Abstract: A method of charging a pyrolytic gas-producing reactor with waste fuel wherein the waste fuel is forced into the reactor by a ram and wherein air is prevented from entering the reactor and pyrolysis gases are prevented from escaping from the reactor by means of an ablative seal which is positioned between the fuel and the ram and which is forced by the action of the ram on the fuel charge into the reactor whilst in sealing engagement with the internal walls of the reactor, the seal being made of a material which will resist the high temperature and chemical conditions in the reactor for at least as long a period as is required for the seal to perform its sealing function and which is thereafter thermally decomposed into products which are not detrimental to the pyrolytic process or to the pyrolytic gases produced by the reactor.

Abstract: The gasification of coal and other carbonaceous materials by an endothermic gasification reaction is achieved in the presence of a catalyst in a down-flow, moving-bed gasifier. Catalyst is removed along with ash from the gasifier and is then sufficiently heated in a riser/burner by the combustion of residual carbon in the ash to volatilize the catalyst. This volatilized catalyst is returned to the gasifier where it uniformly contacts and condenses on the carbonaceous material. Also, the hot gaseous combustion products resulting from the combustion of the carbon in the ash along with excess air are introduced into the gasifier for providing heat energy used in the endothermic reaction.

Abstract: A system for feeding a coal-water paste material coaxially upwardly through a feed nozzle assembly into a pressurized fluidized bed reactor having a lower portion and a larger diameter upper portion. The feed nozzle assembly includes a nozzle unit for atomizing the coal paste feed material, and a concentric outer shroud tube enclosing the nozzle unit. The feed nozzle assembly is inserted upwardly through an opening in the bottom portion of the pressurized fluidized bed reactor into a coaxial orientation with the bed, so as to provide substantially complete combustion and/or carbonization of the coal paste material fed into the reactor to produce a combustible gas product. If desired, a sorbent material nay be fed into the fluidized bed together with the coal paste feed, so as to absorb sulfur from the coal and produce a clean fuel gas. During reactor operations at 130-200 psig pressure and 1,600.degree.-1,800.degree. F.

Abstract: A latent heat-ballasted gasifier suitable for converting biomass, coal, or low-quality fuels into a producer gas. Latent heat is stored in the reactor in ballasts containing a metal alloy with a melting point approximate the pyrolysis temperatures of the fuel. A fluidized bed reactor is used to enhance heat transfer between the latent heat material and the fuel. The latent heat-ballasts allows the reactor to be operated in a quasi-steady mode rather than a batch operation employed in the prior designs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for gasifying liquid and/or fine-grain solid gasification substances and/or for reforming a gas, using a gasification agent, in a reactor (1). In the process the process heat is supplied by heat carrier particles which are heated within a substantially closed circuit in a heater (5) by combustion gases which are produced in a combustion chamber (3), and passed through the reactor (1) in counter-flow relationship with the gasification substance or the gas to be reformed and the gasification agent, and then returned to the heater (5) for renewed heating. In accordance with the invention the particles and the combustion gas form a fluidized bed above at least one grid (34, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e) arranged in the heater (5).

Abstract: A latent heat-ballasted gasifier suitable for converting biomass, coal, or low-quality fuels into a producer gas. Latent heat is stored in the reactor in ballasts containing a metal alloy with a melting point approximate the pyrolysis temperatures of the fuel. A fluidized bed reactor is used to enhance heat transfer between the latent heat material and the fuel. The latent heat-ballasts allows the reactor to be operated in a quasi-steady mode rather than a batch operation employed in the prior designs.

