Abstract: A method and reactor for thermally decomposing a carbonaceous raw material (6) to recover gas and, if applicable, solid or liquid chemicals, the raw material being fed into a chamber (2) for gasification under under-stoichiometric conditions, the gasification is carried out in a gasification zone (15) at a pressure from atmospheric pressure up to about 150 bar and at a temperature within the range 500.degree.-1600.degree. C. According to the invention a part of the thermal energy required to maintain the endothermic reactions in the gasification zone (15) is produced by combustion of a fuel (8) in a combustion zone (16) located close to and in gaseous contact with the gasification zone, the raw material and fuel being supplied through different nozzle channels (12 and 13, respectively). An oxygen-containing gas (17) is supplied in an amount sufficient to oxidize substantially all the fuel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gasification of waste are disclosed. Waste material is fed to the top of a first combustion chamber, and a burning, rotating annular column of waste is supported in the combustion chamber. Combustion air is introduced to the first combustion chamber at or below the support for the burning annular column of waste so that the combustion air moves upwardly through the burning column. Combustion gases are withdrawn from the top portion of the first combustion chamber. Particulates are removed and recirculated to the first combustion chamber. The combustion gases are then fed to the top portion of a second combustion chamber. Secondary combustion air and optional fuel are fed to the second combustion chamber to complete the gasification process. A relatively clean producer gas is withdrawn from the bottom portion of the secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system for providing heated fluidized bed gasification of a residual waste liquor provides a bed of granular material and a source of liquor provided to the material bed. An injector is situated in the material bed and communicates with an air source, a fuel source and a steam source. Fuel and air are combusted in the injector and mixed with the steam which forms a combustion product and steam mixture which is in turn injected into the material bed. The combustion and mixing is separated from the bed material by being confined within the injector. The injector is a bubble cap having at least one hole or an injector made of a porous ceramic material.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 for recycling used automobile rubber tires is described in which small pieces of rubber tires are progressively fed into a vertical reactor 14 of the counter-flow type in which the material progressively descends downward through the reactor 14 with process gases passing upward through the downwardly descending material to decompose and volatilize the rubber material. Oxygen-bearing gas is injected into the reactor to burn a portion of the rubber carbon to generate hot combustion gases that ascend upwardly to pyrolitically decompose the rubber pieces, and to volatilize such material. The amount of oxygen is controlled in an oxygen-deficient manner to maintain the temperature in the combustion zone at a temperature of less than 500.degree. F. The gases and volatilized rubber materials and oils are removed from the reactor at a temperature of approximately 350.degree. F.

Abstract: A reactor for gasification of cellulose-waste liquors, especially black liquor. The reactor includes a reactor cladding a supply for liquor and combustion air in the upper part of the reactor, an outlet opening for gases and other material in the lower part, and a heat-insulating lining at the cladding and bottom part. The lining is arranged at a distance from the surrounding wall, thereby forming a gap for gas or air having a pressure exceeding that in the hearth of the reactor.

Abstract: Whole tires are heated in a pressure vessel to a range of between 700.degree. Farenheit and 900.degree. Farenheit, with pressure within the vessel achieved and maintained at 100-300 pounds per square inch. The vessel has a heat tube which extends through the center of the tires contained therein to uniformly apply heat. The method produces a low sulfur oil and gas, and a useable coke product from the pryolysis of the tires.

Abstract: Organic wastes of diverse types including toxic materials are converted to synthesis gas or molecular hydrogen or methanol and an inorganic solid residue by heating the material to 1200 .degree. C. or higher in the presence of steam in a chemically reducing atmosphere. The gassified wastes travel along a vertical flow path in a sealed reactor vessel. Heat is applied by vertically extending recuprative heaters situated at both lower and upper regions along the flow path to provide a high temperature zone of sufficient length to thermally decompose the wastes during a single passage along the path. Steam may be provided by intermixing liquid water, which may be dirty and/or contaminated, into the wastes prior to entry of the wastes into the reaction chamber thereby avoiding any need for an external boiler and pure water. The apparatus realizes a very high throughput and does not release any pollutants into the air, ground or water.

