Abstract: A method serves for the pyrolysis and gasification of substance mixtures containing organic constituents. The organic substances (4) or the substance mixture containing the organic constituents are brought into contact with a heat transfer medium, for preference the ash (5) from a combustion reactor (2) in a pyrolysis reactor (1), for preference a shaft reactor and pyrolysed. The pyrolysis coke (10) derived from the pyrolysis is combusted in a combustion reactor (2), for preference a fluidised bed reactor, under the admission of air (11).

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

Abstract: A device for decomposing an organic compound, which heats and decomposes organic compounds in at least one pyrolysis zone in a gas phase is disclosed. The pyrolysis zone comprises at least one high-frequency induction-heating device provided within a gas passage.

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 method for producing clean energy from coal by feeding the coal in a reactor which is sealed to the atmosphere and moving the coal in the reactor while injecting oxygen to combust a portion of the coal in a substoichiometric mode to devolatilize the coal and yield a pressurized hydrogen rich raw gas which contains coal-derived cancer causing distillates and hydrocarbons together with a hot char. The distillates and the hydrocarbons are cracked to result in a cracked gas of essentially 2H2 and 1CO which after desulfurization becomes an ideal synthesis gas that can be synthesized to a liquid fuel for heating and transportation as an alternate to petroleum.

Abstract: Combustible gases from pulverized solid fuel are generated by semi-coking the pulverized solid fuel in a reactor in the absence of oxygen to produce a solids stream that includes carbonaceous material and a gas stream that includes hydrocarbon gases and tar fumes. The carbonaceous material in the solids stream is gasified in a fluidized bed using steam and hot air to produce an output stream that includes combustible gases and coke particles. The output stream is combined with the gas stream to form a combined stream which is separated into a combustible gas stream and a hot particulate stream. At least a part of the hot particulate stream is applied to the reactor.

Abstract: A combined, integral steam generator coal gasifier includes a vertically elongated, all welded, gas tight enclosure with a burner zone having a double pitch sloping furnace floor and a slag tap extending therethrough. Successive zones located above the burner zone are provided with appropriate tube materials for conveying synthesis gas produced by the coal gasification process. A multi-pass convection pass zone having upflow and downflow passes is located at an upper portion of the enclosure and contains a plurality of superheater (primary and secondary) as well as economizer heating surfaces which extract heat from the synthesis gas to produce steam. An ash remover is connected to the outlet of the convection pass zone to remove ash from the synthesis gas exiting from the convection pass zone. The slag tap located at the bottom of the burner zone communicates with a slag tank or a drag chain deasher for receiving and removing slag from the burner zone.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a synthesis gas heat exchanger unit with one synthesis gas radiant cooler (1), two synthesis gas convection coolers (23), one crude gas-clean gas heat exchanger (4), one crude gas-inert gas heat exchanger (5), and one dust separator (11). These devices are preferably arranged vertically or slopingly. The crude gas heat exchangers (4, 5, 23) are designed as single-flue, double-flue or multiple-flue heat exchangers. They are elastically supported via claws (10) and are equipped with an electric heater (9). A soot blower system (13) is associated with each flue (4.1, 4.2) as well as (5.1, 5.2) and right hand flue and left hand flue (23.1, 23.2) at the crude gas inlet. Soot blowers (31) are likewise provided on the connection lines (2, 6), and mass flow controllers (7) are provided in the lower connection lines (6).

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: A system and method generates electricity and co-produces a hydrogen flow from coal. The electricity is generated by a turbine with a topping combustor and a solid oxide fuel cell ("SOFC") reacting syngas. The syngas is produced in a coal gasifier with a portion of the compressed air from the turbine, coal, and steam. Prior to the syngas being delivered to the topping combustor and the SOFC, it is cleaned and a portion of the hydrogen in the syngas is removed to form the hydrogen flow. Additionally, a vitiated air flow from the SOFC is directed to the topping combustor and another portion of the compressed air from the turbine directed to the SOFC after it is heated with the turbine exhaust. An aspect of the invention varies the amount of electricity generated and the volume of hydrogen co-produced based upon the demand of electricity and/or the demand of said hydrogen.

