Method for gasifying solid organic materials and apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method for gasifying solid organic materials, a novel apparatus for that purpose, and a system therefor. A unique method and apparatus that produces a high energy, low temperature, low particulate-laden syngas by controlling the oxygen content in combustion air used for “starved air” combustion of biomass in a unique gasifier. Recirculated flue gas containing a predetermined amount of fresh air is utilized for the oxygen content therein and for controlling the method.

1 . A gasifier for gasifying solid organic materials comprising in combination: 
 (I) a housing, said housing having a lower portion and an upper portion;    (II) said housing having a circular side wall supported by the lower portion and attached to the upper portion;    (III) a roof, said roof being supported by and integral with the circular side wall;    (IV) there being at least one opening through the roof for exiting syngas effluent and at least one opening for a sensing device;    (V) located at, and connected to, the roof opening, a device for removing the gaseous effluent from the gasifier;    (VI) located at, and associated with, the sensing device opening, at least one device for sensing the elevation of any mass of any solid organic material contained in the housing, said sensing device being a radar device that is mounted over any sensing device opening and surmounts a non-metallic plate that covers the opening;    (VII) located in the lower housing at least one opening for supporting a device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;    (VIII) located at, and connected to, the lower portion of the housing, and within the opening of (VII), at least one device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;    (IX) located in the circular wall, at least one opening for supporting at least one device for providing oxidative gas to the solid organic materials, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas containing a predetermined portion of fresh air;    (X) located in, and connected to the oxidative gas opening, a device for providing an oxidative gas to the solid organic materials;    (XI) a floor for the gasifier located in the lower portion of the gasifier, the floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, said floor having at least one opening therethrough to allow for the passage of solid organic material into the interior of the gasifier, wherein the top surface of the floor has a retaining wall on the outside of each of the floor openings to form a retention basin to retain the solid organic materials in the lower portion of the gasifier to form a floorless hearth;    (XII) a device for moving solid organic materials through the floor opening and into the gasifier;    (XIII) a device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials;    (XIV) at least one opening in the lower portion of the gasifier to allow movement of non-combustibles out of the gasifier;    (XV) a device in the retention basin for removing non-combustible materials out of the gasifier;    (XVI) a control and monitor for the amount of mass of solid organic material within the gasifier and a control and monitor for the amount of non-combustibles in the gasifier, the mass control and the non-combustible control being inter-related.    
     
     
         2 . A gasifier for gasifying solid organic materials comprising in combination: 
 (I) a housing, said housing having a lower portion and an upper portion;    (II) said housing having four side walls supported by the lower portion and attached to the upper portion;    (III) a roof, said roof being supported by and integral with the four side walls;    (IV) there being at least one opening through the roof for exiting syngas effluent and at least one opening through the roof for a sensing device;    (V) located at, and connected to, roof opening, a device for removing the gaseous effluent from the gasifier;    (VI) located at, and associated with, the sensing device opening, at least one device for sensing the elevation of any mass of any solid organic material contained in the housing, said sensing device being a radar device that is mounted over any sensing device opening and surmounts a non-metallic plate that covers the opening;    (VII) located in the lower housing at least one opening for supporting a device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;    (VIII) located at, and connected to, the lower portion of the housing, and within the opening of (VII), at least one device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;    (IX) located in the side walls, at least one opening for supporting at least one device for providing oxidative gas to the solid organic materials, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas containing a predetermined portion of fresh air;    (X) located in, and connected to, the oxidative gas opening, a device for providing an oxidative gas to the solid organic materials;    (XI) a floor for the gasifier located in the lower portion of the gasifier, the floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, said floor having at least one opening therethrough to allow for the passage of solid organic material into the interior of the gasifier, wherein the top surface of the floor has a retaining wall on the outside of each of the floor openings to form a retention basin to retain the solid organic materials in the lower portion of the gasifier to form a floorless hearth;    (XII) a device for moving solid organic materials through the floor opening and into the gasifier;    (XIII) a device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials;    (XIV) a device for heating the solid organic materials while above the retention basin;    (XV) at least one opening in the lower portion of the gasifier to allow movement of non-combustibles out of the gasifier;    (XVI) a device in the retention basin for removing non-combustible materials out of the gasifier;    (XVII) a control and monitor for the amount of mass of solid organic material within the gasifier and a control and monitor for the amount of non-combustibles in the gasifier, the mass control and the non-combustible control being inter-related.    
     
     
         3 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 1  in which the device in the retention basin is a pepper grate surmounted over at least one auger.  
     
     
         4 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 2  in which the device in the retention basin is a pepper grate surmounted over at least one auger.  
     
     
         5 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 1  in which the device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials is non-moveable during use of the gasifier.  
     
