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.

Abstract: A system for gasifying biomass materials is provided. The system includes a gasifying unit for converting the biomass materials into a gas and a feeder mechanism for introducing the biomass materials into the gasifying unit. The gasifying unit includes a plurality of gasifying medium and biomass injection ports distributed along a vertical length of the gasifying unit, and each of the plurality of injection ports has a corresponding injection angle. The injection angles include at least one of an upward tangential angle and a downward tangential angle.

Abstract: A method of assembling an injection device for use in a reactor injector feed assembly includes coupling a plurality of substantially concentric conduits to a modular tip. The method also includes coupling a first conduit of the reactor injector feed assembly to a modular tip and coupling a second conduit of the reactor injector feed assembly to the modular tip. The modular tip includes a first substantially annular nozzle and a second substantially annular nozzle defined therein. The first conduit and the first substantially annular nozzle are centered about an injection device centerline.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed a microchannel reactor module for the immediate catalytic release of hydrogen from hydrogenated organic molecules along with the recovery of hydrogen gas and the recovery of dehydrogenated organic molecules as a liquid. More specifically, the disclosure provides a polyimide-based microchannel plate that is particularly useful for a process of immediate catalytic release of hydrogen from a hydrogenated organic molecule or formulation of molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment chain for thermochemically converting a wet biomass feed (1) by gasification, which comprises a device (4) for gasifying the feed (3), and a reactor (9) for steam conversion of the CO, which includes water supply means (10), for delivering a syngas (17) having a defined H2/CO ratio, a drying chamber (2) into which the wet feed (1) is injected prior to its subsequent treatment in the gasification device (4), this drying chamber (2) being supplied with a hot gas (15) withdrawn downstream from the gasification device (4) and recycled by pressurizing means (13) into the drying chamber (2).

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the process of gasification and the production of synthesis gas. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the process of biomass gasification and the reduction or elimination of tars from the hydrocarbon-rich product gas derived from biomass gasification. The present invention comprises systems and methods for the reduction of tar from a synthesis gas derived from biomass gasification.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for treating waste, such as municipal waste via pyrolysis and yielding one or more of heat energy, electrical energy and fuel. In some embodiments, waste feed stock can be municipal waste in black bag form. In some the present invention additionally provides for processing of thousands of tons of municipal waste each day.

Abstract: A system for producing hydrogen features a reactor including a reaction channel adapted to receive a reaction stream including a mixture of supercritical water and a hydrocarbon fuel. A catalyst is positioned in the reaction channel so that a product stream containing hydrogen is produced by a reaction in the reaction channel when the mixture is exposed to the catalyst; wherein the catalyst contains a catalytically active metal and a promoter in a metal format, selected from the group consisting of potassium, sodium, rubidium, lithium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium.

Abstract: A waste processing system and method is described. The waste processing system may be used to treat any type of waste material that may be decomposed upon the application of energy, wherein recyclable metal and/or a gaseous end product is/are generated which may have commercial or industrial applications. The waste material may be reduced in size and passed to a purge vessel where the oxygen content of the waste material is reduced. The waste material is then heated in a heat exchanger which may be linearly elongated and passed to a conversion chamber where it is treated with H—H—O gas torches. A final gaseous end product is generated which may be used as a fuel source.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for the gasification of liquid fuels, involving: (a) a nozzle for atomizing and feeding a liquid fuel into a mixing region; (b) an inlet for feeding an oxidizer into the mixing region; (c) the mixing region for mixing the atomized fuel with the oxidizer; (d) a radiation hot box for vaporizing the liquid fuel, the radiation hot box comprising an ignition source positioned inside coiled catalytic reactor; (e) the coiled catalytic reactor comprising a coiled metal screen providing for a radial flow path from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the coiled metal screen and providing for a plurality of void volumes in random order along the flow path from the inner diameter to the outer diameter; and (f) an outlet for exiting a gaseous reformate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for biomass treatment which addresses the need to find economical solutions to transport biomass. In the present invention, small, distributed gasifiers convert the biomass into synthesis gas (“syngas”). The syngas is then transported via a pipeline network to a central fuel production facility.