Abstract: The process and apparatus for transforming combustible pollutants and waste materials into non-polluting, clean and useful energy, by completely removing the pollutants from raw materials while avoiding the formation of potential pollutants, involve the use of oxygen or a gas mixture containing oxygen, such as air, and steam.

Abstract: Resonant tubes of a pulse combustor are immersed in a bed of solid particles in a reaction zone to provide indirect heat from the pulsating combustion gases to the solid particles of the bed. The bed is maintained in an agitated state by a gas or vapor flowing through the bed. Reactant materials are introduced into the agitated bed and undergo reaction at enhanced rates resulting from heat transfer coefficients at least about twice as high as those of steady flow combustors and an intense acoustic pressure level propagated from the pulsating combustor into the reaction zone. The apparatus is useful, for example, to steam reform heavy hydrocarbons and to gasify carbonaceous material, including biomass and black liquor to produce combustible gas at relatively low temperatures, with steam being utilized as the bed fluidizing medium. Black liquor gasification, utilizing sodium carbonate as bed solids, results in liquor energy and chemical content recovery without smelt production.

Abstract: A dry distillation gas generator generates a dry distillation gas for burning in a separate combustion gas burner unit. Air is supplied in a gentle decelerated flow to the bottom of the dry distillation generator in a quantity sufficient to support combustion of a solid fuel in the vicinity of the air supply, but at a low enough volume to prevent the combustion proceeding to other parts of the generator, thus thermally decomposing the remainder of the solid fuel to generate the dry distillate gas. An air chamber surrounds the generator to reduce the temperature to which the solid fuel is exposed. Similarly, an air chamber is disposed below the bottom of the generator to supply air to the generator, and to moderate the temperature therein. An impurity separation tank in a conduit between the generator and the gas burner unit helps prevent particulates from entering the generator. A preheat burner in the combustion gas burner unit includes a pilot to ignite and preheat the gas.

Abstract: A method for generating, from refuse or refuse in combination with coal, a fuel gas suited for public utility purposes wherein refuse and coal can be introduced into the process in any proportion one to the other. The method provides the steps of subjecting the refuse to allothermal low-temperature carbonization, if desired in combination with coal, burning the gasification residue, purifying the crude gas and conditioning the pure gas for public utility purposes.

Abstract: A vertical, countercurrent, updraft reactor is provided which can be advantageously used to produce synthesis gas by the partial oxidation of a solid fuel, especially a wood particle fuel. The reactor has a substantially cylindrical, vertical shell. The reactor has a fuel inlet opening in the upper portion of the reactor and an ash outlet opening in the lower portion of the reactor. Also in the lower portion of the reactor is a synthesis gas outlet opening. A heating zone is created within the reactor by internal heating zone walls which terminate at a lower-most edge. A grate is located below the heating zone. The outer perimeter of the grate and the lower-most edge of the heating zone walls form an annular slit which allows ash to gravitate out of the heating zone and into the lower-most portion of the reactor. The grate is reciprocal so that the annular slit can be periodically narrowed and widened.

Abstract: Apparatus for retorting organic matter including a conveyor for advancing organic matter through a chamber in the absence of oxygen, temperature sensors for sensing the temperature in the chamber at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber, a plurality of burners located along the length of the chamber, controls for individually adjusting the heat generated by the plurality of burners in response to the temperature sensed at the locations, means for selectively directing the heat to the plurality of locations along the length of the chamber so as to convert the organic matter into a plurality of byproducts and transporting at least one of said byproducts to said burners for burning therein.

