Abstract: An improved gasifier adapted for gasifying a predetermined charge of non-gaseous fuel into fuel gas. Each charge of non-gaseous fuel, which may have optional conditioning materials added to it, is intermittently fed to a gasifier chamber where each charge is partially burned with high-pressure air supplied thereto. High-pressure and temperature fuel gas is produced which is cleansed prior to passing out of the gasifier chamber. After gasification of the charge of fuel is is ended, the gasifier chamber is vented. The residue of the burned charge in the gasifier chamber is removed, along with the contaminated or reacted conditioning materials, and replaced by a fresh charge. The subject invention provides a feasible way of continuously fueling an internal combustion engine with gasified fuel and is compact enough to be practical for even mobile applications.

Abstract: A partial oxidation process and a novel burner are provided for simultaneously introducing two or three separate feedstreams into a free-flow partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas and fuel gas, or reducing gas. The reactant feedstreams include a liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a pumpable slurry of solid carbonaceous fuel, and a free-oxygen containing gas e.g. air or oxygen. The burner comprises a central conduit and a plurality of spaced concentric coaxial conduits with down-flowing annular passages. A flat annular-shaped disc or cup-shaped porous ceramic or porous metal cooling means of uniform composition, wall thickness and porosity with the various pores interconnecting is attached to the downstream tip of the burner. A controlled amount of liquid coolant under pressure is passed successively through the porous inside surface, porous core and porous outside surface of the cooling means is vaporized. The tip of the burner is thereby cooled.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining energy from waste products is disclosed. The apparatus includes an upper tank for receiving waste products, a heating system for heating the upper tank by fluid from the cooling system of the combustion engine, and a reactor for excepting the heated waste for further processing.

Abstract: A process of synthesizing an end product within an integrated engine-reactor wherein an initial product, e.g., syngas, is generated within a first chamber of the engine-reactor. This product is contacted with a catalyst in a second chamber within the engine-reactor to catalytically synthesize an end product, e.g., methanol, which is then expanded within the engine-reactor to rapidly cool the end product before it is exhausted from the engine-reactor.

Abstract: A method for converting methane to acetylene is disclosed wherein a hydrocarbon fuel is compressed, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into a portion of the compressed hydrocarbon fuel and ignited to produce heat which causes the remaining portion of the hydrocarbon fuel to react to form a product gas containing acetylene.

Abstract: A free piston gasifier is described capable of burning porous solid char fuels alone or with oil fuels. Air is forced into the char pore spaces during the compression process of the cycle in order to achieve the rapid burning needed for reasonable gasifier speeds. Fresh char fuel is periodically furnished into a combustion chamber and ashes are removed therefrom. Gasifier output is controlled by control of intake air density.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel is subjected to combustion in an internal combustion engine by the use of excess air, and the exhaust gas is utilized as heat and oxygen sources for partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon fuel in a separate reformer. A resulting mixture of the reformed gas and the exhaust gas is subjected to heat exchange with air to be drawn into the engine and/or the fuel to be supplied to the reformer and thereafter is supplied to a larger internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator provides hydrogen rich product gases which are mixed with the fuel being supplied to an internal combustion engine for the purpose of enabling a very lean mixture of that fuel to be used, whereby nitrous oxides emitted by the engine are minimized. The hydrogen generator contains a catalyst which must be heated to a pre-determined temperature before it can react properly. To simplify the process of heating up the catalyst at start-up time, either some of the energy produced by the engine such as engine exhaust gas, or electrical energy produced by the engine, or the engine exhaust gas may be used to heat up air which is then used to heat the catalyst.