Abstract: A fixed bed coal gasifier (300) includes a coal gasification chamber with a coal lock above the chamber. A static coal distribution device inside the gasification chamber includes a hollow coal distributor which flares downwardly outwardly with a skirt depending downwardly from an inside of the coal distributor so that a gas collection zone is defined between the skirt and the coal distributor. The gasifier (300) has an ash discharge outlet (606) and a rotatable grate (600) above the outlet (606). The rotatable grate (600) includes at least one upwardly projecting finger or disturbing formation (500) to disturb the ash bed formed in use above and around the grate (600).

Abstract: A function of absorbing CO2 in gas by chemical to accelerate gasifying reaction is made compatible with a catalytic function of reforming tar in gasified gas generated by the gasifying reaction to thereby make it possible to produce clean product gas with high gasification efficiency. Gasification process is divided into three processes: a gasification furnace 10 for carrying out gasification process by pyrolysis and gasification (pyrolysis gasification phase, first process), a combustion furnace 20 for burning char to obtain calcined active chemical (char combustion phase, second process) and a gas purification furnace 30 for purifying gasified gas (gasified gas purification phase, third process).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for evaluating effects of process parameters on hydrogasification processes. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, a pressurized feed system, a hopper system, a hydrogen gas source, and a carrier gas source. Pressurized carbonaceous material, such as coal, is fed to the reactor using the carrier gas and reacted with hydrogen to produce natural gas.

Abstract: A polygeneration system, wherein the various units of the polygeneration system are integrated to effectively separate the undesired species. In one embodiment, a polygeneration system is provided that includes a syngas generator for producing a syngas, a syngas enrichment unit for separating undesired species from the syngas to produce an enriched syngas and a syngas utilization system that utilizes the enriched syngas to produce useful products and a stream to facilitate the separation of undesired species in the syngas enrichment unit. In some embodiments, the polygeneration system includes membrane reactor, catalytic burner and power generation unit.

Abstract: Treating a synthesis gas includes generating a plasma jet from a non-transferred arc torch having a main axis, the jet having a propagation axis that is substantially collinear with the main axis of the torch. The plasma torch is mounted on a feed enclosure. The syngas is received at an inlet port of the feed enclosure, the inlet port being downstream from he plasma torch and feeding the syngas so the flow encounters the plasma jet to mix the syngas and plasma jet. The mixture is propagated in an elongate reactor placed downstream from the inlet port to convert the syngas into an outlet gas. The reactor is in communication in its upstream portion with the feed enclosure and has a longitudinal axis that is substantially collinear with the propagation axis of the plasma jet. The outlet gas is extracted via an outlet port.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus having an agglomeration passage in which is positioned a removeable venturi inset.

Abstract: A gasification reactor comprising a pressure shell, a reaction zone partly bounded by a vertically oriented tubular membrane wall, a horizontally directed burner having a burner head at which, in use, a combustion flame is discharged into said reaction zone, said burner protruding into the vertical wall part of the membrane wall via a burner muffle, said burner muffle comprising several vertically oriented, concentric and interconnected rings, wherein each successive ring has an increasing diameter relative to the preceding ring resulting in that the burner muffle has a muffle opening for the burner head at one end and a larger opening at its other—flame discharge—end, the rings comprising a conduit having an inlet end for a cooling medium and an outlet for used cooling medium and wherein the muffle opening for the burner head is located between the pressure shell and the membrane wall and wherein the burner muffle protrudes into the reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is system comprising a system comprising a high temperature gasifier; the high temperature gasifier being operative to function at temperatures of greater than or equal to about 450° F.; and a synthesizing reactor in fluid communication with the high temperature gasifier; the synthesizing reactor being operative to convert carbon dioxide into another form of carbon. Disclosed herein too a method comprising gasifying a waste stream to produce a composition that comprises syngas; the syngas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen; the gasifying being conducted in a high temperature gasifier; the high temperature gasifier being operative to function at temperatures of greater than or equal to about 450° F.; converting the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide; and feeding the carbon dioxide to an synthesizing reactor to produce an oil rich algae.