Abstract: A bottom-feed, biomass material gasification system feeds fuel such as green and wet woodchips from below up through a central opening in a stationary, perforate fire table which supports the mound-like fuel bed which is formed. A plurality of ring-like air manifolds contiguously below the fire table, and surrounding the fuel supply tube are separately provided with air in a controlled manner according to the demand for the combustible gas produced, and a greater volume of air is supplied to the centralmost manifold, than to the outer manifold, or manifolds. The system includes, in addition to a primary heating chamber, a secondary heating chamber which receives the hot gases generated in the primary chamber and, via a centrifugal cyclonic action, combusts fly ash particles which may remain entrained in the gas, before passing the hot gases to the boiler burner for cumbustion.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatuses, and rotary furnaces for continuously manufacturing charcoal having a carbon content by weight which is greater than 95% of the total weight of carbon and volatile matter. Fragments of vegetable material contained in a hopper are inserted into a rotary furnace, with the transit time of the fragment through the furnace lying in the range 45 minutes to 60 minutes. The temperature in the front zone of the furnace where carbonization takes place is maintained in the range 900.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. The furnace is heated by an axial burner which burns both combustible gases due to pyrolysis of the vegetable matter fragments and a second fuel. The charcoal falls into a hopper, from which it passes through a cooling chamber where it is colled by sprayed jets of water, after which it is extracted by an endless screw extractor. One application of the invention is manufacturing charcoal for making activated charcoal free from inorganic impurities.

Abstract: An improved gasification system, in which synthesis gas is produced through the operation of a fuel gas production bed comprising an upper layer (66) of organic input material, typically in the form of pellets or briquettes of substantially uniform size and configuration, two intermediate layers, one intermediate layer (70) for carbonizing the input material and the other intermediate layer (72) for partially oxidizing and substantially completely pyrolizing the input material and a lower layer (68) of tar-free charcoal. The gasification system includes a closed reaction chamber (10) which includes upper and lower portions (14/18). The cross-sectional area of the lower portion (18) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the upper portion (14), the lower portion further including an upper part which overlaps the lower part of the upper portion (14).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing generator gas and activated carbon from solid fuels. A first gasification stage is supplied with fuel by an underfeed charging system and preheated air, the air and fuel being supplied in the same direction. In a second gasification stage and accompanied by the supply of secondary air, an intermediate gasification takes place. Finally, in a third gasification stage, the gas is reacted with glowing coke or charcoal, and the heat of the exiting gas is used for heating the air. The fuel centrally entering the first gasification stage is led from the inside to the outside and then upwards. Part of the entering fuel is precombusted in a precombustion chamber linked with the supply of the preheated air for reducing the oxygen content of the preheated air. In the intermediate gasification stage, the gas with the admixed air is passed through a Venturi nozzle or tube with a diffuser.

Abstract: An apparatus for the thermal conversion and recovery of organic waste materials includes an oxygen-free chamber filled with molten lead and a method of use of the apparatus. The chamber is elongate and inclined so that organic material introduced in a lower portion of the chamber migrates through the molten lead to a higher portion of the chamber due to the organic material having a specific gravity less than that of lead. As the organic material migrates through the molten lead, the material is thermally converted to gaseous and vapor hydrocarbons that are captured in a condenser. The gaseous hydrocarbons are utilized to heat the lead in the chamber and the vapor is condensed to liquid hydrocarbons in the condenser. Residual solids flow to a reservoir connected to the chamber. Light carbon black is drawn into a receiver by a vacuum line located near the top of the reservoir and all other residual solids flow over a reservoir wall.

Abstract: Resonant tubes of a pulse combustor are immersed in a bed of solid particles in a reaction zone to provide indirect heat from the pulsating combustion gases to the solid particles of the bed. The bed is maintained in an agitated state by a gas or vapor flowing through the bed. Reactant materials are introduced into the agitated bed and undergo reaction at enhanced rates resulting from heat transfer coefficients at least about twice as high as those of steady flow combustors and an intense acoustic pressure level propagated from the pulsating combustor into the reaction zone. The apparatus is useful, for example, to steam reform heavy hydrocarbons and to gasify carbonaceous material, including biomass and black liquor to produce combustible gas at relatively low temperatures, with steam being usilized as the bed fluidizing medium. Black liquor gasification, utilizing sodium carbonate as bed solids, results in liquor energy and chemical content recovery without smelt production.