Abstract: A device for extracting fuels from biomass while adding electrical energy, comprising the a gasifier for gasifying the biomass while adding electrical energy to a gas mixture, a reformer for reforming the gas mixture obtained from the gasification, a gas scrubber for scrubbing the reformed gas mixture, the device further comprising a heating system upstream of and/or in the region of the reformer for additionally heating the gas mixture obtained from the gasification and a first recirculation device so that the reformed or scrubbed gas mixture can optionally be recirculated to the gasifier or supplied to at least one correspondingly downstream component of the device, the first recirculation device providing a recirculation loop for the reformed or scrubbed gas mixture and the recirculation loop comprising at least the gasifier and the reformer.

Abstract: A method of operating a gasification facility includes injecting a carbonaceous material into a gasification reactor. The method also includes converting at least a portion of the carbonaceous material into a solid waste byproduct that includes residual carbon. The method further includes reactivating at least a portion of the residual carbon. The method also includes injecting at least a portion of the reactivated carbon into the gasification reactor.

Abstract: A gasifier and gasifier system based on the gasifier, which contains as a major component, a novel feed system for feeding organic materials into the burn pile of the gasifier. The gasifier feed system is a horizontal auger driven feed system that feeds directly through a ceramic elbow into the furnace without having to auger the feed through significant vertical elevations.

Abstract: Solid fuel can be converted into a clean hot flue gas with a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC's), NOx and dust, and clean ash with a low carbon content by means of a stage-divided thermal reactor, where the conversion process of the solid fuel is in separate vertical stages (from below and up): ash burn-out, char oxidation and gasification, pyrolysis, drying, and a gas combustion stage where gas from the gasifier is combusted.

Abstract: This invention involves pyrolysis of feedstock by introducing carbonaceous feedstock, into a hopper and moving it into a reactor tube enclosed in an oven, generating heat within the oven that is in part transferred to the feedstock, heating it to sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the feedstock into useful volatiles and char. A Venturi system produces a negative pressure directing volatiles into a pyro-gas oven producing heat necessary for pyrolysis and generating useful excess heat. The extruded pyrolysis char has uses including charcoal fuel, soil amendments, and activated charcoal while liquids can be produced for processing into fuels. Excess heat may be used to heat water, steam, and air, may be used in air heating and cooling systems, perform mechanical work with a Stirling engine or generate electricity on the order of 100 kW and higher. The system may be operated in a carbon neutral or even carbon negative manner, allowing sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gasification system where a bulky carbonaceous feedstock is pyrolyzed at lower temperature (600-1000 C) to bring about a significant reduction in it's volume; and the pyrolysis products are transferred into a smaller reformer at 1200 C to carry out an efficient conversion to syngas. Carbonaceous material constitutes all forms of carbon-containing substance and it includes all fossil fuel, biomass, marine vegetation, animal waste, and industrial organic wastes. Pyrolysis reaction at 600-1000 C produces C1-C8 flue gas and solid char and cokes. Reforming reaction here is more specifically defined as that carbon atom reacts with steam or carbon dioxide gas at 1200 C and reforms into CO gas and all hydrogen atoms are reduced to H2 gas.; It is also referred as endothermic reduction reaction, irregardless of physical and chemical states of carbon, it reacts steam or CO2 gas at 1200 C and above, and reforms into CO and H2 gas, called syngas. No catalyst is needed.

