Gasifier comprising one or more fluid conduits

Abstract

The present invention provides a gasifier comprising one or more fluid conduits for converting carbonaceous feedstock into an off-gas and residual solid material. The gasifier comprises a refractory-lined processing chamber having one or more fluid conduits located therein to facilitate the passage of fluid material such as gas into and/or out of the chamber. For example, a conduit facilitates the input of process additives and/or the exit of steam and/or off-gases from the processing chamber. The gasifier comprises one or more input(s) for receiving feedstock, one or more residue outlets, and heating means to facilitate the conversion process and a control system for controlling various aspects of the gasification process. Optionally, the gasifier may be configured for recycling steam and/or off-gas and/or recycled heat back into processing chamber. Optionally, the gasifier may further comprise one or more material displacement control modules, and mixing means.

1 . A gasifier comprising one or more fluid conduits for converting carbonaceous feedstock into an off-gas and residual solid material, the gasifier comprising a refractory-lined processing chamber having one or more fluid conduits located therein to facilitate the passage of fluid;
 at least one input for receiving feedstock;   at least one residue outlets; and   a heating means to facilitate the conversion process, and a control system for controlling various aspects of the gasification process, wherein the conduit facilitates the input of process additives and at least one of the exit of steam and off-gases from the processing chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the gasifier is configured for recycling at least one of a steam, an off-gas and a recycled heat back into the processing chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The gasifier of  claim 1  further comprising one or more material displacement control modules for facilitating movement of the reactant material through the gasifier, and an agitation or mixing means to facilitate mixing of reactant material with process additives. 
     
     
         4 . The gasifier of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the material displacement control modules and the agitation or mixing means is operatively coupled to the control system. 
     
     
         5 . A gasifier for conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into off-gas and solid residue, the gasifier comprising:
 a refractory-lined processing chamber comprising one or more fluid passage conduits located therein;   at least one additive inputs for input of additives into the processing chamber;   at least one gas outputs for output of the off-gas from the processing chamber;   at least one feedstock inputs for input of the carbonaceous feedstock into the processing chamber; and   at least one residue outputs for output of the solid residue from the processing chamber, wherein the at least one additive inputs and the at least one gas outputs is provided via the at least one or more fluid passage conduits.   
     
     
         6 . The gasifier of  claim 5 , comprising two or more fluid passage conduits. 
     
     
         7 . The gasifier of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the fluid passage conduits is a fluid conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The gasifier of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the fluid passage conduits is a steam passage conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The gasifier of  claim 5 , comprising one central fluid passage conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the additive inputs are at least one of a steam or a hot air input. 
     
     
         11 . The gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the additive inputs are operatively disposed around a periphery of the processing chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the at least one additive inputs input at least one of a recycled heat or a recycled steam. 
     
     
         13 . The gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein one or more successive processing regions are distributed within the processing chamber, within each one of which a respective process selected from the group consisting of drying, volatilization and carbon conversion is at least partially favoured, the processing regions being identified by chemical conditions respectively enabling each of the respective process. 
     
     
         14 . The gasifier of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more material displacement control modules adapted to control a movement of the feedstock through the one or more processing regions. 
     
     
         15 . The gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the gasifier is vertically or horizontally oriented. 
     
     
         16 . A vertically oriented gasifier for conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into off-gas and solid residue, the gasifier comprising:
 a descending bed processing chamber comprising one or more fluid conduits located therein, one or more vertically successive processing regions being distributed within the chambers, within each one of which a respective process selected from the group consisting of drying, volatilization and carbon conversion is at least partially favoured, the processing regions being identified by chemical conditions respectively enabling each of the respective process;   one or more material displacement control modules adapted to control a vertically downward movement of the feedstock through said processing regions to enhance each of the at least partially favoured process;   at least one additive inputs for input of additives into said processing regions;   at least one gas outputs for output of gas from the gasifier;   at least one feedstock inputs located near a first of the processing regions; and   at least one residue outputs;   wherein one or more of the at least one additive inputs and the at least one or more gas outputs is provided via the one or more fluid conduits.   
     
     
         17 . A horizontally oriented gasifier for conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into off-gas and solid residue, the gasifier comprising:
 a processing chamber comprising one or more fluid conduits located therein, one or more horizontally successive processing regions being distributed within the chambers, within each one of which a respective process selected from the group consisting of drying, volatilization and carbon conversion is at least partially favoured, the processing regions being identified by chemical conditions respectively enabling each of the respective process;   one or more material displacement control modules adapted to control a horizontal movement of the feedstock through the processing regions to enhance each of the at least partially favoured process;   one or more additive inputs for input of additives into the one or more processing regions;   one or more gas outputs for output of gas from the gasifier;   one or more feedstock inputs located near a first of the processing regions; and one or more residue outputs;   wherein one or more of the one or more additive inputs and/or the one or more gas outputs is provided via the one or more fluid conduits.   
     
     
         18 . The gasifier of  claim 16 , wherein a fluid conduit is located in a first processing region adapted for drying to evacuate steam from the processing chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The gasifier of  claim 18 , wherein the steam is recycled into processing regions downstream of the first processing region. 
     
     
         20 . The gasifier of  claim 18 , wherein the steam is captured and utilized in the generation of electricity.