Abstract: The ammonia content of fuel gas in an IGCC power generation system is reduced through ammonia decomposition, thereby reducing the NO.sub.x emissions from the plant. The power generation system includes a gasifier, a gas turbine and at least one catalytic reactor arranged between the gasifier and the gas turbine. The catalytic reactor may be either a three stage or two stage device. The three stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift, a second catalyst which promotes CO methanation, and a third catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The two stage reactor includes a first catalyst which promotes water-gas-shift and CO methanation and a second catalyst which promotes ammonia decomposition. The plural catalytic stages may be disposed in a single vessel or successively disposed in individual vessels, and the catalysts may be in a pelletized form or coated on honeycomb structures. Alternatively, fluidized bed reactors may be used.

Abstract: The gasification of coal and other carbonaceous materials by an endothermic gasification reaction is achieved in the presence of a catalyst in a down-flow, moving-bed gasifier. Catalyst is removed along with ash from the gasifier and is then sufficiently heated in a riser/burner by the combustion of residual carbon in the ash to volatilize the catalyst. This volatilized catalyst is returned to the gasifier where it uniformly contacts and condenses on the carbonaceous material. Also, the hot gaseous combustion products resulting from the combustion of the carbon in the ash along with excess air are introduced into the gasifier for providing heat energy used in the endothermic reaction.

Abstract: There is described a method of recovering energy and/or combustible gas by thermally gasifying fuel during its partial combustion, wherein the fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are delivered to a reactor (1) and caused to circulate in a closed circuit of reactants and reaction products during partial combustion of the fuel. Circulation is effected by virtue of the fact that the reactor (1) is configured as an ejector (9) at the location of the oxygen-containing gas inlet (8), so that the gas delivered to the reactor will function to drive reactants and reaction products around the closed circuit. The invention also relates to a reactor for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: A catalytic gasification process and system for producing medium grade BTU gas including a gasification reactor having an inner air gasification zone, an outer steam gasification zone, a synthetic coal reaction zone, and an upper lime treating zone. The process and system of the present invention further includes a synthetic coal heating vessel which provides superheated recycled synthetic coal to the gasification reactor and a limestone treating vessel which provides superheated air and CO.sub.2 to the gasification reactor. The novel process and system of the present invention provides for the production of a medium grade BTU gas and several commercially valuable by-products with virtually no solid or liquid waste products.

Abstract: A gasification reactor comprising of a slow turning rotation chamber (1) with tapered end pieces (7) and sealed by stationary closures (8, 9). The chamber is divided by rings (3, 3') into three sections (4, 5, 6). The first section (4) is used to dry and pre-heat the combustible material (12). Section (5) is the gasification zone and section (6) is used to collect and transport the ash to the outside of the chamber. In order to obtain a better insulation against loss of heat an inner cylinder (24) is fitted into the chamber. The feed stock material (12) is brought into the chamber with a hollow piston (13) through the stationary closure (8) and inside the chamber the material is moved along by the rotation of the chamber. Fresh air supply is introduced into the chamber through special form parts (25), and the combustible gas is collected and returned to the outside with the pipe (31). Ash and slag are lifted and deposited in a collector (21) from where they are brought to the outside.

Abstract: A coal gasification furnace includes a gasification chamber for producing therein a burnable gas from coal, a burner arranged on a side wall of the gasification chamber so as to inject coal and an oxidizing agent along a peripheral direction of the gasification chamber, a slag cooling chamber provided below the gasification chamber, and a slag tap partitioning the gasification chamber and the slag cooling chamber. The slag tap has a hole formed in a shape whereby the central portion of the hole is generally circular and oppositely directed slits extend outwardly from the central portion of the hole.

Abstract: A catalytic gasification system for producing medium grade BTU gas including a gasification reactor having an inner air gasification zone, an outer steam gasification zone, a synthetic coal reaction zone, and an upper lime treating zone. The system of the present invention further includes a synthetic coal heating vessel which provides superheated recycled synthetic coal to the gasification reactor and a limestone treating vessel which provides superheated air and CO.sub.2 to the gasification reactor. The system of the present invention provides for the production of a medium grade BTU gas and several commercially valuable by-products with virtually no solid or liquid waste products.

Abstract: A system for feeding a coal-water paste material coaxially upwardly through a feed nozzle assembly into a pressurized fluidized bed reactor having a lower portion and a larger diameter upper portion. The feed nozzle assembly includes a nozzle unit for atomizing the coal paste feed material, and a concentric outer shroud tube enclosing the nozzle unit. The feed nozzle assembly is inserted upwardly through an opening in the bottom portion of the pressurized fluidized bed reactor into a coaxial orientation with the bed, so as to provide substantially complete combustion and/or carbonization of the coal paste material fed into the reactor to produce a combustible gas product. If desired, a sorbent material nay be fed into the fluidized bed together with the coal paste feed, so as to absorb sulfur from the coal and produce a clean fuel gas. During reactor operations at 130-200 psig pressure and 1,600.degree.-1,800.degree. F.

