Abstract: Catalyst and hydrocarbon vapors are separated in separator-stripper vessel by a reverse flow separator assembly in a top portion of the separator vessel. The separator assembly contains a shrouded eductor where the particles and gas enter the eductor, and upon exit the gas reverses direction to travel through the passage between the eductor and the shroud, thus causing disengagement of the particles. The gas free of particles then passes out the vessel exit and the particles return to the particle bed in the lower portion of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying coal is disclosed. Lock hoppers which are in fluid communication with each other are provided. A pressure recovery device is arranged to recover energy while depressurizing one hopper and pressurizing another.

Abstract: A method for gasifying coal is disclosed. Coal is fed to the gasifier using lockhoppers which are in fluid communication with each other. Energy is recovered during depressurization steps by passing gas through a pressure recovery device such as a turbo-expander.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes an aeration tube suspended in the particulate mixture and serving as a fluidic valve to maintain a uniform mass flow rate. A portion of the aeration gaseous fluid may be directed upward in aid of such flow.

Abstract: The suspension density and mass flow rate of a particular solids and gas mixture transported to a reactor is controlled by using a radiation source and detector. The suspension density is measured and compared to a preselected value. The result is converted to a control signal which may be used to control venting from the vessel, and/or the amount of aeration gas supplied to the lower portion of the vessel, in order to maintain the suspension density at the preselected value and provide a constant mass flow rate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes a plurality of porous inserts in the walls of the container through which a gaseous fluid is forced thereby contacting particulate solids within said container and enhancing the flow of said solids.

Abstract: A process for the partial combustion of finely divided coal at high temperature and pressures to make synthesis gas having entrained particles of fly ash which are separated from the gas at high pressure. The fly ash and a minor amount of entrained gas are handled in a batchwise manner to isolate a batch in a lock hopper, depressurize the batch, strip the synthesis gas from the fly ash and cool the fly ash prior to disposal. During the depressurizing steps, the kinetic energy represented by fluids flowing from the pressurized lock hopper is utilized to provide power to a pressure recovery means and do additional work. The additional work is used to aid in the pressurization of a second lock hopper. In an alternate embodiment the additional work may be used to aid in fluidizing the particulate coal flow to the burners of the gasifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping and depressurizing fine particulates mixed with gas discharged from a vessel operated at elevated temperature and pressure conditions to a low pressure vessel using a purge gas injected into a conduit designed for significant frictional pressure loss per unit length of conduit while maintaining a substantially constant velocity of the mixture conveyed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes a selectively movable aeration tube suspended in the particulate mixture and serving as a fluidic valve to maintain a uniform mass flow rate. A portion of the aeration gaseous fluid may be directed upward in aid of such flow.

Abstract: Injection of gas into a bed of solids contained in a hopper is compartmentalized to allow independent control of gas to be vented upward and gas and solids to be discharged.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for establishing and maintaining a uniform mass flow rate of particulate solids and gas mixture from a container to a receiving reactor. A preferred embodiment utilizes an aeration tube suspended in the particulate mixture which, in conjunction with a second independent aeration device, serves as a fluidic valve to maintain a uniform mass flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping and depressurizing fine particulates mixed with gas discharged from a vessel operated at elevated temperature and pressure conditions to a low pressure vessel using a purge gas injected into a conduit designed for significant frictional pressure loss per unit length of conduit while maintaining a substantially constant velocity of the mixture conveyed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of fine particulate fly ash at high temperature and pressures using a bag filter which produces a clean gas stream that is recycled to compressors or power recovery turbines and a concentrated syngas stream blowdown from which additional solids are subsequently removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fine particulates from gases, such as fly ash, from syngas, at high temperatures and pressure using a two-stage cyclonic separator-stripper.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for minimizing mass flow rate fluctuations of a particulate solid fuel and gas mixture having a coal mass flow rate ranging from about 50-800 kg/m.sup.3 and a corresponding frequency range of about 0.1 to 100 Hertz transported to a reactor.

Abstract: A process for the partial combustion of finely-divided coal at high temperatures and pressures to make synthesis gas having entrained particles of fly ash which are separated from the gas at high pressure. The fly ash and a minor amount of entrained gas are handled in a batchwise manner to isolate a batch in a lock hopper, depressurize the batch, strip the synthesis gas from the fly ash and cool the fly ash prior to disposal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling mass flow rate of a particulate solids and gas mixture to a reactor. In particular, the fast response of a mass flow rate-indicating device is combined with the longer term accuracies in changes in the total mass from weigh cells to yield rapid and more accurate loss-in-weight measurements than conventional systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for minimizing mass flow rate fluctuations of a particulate solid fuel and gas mixture having a coal mass flow rate ranging from about 50-800 kg/m.sup.3 and a corresponding frequency range of about 0.1 to 100 Hertz transported to a reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for minimizing mass flow rate fluctuations of a particulate solid fuel and gas mixture having a coal mixture mass flow rate of about 50-800 kg/cubic meter and a corresponding frequency range of about 0.1 to 100 Hertz to a reactor.

Abstract: A stream of particle-containing fluid (e.g. from coal gasification or combustion) can be cleaned and split by flowing it into and through the vortex of a cyclone in which an externally adjustable vortex stabilizing means is moved close enough to the outlet opening for the particle-depleted fluid to provide an outflow of such fluid having a selected volume or particle concentration.