Abstract: Trim control of a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is effected by two improved control schemes which are automatically operated separately or in sequence. The control systems include sensors sensing the flow rate of the feedstreams and analyzers which provide signals corresponding to the wt. % carbon in the effluent gas quench cooling and scrubbing water for use in controlling the particulate carbon in the effluent gas stream, and/or signals corresponding to the mole fraction of CH.sub.4 (dry basis) in the cooled and cleaned effluent gas stream for use in controlling the temperature in the reaction zone. The signals from the sensors and analyzers are provided to the system control unit which computes values that represent the relative difference between the actual and desired carbon-make and/or the actual temperature in the reaction zone, and the relative difference between the actual and desired temperature in the reaction zone.

Abstract: Fuels, particularly caking fuels, are supplied in a fluidized bed reactor by conveying a fuel through an injection pipe with an end provided with an injection nozzle in a fluidized bed reactor, conveying a fluid through a jacket pipe surrounding the injection pipe and having an end provided with a jacket nozzle, wherein the jacket pipe is interrupted prior to the jacket nozzle, as considered in the flow direction, and at a predetermined location, and bypassing by a heat exchanger at this location at which the jacket pipe is interrupted.

Abstract: Apparatus is shown for substantially increasing the feed rate of pulverized material into a pressurized container. The apparatus includes a rotor that is mounted internal to the pressurized container. The pulverized material is fed into an annular chamber defined by the center of the rotor. A plurality of impellers are mounted within the annular chamber for imparting torque to the pulverized material.

Abstract: A modulated control system is provided for improving regulation of the bed level in a fixed-bed coal gasifier into which coal is fed from a rotary coal feeder. A nuclear bed level gauge using a cobalt source and an ion chamber detector is used to detect the coal bed level in the gasifier. The detector signal is compared to a bed level set point signal in a primary controller which operates in proportional/integral modes to produce an error signal. The error signal is modulated by the injection of a triangular wave signal of a frequency of about 0.0004 Hz and an amplitude of about 80% of the primary deadband. The modulated error signal is fed to a triple-deadband secondary controller which jogs the coal feeder speed up or down by on/off control of a feeder speed change driver such that the gasifier bed level is driven toward the set point while preventing excessive cycling (oscillation) common in on/off mode automatic controllers of this type.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to the feeding of pulverized hydrocarbonaceous solids, such as coal, coke, tar sands, oil shale, etc., into a high pressure reactor for retorting or gasification of the solids. The pulverized hydrocarbonaceous solids are mixed with a motive fluid and pressurized in a jet ejector. The pulverized solid/motive fluid mixture is then separated by a cyclone separator. The operation may be repeated in successive stages to achieve the desired pressures. The pressurized solids from the cyclone separator are introduced into the reactor, and motive fluid from the separator is recirculated to the jet ejector.

Abstract: A gas generating system deriving useful BTU products from cellulosic waste material and comprising a conical shell to which the waste material is fed at the bottom and moved upwardly by an auger to permit the expanding walls of the cone to loosen the material by sintering action in the upper portion of the shell in a combustion zone located above the level of a row of air inlet ports substantially midway of the shell, the shell also having a gas accumulating chamber in the top thereof and a gas discharge device leading from the chamber to gas purifying and cooling mechanism including spray devices, a settling tank and liquid storage tank operating in a manner to re-use liquid incident to the operation of the spray devices. Operation of the controlled air delivery to the nozzles and cone also can be regulated to produce desirable amounts of charcoal and mechanism is included to remove the same from the cone.

Abstract: A high turndown de-slagging burner is provided for simultaneously introducing one or two mixed pairs of reactant feedstreams into a free-flow noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, fuel gas, or reducing gas by way of the central and/or annular sections of the burner, respectively. Each pair of feedstreams comprises a stream of free-oxygen containing gas with or without a temperature moderator and a pumpable liquid slurry stream of solid carbonaceous fuel, such as a coal-water slurry. Other hydrocarbonaceous fuels may be employed. The burner comprises four coaxial concentric conduits that are radially spaced to provide coaxial concentric annular passages. All of the conduits and annular passages are closed at the upstream ends and open at the downstream ends. Each pair of feedstreams is separately mixed together in a central or annular pre-mix chamber located upstream from the face of the burner.