Abstract: An optimized gasification/vitrification processing system having a gasification unit which converts organic materials to a hydrogen rich gas and ash in communication with a joule heated vitrification unit which converts the ash formed in the gasification unit into glass, and a plasma which converts elemental carbon and products of incomplete combustion formed in the gasification unit into a hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: A reformer having a combustion unit including a combustion part to burn air and fuel, a combustion gas distributor to distribute the burned combustion gas, and first and second combustion gas passages to guide the distributed combustion gas into an outlet. A fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit includes two reforming reaction parts preparing a reforming reaction reformate, each having a reforming catalyst to reform feed and water supplied from a feed/water inlet, and a water gas shift reaction part preparing a water gas shift reformate, between the two reforming reaction parts to decrease a concentration of carbon monoxide in the reforming reacting reformate. The two units are structured as six cylindrical pipes to realize optimal heat exchange efficiency, and preferential oxidation reactor is provided between first air fuel preheating passages in the combustion part to decrease the concentration of carbon monoxide in the water gas shift reformate to a predetermined level or lower.

Abstract: This invention is related to a gasifier and gasification methods realized in said gasifier to provide modular solutions at geographical areas where the access is difficult by processing the refuse-derived-fuel (RDF) obtained from waste including hazardous, industrial and municipal waste in an environmentally sound manner. Switching between the updraft and downdraft gasification modes in said gasifier is possible without the interruption of the system. Therefore energy, labor and time saving is realized via the invented gasifier and the gasification method.

Abstract: A reformer includes a first body, a second body which is disposed in an inner portion of the first body, a heat source unit which is disposed in an inner portion of the second body to generate heat, a reforming reaction unit which includes a reforming catalyst placed in a space between first and second bodies to generate a hydrogen-rich gas from the fuel through a reforming reaction using the reforming catalyst, and a nozzle member which is disposed in the second body to distribute the fuel and the oxygen to the heat source unit.

Abstract: A cost-effective biomass gasification method and system for converting biomass materials into gaseous fuel. The system and method are capable of converting at least about 50-70% of the carbon in a biomass material into gaseous carbon at a temperature lower than about 1300° F. Also provided is a highly-efficient, cost-effective biomass gasification system comprising a combustor and a gasifier with an inside diameter of at least about 36 inches and a height of at least about 40 feet.

Abstract: A method of cooling syngas in a gasifier is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one platen that extends at least partially through a reaction zone of the gasifier, and circulating reactant fluid around the at least one platen to facilitate heat transfer from the reactant fluid to the cooling fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating synthesis gas from waste organic materials that consists of a thermal reduction gasification reactor which is a rotary reactor having a drying and volatilizing zone for gasifying organic materials and a reformation zone for converting the gasified organic materials to synthesis gas. Solid waste organic material is fed to the reactor that heats the solid material to a temperature of about 600° C. to about 1000° C. The synthesis gas generated by the apparatus is substantially hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The apparatus is combined with an electrical generation system for making purified hydrogen and electricity. Alternatively, the synthesis gas can be used as a source for hydrogen. The synthesis gas is cleaned, the composition is shifted to enrich the content of hydrogen, and the hydrogen is isolated from the other gases that make up the synthesis gas. Alternatively, the synthesis gas can be fermented forming an organic alcohol and an organic acid.

Abstract: A dump-cooled gasifier includes a vessel, a liner, and coolant. The liner has a head end, an aft end, and a plurality of channels extending along a length of the vessel. The aft end of the liner is axially and radially expandable with respect to the head end of the liner. The coolant enters at the head end of the liner, flows through the liner, and is expelled from the aft end of the liner directly into the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a gasifier having a partial moderator bypass are provided. The gasifier includes a partial oxidation reactor including an inlet and an outlet and a primary reaction zone extending therebetween, the partial oxidation reactor configured to direct a flow of products of partial oxidation including fuel gases, gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation, and unburned carbon, and a secondary reaction chamber coupled in flow communication with the partial oxidation reactor, the secondary reaction chamber is configured to mix a flow of moderator with the flow of gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation and unburned carbon such that a concentration of fuel gases is increased.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the generation of consistent output synthesis gas from highly variable input feedstock solids carbonaceous materials. A stoichiometric objectivistic chemic environment may be established to stoichiometrically control carbon content in a solid carbonaceous materials gasifier system. Processing of carbonaceous materials may include dominative pyrolytic decomposition and multiple coil carbonaceous reformation. Dynamically adjustable process determinative parameters may be utilized to refine processing, including process utilization of negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, process utilization of flue gas (9), and adjustment of process flow rate characteristics. Recycling may be employed for internal reuse of process materials, including recycled negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, recycled flue gas (9), and recycled contaminants.

