Coal, Oil And Water Patents (Class 48/200)
  • Patent number: 9972856
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack and FC peripheral equipment. In the fuel cell module, a stress relaxing portion for relaxing heat stress is provided at least along a boundary between a central area and one of outer annular areas or between the outer annular areas. The stress relaxing portion includes a plurality of curved portions including a first curved portion having the largest radius, and a second curved portion and a third curved portion, which are formed respectively at both ends of the first curved portion such that a space lies on the outer side of each of the second and third curved portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Yoshimine, Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9028568
    Abstract: A system includes a carbon dioxide treatment system that includes a catalyst configured to treat carbon dioxide to produce a treated carbon dioxide. The system also includes a gasifier injector configured to inject the treated carbon dioxide, a fuel, and oxygen into a gasifier. The gasifier injector may be coupled to or located inside the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Douglas Steele, Pradeep Stanley Thacker
  • Patent number: 9028571
    Abstract: A process and system for cooling syngas provides effective syngas cooling and results in reduced levels of fouling in syngas cooling equipment. A process for cooling syngas includes blending syngas with cooled recycled syngas in an amount effective for providing a blended syngas with a temperature at an inlet of a syngas cooler of about 600° F. to about 1400° F. The blended syngas changes direction of flow at least once prior to the inlet of the syngas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ineos Bio SA
    Inventors: Peter S. Bell, Nicolas Vanhecke, Bernard Descales
  • Patent number: 9017435
    Abstract: A system, including a gasifier comprising a wall defining a chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a port, a combination feed injector coupled to the inlet, wherein the combination feed injector is configured to inject a first fuel and air or oxygen into the chamber to preheat the gasifier, and the combination feed injector is configured to inject a second fuel and oxygen into the gasifier after preheating to gasify the second fuel, an optical device coupled to the port, a sensor coupled to the optical device, and a monitoring system coupled to the sensor, wherein the monitoring system is configured to acquire data from the sensor, process the data, and provide an output representative of a condition of the gasifier based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 9011561
    Abstract: A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Thermochem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Jonathan A. Zenz, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 8999020
    Abstract: Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided. In addition, the processes provide for the generation of a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and, optionally, a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream, which can be mixed or used separately as an energy source for subsequent catalytic gasification processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Pattabhi K. Raman, Francis S. Lau, Earl T. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8999022
    Abstract: A method for producing synthetic gas from biomass by: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a pyrolysis furnace while spraying a first superheated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, controlling the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace at 500-800° C., contacting the biomass with the first superheated water vapor for a pyrolysis reaction to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; b) cooling the ash, and separating the coke from the ash; c) transporting the crude synthetic gas and the coke into a gasifier, spraying a second superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the second superheated water vapor for a gasification reaction to yield primary synthetic gas; and d) cooling, removing dust, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to obtain clean synthetic gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yilong Chen, Hongming Tang, Yanfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8992640
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems for using an expander. In a first embodiment, a system includes a flow path and a gasification section disposed along the flow path. The gasification section is configured to convert a feedstock into a syngas. The system also includes a scrubber disposed directly downstream of the gasification section and configured to filter the syngas. The system also includes a first expander disposed along the flow path directly downstream from the scrubber and configured to expand the syngas. The syngas comprises an untreated syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Khodaram Rustom Khosravian, Ronald Frederick Tyree, Patrick Joseph McKenna
  • Patent number: 8974557
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Good Earth Power Corporation
    Inventor: John Dooher
  • Patent number: 8951311