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.

Abstract: The apparatus serves to continuously charge coarse-grained and fine-grained solid fuels by means of a rotary distributor onto a fixed bed of fuel. The fixed bed is disposed within a reactor for gasifying the fuels. Gasifying agents comprising oxygen, steam and/or carbon dioxide are passed through the fixed bed from below. Residual matter left after the gasification is withdrawn under the fixed bed as solid ash or liquid slag. Fine-grained fuel having a mean particle size up to 5 mm are placed onto the fixed bed as helical layers separately form more coarsely grained fuel having a mean particle size above 5 mm. The more coarsely grained fuel is deposited directly on fine-grained fuel which has just been deposited.The gasifier comprises a rotary distributor that includes at least one passage for the fine-grained fuel and at least one passage for the more coarsely grained fuel. The inlet of the passage for fine-grained fuel is disposed near the center of the rotary distributor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for charging finely ground hydrocarbonaceous material (e.g. coal, shale, liquite, oil sand), to a gasification reactor by gravity and compressed gas is disclosed.In accordance with the invention, ground coal particles, for example, are supplied by gravity feed to a charge forming hopper and from the hopper to a charging cylinder. The charge is pressured with a volume of gas from 3 to 5 times the volume of the charge to form a cushion of gas above it. Pressure is then increased on the gas cushion, as by a piston in the cylinder, until the pressure in the cylinder exceeds the pressure in the reactor. Such pressure automatically activates a closure arrangement between the cylinder and reactor. The closure arrangement automatically recloses the reactor when pressure between the reactor and cylinder equalizes. Desirably, the closure arrangement is purged by steam prior to closing.

Abstract: A burner and partial oxidation process for producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas from slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel. The burner has a high turndown feature and comprises a central conduit; a central bunch of parallel tubes that extend longitudinally through said central conduit; an outer conduit coaxial with said central conduit and forming an annular passage therewith; and an annular bunch of parallel tubes that extend longitudinally through said annular passage; and wherein the downstream ends of said central and annular bunches of parallel tubes are respectively retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of about 0 to 12 i.e. 3 to 10 times the minimum diameter of the central exit orifice and the minimum width of the annular exit orifice. Three ranges of flow through the burner may be obtained by using one or both bunches of tubes and their surrounding conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for feeding a continuous supply of carbonaceous material into a pressurized reactor for producing a product gas from the material and which contains toxic and flammable gases. The apparatus comprises a first rotary gas lock for receiving the material from ambient atmospheric condition. The first lock is supplied with a flow of nitrogen as a sealing gas to prevent air from entering the lock and the apparatus. The first lock transfers the material to a second rotary gas lock which in turn transfers the material to a screw conveyor for delivery to the interior of the reactor. The second lock is supplied with a flow of a clean product gas as a buffer gas. The clean product gas supplied to the second lock is at a pressure greater than the pressure in the reactor and prevents flow of gases from the reactor to the apparatus.

Abstract: A swirl burner and partial oxidation process for producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas from slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel. The swirl burner may have pre-mix and/or high turndown features. By means of the burner a first reactant stream is split into a plurality of swirling streams by being passed down through a central bundle of helical tubes. Simultaneously a second reactant stream is split into a plurality of swirling streams by being passed down through a plurality of related passages formed in the cylindrical space that surrounds said central bundle of helical tubes and/or the interstices between the helical tubes. When the two swirling reactant feed streams impinge, either upstream from the face of the burner in a pre-mix zone or downstream from the face of the burner, in the gas generator, they are intimately mixed together. The combustion efficiency of the burner is thereby improved.

