Abstract: An industrial high temperature reformer and the reforming method in which a temperature of the reforming furnace is maintained at 1000° C. or higher by burning the coke, and a temperature of at least an upper half of the reforming furnace is maintained at 1200° C. or higher by burning the syngas, thereby producing syngas at a capacity of 500 m3/hour or more by reforming all carbonaceous feedstock which is supplied to the reforming furnace.

Abstract: A method of controlling a circulating fluidized bed gasifier includes feeding first and second portions of particulate material to be gasified through inlets in a gasifier. Oxygen and steam are fed through a bottom grid into a lower portion of the gasifier to fluidize the bed. Product gas and entrained particles are discharged from an upper portion of the gasifier. Particles are separated from the product gas and a portion of the separated particles is returned to the lower portion. A portion of the returned particles is oxidized to generate heat. Heat and oxidizing products from the lower portion are transferred to the center portion to generate the product gas. A ratio of the first and second portions of particulate material to be gasified is determined on the basis of a measured temperature profile so as to control the vertical temperature distribution in the gasifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus (10) for use in rarefying a syngas so as to improve a calorific value of the syngas through the reduction of a concentration of tar from the syngas. The apparatus (10) comprises a gasification/pyrolysis means (12) such as a kiln (11), for generation of a flow of syngas from a raw material, and a cracking means (14). The cracking means (14) comprising a body (42) having an insulated internal volume (44) adapted to hold a heated bed of char. The flow of syngas from the kiln (11) is directed through the cracking means (14) where it comes into contact with the heated bed of char. Heavy long-chained carbon based molecules within the syngas undergo a cracking reaction and are broken into constituent lighter carbon based molecules. The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a rarefied output flow of syngas having an improved calorific quality and a substantially reduced concentration of tar.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for gasifying or liquifying coal. In particular, the method comprises reacting a coal with a molten aluminum or aluminum alloy bath. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel for carrying out the reaction, as well as other equipment necessary for capturing and removing the reaction products. Further, the process can be used to cogenerate electricity using the excess heat generated by the process.

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.

Abstract: A process to recover bitumen from a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir comprising the following steps: a) injection of steam and oxygen separately into said bitumen reservoir and when mixed therein said mix being in the range of 5 to 50% O2, b) production of hot bitumen and water using a horizontal production well, and c) production/removal of non-condensable combustion gases to control reservoir pressure.

Abstract: A thermal evaporation apparatus for depositing of a material on a substrate is described. The apparatus can comprise material storage means; heating means to generate a vapour of the material in the material storage means; vapour outlet means comprising a vapour receiving pipe having vapour outlet passages, and emission reducing means arranged such that an external surface of the vapour outlet means directed to said substrate exhibits low emission. Also the use of the apparatus, and a method of depositing a material onto a substrate by thermal evaporation are described.

Abstract: A waste-to-energy conversion apparatus comprising a primary combustion chamber capable of holding a load of waste, and the primary combustion chamber further comprises a heat source to heat the waste and generate a syn gas stream, grates, within the primary chamber, capable of supporting the load of waste during heating, a mixing chamber wherein the syn gas is mixed with additional combustion gas, a multi-chambered secondary combustion chamber for combusting the mixture of syn gas and additional combustion gas, and an energy extraction system for extracting the heat energy generated by the combustion of the mixture of syn gas and additional combustion gas.

Abstract: Thermal evaporation apparatus for depositing of a material on a substrate, comprising material storage means; heating means to generate a vapor of the material in the material storage means; vapor outlet means comprising a vapor receiving pipe having vapor outlet passages, and emission reducing means arranged such that an external surface of the vapor outlet means directed to said substrate exhibits low emission, and wherein the apparatus further comprises pipe heating means in the interior of said vapor outlet means, wherein at least the surfaces of the material storage means, heating means, and emission reducing means and pipe heating means arranged to come into contact with the material vapor are of a corrosion-resistant material.

