Grate Structure for Solid Fuel Burners

Abstract

In one aspect, a grate segment for a burner, comprises a substantially rigid body ( 30 ) having a dispersed array of cavities ( 38 ) filled with a refractory material. In another aspect, a solid fuel gasifier includes a housing ( 12 ) defining a gasifier chamber ( 14 ), and a solid fuel inlet ( 21 ), grate structure ( 22, 24 ) in the gasifier chamber. The grate structure includes base means, a plurality of agitator segments ( 32 ) positioned relative to the base means for reciprocating movement to agitate a fuel load in the gasifier, and means to support the base means and the agitator segments so that the latter reciprocate in a direction at a substantial inclination to both horizontal and vertical. In use of the gasifier a deep burden of fuel accumulates on the grate structure and the outward stroke of the reciprocation of the agitator elements is in the overall direction of flow of the fuel burden or generally oppositely thereto.

1 .- 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A grate segment for a burner, comprising a substantially rigid body having a dispersed array of cavities filled with a refractory material.  
   
   
       22 . A grate segment according to  claim 21  wherein said refractory material is a ceramic material.  
   
   
       23 . A grate segment according to  claim 21  wherein said dispersed array of cavities is such that the grate segment exhibits a generally honeycomb structure.  
   
   
       24 . A grate assembly comprising a set of two or more complementary, generally planar grate segments, each said grate segment comprising a substantially rigid body having a dispersed array of cavities filled with a refractory material.  
   
   
       25 . A solid fuel burner having a grate segment according to  claim 21  in which said cavities and the refractory material therein are open in a surface of the respective grate segment that is exposed to heat in operation of the burner.  
   
   
       26 . A solid fuel burner according to  claim 25 , wherein said burner is a furnace.  
   
   
       27 . A solid fuel burner according to  claim 25 , wherein said burner is a gasifier.  
   
   
       28 . A solid fuel burner having a grate assembly according to  claim 24 , in which said cavities and the refractory material therein are open in a surface of the respective grate segment that is exposed to heat in operation of the burner.  
   
   
       29 . A solid fuel burner according to  claim 28 , wherein said burner is a furnace.  
   
   
       30 . A solid fuel burner according to  claim 28 , wherein said burner is a gasifier.