Abstract: A small cylindrical reformer according to the embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use in the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels for a small fuel cell power plant. In the small cylindrical reformer, a reforming reactor, a water gas shift reactor (high temperature or low temperature), a combustor, a heat exchanger, a steam generator, etc., may be integrated in a single container to form an optimal heat exchanging network, minimize heat loss and optimize heat exchange efficiency. Thereby, the reformer is designed to be easily processed and manufactured and to have a compact size, thus realizing high efficiency, light weight and ease of mass production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid fuel decoupled fluidized bed gasifying method and a gasifying apparatus. By physically separately performing drying and pyrolyzing of fuel, gasification of char, and tar/hydrocarbon reforming, the interactions between the separated chemical reactions and physical processes during fluidized bed gasification can be utilized. Specifically, in a fluidized bed reactor having two reaction chambers, drying and pyrolyzing of fuel, gasification of char, and tar/hydrocarbon reforming are performed, respectively, the reforming of tar/hydrocarbon is promoted through the catalytic effect of the char, and the evaporated fuel moisture is provided to the char gasification and tar/hydrocarbon reforming as an effective reaction agent. Accordingly, the tar content in product gas can be reduced, the use amount of external steam can be reduced, the overall efficiency of gasification can be improved, and this technique can also be applied to the processing of high water-containing fuel.

Abstract: A compact biomass gasification apparatus is capable of gasifying a wide variety of biomass materials, without regard to their size and/or the water content of those materials, and also capable of substantially removing the tar component generated in a gasification process. A biomass gasification apparatus primarily includes an externally heated rotary kiln-type thermal cracking unit (2) indirectly heating and thermally cracking a biomass material to generate a tar-containing pyrolysis gas and char from the biomass material, and a gasification unit (3) receiving the tar-containing pyrolysis gas and char from the thermal cracking unit (2) and thermally cracking the tar component in the pyrolysis gas and gasifying the char by an oxidation gas being introduced therein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel processor for use in a fuel cell system, may have a bottom plate, having a regenerator having a first inlet to receive an air flow, a burner flow chamber within the regenerator, the burner flow chamber having a second inlet to receive the air flow from the regenerator, and a reformer flow chamber positioned between the regenerator and the burner flow chamber, the reformer flow chamber having a third inlet to receive the air flow from the burner chamber, wherein the burner flow chamber and the reformer flow chamber is formed of a monolithic structure having an elongated, rounded baffle in the center of the monolithic structure. The fuel processor may also have a top plate coupled to the bottom plate to enclose the fuel processor, the top plate having a top surface and a bottom surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for decomposing ammonia in a gasifier are provided. The system includes a gasifier including a pressure vessel and an injection nozzle extending through the pressure vessel and including a nozzle tip at a distal end of the injection nozzle, the injection nozzle further includes a passage configured to direct a fluid stream including ammonia proximate the nozzle tip such that the fluid stream including ammonia facilitates reducing a temperature of at least a portion of the nozzle tip.