Abstract: A coal gasifier has an inner wall surface made by metal of an inlet part of a heat recovery vessel, the inlet part having a inner cooling mechanism, and gas for peeling deposits on the inner wall surface is injected from plural gas injection holes, the injected gas forming a slewing flow and further being intermittently increased. And at least one cooling medium injection nozzle is provided at a side wall in the upper part of a gasification chamber.

Abstract: According to the apparatus and method, combustible gas having a stable composition can be formed even if the load is charged. Burners are provided in the upper and the lower regions of an entrained bed coal gasification reactor. The temperature of the product gas is kept low in the upper region and high in the lower region. The volumes of the upper and lower regions are changed to meet the load so that the rate of heat loss becomes constant even if the load changes. Since the rate of heat loss can be kept constant and consequently variation of the composition of the product gas can be suppressed small, the efficiency of the coal gasification electric power generating system can be kept constant.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and apparatus for gasifying a particulate solid carbonaceous fuel with a high moisture content, the process comprising: introducing the fuel into one or more pressurized drying vessels without adding water to the fuel; reducing the moisture content of the fuel in the drying vessel(s) to a level suitable for gasification by passing hot product gas through the or each drying vessel such that the fuel particles are entrained in the gas flow, thereby cooling and humidifying the gas; separating the cooled and humidified gas from the fuel; transferring the fuel with reduced moisture content from the or each drying vessel to a gasification vessel, gasifying the fuel in the gasification vessel to produce hot product gas; and introducing at least a portion of the hot product gas into the or each drying vessel. The invention also relates to an integrated process for producing power, especially electric power, from particulate solid carbanaceous fuel.

Abstract: In fuel gasification, particles of, for example, coal and an oxidant are supplied to a reactor, where the coal particles are gasified. The gas thus produced may contain molten slag entrained therein and such slag could subsequently solidify and affect other components of the coal gasification apparatus. Therefore a molten slag cooling heat exchanger is positioned directly above the reactor and this cools the gas so as to cause any molten slag therein to solidify. Hence, such molten slag does not reach an evaporator above the molten slag cooling heat exchanger, so that the efficiency of the evaporator will be maintained. However, solidified molten slag may build up on heat exchange tubes of the molten slag cooling heat exchanger. Therefore, the rate of coolant supplied to the molten slag cooling heat exchanger is varied, to cause expansion and contraction which causes solidified slag to be dislodged. Hence the efficiency of the molten slag cooling heat exchanger does not deteriorate.

Abstract: A coal gasification system has a pulse detonation device. The pulse detonation device is employed to discharge hot exhaust pulses into the coal gasifier. Also, a pulse detonation device discharges reverse flow pulses into a ceramic candle filter system to dislodge particulate build up on the candles. The pulse detonation device utilizes a rotatable core feed cylinder. The core feed cylinder is carried within an inner side wall of the stationary annular detonation chamber. The core feed cylinder has ports in the side wall that will register with ports in the inner side wall of the annular detonation chamber at least once each revolution. Fuel is introduced through valves mounted to the outer side wall of the annular detonation chamber.

Abstract: A coal slagging gasifier has a gasifying vessel over a quenching chamber partly filled with water below the surface of which a wall of a cylindrical, metal shield dips. The gasifying vessel has a hearth including a slag tap having a slag outlet with a lowermost opening at substantially the same horizontal level as an annular burner and a ring-shaped nozzle. The burner which surrounds the outlet is spaced therefrom and inset into a recess surrounding the outlet, and the nozzle surrounds the burner. Outlet ports from the nozzle project through a ceiling of the shield to direct a flow of combustion sustaining gas vertically downwards into the quenching chamber from the outlet ports and towards the water. An opening in the centre of the shield ceiling exposes the interior of the shield to the burner and the slag tap outlet. The burner separately supplies fuel gas and combustion air.