Abstract: A method for gasifying a combustible liquid or powder using a gas detonation wave including a step of introducing detonable mixed gas including oxidizing gas into a detonation tube, a step of spraying, coating or laying combustible liquid or powder in the detonation tube and a step of detonating the mixed gas by ignition so that the combustible liquid or powder is thermally decomposed by the high-temperature and high-pressure behind the detonation wave.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating powdered coal in a solid-fuel injection installation. Such an installation comprises a powdered coal storage bunker, at least one lock connected to the circuit for pneumatically transporting the coal, at least one filtering screen connected between each lock and the bunker, a pressurized inert-gas source for pressurizing each lock and forming the pneumatically propelled flow of the coal and a circuit for pressure-equalizing and depressurizing each lock through a filter. According to the present invention, the major portion of the inert gas for depressurizing each lock is subjected to a filtering operation before being injected through the bottom of the storage bunker into the mass of coal and being discharged through a filter at the top of the bunker. The residual portion of the inert depressurizing gas is shunted directly towards the top of the storage bunker. The present invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: Fuels are gasified in a fluidized state by a treatment with oxygen-containing gas and water vapor in a gasifying reactor. A solids mixture which contains ash and fine-grained fuels is combusted in a heating-up phase, which precedes the gasification and in which the temperature in the reactor is increased approximately to the temperature desired for the gasification. In a succeeding inertizing phase the supply rate of oxygen-containing gas is decreased and an inert gas is fed to the reactor until the product gas no longer contains free oxygen whereas the temperature is maintained virtually constant. In the succeeding gasification the fuel supply rate is increased and, after an adjusting time, the temperature is maintained virtually constant at the value desired for the gasification in the range from 600.degree. to 1500.degree. C. The gasification temperature is controlled by a change of the fuel supply rate.

Abstract: A method for gasifying coal is disclosed. Coal is fed to the gasifier using lockhoppers which are in fluid communication with each other. Energy is recovered during depressurization steps by passing gas through a pressure recovery device such as a turbo-expander.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping and depressurizing fine particulates mixed with gas discharged from a vessel operated at elevated temperature and pressure conditions to a low pressure vessel using a purge gas injected into a conduit designed for significant frictional pressure loss per unit length of conduit while maintaining a substantially constant velocity of the mixture conveyed.

Abstract: An arrangement for gasification of fuels within the range from fine grain fuel to dust shaped fuels, in a dust cloud with gas comprises a gasification reactor provided with at least two burners, a supply container for accommodating a fuel, a distributor connected to the supply container for receiving the fuel from the supply container, and a plurality of conduits connected with the distributor and supplying the fuel from the latter to the burners, the conduits having a different geometrical parameter including at least one of a length and a direction.

Abstract: Particulate solid fuel is conveyed from an atmospheric container into an atmospheric lock hopper which is then pressurized by a high pressure inert gas. The fuel is passed from the pressurized lock hopper into a pressure vessel and subsequently from this vessel into a gasification reactor. In the container and the lock hopper the solid fuel is fluidized by an inert gas. In the pressure vessel synthesis gas is used for this purpose, the latter gas also being applied for the pneumatic transport of the fuel from the vessel into the reactor.

Abstract: The process for determining and controlling the fuel mass flow in partial oxidation and gasification of a fine-grained to powdery fuel includes particularly drawing the fuel from the supply vessel through a single outlet pipe and feeding the fuel to a distributor, in which a plurality of individual supply lines are connected to the individual burners, the fuel mass flow rate in the supply lines depending on the speed measured there and the radiometric density measurement being determined in the outlet pipe of the supply vessel. For control of the fuel mass flow a stepwise regulation depending on the crude gas flow produced in the gasification unit is thus provided.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the production of gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid fuel in a fluidized bed, the solid particles contained in the product gas are separated off in a cyclone separator and recycled to the fluidized bed by way of a recycling conduit. The recycling conduit is provided with injection nozzles for introducing gas flows into the recycling conduit in a pulse-like manner in order to loosen up the particles therein. The gas flows may be introduced into the recycling conduit in displaced relationship in respect of time in such a way that, of two adjacent injection locations, gas is injected through the injection location which is arranged at a greater spacing from the reactor at a later time than at the injection location which is closer to the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for minimizing mass flow rate fluctuations of a particulate solid fuel and gas mixture having a coal mass flow rate ranging from about 50-800 kg/m.sup.3 and a corresponding frequency range of about 0.1 to 100 Hertz transported to a reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for minimizing mass flow rate fluctuations of a particulate solid fuel and gas mixture having a coal mixture mass flow rate of about 50-800 kg/cubic meter and a corresponding frequency range of about 0.1 to 100 Hertz to a reactor.

Abstract: An entrained bed coal gasifier constructed so as to conduct two-stage reactions in a single gasification zone can be operated with high gasification efficiency by feeding coal and a gasifying agent through upper burners located at an upper portion from the half of the gasification section along the vertical direction and lower burners located at a lower portion from the half of the gasification section so as to make rotational flow respectively, the ratio of the amount of gasifying agent to the amount of coal at lower burners being larger than that of at the upper burners, the rotating circle diameter formed by the coal and gasifying agent injected from the upper burner being larger than that formed by the lower burner.

