Pyrolyzing gasifiction system and method of use

Abstract

Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichoimetric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both. The oxidizer includes three serially aligned stages separated by air injecting baffles, and ability to adjust the exit air temperature.

1 - 47 . (canceled)  
     
     
         48 . A tuyere assembly for injection of air into a furnace, the tuyere assembly comprising a refractory tuyere within the furnace wall, a pipe, and a manifold, 
 the pipe having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and a body which extends between the first end and the second end,    the first end of the pipe residing within the wall of the furnace,    the second end of the pipe residing externally of the furnace,    the refractory tuyere in fluid communication with the first end of the pipe,    the manifold in fluid communication with the body of the pipe, the manifold residing externally of the furnace,    the second end of the pipe being provided with a selective closure means for selectively opening and closing the second end of the pipe, the selective closure means allowing access to the hollow interior of the pipe.    
     
     
         49 . The tuyere assembly of  claim 48  wherein the manifold is provided with selective detachment means for selectively detaching the manifold from the pipe, the selective detachment means allowing for cleaning, maintenance, and replacement of the manifold independently of the remaining components of the tuyere assembly.  
     
     
         50 . The tuyere assembly of  claim 49  wherein the tuyere assembly comprises an elongate bushing, the bushing being received within the hollow interior space of the pipe for purposes of modifying the air flow within the pipe, the bushing having an outer diameter which is sized to allow the outer surface of the bushing to confront and abut the inner surface of the pipe, the bushing capable of being inserted and removed from within the pipe via the second end of the pipe when the selective closure means is open.  
     