Abstract: A burner and process for the partial oxidation of pumpable slurries of solid carbonaceous fuels in which the pumpable slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel in a liquid carrier is passed in liquid phase through one passage of a burner comprising a retracted central coaxial conduit, an outer coaxial conduit with a converging orifice at the downstream tip of the burner and, optionally, an intermediate coaxial conduit. The downstream tips of the central conduit and the intermediate conduit, if any, are retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of respectively two or more say 3 to 10 for the central conduit, and about 0 to 12 say 1 to 5 for the intermediate conduit times the minimum diameter of the converging orifice of the outer conduit at the burner tip. A pre-mix zone is thereby provided comprising one or more, say 2 to 5 coaxial pre-mix chambers in series.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for introducing finely divided solids, especially particulate coal, into a gas-containing vessel, utilizing a centrifugal pump having a feed inlet and a rotor. The rotor is surrounded by a second gas of lower density than the first gas in the vessel in order to reduce friction. The second gas can be at a lower pressure or a lower molecular weight than the first gas, low pressure hydrogen being preferred.

Abstract: A process for forming charging fuel into agglomerates for the pressure gasification of coal, comprises the steps of mixing fine, granular charging fuel with a binder outside the pressure reactor, subjecting the mixture, in a pressure vessel, to the pressure prevailing in the reactor, and feeding agglomerates produced from the mixture to the fixed bed of the reactor from above. The mixture is made with a binder which hardens when heated and is kept below hardening temperature during subsequent subjection to pressure until fed to the reactor, the agglomerates being produced by hardening of the binder in the heat prevailing in the reactor above the fixed bed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for gasifying coal including a vortex burner. Helical ribs are arranged in the inner combustion gas supplying conduit of the burner to impart a spiral trajectory to the gas and also the coal-water suspension which suspension is supplied in the annular space between the inner conduit and an outer concentric conduit. Means are provided for adjustably supporting the ribs inside the inner conduit. In addition, other rib supporting arrangements and also burner structure for supplying the coal-water slurry centrally are disclosed.

Abstract: A burner for producing synthesis gas, fuel gas or reducing gas from slurries of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel. The burner has a high turndown feature and comprises a central conduit; a central bunch of parallel tubes that extend longitudinally through said central conduit; an outer conduit coaxial with said central conduit and forming an annular passage therewith; and an annular bunch of parallel tubes that extend longitudinally through said annular passage; and wherein the downstream ends of said central and annular bunches of parallel tubes are respectively retracted upstream from the burner face a distance of about 0 to 12 i.e. 3 to 10 times the minimum diameter of the central exit orifice and the minimum width of the annular exit orifice. Three ranges of flow through the burner may be obtained by using one or both bunches of tubes and their surrounding conduits. Throughput levels may be rapidly changed--up and down--without sacrificing stable operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coal-water slurry atomizer for use a high-pressure dryer employed in a pumping system utilized to feed coal into a pressurized coal gasifier. The slurry atomizer is provided with a venturi, constant area slurry injection conduit, and a plurality of tangentially disposed steam injection ports. Superheated steam is injected into the atomizer through these ports to provide a vortical flow of the steam, which, in turn, shears slurry emerging from the slurry injection conduit. The droplets of slurry are rapidly dispersed in the dryer through the venturi where the water is vaporized from the slurry by the steam prior to deleterious heating of the coal.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining complete mixing of char with coal prior to the introduction of the mixture into the combustor (30) of a coal gasifier (10). The coal is carried in one air stream (22), and the char in another air stream (54), to a riffle plate arrangement (26), where the streams of solid are intimately mixed or blended.

