Means For Liberating Gas From Solid Fuel Patents (Class 110/229)
  • Publication number: 20140004471
    Abstract: A method and system for fueling of a burner in a direct-fired device using syngas. A gasifier produces syngas from a carbonaceous feedstock such as biomass. The syngas is fed to a syngas burner. A booster burner disposed between the gasifier and the syngas burner increases the temperature of the syngas. The booster burner may be provided with an approximately stoichiometric or sub-stoichiometric amount of oxidant. Operation of the booster burner may be regulated based on the temperature of the syngas. The syngas burner may be used to direct-fire a device requiring a relatively high flame temperature, such as, for example, a lime kiln.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: NEXTERRA SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Hendrick Vandergriendt, Duncan Meade, Yan Li, Nebojsa Plavsic
  • Publication number: 20130340689
    Abstract: A combustion device includes a device main body having a combustion chamber installed above a cyclone melting furnace configured to combust a pyrolysis gas generated from a waste material after incineration while turning the pyrolysis gas, and configured to combust an unburnt gas discharged from the cyclone melting furnace. Further, the combustion device includes a plurality of sidewall boiler water pipes configured to cover a sidewall of the device main body from a periphery thereof and extending along the sidewall throughout upward and downward directions of the device main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENVIRONMENTAL & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Toshimasa Shirai, Yoshihisa Saito, Norio Yoshimitsu, Yasunori Terabe
  • Publication number: 20130327257
    Abstract: Provided is a fluidized bed furnace for heating waste to extract a combustible gas from the waste, including: a plurality of wind boxes arranged on a lower side of a bottom wall of a furnace body to blow a fluidizing gas into the fluidized bed; a plurality of temperature detection sections disposed at respective positions allowing detection of temperatures of an upper position and a lower position vertically spaced in a first region, and allowing detection of temperatures of upper and lower positions vertically spaced in a second region; and a control section operable, based on the temperatures detected by the temperature detection sections, to adjust an air ratio of the fluidizing gas to be fed to each of the wind boxes, so that the temperature of the fluidized bed is raised in a direction from the first region toward the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: KOBELCO ECO-SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Kawai, Hiroyuki Hosoda, Sadanori Kudou
  • Publication number: 20130319300
    Abstract: This gasification melting facility includes: a fluidized bed gasification furnace that generates pyrolysis gas by thermally decomposing waste and discharges incombustibles; a vertical cyclone melting furnace that includes a pyrolysis gas duct through which the pyrolysis gas is introduced; a pyrolysis gas passage that connects the fluidized bed gasification furnace with the pyrolysis gas duct of the vertical cyclone melting furnace; pulverizer that pulverize the incombustibles into pulverized incombustibles so that the particle size of the incombustibles becomes fine; and airflow transporter that puts the pulverized incombustibles in the pyrolysis gas passage, and separating metal contained in the pulverized incombustibles by a difference in specific gravity while conveying the pulverized incombustibles together with airflow. The pyrolysis gas and the pulverized incombustibles are melted in the vertical cyclone melting furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENVIROMENTAL & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Toshimasa Shirai, Yoshihisa Saito, Norio Yoshimitsu, Yasunori Terabe
  • Publication number: 20130319298
    Abstract: A fluidized bed gasification furnace includes a control device that identifies a defective fluidization spot of a fluidized bed based on distribution of temperatures detected by a plurality of temperature sensors, temporarily increases an amount of supplied combustion gas to air boxes located below the identified defective fluidization spot, and increases a speed of discharge of noncombustibles and a fluidization medium discharged by an extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Toshimasa Shirai, Yoshihisa Saito, Norio Yoshimitsu, Yasunori Terabe
  • Publication number: 20130300121
    Abstract: A method and system for the conversion of waste into energy in a sealed system where combustion does not take place and the operating pressure prior to the inlet of the steam or power generating equipment is maintained below atmospheric pressure. Destruction of the RDF (refuse derived fuel) is accomplished by subjecting the RDF to a high temperature environment under controlled conditions in a purpose designed and built reactor. The high temperature environment, <5000° C., is achieved through the use of one or more non-transferred plasma torches for generation of plasma gas. The plasma gas exiting the torch and provides the thermal energy for the continual gasification of metallurgic coke configured as a carbon bed in the lower part of the reactor, which acts as a thermal catalyst and this provides the thermal energy for the gasification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: GREEN ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Mazlan Ali, Siti Fatimah Mohd Shariff, Christopher John Webb