Abstract: A generally upright reactor system for gasifying a feedstock. The reactor system generally includes a main body, at least two inlet projections extending outwardly from the main body, and at least one inlet positioned on each of the inlet projections. Each of the inlets is operable to discharge the feedstock into the reaction zone.

Abstract: It is an object to solve a bypass line corrosion problem effectively, enable prompt supply of a fuel gas into a bypass line in the event of an emergency, and provide an inexpensive coal gasification plant. An integrated coal gasification combined cycle power generation plant includes a coal gasification furnace, a dust remover, a gas refiner, a gas turbine and the like, a main system line connecting therebetween, and a bypass line connecting between the outlet side of the coal gasification furnace in the main system line and a flare stack, wherein a dust remover bypass valve which is disposed in an upstream portion of the bypass line and which opens and closes the bypass line, a treatment gas control valve which is disposed in a downstream portion of the bypass line and which controls the flow rate, and a first inert gas input line which is disposed downstream from the dust remover bypass valve and which supplies the inert gas to the bypass line are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming a gaseous material from a solid starting material. The produced gaseous material includes a CGE HHV having a high percentage of an original HHV of the starting material. The gaseous product may be used to form a plurality of materials for various purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coal gasification system with an integrated control subsystem. The system generally comprises, in various combinations, a gasification reactor vessel (or converter) having one or more processing zones and one or more plasma heat sources, a solid residue handling subsystem, a gas quality conditioning subsystem, as well as an integrated control subsystem for managing the overall energetics of the conversion of coal to energy and maintaining all aspects of the gasification processes at an optimal set point The gasification system may also optionally comprise a heat recovery subsystem and/or a product gas regulating subsystem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, in one example, relates to a system and method for the generation of very low-tar, high-energy synthesis gas from a large variety of carbonaceous feedstock, including those with higher moisture levels than conventional gasifiers. The system comprises a gasification reactor wherein a portion of the energy of the output syngas of the reactor is used to heat the gasification zone of the reactor via an annular space surrounding the gasification zone of the gasifier, to maintain a temperature condition above 800° C. The maintenance of a long, quasi-uniform high-temperature gasification zone reduces the amount of input air or oxygen, reduces bridging within the gasifier, cracks pyrolysis oils, increases the conversion of char, minimizes heat losses from the bed, and converts moisture within the packed bed into a gasification medium. This results in a very low tar synthesis gas with less nitrogen dilution and higher energy content than conventional gasifiers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming a gaseous material from a solid starting material. The produced gaseous material includes a CGE HHV having a high percentage of an original HHV of the starting material. The gaseous product may be used to form a plurality of materials for various purposes.

Abstract: A gasification system which ensures stable dust precipitation performance and which can achieve an increase in capacity is provided. In a coal gasification furnace having a coal gasification furnace configured to produce a gas fuel by gasification of a carbon-containing fuel, a cyclone which is provided downstream of the coal gasification furnace and which separates and removes char in the gas fuel, and a first filter and a second filter which are provided downstream of the cyclone and which precipitate char remaining in the gas fuel, the first and the second filters are disposed in parallel.

Abstract: Methods for pretreating feedstock for gasification are provided. At least a portion of a coal based feedstock stream can be combined with at least a portion of a supercritical carbon dioxide stream within a pretreatment system to provide a treated feedstock stream. At least a portion of the treated feedstock stream can be passed to a gasifier to produce a synthesis gas stream of less than 50% by volume carbon dioxide, at least 5% by volume carbon monoxide and at least 1% by volume hydrogen. At least a portion of the synthesis gas stream can be combusted to form an exhaust stream comprising carbon dioxide. At least a portion of the gasification byproduct stream can be purified and compressed to produce supercritical carbon dioxide. At least a portion of the supercritical carbon dioxide can be recycled to the pretreatment system via a supercritical carbon dioxide stream.