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fuel gasification system includes optimizing a conversion of solid components in the fuel to gaseous fuel components, controlling the flux of solids entrained in the product gas through equipment downstream of the gasifier, and maximizing the overall efficiencies of processes utilizing gasification. A combination of models, when utilized together, can be integrated with existing plant control systems and operating procedures and employed to develop new control systems and operating procedures. Such an approach is further applicable to gasification systems that utilize both dry feed and slurry feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Peter L. Rozelle, Victor K. Der
  • Patent number: 8915980
    Abstract: A process for the discharge of slag and ash from a gasification reactor is disclosed. These solids are directed from the gasification reactor into a water bath housed with the gasification reactor in a pressure vessel. There are at least two lock hoppers underneath the water bath which are fed with a stream of water/solids via a pipe and a flow divider element, it being possible to supply the lock hoppers individually and in a controlled manner with a stream of water/solids via shut-off devices. The filling is performed in a manner that encourages the sett-ling process by withdrawing a stream of liquid from the lock hopper being filled, the filling time being controlled so as to prevent the solids settling above the valves and lock hoppers. Also disclosed is an apparatus with at least two lock hoppers underneath the water bath of a gasification reactor, there being, in an advantageous embodiment, a flow divider element and shut-off devices between the water bath and the lock hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hanrott
  • Patent number: 8894729
    Abstract: A gasification reactor comprising a gasifier with a tubular gastight wall arranged within a pressure vessel. The gasification reactor comprises one or more pressure responsive devices comprising a sleeve with a cooled section extending outwardly from an opening in the gastight wall. The pressure responsive devices can, e.g., include a pressure measurement device and/or a pressure equalizer. Method of using a pressure responsive device with such a gasifier, wherein a heat sluice is used formed by a sleeve with a cooled section extending outwardly from an opening in the gastight wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
  • Patent number: 8894728
    Abstract: In the case of a device for gasification of carbonaceous fuels, having a discharge for slags into a slag bath, a solution is supposed to be created with which the gasifier discharge opening is reliably kept at a temperature that guarantees that the slag will flow out. This is achieved in that the gasifier discharge opening (6) is equipped with a ceramic drip edge (7) that can be electrically heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Domenico Pavone, Ralf Abraham, Muhammad Iqbal Mian
  • Patent number: 8845770
    Abstract: A gasification system including a gasifier, a feed injector, and a fuel feed system that includes a first feed line, a second feed line, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the first feed line to supply a fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to supply oxygen into the feed injector, receive instructions to add a slurry to the gasifier, prevent the first feed line from supplying the fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the first feed line to supply the slurry into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to simultaneously supply the oxygen and the inert gas into the feed injector, and prevent the second feed line from supplying the inert gas into the feed injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Frederick Tyree, Huan Van Ho
  • Patent number: 8840690
    Abstract: A gasification reactor including a gasifier with a tubular gastight wall arranged within a pressure vessel. The tubular gastight wall is provided with one or more pressure relief passages sealed by a rupture element. The pressure relief passages can be provided with a cooled section, such as a double walled section confining a coolant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
  • Patent number: 8828109
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gasification reactor includes extending an injection device at least partially into the gasification reactor. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip and at least one outer surface. The modular tip includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method further includes forming at least one layer of insulation about at least a portion of the at least one outer surface to facilitate insulating at least a portion of the injection device from heat within the gasification reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter, Constantin Bugescu, Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8808411
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a high-purity gas. The process includes an interrelationship among at least four bath vessels, each of which has a molten metal bath. In one embodiment, the process generally includes adding a gas stream into a first bath vessel and then removing that gas stream to introduce it into a third bath vessel. The third bath gas stream is removed to ultimately obtain hydrogen. Steam is added to a fourth bath vessel to ultimately produce additional hydrogen. One or more gas streams produced in the third and/or fourth bath vessels are added to a second bath vessel to ultimately result in production of methane or carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