     
         51 . A method of pyrolyzing biomass at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. to obtain useable ash and heat energy without generating toxic byproducts, 
 the method comprising primary combustion of biomass fuel using an all ceramic gasifier within which air flow is strictly controlled to gasify under starved air conditions in the range of 20 to 40 percent stoichiometric air,    the gasifier comprising a plurality of individual modular cells, the individual cells joined together to form a monolithic furnace bed, each individual cell being completely lined with refractory material,    upper end of the gasifier closed and sealed using a monolithic dome, the dome comprising a hemi-elliptical section, the hemi-elliptical section comprising a height to diameter ratio of at least 1 to 2, the dome being completely lined with refractory material,    a cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall comprising a lower edge, an upper edge, and a refractory lined inner surface, wherein the lower edge of the sidewall is fixed to the furnace bed, the upper edge of the sidewall is fixed to the periphery of the monolithic dome, the sidewall centered on the vertical centerline of the gasifier,    each individual cell comprises an overall wedge shape, each individual cell comprising a base, an apex, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge,    the base comprising a curvilinear contour which is identical to that of the sidewall of the gasifier,    the apex of the individual cell being truncated adjacent the vertical centerline of the gasifier,    the first lateral edge being spaced apart from the second lateral edge such that the respective lateral edges converge from base to apex,    the plurality of individual cells are joined together along their respective lateral edges so as to provide a furnace bed which is annular and segmented,    each individual cell comprises a feed cone portion and a fuel collection hopper, the feed cone portion overlying the apex, the fuel collection hopper residing between the feed cone portion and the base, the fuel collection hopper being separated from the feed cone portion by an linear, generally horizontal rim section, wherein    the fuel collection hopper comprises an downwardly converging duct which terminates in an ash removal means, the fuel collection hopper comprising refractory air introduction means and refractory temperature sensing means, wherein the air introduction means and temperature sensing means within each cell is monitored and controlled independently of the remaining cells,    wherein biomass fuel is fed into feed cone portion of the individual cells of the gasifier up from below the furnace bed and along the central vertical axis using fuel feed means,    the fuel is received and combusted within the fuel collection hopper of each cell so as to produce useable ash which is discharged from the underside of the fuel collection hopper, and so as to produce a primary combustion flue gas which is discharged from the top of the gasifier,    air flow into each cell is controlled using air introduction means, and temperatures within each cell are monitored using temperature sensing means to maximize fuel burn within the cell, and    gasification of the fuel is continuous since the fuel feed rate is synchronized with the ash removal rate,    the method comprising secondary combustion of the primary combustion flue gas using a cyclonic, staged oxidizer, the oxidizer comprising an elongate, hollow, completely refractory-lined cylindrical body, the body having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end separated from it by a mid portion, and a longitudinal axis,    the first end comprising a conical end wall, the conical end wall terminating in an apex, the apex comprising ignition and burning means,    the second end comprising a generally flat end wall,    the mid portion comprising a cylindrical sidewall, a first baffle and a second baffle, the first baffle and second baffle extending radially inward from the interior surface of the sidewall in a spaced relationship such that the first baffle and the second baffle segment the interior space into a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage,    the first baffle and the second baffle each comprising a circular plate, the circular plate comprising a first area, the circular plate comprising a radius which is the same as the interior radius of the sidewall, the circular plate comprising a circular opening, the circular opening comprising a second area, the second area sized to be approximately one third of the first area, wherein a portion of the peripheral edge of the circular opening coincides with both a portion of the peripheral edge of the circular plate and the sidewall,    the first baffle extending from the sidewall on a first side of the body, the second baffle extending from the sidewall on a side which is opposed to the first side such that fluid flow through the oxidizer is caused to travel a helical path about the longitudinal axis,    the respective first, second and third stages being serially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the body such that the first stage resides between the first end and the first baffle, the second stage resides between the first baffle and the second baffle, and the third stage resides between the second baffle and the second end,    the oxidizer comprising a first baffle tuyere array and a second baffle tuyere array, each of the first and second baffle tuyere arrays comprising nozzles which are linearly-aligned and spaced-apart, wherein the first baffle tuyere array is located along circular opening within the first baffle, and the second baffle tuyere array is located along the circular opening in the second baffle,    wherein the primary combustion flue gas from the gasifier is directed through a first fluid duct into the first stage of the oxidizer where secondary combustion is initiated and performed at temperatures at or below 1800 degrees F. to prevent formation of NOx,    secondary combustion flue gas exits the first stage and enters the second stage where air is injected using the first baffle tuyere array to enhance mixing and combustion and to control combustion temperatures, the second stage used to begin burnout of CO and VOCs,    secondary combustion flue gas exits the second stage and enters the third stage where air is injected using the second baffle tuyere array to enhance mixing and combustion and to control combustion temperatures, the third stage allowing the flue gas to be maintained at a temperature in the range of 1800 to 2200 degrees F. for a time period of at least one second to ensure burnout of CO and VOCs, and resulting in generally clean flue gas,    the generally clean flue gas is discharged from the oxidizer where it is directed through a second fluid duct into an all-refractory air-to-air indirect heat exchanger so that energy can be recovered from the clean flue gas.    
     
     
         52 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein the temperature sensing means within the gasifier comprises an elongate probe, the probe comprising a first end and a second end, the probe comprising plural thermocouples positioned along the probe between the first end and the second end in a spaced-apart relationship, the plural thermocouples allowing simultaneous measurement of temperature at plural locations, the plural thermocouples allowing the user to monitor fuel bum conditions at these locations so that adjustments in fuel feed rate, air injection, and ash removal can be performed if desired based on the fuel burn conditions.  
     
     
         53 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein refractory air introduction means comprises plural sets of refractory gasification tuyeres, 
 each set of refractory gasification tuyeres comprises plural refractory nozzles in a linear, horizontally spaced arrangement positioned on the surface of the individual cell such that they oriented at an angle which lies in the range from zero to 45 degrees downward from the horizontal, the feed cone portion and the fuel collection hopper each comprising at least one set of refractory gasification tuyeres,    the source of air for each set of refractory gasification tuyeres is provided by a manifold, and wherein each gasification tuyere comprises an opening within the refractory lining of the cell, each gasification tuyere comprises an elongate steel pipe, the pipe comprising a first end, a second end, and a body portion between the first end and second end, the pipe extending through the cell wall such that the first end lies outside the cell and the second end lies within the refractory lining of the cell such that it is offset from and in fluid communication with the opening,    the manifold being selectively releasably secured to the body portion of the pipe adjacent to the first end such that it resides outside the cell,    the first end of the pipe comprises means for selective closure of the first end so that during normal operation the first end of the pipe is closed and during maintenance of the gasification tuyere, the first end can be opened to allow the pipe and opening to cleaned.    
     