Abstract: A two-stage gasification apparatus coupled with heat recovery and washing includes a columnar shell (7), an entrained flow gasification chamber (1), a fixed bed gasification chamber (18), a waste heat boiler (19) and a gas cooling-washing chamber (14) set coaxially from top to bottom inside the columnar shell (7). Process nozzle chambers (3) are set at a sidewall and/or a top of the entrained flow gasification chamber (1), and process nozzles (2) are set in a nozzle chambers (3). A feed-in lock hopper (25) is set and a fixed bed gasification chamber (18). An eccentric grate (10) is set in the middle of a lower part of the fixed bed gasification chamber (18), and the grate is connected with an ash-pan (11), which is conjoined with a motor (36) via transmission mechanism. An inverse cone (22) is erected at an upper part of a cooling-washing chamber (14).

Abstract: There is described a reactor for entrained flow gasification for operation with dust-type or liquid fuels, wherein a number of gasification burners are disposed away from the reactor axis, with the center line of a gasification burner having an oblique position that is other than parallel to the reactor axis, it being possible for said oblique position to extend at different angles up to an angle of 90°. The center line does not necessarily have to intersect the reactor axis; rather the center line can pass the reactor axis at a predetermined distance. This arrangement is associated with a significant reduction in the unwanted discharge of dust-type fine slag, which is difficult to utilize, in conjunction with the possibility of reducing the reactor diameter due to its structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen and power from a synthesis gas that contains CO, H2 and H2S. The synthesis gas is separated into two partial streams, vapor is added to the first partial stream of synthesis gas, out a CO conversion is carried out at a temperature of 220° C. to 500° C., pure hydrogen is obtained from the converted synthesis gas in a pressure swing absorption device and a residual PSA gas is produced. The second partial stream of synthesis gas is fed to a power-generating gas turbine for combustion, H2S and optionally other sulfur-containing components are removed in one or more separators that are arranged in any position in the process, however, before entry into the gas turbine, the residual PSA gas is mixed with nitrogen, the gas mixture so obtained is compressed and the compressed gas mixture is admixed to the partial stream of synthesis gas that is fed to the power-generating gas turbine.

Abstract: Provided is a pressurized coal gasifier in which a general low head pump can be used, abrasion damage of a control valve and pump due to flushing can be prevented and maintenance cost and device cost can be reduced. Also, provided is a coal gasification combined cycle power plant that can efficiently use gas generated by the pressurized coal gasifier for power generation. In a pressurized coal gasifier for thermally processing a coal material under pressure to be gasified, the gasifier having a bottom portion thereof provided with a water tank (4) for water-granulating a slag, the water tank being connected with one end of a feed water pipe (5) and one end of a drain pipe (6), the other ends of the feed water pipe and drain pipe are connected so as to communicate with each other to form a circulating channel (7) of closed system and the circulating channel is provided with a cooler (8) and circulating pump (9) of circulating water.

Abstract: A method and device for evacuating ash and slag from reactors for pressure gasification of fuels, said fuels including coals of various ranks, cokes or ash-containing liquids or liquid-solid suspensions, at pressures between ambient pressure and 80 bar at gasification temperatures ranging between 800 and 1,800° C. There is a water circuit for loosening the deposited slag between a gasification chamber downstream of which there is mounted a quench chamber to which there is connected a slag lock hopper. Circuit water is supplied to the upper and lower part of the quench chamber.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus adapted for use in a pressure vessel such as a synthesis gas cooler. The sealing apparatus is of a segmented plate construction formed around an outer wall section of a conduit means of the pressure vessel that defines at least part of a passage for receiving effluent from a gasification process. Pressure responsive mechanisms are provided on the plate segments to maintain the pressure difference across the sealing apparatus within the acceptable operating limits as well as to permit instantaneous pressure release to prevent damage to the pressure part assembly or cage. The seal is also maintained continuously through the differential growth movement between the conduit means and the pressure vessel during heat up and cool down cycles.

