Rotating bed gasifier

Abstract

The present invention includes a gasifier for gasifying fuels having a container with a top, sidewalls and a bottom for facilitating the gasifying process. One or more open vertical shafts extend downward inside the container for allowing a downdraft or updraft of air and fuel for the gasifying process. A rotating bed is preferably included inside the container and below the one or more shafts for receiving the fuel. The bed rotates essentially perpendicular to the shaft to facilitate even heating and gasifying of the fuel.

1 . A gasifier for gasifying fuels comprising: 
 a container having an inside and an outside;    an open air and fuel shaft extending into the inside of the container; and    a rotating bed located within the inside of the container, below the air and fuel shaft.    
   
   
       2 . The gasifier of  claim 1  further comprising one or more fingers extending from a lower portion of the fuel shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The gasifier of  claim 1  further comprising one or more fingers extending upward from the rotating bed.  
   
   
       4 . The gasifier of  claim 1  further comprising a drive shaft attached to the bed for rotating the bed.  
   
   
       5 . The gasifier of  claim 4  further comprising one or more fingers extending outward from the drive shaft.  
   
   
       6 . The gasifier of  claim 1  further comprising an ash auger to remove used fuel from the container.  
   
   
       7 . The gasifier of  claim 1  further comprising an elevator that recycles used fuel back into the fuel shaft.  
   
   
       8 . The gasifier of  claim 1  wherein the rotating bed has sidewalls extending upwardly.  
   
   
       9 . A gasifier for gasifying fuels comprising: 
 a container with a top, sidewalls, and a bottom;    a first open shaft extending down inside the container;    a second shaft inside the first shaft creating a space between the first and second shafts for allowing a draft of air and fuel for gasifying the fuels; and    a rotating bed inside the container, below the space between the first and second shafts for receiving the fuel.    
   
   
       10 . The gasifier of  claim 9  wherein one of the shafts rotates with the bed.  
   
   
       11 . The gasifier of  claim 9  further comprising one or more air vents through a sidewall of the first and/or second shaft allowing air to travel through the first and/or second shaft and to enter the space between the first and second shaft to aid in the gasifying process.  
   
   
       12 . The gasifier of  claim 9  further comprising an ash sump and a device for recycling the fuel back through the gasifier.  
   
   
       13 . The gasifier of  claim 12  wherein the device for recycling the fuel is an auger.  
   
   
       14 . The gasifier of  claim 9  wherein the bed has sidewalls extending upward to help hold the fuel onto the bed.  
   
   
       15 . The gasifier of  claim 9  further comprising one or more fingers extending from a lower portion of the first and/or second shaft for mixing the fuel.  
   
   
       16 . The gasifier of  claim 9  further comprising one or more fingers extending upward from the rotating bed for mixing the fuel.  
   
   
       17 . The gasifier of  claim 9  further comprising a drive shaft attached to the bed for rotating the bed.  
   
   
       18 . The gasifier of  claim 9  further comprising one or more fingers extending from the drive shaft for mixing the fuel.  
   
   
       19 . A method of gasifying biomass fuel comprising: 
 inserting biomass fuel into a fire tube of a gasifier;    supplying heat and air to the fuel; and    stirring the fuel to promote uniform gasification of the fuel.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the stirring of the fuel is by rotating a bed which is supporting the fuel.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the bed rotation is about ¼ revolution per minute.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising recycling fuel into the fire tube.