COOLING CHAMBER ASSEMBLY FOR A GASIFIER

- General Electric

A gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a combustible fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A cooling chamber having a liquid coolant is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube is disposed coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber. The syngas is directed from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber via the dip tube to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. An asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator is disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following co-pending United States patent applications having Serial No. {Attorney Docket No. 235585-1}, entitled “QUENCH CHAMBER ASSEMBLY FOR A GASIFIER” and Serial No. {Attorney Docket No. 236150-1}, entitled “GASIFICATION SYSTEM FLOW DAMPING” assigned to the same assignee as this application and filed concurrently herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to gasifiers, and more particularly to a cooling chamber assembly for a gasifier.

In a normal coal gasification process, wherein a particulated carbonaceous fuel such as coal or coke or a carbonaceous gas is burned, the process is carried out at relatively hot temperatures and high pressures in a combustion chamber. When injected fuel is burned or partially burned in the combustion chamber, an effluent is discharged through a port at a lower end of the combustion chamber to a cooling chamber disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. The cooling chamber contains a liquid coolant such as water. The effluent from the combustion chamber is contacted with the liquid coolant in the cooling chamber, so as to reduce the temperature of the effluent. In certain applications, the cooling chamber may be used as a quench chamber for syngas. In certain other applications, the cooling chamber may be used as a scrubber for removing entrained solids from the generated syngas. In certain applications, a gasifier may be provided with both a quench system and a scrubber.

When the fuel is a solid such as coal or coke, the gasifier arrangement permits a solid portion of the effluent, in the form of ash, to be retained in the liquid pool of the cooling chamber, and subsequently to be discharged as slag slurry. A gaseous component of the effluent is discharged from the cooling chamber for further processing. The gaseous component, however, in passing through the cooling chamber, will carry with it a substantial amount of the liquid coolant. A minimal amount of liquid entrained in the exiting gas is not considered objectionable to the overall process. However, excessive liquid carried from the cooling chamber and into downstream equipment, is found to pose operational problems.

There is a need for an improved cooling chamber assembly for both quench and scrubber applications configured to remove entrained liquid content substantially from an effluent gas generated in a gasifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a combustible fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A cooling chamber having a liquid coolant is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube is disposed coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber. The syngas is directed from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber via the dip tube to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. An asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator is disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a finned asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator is disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an asymmetric or symmetric faceted or round liquid separator is disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical representation of a gasifier having an exemplary cooling chamber with a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatical representation of a fin arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatical representation of a fin arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical representation of a fin arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having a liquid separator with a single row fin arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having liquid separator with a multi-row fin arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatical representation of a portion of a cooling chamber having a liquid separator with a slanted fin arrangement along a row in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatical representation of a liquid separator with a staggered fin arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatical representation of a scrubber having a liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatical representation of a faceted or round liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatical representation of a faceted liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatical representation of a round liquid separator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, a gasifier having a cooling chamber assembly configured to reduce temperature of syngas downstream of a combustion chamber is disclosed. The gasifier includes a cooling chamber containing a liquid coolant disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A syngas generated from the combustion chamber is directed via a dip tube to the cooling chamber to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. The gasifier also includes a dip tube coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber and configured to direct syngas from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas. A draft tube is disposed surrounding the dip tube and defining an annular passage there between. A liquid separator is disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path. In one embodiment, the liquid separator is a symmetric liquid separator. In another embodiment, the liquid separator is an asymmetric liquid separator. In some embodiments, the cooling chamber is used for quench applications. In certain other embodiments, the cooling chamber is used for scrubbing applications. The cooled syngas is directed through the annular passage and impacted against the liquid separator so as to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas before the cooled syngas is directed through the exit path. The features used to accomplish the removal of the entrained liquid are referred to herein as the “liquid separator”. The liquid separator may be a single component or an assembly. In some embodiments, the liquid separator includes a finned deflector coupled to the dip tube. In other embodiments, the liquid separator includes a conical shaped faceted or round separator. The provision of the exemplary liquid separator substantially reduces entrainment of liquid content in the syngas directed through the exit path to the downstream components. Specific embodiments are discussed in greater detail below with reference to the FIGS. 1-15.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary gasifier 10 is disclosed. The gasifier 10 includes an outer shell 12 housing a combustion chamber 14 at an upper end and a cooling chamber 16 at a lower end. Combustion chamber 14 is provided with a refractory wall 18 capable of withstanding the normal operating temperatures. A burner 20 is coupled via a path 22 to a fuel source 24. A fuel stream including pulverized carbonaceous fuel such as coal, coke or the like, is fed into the combustion chamber 12 via the burner 20 removably disposed on an upper wall of the combustion chamber 14. The burner 20 is further coupled via a path 26 to a combustion supporting gas source 28 configured to supply gas such as oxygen or air.

