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: An improvement in a known process and apparatus for gasifying coal with water vapor and oxygen under pressure and at elevated temperature wherein coal is dropped onto a grate within a reactor supplied with gasifying agent from below, product gas being withdrawn above. In accordance with the invention an annular wall depends from the reactor top to form an annular gas space through which product gas is withdrawn. The annular space surrounds the top of the coal bed so the coal is preheated thereby. The wall is provided with apertures so that at least 20% of the product gas enters the annular space by traversing that part of the coal bed surrounded by the wall. This results in reduced product gas velocity and entrainment of coal dust.

Abstract: Apparatus for the processing of solid fuel hydrocarbons including a reactor for hydrogenation of the fuel reactant and a combustion reactor for oxidation of the residuum from the first reactor, the solid fuel reactant being dissolved in molten salt throughout its processing; and heat recovery means including a molten metal loop and a steam loop whereby the excess heat from the hydrogenation and oxidation reactors, present in the molten salt reaction matrix, is recovered in molten metal and transferred to the steam loop for energy production while avoiding cross contamination of the steam loop with salt from the reaction loop, and vice-versa.

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: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for producing synthetic gas by using a blast furnace as a gasifier. The furnace is charged in a conventional manner with particles of solid carbonaceous material such as normal, low grade or undersized coke together with slag-producing material, such as limestone, silica and/or basic oxygen furnace and/or open hearth furnace slag. Fluent fuel such as pulverized coal mixed with oxygen-containing gas and with lime if desired is injected into pre-ignition chambers near the hearth line of the furnace. The fluent fuel is ignited and partially gasified in the pre-ignition chambers, creating a hot reducing gas that enters the furnace raceway and passes upwardly into and through the body of charge material in the furnace stack. At the resulting high temperatures ash from the fluent fuel liguifies within the system to provide a liquid slag. Under a controlled high temperature reducing atmosphere, the liquid lime removes essentially all sulfur from the product gas.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for feeding coal into a gasifier operating at high pressures. A coal-water slurry is pumped to the desired pressure and then the coal is "dried" prior to feeding the coal into the gasifier by contacting the slurry with superheated steam in an entrained bed dryer for vaporizing the water in the slurry.

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 fluid bed reaction apparatus for providing separate reaction sites for segregated reactions in processes such as coal gasification, wherein the respective gasification and subsequent combustion reactions are separated within a single stage reactor. The fluid bed reactor comprises a shell or housing for containing a shell side fluid bed and one or more vertical standing tubes located within the shell side which form the segregated tube reaction sides. The open lower ends of the standing tubes are displaced a short distance above a distributor plate which operates as the base of the shell side fluid bed column. A Venturi nozzle coaxially oriented below the standing tube mouth provides a high velocity fluid flow into the tube side of the reactor. Carbonaceous particles are first reacted as they travel down the shell side reaction chamber.

Abstract: An automated poking system includes a plurality of pokerod assemblies positioned around the periphery of a two-stage, fixed-bed coal gasifier at two separate elevations. Each pokerod assembly includes an elongated pokerod selectively actuatable to extend into the coal bed within the gasifier, and appropriate sensors to provide data relating to the temperature of the coal bed, the resistance encountered by the pokerod, and the position of the pokerod. Alternatively, the temperature sensing function is separate from the pokerod activation, and the coal bed temperature is continuously moinitored. The mechanism for controlling activation of the pokerod may be a hydraulic cylinder-piston device or an electric motor driving the pokerod via mechanical means, such as a rack and pinion apparatus. Poking of the lower zone coal bed agitates the bed, detects and breaks up clinkers, and monitors the coal bed temperature.

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: Coal gasification apparatus having a hydrogenation gasifier chamber for gasifying a portion of coal charge and a steam gasifier vessel for gasifying unconverted coal from the hydrogenation chamber with the chamber disposed above the vessel and a pressure lock interposed between the outlet of the chamber and the inlet of the vessel to permit unconverted coal to flow into the vessel and prevent gas generated therein from passing into the chamber. An oxygen inlet is provided at the lower end of the vessel for residual-oxidation of remaining coal. A heat exchanger is provided for heat exchange between hot gas leaving vessel and incoming steam. The chamber may be preceded by a steam-heated heating tank for preheating the coal under pressure and then suddenly decompressing the coal.