  • Patent number: 8764860
    Abstract: A system includes a gasification vessel configured to receive a fuel and an oxidizer. The system also includes a gasifier disposed in the gasification vessel. The gasifier is configured to partially oxidize the fuel and the oxidizer to generate a syngas. The system further includes a convective syngas cooler configured to cool the syngas via heat exchange with a coolant. The convective syngas cooler is disposed in an interior of the gasification vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, James Michael Storey
  • Patent number: 8696774
    Abstract: A system is provided that comprises a gasifier with an enclosure disposed about a chamber, wherein the enclosure comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall between the top and bottom walls. The gasifier also comprises an outlet disposed in the bottom wall, a first injector disposed in the top wall, and a second injector disposed in the side wall, wherein the first and second injectors are configured to inject fuel, oxygen, or a combination thereof, into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Cliff Yi Guo
  • Patent number: 8398730
    Abstract: A method of producing substitute natural gas (SNG) includes providing a gasification reactor having a cavity defined at least partially by a first wall. The reactor also includes a first passage defined at least partially by at least a portion of the first wall and a second wall, wherein the first passage is in heat transfer communication with the first wall. The reactor further includes a second passage defined at least partially by at least a portion of the second wall and a third wall. The method also includes coupling the cavity in flow communication with the first and second passages. The method further includes producing a first synthetic gas (syngas) stream within the cavity. The method also includes channeling at least a portion of the first syngas stream to the first and second passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Steven Wallace, Arnaldo Frydman
  • Patent number: 8388708
    Abstract: A process and device for the material utilization of soot from the waste water of a gasification appliance (heavy oil POX) in which a hydrogen- and carbon monoxide-containing (crude synthesis gas) is generated from relatively high-boiling hydrocarbons by partial oxidation, is disclosed. The soot-loaded waste water from the heavy oil POX is mixed with naphtha and is subsequently introduced into a separator (decanter) from which a substantially soot-free water fraction and a substantially water-free naphtha/soot mixture are taken off separately, where the naphtha/soot mixture is fed as feed to a further gasification appliance (naphtha POX), in which appliance predominantly naphtha is converted into a crude synthesis gas by partial oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Juergen Glaser
  • Patent number: 8257454
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Philipp Haueter, Andreas Z'Graggen, Dominic Trommer, Aldo Steinfeld, Manuel Romero, Juan Carlos De Jesus, Domingo Rodriguez, Alfredo Morales, Julian Blanco
  • Patent number: 8114177
    Abstract: Continuous processes are provided for converting a carbonaceous feedstock comprising biomass containing alkali metal, non-biomass components, and at least one gasification catalyst including an alkali metal recovered from solid char, into a plurality of gaseous products including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin J. Hippo, Pattabhi K. Raman
  • Patent number: 8083817
    Abstract: An entrained bed gasifier for operation with particulate or liquid fuels is provided. A reaction chamber defined by a cold screen and a quenching chamber connected to the reaction chamber using a crude gas and slag outlet, wherein at least the cold screen is enclosed by a pressure-resistant pressure mantle. The annular gap between the cold screen and pressure jacket may be filled with a fluid, for example, water or heat transfer oil. A rough pressure equalization between the gasification chamber and the annual gap may be guaranteed using a connection between the annular gap and the quenching chamber or the crude gas line, hence the pressure in the gasification chamber normally remains slightly higher than in the inner water jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Friedemann Mehlhose, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Publication number: 20110023362
    Abstract: An entrained bed gasifier for operation with particulate or liquid fuels is provided. A reaction chamber defined by a cold screen and a quenching chamber connected to the reaction chamber using a crude gas and slag outlet, wherein at least the cold screen is enclosed by a pressure-resistant pressure mantle. The annular gap between the cold screen and pressure jacket may be filled with a fluid, for example, water or heat transfer oil. A rough pressure equalization between the gasification chamber and the annual gap may be guaranteed using a connection between the annular gap and the quenching chamber or the crude gas line, hence the pressure in the gasification chamber normally remains slightly higher than in the inner water jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Friedemann Mehlhose, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Publication number: 20100319253