Abstract: A coal gasification method using coal powder introduced along with oxygen or air and steam, into a reaction chamber, supplies the char produced in the reaction chamber or the char and coal, along with oxygen or air and steam is introduced into a combustion chamber, formed in lower part of the reaction chamber and burns in the combustion chamber to maintain the temperature therein at about 1,600.degree. C., and forms the high temperature region of the reaction chamber into an agglomerated bed of fluidized coal having a temperature between 900.degree. and 1,300.degree. C.

Abstract: Method and installation for processing a material in a circulating fluidized bed, in which, in the filtration compartment (4) traversed by the fluidization gas at a speed which is so regulated as to put into suspension only the particles having dimensions smaller than a given limit, the unburnt largest particles (25) which are recovered and are directly recycled in the fluidized bed (21) and the fine particles (24) are subjected in an adjacent compartment (5) to a processing for agglomerating the ashes by forming in the processing compartment (5) a high temperature zone (96), the agglomerated ashes (26) being withdrawn at the base of the processing compartment (5) and the unburnt fine particles (27) being returned to fluidized bed (21) through a recycling circuit (54).

Abstract: A fluidized bed gasifier and a method for operating for the gasification of carbonaceous material comprising a vertically disposed elongated vessel comprising an upper section of a first diameter, a lower section of a second diameter and a transition section disposed therebetween wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; a tubular manifold disposed generally horizontally and within the vessel; gas supply means penetrating said vessel and fluidly connected with said manifold and a plurality of tubes each having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet attached to, in fluid communication with, and distributed about the manifold and said outlets directed downwardly towards the interior of the vessel adjacent the transition section.

Abstract: A process for gasifying coal comprising supplying to an upper portion of an entrained flow gasifier a coal powder having a particle size of 100 .mu.m or less whereby gasification is conducted at 900.degree. C. or higher in the absence of oxygen, supplying a coal powder including coarser particles and oxygen in an amount from that necessary for complete combustion of coal to a half of said amount to a lower portion of the gasifier whereby gasification is conducted at a melting point of coal ash or higher, and leading the gases produced at the lower portion of the gasifier directly to the upper portion of the gasifier, does not require recycle of char to the gasifier and gives a high gasification efficiency by passing coal powder through the gasifier only one time.

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: A process for gasifying solid carbonaceous matter, e.g., coal, by introducing an oxygen-containing gas axially into a reactor, and introducing the carbonaceous matter at a right angle to the reactor axis from a point within the reactor, preferably by means of a centrifugal pump.

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

Abstract: In a fluidized bed apparatus a method for controlling the height of the fdized bed, taking into account variations in the density of the bed. The method comprises taking simultaneous differential pressure measurements at different vertical elevations within the vessel, averaging the differential pressures, determining an average fluidized bed density, then periodically calculating a weighting factor. The weighting factor is used in the determination of the actual bed height which is used in controlling the fluidizing means.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting coal and process fluids into a fluidized bed gasification reactor. Three concentric tubes extend vertically upward into the fluidized bed. Coal particulates in a transport gas are injected through an inner tube, and an oxygen rich mixture of oxygen and steam are injected through an inner annulus about the inner tube. A gaseous medium relatively lean in oxygen content, such as steam, is injected through an annulus surrounding the inner annulus.

Abstract: Product gas is produced by partial gasification of coke or coal. The coke or coal is admitted in particulate form into a gasification zone where it undergoes partial gasification. The residue of coke or coal is then forwarded into a combustion zone where it is combusted to liberate heat. A gaseous heat carrier is first passed through the combustion zone to become heated therein, is then passed through the gasification zone to sustain the partial gasification process, and is then recirculated into the combustion zone to be reheated.