Abstract: Heat is recovered from the hot solids discharged from the combustion chamber of a fluidized bed reactor. Hot solid particles as a result of combustion are removed either in the form of ash, or particles separated from a gas stream, and are passed into indirect heat exchange relationship with water, producing hot water. The hot water is mixed with fuel or other solid material to simultaneously heat and moisten the solid material (e.g. to a moisture content of 15-50%). The heated and moistened solid material is then fed into the combustion chamber, along with fluidizing air, to establish a fluidized bed in which combustion takes place. The heat exchange may take place in a closed heat exchange vessel, and the cooled solid particles may be discharged from the vessel through a pressure reduction valve.

Abstract: A high performance, multi-stage, pressurized, airblown, entrained flow coal gasifier system and a method of operating such a gasifier system for generating therewithin fuel gas from coal. The subject gasifier system includes an outer, pressure containing vessel surrounding an inner, water-cooled vessel wherein the gasification reaction, through which the fuel gas is generated from coal, takes place. The inner, water-cooled vessel embodies a first stage within which the high temperatures required for the gasification reactions to take place as well as for slagging are generated from the combustion of char, a second stage within which the char is gasified to generate the subject fuel gas, and a third stage within which coal is devolatilized to produce the char for the first stage and the second stage and with a concomitant quenching being effected of the fuel gas as the latter flows through the third stage of the inner water-cooled vessel.

Abstract: A pyrolysis gasifier includes a first auger (26) which moves carbon from a carbon collection tank (24) through an air lock valve (30) to a carbon holding tank (28). The gasifier includes an inner cylindrical sleeve (80) which is configured such that there is a small air gap between it and an interior wall of the gasifier (16). The air lock valve (30) includes an inlet member (96) which connects the housing to a connecting tube from the first auger (26). A plate (100) within the housing is mounted such that in a closed position, the plate is sealingly positioned against a lower edge of the inlet member (96), while in an open position, the plate is away from the inlet member, permitting carbon to move into the carbon holding tank. A fuel spreader apparatus 53 is positioned at the top portion of the gasifier. It includes a stirring rod (44) and two opposed fuel paddle assemblies (67, 69) at the lower end thereof to spread the fuel over the cross-sectional area of the gasifier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deslagging a gasifier's combustion chamber which has accumulated a residual solidified slag as a result of the fuel being combusted. The gasifier is provided with means for liquefying the slag into a flowable state by heating the combustion chamber to a temperature of which the slag will flow. To epitomize the gasifiers' deslagging mode, the combustion chamber is provided with an array of strain monitoring or measuring load cells which are located to detect and collectively respond to movement at the combustion chamber floor whereby to control the slag removing procedure.

Abstract: In the filtering of high temperature (e.g. greater than 400.degree. C.) and high pressure (e.g. greater than 5 bar) gas--such as produced by pressurized fluidized bed combustion or gasification of coal--there is often a buildup of particles on the supporting elements for the filters, and on surrounding structures. This buildup of particles can damage the filter elements, or greatly reduce their effectiveness. This problem is avoided by periodically automatically cleaning the supporting and/or surrounding surfaces of the filters, as by directing high pressure gas streams at the supporting and/or surrounding surfaces. The filters may also be backflushed with compressed gas, as is conventional, at the same time as, or at different times than, when the supporting and/or surrounding structures are cleaned. Conduits with nozzles may be mounted directly on the supporting and/or surrounding surfaces and connected by a pipe with an automatically controlled valve to a source of high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system, including an energy generation sub-system for receiving warm sea water, evaporating a working fluid at a natural depth of the received warm sea water to produce a working vapor, and generating energy from the working vapor and a pumping sub-system for pushing cold sea water up to a natural depth of the received warm sea water and condensing the working vapor with the cold sea water.

Abstract: A two stage carbonizer places as much heat as possible into the gas streams entering the carbonizer to drive off volatile matter and reduce tars and oils by thermal cracking which is enhanced by the addition of sorbent. The carbonizer operates as a fluidized bed with a combustor providing flue gas as one fluidizing medium and preheated air as the other. This allows the coal to be devolatilized and the tars and oils to be thermally cracked due to the direct contact with the coal and hot flue gas. The device is designed to operate at high pressures from about 12-20 atmospheres.