    Abstract: A process for refining raw materials containing oil and/or bitumen includes supplying water and the raw materials to an expulsion stage and/or an expulsion stage and a downstream gasification stage to obtain solids containing non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons and to expel hydrocarbonaceous vapour. The expelled hydrocarbonaceous vapour is supplied to a processing stage and is further processed to expel hydrocarbonaceous vapour to obtain processing stage products which are separated and withdrawn. The solids from the expulsion stage and/or the expulsion stage and the downstream gasification stage are introduced into a combustion stage. The non-evaporated fractions of heavy hydrocarbons are burned in the combustion stage to obtain hot solids which are recirculated from the combustion stage into the expulsion stage and/or the downstream gasification stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventor: Erwin Schmidbauer
  • Patent number: 7608170
    Abstract: The method enables the attainment of an open and continuous flow of an aqueous slurry containing carbonaceous solids into a high-pressure and high temperature environment which will result in the occurrence of at least two chemical processes: (1) aqueous pyrolysis (hydrous pyrolysis) and (2) hydrolytic disproportionation. This combination of processes will effect conversion of suspended organic materials into hydrocarbon liquids or gases depending on the mix of the temperature, pressure, and residence time in the reactor. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon-bearing slurry can be refined (separated into various constituents) using standard existing technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: John R. Ousey
  • Publication number: 20080289822
    Abstract: A method and system for producing steam for extraction of heavy bitumen including the steps of mixing carbon or hydrocarbon fuel. The fuel is crude oil, vacuum residue, asphaltin, petcoke or coal. The oxidation gas includes oxygen, oxygen enriched air or air-combustion of the mixture under high pressure and high temperature. The fuel is mixed with low quality contaminated water containing organics and inorganics. The liquid phase transferred to a gas phase includes steam and carbon dioxide, wherein solids are separated from the gas phase. The gas phase is mixed with saturated water to scrub the remaining solids and produce saturated steam. The solid rich water is recycled back for combustion. The saturated steam super-heated dry steam and gas mixture is send to an enhanced oil recovery facility for injection into an underground reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: EX-TAR TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.
    Inventor: Maoz BETZER TSILEVICH
  • Patent number: 7247293
    Abstract: A process for the producton of pure syngas (hydrogen and carbon dioxide) by fast gasification of liquid, muddy, or solid raw materials, either produced for the purpose or from industrial processes in which they can not be recycled, or fuels from wastes or biomass, which process is carried out in a modular reactor including a raw materials feeding area, a gasification area, a discharging area of the residues in powdery or vitrified form. The obtained syngas is sent to a purification and compression step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nesi Plant S.A.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Sorace
  • Patent number: 7169197
    Abstract: Solid waste resource recovery in space is effected by pyrolysis processing, to produce light gases as the main products (CH4, H2, CO2, CO, H2O, NH3) and a reactive carbon-rich char as the main byproduct. Significant amounts of liquid products are formed under less severe pyrolysis conditions, and are cracked almost completely to gases as the temperature is raised. A primary pyrolysis model for the composite mixture is based on an existing model for whole biomass materials, and an artificial neural network models the changes in gas composition with the severity of pyrolysis conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Serio, Erik Kroo, Marek A. Wojtowicz, Eric M. Suuberg
  • Patent number: 7077878
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method for gasifying organic materials which is simple to carry out and requires minimal equipment and which produced an undiluted gas of high calorific value. The inventive method should eliminate the need to use fluid beds and heat exchangers with high temperatures on both sides, with the heat being transferred from the furnace to a heat-carrying medium in a particularly defined way. To this end, the feed material is divided into a volatile phase and a solid carbon-containing residue in the pyrolysis reactor by circulating a hot heat-carrying medium. After the reaction agent has been added, said volatile phase is converted into the product gas by further heating in the reaction area, also using the heat-carrying medium. The solid, carbon-containing residue is separated from the heat-carrying medium in the separating stage and burnt in the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Mühlen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz-Jürgen Mühlen, Christoph Schmid
  • Patent number: 6997965