Abstract: An improved active grate consisting of at least two elongated rockers positioned parallel to one and another, each rocker having a lower surface and an upper surface and configured to rotate back and forth about their longitudinal axis. Each individual rocker is further configured to rotate in the opposite direction of the adjacent rockers such that any pair of adjacent rockers alternately forms a void allowing material to pass through active grate when rotating in one direction into a first position, and closes the void when rotated in the opposite direction in a second position. The active grate finds particular utility in a combined gasification/vitrification waste treatment system, where it is used to pass partially oxidized materials from a gasification chamber to a vitrification chamber. The rockers include a coolant loop through the longitudinal axis of the rockers.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a thin miniaturized reactor for chemical reaction with effective use of heat. The reactor has paired channels formed on a substrate such that the channels extend close to and along each other and are provided with a heat exchanger for efficient heat exchange between the channels. The reactor is produced by forming on substrates the paired channels and heat exchanger and then bonding the substrates together. This manufacturing method is simple and reduces steps.

Abstract: A method of gasifying organic materials (carbonaceous compounds) such as coal and fossil fuel and their mixtures including gasifying wastes into syngas, and an apparatus thereof. The apparatus is suitable to gasify carbonaceous wastes without secondary pollutants formed from oxidation. Further, the apparatus can be used in a system to drive a fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gas rich in hydrogen by thermal pyrolysis of hydrocarbons which consists in carrying out, in a reactor (R) a catalyst-free thermal cracking to pyrolyze a fuel selected so as to produce either a gas rich in hydrogen and free of carbon monoxide, or a gas rich in hydrogen and containing carbon monoxide and in using said gas effluents during pyrolysis and inert with respect to the cell as fuel at the burner (B) to heat the reactor so as to bring it to a reaction temperature, and which consists, subsequently, in burning the powder carbon produced in the reactor (R) during the pyrolysis reaction either to produce carbon monoxide or to produce carbon dioxide. The invention is useful in particular for supplying hydrogen to fuel cells and for producing synthesis gas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the generation of consistent output synthesis gas from highly variable input feedstock solids carbonaceous materials. A stoichiometric objectivistic chemic environment may be established to stoichiometrically control carbon content in a solid carbonaceous materials gasifier system. Processing of carbonaceous materials may include dominative pyrolytic decomposition and multiple coil carbonaceous reformation. Dynamically adjustable process determinative parameters may be utilized to refine processing, including process utilization of negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, process utilization of flue gas (9), and adjustment of process flow rate characteristics. Recycling may be employed for internal reuse of process materials, including recycled negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, recycled flue gas (9), and recycled contaminants.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation system includes a fuel container, a spent fuel container, a catalyst system and a control system for generating hydrogen in a manner which provides for a compact and efficient construction while producing hydrogen from a reaction involving a hydride solution such as sodium borohydride.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying a solid fuel within a pressurized gasifier without a lockhopper, a slurry or pulverization comprising the feeding of said fuel into a charging chamber having a first section equipped with a ram through which a mandrel is disposed, and a second section within which an impervious seal is formed from the solid fuel by the compressive forces generated by said ram and a third section into which the seal is advanced while said ram forms a successive seal in said second section. The seal from said third section is reduced in size and charged into the pressurized gasifier where it is gasified without loss of pressure. The gases produced are utilized to polygenerate products such as transport fuels and electric power, and a fertilizer from waste gas resulting from the combustion of one of the produced gases.

Abstract: A hybrid method for producing energy from a carbonaceous material including the steps of: heating the carbonaceous material under a reduced oxygen atmosphere in a distillation plant to generate distillate vapours; processing the resulting distillate vapours; transferring the char residue from the distillation plant to a power station boiler; and combusting the char residue in the power station boiler for the generation of electrical power. The char residue is transferred to a power station boiler while the char residue retains heat from the heating in the distillation plant. An integrated energy conversion system including: a distillation plant for the destructive distillation of carbonaceous material to afford distillate vapours and a char residue; a power station boiler; a means of transferring the char residue at a temperature between 300 to 700° C. from the distillation plant to the bed power station; and collection means for the distillate vapours.