  • Patent number: 8578869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to batch de-coat the organics in metal scrap, and/or gasify the organics from certain types of waste material (including biomass, municipal solid waste, industrial waste, and sludge). The apparatus is suited for use on a batch tilting single entry rotary furnace of the type used to melt the metal scrap in the aluminum industry. The apparatus uses a burner in the tilting rotary furnace but does not necessarily melt the metal scrap. It preferably operates below the melting temperature of the metal scrap (<1400 F) and below the stoichiometric level (more specifically <12% oxygen) to partially combust the organic in the tilting rotary furnace. The gasified organics depart the furnace in a complete closed circuit where no air is allowed to entrain into the flue gases. These organic filled gases (synthetic gases) are fully incinerated in a separate thermal oxidizer where a stoichiometric burner uses either natural gas or liquid fuel to ignite the synthetic gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Chinook Sciences LLC
    Inventor: Fanli Meng
  • Patent number: 8545679
    Abstract: A system for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands includes a heated enclosure 66, one or more input conveyors 60, 67 move tar sands through the heated enclosure, provide a flow line with a temperature gradient of at least 150 F.°, and mechanically move the tar sands along the flow line. A heated rotary drum 74 is in fluid communication with the flow line, and condenser unit 94, 98 receive vapors from the flow line and the rotary drum and output hydrocarbons. One or more discharge conveyors 76 discharge stripped sands from the rotary drum. Control valves 80, 82 seal a vacuum downstream from the discharge conveyors, and control valves 34, 46 seal vacuum upstream from the one or more input conveyors. Various types of vacuum pumps may be used to maintain a selected vacuum between the control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Efficien Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip L. Cauley, Tracy L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8528490
    Abstract: A biomass gasification system for efficiently extracting heat energy from biomass material. The biomass gasification system includes a primary combustion chamber, a rotating grate within the primary combustion chamber for supporting the biomass during gasification, a feeder unit in communication with the primary combustion chamber for delivering biomass, a secondary combustion chamber fluidly connected to the primary combustion chamber, an oxygen mixer positioned between the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber, a heat exchanger and an exhaust stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: BEST, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Dueck, Maciej G. Wierzbowski
  • Publication number: 20130213283
    Abstract: A two stage refuse gasification combustion system for processing refuse is disclosed. The system may contain features such as an advancer, a first and second gasifier, a gas regulator, and a post combustor. Additionally, methods for regulating gas and advancing refuse through a two stage refuse gasification combustion system are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: COVANTA ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Covanta Energy Corporation
  • Patent number: 8459192
    Abstract: A partition divides an enclosure into an upper space and a lower space, the partition having a hole which provides essentially the only passage for gas to flow from the lower space to the upper space. A reactor tube having open ends is supported by the partition over the hole, and a grate spaced below the hole. A primary air inlet arrangement feeds air into the lower space for gasification of solid fuel on the grate, and a secondary air inlet directs a jet of air toward the inlet end of combustion tube communicating with the upper space and having an open exhaust end outside the enclosure. Product gas formed by gasification of solid fuel on the grate and passing through the reactor tube into the upper space will be drawn into the combustion tube to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in the upper space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Kimmo Ahola
  • Patent number: 8459193
    Abstract: The device comprises: an inner chamber (56) which has an upper aperture or mouth (36) and is delimited by a lateral wall (20) and by a base wall (19), and which is intended to contain a primary fuel to be subjected to gasification and/or pyrolysis or vaporization to generate combustible gases; an outer chamber (58) delimited by an outer lateral wall (22) positioned coaxially with the outside of the lateral wall (20) of the inner chamber (56), by a base wall (14) which is located under the base wall (19) of the combustion chamber (56) and which has at least one aperture (28) communicating with the external environment, and by a top wall which unites the outer (22) and inner (20) lateral walls, in such a way that the outer chamber (58) comprises a lower portion positioned under the inner chamber (56) and an upper annular portion (59) which surrounds the inner chamber (56); a plurality of circumferentially staggered lower passages (50) through which the base of the inner chamber (56) communicates with the surrou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Nathaniel Mulcahy
  • Patent number: 8453584
    Abstract: A method for handling a substance from which a combustible gas volatilizes. A method for handling a substance from which a combustible gas volatilizes, in which, when such substance is handled inside an apparatus with a high degree of hermeticity, air is introduced into the apparatus and the substance is handled in a state in which the volatilized combustible gas is diluted to a concentration at which neither explosion nor fire occurs. With this method for handling a substance from which a combustible gas volatilizes, the combustible gas is diluted with air to a concentration at which neither explosion nor fire occurs, without using inactive gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide that have to be produced or purchased. Therefore, a substance from which a combustible gas volatilizes can be inexpensively and safely handled in operations such as mixing and storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Mori, Eiji Fukuda, Makoto Kagamida, Katsumi Aono