Abstract: A heat exchange method and system for heat transfer includes a plate fin and tube or finned tube heat exchanger that reduces the plume of a stream that is being rejected to atmosphere by reducing the water dew point of the stream.

Abstract: A down-draft fixed bed gasifier is disclosed that produced clean producer or synthesis gas. The gasifier can be installed at a stationary location or can be scaled down to enable placing the gasifier on a trailer that can be moved to the site of biomass generation. The gasifier is vertically oriented and generally cylindrical, and the design allows for a continual input of feedstock into the gasifier with less clogging and without lowering the gas pressure inside the gasifier. The design incorporates an internal catalyst to clean tars from the produced gas, and uses heat from the combustion chamber of the gasifier to heat the catalyst. The flow of air may be either positive flow or negative flow.

Abstract: A compact pressurized high-temperature gas cooler having superior heat exchange performance and excellent economical efficiency is provided. A return-flow structure is formed in which a flue through which high-temperature gas flows is formed in a pressure container, a heat exchanger is disposed in the flue, and a partition dividing the internal cross-sectional area of the flue is provided so that the high-temperature gas supplied from a bottom or a top portion of the pressure container flows back in a return direction. The cross-sectional-area division ratio dividing the internal cross-section of the flue is set so that the flow rate of the high-temperature gas flowing in one direction matches that flowing in the direction opposite thereto.

Abstract: A high pressure hot gas generating device comprises a combustion furnace; an interior of the combustion furnace having a combustion chamber; a lower side of the combustion furnace having an ash exhausting opening; an upper side of the combustion furnace having a high pressure hot gas output tube; a fuel transfer mechanism installed at one side of the combustion furnace and inserted into the combustion chamber for providing solid fuel to the combustion chamber of the combustion furnace; the fuel transfer mechanism can adjust the speed and amount of the solid fuel entering into the combustion chamber; and an air inlet unit installed at one side of the combustion furnace and inserted into the combustion chamber for supplying air to the combustion chamber to be used in the initial ignition; and an ignition unit.

Abstract: A heat tube assembly includes a tank mounting flange, a first heat tube and a second heat tube. The U configuration first heat tube has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are mounted in spaced relation to the mounting flange. A mounting for an open flame burner is provided at the first end of the first heat tube. A first exhaust is provided at the second end of the first heat tube. The U configuration second heat tube has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are mounted in spaced relation to the mounting flange. A coupling is provided for connecting a conduit from an engine exhaust to the first end of the second heat tube. A second exhaust is provided at the second end of the second heat tube.

Abstract: A system is described wherein a boiler 10 is integrated with an oxygen producing device 12. Combustion heat generated in the boiler 10 is used to generate steam in the boiler and is also applied to at least one of a sweep gas stream 13 and a feed gas stream 15 to ensure that the sweep gas and feed gas streams 12, 15 are provided at the appropriate temperature to the oxygen producing device 12. Flue gas generated by fuel combustion within the combustion chamber 14 may be used as the sweep gas stream 13, in which case, the flue gas exiting the oxygen producing device 12 includes the oxygen removed from the feed gas stream. The flue gas/oxygen mixture may be used for fuel combustion within the combustion chamber, and may be provided to an oxygen separator 28 for removing oxygen from the flue gas. Sensible heat contained in the oxygen depleted feed gas from the oxygen producing device 12 may be recovered by the feed gas stream 15.

Abstract: A stratified vapor generator (110) comprises a first heating section (H1) and a second heating section (H2). The first and second heating sections (H1, H2) are arranged so that the inlet of the second heating section (H2) is operatively associated with the outlet of the first heating section (H1). A moisture separator (126) having a vapor outlet (164) and a liquid outlet (144) is operatively associated with the outlet (124) of the second heating section (H2). A cooling section (C1) is operatively associated with the liquid outlet (144) of the moisture separator (126) and includes an outlet that is operatively associated with the inlet of the second heating section (H2).