Abstract: A device for removing heavy metals and slags from synthesis gas produced from refinery wastes includes a gas deflecting device (3, 4), in which the hot synthesis gas, flowing vertically in the downward direction, is deflected into the horizontal direction and enters a known waste heat cooler (2). The gas deflecting device is arranged under a prior-art synthesis gas reactor (1). A ceramic deflecting wall (5), around the lower end of which the synthesis gas is guided, is built in within the deflecting device (3, 4). Since synthesis gas produced from refinery wastes contains a relatively high percentage of heavy metals and slags, there is a risk that these particles will contaminate the [heat] exchanger walls of the subsequent waste heat cooler (2). The heavy metals and slags are separated frown the gas flow in the deflecting device (3, 4).

Abstract: The gasification apparatus for gasification of finely divided combustible material under pressure includes a gasification reactor which produces a crude gas, a quenching pipe and a convection-heated boiler with a boiler housing, all mounted inside a pressurized vessel. A gas flow guiding device is provided above the quenching pipe for conducting a mixed gas flow containing the crude gas and a quenching gas from the quenching pipe into the convection-heated boiler which surrounds the quenching pipe concentrically. A gas outlet device is provided for the gas flow from the convection-heated boiler and from the pressurized vessel. The gasification reactor is supported at its bottom end in the pressurized vessel at anchoring points. The convection-heated surface elements of the convection-heated boiler are supported by the quenching pipe and the boiler housing but in a stress-free manner.

Abstract: A slag tap system for a pressurized gasifier system that includes a reaction vessel and a pressure vessel in surrounding relation to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Reacted gas manifolds and reactant gas manifolds are added to the char fuel reaction chamber of a char fuel gas producer in order to create a flow of gas across the direction of motion of the solid char fuel. The char fuel volatile matter can then be mixed with air and this mixture separated from the producer gas created in the high temperature rapid reaction zone. Improved utilization of char fuel volatile matter can be achieved together with a reduction of tar formation.

Abstract: A fuel gas generator for lean gas generation by gasification of organic, inorganic, or fossil fuel substances. The triple shell structure of the generator includes a frame casing, a shaft jacket, and a reactor shaft. A fuel feeder including a fuel feed container is located substantially at the top of the reactor shaft and has a gas-tight entry lock. Reaction gas feed and ash discharge are located substantially at the base of the reactor shaft. Preheating, degassing, oxidation, and reduction zones and lean gas take-off orifices having at least one lean gas removal pipe connected thereto are arranged one after another in the shaft. The reactor shaft is gas-tight except for the lean gas take-off orifices. A firebox defined by a conical constriction is located in a middle region of the reactor shaft substantially below the preheating and degassing zones.

Abstract: The installation comprises a steam generator, which consists of a first heat exchanger (50) and two second heat generators (53, 54). The first heat exchanger (50) is a radiant heat exchanger, in which the temperature of the hot gas coming from a reactor (52) is lowered to a temperature beneath the softening point of the dust. The second heat exchangers (53, 54) are convection heat exchangers, which are connected after downstream of the first heat exchangers (50) in the gas flow and are connected in parallel to one another. In the gas flow downstream of each second heat exchanger (53, 54) is a shut-off device (61 and 62).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for generating electricity from coal comprising a vertically stacked, three-stage combustor in which a sorbent is calcined in a calciner zone of the combustor and transferred to a carbonizer zone disposed below the calciner zone, coal introduced into the carbonizer zone is carbonized, producing char and spent sorbent, both of which are transferred to a combustor zone disposed below the carbonizer zone, in which the char is combusted at a substoichemetic air-to-coal ratio, producing a fuel gas. The fuel gas is cleaned and combusted in a turbine combustor, producing a flue gas which is introduced into a gas turbine for producing electricity.

Abstract: An apparatus for gasifying coal is disclosed. Lock hoppers which are in fluid communication with each other are provided. A pressure recovery device is arranged to recover energy while depressurizing one hopper and pressurizing another.

Abstract: A grate assembly for a coal gasifier of a moving-bed or fixed-bed type is provided for crushing agglomerates of solid material such as clinkers, tailoring the radial distribution of reactant gases entering the gasification reaction zone, and control of the radial distribution of downwardly moving solid velocities in the gasification and combustion zone. The clinker crushing is provided by pinching clinkers between vertically oriented stationary bars and angled bars supported on the upper surface of a rotating conical grate. The distribution of the reactant gases is provided by the selective positioning of horizontally oriented passageways extending through the grate. The radial distribution of the solids is provided by mounting a vertically and generally radially extending scoop mechanism on the upper surface of the grate near the apex thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying or combusting solid, carbonaceous material a circulating fluidized bed reactor. Particles are separated from the product gas at least in two stages so that in the first stage, mainly coarser, so-called circulating particles are separted and returned to the reactor. In the second stage, fine carbonaceous particulates are separated from the gas and are made to agglomerate at a raised temperature. Coarser particles thus received are returned to the reactor through a return duct together with circulating particles. Adhesion of agglomerating particles to the walls of the duct is prevented preferably by leading hot particulates to the center of the duct and circulating particles to the walls of the duct.