Abstract: A method of operating an entrained flow coal gasifier (10) via a two-stage gasification process. A portion of the coal (18) to be gasified is combusted in a combustion zone (30) with near stoichiometric air to generate combustion products. The combustion products are conveyed from the combustion zone into a reduction zone (32) wherein additional coal is injected into the combustion products to react with the combustion products to form a combustible gas. The additional coal is injected into the reduction zone as a mixture (60) consisting of coal and steam, preferably with a coal-to-steam weight ratio of approximately ten to one.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the operation of gasification plants for pulverized fuels, wherein the pulverized fuel is reacted in a flame reaction with a gasifying agent containing free oxygen, into a combustible gas containing CO and H.sub.2. The task consists in precluding upon malfunctions in the supply of fuel, an oxygen discharge into the cooling and treatment plants, taking into consideration delays in the emergency shut-off systems and the controls for the oxygen supply.As per invention, a well-flowing additional fuel is stored in a reservoir at a pressure higher than the operating pressure of the gasification reactor. Upon malfunctions in the fuel supply, the additionally stored fuel will be transferred, within a short time, into the reaction chamber of the gasification plant. As additional well-flowing fuel combustible gas, liquid fuel or a pulverized solid fuel, also well-flowing, can be used.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing coal dust to a reaction chamber, especially in the process of producing low-sulfur coke dust and gas by gas extraction and partial gasification of coal dust in a reaction chamber for partially combusting coal dust. Coal dust and a first stream of combustion gas are combined and passed through a central conduit to a reaction chamber. A second stream of combustion gas can be selectively subjected to swirling motion and can be combined with the stream emanating from the central conduit. The degree of swirl of the first stream and the second stream of combustion gas is used to control distribution of the gas-solids mixture in the reaction chamber and to control the path of the gas-solids mixture leading into the wall of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasification of carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a stream of previously produced char, preferably produced from coal or other fuel, together with an oxidizer and steam is introduced into a combustion stage. The combustion gas produced by the combustion passes into a mixing zone and thence with high turbulence into a gasification zone or stage at subsonic velocity. Pulverized carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is introduced and dispersed in the combustion gas in the mixing zone. The temperature, velocity and velocity changes principally of the gas in the gasification zone or stage are controlled to provide a heating rate for the particles of pulverized carbonaceous matter of at least about 10.sup.5 degrees Kelvin per second, and to effect rapid removal of volatile components from the immediate vicinity of the particles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasification of carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is disclosed. A stream of previously produced char, preferably produced from coal, or other fuel together with an oxidizer and steam is introduced into a first or combustion stage. The combustion gas produced by the combustion passes into a second or gasification stage and through a nozzle at at least sonic velocity. Pulverized carbonaceous matter, preferably coal, is introduced and dispersed in the combustion gas in the gasification stage. The temperature, velocity and velocity changes principally of the gas in the gasification stage are controlled to provide a heating rate for the particles of pulverized carbonaceous matter of at least about 10.sup.5 degrees Kelvin per second, and to effect rapid removal of volatile components from the immediate vicinity of the particles.

Abstract: A selected fraction of solid particles having sizes, densities and/or weights in a selected range is separated from a mixture of articles by fluidizing the mixture in a bed using a fluidizing fluid to cause particles including the selected fraction to pass out of the top of the bed; conveying the particles in a conveying fluid to a suitable separator (e.g. a cyclone) wherein the selected particles fraction is separated from smaller, lighter particles; injecting the separated fraction from the separator into a utilization zone (e.g. a fluid bed reactor); entraining other particles in the conveying fluid to another separator (e.g. a cyclone) to produce solids-free conveying fluid which is recirculated for re-use. The original particles mixture may be obtained by separation (e.g. in a cylone) from fluid leaving the utilization zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for the gasification of a carbonaceous fuel to produce a synthesis gas whereby a secondary stream of oxygen is indirectly heated from said synthesis gas and passed to the gasifier to augment the primary oxygen supply.

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: A gas making retort includes a substantially upright mixing chamber opening into a first horizontal refractory cylinder which encloses a second horizontal refractory cylinder. The second cylinder encloses two centrally positioned refractory circular gas out take tubes directly opposite to each other. Each of the cylinders has a cylindrical passageway for the introduction of a mixture of air, steam and a carbonaceous material from the mixing chamber into a gas making space defined between the internal ends of the gas out take tubes wherein a partial combustion of the mixture takes place.

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 is disclosed for contacting at least two solids and a fluid, particularly for retorting and/or gasification of solid carbonaceous materials such as coal, coke, shale or tar sands by introducing a solid heat-transfer material into an upper portion of a treatment or contacting zone and a solid carbonaceous material into a lower portion of the treatment or contacting zone. The solid heat carrier is fluidized by an upflowing gas and moves downwardly, while the solid carbonaceous materials are entrained and move upwardly. The fluidizing gas may be inert or reactive. Substantially countercurrent plug flow of the two solids in the treatment or contacting zone is maintained by including means for preventing back mixing, such as a packing material filling the treatment or contacting zone.

