Abstract: An integrated biomass conversion system and a method of starting and shutting down the system are disclosed. The integrated biomass conversion system comprises a syngas generator, such as a gasifier, a cleanup engine and a syngas utilization system, which could be a power producing engine or a chemical reactor for chemical or fuel synthesis. The cleanup engine operates rich and at high temperatures so that the tars exhausted by the syngas generators are destroyed and not allowed to foul other components. An orderly sequence to start and shut down the integrated biomass conversion system is disclosed.

Abstract: A biomass conversion system is disclosed. The system comprises a syngas generator, a cleanup engine and a power producing engine. The power producing engine is coupled to a load, such as an electrical generator. Modifications to the cleanup engine to enhance performance are described. Additionally, methods of controlling the cleanup engine in response to changes in load are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the air-to-fuel ratio, and/or recirculation gases are varied. In other embodiments, a chemical synthesis reactor may be coupled to the output of the cleanup engine.

Abstract: A biomass conversion system is disclosed. The system comprises a syngas generator, a cleanup engine and a power producing engine. The power producing engine is coupled to a load, such as an electrical generator. Methods of controlling the power producing engine in response to changes in load are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the air-to-fuel ratio, spark timing, and/or recirculation gases are varied to change the power of the power producing engine. In other embodiments, the power producing engine is throttled by limiting the amount of clean syngas that enters the engine.

Abstract: An integrated biomass conversion system and a method of starting and shutting down the system are disclosed. The integrated biomass conversion system comprises a syngas generator, such as a gasifier, a cleanup engine and a syngas utilization system, which could be a power producing engine or a chemical reactor for chemical or fuel synthesis. The cleanup engine operates rich and at high temperatures so that the tars exhausted by the syngas generators are destroyed and not allowed to foul other components. An orderly sequence to start and shut down the integrated biomass conversion system is disclosed.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines tolerant to tar-containing producer gas are disclosed. Two concepts are described. The engines are tolerant to producer gas from a biomass gasifier with minimal pretreatment. When biomass is gasified to be burned for power generation or to be used to synthesize chemicals such as biofuels, a large fraction of the installation cost is spent on equipment to clean up the heavy organic components (also referred to as ‘tars’) from the gas stream, hereafter referred to as ‘producer gas’. The invention described herein may be used to enable power generation from gasified biomass with minimal treatment. It may also be used to treat biomass at a very low cost for other uses such as synthesizing chemicals. The producer gas is not necessarily limited to biomass derived. Producer gas derived from coal or other sources has similar issues and the invention described herein would be equally applicable.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines tolerant to tar-containing producer gas are disclosed. Two concepts are described. The engines are tolerant to producer gas from a biomass gasifier with minimal pretreatment. When biomass is gasified to be burned for power generation or to be used to synthesize chemicals such as biofuels, a large fraction of the installation cost is spent on equipment to clean up the heavy organic components (also referred to as ‘tars’) from the gas stream, hereafter referred to as ‘producer gas’. The invention described herein may be used to enable power generation from gasified biomass with minimal treatment. It may also be used to treat biomass at a very low cost for other uses such as synthesizing chemicals. The producer gas is not necessarily limited to biomass derived. Producer gas derived from coal or other sources has similar issues and the invention described herein would be equally applicable.

Abstract: A method of generating steam using a combination of fuel and solar energy includes delivering liquid to a fuel-fired steam generator operating at least at partial load during a first time period, delivering liquid to a solar steam generator operating at least at partial load during a second time period, delivering saturated steam to a steam separator from at least one of the operating fuel-fired or solar steam generator, and delivering saturated vapor from the steam separator to a steam distribution system.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine system. The system includes a source of gasoline for direct injection into cylinders of a spark ignition engine along with a source of an antiknock fuel for injection into the intake ports of the engine as needed to prevent knock. A preferred antiknock fuel is ethanol or an ethanol/gasoline blend having an ethanol content of 20% by volume or more. Other suitable antiknock fuels are methanol, a combination of ethanol and methanol, and a blend of gasoline with either ethanol, methanol, or an ethanol/methanol mixture.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine system. The system includes a source of gasoline for direct injection into cylinders of a spark ignition engine along with a source of an antiknock fuel for injection into the intake ports of the engine as needed to prevent knock. A preferred antiknock fuel is ethanol or an ethanol/gasoline blend having an ethanol content of 20% by volume or more. Other suitable antiknock fuels are methanol, a combination of ethanol and methanol, and a blend of gasoline with either ethanol, methanol, or an ethanol/methanol mixture.