Coal And Water Patents (Class 48/73)
  • Patent number: 11802251
    Abstract: Pre-ground plastics of small particle size not more than 2 mm are co-fed into a solid fossil fuel fed entrained flow partial oxidation gasifier. A syngas composition can be made by charging an oxidant and a feedstock composition comprising recycle plastics and a solid fossil fuel to a gasification zone within a gasifier; gasifying the feedstock composition together with the oxidant in said gasification zone to produce said syngas composition; and discharging at least a portion of said syngas composition from said gasifier; wherein the recycled plastics are added to a feed point comprising a solid fossil fuel belt feeding a grinder after the solid fossil fuel is loaded on the belt, a solid fossil fuel belt feeding a grinder before the solid fossil fuel is loaded onto the belt, or a solid fossil fuel slurry storage tank containing a slurry of said solid fossil fuel ground to a size as the size fed to the gasification zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: William Lewis Trapp, Justin William Murphy, Nathan Mitchell West
  • Patent number: 11220641
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gasifier and/or a gasification process that provides a long, uniform temperature zone in the gasifier, regardless of the particle size, chemical composition, and moisture content of the fuel by sandwiching a reduction zones between two oxidation zones. The gasifier and/or gasification process has a char that is more energy-dense and almost devoid of moisture that affords for an additional (or char) oxidation zone with a temperature that is higher than a first oxidation zone which is closer to an evaporation and devolatilization zone. As such, the additional (or char) oxidation zone contributes to augmenting the reduction zone temperature, thereby providing a favorable dual impact in improving syngas composition and near-complete conversion of the tar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Nikhil Manubhai Patel
  • Patent number: 10619113
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for coal purification and gasification may include steps of heating the coal including various hydrocarbons and harmful substances such as sulfides, phosphates, etc. to 900 to 1200° C. in a coal gasifier; providing a reaction chamber with oxygen and connecting with the coal gasifier; the sulfides, phosphates, etc. in the gasified coal entering the reaction chamber from the coal gasifier and reacting with the oxygen therein; separating mixtures from the reaction chamber to collect hydrocarbons in its fluidized phase; heating the fluidized hydrocarbons; and providing oxygen to react with the gasified form of hydrocarbons to achieve a complete burning of the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Sam Su
  • Patent number: 10550343
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gasifier and/or a gasification process that provides a long, uniform temperature zone in the gasifier, regardless of the particle size, chemical composition, and moisture content of the fuel by sandwiching a reduction zones between two oxidation zones. The gasifier and/or gasification process has a char that is more energy-dense and almost devoid of moisture that affords for an additional (or char) oxidation zone with a temperature that is higher than a first oxidation zone which is closer to a evaporation and devolatilization zone. As such, the additional (or char) oxidation zone contributes to augmenting the reduction zone temperature, thereby providing a favorable dual impact in improving syngas composition and near-complete conversion of the tar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Nikhil Manubhai Patel
  • Patent number: 10502489
    Abstract: This invention involves with a gasification system, which includes a gasifier, which gasifier comprises a gasification chamber for producing syngas from coal slurry and a quench chamber for cooling the syngas from the gasification chamber. The mentioned gasification system also comprises preheater located in the quench chamber for utilizing heat in the quench chamber to preheat the coal slurry before the coal slurry enters the gasification chamber. Wherein, the preheater comprises a pipe device defining a passage for the coal slurry to pass through, the passage in communication with the gasification chamber and upstream of the gasification chamber in a flow direction of the coal slurry. This invention also involves with a preheater used in the mentioned gasification system and the gasification method of the mentioned gasification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Yu, Junli Xue, Xijing Bi, Jing Lv
  • Patent number: 10221067
    Abstract: A syngas cooler is configured to cool a syngas. The syngas cooler includes a superheater heat exchanger, which further includes a first header configured to receive saturated steam, a second header configured to discharge superheated steam, and a first group of tubes directly coupled to and vertically extending between the first and second headers. Each tube of the first group of tubes includes an outer surface that interfaces with the syngas and a respective length between the first and second headers, and each tube of the first group of tubes does not contact another tube along the respective length to enable a flow of the syngas around each tube's outer surface along its respective length and between each tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lien-Yan Chen, Qiong Zhou, Rajeshwar Sripada