     
         6 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 2  in which the device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials is non-moveable.  
     
     
         7 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 1  in which the device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials is moveable during use of the gasifier.  
     
     
         8 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 2  in which the device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials is moveable during use of the gasifier.  
     
     
         9 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 1  in which each device for supplying oxidative gas to the solid organic materials is a tuyere.  
     
     
         10 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 2  in which each device for supplying oxidative gas to the solid organic materials is a tuyere.  
     
     
         11 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 11  in which each of tuyeres in a common line is provided the oxidative gas from a common manifold.  
     
     
         12 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 12  in which each of the tuyeres in a common line is provided the oxidative gas from a common manifold.  
     
     
         13 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 11  in which the common manifold is provided with oxidative gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air.  
     
     
         14 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 12  in which the common manifold is provided with oxidative gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air.  
     
     
         15 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the tuyeres in a common line are such that the tuyere line encircles the housing of the gasifier.  
     
     
         16 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the tuyeres in a common line are such that the tuyere line defines the outside surface of the housing of the gasifier.  
     
     
         17 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 15  wherein there is at least one common line of tuyeres above any burning activity in the gasifier and at least one common line of tuyeres below any burning activity in the gasifier.  
     
     
         18 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 16  wherein there is at least one common line of tuyeres above any burning activity in the gasifier and at least one common line of tuyeres below any burning activity in the gasifier.  
     
     
         19 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the cone structure is provided with at least one array of tuyeres formed in the inner surface and with at least one array of tuyeres formed in the outer surface.  
     
     
         20 . The gasifier as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the cone structure is provided with at least one array of tuyeres formed in the inner surface and with at least one array of tuyeres formed in the outer surface.  
     
     
         21 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce a gaseous effluent and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 1;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide a gaseous effluent, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         22 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce a gaseous effluent and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 2;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide a gaseous effluent, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         23 . A gasifier for gasifying solid organic materials comprising in combination: 
 (I) a housing, said housing having a lower portion having a top part and an upper portion having a bottom part; 
 (II) said housing having a circular side wall supported by the lower portion and attached to the upper portion, said circular side wall having a constricted section where the top part of the lower portion and the bottom part of the upper portion meet and join;  
 (III) a roof, said roof being supported by and integral with the circular side wall;  
 (IV) there being at least one opening through the roof for exiting syngas effluent and at least one opening for a sensing device;  
 (V) located at, and connected to, the roof opening, a device for removing the gaseous effluent from the gasifier;  
 (VI) located at, and associated with, the sensing device opening, at least one device for sensing the elevation of any mass of any solid organic material contained in the housing, said sensing device being a radar device that is mounted over any sensing device opening and surmounts a non-metallic plate that covers the opening;  
 (VII) located in the lower housing at least one opening for supporting a device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;  
 (VIII) located at, and connected to, the lower portion of the housing, and within the opening of (VII), at least one device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;  
 (IX) located in the circular wall, at least one opening for supporting at least one device for providing oxidative gas to the solid organic materials, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas containing a predetermined portion of fresh air;  
 (X) located in, and connected to the oxidative gas opening, a device for providing an oxidative gas to the solid organic materials;  
 (XI) a floor for the gasifier located in the lower portion of the gasifier, the floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, said floor having at least one opening therethrough to allow for the passage of solid organic material into the interior of the gasifier, wherein the top surface of the floor has a retaining wall on the outside of each of the floor openings to form a retention basin to retain the solid organic materials in the lower portion of the gasifier to form a floorless hearth;  
 (XII) a device for moving solid organic materials through the floor opening and into the gasifier;  
 (XIII) a device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials;  
 (XIV) a device for heating the solid organic materials while above the retention basin;  
 (XV) at least one opening in the lower portion of the gasifier to allow movement of non-combustibles out of the gasifier;  
 (XVI) a device in the retention basin for removing non-combustible materials out of the gasifier;  
 (XVII) a control and monitor for the amount of mass of solid organic material within the gasifier and a control and monitor for the amount of non-combustibles in the gasifier, the mass control and the non-combustible control being inter-related.  
   
