System for fluidizing solid feedstock from a solid feed pump

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a system includes a fluidization elbow. The fluidization elbow includes an elbow inlet, an elbow outlet downstream from the elbow inlet, and an elbow body disposed between the elbow inlet and the elbow outlet, wherein the elbow body turns and converges from the elbow inlet toward the elbow outlet. The fluidization elbow also includes multiple gas nozzles coupled to the elbow body, wherein the multiple gas nozzles include injection axes that generally converge toward the elbow outlet.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a solid feed pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, wherein the solid feed pump is configured to transport a solid feedstock; and   a fluidization elbow disposed below the pump outlet, wherein the fluidization elbow comprises:
 an elbow inlet coupled to the pump outlet; 
 an elbow outlet downstream from the elbow inlet; 
 an elbow body disposed between the elbow inlet and the elbow outlet, wherein the elbow body turns and converges from the elbow inlet toward the elbow outlet; and 
 a plurality of gas nozzles coupled to the elbow body, wherein the plurality of gas nozzles are configured to fluidize solid feedstock. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gas nozzles comprise injection axes that generally converge toward the elbow outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a controller configured to separately control gas flow through each gas nozzle of the plurality of gas nozzles. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising at least one baffle disposed in the elbow body, wherein the at least one baffle is configured to guide the solid feedstock around a turn in the elbow body. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gas nozzles is configured to inject a plurality of gas jets with different flow rates at different regions along the elbow body. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of gas nozzles comprises different nozzle diameters. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle mount supporting at least two gas nozzles of the plurality of gas nozzles, wherein the nozzle mount is configured to secure the at least two gas nozzles to the elbow body. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle mount comprises a manifold having a manifold inlet, a distribution chamber, and the at least two gas nozzles coupled to the distribution chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle mount supporting a permeable plate. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a gasifier coupled to the elbow outlet. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a fluidization elbow, comprising:
 an elbow inlet; 
 an elbow outlet downstream from the elbow inlet; 
 an elbow body disposed between the elbow inlet and the elbow outlet, wherein the elbow body turns and converges from the elbow inlet toward the elbow outlet; and 
 a plurality of gas nozzles coupled to the elbow body, wherein the plurality of gas nozzles comprise injection axes that generally converge toward the elbow outlet. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising a controller configured to separately control gas flow through each gas nozzle of the plurality of gas nozzles. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising at least one baffle disposed in the elbow body, wherein the at least one baffle is configured to guide a flow around a turn in the elbow body. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of gas nozzles is configured to inject a plurality of gas jets with different flow rates at different regions along the elbow body. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fluidization elbow is configured to flow a solid feedstock with a residence time of less than approximately  1  second. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising at least one of a posimetric pump or a gasifier coupled to the fluidization elbow. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 a fluidization elbow, comprising:
 an elbow inlet; 
 an elbow outlet downstream from the elbow inlet; 
 an elbow body disposed between the elbow inlet and the elbow outlet, wherein the elbow body turns and converges from the elbow inlet toward the elbow outlet; and 
 a plurality of gas nozzles coupled to the elbow body; 
 a controller configured to separately control gas flow through each gas nozzle of the plurality of gas nozzles. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the elbow body turns at least approximately 60 degrees, the elbow body comprises an inner bend portion and an outer bend portion, and the plurality of gas nozzles are disposed along the outer bend portion. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of gas nozzles comprises a first set of gas nozzles and a second set of gas nozzles disposed at different positions along a gas flow path through the elbow body. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the outer bend portion comprises a wall portion that curves in a downstream direction from the elbow inlet toward the elbow outlet.