Solar coal gasification reactor with pyrolysis gas recycle

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864784

Aiman, William R ^[1]; Gregg, David W ^[2]

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1. Livermore, CA
2. Morago, CA

Coal (or other carbonaceous matter, such as biomass) is converted into a duct gas that is substantially free from hydrocarbons. The coal is fed into a solar reactor (10), and solar energy (20) is directed into the reactor onto coal char, creating a gasification front (16) and a pyrolysis front (12). A gasification zone (32) is produced well above the coal level within the reactor. A pyrolysis zone (34) is produced immediately above the coal level. Steam (18), injected into the reactor adjacent to the gasification zone (32), reacts with char to generate product gases. Solar energy supplies the energy for the endothermic steam-char reaction. The hot product gases (38) flow from the gasification zone (32) to the pyrolysis zone (34) to generate hot char. Gases (38) are withdrawn from the pyrolysis zone (34) and reinjected into the region of the reactor adjacent the gasification zone (32). This eliminates hydrocarbons in the gas by steam reformation on the hot char. The product gas (14) is withdrawn from a region of the reactor between the gasification zone (32) and the pyrolysis zone (34). The product gas will be free of tar and other hydrocarbons, and thus be suitable for use in many processes.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4415339
• OSTI ID: 864784
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

solar
coal
gasification
reactor
pyrolysis
gas
recycle
carbonaceous
matter
biomass
converted
duct
substantially
free
hydrocarbons
fed
10
energy
20
directed
char
creating
front
16
12
zone
32
produced
level
34
immediately
steam
18
injected
adjacent
reacts
generate
product
gases
supplies
endothermic
steam-char
reaction
hot
38
flow
withdrawn
reinjected
region
eliminates
reformation
14
tar
suitable
processes
pyrolysis gas
hot product
gasification reactor
gasification zone
product gases
product gas
substantially free
solar energy
coal gasification
coal gas
pyrolysis zone
coal char
solar coal
hot char
gas recycle
carbonaceous matter
/48/126/