The combustible fuel is burned in the combustion chamber 14 to produce an effluent including syngas and a particulated solid residue. Hot effluent is fed from the combustion chamber 14 to the cooling chamber 16 provided at the lower end of the shell 12. The cooling chamber 16 is coupled to a pressurized source 30 and configured to supply a pool of liquid coolant 32, preferably water to the cooling chamber 16. The level of the liquid coolant in the cooling chamber 16 is maintained at a desired height to assure an efficient operation depending on the conditions of the effluent fed from the combustion chamber 14 into the cooling chamber 16. The lower end of the gasifier shell 12 is provided with a discharge port 34 through which water and fine particulates are removed from the cooling chamber 16 in the form of a slurry.

In the illustrated embodiment, a constricted portion 36 of the combustion chamber 14 is coupled to the cooling chamber 16 via a dip tube 38. The hot effluent is fed from the combustion chamber 14 to the liquid coolant 32 in the cooling chamber 16 via a passageway 40 of the dip tube 38. A ring 42 is disposed proximate to the dip tube 38 and coupled to the pressurized source 30 so as to sustain a dip tube inner wall in a wetted condition to best accommodate the downward effluent flow. A lower end 44 of the dip tube 38 may be serrated, and positioned below the surface of the liquid coolant 32 to efficiently achieve cooling of the effluent.

A draft tube 46 is positioned in the cooling chamber 16. The draft tube 46 includes an elongated cylindrical body 48 fixedly supported in the gasifier shell 12. A lower portion of the draft tube 46 is submerged in the liquid coolant 32. The cylindrical body 48 terminates adjacent to, but spaced at its upper end, from the ring 42. The cylindrical body 48 is also spaced from the dip tube 38 to define an annular passage 50. The syngas is contacted with the liquid coolant 32 to produce a cooled syngas. The cooled syngas is then passed through the annular passage 50 towards an exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16.

As discussed above, the gaseous component of the effluent is discharged for further processing via the exit path 52 from the cooling chamber 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling chamber 16 is a quench chamber. In certain other embodiments, the cooling chamber is a scrubber configured to remove entrained solids from the syngas. It is known conventionally that the gaseous component, however, in passing through a quench chamber, will carry with it a substantial amount of the liquid coolant. Excessive liquid carried from the cooling chamber and into downstream equipment, is found to pose operational problems.

In the illustrated embodiment, a liquid separator 54 is disposed proximate to the exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16. It should be noted herein that in the illustrated embodiment, the liquid separator 54 is a symmetric liquid separator. The liquid separator 54 includes a deflector 56 coupled to the dip tube 38 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 50 in a downward direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the deflector 56 may be spherical shaped. In other embodiments, other shapes of the deflector are also envisaged. A plurality of fins 58 are provided to the deflector 56. The cooled syngas redirected by the deflector 56 is forced to flow through a series of blockages, in other words the fins 58. As a result, the momentum of flow of the syngas is dissipated and available flow area is used more efficiently. The flow of syngas is more evenly distributed at an exit of the deflector 56. In the normal course of quench cooling, the cooled gas stream would convey with it a certain amount of liquid coolant. However, as the cooled gas stream impinges against the deflector 56 and the fins 58, flow velocity of the syngas is reduced, and the entrained liquid content is removed from the syngas. The deflector 56 also prevents sloshing of liquid coolant 32 to the exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the deflector 56 may include a plurality of holes 57 for directing a portion of the cooled syngas to a region upstream of the deflector 56 in the cooling chamber 16. This facilitates to enhance syngas flow uniformity and also reduced entrainment of liquid content in the syngas. In certain embodiments, the deflector 56 may employ holes 56 and may not have fins 58. It should be noted herein that the illustrated gasifier is an exemplary embodiment and other configurations of gasifiers are also envisaged. It should noted herein that the term “cooling chamber” will refer to a quench system or a scrubber regardless of the gasifier configuration. Other embodiments of the liquid separator are discussed below with reference to subsequent figures.