Abstract: A system for the destruction of organic waste material such as halogenated organic compounds, and related matter. In one embodiment the waste material is reduced with a gaseous reducing agent such as hydrogen above about 600.degree. C., the gaseous products are condensed and cooled in the presence of an aqueous mist at about 5.degree. C., and condensed organic and aqueous material is collected and the aqueous portion recycled into the condensing and cooling steps. In another embodiment, where acid gases (for example, hydrogen halides) are produced during reduction, the gaseous products are condensed in the presence of aqueous mist at about 85.degree. C. and a major portion of the aqueous mist condenses as acidic water which is collected and neutralized. Remaining gaseous components are then cooled to about 5.degree. C. as in the previous embodiment. In further embodiments, the remaining uncondensed gaseous products are oxidized with a gaseous oxidizing agent at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: Gaseous, liguid and solid fuels are recovered from carbonaceous organic waste material by treating charges of waste material in several successive stages including preheating, drying and conversion into solid and gaseous phases, all as a result of heating in a common vessel or in two or three successive vessels. The solid phases are thereupon cooled prior to admission into a bin, either in a separate vessel or in the vessel for conversion into solid and gaseous phases. The gaseous phases are treated to separate oil from reaction water, combustible gases and inert gases. The charges are heated from without and are sealed from the atmosphere during all four stages of treatment. Each charge is mixed during heating and the intensity of mixing action, the heating action and/or the pressure in the vessel can be varied during one or more stages.

Abstract: A heating system for producing heat by the gasification of solid, organic biomass material. A mass of such materials is maintained on a grate in a primary oxidation chamber of the catalytic type, and materials in such mass are gradually heated in a deficiency of oxidation for full oxidation of such materials to produce a gaseous, combustible effluent. The gaseous combustible effluent is transferred through an insulated exit duct to a secondary oxidation chamber where it is further oxidized to a fully oxidized state by burning. In one embodiment, the insulated exit duct has a restricted inlet portion within the primary oxidation chamber to serve as a flame deflector. The gaseous effluent from the secondary oxidation chamber is used as a heat source for a water tube boiler. A storage hopper is provided to store the biomass feed materials for delivery to the primary oxidation chamber. The bottom of the storage hopper is inverted and reciprocating plates are provided along the bottom of the storage hopper.

Abstract: There are disclosed a process and a plant for gasifying biomass. The plant has a pressure vessel containing a hot fluidized sand bed. The bio-mass is pre-dried to a moisture content of from 10% to 35% by weight. A steam-free oxygen-containing gas is fed and distributed, through a grid system at the bottom of the hot sand bed, to hold the bed in a fluidized state and to form, in its lower portion, an oxygen-rich heat-forming combustion zone and, in its upper portion, a hydrogen-rich gas-forming pyrolysis zone. The pre-dried biomass is uninterruptedly fed in the pyrolysis zone at essentially the center of the hot fluidized bed, this center being determined when the sand bed stands at rest. The fluidized bed is held at an operating temperature of 750.degree. to 860.degree. C. under an operating pressure of 400 kPa to 1750 kPa by controlling the feeding rate of the fluidized gas as well as the feeding rate of the biomass.

Abstract: An arrangement for the gasification of fuels with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases and steam, includes a shaft-like vessel for receiving solid charging stock. A gas discharge duct is provided on the upper end of the vessel and a primary gas chamber is in connection with the shaft-like vessel on its lower end via a passage. In the primary gas chamber a burner is provided, which includes feedings for oxygen or oxygen-containing gases as well as for fuels. A trough for receiving slag is arranged below. the primary gas chamber and a supporting bottoms is provided between the trough and the shaft-like vessel, reaching into the primary gas chamber, for the formation of a dumping material bed of the solid charging stock facing the burner by one dumping surface. In order to be able to gasify low-quality fuels into a high-quality product gas, the primary gas chamber includes a charging opening for charging a charging stock to be gasified.