  • Patent number: 10215398
    Abstract: A ground supported power boiler is described combining a refractory lined and insulated conical floor; an insulated cylindrical combustion chamber; a cylindrical furnace with water tube wall; a rectangular convective section; a single vertical steam drum; tangential injection of the fuel and combustion air; means for fluidizing the fuel bed; means for selectively stripping particulates from the flue gases; multi-stage particulate stripping and filtering from flue gases, means for using the walls of steam drum as steam/water droplet separator, means for recirculating and capturing heat from the flue gases; means for pressurizing the interior of the boiler above atmospheric pressure; means for heating and drying fuel prior to feeding the fuel to the boiler; means for creating hydrogen shift reaction; means for eliminating any need for sootblowing; and designed to not require the use of an induced draft fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel R Higgins, Eugene Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9822319
    Abstract: A system for gasifying biomass is disclosed. The system comprises a water storage tank, a water pump, a heat exchanger, a plasma torch heater, a gasifier, an ash cooler, a spray tower, a dust collector, a deacidification tower, and a desiccator. The water storage tank is connected to the water inlet of the heat exchanger; the vapor outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the vapor inlet of the plasma torch heater; the vapor outlet of the plasma torch heater is connected to the vapor nozzle of the gasifier; the ash outlet of the gasifier is connected to the ash inlet of the ash cooler; the gas outlet of the gasifier is connected to the gas inlet of the spray tower; and the gas outlet of the spray tower is connected to the gas inlet of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yilong Chen, Yanfeng Zhang, Hongming Tang
  • Patent number: 9611438
    Abstract: A steam reformer generates reformed gas by a steam-reforming reaction of hydrocarbon gas such as natural gas. A methanol synthesis column and a gasoline synthesis column synthesize gasoline from the reformed gas via methanol and produce a liquid fuel. A superheater superheats a part of low-pressure steam that has been heat-recovered from the reformed gas with a part of middle-pressure steam that has been heat-recovered by the methanol synthesis column or the gasoline synthesis column, and the steam thereby brought into an unsaturated state is supplied to a low-pressure steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Ryuji Yoshiyama, Haruaki Hirayama, Yoshio Seiki
  • Patent number: 9139785
    Abstract: A gasification reactor for processing organic waste in batches comprises a primary gasification reactor (62) that includes a primary gasification chamber (18) and a surrounding combustion chamber (19), a secondary gasification chamber (21), a synthesis gas decontamination unit (42) and a combustible gas selector (41). The waste is loaded into the primary gasification chamber through a latched opening and heated from the combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber (19) to convert the waste to a synthesis gas. The gasification chamber (18) has an intake (20) for introducing pre-heated process air (1) therein. The combustion chamber operates either with a conventional fuel (9) or with the produced synthesis gas (6). The secondary gasification chamber (21) thermally treats the synthesis gas (2) to eliminate tars. The decontamination unit (42) scrubs the synthesis gas of contaminants including particulates and acid gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: PROTERRGO, INC.
    Inventor: Panayotis Tsantrizos
  • Patent number: 9127234
    Abstract: A particulate coke composition including expandable coke is capable of removing deposits from rotating parts of a gas turbine engine while under full fire or idle speed. The coke composition may be introduced directly into the combustion chamber (combustor) of the gas turbine or, alternatively, anywhere in the fuel stream, water washing system, or the combustion air system. By kinetic impact with the deposits on blades and vanes, the deposits will be dislodged and will thereby restore the gas turbine to rated power output. If introduced into the compressor section, the coke particles impinge on those metal surfaces, cleaning them prior to entering the hot gas section where the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Mark D. Hughes, Daniel T. Smith, Kenneth W. Koch, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9120384
    Abstract: A method and system for generating high pressure superheated steam on demand that uses nano-sized aluminum particles to allow oxidation and heat generation using photonic initiation. This invention uses the unique properties of nano-sized aluminum either alone or with other energetics to provide the needed heat to quickly vaporize and superheat water directly in either a flowing water or static water environment to produce steam as needed. Due to its compact design it can be used in new or existing steam applications. This steam use may be any application that needs an on demand high pressure steam supply. Applications include steam catapults, boost steam for turbines, steam cleaners, surge power for powerplant turbines and any other use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: FOI Group, LLC
    Inventor: David Murray Munson, Jr.