Abstract: A method and device which enables an oxygen-free gasification process of both a hydrocarbon-containing (initiation/catalyzing) gas in combination either/both carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous solids and/or liquids or mixture thereof (feedstock material). This is a closed-loop system thus eliminating emissions and preventing environmentally damaging pollution. In one embodiment, a solid feedstock material is utilized, although solids, liquids or slurry may be used. Pulverized solid feedstock martial is first cleansed, dried and then saturated with a hydrocarbon containing gas to displace and remove any air or oxygen from voids in particulate matter. (Liquid feedstock material does not first need to be dried or saturated). The initiation gas is first injected into a high-temperature gasification tube. Simultaneously, gas saturated feedstock material is injected into a feedstock injection tube which openly terminates inside the gasification tube.

Abstract: Methods for reducing and eliminating carbon dioxide from the emissions of solid fuel fired power plants, particularly coal fired power plants, and to sequester the carbon dioxide, typically by using existing equipment. In some embodiments, the methods involve pyrolyzing the solid fuel to remove volatile matter and using the volatile matter to produce hydrogen. Additionally, the methods may involve burning the solid fuel or pyrolized solid fuel at very fuel rich stoichiometric conditions. Sequestration may include the production of a carbon dioxide-containing solution and the pumping of the solution into the ground, particularly in areas high in limestone.

Abstract: The invention is a method for producing hydrogen using a generator, heating the vessel that is part of the generator, loading waste comprising steel into the heated vessel, melting the loaded waste to a molten state using a non-transferred torch to cut and melt the waste and then using a transferred torch to maintain a molten metal pool, adding additional steel to raise the molten metal pool to a minimum depth, raising the temperature to 2000 degrees Centigrade, acquiring EPA approval, loading waste into the vessel at a defined rate, maintaining the molten metal pool further melting any non-melted waste into a molten status with the transferred torch, determining BTU content and gas flow, injecting steam into the vessel, flowing gas from the vessel through scrubbers into storage containers and collecting the hydrogen in a collection vessel.

Abstract: Solid waste resource recovery in space is effected by pyrolysis processing, to produce light gases as the main products (CH4, H2, CO2, CO, H2O, NH3) and a reactive carbon-rich char as the main byproduct. Significant amounts of liquid products are formed under less severe pyrolysis conditions, and are cracked almost completely to gases as the temperature is raised. A primary pyrolysis model for the composite mixture is based on an existing model for whole biomass materials, and an artificial neural network models the changes in gas composition with the severity of pyrolysis conditions.

Abstract: Solid waste resource recovery in space is effected by pyrolysis processing, to produce light gases as the main products (CH4, H2, CO2, CO, H2O, NH3) and a reactive carbon-rich char as the main byproduct. Significant amounts of liquid products are formed under less severe pyrolysis conditions, and are cracked almost completely to gases as the temperature is raised. A primary pyrolysis model for the composite mixture is based on an existing model for whole biomass materials, and an artificial neural network models the changes in gas composition with the severity of pyrolysis conditions.

Abstract: The refractory protected, replaceable insert for a gasifier includes a replaceable floor edge insert that is formed with a predetermined mating profile that is complementary to a finished mating profile of the gasifier floor. The geometry of the mating profiles of the replaceable floor edge insert and the gasifier floor permit removable engagement between the floor edge insert and the mating profile of the gasifier floor. The replaceable floor edge insert is protected by a ring-like arrangement of hanging refractory bricks that each include an appendage. Each brick appendage covers a portion of the inner radial edge of the replaceable floor edge insert and also covers an upper surface portion of an underlying quench ring, thus prolonging the life of the floor and the quench ring. A refractory ceramic fiber paper can be provided between the hanging brick and the floor edge and quench ring.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method for gasifying organic materials which is simple to carry out and requires minimal equipment and which produced an undiluted gas of high calorific value. The inventive method should eliminate the need to use fluid beds and heat exchangers with high temperatures on both sides, with the heat being transferred from the furnace to a heat-carrying medium in a particularly defined way. To this end, the feed material is divided into a volatile phase and a solid carbon-containing residue in the pyrolysis reactor by circulating a hot heat-carrying medium. After the reaction agent has been added, said volatile phase is converted into the product gas by further heating in the reaction area, also using the heat-carrying medium. The solid, carbon-containing residue is separated from the heat-carrying medium in the separating stage and burnt in the furnace.

