Abstract: The hot raw synthesis gas stream leaving the reaction zone of a free flow partial oxidation gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F. is passed through a first gas diversion and residue separation zone where the velocity of the gas stream is reduced and its direction is diverted into a side transfer line. Solid material and molten slag separate by gravity from the gas stream. The hot gas stream is then introduced into a second gas diversion and residue separation zone where additional residue is separated. About 0.5 to 20 vol. % of the hot gas stream may be passed through bottom outlets in said first and second gas diversion zones in order to prevent bridging. The hot gas stream from the second gas diversion zone is passed upwardly through a radiant cooler where additional solid matter is removed by gravity and the gas temperature is reduced to a temperature in the range of about 900.degree. to 1800.degree. F.

Abstract: Apparatus for using focused solar radiation to gasify coal and other carbonaceous materials. Incident solar radiation is focused from an array of heliostats onto a tower-mounted secondary mirror which redirects the focused solar radiation down through a window onto the surface of a vertically-moving bed of coal, or a fluidized bed of coal, contained within a gasification reactor. The reactor is designed to minimize contact between the window and solids in the reactor. Steam introduced into the gasification reactor reacts with the heated coal to produce gas consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, commonly called "synthesis gas", which can be converted to methane, methanol, gasoline, and other useful products. One of the novel features of the invention is the generation of process steam at the rear surface of the secondary mirror.

Abstract: A coal slagging gasifier and method of operating such gasifier are improved by providing an improved slag removal orifice. The orifice is located centrally within the hearth of a gasifier of the type in which hot burner gases are directed up through the orifice to retain the slag in molten condition on the hearth and in which the slag is periodically discharged through the slag removal orifice. The slag removal orifice is formed as a substantially vertical passageway through the removable slag tap member which comprises a solid cast mass of high thermal conductivity metal having an integrally formed metal tube for circulating liquid coolant through the cast mass. The upper tundish surface of the slag tap member slopes downwardly and inwardly and merges with the slag removal orifice.

Abstract: A removable annular hearth member, shaped to fit over the slag outlet member of a slagging gasifier, comprises a cast body of high thermal conductivity having integral liquid coolant passageways, the central openings of the annular hearth member and slag outlet member being arranged in vertical alignment for the discharge of slag, and the lower portion of the hearth member opening having a lip or beak extending downwardly so as to form a sealed joint with the slag outlet opening whereby in operation of the gasifier to prevent preparation of molten slag therebetween.

Abstract: A removable annular hearth member, shaped to fit over the slag outlet of a slagging gasifier, comprises a cast body of high thermal conductivity having integral coolant passageways, said passageways being formed by shaping a metal tube into a coil having an inlet and an outlet, and casting metal to the desired shape around the coil such that the inlet and outlet communicate exteriorly of the cast body.

Abstract: A process and apparatus, wherein as hot gas from a coal gasifier discharges through a tubular outlet having therein a wall which is permeable throughout its length for the flow of hot gas centrally therethrough, a gas shield is formed along the inner surface of the tubular outlet by passing a coolant through the wall, which gas shield cools the wall and prevents sticky ash particles in the hot gas from hitting the wall. The gas shield also cools the hot gas so that the sticky ash particles lose their stickiness.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide and hydrogen are produced by spraying a mixture of molten sodium and/or potassium from one nozzle into a chamber maintained at a temperature of 650.degree. C. to 850.degree. C. along with one or more separated sprays containing a slurry of carbon, water and carbon dioxide so that the various sprays contact each other in said hot chamber so constructed so that the reactants are forced into a suitably constructed reactor containing iron and/or its oxide in a semifluid bed powdered condition. Preferably, the reactor contains mixtures of the metals and/or oxides taken from the class of iron, cobalt, nickel and manganese. In a cyclic reaction, the metallic sodium is reconstituted along with continued production of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the iron type component remaining in the reactor which as a consequence of the reagents and conditions is cyclically oxidized to oxides of iron type elements and reduced to finely divided iron and/or mixtures of iron, cobalt, nickel and manganese.

Abstract: A stream of hot primary gas rising from the gasification region in a slag bath generator passes through an after-gasification region and thence into a cooling region. The stream of hot gas is cooled in the cooling region by injecting purified and cooled primary gas through tangentially-arranged nozzles at an outlet velocity of between 1 and 8 meters per second. Below the tangentially-arranged nozzles, other gas-cooling nozzles inject cooled and purified primary gas into the hot gas stream upwardly at an angle within 10.degree.-60.degree. , preferably at 45.degree. and at an outlet velocity of between 10 and 160 meters per second. The upwardly-inclined gas injection nozzles are carried by the inner wall of an annular duct. The inner wall extends between a lining of cooling tubes surrounding the vertical gas flow space.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel is produced, utilizing thermolysis and a water-gas reaction, by heating a piece of carbon through exposure to reflector-focused solar radiation and contacting it with steam. The carbon is at least partially immersed in water within a chamber. A surface portion of the carbon is irradiated by the focused solar radiation through a window in the chamber and through the water and heated to at least 1000.degree. C. A cloud of steam is thus produced in the environment of the heated carbon surface, thereby enabling formation of the gaseous fuel. After being separated from the water, the fuel can be stored indefinitely in a container.