  • 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: 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: 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: 8999019
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for gasifying biomass or other carbonaceous feedstocks in an indirectly heated gasifier and provides a method for the elimination of condensable organic materials (tars) from the resulting product gas with an integrated tar removal step. More specifically, this tar removal step utilizes the circulating heat carrier to crack the organics and produce additional product gas. As a benefit of the above process, and because the heat carrier circulates through alternating steam and oxidizing zones in the process, deactivation of the cracking reactions is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Taylor Biomass Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Paisley
  • 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: 8951314
    Abstract: A fuel feed system for use in a gasification system includes a feed preparation section, a pressurization and conveyance section, and a slag additive section. The feed preparation section is configured to grind the fuel to a predetermined size and to adjust the moisture content within the particulate fuel. The pressurization and conveyance section is coupled in flow communication with the feed preparation section, and includes at least one solids pump configured to receive a flow of the particulate fuel at a first pressure and discharge the particulate fuel at a second pressure. The slag additive section is configured to feed a slag additive mixture into the gasifier and to substantially control the total water content within the gasification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
  • Patent number: 8931278
    Abstract: A steam generation system delivers heats water and carbon dioxide at high temperatures in the presence of one or more plasma arc torches and converts the materials into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The converted gas is delivered to a heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) to produce steam, which may be used to power a steam turbine. Depending on the amount of steam and/or power desired, the system may use a control system to vary the flow, temperature and pressure of the gas delivered to the HRSG. The control system may do this by bringing additional torches on-line or off-line in the processing chamber, by adding unheated gas directly from a supply source, shunting the gas from the HRSG, and varying the flow of water delivered to the HRSG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Powerdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hirson, Gus F. Shouse
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 8801813
    Abstract: A gasification apparatus for solid fuel, especially an apparatus for producing syngas by pressurized gasification of coal powder, including a gasification chamber (II) and a syngas cooling and purification chamber (III). The inner wall of the gasification chamber is a water-cooling wall (4). The inner side of the water-cooled wall is evenly coated with a layer of fire-resistant material (16). There is an annular cavity between the water-cooling wall of the gasification chamber and the furnace body. A syngas quencher, a vertical pipe (22), a gas distribution device (24), a defoaming device, and a dewatering and deashing device (21) are provided in the syngas cooling and purification chamber. The apparatus has a simple structure and is easy to operate. A high temperature gasification method for dry powder of carbonaceous material comprises spraying the combustible material and oxygen into the furnace and followed by ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Changzheng Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhengtao Lu, Mingkun Wang, Congbin Jiang, Wei Xin, Ruiheng Gao, Honghai Li
  • Patent number: 8668751
    Abstract: A system includes a first cross-flow filter configured to remove at least a first portion of a liquid from a fuel slurry to increase a concentration of a solid fuel in the fuel slurry. The system also includes a gasifier configured to generate a syngas from the fuel slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anindra Mazumdar, Pradeep Stanley Thacker
  • Patent number: 8641991
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for processing biomass into usable products, wherein such methods and systems involve an integration into conventional refineries and/or conventional refinery processes. Such methods and systems provide for an enhanced ability to utilize biofuels efficiently, and they can, at least in some embodiments, be used in hybrid refineries alongside conventional refinery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Schinski
  • 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: 8372167
    Abstract: A controlled zone gasification reactor with an agitator drive assembly for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel. The agitator drive assembly may include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The syngas separation chamber may feed syngas downstream to a syngas heater in a pyrolysis reaction zone in the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: AdaptiveARC, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian H. A. Juvan
