Abstract: A dryer (10, 50, 100) for drying combustible, chip-like material has at least one ramp-like transport (12) inclined at an angle between five and ten degrees steeper than the natural angle of repose of the material. The transport (12) supports substantially laminar flow of a bed of material from a material feed element (40) to a material discharge element (48). The dryer feed element (40) may include a material size separator for depositing finer chips below larger chips of material so as to stratify the bed and reduce particulate entrainment. The dryer (10, 50, 100) preferably has modular construction for nesting a plurality of stacked transports (12) compartly within a common enclosure (52, 102).

Abstract: A gasifier (10) for particulate combustible material in effect separates the pyrolysis and the oxidation of the flowable fuel material with a traveling grate (40) for advancing a bed of the material from a material feed station (40A) to a material discharge station (40B). A material feed mechanism (60) has fuel and ember chutes (62, 64) for depositing hot embers below combustible material. Discharge transport apparatus 70 separates ash from combustible residue, i.e., embers. A recirculation transport (80) delivers combustible residue to the ember chute (64) where it is reintroduced to the traveling grate (40) for a further transit through the gasifier (10).