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: Nongaseous carbonaceous material is heated by a method comprising introducing tangentially a first stream containing a nongaseous carbonaceous material and carbon monoxide into a reaction zone; simultaneously and separately introducing a second stream containing oxygen into the reaction zone such that the oxygen enters the reaction zone away from the wall thereof and reacts with the first stream thereby producing a gaseous product and heating the nongaseous carbonaceous material; forming an outer spiralling vortex within the reaction zone to cause substantial separation of gases, including the gaseous product, from the nongaseous carbonaceous material; removing a third stream from the reaction zone containing the gaseous product which is substantially free of the nongaseous carbonaceous material before a major portion of the gaseous product can react with the nongaseous carbonaceous material; and removing a fourth stream containing the nongaseous carbonaceous material from the reaction zone.

Abstract: The gasification of coal to produce a methane-rich product gas is accomplished through the controlled slow heating of particulate coal in a gasifier comprising two or more zones, whereby any significant decrease in the density of the coal particles is minimized and particle swelling and friability are significantly reduced, while the carryover of fines and deposition of tars in the product gas conduit are thereby minimized. The particulate coal heating rate in the gasifier zones is usually between about 10.degree. and 200.degree. F per minute. When the particulate coal is to be fed to the gasifier at elevated temperature, further improvements are achieved with swelling type caking coals through their pretreatment by preheating the coal at a slow rate between 10.degree. and 100.degree. F per minute up to about 800.degree. F in multiple fluidized beds.

Abstract: A method for continuously reacting particulate solids with gases and/or vapors at elevated pressures by feeding the particulate solids into a reaction zone under the pseudohydrostatic pressure generated by very tall fluidized columns of particulate solids, with the descent velocity of the solids and gas in the columns being greater than the ascent velocity of the gas. Fluidizing gas is preferably used at selected points in the column in order to avoid a harmful compaction of the particulate solids.

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: An apparatus for producing carbon black by pyrolytic decomposition of coal with hot combustion gases. In a cylindrically shaped vertical reactor coal is tangentially introduced, thus establishing a helically flowing mass of pulverized coal. This mass is contacted with hot combustion gases. Fine ashes are withdrawn from the upper portion of the reactor at the periphery and coarse ashes are withdrawn from the lower portion of the reactor from the periphery. Carbon black-containing gases are withdrawn from the area of the vertical axis of the reactor overhead.

Abstract: A process is described for producing sulfur by the reaction of sulfur dioxide with agglomerating coal. The purity of the product gases is improved and the tendency of the coal to agglomerate is reduced by employing coal particles having a particle size below 500 microns.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of comminuting coal to about 1 to 10 microns size comprising introducing the coal particles into a plurality of vessels, each of which is subjected to high pressure, superheated steam which infuses into the pores of said particles equalizing the pressure therein with that surrounding the particles in the vessel. By opening a discharge valve of each vessel connected to a nozzle leading into a housing, in which a paddle wheel is located, the particles will burst in each vessel to smaller size because of the reduction of the pressure therein surrounding the particles. Opening of said valve will effect acceleration, turbulence and collision of the particles to cause further breakage particularly as the particles are further expanded through the nozzle and against the blades of the paddle wheel driven in a direction opposite that of the nozzle jets. The vessel may be operated under partial vacuum by connection to a steam condenser through which cooling water flows.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a soot-free hydrogen and carbon monoxide-containing gas by non-catalytic partial combustion of a carbonaceous fuel is described. In this process high yields of hydrogen and carbon monoxide are obtained by staging the partial combustion reaction in a manner such that a substantial portion, e.g., up to 95%, of the carbonaceous fuel charge to the process is reacted with diluted oxygen in a first reaction zone maintained at 1200.degree. to 1700.degree. C to form a first reaction zone effluent made up principally of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and this first reaction zone effluent is passed into a second reaction zone maintained at a temperature at least 100.degree. C lower than the first reaction zone wherein the remaining carbonaceous material is substantially completely converted to gaseous partial combustion products.