    Abstract: A method of the gasification of coal using oxygen and steam is provided wherein the coal is gasified at a temperature of from 1000 to 2500° C. and a pressure of from 1 to 100 kg/cm2 using oxygen generated by electrolyzing water and steam having a temperature of from 300 to 600° C. attained by heat exchange heat with a high temperature gas generated by the coal gasification. In the method, a remarkably higher efficiency and low carbon dioxide emission is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Toyo Engineering Corporation, The Institute of Applied Energy
    Inventor: Yukuo Katayama
  • Patent number: 6929668
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and optionally nitrogen, from at least a hydrocarbon such as methane, propane, butane or LPG or natural gas, which comprises performing a partial catalytic oxidation of one or several hydrocarbons, at a temperature of 500° C., at a pressure of 3 to 20 bars, in the presence of oxygen or a gas containing oxygen, such as air, to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Recuperating the gas mixture, which can subsequently be purified or separated, by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption or by permeation, to produce hydrogen having a purity of at least 80% and a residue gas capable of supplying a cogeneration unit. In another embodiment, the gas mixture can subsequently be purified of its water vapor impurities and carbon dioxide to obtain a thermal treatment atmosphere containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Cyrille Millet, Daniel Gary, Philippe Arpentinier
  • Publication number: 20040231243
    Abstract: An ash melting system of the present invention includes a slagging combustion furnace (10) for melting ash into molten slag; and a slag separating apparatus (50) for bringing the molten slag (121) discharged from the slagging combustion furnace into contact with slag cooling water (152) to produce water-quenched slag (122), and separating the water-quenched slag from the slag cooling water. The ash melting system further includes a gas blowing means for blowing air or inert gas (132) between a slag discharge port (14) of the slagging combustion furnace and the surface of the slag cooling water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Chikao Goke, Nobuya Azuma, Masaaki Irie, Kazuo Takano, Tetsuhisa Hirose, Kazuaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6790383
    Abstract: A method of gasifying organic materials (carbonaceous compounds) such as coal, shredded waste tire or waste oil into gaseous fuel, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and an apparatus therefore are provided. The method comprises the steps of supplying initial fuel gas and oxygen into a gasification reactor to produce water and carbon dioxide, supplying the organic materials into the reactor and reacting them with the water and carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, discharging the carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas from the reactor, recycling a part of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas discharged from the reactor into the reactor, and reacting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas supplied into the reactor with oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide. The method facilitates the control of temperature in the gasification reactor as well as produces fuel gas of high quality by increasing the concentration of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Hyun Yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20040123523
    Abstract: A fuel conversion reactor includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a hot gaseous mixture produced by catalytic or non-catalytic reaction of a fuel with a gaseous fluid, and for controlling the temperature of the gaseous fluid and/or the fuel prior to the reaction. The reactor is either a catalytic or non-catalytic burner, or a fuel reformer for converting a fuel to hydrogen. A preferred reactor includes an outer shell having first and second ends and an inner surface, a primary inner shell extending into the outer shell, the primary inner shell defining a heat exchanging chamber and having primary and secondary ends, and a secondary inner shell having a first end located adjacent the secondary end of the primary inner shell. One or more outlet apertures are formed between the two inner shells for passage of the gaseous fluid out of the heat exchanging chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Xiaoyang Rong, Brian E. Cheadle
  • Patent number: 6676716
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastes by gasification recovers useful resources including energy, valuables such as metals, and gases for use as synthesis gas for chemical industries or fuel. The wastes are gasified in a fluidized-bed reactor at a relatively low temperature. Gaseous material and char produced in the fluidized-bed reactor are introduced into a high-temperature combustor, and low calorific gas or medium calorific gas is produced in the high-temperature combustor at a relatively high temperature. The fluidized-bed reactor preferably is a revolving flow-type fluidized-bed reactor. The high-temperature combustor preferably is a swirling-type high-temperature combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimura, Shosaku Fujinami, Tetsuhisa Hirose, Takahiro Oshita, Masaaki Irie, Kazuo Takano
  • Patent number: 6635094