Abstract: An oxygen separation and combustion apparatus such as a boiler or a nitrogen generator in which a plurality of fluid passages and oxygen transport membranes are located within a combustion chamber. The oxygen transport membranes separate oxygen from an oxygen containing gas, thereby to provide the oxygen within the combustion chamber to support combustion of a fuel and thereby to generate heat. The fluid passages are positioned to allow a portion of the heat to be transferred from the combustion to the oxygen transport membranes to heat said oxygen transport membranes to an operational temperature and a further portion of the heat to be transferred from the combustion to the fluid, thereby to heat the fluid and also, to help stabilize the operational temperature of said oxygen transport membranes. Fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber by injection or as a mixture with circulated flue gas.

Abstract: A system for transporting and burning under negative pressure in a boiler a raw coke oven gas to produce steam energy. The system has the usual battery of coke ovens and corresponding ascension pipes connected to a collector main. Flushing liquor is sprayed into the hot coke oven gases to effect cooling in the collector main. A transport main delivers the cooled raw coke oven gases and flushing liquor to a burner of a steam producing boiler where the transport main includes a downcomer for separating the raw coke oven gas from the flushing liquor. The coke oven gas is burned in the boiler where a suction fan is provided at the exhaust of the boiler to develop a negative pressure in the system where the boiler has reinforced walls to withstand the negative pressure. A change in negative pressure in the system is detected and monitored by a controller system which varies draw of the suction fan in response to a detected change in negative pressure in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas boiler which has a simple structure, which is easy to be installed, and which is manufactured at a low cost. The typical water tank is partitioned into an upper casing and a lower casing which are capable of communicated with each other. A circulation pump and a three-way valve are mounted to the lower casing in a row in the vertical direction, and a plurality of pipelines are arranged by using the above perpendicular arrangement as a reference. The circulation pump is coupled to the lower casing and the three-way valve is coupled to the circulation pump. Therefore, the size of the gas boiler is minimized and the manufacturing cost thereof is economized.

Abstract: A liquid deposition source delivery system (22) includes a reactant source (50) of a liquid chemical reactant, a first heater (54) positioned adjacent to the reactant source (50) , and a vapor collection system (56) in communication with the reactant source (50) to collect vapor evolved from the reactant source (50). A flow controller (64) has an upstream side (66) in communication with the vapor collection system (56). A line (70) of a vapor distribution system is in communication with the downstream side (68) of the flow controller (64). A second heater (76) is positioned adjacent to the flow controller (64), at least a portion of the vapor collection system (56), and at least a portion of the vapor distribution system, to prevent the vapor from condensing in the lines (70) of the delivery system.

Abstract: A water to fuel electrolysis system for providing hydrogen and oxygen gases to a steam boiler for the production of heat and steam.

Abstract: A process for monitoring the conditions in the reaction zone of a gasifier in a process for the gasification of coal to produce synthesis gas is disclosed, the process being characterized by continual or periodic calculation of the rate of steam production by the heat exchange system of the gasifier, and comparison of the calculated rate with a pre-selected value.

Abstract: In a method for safely operating a coal gasifier which is indirectly cooled by passing a heat-carrying oil through a cooling jacket of the gasifier, the pressure of the heat-carrying oil is continually measured after having passed through the cooling jacket. If the measured pressure falls below a predetermined pressure, the supply of coal and gasifying agents to the gasifier is interrupted, the passage of heat-carrying oil is interrupted and water or steam is passed through the cooling jacket until the gasifier is safely shutdown.