Abstract: The gas-tight closure comprises a thin walled tubular piece projecting from a feeding duct into a filling space, a thin walled conical jacket having its larger bottom base provided with a rigid seal reinforcing member cooperating with the lower rim of the intake tubular piece. The outer periphery of the reinforcing member is slanted about a small angle to snugly fit into the tubular piece and adjust the form thereof when upward pull is exerted upon the conical jacket by means of an actuation rod passing outwardly through the wall of the feeding duct. The actuation rod has preferably the form of a hollow shaft which accommodates the manipulation rod of a scraper projecting radially below the reinforcing member into the filling space. The outside portion of the actuation rod is provided with a control device in the form of clamping plates cooperating with abutment plates resting on the guiding sleeve for the actuation rod. The clamping plates are manipulated by means of separate levers.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging solids into a pressurized container having a tubular lock chamber thereon. The apparatus comprises a feed device for supplying solids to the inlet of the lock chamber and a housing mounted adjacent the lock chamber for movement towards and away therefrom; a displacer member is slidably mounted in the housing in axial alignment with the inlet of the lock chamber; a first seal is provided in the housing for sealingly engaging the displacer member, and a second seal is provided on one of the opposed surfaces of the lock chamber and housing. The first seal is axially located along the displacer member at a distance from the end of the housing which exceeds the stroke of the displacer member in its travel between its extended and retracted positions whereby the portion of the displacer member which penetrates into the lock chamber will not come into contact with the first seal.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen through the autothermal gasification of solid combustibles in a pressure reactor which comprises:introducing into a screw machine containing two parallely ordered shafts, a finely divided solid combustible, moistening and intimately mixing the solid combustible with 2 to 30% by weight of water, degasing and compressing the moist solid combustible to a pressure higher than that of the reactor, adding the gas-tight compressed and moist solid combustible to a reaction chamber-through a burner where the combustible is brought into contact with the gasification medium, thereby evaporating the water in the compressed and moist solid combustible and producing a comminuted dispersion of the solid combustible in the mixture of the gasification medium and water vapor;reacting the combustible dispersion to give a raw synthesis gas and removing the raw synthesis gas from the reactor.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement particularly for cooling a locking device arranged in a fuel feed opening of pressure gasification generators comprises a lock seat connected to the generator and a lock cone adapted for moving into and out of engagement with the lock seat and provided with a supply line to provide a cooling medium to the lock cone and a discharge line through which the used medium is drained off the lock cone. The lock cone is formed as a hollow body with a cooling chamber in its interior and is provided with guide means extending towards the lowermost area of the lock cone to direct the cooling medium into contact with the mostly overheated lowermost area of the lock cone positioned in a close relationship with the pressure gasification generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling lock gas which enters a charging lockhopper from a fixed bed coal gasifier vessel includes a separator having a fluid inlet, a gas outlet and a drain. After a charging operation, a pump floods the lockhopper with water under pressure to force the lock gas through the fluid inlet to the separator without loss of gas pressure. When rising water is sensed in the separator, the pump is deactivated and drain valves are opened to drain water from the separator and lockhopper back into a storage tank. The lock gas leaves the separator under pressure and may be applied to gas cleanup equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing solid fuels into a pressure gasification reactor comprising at least one conveyor worm turnable in a housing for conveying finely divided fuel, optionally mixed with a binder, and compacting the fuel into a gas-tight plug which is discharged through a discharge opening leading to the pressure gasification reactor. The discharge opening is provided with a closure member and the housing has an outlet opening also provided with a closure member near the discharge opening. The outlet opening is open to the ambient atmosphere. The closure members of the discharge opening and the outlet opening are alternatively actuatable such that when one is open the other is closed.

Abstract: A multiple rotary gas lock apparatus using a buffer seal gas is disclosed to enable the transfer of solid materials into or out of a pressurized process containing high temperature, flammable or toxic gases. The buffer seal gas, has a pressure higher than the process pressure and is introduced between two series connected gas locks; this prevents process gas backflow to the feed system. Buffer seal leakage gas from the first pair of gas locks and air from a third gas lock are removed from an opening in a connection between the pair of gas locks and the third gas lock at subatmospheric pressure. This system enables control and usuage of toxic or flammable gases as a buffer for mixing compatibility with the process gas when a suitable inert gas is not available. It also prevents the flow of any toxic gas to the worker environment.

