Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a hydrocarbon feedstock are provided. The hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified in the presence of one or more particulates to produce a syngas and one or more carbon-containing particulates. At least a portion of the carbon of the one or more carbon-containing particulates can be combusted in a combustion process external to the gasifying of the hydrocarbon feedstock to produce a combustion gas. The combustion gas can be utilized in one or more processes external to the gasifying of the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for mass flow are provided. The apparatus can include a housing, an inlet disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet disposed at a second end of the housing. The housing can include a first section and a second section. The second section can have at least one tapered sidewall that slopes away from an inner surface of the first section toward the outlet. The apparatus can also include a divider disposed at least partially within the first and second sections of the housing. The divider can have at least one tapered surface disposed proximate the at least one tapered sidewall of the second section. An edge of the divider can be located between the outlet and a point within the second section where the cross-sectional area of the second section is about three times or less a cross-sectional area of the outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. The method can include combining one or more feedstocks and one or more solid components in a treatment zone to provide a treated feedstock. At least a portion of the treated feedstock can be introduced to a reaction zone of a gasifier. The one or more solid components can have an average density and an average cross-sectional size that adjusts at least one of an average density of solids within a solids bed of the gasifier and an average cross-sectional size of the solids within the solids bed of the gasifier.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a housing. A plurality of tubes can be disposed within the housing. A plurality of solid particulates can be disposed within the housing between an inner surface of the housing and outer surfaces of the tubes, wherein the solid particulates have an average cross-sectional length from about 250 ?m to about 5 mm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gasifier are provided. The method can include combusting a first start-up fuel to produce a first combustion gas. A temperature within the gasifier can be increased from a starting temperature to at least an auto-ignition temperature of a second start-up fuel by introducing the first combustion gas to the gasifier. A second start-up fuel can be introduced directly to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is at least the auto-ignition temperature of the second start-up fuel. At least a portion of the second start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a second combustion gas. The second combustion gas can produce sufficient heat to increase the temperature within the gasifier to a hydrocarbon feedstock gasification temperature. A hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced to the gasifier. At least a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified within the gasifier to produce a syngas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging heat in a gasification system are provided. The method can include introducing one or more particulates and a heat transfer medium including a feed water, a deaerated feed water, or a combination thereof, to a first zone. The method can also include indirectly exchanging heat from the one or more particulates to the heat transfer medium within the first zone to provide an intermediate heat transfer medium and cooled particulates. The method can also include introducing at least a portion of the intermediate heat transfer medium and a syngas to a second zone. The method can also include indirectly exchanging heat from the syngas to the intermediate heat transfer medium within the second zone to provide a heat transfer medium product and a cooled syngas. The heat transfer medium product can include steam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting a gasifier are provided. In the method, a heated start-up medium can be fed to a gasifier operating at a first temperature. Heat can be transferred from the heated start-up medium to the gasifier to increase the temperature of the gasifier from the first temperature to an intermediate temperature sufficient to auto-ignite a start-up fuel. A start-up fuel and an oxidant can be fed to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is increased to the intermediate temperature. At least a portion of the start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a combustion gas. Heat can be transferred from the combustion gas to the gasifier to increase the temperature of the gasifier to an operating temperature, wherein the operating temperature is sufficient to gasify at least a portion of a hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a synthetic gas are provided. A feedstock can be gasified within a gasifier to produce a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be processed within a processing device to produce a processed syngas. The processed syngas can be separated into a vapor phase, an organic phase, and an aqueous phase within a separator. The organic phase can be introduced to the gasifier. The aqueous phase can be introduced to a stripper to provide steam and a condensate, and the steam can then be introduced to the gasifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. A feedstock can be introduced to a riser. A first oxidant can be introduced to a first mixing zone within the riser, thereby generating a first high temperature zone within the first mixing zone proximate an entry point of the first oxidant. A first stream of water can be introduced to the first high temperature zone to reduce the temperature therein. A second oxidant can be introduced to a second mixing zone within the riser, thereby generating a second high temperature zone within the second mixing zone proximate an entry point of the second oxidant. A second stream of water can be introduced to the second high temperature zone to reduce the temperature therein. The feedstock and the first and second oxidants can be gasified in a gasification zone within the riser.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a hydrocarbon feedstock are provided. The hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified in the presence of one or more particulates to produce a syngas and one or more carbon-containing particulates. At least a portion of the carbon of the one or more carbon-containing particulates can be combusted in a combustion process external to the gasifying of the hydrocarbon feedstock to produce a combustion gas. The combustion gas can be utilized in one or more processes external to the gasifying of the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the gasification of one or more hydrocarbon feedstocks are provided. In the method, a first oxidant can be introduced to a gasifier and a first hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced to the gasifier downstream of the first oxidant. A second oxidant can also be introduced to the gasifier downstream of the first oxidant and the first hydrocarbon feedstock. The second oxidant can be introduced from a location that is external to the gasifier. At least a portion of the first hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified to produce a syngas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for starting a gasifier are provided. In the method, a heated start-up medium can be fed to a gasifier operating at a first temperature. Heat can be transferred from the heated start-up medium to the gasifier to increase the temperature of the gasifier from the first temperature to an intermediate temperature sufficient to auto-ignite a start-up fuel. A start-up fuel and an oxidant can be fed to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is increased to the intermediate temperature. At least a portion of the start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a combustion gas. Heat can be transferred from the combustion gas to the gasifier to increase the temperature of the gasifier to an operating temperature, wherein the operating temperature is sufficient to gasify at least a portion of a hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for mass flow are provided. The apparatus can include a housing, an inlet disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet disposed at a second end of the housing. The housing can include a first section and a second section. The second section can have at least one tapered sidewall that slopes away from an inner surface of the first section toward the outlet. The apparatus can also include a divider disposed at least partially within the first and second sections of the housing. The divider can have at least one tapered surface disposed proximate the at least one tapered sidewall of the second section. An edge of the divider can be located between the outlet and a point within the second section where the cross-sectional area of the second section is about three times or less a cross-sectional area of the outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gasifier are provided. The method can include combusting a first start-up fuel to produce a first combustion gas. A temperature within the gasifier can be increased from a starting temperature to at least an auto-ignition temperature of a second start-up fuel by introducing the first combustion gas to the gasifier. A second start-up fuel can be introduced directly to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is at least the auto-ignition temperature of the second start-up fuel. At least a portion of the second start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a second combustion gas. The second combustion gas can produce sufficient heat to increase the temperature within the gasifier to a hydrocarbon feedstock gasification temperature. A hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced to the gasifier. At least a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified within the gasifier to produce a syngas.