Abstract: This reactor for the gasification of solid fuels in the powdered form, of the type employing a bath of liquid metal (5) comprises: a substantially cylindrical vessel (1) which has a substantially oblong section and lateral walls (2) and a bottom wall (3) which are lined with a refractory lining (4), this vessel further comprising an orifice (37) for discharging the bath of liquid metal, and an orifice (36) for discharging slag supernatant on the bath of liquid metal (5), a dome (11) positioned in a sealed manner on the vessel (1) and having in its upper part in the vicinity of one of the ends of the vessel a sealed box (16) for introducing an injecting branch (17) and, also in its upper part, but at the opposite end of the vessel, an orifice (21) of large section for exhausting the gases produced, and a roughly central orifice (29) for introducing addition elements; and means (8, 9, 10a-e, 6, 13, 14, 15) for cooling the lateral walls and the bottom wall of the vessel and the dome.

Abstract: A steam supply system is provided for use in conjunction with both a superposed turbine driven by a steam boiler and a process chamber. The steam boiler operates at a pressure above that needed for consumption in the process chamber and uses highly purified water. The process chamber can use steam which has been generated from relatively low purity water and may be any steam consuming process, such as in one embodiment coal gasification, not requiring that the water be returned for re-use as steam. Energy remaining in the high purity steam after it leaves the superposed turbine is used in a condensing reboiler to heat the water into steam for the process chamber. The two fluids are kept essentially isolated from contact with each other in the condensing reboiler, and the high purity water is pumped back to the high pressure boiler in a closed loop system.

Abstract: A waste heat boiler system includes a vertically elongated waste heat boiler having an upper portion with a waste gas inlet and a lower portion with an exhaust line connection which in addition to its vapor generating tubes includes evaporator tube nests and a water preheater. The waste gases are received from a dry coke cooling vessel and they are delivered through a separator by a blower to the lower end of the coke cooling vessel for flow upwardly through the hot coke. The superheater is mounted over the waste heat boiler and has a connection through a controllable valve to the top of the waste heat boiler. The superheater includes its own burner and air and external gas supply are supplied to the combustion chamber for the superheater along with bypass portion of the circulated waste gases. The steam generated by the boiler is delivered from a steam cylinder or drum in the superheated tubes of the superheater.

Abstract: A gasifier (10) having an associated boiler (26, 32, 42, 48), for converting coal to combustible gas, and also having a desulfurizer (20) downstream of the gasifier. In order to maintain the gas leaving the gasifier and flowing to the desulfurizer above a predetermined temperature, even when operating the unit at reduced loads, a temperature sensing device (56) continuously monitors the gas temperature upstream of the desulfurizer. If the temperature drops below a predetermined value, high temperature boiler water (62) is introduced to the economizer (26) rather than feed water (24), so that less heat is absorbed by the economizer from the gases under these conditions.

Abstract: A water gas furnace comprising an outer container to provide a housing in which coke is placed into its lower part. A water container is placed within the housing. The coke is ignited and heats the water in the container converting it into steam. The steam is ejected into the coke, which together with air, produces water gas. Preferably, pumice stones are placed above the coke. The water gas is accepted into the pores of the pumice stones, where the heated pumice stones ignite the water gas, producing heat. The heat is extracted by a heat exchanger provided about the housing.

Abstract: An upright apparatus for cooling high pressure gases with a high dust component includes a radiation/convection cooler with longitudinally extending heat exchanger elements and a convection cooler follows the radiation/convection cooler on the gas side. As distinguished from known devices for the cooling of high pressure gases, the apparatus provides a largely uniform distribution of the gas at the cooling elements and hence a uniform thermal load of the individual elements in the radiation/convection cooler. A uniform cleaning of these cooling elements and easy removal of the dust from the cooling surfaces of these cooling elements is made possible, in order thereby to ensure a good heat transfer. The radiation/convection cooler heat exchanger elements are combined in finned tube walls forming lanes between them, which walls extend from one inner wall section to the opposite inner wall section.