     
         54 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein refractory air introduction means comprises at least one all-refractory air injection lance, the at least one lance comprising an elongate hollow lance tube, the lance tube having a first end, a second end, and a body which extends between the first end and the second end, 
 the lance tube being generally horizontally oriented within the cell such that it extends radially with the first end abutting the rim section and the second end adjacent the sidewall,    the lance tube comprising plural, horizontally-oriented, spaced-apart holes, the holes being in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the lance tube such that when air is propelled from the second end of the lance tube to the first end of the lance tube the air exits the lance tube through the holes an is injected into the cell.    
     
     
         55 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein air is introduced into the primary combustion flue gas within the first fluid duct after it exits the gasifier and before it enters the oxidizer using combustion air injection means, the combustion air injection means providing a mixture which is sub-stoichiometric and which allows complete secondary combustion of the primary combustion flue gas within the oxidizer without forming NOx and with burnout of CO and VOCs.  
     
     
         56 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 55  wherein combustion air injection means comprises an elongate hollow tube having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and a mid portion between the first end and the second end, 
 the position of the tube within the first fluid duct being adjustable,    the first end of the tube residing externally of the first fluid duct,    the second end and mid portion of the tube residing within the first fluid duct such that the tube lies generally centered within and aligned with the first fluid duct,    the second end of the tube comprising an end nozzle which is in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the tube so that when air is propelled within the hollow interior of the tube from the first end to the second end, air is injected into the first fluid duct via the end nozzle.    
     
     
         57 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein the temperature of the generally clean flue gas is controlled as it is discharged through the second fluid duct using tempering means, the tempering means comprising an all-refractory ring about the interior surface of the second fluid duct, 
 the ring comprising a hollow interior, an outer peripheral edge which confronts the interior surface of the second fluid duct, and an inner peripheral edge which is opposed to the outer peripheral edge and faces the centerline of the second fluid duct,    the inner peripheral edge comprising a plurality of ring nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ring such that when air is propelled within the hollow interior of the ring, air is injected into generally clean flue gas via the plurality of ring nozzles,    each ring nozzle of the plurality of ring nozzles comprising an angled orientation within the ring such that air flowing through the ring nozzle is directed downstream and away from the oxidizer.    
     
     
         58 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein heat energy recovered using the all-refractory air-to-air indirect heat exchanger is used to generate electrical power.  
     
     
         59 . The method of pyrolyzing biomass of  claim 51  wherein heat energy recovered using the all-refractory air-to-air indirect heat exchanger is as a source of heat for use in an external process.  
     
     
         60 . A cyclonic, staged oxidizer, the oxidizer comprising an elongate, hollow, completely refractory-lined cylindrical body, the body having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end separated from it by a mid portion, and a longitudinal axis, 
 the first end comprising a conical endwall, the conical endwall terminating in an apex, the apex comprising ignition and burning means,    the second end comprising a generally flat endwall,    the mid portion comprising a cylindrical sidewall, a first baffle and a second baffle, the first baffle and second baffle extending radially inward from the interior surface of the sidewall in a spaced relationship such that the first baffle and the second baffle segment the interior space into a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage,    the first baffle and the second baffle each comprising a circular plate, the circular plate comprising a first area, the circular plate comprising a radius which is the same as the interior radius of the sidewall, the circular plate comprising a circular opening, the circular opening comprising a second area, the second area sized to be approximately one third of the first area, wherein a portion of the peripheral edge of the circular opening coincides with both a portion of the peripheral edge of the circular plate and the sidewall,    the first baffle extending from the sidewall on a first side of the body, the second baffle extending from the sidewall on a side which is opposed to the first side such that fluid flow through the oxidizer is caused to travel a helical path about the longitudinal axis,    the respective first, second and third stages being serially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the body such that the first stage resides between the first end and the first baffle, the second stage resides between the first baffle and the second baffle, and the third stage resides between the second baffle and the second end,    the oxidizer comprising a fluid inlet duct for conveying unoxidized fluids into the oxidizer is provided in the sidewall of the first stage, the fluid inlet duct comprising a first air injection means,    the oxidizer comprising a fluid outlet duct for conveying oxidized fluids out of the oxidizer is provided in the sidewall of the third stage, the fluid outlet duct comprising a second air injection means,    the oxidizer comprising an emergency relief duct is provided in the sidewall of the third stage for selective acute release of fluid from the oxidizer, the emergency relief duct comprising an emergency relief valve that, when activated, allows release of fluid to the atmosphere,    the oxidizer comprising a first tuyere array and a second tuyere array, each of the first and second tuyere arrays comprising nozzles which are linearly-aligned and spaced-apart, wherein the first tuyere array is located along circular opening within the first baffle, and the second tuyere array is located along the circular opening in the second baffle.    
     
