Abstract: The present invention has been designed to provide a solution to problems with conventional gasifiers which operate by having fuel introduced at one end of a gasification retort and gas and residues removed from the other end. This frequently results in powdered char residues being ejected with the gas, causing increased gas clean-up requirements. The present invention provides a solution to this problem by removing the gas from the retort at the fuel inlet end via the fuel feed apparatus which is preferably a combined ram and scroll feed providing a supply of fuel under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: Raw MSW is delivered through an organic digester (12) within which an organic fraction of the MSW is broken down by a combination of aerobic microbial activity and mechanical action and converted into a solid bio fuel material. Treated waste material comprising a mixture of the solid bio fuel material and insert inorganic waste material is discharged from the digester (12). The treated material is delivered through a separator (20) for removal of the inorganic fraction. A substantially homogenous solid bio fuel material is discharged from the separator (20), and passed through a dryer (26) and into a gasifier (30). Within the gasifier (30) the homogenous solid bio fuel material is heated in a depleted oxygen atmosphere to generate a bio fuel gas rich in methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The bio fuel gas is delivered through a cleaner (35) and then collected in a storage tank. Bio fuel gas is fed as required from the storage tank to a power plant (50) for generating electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to catalysts and, in particular, relates to in-situ replacement of catalyst within a reactor. In an embodiment, the present invention comprises a method for the in-situ replacement of catalyst bodies in a catalytic reactor comprising removing catalyst bodies in-situ from at least one modularized section of a catalytic layer within a catalytic reactor and replacing the removed catalyst bodies in-situ with replacement bodies comprising catalytic function wherein at least 10% of the total catalyst bodies within the layer are replaced.

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 demountable multi-purpose exercise device including a pair of elongate plunger members, a central guide member having a pair of oppositely disposed portions for demountable telescopic engagement with the pair of elongate plunger members. Further included is a depressible resilient means disposed between the pair of elongate plunger members and the central guide member, operative to permit mutual contraction of the plunger members in response to opposing axial forces applied thereto. There is an elongate flexible member longitudinally looped about the exercise device in engagement with the pair of elongate plunger members. Further, there are included, for use with the exercise device an exercise apparatus comprising retractable spool or drum members in cylindrical casings and elongate flexible members fixably attached and resiliently coiled about the spool members to be uncoiled in response to a force applied thereto.

Abstract: The method of protecting a surface in a gasifier which is normally an exposed surface in the gasifier. The method includes forming a refractory attachment with a securement surface that confronts the protectable surface in the gasifier and mechanically securing the refractory attachment onto the protectable surface in the gasifier without the refractory attachment penetrating the protectable surface. Such mechanical securing is achieved by providing a latch which if formed of complementary shapes of the securement surface and the protectable surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gas generator system includes a combustion chamber having an insulation coupled to an inside surface thereof, a retort having a catalyst therein disposed within the combustion chamber, and an access door coupled to a side of the combustion chamber. The access door allows removal of the retort from the side of the combustion chamber. According to another embodiment of the invention, a gas generator system includes a combustion chamber having an insulation coupled to an inside surface thereof, a retort having a catalyst therein disposed within the combustion chamber, and a recuperator disposed proximate an open bottom of the combustion chamber. The recuperator prevents secondary combustion air from traveling in a direct path into the combustion chamber from outside the open bottom of the combustion chamber and raises the temperature of the secondary combustion air.

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 protective refractory shield for a gasifier includes a refractory attachment that is mechanically secured to a protectable surface of the gasifier. The refractory attachment includes a plurality of attachment members of predetermined angular sector. The refractory attachment is provided to cover a downwardly facing horizontal surface of the gasifier or to be positioned upon a vertical surface thereof. Latching means for the attachment include a projecting formation that projects from the protectable surface that engages a complementary shaped recess in the attachment to mechanically secure the attachment to the protectable surface. The latching means do not form recesses in the protectable surface nor does the refractory attachments form recesses in the protectable surface. Thus the integrity of the protectable surface is maintained while it is protected.

Abstract: A rotary drum cooler having a shell for cooling particulate material (e.g. coke particles) wherein the volumetric capacity of the lifters within the shell which lift the material from the bottom of the shell to the exit thereof can be adjusted to thereby affect the exit parameters (e.g. temperature, particle size, etc.) of the cooled particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for gasifying liquid and/or fine-grain solid gasification substances and/or for reforming a gas, using a gasification agent, in a reaction (1). In the process the process heat is supplied by heat carrier particles which are heated within a substantially closed circuit in a heater (5) by combustion gases which are produced in a combustion chamber (3), and passed through the reactor (1) in counter-flow relationship with the gasification substance or the gas to be reformed and the gasification agent, and then returned to the heater (5) for renewed heating. In accordance with the invention the particles and the combustion gas form a fluidized bed above at least one grid (34, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e) arranged in the heater (5).

Abstract: A coal gasification reactor is disclosed which includes a gasification chamber surrounded by a pressure shell, a tubular quench section above the gasification chamber and a superposed waste heat boiler. Heat expansive members are provided in the form of bellow type expansion members between the waste heat boiler and the quench section as well as between the quench section and the gasification chamber to absorb or compensate for relative thermal expansion differences due to the temperature ranges involved in gasification.