Abstract: An extruder for feeding finely divided solids. And, in combination therewith, means for using gas in various ways to repulverize the finely divided solids. It lends itself to a procedure for continuously charging finely divided solids with water into a high pressure reactor. The high pressure is inherently contained, and the solids are repulverized for use in a reaction.

Abstract: A method of feeding powdered coal to a high pressure reactor which is being used with a fluidized bed/entrained flow coal gasification process. It includes steps of feeding a moist powdered coal to an extruder, and extruding the mixture into a high pressure stream of gas. The extrudate is dispersed into the gas stream, and the stream of extrudate and gas carrier is dried. Then the dry extrudate is separated and fed into the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Fine grained fuel such as coal dust is gasified at an elevated pressure by passing the fuel from a supply tank which is at atmospheric pressure by pump means into a pressurized lock basin and therefrom into the gasifier, the fuel during such movement retaining its loose consistency. This can be accomplished for instance by a solid piston pump which is only partially filled with the fuel. Thus, agglomerations are avoided and the fuel is directly conveyed into the gasifier in flowable and fluidizable form without the necessity of being reconverted into a finely divided form.

Abstract: An improved valve apparatus for the introduction of finely divided coal solids into a vessel in a controlled manner is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes substantially vertical and horizontal conduits interconnected to provide a generally continuous L-shaped flow path therethrough. Gas is introduced directly into the bottom portion of the vertical conduit upstream from the point where the vertical conduit and horizontal conduit interconnect. The flow rate of the gas introduced into the vertical conduit is controlled to adjust the amount of coal solids discharged from the discharge end of the horizontal conduit.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for feeding pulverized coal into a reactor of a high pressure coal gasification system is disclosed. The coal is pulverized and fed by conventional means into a hopper wherein that coal is mechanically pumped, by a modified screw which compacts the coal and releases entrained air and gases from that coal, to an impeller which serves to centrifugally sling the coal at high velocity into the reactor. Gases of the required type, pressure and quantity are combined with the coal at the point at which the coal is slung from the impeller in such a manner that the coal sufficiently dispersed and mixed with those gases and in proper form for gasification.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the partial combustion of pulverized coal, in which the pulverized coal, dispersed in an inert carrier gas, is supplied to a burner, and oxygen is injected into the stream of pulverized coal at two longitudinally spaced locations in the burner for feeding into a gasification reactor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for material processing, in particular for producing gas from carbon-containing material, are disclosed. Feed material comprising particulate material is continuously formed into briquettes and is simultaneously introduced into a processing compartment. The feed material is formed into briquettes by one or more pressure wheels forcing the material through channels in a die.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for feeding coal into a gasifier operating at high pressures. A coal-water slurry is pumped to the desired pressure and then the coal is "dried" prior to feeding the coal into the gasifier by contacting the slurry with superheated steam in an entrained bed dryer for vaporizing the water in the slurry.

Abstract: This invention sets forth a double-acting piston, which carries a floating piston, and which is reciprocated in a housing, for feeding coal to a high pressure gasifier system. The housing has a plurality of solids (for instance: coal) in-feeding ports and a single discharge port, the latter port being in communication with a high pressure gasifier system. The double-acting piston sequentially and individually communicates each of the in-feeding ports with the discharge port. The floating piston both seals off the discharge port while each in-feeding port is receiving coal or the like, to prevent undue escape of gas from the gasifier system, and translates in the housing, following a discharge of coal or the like into the discharge port, to return gas which has been admitted into the housing back into the gasifier system.

