Abstract: A gasifier (10) for partially combusting a carbonaceous fuel mixture in the combustion chamber (13) of the gasifier (10). The latter includes a water bath (26) into which the hot effluent or the products of combustion are immersed, including a synthetic gas. The products of combustion are directed into the bath (26) by way of a constricted throat section (31). To avoid excessive erosion action and/or thermal shock to the throat section (31) as a result of exposure to the effluent's high temperatures, the throat section (31) is structured with an internal framework of pipes (32). The flamework (32) is communicated with a pressurized source of a cooling fluid (42), preferably water, whereby to cool the throat section (31) sufficiently to counteract the ill effects of exposure to contact with the high temperature effluent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deslagging a gasifier's combustion chamber which has accumulated a residual solidified slag as a result of the fuel being combusted. The gasifier is provided with means for liquefying the slag into a flowable state by heating the combustion chamber to a temperature of which the slag will flow. To epitomize the gasifiers' deslagging mode, the combustion chamber is provided with an array of strain monitoring or measuring load cells which are located to detect and collectively respond to movement at the combustion chamber floor whereby to control the slag removing procedure.

Abstract: The progress and completion of slag removal from the quench chamber of a partial oxidation reactor during controlled oxidation can be monitored by measuring such quench water parameters as pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, and sulfate concentration.

Abstract: An evaporator, which includes a water chamber for receiving water to be evaporated. A plurality of evaporator tubes which when heated, and when water is on an inner wall of a tube, evaporates at least a portion of that water. A plurality of distributors spatially connecting the water chamber with the evaporator tubes in a manner so that each distributor uniformly and distributes the water from the water chamber to an inner wall of a corresponding evaporator tube. A heat source, which heats the plurality of tubes to an evaporation temperature. Apparatus distills the water vapor resulting from the water evaporation to provide distilled water.

Abstract: A selective deslagging operation is conducted in a partial oxidation reactor wherein a first predetermined portion of the reactor is selectively deslagged by derivatization while limiting derivatizing slag conditions in a second predetermined portion of the reactor. Selective deslagging can be accomplished by controlled oxidation conditions in the reactor that vary from one predetermined portion of the reactor to another. Thus, the slag present in one predetermined portion is derivatized and fluidized for removal from the reactor at a faster rate than the slag present in another portion of the reactor, which is not derivatized or is subjected to more limited derivatizing slag conditions. Derivatized slag can be differentiated from non-derivatized slag that does not flow or more limited derivatized slag that has a lower mass flow rate then the derivatized slag at conditions of controlled oxidation. The derivatized slag can then be selectively removed because it has attained a lower fluidizing temperature.

Abstract: A gasifier for partially combusting a carbonaceous fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of the gasifier. The latter includes a water bath into which the hot effluent or products of combustion are immersed, including a synthetic gas. The products of combustion are directed into the bath by way of a constricted throat section. To avoid excessive erosion action and/or thermal shock to the throat section as a result of exposure to the effluent's high temperatures, the throat section is structured with an internal framework of pipes. The framework is communicated with a pressurized source of a cooling fluid, preferably water, whereby to cool the throat section sufficiently to counteract the ill effects of exposure to contact with the high temperature effluent.

Abstract: The nickel content of a waste water stream, such as a stream of grey water that is separated in the decanting operation of a partial oxidation process or blow-down water from a gas quench cooling and/or scrubbing operation is reduced to below 1 mg/l to produce an environmentally upgraded water stream. In the process, the dilute waste water stream containing nickel impurities at a temperature in the range of about 60.degree. to 220.degree. F. is mixed with a water soluble material selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, ionizable polysulfide salt, and hydrogen peroxide; and with dimethyl glyoxime. The pH is adjusted to a value in the range of over 7 to 11 by the addition of a base material and a water insoluble nickel precipitate forms. The precipitate and other insoluble matter are separated from the water by means of at least one conventional solids-liquid separator, and a stream of upgraded water is produced.

Abstract: A hydrogen blistering corrosivity meter includes a cavity filled with a monitoring liquid. A liquid to be tested is separated from the monitoring liquid by a steel membrane. A device, which allows the volume of the measuring liquid to be monitored, is connected to the cavity. Dissolved hydrogen atoms, if any, formed by the test liquid diffuse through the steel membrane and enter the cavity, forming molecular hydrogen and causing an increase in volume in the measuring liquid which corresponds to the rate of corrosion activity.