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the recovery of elemental carbon or soot produced during the partial oxidation reaction of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel and oxygen. An effluent stream of raw synthesis gas or syngas with entrained carbon soot is produced during the partial oxidation reaction. A filter cake (2) is fed to a receiving bin (10) and then to a lockhopper (14) where the wet filter cake is pressurized. Wet filter cake/oil feed mixture from lockhopper (14) is fed through line (38) to knockout vessel (44) wherein oil and water vapor exit (50) to a gasifier. An oil feed/particulate carbon mixture exits lockhopper (14) through lines (66) and (70) to oil feed storage drum (26), fed by oil feed (24), and exits water-free mixture of oil and solids (76) to a gasifier reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Jahnke
  • Patent number: 5423894
    Abstract: Pumpable aqueous slurries of low rank coal e.g. subbituminous coal and lignite having a comparatively high solids content are made by keeping the particles of coal in contact with a non-oxidizing gas e.g. nitrogen and/or CO.sub.2 thereby maintaining a hydrophobic surface on the particles of coal while they are ground and dried, contacted with an aqueous slurry of liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel which is absorbed and which coats the particles of coal, and then dried. The dried coated particles of low rank coal are mixed with water to produce a pumpable slurry having a solids content in the range of about 50 to 60 wt. %. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the water needed to produce said pumpable slurry is derived by cooling and condensing out water from the non-oxidizing gas that was used to dry the low rank coal. In still another embodiment, the dewatered non-oxidizing gas is introduced into the combustor of a gas turbine to moderate the temperature and thereby reduce the formation of NO.sub.x gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Child, William L. Lafferty, Jr., Motasimur R. Khan
  • Patent number: 5401282
    Abstract: A partial oxidation process for the production of a stream of hot clean gas substantially free from particulate matter, ammonia, alkali metal compounds, halides and sulfur-containing gas for use as synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. A hydrocarbonaceous fuel comprising a solid carbonaceous fuel with or without liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, wherein said hydrocarbonaceous fuel contains halides, alkali metal compounds, sulfur, nitrogen and inorganic ash containing components, is reacted in a gasifier by partial oxidation to produce a hot raw gas stream comprising H.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O, CH.sub.4, NH.sub.3, HCl, HF, H.sub.2 S, COS, N.sub.2, Ar, particulate matter, vapor phase alkali metal compounds, and molten slag. The hot raw gas stream from the gasifier is split into two streams which are separately deslagged, cleaned and recombined. Ammonia in the gas mixture is catalytically disproportionated into N.sub.2 and H.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Leininger, Allen M. Robin, James K. Wolfenbarger, Robert M. Suggitt
  • Patent number: 5324336
    Abstract: Abundant low cost low rank coal may now be gasified by partial oxidation or burned in a furnace or boiler. About 30 to 45 parts by wt. of comminuted low rank coal is mixed and reacted in the reaction zone of a partial oxidation gas generator with a free-oxygen containing gas and (a) about 1 to 3 parts by wt. of a residual fuel oil, and (b) about 70 to 55 parts by wt. of water. The hot effluent stream of synthesis gas, reducing gas or fuel gas from the partial oxidation gasifier may be purified to provide a gas stream which will not pollute the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Edward T. Child
  • Patent number: 4696678
    Abstract: A method for the gasification of coal in a fluidized bed gasifier to improve gasification efficiency comprising the steps of introducing coal into the thermal cracking zone of a fluidized bed gasifier, thermally cracking and partially combusting the coal in said gasifier, recovering a fluid product gas containing fine particles therein from the fluidized bed gasifier, separating the fine particles as char from the first product gas, gasifying said recovered fine char particles at a temperature higher than its melting point in a high temperature gasifier to produce ash and a second product gas having H.sub.2 and CO as its main components, recovering the ash as a slag and feeding the second product gas containing H.sub.2 and CO to the coal feeding position of the fluidized bed gasifier in the thermal cracking zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shuntaro Koyama, Hiroshi Miyadera, Tomohiko Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 4533463
    Abstract: Coal and residual oil are simultaneously processed in a reactor with a combustion zone at the bottom and a fluidized bed on top of it. The residual oil is injected into heat exchange relationship with the top of the fluidized bed where it is cracked with heat generated by the combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Tsoung Y. Yan, Darrell D. Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 4426809
