Abstract: A system for cooling high-temperature gasifiers and method for its operation wherein cooling conduits extend vertically through the walls of the gasifier and are connected at their ends to a closed-water circulation system which incorporates heat exchangers for removing heat from the system. Boiling in the system is prevented, and good heat transfer characteristics are achieved, by maintaining a high pressure system, at least 40 bar, coupled with a flow velocity of between 5 and 7 meters per second at a maximum internal diameter of the cooling conduits of 51 millimeters. Means are provided for maintaining the temperature of the water exiting from the cooling conduits at least 10.degree. C below the boiling point at the pressure and flow rate of the system.

Abstract: A gas generator is provided for the production of gas from fuel and steam under conditions of high pressure and temperature. The requisite temperature is preferably provided by a nuclear reactor. The gas generator includes a cylinder wth a hollow interior. Extending transversely through the hollow interior of the cylinder is a container. Tubular heat exchangers are vertically arranged over the length, width and height of the cylinder in such a manner that the density of heating surfaces decreases along the length of the container.

Abstract: A process for converting a finely divided carbonaceous material, particularly coal, to a fuel gas. A finely divided or pulverized carbonaceous feed material, such as coal, is pretreated at a temperature of about 700.degree. - 800.degree. F in order to destroy the caking properties of a caking coal feed in a fluidized pretreatment zone, or, alternatively to dry a non-caking coal feed. The pretreated coal is passed from a pretreatment zone to a gasification zone wherein the carbonaceous feed material or coal is maintained as a fluid bed at selected conditions for converting the pretreated material to ash and a gaseous mixture. During the pretreatment of the feed material, hot off gases are formed and the hot off gases, which generally comprise steam, tars, oils, and carbonaceous fines, are passed from the pretreatment zone to the underside of the fluid bed in the gasification zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting coal and other carbonaceous solids to an intermediate heating value fuel gas or to a synthesis gas. A stream of entrained pulverized coal is fed into the combustion stage of a three-stage gasifier along with a mixture of oxygen and steam at selected pressure and temperature. The products of the combustion stage pass into the second or quench stage where they are partially cooled and further reacted with water and/or steam. Ash is solidified into small particles and the formation of soot is suppressed by water/steam injections in the quench stage. The design of the quench stage prevents slag from solidifying on the walls. The products from the quench stage pass directly into a heat recovery stage where the products pass through the tube, or tubes, of a single-pass, shell and tube heat exchanger and steam is generated on the shell side and utilized for steam feed requirements of the process.

Abstract: A gas generator is provided in the form of a closed housing having a predetermined amount of iron filings disposed therein and including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A steam generator is also provided for heating water into steam and the steam generator includes an outlet communicated with the inlet of the gas generator housing. The steam and gas generators are operatively associated with a furnace with the steam generator being operatively associated with the combustion gas outlet of the furnace and the gas generator housing disposed within the combustion chamber of the furnace. The gas generator housing is shielded against direct exposure to the air and fuel mixture burning in the furnace and the furnace includes not only air and primary fuel inlets for the admission of air and fuel into the combustion chamber and mixing in the latter, but the combustion chamber additionally includes a supplemental fuel inlet to which the outlet of the gas generator housing is communicated.

Abstract: A steam generating system for a gas producer of the type including a combustion chamber and an annular water jacket surrounding the chamber is disclosed characterised in that the upper part of the jacket is of larger diameter than the lower part thereof, the lower part being heated through substantially direct contact with the combustion chamber and the upper part being insulated from the chamber preferably by means of a skin of fire bricks or the like; an open upwardly directed vent pipe communicating with the lower part of the jacket; and a steam exhaust line communicating with the upper part of the jacket. The system also includes a venturi arrangement for introducing the generated steam to the air blast as well as a safety valve in the steam line which is adapted to respond to temperature changes in the air blast.