  • Publication number: 20130087085
    Abstract: A system and method for drying, cleaning and upgrading coal and biomass solid fuel while integrating the steps with the normal on site steps in coal preparation for a utility boiler, such that boiler efficiency is improved and emissions are reduced. The present invention carefully sequences steps to employ latent heat from one step to the next and more efficiently bring the fuel up to or near ignition temperature. The present invention incorporates several previously related inventions to improve the heat content and cleanliness of the fuel, thus reducing fuel flow rate, ash, CO2, CO, NOx, sulfur, mercury, chlorine, particulate and other emissions, for the same or higher energy output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Rugg
  • Publication number: 20130047901
    Abstract: In apparatus and method for waste treatment by pyrolysis, treated waste is flushed through a grid (18) to trap recyclable material in the pyrolysis chamber (24). Pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of from 400-700° C. and off-gases are dissolved in a solution in scrubber (13) for disposal in a water course. Water is introduced into the chamber as superheated steam via pipes (5) so as both to flush away treated material and clean the chamber. Recyclable waste is separated from non-recyclable by treating non-recyclable waste by pyrolysis, and flushing treated non-recyclable waste away through liquid exhaust (8). Apparatus is made as a modular, free-standing unit and comprises plugs for connection to an electricity supply, to a water supply, and to a sewerage system (16) and has a chamber with a volume in the range 0.01-0.5m3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Pyropure Limited
    Inventor: Pyropure Limited
  • Publication number: 20130036954
    Abstract: With an apparatus for supplying multiple burners with fine-grained fuel from a storage container, with thermal conversion of solid fuels in a gasification reactor, wherein the storage container is equipped with a discharge cone, a solution is supposed to be created with which the required excess gas amounts can be reduced and it is possible to do without separate discharge cones per burner line, without giving up the uncoupling of the burner lines. This is achieved in that the discharge cone (1) is equipped, at least in certain regions, with a gas-permeable wall region (6, 6?) and with at least two solids discharge lines (15) that lead to the burners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Hacker, Stefan Hamel, Eberhard Kuske
  • Publication number: 20130036746
    Abstract: High temperature intermittently sealable refractory tile and controlled air continuous gasifiers (rotary kilns) that are manufactured using such refractory tile, waste to energy systems that have such gasifiers as part of the system, and processes in which such waste to energy systems are used, for example, co-generation steam and power plants using biomass as the fuel for the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 8371041
    Abstract: An apparatus for upgrading coal comprising a baffle tower, inlet and exhaust plenums, and one or more cooling augers. The baffle tower comprises a plurality of alternating rows of inverted v-shaped inlet and outlet baffles. The inlet and outlet plenums are affixed to side walls of the baffle tower. Process gas enters the baffle tower from the inlet plenum via baffle holes in the side wall and dries the coal in the baffle tower. Process exhaust gas exits the baffle tower into the exhaust plenum via baffle holes in a different side wall of the baffle tower. Coal that enters the baffle tower descends by gravity downward through the baffle tower and enters a cooling auger, where the dried coal from the baffle tower is mixed with non-dried coal. A method of using the apparatus described above to upgrade coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Syncoal Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Harry E. Bonner, Roger B. Malmquist, Ray W. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 8365433
    Abstract: A technique by which various types of organic waste can be easily treated so as to obtain a reusable material. An apparatus is provided which comprises a vessel (20) for introducing organic waste (18) therein, the vessel being equipped with: stirring means (82), (92), and (98) for stirring the organic waste (18); steam supply means (62), (64), and (66) which supply high-temperature high-pressure steam to the vessel (20); evacuation means (77), (78), and (80) which evacuate the vessel (20); and heating means (24), (68), (64), and (66) which heat the organic waste (18) present in the vessel (20). The apparatus has such constitution, in which the organic waste (18) in the vessel (20) is decomposed by hydrolysis and pyrolysis and vacuum dried using those means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kunitomo Kankyo Plant Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Ogura
  • Publication number: 20130000319
    Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichoimetric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20120312026
    Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichoimetric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20120308946