Abstract: Systems and processes for producing synthesis gas. A carbonaceous feedstock can be combined with one or more low-oxygen carrier fluids having a high heating value. The feedstock and carrier fluid, in the presence of one or more oxidants, can be gasified to provide a synthesis gas. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the synthesis gas can be recycled for use as the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining a sulfur concentration in a syngas are provided. The method can include combining sulfur and a carbonaceous material to produce a sulfur containing carbonaceous feed. The method can also include gasifying at least a portion of the sulfur containing carbonaceous feed to produce a syngas and detecting a sulfur concentration in the syngas. The method can further include adjusting an amount of the sulfur combined with the carbonaceous material based on the detected sulfur concentration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging heat in a gasification system are provided. The method can include introducing one or more particulates and a heat transfer medium including a feed water, a deaerated feed water, or a combination thereof, to a first zone. The method can also include indirectly exchanging heat from the one or more particulates to the heat transfer medium within the first zone to provide an intermediate heat transfer medium and cooled particulates. The method can also include introducing at least a portion of the intermediate heat transfer medium and a syngas to a second zone. The method can also include indirectly exchanging heat from the syngas to the intermediate heat transfer medium within the second zone to provide a heat transfer medium product and a cooled syngas. The heat transfer medium product can include steam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. The method can include combining one or more feedstocks and one or more solid components in a treatment zone to provide a treated feedstock. At least a portion of the treated feedstock can be introduced to a reaction zone of a gasifier. The one or more solid components can have an average density and an average cross-sectional size that adjusts at least one of an average density of solids within a solids bed of the gasifier and an average cross-sectional size of the solids within the solids bed of the gasifier.

Abstract: Systems and processes for adjusting hydrogen content of a synthesis gas are provided. At least a portion of carbon monoxide in a syngas can be converted to carbon dioxide to provide a shifted syngas and condensed water. The syngas can have a first hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio and a first temperature, and the shifted syngas can have a second hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio and a second temperature, both greater than the first. Heat from the shifted syngas can be at least partially transferred from the shifted syngas to the condensed water to at least partially vaporize the condensed water. The syngas can be at least partially saturated with the at least partially vaporized condensed water. A ratio of the water vapor to syngas can be about 1.0 or less.

Abstract: Systems and processes for producing synthesis gas. A carbonaceous feedstock can be combined with one or more low-oxygen carrier fluids having a high heating value. The feedstock and carrier fluid, in the presence of one or more oxidants, can be gasified to provide a synthesis gas. In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of the synthesis gas can be recycled for use as the carrier fluid.