     
     
         24 . A gasifier for gasifying solid organic materials comprising in combination: 
 (I) a housing, said housing having a lower portion with a top part and an upper portion with a bottom part;    (II) said housing having four side walls supported by the lower portion and attached to the upper portion; said side walls having a constricted section where the top part of the lower portion and the bottom part of the upper portion meet and join;    (III) a roof, said roof being supported by and integral with the four side walls;    (IV) there being at least one opening through the roof for exiting effluent and at least one opening through the roof for a sensing device;    (V) located at, and connected to, the roof opening for the exiting of effluent, a device for removing the gaseous effluent from the gasifier;    (VI) located at, and associated with, the sensing device opening, at least one device for sensing the elevation of any mass of any solid organic material contained in the housing, said sensing device being a radar device that is mounted over any sensing device opening and surmounts a non-metallic plate that covers the opening;    (VII) located in the lower housing at least one opening for supporting a device for determining amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;    (VIII) located at, and connected to, the lower portion of the housing, and within the opening of (VII), at least one device for determining the amount of non-combustibles within the gasifier;    (IX) located in the side walls, at least one opening for supporting at least one device for providing oxidative gas to the solid organic materials, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas containing a predetermined portion of fresh air;    (X) located in, and connected to, the oxidative gas opening, a device for providing an oxidative gas to the solid organic materials;    (XI) a floor for the gasifier located in the lower portion of the gasifier, the floor having a top surface and a bottom surface, said floor having at least one opening therethrough to allow for the passage of solid organic material into the interior of the gasifier, wherein the top surface of the floor has a retaining wall on the outside of each of the floor openings to form a retention basin to retain the solid organic materials in the lower portion of the gasifier to form a floorless hearth;    (XII) a device for moving solid organic materials through the floor opening and into the gasifier;    (XIII) a device for providing and retaining a cone structure to the underside of the solid organic materials;    (XIV) a device for heating the solid organic materials while above the retention basin;    (XV) at least one opening in the lower portion of the gasifier to allow movement of non-combustibles out of the gasifier;    (XVI) a device in the retention basin for removing non-combustible materials out of the gasifier;    (XVII) a control and monitor for the amount of mass of solid organic material within the gasifier and a control and monitor for the amount of non-combustibles in the gasifier, the mass control and the non-combustible control being inter-related.    
     
     
         25 . A system for gasification of solid waste materials, said system comprising in combination: 
 (A) a gasifier as claimed in  claim 1;     (B) at least one oxidizer, and,    (C) at least one heat recovery device.    
     
     
         26 . A system as claimed in  claim 25  wherein, in addition, the system has a device for moving flue gas from a flue stack of the system, mixing the flue gas with inducted fresh air and moving the combination of flue gas and fresh air to the gasifier.  
     
     
         27 . A system for gasification of solid waste materials, said system comprising in combination: 
 (A) a gasifier as claimed in  claim 2;     (B) at least one oxidizer, and,    (C) at least one heat recovery device.    
     
     
         28 . A system as claimed in  claim 27  wherein, in addition, the system has a device for moving flue gas from a flue stack of the system, mixing the flue gas with inducted fresh air and moving the combination of flue gas and fresh air to the gasifier.  
     
     
         29 . A system for gasification of solid waste materials, said system comprising in combination: 
 (A) a gasifier as claimed in  claim 23;     (B) at least one oxidizer, and,    (C) at least one heat recovery device.    
     
     
         30 . A system as claimed in  claim 29  wherein, in addition, the system has a device for moving flue gas from a flue stack of the system, mixing the flue gas with inducted fresh air and moving the combination of flue gas and fresh air to the gasifier.  
     
     
         31 . A system for gasification of solid waste materials, said system comprising in combination: 
 (A) a gasifier as claimed in  claim 2;     (B) at least one oxidizer, and,    (C) at least one heat recovery device.    
     
     
         32 . A system as claimed in  claim 31  wherein, in addition, the system has a device for moving flue gas from a flue stack of the system, mixing the flue gas with inducted fresh air and moving the combination of flue gas and fresh air to the gasifier.  
     
     
         33 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce a gaseous effluent and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 24;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide a gaseous effluent, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         34 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce a gaseous effluent and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 24;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide a gaseous effluent, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         35 . A method of producing syngas, the method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 1;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide syngas, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         36 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce syngas and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 2;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide syngas, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         37 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce syngas and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 24;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide syngas, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.    
     
     
         38 . A method of gasifying solid organic material to produce syngas and a solid residue, said method comprising: 
 (I) providing a supply of solid organic material;    (II) providing a gasifier as claimed in  claim 24;     (III) introducing the solid organic materials from (I) into the gasifier upwardly from a lower portion of the gasifier to provide a mass of solid organic materials in the gasifier;    (IV) heating the solid organic materials in the gasifier while providing an oxidative gas to the gasifier to provide syngas, said oxidative gas being recirculated flue gas from a flue stack located in a system in which the gasifier is operating and, the oxidative gas is flue gas containing a portion of predetermined fresh air;    (V) providing an effluent path of flow within the gasifier for a portion of the gaseous effluent to migrate, mix, and react through the heated solid organic materials and wherein syngas formed thereby is transferred outwardly from the gasifier;    (VI) transferring any non-combustible solids out of the gasifier.