Abstract: A cyclone separator adapted for attachment to the upper outlet end of a fluidized bed reactor such as an atmospheric (ACFB) or pressurized fluidized bed combustor (PFBC) has its gas flow capacity increased while maintaining high inlet gas flow velocity and particle separation efficiency. The cyclone inlet flow passageway has aspect ratio h/w increased to at least 4/1 and preferably to the range of 5/1 to 10/1. Also, the inlet passage inner wall is tapered or curved so that the inlet opening area exceeds that of the outlet opening adjacent the cyclone barrel. The cyclone outlet vortex tube lower portion has a truncated cone shape attached to a cylindrical-shaped vortex tube upper portion. The cyclone separator can be formed from multiple parallel tubes each having longitudinal fins for carrying a cooling fluid such as water or steam, and having a refractory material covering the tubes and fins.

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 system for separating particulate solids and condensable vapor materials from a hot feed gas stream such as a fuel gas containing such materials, so as to provide a clean gas product stream. The system includes a cyclone-type separator in which coarser particulate solids are removed downwardly, and an overhead gas stream containing a reduced concentration of finer particles is passed through a cooling step such as a heat exchanger for solidification and removal of condensable materials, and then passed to a filter vessel. In the filter vessel, the cooled gas and solidified particles pass through a filtering surface for further removal of the finer particles and solidified materials, after which the cleaned product gas is removed through an upper outlet connection.

Abstract: A support structure for multiple adjacent parallel vertical tubes of a solar flux receiver panel, so as to provide for universal independent thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes. Each adjacent tube is attached by a lug located at an intermediate point along the tube length to a rigid horizontal steel support bar, each attachment lug being separated from the adjacent lug by a cylindrical spacer located therebetween. The support bar is attached to tie links and a truss attached to support collars located on the bar at appropriate end and central locations, the tie links and truss being pivotally attached at their other ends to a vertical support frame structure. The support structure for the vertical tubes of the solar panel provides reliable support, accommodates differences thermal expansion and contraction of the tubes, and resists transverse wind and seismic loads for the vertically-oriented solar heated panel.