Abstract: A system for the production of fuel gas from solid biomass fuels and for the combustion of said fuel gas is disclosed which comprises a gasification zone for producing a fuel gas from a solid biomass fuel, said gasification zone being adapted for connection to a solid biomass fuel supply and to a gasification air supply, a predetermined ignition point, a pathway for conveying fuel gas from the gasification zone to the ignition point, and a combustion air injection device for mixing fuel gas and combustion air at the ignition point to initiate combustion of the fuel gas and the combustion air, and for shaping and directing the flame produced, said device being adapted for connection to a combustion air supply.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion device adapted for use with a boiler has an air distributor consisting of a row of generally horizontally oriented, apertured sparge pipes or tubes disposed in a bed of inert particulate material. The center pipes in the row are connected to a start-up burner for receiving heated combustion products and excess air and the outer pipes in the row are connected to selectively receive air through a separate delivery path. During start-up and low load conditions, only the center pipes are pressurized and so that only the center portion of the bed is fluidized to minimize the heat input requirements. Once the central portion of the bed has been heated to the required temperature, primary fuel is delivered to sustain combustion without the start-up burner. At the completion of the start-up process and during high fire conditions all of the tubes are pressurized to fluidize the entire bed.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion device adapted for use with a boiler has an air distributor consisting of a plurality of rows of generally horizontally oriented, apertured sparge pipes disposed in a bed of inert particulate material. The rows of pipes are vertically spaced apart with the upper row being connected to a start-up burner for receiving heated combustion products and excess air and the lower rows of pipes are connected to selectively receive air or inert gases through a separate delivery path. During start-up and low load conditions, only the upper row of pipes is pressurized and so that only the upper portion of the bed is fluidized to minimize the heat input requirements. Once the upper portion of the bed has been heated to the required temperature, primary fuel is delivered to sustain combustion without the start-up burner. At the completion of the start-up process and during high fire conditions all of the rows of tubes are pressurized to provide a deeper bed of fluidized material.