  • Patent number: 8372166
    Abstract: A controlled zone gasification reactor for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The system may be a modular system housed within a frame facilitating relatively easy transportation. The system may include a reactor vessel with distinct reaction zones that facilitate greater control and a more efficient system. The system may include a syngas heater channeling syngas collected downstream of the carbon layer support and to the pyrolysis reaction zone. The system may also include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The system may further include an agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: AdaptiveARC, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian H. A. Juvan
  • Patent number: 8163047
    Abstract: A method of cooling hot fluid flowing through a chamber is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one cooling tube that extends through a passage of the chamber, and circulating the hot fluid flowing within the passage around the at least one cooling tube using at least one fluid diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Albert Goller, Daniel Anthony Nowak
  • 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
  • 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: 20110179712
    Abstract: A method of operating a gasification facility includes channeling steam into a grinding mill via a flow control device and a conduit. The method also includes mixing carbonaceous fuel, preheated water, and steam within the grinding mill, to form a preheated coal slurry stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Pradeep S. Thacker, Aaron John Avagliano, Judeth Helen Brannon Corry, Lorena Yossette Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110162276
    Abstract: A method of operating a gasification facility includes channeling a conveying fluid at a first temperature through at least one first steam heating device to increase the temperature of the conveying fluid to a second predetermined temperature. The method also includes channeling the conveying fluid at the second predetermined temperature through a second steam heating device to increase the temperature of the conveying fluid to a third predetermined temperature. The method further includes channeling the conveying fluid at the third predetermined temperature to a solids conveyance system. Solids become entrained within the conveying fluid. The method also includes transporting at least a portion of the solids to a gasification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Sunil Ramabhilakh Mishra, Pradeep S. Thacker, Anindra Mazumdar, Vignesh Venkatraman
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7794514
    Abstract: A two-stage gasification apparatus coupled with heat recovery and washing includes a columnar shell (7), an entrained flow gasification chamber (1), a fixed bed gasification chamber (18), a waste heat boiler (19) and a gas cooling-washing chamber (14) set coaxially from top to bottom inside the columnar shell (7). Process nozzle chambers (3) are set at a sidewall and/or a top of the entrained flow gasification chamber (1), and process nozzles (2) are set in a nozzle chambers (3). A feed-in lock hopper (25) is set and a fixed bed gasification chamber (18). An eccentric grate (10) is set in the middle of a lower part of the fixed bed gasification chamber (18), and the grate is connected with an ash-pan (11), which is conjoined with a motor (36) via transmission mechanism. An inverse cone (22) is erected at an upper part of a cooling-washing chamber (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: East China University of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Zunhong Yu, Yifei Wang, Guangsuo Yu, Fuchen Wang, Xueli Chen, Zhenghua Dai, Xiaolei Guo, Qinfeng Liang, Weifeng Li, Xin Gong, Haifeng Liu
  • Patent number: 7789920
    Abstract: A reactor, system and method for producing hydrogen features a reactor containing a heating stream channel and a hydrogen channel with a reaction channel positioned there between. A heat transfer sheet separates the heating stream channel and the reaction channel and a porous support plate separates the reaction channel and the hydrogen channel. A membrane constructed from palladium, vanadium, copper or alloys thereof covers the porous support plate. The heating stream channel receives a heating stream so that heat is provided to the reaction channel through the heat transfer sheet. A catalyst is positioned in the reaction channel and the reaction channel receives a reaction stream including a mixture of supercritical water and a hydrocarbon fuel so that hydrogen is produced in the reaction channel and is passed through the membrane into the hydrogen channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Chart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijun Jia, Lawrence A. Stryker, Douglas Decker
  • Publication number: 20090165376
