Abstract: An apparatus and method for combusting carbonaceous fuels includes a reaction chamber defining a reaction zone and means for injecting fuel and oxidizer gas in a manner to produce in the reaction zone a wheel-type flow of the fuel-gas mixture. In preferred embodiments, the high velocity wheel-type flow operates to suspend fuel or other reactant particles in the swirling gas for residence times required for substantially complete reaction of the particles prior to the particles impinging against the walls of the reaction chamber. High angular veocities and the resulting centrifugal forces operate to remove substantially all slag from the gas as it approaches the downstream end of the reaction chamber. Operating temperatures are maintained at a level to avoid excessive volatilization of slag and thereby promote separation of liquid slag from the gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: A method for the removal of particulate matter as well as noxious gases and vapors from a gas stream. This is accomplished by means of charged droplets having a size between 60 and 250 microns and preferably between 80 and 120 microns. The droplets are generated by first ejecting a stable jet of liquid such as water. The liquid jet is broken up into charged droplets by applying an electric potential between the jet and the collecting walls of the scrubber. Since most gases are electronegative the droplets are preferably charged positively by the resultant electrostatic field. However, in case some of the particles are already charged it is preferred to generate charged droplets having a polarity which is the same as that of the particles. The method works well with particles having a diameter of approximately 0.01 micron or more and the droplets are preferably moved at an angle to the direction of movement of the gas stream to increase the relative velocity between the droplets and the particles.