Abstract: The gas cooler arrangement includes a first pressure vessel in which heat is yielded by radiation and a following convection gas cooler. The pressure vessel of the convection gas cooler includes a faller flue and at least one riser flue for cooling the gas. The flues comprise heat-removing tubes which are parts of a steam generator. The bottom of the pressure vessel contains an ash collection chamber which is connected to the ends of the flues and which can be emptied via a suitable closure element.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing gaseous products from solid and liquid, ash-containing fuels and mixtures thereof in an air stream in a reactor. The fuels are introduced into the reactor parallel to the axis thereof. The solid and liquid ash constituents are extensively separated from the gaseous products of the fuel in a slag bath before further cooling-off. The gaseous products are reversed by 180.degree. after leaving the reactor, and subsequently flow into one or more consecutively or parallel connected annular chambers, which are provided with heat exchanger heating surfaces and concentrically surround the reactor. The gaseous products are cooled in these annular chambers.

Abstract: A plant for the gasification of fossil fuels which includes a reactor container and a further plant component attachable to the reactor container. The reactor container has a discharge opening and includes a connection part extending outwardly from the discharge opening. A fireproof lining, which determines the inner cross-sectional area of the container, is provided within the container. An intermediate ring is interposed between the connecting part of the reactor container and the further plant component for attaching the connecting part to the further plant component. This intermediate ring is provided with a fireproof lining having an area of reduced inner cross-section which is less than the inner cross-sectional area of the fireproof lining of the reactor container, the area of reduced cross-section being the smallest cross-sectional area in the connection between the reactor container and the further plant component.

Abstract: A vapor generating system in which a furnace section is provided that is formed by four upright walls. A plurality of openings are formed in one of the walls, and a plurality of gasifiers extend adjacent said one wall and surround the openings so that the respective interiors of the gasifiers communicate with the openings. A bed of adsorbent material is supported in each gasifier for adsorbing the sulfur generated as a result of the gasification of fuel introduced into the gasifier, and air is passed through the bed of adsorbent material to fluidize said material so that, upon combustion of said fuel, a substantially sulfur-free product gas is produced which passes from the gasifier, through the openings and into the furnace section.

Abstract: A method for desulfurization, denitrification, and oxidation, of carbonaceous fuels including a two stage oxidation technique. The carbonaceous fuel, containing ash, along with an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into a first stage partial oxidation unit containing a molten ash slag maintained at a temperature of about 2200.degree.-2600.degree. F. A flux may also be introduced into the first stage partial oxidation unit for the purpose of increasing the basicity and maintaining the viscosity of the molten ash slag at a value no greater than about 10 poise. The carbonaceous fuel is gasified, and sulfur is chemically bound and captured in the molten ash slag. Since the first stage is operated in a gasification mode (reducing atmosphere), essentially all of the nitrogen in the fuel is converted to diatomic nitrogen, which results in low nitrogen oxide emissions upon final combustion.

Abstract: A method for desulfurization and oxidation of carbonaceous fuels including a two stage oxidation technique. The carbonaceous fuel, along with an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into a first stage partial oxidation unit containing molten slag maintained at a temperature of about 2200.degree.-2600.degree. F. A flux may also be introduced into the first stage partial oxidation unit for the purpose of maintaining the viscosity of the molten slag at a value no greater than about 10 poise. The carbonaceous fuel is gasified, and sulfur is chemically bound and captured in the molten slag. The combustible gas derived from partial oxidation and gasification is directed along a substantially horizontal path to a second stage oxidation unit for final combustion. The sulfur-containing slag is removed to a water-sealed quench system for disposal.