    Abstract: Gas generation apparatus and methods are provided, including apparatus and methods for efficient vaporization, and optional burning, of meltable fuels. The apparatus and methods provide controlled generation and combustion of any low melting point dimensionally stable combustible meltable fuel. This is preferably accomplished by first converting the solid or semi solid meltable fuel material into a liquid state, then into vapor, and finally mixing with an air source or other oxidizer before combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond M. Gatt
  • Publication number: 20120297775
    Abstract: Described herein are gradual oxidation systems that receive and process solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels. The system can include a solid fuel gasifier that extracts and cleans gas fuel from a solid fuel. The system can also include a reaction chamber that receives the gas fuel and maintains a gradual oxidation process of the fuel. In some embodiments, liquids containing contaminants can be oxidized within the gradual oxidation chamber. Liquid fuels and gas fuels may be communicated to the oxidation chamber separately or in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: FLEXENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Edan D. PRABHU
  • Publication number: 20120298020
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for processing material such as organically coated waste and organic materials including biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, comprising a processing chamber (2) for processing said material at an elevated temperature to produce syngas and a combustion chamber (4) having at least one burner therein for combusting syngas released by processing of said material. A conduit means (18) is provided between said combustion chamber and said processing chamber for carrying hot exhaust gasses from the combustion chamber (4) to said processing chamber (2) and at last one mirror (24) is arranged to reflect and concentrate sunlight thereby to cause the temperature within said processing chamber (2) to be raised. The apparatus also includes a syngas reservoir (66). A storage conduit (62) is provided for carrying syngas into said syngas reservoir (66) and a syngas feed line (68) is provided for feeding syngas from said reservoir to said combustion chamber (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Rifat Al Chalabi, Ophneil Henry Perry, John Henry Turner
  • Patent number: 8317886
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for starved air gasification of solid organic materials, including biomass and other wastes, to convert the chemical energy stored in such materials to thermal energy or gaseous products that may be used in biochemical and/or chemical synthesis. Specifically, the system utilizes a gasifier having a “moving bed of ash” hearth wherein the feedstock is partially oxidized at a low temperature (less than 1500 degrees F.) in a square or rectangular chamber having a vaulted, tapered or flat roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nexterra Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Robert G. Graham, Jan Barynin, Kenneth M. Davison, Dave Berner
  • Patent number: 8307770
    Abstract: In apparatus and method for waste treatment by pyrolysis, treated waste is flushed through a grid (18) to trap recyclable material in the pyrolysis chamber (24). Pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of from 400-700° C. and off-gases are dissolved in a solution in scrubber (13) for disposal in a water course. Water is introduced into the chamber as superheated steam via pipes (5) so as both to flush away treated material and clean the chamber. Recyclable waste is separated from non-recyclable by treating non-recyclable waste by pyrolysis, and flushing treated non-recyclable waste away through liquid exhaust (8). Apparatus is made as a modular, free-standing unit and comprises plugs for connection to an electricity supply, to a water supply, and to a sewerage system (16) and has a chamber with a volume in the range 0.01-0.5 m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pyropure Limited
    Inventors: Howard Morgan Clarke, Michel Benjamin Elder
  • Publication number: 20120266793
    Abstract: Described is an integrated process of cogasifying an engineered fuel, formulated to be suitable for working under reducing environment, with coal and cofiring another engineered fuel, formulated to be suitable for working under oxidizing environment, with coal to produce electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: RE COMMUNITY ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: James W. BOHLIG, Dingrong BAI
  • Publication number: 20120240831
    Abstract: A system that provides for the efficient combustion of solid fuels is disclosed. The system includes a combustion chamber, a solid fuel dosing system for determining an amount of solid fuel to supply to the combustion chamber, a solid fuel conveying air blower for conveying solid fuel from the solid fuel dosing system to the combustion chamber, and an air combustion fan for supplying air to the combustion chamber via air conveying piping. The system may optionally further include a measurement and auxiliary fuel control system for determining an amount of auxiliary fuel to supply to the combustion chamber. Combustion of the auxiliary fuel raises a temperature of the combustion chamber to a level suitable for combustion of the solid fuel. The combustion chamber may be mounted on a displacement trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Guilherme Martins Ferreira, Luis Filipe Von Rainer Fabiani, Luiz Felipe De Pinho, Rodrigo De Sousa Borges