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: 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 fluidized bed apparatus having an outer vessel provided at a lower region with a plenum chamber as well as a grid situated directly above the plenum chamber and carrying a plurality of nozzles through which gas flows from the plenum chamber into the space in the vessel above the grid. These nozzles provide a given pressure drop in the gas flowing therethrough while as the gas flows from the plenum chamber through each nozzle there is also provided by way of a suitable structure a preliminary pressure drop, so that a two-stage pressure drop is provided in the gas flowing through each nozzle from the plenum chamber into the vessel above the grid. In this way it is possible to achieve a flow of gas above the grid sufficient to maintain the particles suspended in the fluidized bed while attrition of the particles is maintained at a minimum so that very little if any fines flow out of the vessel with gas which is formed therein.

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: Nozzles introduce jet streams of fine-grain fuel and a gasification medium downwardly toward the surface of a slag bath at the bottom of a cylindrical reactor shaft within a vessel to impinge upon the surface of liquid slag which is discharged through a centrally-arranged overflow in the bottom of the vessel. The nozzles are arranged at an angle within a range of 35.degree. to 40.degree. with respect to the horizontal and positioned so that the jet streams impinge upon the surface of the slag at points defined by a plurality of concentric circles with respect to the overflow to circulate and produce a resulting movement of the liquid slag toward the overflow while maintaining a high temperature and homogeneous slag bath. The nozzles are further positioned so that an angle of about 10.degree. is defined between each jet stream and a vertical tangential plane to the concentric circle at the point where the jet stream impinges.

Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying solid fuels such as coal, in a packed bed by a treatment with a gasifying agent such as free oxygen-containing gas and water vapor under pressure, comprising a water-cooled reactor housing provided in its lower portion with gasifying agent inlet openings, a fuel distributor mounted on a vertical axis, a stirrer on a shaft disposed in the fuel bed in the upper portion of the reactor, and independent first and second drive means for independently rotating the fuel distributor and stirrer. Advantageously the distributor includes a hollow bearing shaft coaxial with the shaft of the stirrer and the stirrer shaft also has a bearing, a common bearing support cooperating with both of the bearings.

Abstract: The relatively small degree of backmixing of gas in a well-arranged fast fluidized bed is exploited to introduce heat into a fluidized bed reaction system wherein a fluidized bed treatment zone receiving heat and for the purpose of conducting an endothermic treatment of matter can have a gas atmosphere, such as relatively pure steam, that is maintained independently of and without admixture by any gas or gases that are associated with a step for introducing the heat. The treatment advantageously constitutes a treatment of a carbonaceous matter, such as coal or petroleum or municipal solid waste, with hot steam for purpose of gasifying or carbonizing or cracking the matter. The arrangement is also useful for a broad range of endothermic chemical or physical treatment of matter at high temperature.

Abstract: A self powered blue water gas generator includes a sealed retort forming a vertical column and having an input air lock coupled to receive carbonaceous material and a lower output air lock. The column includes a grate positioned within the column and disposed to receive impinging carbonaceous material passed through the input air lock. The grate and column are heated through conduction by burners communicating with the interior of the column and positioned outside and below the column to establish a vertical temperature gradient therewithin. Blue water gas produced within the column by carbonaceous material refluxing within the column fuels the burners and is extracted for utilization by a pipe communicating with the interior of the column. A steam pipe is positioned beneath the grate and within the column for producing steam beneath the grate.After initial fire up the generator is self-powered by its own product and produces blue water gas having an increased CO yield with decreased CO.sub.2 production.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of carbonaceous materials containing sulphur to an essentially sulphur-free combustible gas by gasification, comprising partially gasifying the carbonaceous material in a first circulating fluid bed by supplying to said zone adjusted streams of the carbonaceous material, finely-divided CaO-containing material and steam, separating solid materials from streams of gases and solid materials leaving said reaction zone, subjecting an adjusted fraction stream of said solid materials to separation of ashes and sulphur purification and then returning this stream to the reaction zone, transferring the rest of the solid materials to a second circulating fluid bed, wherein the solid materials by partial combustion with an adjusted stream of gases containing molecular oxygen is heated to an overtemperature which is adjusted by controlling the content of oxygen of the gas in such a way that the materials after separation from the reaction gases and recirculation to the first fluid bed satisfie

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: Stirrer construction adapted for both vertical and rotational movements is described for use in a fixed bed coal gasifier. Rabble arms projecting from a depending shaft are arranged as an upper and a lower set. The rabble arms in the lower set each present shear edges at and adjacent the tips thereof in order to be lowered into the ash zone, when desired, to break away the hard sintered masses that tend to develop along the wall there. Also, the lower set of rabble arms is designed for use in the combustion ("hot") zone to break up or loosen clinker formation with minimum damage to the ceramic liner in this portion of the gasifier. The rabble arms in the upper set are longer than the rabble arms in the lower set and extend closer to the wall of the gasifier being used both in order to center the stirrer shaft and to stir the upper regions of the coal bed.