Abstract: An appliance for the gasification of carbon- and ash-containing fuel, residual and waste materials using an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent at temperatures above the melting point of the inorganic fractions, in a reaction chamber which is designed as an entrained-bed reactor, at pressures between atmospheric pressure and 80 bar, preferably between atmospheric pressure and 30 bar, the contour of the reaction chamber being delimited by a cooled reactor wall. The cooled reactor wall having the following structure, from the outside inward: a pressure shell, a cooling wall, a water-cooled gap between the pressure shell and the cooling wall, a ceramic protection for the cooling wall, and a layer of slag. The pressure and temperature of the cooling gap between the pressure shell and the cooling wall is controlled in such a way that it can be operated above and below the boiling point of the cooling water. The pressure in the cooling gap is higher than the pressure in the gasification chamber.

Abstract: A gasifier is disclosed combining a fixed bed gasification section where coarse fuel is gasified and an entrained flow gasification section where fine fuel is gasified. The fixed bed section includes upper and lower sections. Coarse fuel is devolatilized in the upper fixed bed section and subjected to elevated temperatures sufficient to crack and destroy tars and oils in the effluent gases. The entrained flow gasification section is disposed in a lower plenum adjacent the lower fixed bed section. A plurality of injection ports are configured to introduce oxygen, steam, or air into different sections of the gasifier to control temperature and operating conditions. Activated carbon may be formed in the upper fixed bed section and in the entrained flow section. The activated carbon may be used as a sorbent to remove pollutants from the effluent gases. The gasifier may be used with various coarse and fine fuel feedstocks.

Abstract: A gasifier for the manufacture of producer gas has a chamber (10) for the combustion of material, the chamber (10) being provided with a plurality of tuyeres (30) for the introduction of combustion air to the chamber. The tuyeres (30) are disposed at an acute angle to the wall of the chamber (10) so that air is directed both around and upwardly of the chamber. Each tuyeres (30) is configured to produce a jet stream wherein the air swirls along the length of the stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for burning coal to produce substantially pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells, together with “sequestration ready” carbon dioxide and a stream of oxygen depleted air for powering gas turbines. The apparatus includes two fluidized bed reactors and a third transfer line reactor. The first reactor is supplied with coal particles or “char” and fluidized with high temperature steam. The second reactor is fluidized with high temperature steam and the third reactor is fluidized by compressed air. Solids circulated among these three reactors include a mixture of materials containing coal, calcium compounds (present as CaO, CaCO3 and mixtures thereof) and iron compounds (present as FeO, Fe2O3 and mixtures thereof).

Abstract: A PCPG (Pulverized Coal Pressurized Gasifier) including improved fuel distribution means among burners, better burner feeding, enhanced flame retention burner, and improved process control. The flame retention burner has a both a rapidly spinning air flow to create a tornado effect plus a Coanda effect from the swirled air causing traverse eddies into the burning air/fuel mixture and induced circulation eddies of hot gas to prolong exposure of coal particles to hot flame conditions near the ignition area to achieve increased multiple chances to mate air with coal particles. This burner coupled to individualized fuel feed and precise measurements and controls and two-stage PCPG entrained flow and ash bed reactor spaces minimizes carbon in the ash and maximizes gas-making efficiency.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to unique and advantageous systems for gasifying and/or liquefying biomass. The systems of the subject invention utilize a unique design whereby heat from a combustion chamber is used to directly gasify or liquefy biomass. In a preferred embodiment, the biomass is moved through a reactor tube in which all the gasification and/or liquefaction takes place. Preferably, char exits the biomass reactor tube and enters the combustion chamber where the char serves as fuel for combustion. The combustion chamber partially surrounds the reactor tube and is in direct thermal contact with the reactor tube such that heat from the combustion chamber passes through the reactor wall and directly heats the biomass within the reactor tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustible gas reforming method, a combustible gas reforming apparatus, and a gasification apparatus for gasifying a combustible material such as coal, biomass, municipal wastes, industrial wastes, RDF (refuse-derived fuel), waste plastics, and the like, and reforming a generated combustible gas. According to a combustible gas reforming method of the present invention, combustibles are gasified in a gasification apparatus (11), a generated gas (GA) produced by gasifying the combustibles is reformed in a gas reforming apparatus (12) using a catalyst to produce a product gas (GB), and a catalyst (CA′) degraded by the gas reforming apparatus (11) is regenerated in a catalyst regenerating apparatus (13). Waste heat (TP) of the combustible gas reforming process is used as heat to regenerate the catalyst in the catalyst regenerating apparatus (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor vessel and method for the gasification of carbon-containing fuel, residual and waste materials using an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent and in a reaction chamber which is designed as an entrained-bed reactor, at pressures between ambient pressure and 80 bar, preferably between ambient pressure and 30 bar, the contour of the reaction chamber being delimited by a cooling system, and the pressure in the cooling system always being held at a higher level than the pressure in the reaction chamber, and the cooling system withstanding the maximum possible pressure difference with respect to the reaction chamber, which has been depressurized to atmospheric pressure, which reactor vessel is distinguished by the fact that cooling channels are formed by webs which are in contact both with a refractory protective layer and with the pressure shell.