Abstract: The hot gas cooler comprises a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel and, disposed axially thereof, an insert which is closed over its periphery and embodied by sealingly welded-together tubes. The tubes are part of the heated pressure system of a vapor generator. The chamber bounded by the insert communicates at the top, by way of a gas supply passage extending through the pressure vessel with a reaction chamber and at the bottom, by way of a discharge passage, with a slag removal facility. Extending around the insert is a jacket embodied by sealingly welded-together tubes, so that an annular chamber closed off from the casing of the pressure vessel extends around the insert. The annular chamber communicates at the bottom with the insert chamber. Disposed in the top part of annular chamber is a coolable gas discharge passage which is connected to the jacket and extends through the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a downflowing high pressure stream of hot raw synthesis gas from the reaction zone of a free flow partial oxidation gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F. is passed through a first gas diversion and residue separation chamber contained in a first pressure vessel where the velocity of the gas stream is reduced, solid material and molten slag are separated by gravity from the gas stream, and the direction is diverted into a thermally insulated side transfer line. The hot gas stream is then passed through a thermally insulated gas-solids impingement separation means contained in a second pressure vessel where its direction and velocity is changed and additional residue is separated. The hot gas stream is then passed upwardly through a radiant cooler where additional solid matter is removed by gravity and the gas temperature is reduced to a temperature in the range of about 900.degree. to 1800.degree. F.

Abstract: The reactor for the production of CO and H.sub.2 containing gases by means of a partial oxidation of powdery or liquid high ash fuels in a carburation fluid including free oxygen, at high temperatures and increased pressure, includes a pressure vessel enclosing a gas-tight housing whereby an interspace is formed between the inner wall of the vessel and the outer surface of the housing. Within the housing is arranged a cooling wall enclosing the reaction chamber proper. The cooling wall includes a coil of cooling pipes embedded in a mass of refractory material such as silicium carbide. The pipes are partially supported on web sections projecting from the inner surface of the housing into the refractory lining. The web sections prevent propagation of leaking hot gas from the reaction chamber along the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A water jacket for coal gasification in which the gas producer is provided with an inwardly directed collar spaced from the water jacket and a plurality of apertures through the collar formation such that the collar can assist in supporting the refractory material of the wall of the gas producer.

Abstract: An apparatus in which the hot raw synthesis gas stream leaving the reaction zone of a free flow partial oxidation gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F. is passed through a first gas diversion and residue separation zone where the velocity of the gas stream is reduced and its direction is diverted into a side transfer line. Solid material and molten slag separate by gravity from the gas stream. The hot gas stream is then introduced into a second gas diversion and residue separation zone, which comprises a plurality of high temperature resistant, thermally insulated cyclones, where the direction and velocity is changed and additional residue is separated. About 0.5 to 20 vol. % of the hot gas stream may be passed through bottom outlets in said first and second gas diversion zones in order to prevent bridging.

Abstract: An arrangement for pressure gasification of fine-grain coal in which the exit of a reactor is followed by a waste heat boiler for cooling the generated gas. The waste heat boiler has a radiation section and downstream heat exchanger surfaces. The reactor is provided, furthermore, with cooling cubes which are studded and lined with refractory ramming mix. The radiant type heating surfaces are sized so that the gas temperature at the exit of the radiation section is situated below the ash sintering temperature of the coal being used. On gas sides, the radiation section is followed by a pressure vessel accommodating convection type heating surface banks which are swept by the generated gas. The radiation section may be in the form of two gas passages through which the gas flows successively. These gas passages are formed by the tube walls welded between each other in a gas-type manner.

Abstract: The reactor for producing gas from powdery fuels comprises an outer metal sheet jacket, an inner pressure resistant jacket defining with the outer jacekt a first interspace for a cooling liquid, reinforcing brick lining adjoining the inner wall of the inner jacket, a cooling shield enclosing a reaction chamber and defining with the brick lining a second interspace for an inert cooling fluid. The cooling shield has at its upper end a gap communicating with the second interspace and the lower end of the reactor is provided with a pressure releasing conduit communicating with the bottom of the second interspace so that when the gas generating process is interrupted and the conduit is opened the pressurized gas escapes from the reactor chamber through the upper gap and flows through the major part of the second interspace to be cooled down before the discharge from the connecting conduit.

