Abstract: Disclosed is a gas conditioner and a method for treating crude, relatively impure gases produced from a gasification process to yield a relatively clean, tar-free producer gas having an energy value of about 1200 to 1500 Kcal/m.sup.3. The gas conditioner comprises a reaction chamber for retaining a fuel supply and containing a cracking reaction. An upper portion of the reaction chamber includes an internal reaction housing which provides a primary reaction zone. The gas conditioner also includes a grate structure for filtering producer gas prior to its exit from the conditioner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for gasifying liquid and/or fine-grain solid gasification substances and/or for reforming a gas, using a gasification agent, in a reactor (1). In the process the process heat is supplied by heat carrier particles which are heated within a substantially closed circuit in a heater (5) by combustion gases which are produced in a combustion chamber (3), and passed through the reactor (1) in counter-flow relationship with the gasification substance or the gas to be reformed and the gasification agent, and then returned to the heater (5) for renewed heating. In accordance with the invention the particles and the combustion gas form a fluidized bed above at least one grid (34, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e) arranged in the heater (5).

Abstract: A plural-zone molten metal iron gasifier for converting feeds containing hydrogen and carbon, such as propane, solvent deasphalted pitch, etc., into substantially pure hydrogen and CO/CO.sub.2 streams under pressure by incorporating carbo into the molten metal in a first zone or vessel, then circulating the molten metal into contact with an oxygen-containing gas in a second zone or vessel. Preferably hydrogen is primarily produced in a third zone or vessel, and carbon oxides in a second zone or vessel. A one-meter diameter vessel can produce 20 million standard cubic feet per day of hydrogen at a pressure in the range 2 to 50 atm from methane using this invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gasification of waste are disclosed. Waste material is fed to the top of a first combustion chamber, and a burning, rotating annular column of waste is supported in the combustion chamber. Combustion air is introduced to the first combustion chamber at or below the support for the burning annular column of waste so that the combustion air moves upwardly through the burning column. Combustion gases are withdrawn from the top portion of the first combustion chamber. Particulates are removed and recirculated to the first combustion chamber. The combustion gases are then fed to the top portion of a second combustion chamber. Secondary combustion air and optional fuel are fed to the second combustion chamber to complete the gasification process. A relatively clean producer gas is withdrawn from the bottom portion of the secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas conditioner and a method for treating crude, relatively impure gases produced from a gasification process to yield a relatively clean, tar-free producer gas having an energy value of about 1200 to 1500 Kcal/m.sup.3. The gas conditioner comprises a reaction chamber for retaining a fuel supply and containing a cracking reaction. An upper portion of the reaction chamber includes an internal reaction housing which provides a primary reaction zone. The gas conditioner also includes a grate structure for filtering producer gas prior to its exit from the conditioner.

Abstract: The process for cooling of partial oxidation crude gas includes partially oxidizing a fine grained to powdery combustible material in a flow gasifier in the presence of water vapor and an oxidizing member selected from the group consisting of oxygen and air at pressures of up to 100 bar and at temperatures above a cinder melting point to form a crude gas flow; feeding the crude gas flow in a crude gas duct in an upward crude gas flow direction; and feeding an annular cooling flow of a gaseous or vaporous cooling fluid into the crude gas flow in a downward direction opposite to the crude gas flow direction, the annular cooling flow being bounded by interior walls of the crude gas duct. In a preferred embodiment the annular cooling flow is fed into an upper quenching chamber having a diameter smaller than a downstream connected lower quenching chamber through which the crude gas flows so as to prevent upward extension of any growing cinder layer.

Abstract: A compact endothermic reaction apparatus employing metallic reaction tubes in a close-pack arrangement using offset nozzle tubes and an air distribution plate for introducing fuel and air into a combustion chamber to produce long and thin flames thereby to avoid excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes and provide high reaction tube life expectancy. Also, excessive localized heating of the reaction tubes at the inlet ends of exhaust tubes is eliminated and provision is made for preventing buckling of individual reaction tubes that may be subjected to higher than average reaction tube temperatures.

Abstract: An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling and cleaning gases containing tar-like or other impurities, and to a reactor. In the method, process gas is first fed into a hot fluidized bed (4), where the tar-like impurities contained in it crack into smaller fractions, whereafter the process gas is passed onward, the fluidized bed material entrained in the process gas is separated from the process gas and returned through the cooler (8) into the fluidized bed and into the process gas stream, whereby the process gas cools under the influence of the cooled fluidized bed material. The reactor comprises a cooler (8) above the fluidized bed (4) and an annular conduit (7) outside the cooler (8), through which conduit the process gas flows into the upper portion of the reactor after the fluidized bed (4).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deslagging a gasifier's combustion chamber which has accumulated a residual solidified slag as a result of the fuel being combusted. The gasifier is provided with means for liquefying the slag into a flowable state by heating the combustion chamber to a temperature of which the slag will flow. To epitomize the gasifiers' deslagging mode, the combustion chamber is provided with an array of strain monitoring or measuring load cells which are located to detect and collectively respond to movement at the combustion chamber floor whereby to control the slag removing procedure.

Abstract: The progress and completion of slag removal from the quench chamber of a partial oxidation reactor during controlled oxidation can be monitored by measuring such quench water parameters as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, and sulfate concentration.