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: Embodiments of the invention provide an IGCC which achieves improved plant thermal efficiency by using a cooling steam supply system that cools the high-temperature sections of the gas turbine 34. Embodiments of the invention further provide and IGCC in which the cooling steam recovery system recovers steam after cooling the gas-turbine high-temperature section and makes practical re-use of the energy and substances within the system. Therefore, embodiments of the invention can reduce or eliminate the degradation of certain equipment by cooling the high-temperature sections. Methods are provided for increasing the thermal efficiency o an IGCC.

Abstract: Facility for producing synthesis gas from a solid feedstock including organic matter, said facility including means for circulating a heat-carrying solid providing the heat necessary for such production, and several stages including gasification means (Z1, Z3), intermediate separation means (Z2, Z4) for separating the effluents coming from each stage, and combustion means (Z5).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for starved air gasification of solid organic materials, including biomass and other wastes, to convert the chemical energy stored in such materials to thermal energy or gaseous products that may be used in biochemical and/or chemical synthesis. Specifically, the system utilizes a gasifier having a “moving bed of ash” hearth wherein the feedstock is partially oxidized at a low temperature (less than 1500 degrees F.) in a square or rectangular chamber having a vaulted, tapered or flat roof. Combustion gases from the gasifier are held at temperature using a recovery and regeneration chamber, and then undergo secondary oxidation in an oxidizer. The high temperature gases produced by the system can be utilized to advantage, for example, as the thermal energy source for a conventional heat recovery device such as a heat exchanger, steam generator, hot oil or air heater, or steam boiler.

Abstract: A waste is dry-distilled in a gasification furnace and generated combustible gas is combusted in a combustion furnace. A temperature in the combustion furnace is set to be substantially constant at a first preset temperature or more. When the temperature in the combustion furnace is greater than the first preset temperature by combustion of other fuels, the combustible gas is introduced. When the temperature in the combustion furnace reaches a second preset temperature or more by the combustion of only the combustible gas, the combustion of the other fuels is finished. When the temperature in the combustion furnace falls below a third preset temperature the combustion of the other fuels is resumed. When the temperature in the gasification furnace falls below a fourth preset temperature, the combustion of the other fuels is finished.

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: The present invention provides a relatively small scale apparatus for gasifying solid fuel in which pyrolysis gas produced in a pyrolyzer by thermal-decomposition reaction of the solid fuel can be reformed to crude fuel gas. The apparatus comprises a solid fuel pyrolyzer 1 and a steam reformer 5, and thermally decomposes the solid fuel with a combustion reaction of a low oxygen density to produce the pyrolysis gas, and reforms the pyrolysis gas to produce the crude fuel gas. The pyrolyzer has an air inlet 18 positioned at a bottom part thereof and upwardly blowing combustion air into the pyrolyzer; a bed of pyrolyzer 30 located above the air inlet; and a pyrolysis gas exit positioned at an upper part of a body of the pyrolyzer and conducting the pyrolysis gas out of the pyrolyzer. The bed is made by a layered stack of many spherical heat-resistant materials 32 which form a number of narrow gaps for draft of the combustion air over the whole bed.