Abstract: A low-temperature gasification system comprising a horizontally oriented gasifier is provided that optimizes the extraction of gaseous molecules from carbonaceous feedstock while minimizing waste heat. The system comprises a plurality of integrated subsystems that work together to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into electricity. The subsystems comprised by the low-temperature gasification system are: a Municipal Solid Waste Handling System; a Plastics Handling System; a Horizontally Oriented Gasifier with Lateral Transfer Units System; a Gas Reformulating System; a Heat Recycling System; a Gas Conditioning System; a Residue Conditioning System; a Gas Homogenization System and a Control System.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas station is disclosed comprising, a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-rich reformed gas through reforming reaction of an organic compound, a gas supply port configured to communicate with a gas supply pipe to supply the reformed gas to a plurality of fuel cells, and a gas recovery port configured to communicate with a gas recovery pipe to receive an off gas containing hydrogen unconsumed from the fuel cells, the hydrogen gas station being configured to consume the off gas.

Abstract: An apparatus removes CO from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies. Both a catalyst adapted to perform a water gas shift reaction, and a carbon dioxide adsorbent are disposed in a rotating pressure swing adsorber housing. The adsorption of carbon dioxide shifts equilibrium toward carbon monoxide consumption. A second adsorbent may be disposed in the housing for adsorbing carbon monoxide at low temperatures, and is adapted to desorb carbon monoxide at high temperatures. The present invention advantageously eliminates a unit operation from a space-constrained fuel cell vehicle by combining the WGS catalyst and a CO2 adsorbent in a single reactor/housing. The apparatus further eliminates the use of a PROX reactor, by providing an apparatus which incorporates CO2 adsorption and consequent carbon monoxide consumption in the place of the PROX reactor.

Abstract: A reformer burner that includes a fuel supply tube through which a fuel is supplied and a fuel supply chamber that surrounds the fuel supply tube and has a plurality of atomizing holes to atomize a fuel into a combustion chamber of a reformer.

Abstract: A method and device for cooling hot crude gas and slag from entrained flow gasification of liquid and solid combustibles at crude gas temperatures ranging from 1,200 to 1,800° C. and at pressures of up to 80 bar in a cooling chamber disposed downstream of the gasification reactor by injecting water. The cooling water is distributed, with a first portion being finely dispersed into to cooling chamber and a second portion being fed at the bottom into an annular gap provided between the pressure-carrying tank wall and an incorporated metal apron for protecting said pressure-carrying tank wall. The second portion of the cooling water flows upward in the annular gap and trickles down the inner side of the metal apron in the form of a water film.

Abstract: A reformer for a fuel cell system includes a leading segment and a trailing segment. The leading segment includes less reactive catalyst and/or more stabilizing catalyst than the trailing segment. The reformer may be used for reformation of high and low hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: The invention is a method for producing hydrogen using a generator, heating the vessel that is part of the generator, loading waste comprising steel into the heated vessel, melting the loaded waste to a molten state using a non-transferred torch to cut and melt the waste and then using a transferred torch to maintain a molten metal pool, adding additional steel to raise the molten metal pool to a minimum depth, raising the temperature to 2000 degrees Centigrade, acquiring EPA approval, loading waste into the vessel at a defined rate, maintaining the molten metal pool further melting any non-melted waste into a molten status with the transferred torch, determining BTU content and gas flow, injecting steam into the vessel, flowing gas from the vessel through scrubbers into storage containers and collecting the hydrogen in a collection vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of solid and liquid fuels to a synthesis gas, steam and/or electricity in which about 10% to about 40% of a solid fuel and/or a liquid fuel is introduced into a gasifier and gasified, resulting in formation of a synthesis gas. The remaining portion of the solid fuel and/or liquid fuel is introduced into a first stage of a multi-stage combustor, resulting in formation of products of combustion and ash and/or char. The synthesis gas is introduced into a second stage of the multi-stage combustor disposed downstream of the first stage and overfire oxidant is introduced into a third stage of the multi-stage combustor disposed downstream of the second stage. The ash and/or char from the multi-stage combustor is then recycled into the gasifier.