Referring to FIG. 2, a liquid separator 54 is disclosed. As discussed above, the liquid separator 54 is disposed proximate to the exit path of the cooling chamber. The liquid separator 54 includes the spherical deflector 56 coupled to the dip tube and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage between the dip tube and the draft tube in a downward direction. The plurality of fins 58 are disposed on the deflector 56. In the illustrated embodiments, ten fins 58 are provided to the deflector 56. The fins 58 are disposed along a circular direction 60. As the cooled gas stream impinges against the deflector 56 and the fins 58, the momentum of flow is dissipated and the flow velocity is reduced resulting in removal of entrained liquid content from the syngas.

Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 is disclosed. A liquid separator 62 is disposed proximate to the exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid separator 62 is a symmetrical liquid separator. The liquid separator 62 includes an elliptical deflector 64 coupled to the dip tube 38 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 50 between the dip tube 38 and the draft tube 46 in a downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 4, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 is disclosed. A liquid separator 66 is disposed proximate to the exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid separator 66 is a symmetric liquid separator. The liquid separator 66 includes a rectangular deflector 68 coupled to the dip tube 38 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 50 between the dip tube 38 and the draft tube 46 in a downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 5, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 is disclosed. A liquid separator 67 is disposed proximate to the exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid separator 67 is an asymmetric liquid separator. The liquid separator 67 includes a deflector 69 coupled to the dip tube 38 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 50 between the dip tube 38 and the draft tube 46 in a downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 6, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 is disclosed. A liquid separator 70 is disposed proximate to the exit path 52 of the cooling chamber 16. The liquid separator 70 is a symmetric liquid separator. The liquid separator 70 includes a trapezoidal deflector 72 coupled to the dip tube 38 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 50 between the dip tube 38 and the draft tube 46 in a downward direction.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of fins 74 provided to a deflector (not shown) are disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the fins 74 include straight fins and are arranged in the shape of a polygon.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of fins 76 provided to a deflector (not shown) are disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the fins 76 include curved fins and are arranged in the shape of a circle.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of fins 78 provided to a deflector (not shown) are disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, one set of fins 78 may be disposed along a radial direction 80 and another set of fins 78 may be disposed along a tangential direction 82.

Referring to FIG. 10, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1 is disclosed. The liquid separator 54 includes the spherical deflector 56 coupled to the dip tube 38 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 50 between the dip tube 38 and the draft tube 46 in a downward direction. The plurality of fins 58 are provided to the deflector 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the fins 58 are disposed along a single row.

Referring to FIG. 11, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of fins 58 are provided to the deflector 56 and are disposed along multi-rows.

Referring to FIG. 12, a portion of the cooling chamber 16 in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of fins 58 are provided to the deflector 56 and are disposed slanted along a row.

Referring to FIG. 13, a liquid separator 84 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid separator 84 includes two sets of fins 86, 88 provided to a deflector 90. The two sets of fins 86, 88 are disposed along two rows respectively along a circular direction. In one embodiment, the set of fins 86 along one row is disposed staggered with respect to the set of fins 88 of the other row.

Referring to FIG. 14, an exemplary cooling chamber 85 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling chamber 85 is a scrubber. A draft tube 87 is disposed surrounding a dip tube 89 in the cooling chamber 85. A lower portion of the draft tube 87 is submerged in a liquid coolant 91. An annular passage 93 is defined between the draft tube 87 and the dip tube 89. The syngas is contacted with the liquid coolant 91 to cool and remove entrained solid particles from the syngas.

In the illustrated embodiment, a liquid separator 95 is disposed proximate to an exit of the annular passage 93. The liquid separator 95 includes a deflector 97 coupled to the dip tube 89 and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage 93 in a downward direction. A plurality of fins (not shown) may be provided to the deflector 97. The cooled syngas redirected by the deflector 97 may forced to flow through a series of fins. As a result, the momentum of flow of the syngas is dissipated and available flow area is used more efficiently. The syngas then flows through a space 99 between the draft tube 87 and a wall 101 of the cooling chamber 85 in an upward direction and is exited from an upper side.

In accordance with the embodiments discussed herein, the provision of the deflector, fins, or combinations thereof facilitates to reduce cooled syngas flow velocity, and also to increase gas flow path distance between the liquid coolant and the exit path of the cooling chamber. This results in increased residence time of the gas and liquid coolant mixture in the cooling chamber leading to enhanced removal of entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas. In general, the deflector and the fins may create a tortuous path for the flow of syngas within the cooling chamber.

