Gasifier

Abstract

A gasifier for producing synthesis gas from a widely varying feedstock of waste and natural fuels, the gasifier including an induction furnace, a molten bed and slag reaction chamber mounted on top of the induction furnace, an opening fluidly connecting the molten metal and slag with the interior of the induction furnace and the inside bottom of the reaction chamber, the reaction chamber further containing a froth and off-take reaction zones above the molten metal and slag, and a lid at the top of the reaction chamber for enclosing the reaction chamber and collecting the heat and fuel gas produced therein.

1 . A gasifier comprising,
 an induction furnace defining a first volume,   a reaction chamber configured for containing a continuous gasification reaction, the reaction chamber defining a second volume that is in direct fluid communication with the first volume,   wherein the induction furnace includes induction coils that are essentially isolated from the gasification reaction.   
     
     
         2 . The gasifier according to  claim 1  wherein the induction furnace is a coreless induction furnace. 
     
     
         3 . The gasifier according to  claim 1  wherein the induction furnace is configured for vertically stirring a molten metal located within the second volume. 
     
     
         4 . The gasifier according to  claim 1  further comprising a dome-shaped lid configured direct the fuel gas and heat produced from the gasification reaction to an exhaust plenum. 
     
     
         5 . The gasifier according to  claim 4  further comprising a plurality of lance receiving slots through the lid and slots through a sidewall and a bottom of the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The gasifier according to  claim 1  further comprising means for continuously delivering a carbonaceous fuel and reaction gases to be gasified into the reaction chamber in a manner that does not project the gasification reaction into the induction furnace. 
     
     
         7 . The gasifier according to  claim 1  wherein the second volume has an inside working circumference that is at least three times greater than an inside working circumference of the first volume, wherein the second volume provides a froth gasification reaction zone directly below and integral with an off-take zone, the froth zone being directly above a molten metal area and a slag area. 
     
     
         8 . The gasifier according to  claim 1  further comprising two or more induction furnaces operatively coupled to a bottom of the reaction chamber, each of the two or more induction furnaces including an interior volume that is in direct fluid communication with the second volume. 
     
     
         9 . A gasifier for the continuous production and collection of a fuel gas comprising,
 a bottom mounted on top of an induction furnace,   an opening through the bottom directly coupling an interior of the induction furnace with an inside of the gasifier,   a continuous sidewall supported by the bottom, and   a top configured for removing the fuel gas from the gasifier.   
     
     
         10 . The gasifier according to  claim 9  wherein the induction furnace is a coreless induction furnace. 
     
     
         11 . The gasifier according to  claim 9  wherein the bottom has an inside working circumference that is at least three times greater than a circumference of the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The gasifier according to  claim 9  wherein the bottom is curved. 
     
     
         13 . The reaction chamber according to  claim 9  wherein the induction furnace includes coils that are isolated from a molten metal contained within the bottom. 
     
     
         14 . The gasifier according to  claim 9  wherein the induction furnace is configured for vertically stirring a molten metal contained within the bottom. 
     
     
         15 . The gasifier according to  claim 9  wherein the bottom and the interior of the induction furnace include a molten metal circulated therebetween by induction heating. 
     
     
         16 . The gasifier according to  claim 9  wherein the induction furnace is configured for maintaining a temperature of a molten metal contained within the bottom within a predetermined range during continuous gasification of a widely varying carbonaceous feedstock. 
     
     
         17 . A gasifier comprising,
 a reaction chamber,   a carbonaceous fuel delivery member for continuously delivering a carbonaceous fuel into the reaction chamber, and   an induction furnace configured for continuous delivery of a molten metal into the reaction chamber.   
     
     
         18 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein, when the induction furnace is a coreless induction furnace, the reaction chamber is integral with the induction furnace. 
     
     
         19 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the induction furnace is configured for continuous and controlled vertically stirring of the molten metal within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the induction furnace is configured for maintaining a temperature of the molten metal within the reaction chamber within a desired range during the continuous gasification of the carbonaceous fuel. 
     
     
         21 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the induction furnace is coupled to a bottom of the reaction chamber and the bottom includes an opening through which the molten metal is delivered into the reaction chamber, the opening being at least three times smaller in circumference than the bottom. 
     
     
         22 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the reaction chamber includes an off-take zone configured for controlling a height of a froth contained within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the reaction chamber has an inside working volume that is at least fifteen times greater than an inside working volume of the induction furnace. 
     
     
         24 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the reaction chamber includes a reaction area configured for receiving and gasifying the carbonaceous fuel, the reaction area being isolated from induction furnace and comprised of contiguous gasification zones, starting from a bottom of the reaction chamber and moving upward, designated as a molten metal zone, a slag zone, a froth zone and an off-take zone. 
     
     
         25 . The gasifier according to  claim 17  wherein the reaction chamber includes at least three coreless induction furnaces, equidistantly spaced and coupled to a bottom of the reaction chamber.