Abstract: A method of radiant cooling of a product gas mass stream discharged from a gasification reactor and loaded with particles in a cylindrical radiant cooler with a radiant cooling casing comprises the steps of subdividing the product gas mass stream into concentric cylindrical layer streams by cylindrical radiant cooling walls arranged at a distance from the radiant cooling casing, adjusting layer thickness of the cylindrical layer streams to provide a high radiant heat exchange, and cooling regions of the product gas mass stream which flow to the radiant cooling walls in a pre-cooling region to a temperature caking of the particles.

Abstract: A two-stage fixed bed coal gasifier wherein an annular region is in registry with a gasification zone underlying a devolatilization zone for extracting a side stream of high temperature substantially tar-free gas from the gasifier. A vertically displaceable skirt means is positioned within the gasifier to define the lower portion of the annular region so that vertical displacement of the skirt means positions the inlet into the annular region in a selected location within or in close proximity to the gasification zone for providing a positive control over the composition of the side stream gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixed-bed coal gasification is described in which coal such as caking coal is continuously pyrolyzed with clump formation inhibited, by combining the coal with a combustible gas and an oxidant, and then continually feeding the pyrolyzed coal under pressure and elevated temperature into the gasification region of a pressure vessel. The materials in the pressure vessel are allowed to react with the gasifying agents in order to allow the carbon contents of the pyrolyzed coal to be completely oxidized.The combustion of gas produced from the combination of coal pyrolysis and gasification involves combining a combustible gas coal and an oxidant in a pyrolysis chamber and heating the components to a temperature of at least 1600.degree. F. The products of coal pyrolysis are dispersed from the pyrolyzer directly into the high temperature gasification region of a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A coal gasification apparatus using coal powder supplies coal powder, along with oxygen or air and steam, into a reaction chamber, supplies the char produced in the reaction chamber or the char and coal, along with oxygen or air and steam into a combustion chamber formed in the lower part of the reaction chamber and burns the same in the combustion chamber to maintain the temperature therein at about 1,600.degree. C., and forms the temperature region of the reaction chamber into an agglomerated bed of fluidized coal having a temperature between 900.degree. and 1,300.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of hot pressurized coal gas for use, for example, in power generation is provided. The apparatus includes a step of subjecting coal fuel to staged slagging combustion, to generate raw gas and liquid slag. The liquid slag is separated from the raw gas, and the raw gas is then subjected to a mixing and separation procedure, wherein it is treated and cleaned, for exampe of sulfur dioxide content. The raw gases may then be further treated and utilized to advantage in power generation. A preferred arrangement for conducting the process is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system which effectively integrates a two-stage, fixed-bed coal gasification arrangement with hot fuel gas desulfurization of a first stream of fuel gas from a lower stage of the two-stage gasifier and the removal of sulfur from the sulfur sorbent regeneration gas utilized in the fuel-gas desulfurization process by burning a second stream of fuel gas from the upper stage of the gasifier in a combustion device in the presence of calcium-containing material. The second stream of fuel gas is taken from above the fixed bed in the coal gasifier and is laden with ammonia, tar and sulfur values. This second stream of fuel gas is burned in the presence of excess air to provide heat energy sufficient to effect a calcium-sulfur compound forming reaction between the calcium-containing material and sulfur values carried by the regeneration gas and the second stream of fuel gas.

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: Apparatus is described for the pyrolysis of coal comprising a pyrolysis tower through which crushed coal and hot gas are counter-currently passed. The tower enables a controlled temperature profile to be maintained in the tower, and contains inner appurtenances which define cascading passageways to promote heat exchange and mixing of the coal with the hot gas. The coal volatiles are carried out of the top of the tower by the gas. The pyrolysis tower may be conjoined with a gasifier so as to most directly utilize the char residuals remaining after pyrolysis of the coal while they are still hot to more efficiently produce a hot synthesis gas, to be used to perform thermal pyrolysis in the tower.