Abstract: A process for burning coal to produce substantially pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells, together with “sequestration ready” carbon dioxide and a stream of oxygen depleted air for powering gas turbines, characterized by using a combination of two fluidized bed reactors and a third transfer line reactor, the first reactor being supplied with coal particles or “char” and fluidized with high temperature steam; the second reactor being fluidized with high temperature steam and the third reactor being fluidized by compressed air. Solids circulated among these three reactors include a mixture of materials containing calcium compounds (present as CaO, CaCO3 and mixtures thereof) and iron compounds (present as FeO, Fe2O3 and mixtures thereof). The coal is gasified by the steam in the presence of CaO to produce CaCO3 and relatively pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells per a CO2 acceptor process.

Abstract: According to a method for gasifying solid materials (waste materials, biomass (wood), coal containing sulphur) in a fluidized bed (5), water vapour and oxygen are blown into the fluidized bed as gasifying agents. Small energy losses are achieved by strongly superheating the water vapour with hot reaction gases, the superheater functioning with a low differential pressure load. The reaction gases that leave the fluidized bed (5) are post-gasified in the open area (9) above the fluidized bed (5) in the reactor (1), with a supply of additional oxygen. A molar ratio of water vapour supplied and carbon contained in the material to be gasified of at least 2.1 is established.

Abstract: A solid fuel gasifier includes first wall structure (12) defining a gasification chamber (14) and means (50, 52) to collect particulate solid residue from gasification in the gasification chamber. Second wall structure (16) defines a gas combustion chamber (17) and means (19) is arranged for admitting a flow of hot gases from the gasification chamber to the gas combustion chamber as combustion takes place. Also provided is means (178, 170) to conduct hot gases from the gasification chamber and/or gas combustion chamber into thermal contact with said collected particulate solid residue, for facilitating post-combustion and/or post-reduction of the solid residue. Also disclosed are an agitator bed (52, 182) for fine particulate material, and a method of gasification of solid fuel.

Abstract: A fuel preparation apparatus in which coal or coal and other carbon containing material is converted to an environmentally acceptable fuel gas by the reaction with air and steam at a pressure of from 20 to 90 pounds per square inch absolute suitable for providing fuel to a gas turbine, or a stoker type or other boiler having a coal delivery system, a coal crusher, coal storage bins, lock hoppers, a gasifier vessel of two stages, liquid and solid separator vessels, heat and steam recovery vessels, equipment to control the flow of steam and air to the gasifier so as to maintain fuel quality, and a gas clean up plant that will remove environmentally unacceptable components of the gas such as hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur containing compounds and tars and light oils.

Abstract: A process for burning coal to produce substantially pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells, together with “sequestration ready” carbon dioxide and a stream of oxygen depleted air for powering gas turbines, characterized by using a combination of two fluidized bed reactors and a third transfer line reactor, the first reactor being supplied with coal particles or “char” and fluidized with high temperature steam; the second reactor being fluidized with high temperature steam and the third reactor being fluidized by compressed air. Solids circulated among these three reactors include a mixture of materials containing calcium compounds (present as CaO, CaCO3 and mixtures thereof) and iron compounds (present as FeO, Fe2O3 and mixtures thereof). The coal is gasified by the steam in the presence of CaO to produce CaCO3 and relatively pure hydrogen for use in fuel cells per a CO2 acceptor process.

Abstract: A turbine produces in an improved gasification process a stream of pressurized air, which is cooled and further compressed by a cooler and booster/compressor. The cooled and compressed air is humidified in a humidifier, heated by a low temperature heat source and subsequently fed into a gasification vessel in which a feedstock is gasified or partially oxidized. The humidifier may advantageously utilize wastewater to humidify the cooled and compressed air, wherein the wastewater may or may not be produced by a component in a gasification plant.