     
         61 . The oxidizer of  claim 60  wherein the first air injection means comprises an all-refractory first member, the first member comprising an elongate hollow tube having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and a mid portion between the first end and the second end, 
 the first end of the first member residing externally of the fluid inlet duct,    the second end and mid portion of the first member residing within the fluid inlet duct such that the elongate tube lies generally centered within and aligned with the inlet duct,    the second end of the first member comprising an end nozzle which is in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the tube so that when air is propelled within the hollow interior of the tube from the first end to the second end, air is injected into the fluid inlet duct via the end nozzle.    
     
     
         62 . The oxidizer of  claim 61  wherein the fluid inlet duct is formed of ceramic, 
 the fluid inlet duct comprising a constricted portion, the constricted portion having an inlet side and an outlet side,    the fluid inlet duct comprising a diverging portion, the diverging portion abutting the outlet side of the constricted portion,    the end nozzle of the first member positioned adjacent the inlet side of the constricted portion, the position of the first member within the fluid inlet duct being adjustable such that the end nozzle is movable toward and away from the constricted portion.    
     
     
         63 . The oxidizer of  claim 60  wherein the second air injection means comprises an all-refractory second member, the second member comprising a ring about the interior surface of the fluid outlet duct, 
 the ring comprising a hollow interior, an outer peripheral edge which confronts the interior surface of the fluid outlet duct, and an inner peripheral edge which is opposed to the outer peripheral edge and faces the centerline of the fluid outlet duct,    the inner peripheral edge comprising a plurality of ring nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the ring such that when air is propelled within the hollow interior of the ring, air is injected into the fluid outlet duct via the plurality of ring nozzles,    each ring nozzle of the plurality of ring nozzles comprising an angled orientation within the ring such that air flowing through the ring nozzle is directed downstream and away from the oxidizer.    
     
     
         64 . The oxidizer of  claim 60  wherein the longitudinal axis of the oxidizer is oriented generally horizontally, the oxidizer comprising an upper side and a lower side, 
 the fluid inlet duct intersects the sidewall between the upper side and the lower side such that the fluid inlet duct is oriented generally horizontally and generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the oxidizer,    the fluid outlet duct intersects the sidewall at the lower side such that the fluid outlet duct is oriented generally vertically and generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the oxidizer,    the emergency relief duct intersects the sidewall at the upper side such that the emergency relief duct is oriented generally vertically and generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the oxidizer,    the first baffle and second baffle are each provided with small vent holes, the vent holes extending through the circular plate of the respective baffle such that the vent holes lie adjacent the upper side of the oxidizer so as to prevent pocketing of gas during oxidizer start up and shut down.    
     