Abstract: A process for the disposal of waste comprising the steps of passing a waste into a sealed container, purging the sealed container of oxygen, heating the interior of the sealed container to a temperature of greater than 2,700.degree. F. so as to convert the waste into a gas, and transmitting the gas into a storage vessel. An inert gas is introduced into the interior of the sealed container so as to displace oxygen from within the sealed container. The inert gas is ideally nitrogen. The interior of the sealed container is heated by induction heating. The gas is transferred through a water filter so as to remove the carbon component of the gas. The water filtered gas is then passed through a sodium hydroxide filter so as to remove the chlorine component of the gas. The gas is then sieved so as to separate the various gaseous components for individual storage.

Abstract: A gasifier system for obtaining relatively clean combustible gaseous products from solid fuel materials, such as processed sewage sludge, comprises a gasifier reactor which communicates a raw, combustible gas to a cyclone separator, a gas scrubbing device and a gas cooling and drying device. Gas which exits the system is relatively clean and may be used in a prime mover for the production of energy.The gasifier reactor of the present invention is a down-draft fixed bed gasifier. The gasifier is constructed of several interconnected modular units. Moreover, the gasifier is constructed so as to efficiently gasify fuel materials while maintaining excellent horizontal temperature control.

Abstract: A method for the pyrolytic production of synthetic gas from components of solid materials, including selected segregated post-consumed waste materials, within a pyrolytic gasifier operably heated by an associated furnace, which includes the steps of: preparing the materials for use as furnace fuel; preparing the materials for use as pyrolytically decomposable gassifier fuel by material proparation means; conveying the materials from the material preparation means to material segregation means by material conveying means operably associated therebetween; segregating the materials into selected segregated components of the gassifier fuel by the material segregation means; delivering the components of gasifier fuel into a desired gasifier fuel formula component ratio by gasifier fuel delivery means so as to comprise a gasifier fuel formula mixture; and compacting the gasifier fuel mixture by compacting means operably connected to gasifier fuel delivery means, so as to substantially eliminate entrapped oxygen and

Abstract: A high efficiency gasifier employs a rotary kiln having an indirect fired gasifier and a recycle system. The rotary kiln provides an essentially oxygen-free gasifying chamber into which raw feed material is introduced. Radiant tubes within the chamber transfer heat to the incoming raw feed material to pyrolyze it and convert it to char and product gas as the material advances toward the outlet end. The recycle system within the chamber returns both product gas and hot char to a receiving end of the kiln to aid in heat transfer to the raw feed material. The feed is thus heated more rapidly, and less heat input is required. Efficiency is further aided by providing additional residence time and gasification of the char.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the separation and extraction of a waste material into a solid, a liquid, and a gas phase utilizing a rotating drum that is heated by a fluid medium circulating over the exterior surface of the drum in a chamber. The interior of the drum is sealed from the atmosphere and from the chamber. The waste material flows to the interior of the drum where the liquid components are vaporized and the solids are dried. The drum vapor effluent is cooled and the condensable components are condensed and separated. The noncondensable components are used as fuel for heating the heating medium. The dry solids flow from the retort to disposal facilities.

Abstract: A pyrolysis system for trash and refuse utilization having a heated low temperature carbonization drum with a device for feeding material to be carbonized located at one end face of the drum, a residue discharge device at the other end face of the drum, a low temperature carbonization gas exhaust, and a gas converter connected to the low temperature carbonization gas exhaust for converting the low temperature carbonization gas into cracked gas, includes means for supplying to the low temperature carbonization drum part of a quantity of cracked gas flowing out of the gas converter as a heat carrier.

