Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor having a reactor shell and at least one reactor subsystem within the shell, the reactor subsystem having a reaction chamber and a wall, the improvement comprising at least one fluidizing gas distributor associated with the reactor subsystem and positioned below the reaction chamber and supported by the wall, the distributor comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall contiguous with the top and bottom portions to define an interior, a plurality of tuyeres attached to the top portion of the distributor to provide gaseous communication between the reaction chamber and the interior, and an inlet in the bottom portion for introducing a fluidizing gas to the interior.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor having a reactor shell and a reaction chamber within the shell, the reaction chamber having chamber walls and a chamber bottom portion, the improvement comprising at least one baffle disposed within the reaction chamber, the baffle comprising a pair of outer refractory walls, an inner refractory wall between and contiguous with the outer refractory walls, and a metallic reinforcement member embedded within the inner refractory wall, the inner and outer walls being attached to at least the chamber bottom portion.

Abstract: A method and system for introducing combustion gases to the upper portion of the dense phase or transition portion of a circulating fluidized bed reactor. The combustion gases are produced in a burner external to the dense phase portion of the reactor wherein the burner receives a mixture of liquid or gaseous fuel and air so as to initiate and maintain combustion within the burner. The combustion gases are then quenched prior to entering the dense phase portion of the reactor so as to reduce the temperature of the combustion gases thereby preventing overheating or sintering of the particulate and significant oxidation reduction in the dense phase portion of the reactor.