Abstract: A gasification system including a gasifier, a feed injector, and a fuel feed system that includes a first feed line, a second feed line, and a controller that includes a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the first feed line to supply a fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to supply oxygen into the feed injector, receive instructions to add a slurry to the gasifier, prevent the first feed line from supplying the fuel gas into the feed injector, enable the first feed line to supply the slurry into the feed injector, enable the second feed line to simultaneously supply the oxygen and the inert gas into the feed injector, and prevent the second feed line from supplying the inert gas into the feed injector.

Abstract: A method of producing substitute natural gas (SNG) includes providing a gasification reactor having a cavity defined at least partially by a first wall. The reactor also includes a first passage defined at least partially by at least a portion of the first wall and a second wall, wherein the first passage is in heat transfer communication with the first wall. The reactor further includes a second passage defined at least partially by at least a portion of the second wall and a third wall. The method also includes coupling the cavity in flow communication with the first and second passages. The method further includes producing a first synthetic gas (syngas) stream within the cavity. The method also includes channeling at least a portion of the first syngas stream to the first and second passages.

Abstract: A method of cooling syngas in a gasifier is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one tube-bundle that includes at least three tubes coupled together within a radiant syngas cooler and extends through a reaction zone of the gasifier, and circulating reactant fluid around the at least one tube-bundle to facilitate transferring heat from the reactant fluid to the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A method of cooling syngas in a gasifier is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one tube-bundle that includes at least three tubes coupled together within a radiant syngas cooler and extends through a reaction zone of the gasifier, and circulating reactant fluid around the at least one tube-bundle to facilitate transferring heat from the reactant fluid to the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A fuel processing system is provided wherein heat is transferred from a reformate flow (32) downstream from a water-gas shift (38) to both a) a combustor feed flow (40) that is supplied to a combustor (25); and b) a water flow (26) that is supplied to a reformer feed mix (34) for a steam reformer (28).

Abstract: An apparatus which is capable of supporting a process for gasifying a variety of hydrocarbon-containing materials. The resulting hydrogen-containing gas is suitable for use in various combustion processes and for petrochemical processes. A hydrocarbon-containing material is mixed with natural gas (or other suitable hydrocarbon gas) under pressure. The suspended material and gas are then injected under pressure into an acceleration/gasification tube. Intense heat (provided by an external energy source) is applied to the mixture as it travels through this tube, resulting in the cracking of the hydrocarbon chains and the release of additional energy. The released bond energy, along with the addition of the external energy, rapidly expands the gas and causes the velocity of the moving mixture to rise sharply as it proceeds down the tube. The acceleration/gasification tube is connected to a diffuser, which is essentially an expansion nozzle with a series of heat exchangers to cool the rapidly expanding gas.

Abstract: An apparatus which is capable of supporting a process for gasifying a variety of hydrocarbon-containing materials. The resulting hydrogen-containing gas is suitable for use in various combustion processes and for petrochemical processes. A hydrocarbon-containing material is mixed with natural gas (or other suitable hydrocarbon gas) under pressure. The suspended material and gas are then injected under pressure into an acceleration/gasification tube. Intense heat (provided by an external energy source) is applied to the mixture as it travels through this tube, resulting in the cracking of the hydrocarbon chains and the release of additional energy. The released bond energy, along with the addition of the external energy, rapidly expands the gas and causes the velocity of the moving mixture to rise sharply as it proceeds down the tube. The acceleration/gasification tube is connected to a diffuser, which is essentially an expansion nozzle with a series of heat exchangers to cool the rapidly expanding gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of solid and liquid fuels to a synthesis gas, steam and/or electricity in which about 10% to about 40% of a solid fuel and/or a liquid fuel is introduced into a gasifier and gasified, resulting in formation of a synthesis gas. The remaining portion of the solid fuel and/or liquid fuel is introduced into a first stage of a multi-stage combustor, resulting in formation of products of combustion and ash and/or char. The synthesis gas is introduced into a second stage of the multi-stage combustor disposed downstream of the first stage and overfire oxidant is introduced into a third stage of the multi-stage combustor disposed downstream of the second stage. The ash and/or char from the multi-stage combustor is then recycled into the gasifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for withdrawing and dewatering slag from a gasification system. In particular, the present invention relates to a conveying lockhopper and method of using the conveying lockhopper to collect slag and other waste byproducts from the gasifier of a gasification system. The conveying lockhopper is configured to receive slag from a gasifier, simultaneously extract and dewater the slag, and expel the processed slag directly into an awaiting container suitable for carrying the processed slag away. The conveying lockhopper generally comprises a housing with inlet and outlet valves to receive and expel slag, respectively. The housing is inclined at an angle typically between 5 and 60 degrees to the horizontal so that the outlet is at a higher elevation than the inlet. Inside the housing, an auger or similar conveying mechanism conveys the slag from the inlet towards the outlet while simultaneously dewatering the slag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous loading, calcining and unloading operations in three triangularly placed reactor tubes that are loaded with oil bearing material from a common feed source.