Abstract: A process for upgrading plastic material containing inorganic filler or reinforcement material for use as feedstock in a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of raw synthesis gas, fuel gas, or reducing gas. The plastic material is granulated and partially liquefied by heating in a closed autoclave at a temperature in the range of about 400.degree. F. to 495.degree. F. and a pressure in the range of about 150 psig to 750 psig while the plastic material is in contact with a pumpable hydrocarbonaceous liquid solvent. A pumpable slurry is thereby produced comprising solubilized plastic, unsolubilized plastic, hydrocarbonaceous liquid solvent, separated inorganic material and unseparated inorganic material. After removing the separated inorganic material, the remainder of the slurry is then reacted by partial oxidation to produce said raw synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas.

Abstract: A mixer for a gas fueled engine uses a venturi through which a fuel nozzle opens into an air inlet path at a narrowest portion of the venturi in a substantially parallel orientation relative to the flow of inlet air in the air inlet path to reduce the mixture loss, and an air nozzle opens into the air inlet path at an expanding portion of the venturi in a substantially parallel orientation relative to the flow of the inlet air to reduce the ventilation resistance caused by a boundary layer and to make a uniform mixture of the gaseous fuel and the air.

Abstract: Gas generator system of lightweight design, especially of an impact protection system for occupants of vehicles, containing a central area with an igniter for a combustion chamber enclosing the igniter for solid propellant, which combustion chamber in turn is enclosed by a filter chamber with discharge openings for inflating a downstream receiver, containing, in combination: a housing, consisting of an upper part and a lower part, which are screwed together, and which accommodate and hold between them the igniter, the propellant, and the filter, so that they are sealed tightly and in a pressure-proof manner from the outside, and that one of the two housing parts that can be connected to one another has an approximately mushroom-shaped cross section, as well as special filter designs and brackets for holding same during screwing together, and the selected ducting for the flow of the gas generated.

Abstract: Hot, cleansed driver fluid for a gas turbine is produced by the burning of pulverized coal, cooling of the exhaust gases resulting from burning, purifying the cooled exhaust gases and then reheating the purified gas to the appropriate level for supply to the gas turbine. The reheating of the purified gas is accomplished through heat exchange with the impure gas during the cooling step and through heat exchange with the combustion chamber in which the burning of the coal occurs.

Abstract: A latent heat-ballasted gasifier suitable for converting biomass, coal, or low-quality fuels into a producer gas. Latent heat is stored in the reactor in ballasts containing a metal alloy with a melting point approximate the pyrolysis temperatures of the fuel. A fluidized bed reactor is used to enhance heat transfer between the latent heat material and the fuel. The latent heat-ballasts allows the reactor to be operated in a quasi-steady mode rather than a batch operation employed in the prior designs.

Abstract: A two stage carbonizer places as much heat as possible into the gas streams entering the carbonizer to drive off volatile matter and reduce tars and oils by thermal cracking which is enhanced by the addition of sorbent. The carbonizer operates as a fluidized bed with a combustor providing flue gas as one fluidizing medium and preheated air as the other. This allows the coal to be devolatilized and the tars and oils to be thermally cracked due to the direct contact with the coal and hot flue gas. The device is designed to operate at high pressures from about 12-20 atmospheres.

Abstract: A gasifier for producing methane-rich fuel gas from a biomass material feed includes at least one cylindrical vessel, and an axially extending rotor mounted within the vessel. A feeding system is mounted to the vessel at the input end for introducing feed to the vessel. The feeding system includes two independently operated pistons, slidable in an inclined cylinder, and two slide valves, disposed in a vertical pipe above the inclined cylinder. The slide valves serve to apportion the amount of feed delivered to the gasifier, while the pistons selectively seal the pressurized interior of the kiln from the feed hopper. A discharge system for removing residue from the kiln also includes two pistons which selectively seal kiln from the environment. The gasifier of the present invention may also include double-plate intake and exhaust manifolds, and a box beam rotor, optionally including zinc oxide disposed in the hollow, central rotor shaft defined by the vanes of the box beam rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a fluid and tape to be dispensed for sealing seams of wallboard panels comprising a bucket adapted to support a roll of tape and a quantity of a blending fluid; support mechanisms including a central shaft formed of two co-axial parts with a spring urging the parts axially outward thereof, a pair of upper bosses secured to the interior surface of the side wall of the bucket adjacent to the upper edge thereof with apertures receiving the opposed ends of the support rod and with the roll of tape supported at the central extent of the support rod; a guide rod rotatably secured in a lower extent of the bucket, the guide rod having opposed ends, a pair of lower bosses secured to the interior surface of the side wall of the bucket adjacent to the lower edge thereof with apertures receiving the opposed ends of the guide rod, the guide rod positioned to receive and guide tape extending from the support rod; and a slot in a generally horizontal orientation positioned through a lower extent

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gasification of waste are disclosed. Waste material is fed to the top of a first combustion chamber, and a burning, rotating annular column of waste is supported in the combustion chamber. Combustion air is introduced to the first combustion chamber at or below the support for the burning annular column of waste so that the combustion air moves upwardly through the burning column. Combustion gases are withdrawn from the top portion of the first combustion chamber. Particulates are removed and recirculated to the first combustion chamber. The combustion gases are then fed to the top portion of a second combustion chamber. Secondary combustion air and optional fuel are fed to the second combustion chamber to complete the gasification process. A relatively clean producer gas is withdrawn from the bottom portion of the secondary combustion chamber.