures forming a generally rectangular peripheral envelope are spaced about one another to form annular regions, an interior annular region containing a catalytic bed and being regeneratively heated on one side by a hot comubstion gas and on the other side by the gaseous products of the reformation. An integrally mounted combustor is cooled by impingement of incoming oxidant.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed apparatus a method for controlling the height of the fdized bed, taking into account variations in the density of the bed. The method comprises taking simultaneous differential pressure measurements at different vertical elevations within the vessel, averaging the differential pressures, determining an average fluidized bed density, then periodically calculating a weighting factor. The weighting factor is used in the determination of the actual bed height which is used in controlling the fluidizing means.

Abstract: A fuel cell and system for supply electrolyte, as well as fuel and an oxidant to a fuel cell stack having at least two fuel cells, each of the cells having a pair of spaced electrodes and a matrix sandwiched therebetween, fuel and oxidant paths associated with a bipolar plate separating each pair of adjacent fuel cells and an electrolyte fill path for adding electrolyte to the cells and wetting said matrices. Electrolyte is flowed through the fuel cell stack in a back and forth fashion in a path in each cell substantially parallel to one face of opposite faces of the bipolar plate exposed to one of the electrodes and the matrices to produce an overall head uniformly between cells due to frictional pressure drop in the path for each cell free of a large hydrostatic head to thereby avoid flooding of the electrodes.

Abstract: Solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell generators which are operable to reform in-situ a gaseous medium and to utilize the products of the reformation as fuel. A portion of the reformation preferably occurs along an electrochemically inactive extension of each fuel cell.

Abstract: High temperature gas turbine generation systems utilizing multiple heating stages between the primary compressor and expander, including coal based reactors and direct fired combustors.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack which can be operated with cells in a horizontal position so that the fuel cell stack does not have to be taken out of operation when adding an electrolyte such as an acid. Acid is supplied to each matrix in a stack of fuel cells at a uniform, low pressure so that the matrix can either be filled initially or replenished with acid lost in operation of the cell, without exceeding the bubble pressure of the matrix or the flooding pressure of the electrodes on either side of the matrix. Acid control to each cell is achieved by restricting and offsetting the opening of electrolyte fill holes in the matrix relative to openings in the plates which sandwich the matrix and electrodes therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling and recirculating oxidant to the cathode of a fuel cell stack. Heat energy is removed from the fuel cell stack through utilization of excess air or other oxidant relative to the stoichiometric amount for reaction with a hydrogen-containing fuel. Reaction products, including excess air and water, flow to a nozzle upstream of a flow constricting venturi. A coolant, such as liquid water in a fine spray form, is injected through the venturi and draws the reaction products through the venturi. The mixing of the coolant and the reaction products results in a condensation of the high temperature reaction product water vapor and further dehumidification of the reaction products takes place in a passive separator such as a demister. Coolant is injected into the venturi in sufficient quantity to develop the pressure head necessary to recirculate the cooled and dehumidified air through a conduit system and back to the fuel cell stack. A supply of makeup air is also provided.

Abstract: A high temperature tube and shell vertically positioned heat exchanger including a plurality of tube sheets dividing the interior of the shell into three consecutive chambers. Ceramic tubes are vertically hung from hemispherical seats in an upper tube sheet and extend downwardly through loose fitting porous inserts which line perforations in the lower tube sheets. A hot fluid flows from the bottom chamber upwardly through the ceramic tubes, a cool fluid flows through the upper chamber across the tubes, and a third fluid is injected into the intermediate chamber at a pressure higher than that of the fluid mediums in the upper and lower chambers. The third, high pressure fluid flows through the porous inserts and into the other chambers forming a dynamic seal which also allows unrestricted axial motion of the tubes and limited laterial motion of the bottom of the tubes.