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Abstract

A cyclic char gasifier process and apparatus are described wherein reactant gases are first compressed into the pores of a char fuel to react and then the reacted gases are expanded out of the char fuel pores. This cycle of compression and expansion is repeated with fresh reactant gases supplied for each compression and with reacted gases removed at each expansion. Air and steam are preferred reactant gases when the char fuel is to be gasified by oxidation. Reacted gases from such an oxidation gasifier plant are preferred reactant gases when the char fuel is to be partially gasified by devolatilization. Rapid reaction to a rich product gas can occur over the large surface area inside the char pores and the undesireable Neumann reversion reaction is suppressed by the strongly reducing conditions prevailing therein. The gases of devolatilization gasification can be used to enrichen the gases of oxidation gasification by using two cyclic char gasifier plants in a combination system. The char fuel can be placed into sealed pressure vessel containers or can be gasified in place within an underground coal formation. These cyclic char gasifier plants and systems can produce a net work output, one or more fuel gases, a devolatilized char, and a partially oxidized coke as principal products and the proportions of these products can be adjusted over a wide range to match market needs.

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First Claim