A method is described for processing biomass using a series of mechanisms that operate in unison to maintain solids flow through small gasifiers that are otherwise prone to blockage. An automated system that implements these methods is also disclosed.

A universal feeder system that combines with a fluidized bed gasification reactor for the treatment of multiple diverse feedstocks including sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, wood waste, refuse derived fuels, automotive shredder residue and non-recyclable plastics. The invention thereby also illustrates a method of gasification for multiple and diverse feedstocks using a universal feeder system. The feeder system comprises one or more feed vessels and at least one live bottom dual screw feeder. The feed vessel is rectangular shaped having three vertical sides and an angled side of no less than 60 degrees from the horizontal to facilitate proper flow of feedstock material that have different and/or variable flow properties. The feedstocks are transferred through an open bottom chute to a live bottom dual screw feeder and through another open bottom chute to a transfer screw feeder that conveys feedstock to the fuel feed inlets of a gasifier.

A feed device of a pyrolysis apparatus and a feed method through which material processed in the pyrolysis apparatus, such as plastic and/or rubber waste, can be fed into the pyrolysis apparatus. In the feed device there is a feed opening for the material to be processed, a feed chamber, closing members in conjunction with the feed chamber and a discharge opening, through which the material to be processed can be conveyed to the pyrolysis apparatus's pyrolysis chamber. A vacuum pump has been adjoined in conjunction with the feed device's feed chamber to achieve a vacuum or sufficient underpressure in the feed chamber after the material to be processed has been fed into the feed chamber and the feed chamber's closing members have been closed. After the closing member of the feed chamber's discharge opening has been opened, the material to be processed, from which the oxygen harmful to the pyrolysis process has been removed, is conveyed into the pyrolysis chamber.

A feed device of a pyrolysis apparatus and a feed method through which material processed in the pyrolysis apparatus, such as plastic and/or rubber waste, can be fed into the pyrolysis apparatus. In the feed device there is a feed opening for the material to be processed, a feed chamber, closing members in conjunction with the feed chamber and a discharge opening, through which the material to be processed can be conveyed to the pyrolysis apparatus's pyrolysis chamber. A vacuum pump has been adjoined in conjunction with the feed device's feed chamber to achieve a vacuum or sufficient underpressure in the feed chamber after the material to be processed has been fed into the feed chamber and the feed chamber's closing members have been closed. After the closing member of the feed chamber's discharge opening has been opened, the material to be processed, from which the oxygen harmful to the pyrolysis process has been removed, is conveyed into the pyrolysis chamber.

A method may include, but is not limited to: providing a volume of feedstock and a volume of oxygen-enriched air to a thermal reformer; reacting the volume of feedstock and the volume of oxygen-enriched air with the thermal reformer at an operating temperature to produce a raw syngas stream; removing particulate matter from the raw syngas stream with a two-stage cyclone assembly, wherein the two-stage cyclone assembly comprises a first cyclone and a second cyclone; scrubbing the raw syngas stream received from the two-stage cyclone assembly with a quench scrubber to produce an engine gas stream; and providing the engine gas stream to a CHP genset to be used as fuel.

Provided is a pyrolysis gasification system including a hopper, a loading chamber, a gas generating furnace, an ash discharge unit, and an oxygen supply unit, wherein the loading chamber is provided at an upper end thereof with a first sealing gate to seal the loading chamber, and the gas generating furnace is provided at an upper portion thereof with a second sealing gate to seal the gas generating furnace, such that when the raw material is fed into the gas generating furnace, external air is prevented from entering the gas generating furnace and combustion gas in the gas generating furnace is prevented from being discharged to an outside, whereby oxygen is supplied into the gas generating furnace to increase the content and concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in combustion gas generated during pyrolysis, and thus it is possible to increase the production of syngas.

An automated system is described for processing biomass using a series of mechanisms that operate in unison to maintain solids flow through small gasifiers that are otherwise prone to blockage. The system can include: a fixed bed gasifier having upright cylindrical walls defining a biomass gasification chamber therein, the gasifier configured to produce synthesis gas and a carbonaceous product and ash; a device for metering biomass to the gasifier; a device for selectively filtering gasification products; a device for impacting the cylindrical walls with a force; a device for radially mixing carbon in the reduction zone without vertical displacement of gasifier products; one or more material presence sensors which detect the amount and status of biomass within the gasification chamber; and a processor system which takes input from material presence sensor and activates one or more of said devices.

An automated system is described for processing biomass using a series of mechanisms that operate in unison to maintain solids flow through small gasifiers that are otherwise prone to blockage. The system can include: a fixed bed gasifier having upright cylindrical walls defining a biomass gasification chamber therein, the gasifier configured to produce synthesis gas and a carbonaceous product and ash; a device for metering biomass to the gasifier; a device for selectively filtering gasification products; a device for impacting the cylindrical walls with a force; a device for radially mixing carbon in the reduction zone without vertical displacement of gasifier products; one or more material presence sensors which detect the amount and status of biomass within the gasification chamber; and a processor system which takes input from material presence sensor and activates one or more of said devices.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for domestic hot water and electricity production by the use of a natural organic fuel, the apparatus comprising a separated chambers pyrolysis furnace comprising: a) a pyrolysis chamber wherein the fuel is heated, substantially in the absence of oxygen at a temperature capable of causing pyrolysis of fuel; b) a combustion chamber of the pyrolyzed fuel, wherein the pyrolyzed fuel is burned in the presence of an air flux. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for the production of domestic hot water and electricity, which apparatus comprises: the above defined furnace; b) a heat exchanger connected to the exit of the exhausted gas, wherein domestic water is heated; c) a power generator connected with the exit of syngas, wherein syngas produced in the pyrolysis chamber is used as a fuel.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for domestic hot water and electricity production by the use of a natural organic fuel, the apparatus comprising a separated chambers pyrolysis furnace comprising: a) a pyrolysis chamber wherein the fuel is heated, substantially in the absence of oxygen at a temperature capable of causing pyrolysis of fuel; b) a combustion chamber of the pyrolyzed fuel, wherein the pyrolyzed fuel is burned in the presence of an air flux. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for the production of domestic hot water and electricity, which apparatus comprises: the above defined furnace; b) a heat exchanger connected to the exit of the exhausted gas, wherein domestic water is heated; c) a power generator connected with the exit of syngas, wherein syngas produced in the pyrolysis chamber is used as a fuel.