    Abstract: Solid fuels are gasified in a fixed bed with gasifying agents passed through the fixed bed from below. The gasification residues are withdrawn as solid ash or as liquid slag under the fixed bed. The reactor is charged with solid fuels through a lock chamber and with tar through a supply conduit. The tar is delivered to the fuel in numerous individual streams, which are distributed over the cross-section of the fixed bed.In the gasifying reactor, an inclined distributor surface is disposed over the fixed bed and has numerous passage openings for the tar and the solid fuels. The outlet end of the tar supply conduit is directed to the upper portion of the distributor surface. A tar tub having outlet openings is associated with the distributor surface and serves to receive the tar. The distributor surface is rotatable on a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Kupfer, Paul Rudolph
  • Patent number: 4306941
    Abstract: A dry coke quenching process comprises the steps of preheating a coke from a coke oven to a temperature of not lower than 1200.degree. C. by way of burning over its layer a combustible gas mixed with heated air, cooling the coke first to a temperature of not lower than 700.degree. C. with a mixture of hydrocarbons and water vapor, and then with an inert gas to a temperature of from 200.degree. to 250.degree. C.An apparatus for effecting the process of the invention comprises a chamber lined from inside with refractory brick and provided with a means for introducing a combustible gas and heated air to the upper part of the chamber and for discharging combustion gases therefrom. Provided in the middle part of the chamber are means intended for a heated mixture of hydrocarbons and water vapor to pass in therethrough and for a flow of the resultant gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to escape therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventors: Vasily E. Privalov, Ivan G. Zubilin, Zoltan-Ivan I. Todavchich, Nikolai K. Kulakov, Adolf N. Silka, Alexandr N. Minasov, Mikhail G. Ananievsky, Naum E. Temkin, Vyacheslav I. Solodkov
  • Patent number: 4277365
    Abstract: A reducing gas having a high H.sub.2 +CO content and a low H.sub.2 O+CO.sub.2 content is prepared by gasifying a feed mixture comprising low grade hydrocarbon oil and a high ash solid fuel and a fluxing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Peter L. Paull, Edward T. Child
  • Patent number: 4257782
    Abstract: An improvement in the fixed-bed pressure gasification of coal is described. The improvement includes removing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon (e.g., tar) from the raw gaseous fuel produced in the gasification process and introducing the the removed hydrocarbon directly into the interior of the coal bed below the devolatilization zone and at or above the maximum-temperature location in the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Woodmansee
  • Patent number: 4150953
    Abstract: In an integrated coal gasification power plant, a humidifier is provided for transferring as vapor, from the aqueous blowdown liquid into relatively dry air, both (I) at least a portion of the water contained in the aqueous liquid and (II) at least a portion of the volatile hydrocarbons therein. The resulting humidified air is advantageously employed as at least a portion of the hot air and water vapor included in the blast gas supplied via a boost compressor to the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Woodmansee
  • Patent number: 4134740
    Abstract: The effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator is scrubbed with water. A dispersion of particulate carbon and water is produced, mixed with a liquid organic extractant, and separated in a decanter. The overhead stream from the decanter, comprising a dispersion of carbon in the liquid organic extractant, together with small amounts of water, is mixed with extraction oil and heated in a vaporizing operation to produce a vaporized overhead mixture, comprising substantially all of the water and liquid organic extractant, and an unvaporized liquid bottoms dispersion of carbon in extraction oil containing only a minor amount of water and liquid organic extractant. The bottoms dispersion is passed into a steam stripper in counterflow with stripping steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Marion, Harold C. Kaufman, James F. Beall, John M. Brady, Michael M. Dach, George M. Gulko, Dennis R. Shipman
  • Patent number: 4113445
    Abstract: The reaction zone of a free-flow refractory lined partial oxidation gas generator is preheated by the complete combustion of fuel gas, supplied by means of a preheat burner, with air at atmospheric pressure. The preheat burner is replaced by the main process burner and the heating is continued by the complete combustion of said fuel gas and air at atmospheric pressure. The main burner is then made pressure tight to the reaction zone, and the heating is continued. When the temperature of the reaction zone reaches the temperature for ignition of the autothermal partial oxidation reaction of the liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel and free-oxygen containing gas in the presence of a temperature moderator, fuel gas and air are cut-off, and are respectively replaced by a stream of said liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator, and a separate stream of free-oxygen containing gas, optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Gettert, Arnulf Jeck, Dietmar Werner