Abstract: As shown schematically in FIG. 1, hot gases, containing molecular oxygen, from generator elements, (14) and (19), pass through a bed of coal chunks in an ODD reactor chamber (2). The molecular oxygen content of these hot gases is less than stoichiometric, relative to the coal volatile matter content, so that partial oxidation of only the volatile matter occurs within the ODD reactor chamber, (2), during devolatilization therein. Two products are thusly created, a partially oxidized, and hence cleaner burning, volatile matter fuel gas, and a solid devolatilized coke. The hot coke is transferred, by overfeed, into a coke reaction chamber, (7), where counterflowing primary air, via air meter, (12), gasifies the coke into carbon monoxide with some carbon dioxide. Finally, the carbon monoxide and the partially oxidized volatile matter, are admixed with overfire air, and burned fully to carbon dioxide in overfire burner chambers, (23), (26).

Abstract: As shown schematically in FIG. 1, hot gases, containing oxygen, from generator elements, (14) and (19), pass through a bed of coal chunks in an ODD reactor, (2). The oxygen content of these hot gases is less than stoichiometric, relative to the coal volatile matter content, so that partial oxidation of only the volatile matter occurs within the ODD reactor (2), during devolatilization therein. Two products are thusly created, a partially oxidized, and hence cleaner burning, volatile matter fuel gas, and a solid devolatilized coke. The hot coke is transferred, by overfeed, into a coke reactor, (7), where counterflowing primary air, via air meter, (12), gasifies the coke into carbon monoxide with some carbon dioxide. Finally, the carbon monoxide and the partially oxidized volatile matter, are admixed with overfire air, and burned fully to carbon dioxide in overfire burners, (23), (26).

Abstract: A district heating system is described, for heating several homes and businesses in a district. The hot exhaust gas, of a gas turbine engine, is saturated with water vapor, and then passed through each home heater, where condensation of the water vapor provides heat to each home. With low cost coal fuel, burned in the gas turbine engine burner, a large portion of the fuel energy is efficiently utilized for home heating and electric power generation. In this way, low cost domestic coal can replace expensive imported petroleum fuels for home heating and electric power generation.