Abstract:
The invention concerns a method and an installation for preparing a combustible gas mixture from solid or liquid fuels by means of a rotatable cup-shaped, perforated bowl forming a supporting grate with a fuel supply to its inner wall and a feed of gasifying fluid to the outer side of the grate, an intermediate layer of a refractory material being formed against the inner wall of the rotating grate for supporting the fuel and finally dividing the gasifying fluid.
Abstract:
A slagging gasifier for the gasification of coal and organic waste materials is disclosed The gasifier includes a vertical blast furnace having a hearth section at the bottom thereof. A slag tap hole is formed in hearth section and opens into a quenching vessel. A honeycomb structure is formed on the inner surface of said hearth section in the area surrounding said slag tap hole, and the inner wall of the hearth section. A plurality of tuyeres extend into the hearth section and feed the furnace with steam and oxygen so as to permit the oxidation of coal and organic waste materials fed into the furnace. As a result of the oxidation, gas and molten slag are formed in the furnace. The slag is collected in the hearth section and exits the hearth section via the tap hole. One or more conduits are provided for recycling (either internally or externally) the gas exiting the top of the gasifier with the tars, oils, and particulates entrained therein to the partial combustion zone of the gasifier where the tars, oils and particulates are converted to non-condensible gases. A portion of the tar-free product gas is removed from an intermediate point in the gasifier below the pyrolysis and coking zone.
Abstract:
A hot raw gas stream, as produced by the partial oxidation of a solid carbonaceous fuel such as coal, is partially cooled and cleaned to remove entrained solid matter and slag. A novel gas-gas quench cooling and solids separation apparatus is employed. The apparatus comprises a closed cylindrical insulated vertical pressure vessel containing a lower quench chamber in communication with an upper solids separation chamber. The hot raw gas stream is cooled in the lower chamber to a temperature below the initial deformation temperature of the entrained slag by impingement and direct heat exchange with an oppositely directed coaxial stream of cooled, cleaned, and compressed recycle quench gas. The stream of cooled gas leaving the turbulent lower chamber passes up through a choke-ring into the comparatively calmer upper chamber counter-currently with solid slag droplets which separate out by gravity. Residual solid particles are removed from the gas stream by at least one cyclone separator located in the upper chamber. A portion of the cooled and cleaned gas stream leaving the vessel, with further cooling and with or without further cleaning downstream is recycled back to the vessel for use as said quench gas. Slag particles and other solid matter that are separated within the pressure vessel are removed at the bottom of the lower chamber.
Abstract:
A process for producing a feedstock for a fixed bed gasifier from finely-divided coal by treating the coal in a first stirred semi-fluidized carbonizer reaction zone to produce particulate coal derived solids larger than the finely-divided coal charged to the first carbonizer and thereafter charging the particulate coal derived solids so produced to a second stirred semi-fluidized carbonizer reaction zone to produce particulate coal derived solids of a size consist greater than 1/4 inch which is charged to a fixed bed gasifier.
Abstract:
An improved process is disclosed for the production of fuel gas such as synthetic natural gas from coal. A sized coal feed of larger particle size is gasified in a moving bed gasifier such as the British Gas/Lurgi slagging gasifier, and forms a methane rich synthesis gas containing heavy and light organics which is quenched to form a water phase containing dissolved phenolic and other compounds. The water phase is separated from the gas phase and insoluble organics and mixed with a second portion of the coal containing fine particles which are not suitable for moving bed gasification to form a slurry. This coal-phenolic water slurry is gasified in an entrained bed gasifier, for example, the Texaco partial oxidation process, and forms a methane lean synthesis gas. The phenol, ammonia and dissolved organics in the water phase are destroyed and converted to valuable product gas. At least part of this product gas may be blended with the moving bed product gas for further processing to produce the desired fuel gas product. The product gas from the entrained bed gasifier is also suitable for production of hydrogen, ammonia, or methanol.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for gasification of carbonaceous matter by plasma arc pyrolysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a refractory-lined furnace is provided with a depression along its base for holding a pool of molten metal which acts as the external electrode for a bank of long arc column plasma torches which provide a heat mass for the process. The plasma arc pressure imparts momentum to the surface of the melt and causes it to flow in cusping eddy currents during the process. Crushed coal is deposited through the roof of the furnace by a rotary feeder in continuous plural streams. The coal is devolatilized in a matter of milli seconds and the volatiles are cracked as the coal falls by gravity through the interior of the furnace. The remaining carbon-rich char collects at plural sites on the surface of the melt and the mounds of char are rotated by the eddy currents. Steam is continuously injected into the furnace to produce hydrocarbon gases through reaction with the carbon-rich char. A residence time of five to thirty minutes produces carbon utilization of up to 92 percent. The hot raw gases are directed through a gas cooler where heat is extracted for producing the process steam and the cooled raw gases are upgraded to pipeline quality by conventional carbon dioxide and moisture removal techniques and by methanization with catalysts. The raw gas may also be burned directly as a medium-Btu gas or used as a reductant in the direct reduction of iron ore.
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:
An easily removable unit connecting a pressurized gasifier vessel with a slag quenching chamber, wherein the unit consists of a flanged cylindrical tube arranged to carry the slag tap, burner and all services, supplies, electrical cables to and from the gasifier.
Abstract:
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:
Gaseous fuels are produced by a process which involves simultaneous gasification of coal and pyrolysis of organic solid waste materials in a pollution-free conversion system. According to this process, a mixture of coal and organic solid waste materials is fed to the top of a reaction vessel such as a vertical shaft furnace or a blast furnace, wherein the feed is dried by heat exchange with the gases rising from the lower section of the reactor. Steam and an oxidant gas containing at least 75 volume percent oxygen are introduced to the bottom of the reactor for partially combusting coke and char in a partial combustion zone thereby providing the thermal driving force for the reactions in the reactor. The organic solid waste materials are pyrolyzed and the volatile components of the coal destructively distilled simultaneously in the presence of hydrogen in a pyrolysis and coking zone of the reactor wherein the organic solid waste materials are converted into char and the coal is converted into coke. The char and coke are reacted with oxygen and steam in the partial combustion zone. The descending inorganic materials are fused and the fused slag and molten metals are tapped from the bottom of the reactor. The gaseous products are removed from the top of the furnace and subjected to a product recovery section to remove the undesirable components. The ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide can be varied over a wide, commercially important range, by feeding secondary steam to a high temperature reaction zone intermediate the partial combustion zone and the pyrolysis and coking zone. Depending upon the ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide produced, the gaseous products can be used as fuel or as a synthesis gas for the production of methanol or methane.Gaseous product containing larger quantities of methane may be produced by maintaining the reactor at elevated pressures during the process.