Abstract: The hot raw synthesis gas stream leaving the reaction zone of a free flow partial oxidation gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F. is passed through a first gas diversion and residue separation zone where the velocity of the gas stream is reduced and its direction is diverted into a side transfer line. Solid material and molten slag separate by gravity from the gas stream. The hot gas stream is then introduced into a second gas diversion and residue separation zone where additional residue is separated. About 0.5 to 20 vol. % of the hot gas stream may be passed through bottom outlets in said first and second gas diversion zones in order to prevent bridging. The hot gas stream from the second gas diversion zone is passed upwardly through a radiant cooler where additional solid matter is removed by gravity and the gas temperature is reduced to a temperature in the range of about 900.degree. to 1800.degree. F.

Abstract: A coal gasifying burner characterized by a rotating grill which is composed of grill disks arranged on two pipes with a narrow gap between the grills and which rotates very slowly inwards when viewed from the top sloped side walls made of metal sheet having a sloper compatible with coal flow, a cylindrical jacket placed around the periphery of the nozzle which delivers combustion air to the burner, gasification of a quantity of coal located on the sloping side walls around a narrow area where coal combustion takes place, and combustion of the generated coal gas outside of the burner by secondary air which cools the system and gets heated itself by the coal cooking process.

Abstract: The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,123 is improved by constructing the heat recovery stage as a relatively elongated water-wall type of heat exchanger within a pressure shell, rather than of shell and tube type. The heat exchanger is advantageously formed from contiguous, externally finned, vertical tubes that are rigidly joined together to form a laterally closed, heat recovery chamber, the fin portion of one being welded along its tip to the tube portion of another adjoining such fin portion. The heat exchanger tubes preferably continue vertically throughout substantially the entire height of the gasification reaction i.e. combustion chamber of the first stage of the apparatus, completely eliminating the intermediate quench stage of the patented apparatus and serving to recover heat from the combustion stage as well as from the heat recovery stage by a heat exchange fluid, such as water, flowing through the tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing high pressure gas, such as high pressure coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of steam in a central reaction column of a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular chamber surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. The hot flue gas is used to drive a turbine which in turn, drives a compressor which introduces compressed air into the annular chamber. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.

Abstract: Coal is gasified to produce a coal gasification effluent and a char residue. The char residue is cooled by indirect heat transfer in a char bed, and the coal gasification effluent is passed through the cool char bed to effect cooling of the coal gasification effluent, with tars and oil present in the effluent being absorbed by the char bed. In this manner, the gasification effluent is cooled without fouling of heat transfer surfaces, and tars and oils are effectively removed therefrom.

Abstract: An industrial boiler comprising a combustion chamber having a furnace therein, means for feeding products of combustion from the combustion chamber to a heat exchanger to heat water/stream therein, a pyrolytic retort, means to feed said products of combustion into heat transfer relationship with the retort to pyrolize material therein and means to feed products of pyrolysis from the retort.

Abstract: A boiler having a hot gas generator for burning liquid or gaseous fuels. The hot gas generator comprises a combustion chamber unit, into the combustion chamber of which the fuel and air for combustion are introduced and in which the combustion of the fuel takes place. The combustion gases are conveyed out of the combustion chamber into a water cooled boiler firebox. A compressor supplies the air for combustion into the combustion chamber unit. A flue gas conduit, which leads to the flue gas vent of the boiler, at its inlet end, which is connected with the boiler firebox, is connected with the air intake of the compressor of the hot gas generator for recirculating a regulatable amount of flue gases into the combustion chamber unit of the hot gas generator. The flue gas conduit offers a resistance to the flow of flue gas therein, which resistance is greater than the chimney draft force present in the flue gas vent of the boiler.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of air and steam in a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam and air to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. In some cases the air may be eliminated to produce nitrogen-free gas. In other instances, the production of methane and higher hydrocarbons may be suppressed to produce a gas consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular space surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam and air introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.