It should be noted herein that with reference to FIG. 1-14, that the shape of the deflector may vary depending on the application. The number, shape, and arrangement of fins may also be varied and optimized depending on the application. The various permutations and combinations of the various embodiments discussed above may also be envisaged.

Referring to FIG. 15, a cooling chamber 92 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, a draft tube 94 is positioned surrounding a dip tube 96 in the cooling chamber 92. The cooled syngas is passed through an annular passage 98 formed between the dip tube 96 and the draft tube 94 towards an exit path 100 of the cooling chamber 92. A liquid separator 102 is disposed proximate to the exit path 100 and surrounding the dip tube 96 and the draft tube 94 in the cooling chamber 92. The syngas is cooled by contacting a liquid coolant 104 in the cooling chamber 92. The liquid separator 102 may be a faceted or round liquid separator. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid separator 102 is a conical shaped liquid separator. In one embodiment, the liquid separator 102 may be an asymmetric liquid separator. In another embodiment, the liquid separator 102 may be a symmetric liquid separator. The liquid separator is explained in greater detail with reference to subsequent figures.

Referring to FIG. 16, a liquid separator 102 in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 102 is a symmetric faceted separator. The illustrated separator 102 includes a plurality of splash plates 105 and a plurality of v-shaped baffle elements 106 provided to the splash plates 105. The baffle elements 106 are arranged in a converging pattern with channels 108 formed between the baffle elements 106. The baffle elements 106 restrict the flow area along a radial direction in the separator 102. A pipe 110 is coupled to each channel 108. The cooled syngas exiting the annular passage between the dip tube and the draft tube is directed through the separator 102. The cooled syngas is directed against inner walls of splash plates 105 due to inertial forces. The baffle elements 106 are configured to separate the liquid content from cooled syngas stream. In other words, due to the converging flow area in the separator 102, the syngas flow would stratify due to difference in density between liquid and gas. The gas phase is displaced inwards along a radial direction in the separator 102 due to flow stratification. The liquid content will tend to coalesce on the baffle elements 106. The removed entrained liquid content is drained via the channels 108 into the pipes 110 and then directed into the cooling chamber. In some embodiments, the baffle elements 106 may be provided normal to the surface of the splash plates 105. In certain other embodiments, the baffle elements 106 may be disposed angle upwards to the surface of the splash plates.

In accordance with the embodiments discussed herein, the provision of the splash plates 105 and baffle elements 106 facilitates to reduce cooled syngas flow velocity, and also to increase gas flow path distance between the liquid coolant and the exit path of the cooling chamber. This results in increased residence time of the gas and liquid coolant mixture in the cooling chamber leading to enhanced removal of entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas. The amount of entrained liquid content in the syngas exiting the separator 102 is reduced as radial velocity is smaller than axial velocity of flow of syngas. In general, the splash plates 105 and baffle elements 106 may create a tortuous path for the flow of syngas within the cooling chamber. The separator also prevents re-entrainment of liquid content in the syngas.

Referring to FIG. 17, a round liquid separator 112 is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the separator 112 is an asymmetric liquid separator. The illustrated liquid separator 112 includes a plurality of v-shaped baffle elements 114. The baffle elements 114 are arranged in a converging pattern with channels 116 formed between the baffle elements 114. It should be noted herein that the baffle elements 114 are not provided uniformly in the round liquid separator 112. The baffle elements 114 restrict the flow area along a radial direction in the separator 112. A pipe 118 is coupled to each channel 116.

The entrainment mitigation mechanisms depicted in FIGS. 1-17 may be employed separately or in combination with one another. Moreover, as may be appreciated, the relative sizes, shapes, and geometries of the entrainment mitigation mechanisms may vary. Although certain embodiments employ symmetric geometries for the liquid separator, it should be noted herein that asymmetric constructions could be employed as well in certain applications. For example by removing one or more fins from a given arrangement one could achieve cost savings while still preserving functionality of the liquid separator. The entrainment mitigation mechanisms may be employed in a cooling chamber during the initial manufacturing, or the entrainment mitigation mechanisms may be retrofit into existing cooling units and/or scrubbers. Further, the entrainment mitigation mechanisms may be adjusted based on operational parameters, such as the type of carbonaceous fuel, the system efficiency, the system load, or environmental conditions, among others to achieve improved system operability and control.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A gasifier comprising:

a combustion chamber in which a combustible material is burned to produce a syngas,
a cooling chamber having a liquid coolant disposed downstream of the combustion chamber,
a dip tube coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber and configured to direct syngas from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas;
a draft tube disposed surrounding the dip tube and defining an annular passage there between;
an asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

2. The gasifier of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises a quench chamber for a gasifier.

3. The gasifier of claim 1, wherein the cooling chamber comprises a scrubber.

4. The gasifier of claim 1, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a deflector coupled to the dip tube and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage.

