Abstract: A gasifier system for reducing the particle size of non-gas byproducts of the gasification process. The gasifier system generally includes a grinder that permits uninterrupted syngas flow during gasification of biomass that contains high amounts of silica and/or salts. The described system and method incorporates a grinder that breaks apart the resultant non-gas byproducts into finer particles that may be flushed out of a gasifier using the syngas stream. The particles may then be easily separated from the gas stream in a separator and collected in a char or waste bin for removal/disposal.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for breaking down vaporized tars in a syngas stream are described. An example system may include a gasifier comprising a combustion chamber configured to, during a startup operation, receive heated air at a first port near a bottom of the combustion chamber and to support combustion of a column of biomass feedstock in an upward direction within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be further configured to receive, during normal operation, air at a second port near a top of the combustion chamber to support gasification of the column of biomass feedstock in a downward direction within the combustion chamber to provide syngas from the first port near the bottom of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gasifier system for reducing the particle size of non-gas byproducts of the gasification process. The gasifier system generally includes a grinder that permits uninterrupted syngas flow during gasification of biomass that contains high amounts of silica and/or salts. The described system and method incorporates a grinder that breaks apart the resultant non-gas byproducts into finer particles that may be flushed out of a gasifier using the syngas stream. The particles may then be easily separated from the gas stream in a separator and collected in a char or waste bin for removal/disposal.

Abstract: A biochar and fly ash germination accelerant system for improving soil conditions for seed germination and growth. The biochar and fly ash germination accelerant system generally includes a base material comprised of activated carbon in a granular material state and a liming material combined with the base material. The liming material is comprised of a fly ash material in a powder state that coats the base material. The combination of the base material and the liming material is inserted into the soil near the seed during planting to lower the acidity of the soil surrounding the seed to accelerate germination.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass are described. An example system may include a mobile gasification system configured to gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass to provide syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to generate electrical power using the syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to be installed in a transportable structure.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, char cooling augers, and methods for cooling biochar are described. An example system may include a char cooling auger coupled to a gasifier. The char cooling auger including a receiving hopper and an outer tube. The receiving hopper configured to receive and hold biochar from the gasifier. The receiving hopper configured to feed the biochar to a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor configured to rotate to transport the biochar from a first end of the outer tube to an outlet port near a second end of the outer tube. A temperature of the outer tube is less than a temperature of the biochar such that the biochar is cooled as transported through the outer tube prior to collection of the biochar.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, staging hoppers, and methods for controlling continuous feed of feedstock into a gasifier are described. An example method staging feedstock in a staging hopper of a gasification system, and activating a stirrer to provide the feedstock to from the staging hopper to a gasifier of the gasification system. The gasifier is configured to gasify the feedstock to produce syngas.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for breaking down vaporized tars in a syngas stream are described. An example system may include a gasifier comprising a combustion chamber configured to, during a startup operation, receive heated air at a first port near a bottom of the combustion chamber and to support combustion of a column of biomass feedstock in an upward direction within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be further configured to receive, during normal operation, air at a second port near a top of the combustion chamber to support gasification of the column of biomass feedstock in a downward direction within the combustion chamber to provide syngas from the first port near the bottom of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass are described. An example system may include a mobile gasification system configured to gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass to provide syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to generate electrical power using the syngas. The mobile gasification system may be configured to be installed in a transportable structure.

Abstract: An azeotrope spray cooling system for utilizing an azeotrope coolant for improving the performance of a spray cooling system. An azeotrope coolant is utilized within a two-phase thermal management system for thermally managing one or more heat producing devices. The characteristics of the azeotrope coolant may be adjusted for various types of thermal management applications by altering the components of the azeotrope coolant.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system for efficiently thermally managing coolant within a multiple-phase thermal management system. The heat exchanger system includes a thermal management unit, a release valve within the thermal management unit to release vaporized coolant, and a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the release valve and to the thermal management unit to return liquid coolant to the thermal management unit.

Abstract: An azeotrope spray cooling system for utilizing an azeotrope coolant for improving the performance of a spray cooling system. An azeotrope coolant is utilized within a two-phase thermal management system for thermally managing one or more heat producing devices. The characteristics of the azeotrope coolant may be adjusted for various types of thermal management applications by altering the components of the azeotrope coolant.

Abstract: An atomizer for thermal management system for efficiently thermally managing one or more heat producing devices. The atomizer for thermal management system includes a housing having a coolant passage and a dispensing end, an orifice within the dispensing end, and an actuator manipulating a plunger within the housing. The plunger includes a head that is sealable within a recessed portion of the orifice to open or close the orifice. The coolant passes through the coolant passage into the orifice for spraying upon a heat producing device. The actuator may reciprocate so that the coolant spray emitted through the orifice is pulsating. The pulsing frequency may be increased to increase cooling or decreased to decrease cooling of the heat producing device.

Abstract: An electrode for a lead-acid battery comprising a current collector and active material carried by said current collector wherein the active material includes a conductive filler or a mixture of conductive and non-conductive fillers such that the utilization of active material is greater than 35% at the one hour rate. In addition, the active material may form multilayers wherein the several layers of the multilayers may contain varying amounts of fillers either conductive or non-conductive.