  • Patent number: 8261677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gasification boiler for the combustion of solid fuels, in particular bales of straw, for heating purposes and for the production of hot water. The inventive boiler is characterized by optimal combustion and ash separation. The aim of the invention is to carry out the combustion of small particles in the most complete manner possible and to achieve an almost total separation of the ashes from the combustion gas upstream of the heat exchangers. To achieve this, according to the first feature of claim 1, the combustion and gasification chamber comprises lateral depressions that are configured next to the central grating and combustion chamber. Coarse particles collect in said depressions, leaving the fine particles to be carried with the combustion gas into the combustion chamber. According to the second feature of said claim, a cylindrical combustion chamber, configured as an additional component, is connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Christian Herlt
  • Patent number: 8240259
    Abstract: A method and device for cooling hot crude gas and slag from entrained flow gasification of liquid and solid combustibles at crude gas temperatures ranging from 1,200 to 1,800° C. and at pressures of up to 80 bar in a cooling chamber disposed downstream of the gasification reactor by injecting water. The cooling water is distributed, with a first portion being finely dispersed into to cooling chamber and a second portion being fed at the bottom into an annular gap provided between the pressure-carrying tank wall and an incorporated metal apron for protecting said pressure-carrying tank wall. The second portion of the cooling water flows upward in the annular gap and trickles down the inner side of the metal apron in the form of a water film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Fischer, Dietmar Degenkolb, Friedemann Mehlhose, Manfred Schingnitz
  • Publication number: 20120200092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing sewage sludge using a gasification process. The gasification process takes place at high temperatures in an oxygen-starved environment, which enables carbon-containing materials in the sewage sludge to chemically react under the preferred temperature and oxygen levels, resulting in the formation of usable products, including ash, electricity, and syngas—all of which are generally environmentally benign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: WasteDry, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Johnson, Nina Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8230795
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circulating fluidized bed device provided with an oxygen-fired furnace (1), a separator (2) for separating gas and solid particles, a return circuit for returning solids to the furnace (3), and an outlet duct (4) leaving the separator and conveying gases to a heat-recovery boiler, the device being characterized in that it includes injector means for injecting combustible) gas into the outlet from the separator 2), said combustible gas being propelled by recycled carbon dioxide into the residual vortex created at the outlet from the separator, so as to ensure intimate mixing takes place in the downstream duct (4) with the combustion flue gases, thereby reducing the oxygen content of said flue gases by residual combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jean-Xavier Morin, Corinne Beal, Silvestre Suraniti
  • Publication number: 20120186502
    Abstract: A processing container (100) is provided for processing waste material. The processing container has a housing (150) and a processing zone (152) in said housing for containing waste material to be processed. The housing (150) has a portion (154) directed inwardly of said container to form an opening (160) for the charging and discharging of said processing container. The processing container is rotatable about its axis in a first direction to enable charging of said container through said opening and in a second opposite direction to enable discharging of said container through said opening. The processing chamber is used in an apparatus (10) for processing waste material. The apparatus also includes an oven (12) that contains the processing chamber (14); a gas inlet (200) for introducing said hot gasses into the oven; and a gas outlet (202) for extracting gas from said oven. The processing container (100) is mounted for rotation in said oven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CHINOOK SCIENCES, LIMITED
    Inventors: Rifat Al Chalabi, Ophneil Henry Perry, John Henry Turner
  • Publication number: 20120137939
    Abstract: Embodiments of processes and systems for producing heat for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided. The process comprises the steps of contacting bubbles of an oxygen containing gas advancing through a fluidized bubbling bed with a grating to form smaller bubbles. The fluidized bubbling bed is contained in a reheater and comprises inorganic heat carrier particles and char. The reheater is operating at combustion conditions effective to burn the char into ash and heat the inorganic heat carrier particles to form heated inorganic particles. The heated inorganic particles are advanced to a reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Sid Kulprathipanja
  • Patent number: 8187350
    Abstract: Apparatus and a process are described for compressing superheated steam into porous coal chunks in a chamber, and, after a time interval, expanding this steam out of the chamber, and repeating this steam cycle of compression followed by expansion. Thusly heated by the steam, volatile matter separates from the solid coke portion of the coal and separate volatile matter and coke products can be produced from coal or biomass fuels. These volatile matter liquids and tars can be used as fuel components in slurry fuels, for internal combustion engines used in our surface transportation industries. These solid coke products can be used as boiler fuel in steam electric plants. In this way our large domestic reserves of coal can be used as a fuel source, not only for electric power generation, but also for our surface transportation needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Carl Firey