     
         65 . A system for recycling biomass waste into useful ash and recoverable heat energy without formation of toxic by-product gases, the system comprising a pyrolyzing gasifier with all-refractory internals, a staged, cyclonic oxidizer with all refractory internals, and at least one heat exchanger, the biomass waste being gasified within the gasifier to form useable ash and a primary combustion gas, the primary combustion gas then being directed to the oxidizer, the primary combustion gas undergoing secondary combustion in a staged manner within the oxidizer to form a generally clean flue gas, the generally clean flue gas then being directed to the at least one heat exchanger, heat energy being recovered from the generally clean flue gas as it is passed through the at least one heat exchanger.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65  wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises an all ceramic indirect air-to-air heat exchanger.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 65  wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises an all ceramic indirect air-to-air heat exchanger and a metal indirect air-to-air heat exchanger, the metal indirect air-to-air heat exchanger having internal surfaces coated with a thermal barrier.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 66  wherein the biomass waste is gasified within the gasifier at a maximum temperature of 1000 degrees F.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68  wherein the biomass waste is gasified in starved air conditions in the range of 10 to 30 percent stoichiometric.  
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the primary combustion gas produced within the gasifier is mixed with air using an all-ceramic high temperature ejector means as it enters the oxidizer, the high temperature ejector means being adjustable.  
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 69  wherein a negative draft is maintained within the gasifier using an all-ceramic high temperature ejector means, the all-ceramic high temperature ejector means positioned in the system between the pyrolyzing gasifier and the staged, cyclonic oxidizer.  
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the oxidizer comprises a means for adjusting the temperature of the generally clean flue gas as it exits the oxidizer so that temperature of the generally clean flue gas can be controlled without reducing mass flow from the oxidizer, the means for adjusting the temperature of the generally clean flue gas comprising an annular arrangement of air injection nozzles which encircles the stream of generally clean flue gas as it exits the oxidizer.  
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 66  wherein the system further comprises at least one external combustion engine, wherein the heat energy recovered from the generally clean flue gas as it passes through the all-ceramic indirect air-to-air heat exchanger heats air, the air then is used as input heat source for the at least one external combustion engine, the at least one external combustion engine producing electrical power.  
     
     
         74 . A system for pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power, the system comprising a gasifier and at least one external combustion engine, where solid wastes are gasified within the gasifier producing ash and combustion flue gases, 
 the combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier are directed to the at least one external combustion engine and used therein to fire the at least one external combustion engine, the external combustion engine generating power.    
     
     
         75 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 74  wherein the system further comprises a staged cyclonic oxidizer, and wherein the combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier are directed to the staged cyclonic oxidizer, the combustion flue gases are oxidized within the staged cyclonic oxidizer and discharged as clean flue gas from the staged cyclonic oxidizer, the clean flue gas is directed to the at least one external combustion engine and used therein to fire the at least one external combustion engine, the external combustion engine generating power and discharging flue gas.  
     
     
         76 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 75  wherein the system further comprises a heat exchanger, and wherein the flue gas discharge from the at least one external combustion engine is directed to a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger recovering heat energy from the flue gas discharge.  
     
     
         77 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 74  wherein the system further comprises a staged cyclonic oxidizer and an all ceramic air-to-air indirect heat exchanger, wherein the combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier are directed to the staged cyclonic oxidizer, the combustion flue gases are oxidized within the staged cylonic oxidizer and discharged as clean flue gas from the staged cyclonic oxidizer, the clean flue gas is directed to the air-side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger, the clean flue gases heat clean air within the tube-side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger to produce hot clean air, the hot clean air is discharged from the tube-side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger and is directed to the at least one external combustion engine and used therein to fire the at least one external combustion engine, the external combustion engine generating power.  
     
     
         78 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes of  claim 77  wherein the system further comprises an alloy metal heat exchanger, wherein the clean flue gas is discharged from the air side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger and is directed to the alloy metal heat exchanger where additional heat energy is recovered.  
     
     
         79 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes of  claim 78  wherein the flue gas discharge from the external combustion engine is directed to the staged cyclonic oxidizer and used by the staged cyclonic oxidizer as a source of preheated air.  
     
     
         80 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes of  claim 74  wherein a negative draft is maintained within the gasifier using an all-ceramic high temperature ejector means, the all-ceramic high temperature ejector means positioned in the system immediately downstream of the gasifier.  
     
     
         81 . The system for pyrolyzing solid wastes of  claim 80  wherein the all-ceramic high temperature ejector means comprises an all-ceramic duct for receiving the combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier, the duct comprising a venturi section, 
 the all-ceramic high temperature ejector means comprising an elongate all-ceramic tube, the tube comprising an end terminating in a nozzle, the tube adjustably positionable within the duct such that the nozzle lies adjacent the venturi section and is positionable relative to the venturi section.    
     
