Abstract: A system for discharging and cooling hot ash from a coal combustion unit, such as a coal combustor or an associated filter, where the hot ash at a temperature in excess of 700.degree. C. and at superatmospheric pressure is charged to a jacketed, cooled screw conveyor and passed therethrough in contact with a countercurrent flow of a purge gas. The ash is cooled in the screw conveyor to a temperature of below 320.degree. C. and dischaged to a collection hopper, under pressure, while the purge gas and gases evolved from the hot ash are returned to the combustion unit.

Abstract: A method for electric power production or cogeneration of electrical power and process heat and/or steam that integrates a solid carbonaceous fuel gasification system and gas turbine system. Fuel gas produced in the gasification system is combusted and the combustion gases used in the gas turbine system. The gas turbine system uses water spray intercooling of the compressor or compressors, with air-water mixture from the compressor used in the gasification system, while hot exhaust gas from the turbine system has heat recuperated therefrom and is used to produce steam, which is also used in the gasification system.

Abstract: Electric power is produced in an electric power generating combustion turbine using a biogas as fuel thereto, where a biogas, leaving a biomass gasification system at an elevated temperature of 650.degree.-875.degree. C. and containing tars, is partially cooled by injection of a spray of water thereto to a lower temperature of about 260.degree.-555.degree. but above that which would condense tars. The partially cooled biogas stream is then filtered to remove solid particulate matter therefrom and is directly charged as fuel to the electric power producing combustion turbine for the production of electric power.

Abstract: Slab-shaped high efficiency catalytic reformer configurations particularly useful for generation of fuels to be used in fuel cell based generation systems. A plurality of structures forming a generally rectangular peripheral envelope are spaced about one another to form annular regions, an interior annular region containing a catalytic bed and being regeneratively heated on one side by a hot combustion gas and on the other side by the gaseous products of the reformation. An integrally mounted combustor is cooled by impingement of incoming oxidant.

Abstract: Slab-shaped high efficiency catalytic reformer configurations particularly useful for generation of fuels to be used in fuel cell based generation systems. A plurality of structures forming a generally rectangular peripheral envelope are spaced about one another to form annular regions, an interior annular region containing a catalytic bed and being regeneratively heated on one side by a hot comubstion gas and on the other side by the gaseous products of the reformation. An integrally mounted combustor is cooled by impingement of incoming oxidant.

Abstract: A distribution plate for a recirculating fluidized bed has a centrally disposed opening and a plurality of apertures adjacent the periphery to eliminate dead spots within the bed.