Abstract: Municipal sludge is converted from an environmental problem into soil amendment and electricity. Methane, produced in an anaerobic digester (2), is used partially to generate electricity and partially to dry the concentrated sludge in a rotary dryer (7). Excess heat from the dryer is used to maintain the temperature in the digester at approximately 105.degree. to 130.degree. F. Heavy metals are removed so that the dried sludge can be safely used as a soil amendment.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of sludge including a heated continuous tubular member having a continuous conveyor extending therethrough and defining along its length in succession a heating zone, a connecting zone and a reaction zone. The connecting zone conveys solid products from the heating zone to the reaction zone without substantial passage of gaseous material therethrough, and a duct means separate from the tubular member connects the heating zone and the reaction zone for the passage of gaseous products from the heating zone to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A gasifier (10) for particulate combustible material in effect separates the pyrolysis and the oxidation of the flowable fuel material with a traveling grate (40) for advancing a bed of the material from a material feed station (40A) to a material discharge station (40B). A material feed mechanism (60) has fuel and ember chutes (62, 64) for depositing hot embers below combustible material. Discharge transport apparatus 70 separates ash from combustible residue, i.e., embers. A recirculation transport (80) delivers combustible residue to the ember chute (64) where it is reintroduced to the traveling grate (40) for a further transit through the gasifier (10).

Abstract: A gasifier for converting solid organic fuels to combustible gas includes a cylindrical body having insulated side walls and a gas outlet port near its base. Affixed to the top of the cylindrical tank is a conical-shaped fuel feed hopper and beneath it and within the interior of the tank is an inverted truncated one. Positioned beneath the throat of the inverted cone is a pyramidal-shaped grate for supporting the combusting solid fuel during the inversion process. Positioned beneath the grate are a series of baffles. Combustion air is drawn in through the upper portion of the tank near the base of the frusto-conical feed hopper by the action of a motor-driven fan coupled to the gasifier's outlet port. The down draft gas flow reduces noxious fumes and pollutants while the baffles, by increasing the fluid velocity of the gases, tends to make the unit self-cleaning. The design of the hearth cone and grate also eliminates bridging of the fuel during the gasification process.

Abstract: A manure digester and power generating system includes a mixing tank for receiving manure, a closed, anaerobic manure digester tank of fixed volume, and a gas-fueled engine and a generator coupled to the engine, for generating electrical power. Manure is scraped into the mixing tank daily, where it is mixed with water to produce a manure slurry of desired consistency, and heated to a prescribed temperature. The digester tank is of fixed volume and may be of a generally rounded cross-sectional shape and elongated in length, and into its inflow end the contents of the mixing tank are transferred daily, on a daily batch basis. Anaerobic-digesting microbes are maintained in the digester tank to digest the manure slurry and produce methane gas and by-products. Temperature in the digester tank is maintained at about 90.degree. to 100.degree. F.

Abstract: The heating stove system includes a fuel hopper (10) from which fuel is fed into a pyrolysis gasifier (12) by means of a fuel auger apparatus (14). Controlling the entry of biomass input and air into the gasifier and ignition of the material in the gasifier is a head valve apparatus (16) which includes an igniter (129). The gasifier (12) in operation produces carbon and fuel gas which are moved into a stove burner (90) by a blower apparatus (18). The operation of the heating stove system is automatically controlled from a thermostat (150).

Abstract: A process which comprises the steps of introducing combustible solid material into an upper section of a pyrolysis chamber, moving the material downwardly at a controlled rate through multiple stage zones in the pyrolysis chamber, passing hot gaseous products of the partial oxidation of carbon char upwardly countercurrent to the movement of the solid material in the pyrolysis chamber, driving off volatile matter in the solid material, depositing carbon char in the lower section of the pyrolysis chamber, introducing air into the lower section of the pyrolysis chamber and partially oxidizing the char to form the hot gaseous products, removing a hot overhead fuel gas, passing the overhead fuel gas to a combustion chamber for combustion thereof with air, and applying the resulting hot combustion gases exiting the combustion chamber to a heat load.