  • Patent number: 8156876
    Abstract: Systems and methods of integrating plasma waste processing are described. An integreted energy generation system provided with a fossil fuel power plant system having a combustion chamber and a plasma waste processing system having an output. The integrated energy generation system also including an integrator for combining the output of thermal energy from the plasma waste processing system with the combustion chamber of the fossil fuel power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Smith, Kevin C. Caravati, Louis J. Circeo, Robert C. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8151716
    Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a feed injector and methods of assembly are provided. In one aspect, a method of assembling a feed injector cooling apparatus includes coupling a coolant source in flow communication with a mounting flange, coupling the mounting flange to a first end of a sheath, wherein the sheath circumscribes a feed injector barrel, and coupling a cap to a second end of the sheath, wherein the cap includes a center port through which a feed injector tip projects into a gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Monty Lee Harned, Sunilkant A. Patel, Salvatore Bernard Vasi
  • Publication number: 20120031987
    Abstract: A process heater system (10) for an industrial envelope (11) comprises a main combustion chamber (20), an afterburner (30), and an exhaust stack (40). Retrofitted heat-recovery piping (50) receives combustion gas downstream of the afterburner (30) and uses it as a heat source for the industrial envelope. When the industrial load in the main combustion chamber (20) is paint, powder coating, varnish, epoxy, grease and/or oil, the secondary materials burned in the afterburner 30 can be considered alternative fuel, not solid wastes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Robert F. Heran, Robert A. Koptis
  • Patent number: 8100992
    Abstract: A biomass thermochemical gasification apparatus is provided that can manufacture high-quality fuel gas out of solid biomass in an industrial manner. This fuel gas can be used as fuel for a gas engine and a gas turbine for example and also can be used as synthesis gas for methanol synthesis. A high-temperature combustion gas generation apparatus (101) for biomass operates entirely by biomass and the heat source thereof does not depend on fossil fuel. A coarsely-ground powder biomass (205) subjected to gasification and gasification agent (303) are introduced to a primary gasification reaction room (202) and generate gasification reaction by, as reaction heat, radiation heat from a wall face of the primary gasification reaction room (202) heated by combustion gas (109a) generated in the high-temperature combustion gas generation apparatus (101) and are dissolved. Consequently, the biomass (205) is converted to clean and high-quality generated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science
    Inventors: Masayasu Sakai, Toshiyuki Takegawa, Hachiro Kawashima, Nobuaki Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120012039
    Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Palmas, Paul Alvin Sechrist, Daniel N. Myers, Sid Kulprathipanja, Stanley Joseph Frey, Barry Freel
  • Publication number: 20110265489
    Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichoimetric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 8047144
    Abstract: A multi-step process is provided in which waste material is processed in two or more steps. Specifically, an earlier step of the process heats the waste material at a first temperature. This results in a release of vapors for materials having a boiling point that is lower than the first temperature. A subsequent step of the process heats some or all of the remaining waste material at a second temperature, which is preferably higher than the first temperature. The subsequent heating results in a release of additional vapors for those materials having a boiling point that is lower than the second temperature. A system configured to carry out the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rineco Chemical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Whitney, Carl Wikstrom
  • Publication number: 20110232284
    Abstract: A process is described for obtaining energy from waste, comprising the following phases: a) bio-drying of municipal solid waste (MSW) to transform it into refuse-derived fuel (RDF), a dry, homogeneous material with piece size of around 20-30 cm, known by the name of RDF; h) compacting of the material obtained from phase a) into bales or BIOCUBr and storage of the BIOCUBI® in bioreactors; c) activation by wetting with water of the bioreactors to produce biogas by anaerobic digestion; d) combustion at the start of the material obtained from phase a) (RDF) and subsequently of the residue already digested in the bioreactors, and therefore not biodegradable, in a waste combustor provided with a system of purification of combustion gasses and production of superheated steam at approximately 400° C. and pressure of around 70 bar; e) combustion of the purified biogas in a conventional boiler provided with re-superheaters for raising the temperature of the steam produced by the waste combustor by approximately 100° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ECODECO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Natta, Gianni Donati, Cristina Donati