5. The gasifier of claim 4, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a plurality of fins provided to the deflector and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

6. The gasifier of claim 4, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a plurality of holes provided in the deflector for directing a portion of cooled syngas to a region upstream of the deflector in the cooling chamber.

7. The gasifier of claim 1, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a conical shaped faceted or round separator.

8. The gasifier of claim 7, wherein the faceted baffle comprises a plurality of splash plates.

9. The gasifier of claim 7, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a plurality of baffle elements provided to the conical shaped faceted or round separator and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

10. The gasifier of claim 9, wherein the baffle elements are v-shaped.

11. The gasifier of claim 10, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a channel between mutually adjacent baffle elements; wherein the channel is configured to drain the removed entrained liquid.

12. The gasifier of claim 11, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a pipe coupled to the channel and configured to transfer the removed entrained liquid from the channel to the cooling chamber.

13. A gasifier comprising:

a combustion chamber in which a combustible material is burned to produce a syngas,
a cooling chamber having a liquid coolant disposed downstream of the combustion chamber,
a dip tube coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber and configured to direct syngas from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas;
a draft tube disposed surrounding the dip tube and defining an annular passage there between;
a finned asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

14. The gasifier of claim 13, wherein the finned asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a deflector coupled to the dip tube and configured to redirect the flow of the cooled syngas from the annular passage.

15. The gasifier of claim 14, wherein the deflector is elliptical shaped, or rectangular shaped, or trapezoidal shaped.

16. The gasifier of claim 14, wherein the finned asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a plurality of fins provided to the deflector and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

17. The gasifier of claim 16, wherein the plurality of fins comprises straight fins, curved fins, angled fins, or combinations thereof.

18. The gasifier of claim 16, wherein the plurality fins are arranged in a circular direction, polygonal direction, radial direction, tangential direction, or combinations thereof.

19. The gasifier of claim 16, wherein the plurality of fins are arranged in a single row, or a multi-row, or slanted-row, or staggered form.

20. The gasifier of claim 14, wherein the finned asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a plurality of holes provided in the deflector for directing a portion of cooled syngas to a region upstream of the deflector in the cooling chamber.

21. A gasifier comprising:

a combustion chamber in which a combustible material is burned to produce a syngas,
a cooling chamber having a liquid coolant disposed downstream of the combustion chamber,
a dip tube coupling the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber and configured to direct syngas from the combustion chamber to the cooling chamber to contact the liquid coolant and produce a cooled syngas;
a draft tube disposed surrounding the dip tube and defining an annular passage there between;
a asymmetric or symmetric faceted or round liquid separator disposed proximate to an exit path of the cooling chamber and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

22. The gasifier of claim 21, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric faceted or round liquid separator comprises a conical shaped faceted or round separator.

23. The gasifier of claim 22, wherein the faceted baffle comprises a plurality of splash plates.

24. The gasifier of claim 22, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric faceted or round liquid separator comprises a plurality of baffle elements provided to the conical shaped faceted or round separator and configured to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas directed through the annular passage to the exit path.

25. The gasifier of claim 24, wherein the baffle elements are v-shaped.

26. The gasifier of claim 25, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric faceted or round liquid separator comprises a channel between mutually adjacent baffle elements; wherein the channel is configured to drain the removed entrained liquid.

27. The gasifier of claim 26, wherein the asymmetric or symmetric liquid separator comprises a pipe coupled to the channel and configured to transfer the removed entrained liquid from the channel to the cooling chamber.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100325956
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 30, 2010
Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (Schenectady, NY)
Inventors: Constantin Dinu (Katy, TX), Judeth Brannon Corry (Manvel, TX), James Michael Storey (Houston, TX), Denise Marie Rico (Houston, TX), Richard L. Zhao (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 12/494,434
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Carbon Monoxide (48/85)
International Classification: C10J 3/20 (20060101);