     
         82 . A method of pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power using a gasification system, 
 the system comprising a gasifier and at least one external combustion engine,    the method comprising the following method steps:    step  1 . solid wastes are gasified within the gasifier producing ash and combustion flue gases,    step  2 . the combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier are directed to the at least one external combustion engine and used therein to fire the at least one external combustion engine, the external combustion engine generating power.    
     
     
         83 . The method of pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 82  wherein the system further comprises a staged cyclonic oxidizer, and wherein the the following method steps  3 ,  4 , and  5  replace step  2 : 
 step  3 . combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier are directed to the staged cyclonic oxidizer,    step  4 . the combustion flue gases are oxidized within the staged cylonic oxidizer and discharged as clean flue gas from the staged cyclonic oxidizer,    step  5 . the clean flue gas is directed to the at least one external combustion engine and used therein to fire the at least one external combustion engine, the external combustion engine generating power and discharging flue gas.    
     
     
         84 . The method of pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 83  wherein the system further comprises an alloy metal heat exchanger, and wherein the following method step follows step  5 : 
 step  6 . the flue gas discharge from the at least one external combustion engine is directed to the alloy metal heat exchanger, the alloy metal heat exchanger recovering heat energy from the flue gas discharge.    
     
     
         85 . The method of pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 82  wherein the system further comprises a staged cyclonic oxidizer and an all-ceramic air-to-air indirect heat exchanger, and wherein the the following method steps  3 - 8  replace step  2 : 
 step  3 . combustion flue gases discharged from the gasifier are directed to the staged cyclonic oxidizer,    step  4 . the combustion flue gases are oxidized within the staged cylonic oxidizer and discharged as clean flue gas from the staged cyclonic oxidizer,    step  5 . the clean flue gas is directed to the to the air-side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger,    step  6 . the clean flue gases heat clean air within the tube-side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger to produce hot clean air,    step  7 . the hot clean air is discharged from the tube-side of the all-ceramic heat exchanger and is directed to the at least one external combustion engine    step  8 . the hot clean air is used to fire the at least one external combustion engine, the external combustion engine generating power.    
     
     
         86 . The method of pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 85  wherein the system further comprises an alloy metal heat exchanger, and wherein the following method step follows step  8 : 
 step  9 . the flue gas discharge from the at least one external combustion engine is directed to the alloy metal heat exchanger, the alloy metal heat exchanger recovering heat energy from the flue gas discharge.    
     
     
         87 . The method of pyrolyzing solid wastes to produce a useable ash and generate power of  claim 85  wherein the following method step follows step  8 : 
 step  9 . the flue gas discharge from the at least one external combustion engine is directed to the staged cyclonic oxidizer, the staged cyclonic oxidizer using the flue gas discharge from the at least one external combustion engine as a source of preheated air.    
     
     
         88 . An apparatus for high temperature draft control, the apparatus comprising an all-ceramic duct for directing high temperature combustion flue gases, the apparatus comprising an elongate hollow ceramic tube for injecting a fluid into the duct, 
 the duct comprising a first end, a second end, and a mid portion,    the mid portion of the duct comprising a constricted portion adjacent the first end such that the inner diameter of the duct within the constricted portion is less than the inner diameter of the duct within both the first end and the second end,    the mid portion of the duct comprising a conical portion extending between the constricted portion and the second end such that the inner diameter of the duct is enlarges from the constricted portion to the second end,    the tube comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the tube residing outside the duct,    the second end of the tube residing within the duct,    the second end of the tube terminating in a tapered nozzle,    the second end of the tube positioned within the first end of the duct adjacent the constricted portion,    the tube adjustably positionable within the duct such that the second end of the tube can be moved relative to the constricted portion.    
     
     
         89 . The apparatus for high temperature draft control of  claim 88  wherein the apparatus comprises an all-ceramic guide pipe, the guide pipe 
 being fixed within the first end of the duct,    having an insulated core and a hollow interior,    wherein the second end of the tube resides within the hollow interior of the guide pipe such that the tube is supported within the duct by the guide pipe and such that the tube is selectively moveable relative to the guide pipe.