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 method and apparatus for gasifying coal wherein the gasification takes place in a spout fluid bed at a pressure of about 10 to 30 atmospheres and a temperature of about 1800.degree. to 2200.degree.F and wherein the configuration of the apparatus and the manner of introduction of gases for combustion and fluidization is such that agglomerated ash can be withdrawn from the bottom of the apparatus and gas containing very low dust loading is produced. The gasification reaction is self-sustaining through the burning of a stoichiometric amount of coal with air in the lower part of the apparatus to form the spout within the fluid bed. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for gasifying coarse coal particles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasifying coal to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen in which a first stream of coal is burned without bed formation in a combustion zone in the presence of water under oxidation conditions to produce gases containing carbon dioxide and steam. A second stream of coal is maintained as a fluid bed in a separate gasifier zone by upflowing carbon dioxide and steam from the combustion zone while being gasified under reducing conditions to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Char produced in the fluid bed is elutriated overhead and material in the fluid bed is prevented from direct entry into the combustion zone. The ratio of carbonaceous material to ash in the char removed overhead is lower than the average ratio of carbonaceous material to ash in the solids in the fluid bed.

Abstract: Granulated coals or cokes derived from coal, in sizes up to about 3/4 inch and containing ash matter with an initial deformation temperature above about 2,300.degree.F, are fed to a slow fluidized bed comprising relatively large particles of coke intermingled with roughly spherical ash agglomerates, maintained at about 2,050.degree.F to 2,650.degree.F, and supplied with a gasification medium, for example, steam mixed with oxygen or air. A fast fluidized bed of coke fines is superposed above the slow bed and is contiguous therewith. Gasification products are discharged together with relatively fine particles of coke, which are collected and returned to the fast bed. Ash agglomerates are withdrawn from the bottom of the slow bed via a standpipe leading to a mechanical grate. An oxidizing medium is introduced below the grate to consume coke particles that accompany the ash agglomerates entering the standpipe.

Abstract: Granulated coals or cokes derived from coal, in sizes up to about 3/4 inch and containing ash matter with an initial deformation temperature below about 2,300.degree.F, are fed to a slow fluidized bed comprising relatively large particles of coke intermingled with roughly spherical ash agglomerates, maintained at about 1,900.degree.F to about 2,450.degree.F, and supplied with a gasification medium, for example, steam mixed with oxygen or air. A fast fluidized bed of coke fines is superimposed above the slow bed and is contiguous therewith. Gasification products are discharged together with relatively fine particles of coke, which are collected and returned to the fast bed. Ash agglomerates are withdrawn from the bottom of the slow bed via a standpipe leading to a slagging grate. Combustion of coke fines in a forehearth beneath the slagging grate creates slagging temperatures therein and at the grate. Molten slag falls through a taphole and into a pool of water, from which slag frit and water are discharged.

Abstract: The gasification of solid fuels or mixtures of solid and liquid fuels takes place in a cylindrically-shaped pressure reactor vessel having feed jets at the top of the vessel for introducing the fuel and the gasification medium into the vessel. A ring-shaped chamber containing a bath of molten iron surrounds a gas discharge pipe within the lower portion of the vessel. A water bath is established below the lower rim of the discharge pipe in the vessel and pipe means passing through the side wall of the vessel at an elevation above the lower rim of the discharge pipe and below the ring-shaped chamber discharge the gases liberated within the vessel. Reactor means are provided for utilizing the residual heat of the gases passing from the vessel. In one embodiment, the reactor means comprise a fluidized bed chamber into which coal and steam are injected to utilize the residual heat of the gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing oversized, unentrained char particles from a two-stage coal gasification process so as to prevent clogging or plugging of the communicating passage between the two gasification stages. In the first stage of the process, recycled process char passes upwardly while reacting with steam and oxygen to yield a first stage synthesis gas containing hydrogen and oxides of carbon. In the second stage, the synthesis gas passes upwardly with coal and steam which react to yield partially gasified char entrained in a second stage product gas containing methane, hydrogen, and oxides of carbon. Agglomerated char particles, which result from caking coal particles in the second stage and are too heavy to be entrained in the second stage product gas, are removed through an outlet in the bottom of the second stage, the particles being separated from smaller char particles by a counter-current of steam injected into the outlet.