Abstract: A novel partial combustion process and apparatus therefor are disclosed wherein coal powder is passed from a fluidization vessel operated at high pressure to a gasification reactor operated at a substantially constant small pressure increment below the pressure of the fluidization vessel. Coal powder solids are introduced into the fluidization vessel through coal powder supply means while the fluidization gas is introduced into the fluidization vessel to fluidize the coal powder solids in the fluidization vessel. The fluidized powder is discharged through novel passage means in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluidization gas flowing into the vessel, so that the fluidized coal powder is concentrated during flow and is uniformly dispersed, whereby the transfer rate of the coal powder is substantially increased, thereby making it possible to use smaller sizes of equipment for the same volumes handled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wear compensating seal arrangement for use in a rotary piston feeder utilized for feeding pulverized coal into a gasifier operating at relatively high pressures and elevated temperatures. The rotary piston feeder has a circular casing with a coal loading opening therein diametrically opposed from a coal discharge and contains a rotatable disoidal rotor having a cylinder in which a reciprocatable piston is disposed. The reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder is provided by a stationary conjugate cam whereby pulverized coal from a coal hopper at atmospheric pressure can be introduced into the cylinder and then discharged therefrom into the high pressure gasifier while maintaining minimal losses of producer gas and the expenditure of minimal energy which would detract from the efficiency of the gasification.

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding solid particles into a pressurized container which comprises the steps of confining a body of liquid having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the particles in proximity to the pressurized container, maintaining communication of the pressure conditions within the pressurized container with a free surface of the confined body of liquid so as to maintain the body of liquid under pressure, continuously introducing a supply of solid particles entrained in liquid under pressure into the body of liquid under pressure, causing the entrained particles introduced into the body of liquid to continuously move toward the bottom portion thereof, mechanically continuously moving the particles in the bottom portion of the body of liquid upwardly along a confined path which extends from a position adjacent the bottom portion of the body of liquid upwardly above the level of the aforesaid free surface thereof to a feed position in pressure communication with the interior of t

Abstract: Apparatus for the gasification under pressure of bituminous coal, especially fine coal, comprising a generator which has a container to receive the coal to be gasified and a feed device which supplies the coal to the container, while keeping the container closed off so as to maintain the pressure in the generator. The feed device includes a briquette forming device located on the container, and a continuously operable screw conveyor which feeds the coal to be gasified through the briquette forming device and directly into the container in the form of briquettes. The feed device is encapsulated and, together with the fine coal and briquettes within it, forms a gas tight closure for the container to maintain the pressure therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for introducing particulate material, such as finely divided coal, into a vessel, such as a coal gasifier, having a gas pressure different from atmospheric pressure, comprising a gas lock chamber having at each of its feed and discharge ends an openable and closable material-holding valve below which is a movable openable and closable gas sealing valve, and means below the gas sealing valve for clearing away particulate material from the space through which the sealing valve moves from its opened position to its closed position, to insure that a tight gas seal can be achieved. Also disclosed is a gas valve having a seat radially spaced from the conduit through which material is distributed, to aid in gas sealing. Systems are also disclosed for automatically controlling the pressure in the gas lock chamber to enable it to act as a gas lock, and the operation of the various material holding and gas sealing valves, and clearing means.

Abstract: A coal feed lock is provided for dispensing coal to a high pressure gas producer with nominal loss of high pressure gas. The coal feed lock comprises a rotor member with a diametral bore therethrough. A hydraulically activated piston is slidably mounted in the bore. With the feed lock in a charging position, coal is delivered to the bore and then the rotor member is rotated to a discharging position so as to communicate with the gas producer. The piston pushes the coal into the gas producer. The rotor member is then rotated to the charging position to receive the next load of coal.

Abstract: Fine-grain fuel is delivered from pressure vessels with a vehicle gas as a fluidized flow into a reactor for gasification at an elevated pressure. A gaseous gasification agent is also fed into the reactor. A control system for the fine-grain fuel and gasification agent includes detectors to provide an electrical signal which varies during feeding of fuel from the pressure vessels into the reactor. Controllers produce a fuel rate control signal corresponding to a comparison between the electrical signal from the detectors and a predetermined reference value corresponding to the desired fuel supply rate. Control valves respond to the fuel rate control signal to adjust the supply of vehicle gas to transfer fuel from the pressure vessels into the reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for feeding powdered coal from a helical ramp into a high pressure, heated, reactor tube containing hydrogen for hydrogenating the coal and/or for producing useful products from coal. To this end, the helical ramp is vibrated to feed the coal cleanly at an accurately controlled rate in a simple reliable and trouble-free manner that eliminates complicated and expensive screw feeders, and/or complicated and expensive seals, bearings and fully rotating parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for the gasification under pressure of bituminous coal, especially fine coal, comprising a generator which has a container to receive the coal to be gasified and a feed device which supplies the coal to the container, while keeping the container closed off so as to maintain the pressure in the generator. The feed device includes a device for agglomerating the coal to be gasified located on the container, and a continuously operable screw conveyor which feeds the coal to be gasified to the agglomerating device which delivers the formed agglomerates, in a green condition, into the container. The feed device is encapsulated and, together with the fine coal and agglomerates within it, forms a gas tight closure for the container to maintain the pressure therein.