  • Patent number: 8020499
    Abstract: A reactor (107) for pyrolysis of carbonizable plastic and rubber materials is disclosed including at least an earlier stage reaction chamber (401) and a later stage reaction chamber (105), in which the earlier stage reaction chamber receives the materials for pyrolysis, and the later stage reaction chamber receives treated materials from the earlier stage reaction chamber for subsequent pyrolysis, and the reactor (107) includes a three-way valve (407) for directing the gaseous pyrolysis products from the later stage reaction chamber to one of three pathways, each to a different destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Overseas Capital Assets Limited
    Inventors: Wai Tak Chu, Chi Wai Hui, Bai Ru He, Zhi Qiang Wu, King Lung Lee, Chin Man Lee
  • Patent number: 8001912
    Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichiometric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Heat Transfer International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Graham
  • Publication number: 20110192329
    Abstract: With a method and a system for interruption-free fuel supply to a gasification system for the production of crude synthesis gas, whereby the fuel is passed from a fuel reservoir to a grinding/drying system, subsequently the resulting fuel dust is passed to a fuel storage container, from there to a dust feed container, and finally, to the gasifier, by way of transport means, the system availability is supposed to be increased, and, at the same time, the storage capacities are supposed to be minimized, in order to thereby particularly achieve a cost reduction. This is achieved in that the fuel in the form of dust is passed to the storage container from at least two grinding/drying systems, by way of transport means, whereby at least one of the transport means, as a dust transport device, is acted on by at least two grinding/drying systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE Gmbh
    Inventors: Stefan Hamel, Eberhard Kuske
  • Patent number: 7950339
    Abstract: Apparatus for the pyrolysis of solid waste material includes a thermal reactor including an elongate hollow housing with a reaction chamber disposed within the housing. The thermal reactor is vertically oriented in order to cause solid waste material fed thereinto to pass through said reaction chamber by the force of gravity and a plurality of vanes are disposed for both conducting heat into said reactor chamber and for tumbling said solid waste material as said solid waste material passes through said reaction chamber. Inlets and outlets are provided for passing oxygen transversely through the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Rainbow Conversion Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Shuman, Jerry Moffatt, Bruce Atwell, Robert J. Romacly, Glenn A. Romacly
  • Publication number: 20110120355
    Abstract: To suppress the generation of clinker so as to prevent the generation of a burning trouble, ceramic particles 30 are covered over a porous plate 4 to form a fire bed 3. Woody pellets 31 are scattered on the fire bed and combustion air is ejected from the lower side of the porous plate so as to burn the pellets. At the time of discharging ash generated by the burning to a secondary combustion space on the downstream side together with an air current of the combustion air or combustion gas, the ceramic particle layers and the woody pellet layer are stirred by a stirring section 21, 22 to thereby break clinker of the combustion ash formed in the fire bed, whereby the growth of the clinker is suppressed and the generation of a burning trouble is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Tongu, Muneo Iwauchi
  • Patent number: 7892303
    Abstract: A first process step comprises creating a hot gas, containing some molecular oxygen, by burning gas fuel with air and subsequently adding air to the burned gases. A second process step passes these hot oxygen containing gases through a bed of coal chunks, to remove volatile matter from the coal, and partially oxidize some of the volatile matter, as well as to transform the coal chunks into coke chunks. These hot coke chunks are transferred into a coke reaction chamber, where air is passed upward through the coke bed and oxidizes the coke largely to carbon monoxide, a fuel gas. This carbon monoxide fuel gas is combined with the volatile matter gases, and this fuel gas combination can be cleanly burned with addition thereto of overfire air. These process steps create a clean hot gas suitable for use in various apparatus, such as, steam boilers, gas turbines, and cement kilns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Carl Firey
  • Publication number: 20110030590
    Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying solid organic fuel includes a refractory-lined oxidation chamber, fuel storage, a transfer connecting the fuel storage with an inlet into the oxidation chamber for transferring in an upwardly inclined direction the solid fuel from the fuel storage into the inlet to form an upwardly mounded fuel bed. An oxidant is supplied into the fuel bed to gasify the organic materials in the fuel to produce a gaseous effluent from the fuel bed, thereby leaving a residue of the fuel. The residue drops through an opening under the oxidation chamber onto a residue removal transfer. The oxidant is supplied through a plurality of perforated air distribution members extending across the fuel bed cavity in the oxidation chamber so as to introduce air into the interior of the fuel bed to thereby promote evenly distributed gasification, evenly distributed through the fuel bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth Davison, Neal Stroulger, Dave Berner