Abstract: Waste or refuse is fed to a first reaction chamber communicating with a second one through openings in the lower portion of a partition between the chambers and hot metal or the like is fed into at least one of the two chambers; gas is extracted from the second chamber and the pressure conditions are such that different liquid levels obtain in the two chambers causing reaction gas to bubble through the openings and the liquid in the second chamber. The principle product gases extracted are hydrogen, carbonoxide and inert gases. Lime is preferably added to the waste to be processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for withdrawing gaseous decomposition products from a refuse dump. Disposed at various locations in the refuse are gas collection mechanisms, such as gas wells, drainage systems, etc., each of which is connected via a gas withdrawal line with a collector, from which the gas is withdrawn for further utilization. Disposed in each gas withdrawal line is a sensor and a regulatable shutoff device. The sensor transmits the content of a characteristic constituent of the gas flow in a given gas withdrawal line to a measuring and control unit, which monitors the gas flow volume as a function of a comparison of the sensor signals with preset threshold values. If the sensors indicate that the content of the characteristic constituent of the gas flow exceeds or drops below the preset threshold values, the measuring and control unit opens or closes the associated shutoff device by an appropriate amount.

Abstract: A pressurized downdraft gasifier for extracting high quality burning gases from fuels with low rates of gasification. The downdraft air with the gas products is made to take a tranverse path through a cylindrical bar grate depending into the ash collecting chamber from a throated bottom structure of the gasifying chamber and into annular space surrounding the grate at the top of the ash chamber from which space the gas products are delivered to gas burners and turbines to be utilized. Grate clearing assemblies are supported by their three blades respectively overlying respective grate bars and have a loose splined drive connection with a vertical drive shaft to allow the assemblies to tilt or rock while adjusting to clinkers plugging the grate bars. In the bottom of the ash chamber is a hearth plate with a central opening and a rejection plate also similarly loosely connected to the same vertical drive shaft to adjust to clinkers when sweeping the ash into the central opening of the hearth plate.

Abstract: A system and method to achieve gasification of bark pieces, that includes a vessel to receive the bark pieces which are introduced at an upper region of the vessel and are burned at a lower region, which bark pieces settle from the upper region downward to the lower region in the course of burning and bridge as they settle to leave one or more bypass holes in the bulk thereof. A mechanism is provided to apply angular impelling reciprocating forces to the bark pieces or the like to revolve individual pieces through acute angles, first in one direction and then in the other, to disrupt the bridging and hence the bypass holes.

Abstract: An anaerobic apparatus for treating wastewater is disclosed. The treating apparatus comprises a reactor housing a media having a plurality of surfaces for receiving bacteria. The wastewater that is to be treated, is introduced into the bottom of the reactor and forced up over the surfaces of the media, whereby the bacteria on the surfaces of and in the voids of the media consume the organic materials in the wastewater by an anaerobic digestion process to produce methane and a biological sludge. The biological sludge is collected and stored in a bottom storage portion of the reactor, whereby further digestion occurs to condense the mass of such sludge. A first conduit array is disposed above the media for withdrawing the treated wastewater. A second conduit array is disposed in communication with the storage portion for withdrawing biological sludge from the reactor.

Abstract: An anaerobic fermentor comprising: a container vessel divided into at least two compartments each having a floor, a roof, and a layer of liquid-pervious packing material disposed horizontally across the compartment at a position intermediate the roof and the floor with its lower surface upwardly spaced from the floor and its upper surface downwardly spaced from the roof; liquid conduits connecting successive compartments in series and connecting the space between the roof and packing layer of one compartment to the space between the floor and packing layer of a succeeding compartment; means for introducing liquid to be treated to the first of the successive compartments; means for removing treated liquid from the last of the successive compartments; means for the removal of gas from the space between the packing layer and the roof of each compartment; and means for the removal of solids from the fermentor.

Abstract: Apparatus producing fuel from waste products of the type capable of forming a flammable oil and gas when heated. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for disposing of discarded vehicle tires and at the same time producing fuel capable of operating engines or burners. The system utilizes a cooking pot and cooling apparatus for condensing gas formed in the cooking vessel to produce a flammable oil. The system including the cooking vessel is closed except for outlets from the cooling apparatus for both the oil and gas, whereby no appreciable pollution is discharged to atmosphere.