Abstract: A control system maintains a predetermined volumetric ratio between fine-particle fuel and a gasification agent which are fed separately into a reactor wherein the fuel is gasified under pressure. The control system includes a first measuring means responsive to the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the fine-particle fuel in a fuel-feed line for producing a fuel-feed signal corresponding to the volumetric amount of fuel conducted by the line. A vehicle gas-feed signal is produced by a second measuring means in response to the volumetric amount of vehicle gas conducted by a line into the fuel-feed line for admixture with the fuel therein. Computing means is responsive to the fuel-feed signal and the vehicle gas-feed signal to produce a control signal according the expression:U.sub.1 . (U.sub.2 - U.sub.v)for all values of U.sub.2 greater than U.sub.v where U.sub.1 corresponds to the reciprocal of the fuel-feed signal, U.sub.2 corresponds to the vehicle gas-feed signal and U.sub.

Abstract: A device for feeding granular and dust coal to a coal-gasifying reactor which operates under a pressure of 5 to 150 bars. A stationary housing is connected to the coal inlet of the reactor and a lock chamber member is rotatedly mounted therein. The lock chamber member is movable between coal-receiving position and a coal-discharging position. The lock chamber member has at least one chamber which is open only at one end and contains a displacing device which extends approximately to the entrance of the chamber. The displacing device substantially prevents an ingress of product gas into the chamber when in the discharge position.

Abstract: Methods of conveying solid particles via an elongate tube from a supplying region at one pressure to a receiving region at a substantially different pressure. Movable sealing zones, comprising mixtures of solid particles and liquid, contact the inner wall of the tube and are carried along with the particles when forced by a ram from the tube into the receiving region. While the particles and sealing zones are being conveyed into the tube, a gate or an auger at the receiving region may substantially seal it from the tube. Typically the sealing zones are formed as thin disks or annular layers of fine coal particles and oil, where discrete coal charges are fed into a gasifier unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying solid fuels such as coal, in a packed bed by a treatment with a gasifying agent such as free oxygen-containing gas and water vapor under pressure, comprising a water-cooled reactor housing provided in its lower portion with gasifying agent inlet openings, a fuel distributor mounted on a vertical axis, a stirrer on a shaft disposed in the fuel bed in the upper portion of the reactor, and independent first and second drive means for independently rotating the fuel distributor and stirrer. Advantageously the distributor includes a hollow bearing shaft coaxial with the shaft of the stirrer and the stirrer shaft also has a bearing, a common bearing support cooperating with both of the bearings.

Abstract: Particulate solids are fed into a pressure reactor operated under a pressure of 5-150 bars by means of a guide cylinder which is secured to the reactor and surrounds the reactor inlet. The guide cylinder is adapted to be closed and a stationary feed conduit is directed towards the guide cylinder. A cylinder container, which is gastightly guided in the guide cylinder and has a bottom which is adapted to be closed, is moved up and down in the guide cylinder and when the bottom of the cylinder is open and the reactor inlet is closed the material flows out of the container into the guide cylinder whereas the bottom of the container is closed and the same is moved toward the open reactor inlet to displace gases into the reactor. The device for carrying out the process includes a guide cylinder secured to the reactor and surrounding the reactor inlet. The guide cylinder is adapted to be closed.