Method for the gasification of coal and other carbonaceous material

Claim 1

A method for converting solid fuel materials into a low energy fuel gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen with an average equivalent energy value of approximately 200 Btu per cubic foot, in a gasifier having a substantially closed internal reaction chamber, the reaction chamber being made of materials that can tolerate the presence of oxygen at high temperatures, that possess low thermal mass, that limit the passage of heat, that are resistant to the abrasive action of the solid fuel, and that function as almost perfect black bodies at high temperatures, and with the internal chamber having a plurality of controlled-access openings for introduction of solid fuel material, for introduction of air and water vapor, for removal of inert residues, and for removal of the fuel gas, the method comprising the steps of: supplying energy to the interior of the reaction chamber so that the reaction chamber is at a high enough energy level, as indicated by temperatures in the range of about 1100°-1500° C., to cause the interior walls of the reaction chamber to emit black-body radiation; generating an intense radiation field in the reaction chamber, comprising primarily infrared radiation, as a result of radiative emissions from the interior walls of the reaction chamber; introducing the solid fuel materials into the reaction chamber of the gasifier through a first of the plurality of controlled-access openings to expose the solid fuel materials to the intense radiation field present so that absorption of the radiant energy activates the surface of the fuels for subsequent chemical reactions; introducing oxygen and water vapor into the reaction chamber of the gasifier through a second of the plurality of controlled-access openings disposed in a position distant from the first of the plurality of controlled-access openings, causing local combustion of the solid fuel material, thereby resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and the release of energy; forcing the gases present in the reaction chamber to pass over the surface-activated solid fuel material, allowing both the water vapor and the carbon dioxide gas to react with the surface-activated solid fuel material, thereby producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases; and withdrawing a fuel gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen from the gasifier through a third of the plurality of controlled-access openings disposed in a position distant from the second of the plurality of controlled-access openings.

Claim 2

A method for converting solid fuel materials into a low energy fuel gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen with an average equivalent energy value of approximately 200 Btu per cubic foot, in a gasifier having a substantially closed internal reaction chamber, the reaction chamber being made of materials that can tolerate the presence of oxygen at high temperatures, that possess low thermal mass, that limit the passage of heat, that are resistant to the abrasive action of the solid fuel, and that function as almost perfect black bodies at high temperatures, and with the internal chamber having a plurality of controlled-access openings for introduction of solid fuel material, for introduction of air and water vapor, for removal of inert residues, and for removal of the fuel gas, the method comprising the steps of: supplying energy to the interior of the reaction chamber so that the reaction chamber is at a high enough energy level, as indicated by temperatures in the range of about 1100°-1500° C., to cause the interior walls of the reaction chamber to emit black-body radiation; generating an intense radiation field in the reaction chamber, comprising primarily infrared radiation, as a result of radiative emissions from the interior walls of the reaction chamber; introducing the solid fuel materials into the reaction chamber of the gasifier through a first of the plurality of controlled-access openings to expose the solid fuel materials to the intense radiation field present so that absorption of the radiant energy activates the surface of the fuels for subsequent chemical reactions; introducing oxygen and water vapor into the reaction chamber of the gasifier through a second of the plurality of controlled-access openings disposed in a position distant from the first of the plurality of controlled-access openings, causing local combustion of the solid fuel material, thereby resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and the release of energy; forcing the gases present in the reaction chamber to pass over the surface-activated solid fuel material, allowing both the water vapor and the carbon dioxide gas to react with the surface-activated solid fuel material, thereby producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases; and withdrawing a fuel gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen from the gasifier through a third of the plurality of controlled-access openings disposed in a position distant from the second of the plurality of controlled-access openings.