    Abstract: Steam generating gasification reactors for providing high-pressure and high-temperature steam for catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock can be based on oxygen blown gasification reactors adapted for processing a slurry feedstock comprising at least 40% water. The exhaust from the slurry gasifier comprises at least steam, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The slurry composition and the oxygen to fuel ratio can be varied to control the ratio of carbonaceous gases in the generator exhaust. By directing substantially all of exhaust gases produced from the slurry gasification reactor through the catalytic gasifier and subsequent gas separation and sequestration processes, a greatly higher energy efficiency and decreased carbon footprint can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: GREATPOINT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Francis S. Lau, Earl T. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20090151250
    Abstract: Systems and processes for producing syngas and power therefrom are provided. One or more feedstocks and one or more oxidants can be combined in a fluidized reaction zone operated at a temperature from 550° C. to 1,050° C. to provide a syngas. Heat can be indirectly exchanged in a first zone from the syngas to a condensate to provide steam. Heat can also be indirectly exchanged in a second zone from the syngas to the steam to provide superheated steam. Heat can then be indirectly exchanged in a third zone from the syngas to provide a cooled syngas and the condensate for the first zone. At least a portion of the superheated steam can be directly supplied to one or more steam turbines to produce power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: RAVINDRA K. AGRAWAL
  • Publication number: 20090084035
    Abstract: A polygeneration system, wherein the various units of the polygeneration system are integrated to effectively separate the undesired species. In one embodiment, a polygeneration system is provided that includes a syngas generator for producing a syngas, a syngas enrichment unit for separating undesired species from the syngas to produce an enriched syngas and a syngas utilization system that utilizes the enriched syngas to produce useful products and a stream to facilitate the separation of undesired species in the syngas enrichment unit. In some embodiments, the polygeneration system includes membrane reactor, catalytic burner and power generation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Wei Wei
  • Publication number: 20090038222
    Abstract: A generally upright reactor system for gasifying a feedstock. The reactor system generally includes a main body, at least two inlet projections extending outwardly from the main body, and at least one inlet positioned on each of the inlet projections. Each of the inlets is operable to discharge the feedstock into the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Steven L. DOUGLAS, Ronald W. HERBANEK, David L. BRETON, Steven E. CHICHESTER
  • Publication number: 20080202028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carbonaceous feedstock gasification system with integrated control subsystem. The system generally comprises, in various combinations, a gasification reactor vessel (or converter) having one or more processing zones and one or more plasma heat sources, a solid residue handling subsystem, a gas quality conditioning subsystem, as well as an integrated control subsystem for managing the overall energetics of the conversion of the carbonaceous feedstock to energy, as well as maintaining all aspects of the gasification processes at an optimal set point. The gasification system may also optionally comprise a heat recovery subsystem and/or a product gas regulating subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: PLASCO ENERGY GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth C Campbell, D Michael Feasby, Ke Li
  • Publication number: 20080196305
    Abstract: A gas generator with the sole input of air, water and coal that continuously produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide and further reacts these two gases into alcohol. This gas generator/reactor is using its own by-products and is therefore also self sustaining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Sten Rutger Gerfast
  • Publication number: 20080172941
    Abstract: A gasification reactor comprising a vessel (1), provided at its upper end with a downwardly directed burner (2), and provided with supply conduits for an oxidizer gas (3), a carbonaceous feed (4) and a moderator gas (5), a combustion chamber (6) in the upper half of the vessel provided with a product gas outlet (7) at its bottom end and an opening for the outlet of the burner (2) at its top end, wherein between the wall of the combustion chamber (6) and the wall of the vessel (1) an annular space (9) is provided, and wherein the wall of the combustion chamber (6) comprises an arrangement of interconnected parallel arranged tubes (10) resulting in a substantially gas-tight wall running from a common lower arranged distributor (12) to a higher arranged common header (11), said distributor (12) provided with a cooling water supply conduit (14) and said header (11) provided with a steam discharge conduit (13) and wherein the steam discharge conduit (13) and the water supply conduit (14) are fluidly connected to a
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Steffen JANCKER, Thomas Paul Von Kossak-Glowczewski, Joachim Wolff