Abstract: A removable annular hearth member, shaped to fit over the slag outlet of a slagging gasifier, comprises a cast body of high thermal conductivity having integral coolant passageways, said passageways being formed by shaping a metal tube into a coil having an inlet and an outlet, and casting metal to the desired shape around the coil such that the inlet and outlet communicate exteriorly of the cast body.

Abstract: A slagging gasifier incorporating a main burner ignition system which is mounted remote from the main burner thus avoiding damage to the system from over heating and slag dribble. The system comprises a stainless steel tube and a surface ignition ignitor and, in use, neat gas under high pressure is fed into the tube for ignition within the slagging gasifier.

Abstract: An easily removable unit connecting a pressurized gasifier vessel with a slag quenching chamber, wherein the unit consists of a flanged cylindrical tube arranged to carry the slag tap, burner and all services, supplies, electrical cables to and from the gasifier.

Abstract: In a slagging gasifier the slag quenching chamber is provided with means having a plurality of equispaced outlet ports disposed around the inside of the upper region of the chamber, each outlet port communicating with a venting control which may be used selectively to vent the normally pressurized quenching chamber to atmosphere during a slag-tapping operation.

Abstract: Fine-grain fuel is delivered from pressure vessels with a vehicle gas as a fluidized flow into a reactor for gasification at an elevated pressure. A gaseous gasification agent is also fed into the reactor. A control system for the fine-grain fuel and gasification agent includes detectors to provide an electrical signal which varies during feeding of fuel from the pressure vessels into the reactor. Controllers produce a fuel rate control signal corresponding to a comparison between the electrical signal from the detectors and a predetermined reference value corresponding to the desired fuel supply rate. Control valves respond to the fuel rate control signal to adjust the supply of vehicle gas to transfer fuel from the pressure vessels into the reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a lance burner into selected positions beneath the slag tap outlet of a slagging gasifier, comprising a `U`-shaped member adapted to carry flows of separate fluids to the burner, the member having two arms, the first arm being supported by one or more bearing members, and the second arm being adapted to carry a burner at its free end.

Abstract: The quench chamber of a slagging pressure gasifier is provided with a perforated tubular air ring remote from the slag tap main burner of the gasifier and arranged, in use, to supply the burner with a secondary air supply and, at the same time, to set up an air circulation adjacent the walls of the chamber above the normal water level therein, thereby to cool the walls. There is further provided a nozzle mixing ring burner for use in a slagging gasifier comprising a body having two integrally formed chambers each having respectively a gas inlet and outlet and an air/oxygen inlet and outlet. The outlets are directed toward a shaped annular portion on the inner periphery of the ring body.

Abstract: A control system maintains a predetermined volumetric ratio between fine-particle fuel and a gasification agent which are fed separately into a reactor wherein the fuel is gasified under pressure. The control system includes a first measuring means responsive to the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the fine-particle fuel in a fuel-feed line for producing a fuel-feed signal corresponding to the volumetric amount of fuel conducted by the line. A vehicle gas-feed signal is produced by a second measuring means in response to the volumetric amount of vehicle gas conducted by a line into the fuel-feed line for admixture with the fuel therein. Computing means is responsive to the fuel-feed signal and the vehicle gas-feed signal to produce a control signal according the expression:U.sub.1 . (U.sub.2 - U.sub.v)for all values of U.sub.2 greater than U.sub.v where U.sub.1 corresponds to the reciprocal of the fuel-feed signal, U.sub.2 corresponds to the vehicle gas-feed signal and U.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying fine-grained fuel, e.g., coal and a gasifying medium, e.g., oxygen in a slag bath generator. The fine-grained fuel and gasifying medium are injected at a downwardly-inclined angle to tangentially impinge with a turbulent rotary motion upon a slag bath in the lower end of a vertically-extending reactor shaft within a pressure vessel. A desired slag bath level is maintained in the bottom of the vessel by using an overflow to discharge slag from the bath through the bottom of the vessel. A first treatment zone for the high temperature gasification of the fuel is formed between the slag bath and a circular constriction to the reactor shaft. A second treatment zone for the final gasification of the fuel at a lower temperature as compared with the temperature in the first treatment zone extends above the circumferential constriction along the reactor shaft. Fuel and gases passing through the circumferential constriction are essentially free of a turbulent rotary motion.

Abstract: The gaseous product obtained by the partial oxidation of a fuel such as coal and/or oil is desulfurized and then admitted into a packed gas-liquid contact column. Here, the gas comes into contact with water so as to become at least partially saturated with water vapor. The gas is next conveyed to a reactor wherein it undergoes a methane-forming reaction under isothermal conditions, the methane-forming reaction taking place without previously subjecting the gas to a conversion reaction. The methane-forming reaction is carried out catalytically with a nickel-containing catalyst and deposition of carbon from the gas onto the catalyst is prevented by virtue of the water vapor present during the reaction. The quantity of water vapor present during the reaction is adjusted so as to lie between predetermined limits. After completion of the reaction, the gas is admitted into another packed gas-liquid column wherein it is cooled by contact with cooling water at which time residual water vapor in the gas condenses.