Coal gasification

Abstract

A method of producing syngas wherein a carbonaceous feedstock is exposed to a plasma arc generated by a DC supply in a dry-steam environment.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of producing syngas wherein a carbonaceous feedstock is exposed to a plasma arc generated by a DC supply in a dry-steam environment in an apparatus which includes a lower vessel and an upper vessel, wherein the carbonaceous feedstock is introduced directly into the lower vessel via a plasma arc plume or via the upper vessel which is operated as an entrained flow gasifier. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the carbonaceous feedstock is fed together with a dry steam feed into the apparatus or it is fed separately, from a dry steam feed, into the apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the plasma arc is at least one of the following: an open arc within the apparatus, and an immersed arc produced by immersion of an electrode into slag in a lower region of the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for producing syngas from a carbonaceous feedstock material, which apparatus comprises a DC arc gasifier which processes the feedstock material and which includes a lower vessel within which a plasma arc is established and an upper vessel which is operated as an entrained flow gasifier wherein the feedstock is fed to the lower vessel through a) at least one hollow electrode or b) via the entrained flow gasifier. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the plasma arc is established as at least one of the following: as an open arc, and as an immersed arc in a molten slag layer in a lower region of the lower vessel. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the lower vessel includes a slag containment structure with a slag tapping facility and at least one electrode which establishes a DC plasma arc in the lower vessel. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein pulverized coal, which is the carbonaceous feedstock material, is applied to the DC arc gasifier in a slurry formed from the pulverized coal and dry steam.