Abstract: A considerable portion of the gas developed by fermentation in an anaerobic purification equipment for waste water, together with buoyant sludge, is collected by at least one additional collecting system (5), before it may reach the upper part of the reactor. This additional collecting system is fitted at a distance below the collecting system (6) fitted as usual just below the level of one or more overflow gutters (3; 23) for purified water. The additional collecting system (5) has a hydraulic link with one or more rising pipes (7, 7', 27, 32, 31) for raising the liquid sludge mixture by gas lift action. The rising pipes discharge into a separation device (8) from which one or more downpipes (9; 29) for returning separated liquid and sludge extend to the lower section of the reactor chamber. As a result of the tranquility at the top and the turbulence near the bottom, a substantial increase of the load capacity of the equipment can be obtained.

Abstract: A fixed bed gasifier for wood or other solid fuel has an air supply grate or grid spanning its interior horizontally substantially above the floor of the gasifier reactor vessel. The air supply tubes forming the grid are widely spaced apart to offer minimal resistance to the downward movement of ash in the reactor vessel. The ends of the grid tubes are supported by stuffing boxes on the side wall of the reactor vessel. An ash removal auger communicates with an ash pit at the bottom of the gasifier reactor vessel and a separately powered rotating ash plow operates in the ash pit above the ash removal auger and below the level of the air supply grate or grid.

Abstract: An integrated gasifying apparatus for solid municipal waste, sewage sludge and coal utilizes a fluidized-bed gasifier from which the char enters a low-temperature fluid bed combustor and then a high-temperature fluid bed combuster. CaO is admitted to the gasifier to form part of the bed and calcined lime is carried out of the high temperature combustor. The product gases are separated to recover CO.sub.2 which is recirculated to the gasifier at least in part as a fluidizing gas.

Abstract: A tilted, fixed kiln with rotory steam gasifier having a fixed elongated, pressurizable kiln body member with an input end and an output end and with the center axis supported at an angle to the horizontal so as to bring into effect gravitational forces acting on high moisture content biomass material fed into the input end and travelling through the kiln to the output end and having in the kiln body an axially extending rotor and a motor, radially spaced-apart scoop-like blade elements extending along the axial length of the kiln for tumbling the material, means for increasing the temperature from its input to its output end, spaced-apart blades and chains disposed in the rotor kiln cavities for stirring the biomass material as it travels through the kiln to prevent agglomeration, a plurality of parallel, axially extending hot gas counter-flow feedback pipes arranged around the kiln body and along the backsides of the scoop-like blade elements, a metering auger mounted vertically to the input end of the kiln

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of biomethane from organic substances comprises a digester having a vat with a floor and a centrally located vertical axis. The vat is formed by a fixed foundation and vertical side walls. A central support pillar has a vertical axis coincident with the vertical axis of the vat and is movably joined to the foundation so that the pillar can rotate about the axis. The vat has an upper portion fixed to the central pillar and rotatably supported on the side walls. A cylindrical primary compartment is located inside the vat concentrically around the central pillar. A fixed vertical partition joins the floor and radially extends between the primary compartment and the side walls of the vat. A movable partition radially extends between the primary compartment and a side wall and is capable of moving about the central axis with the upper portion and central pillar. When the movable partition moves, all substances in the vat outside the primary compartment are displaced.

Abstract: A system for recovering resources from sludge in which sludge containing water in the amount of 90 to 70 percent is first supplied to a sludge concentrator through a forced supply equipment where the sludge is concentrated to contain a water content of a maximum of about 60 percent; then is sent to a drying furnace having a fluidized sand bed. The product obtained in the drying furnace is separated to gas and solid. After the separated gas is pressurized by a fan and is heated by a heat exchanger through a circulator passage, a portion thereof is supplied to the drying furnace as gas for drying and the remainder is sent to the sludge concentrator. The water content is then removed from the concentrated gas and the gas obtained from the sludge concentrator is used in the system as gaseous fuel.