Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods of gasification using a circulating fluidized bed reactor comprising a separate pyrolysis reaction chamber, one or more primary char gasification chambers, and one or more secondary char gasification chambers which comprise an internal vertical reaction volume suitable for containing a particle bed fluidized by a predominantly vertical upwards gas flow. The vertical reaction volume is advantageous in that this provides the possibility for increased retention time of particles, facilitating comparatively slow “productive” temperature moderation based on endothermic char conversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributed electrical power system comprising a plurality of rechargeable power units such as electrical vehicles coupled to a common electrical power grid at remote locations. A dispatch controller is configured for controlling the supply of electrical power to the plurality of rechargeable power units in accordance with computed charge priorities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steel alloys having a martensitic or martensitic-ferritic structure and comprising Z-phase (CrXN) particles, where X is one or more of the elements V, Nb, Ta, and where the Z-phase particles have an average size of less than 400 nm. The alloy comprises by wt % the following components: 9 to 15% Cr, 0.01-0.20% N, C in an amount less than 0.1%, one or more of: 0.01-0.5% V, 0.01-1% Nb, 0.01-2% Ta, and a balance being substantially iron and inevitable impurities. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a steel alloy, a component comprising such a steel alloy, and to the use of such a steel alloy for high temperature components.