The present invention includes a gasifier for gasifying fuels having a container with a top, sidewalls and a bottom for facilitating the gasifying process. One or more open vertical shafts extend downward inside the container for allowing a downdraft or updraft of air and fuel for the gasifying process. A rotating bed is preferably included inside the container and below the one or more shafts for receiving the fuel. The bed rotates essentially perpendicular to the shaft to facilitate even heating and gasifying of the fuel. The bed is further movable relative to the vertical shaft in order to increase or decrease the volume of fuel flow to the fuel.

The present invention includes a gasifier for gasifying fuels having a container with a top, sidewalls and a bottom for facilitating the gasifying process. One or more open vertical shafts extend downward inside the container for allowing a downdraft or updraft of air and fuel for the gasifying process. A rotating bed is preferably included inside the container and below the one or more shafts for receiving the fuel. The bed rotates essentially perpendicular to the shaft to facilitate even heating and gasifying of the fuel. The bed is further movable relative to the vertical shaft in order to increase or decrease the volume of fuel flow to the fuel.

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.

A thermolysis device for supplying heat energy at a temperature of between 80 C. and 700 C. and capable of adjusting the temperature inside a chamber including a raw material supply inlet, a thermolysis gas outlet, and an outlet for the solid or liquid materials from the thermolysis reaction. The chamber encloses at least one plate, separating the chamber into a top portion and a bottom portion, and at least one transfer element. The transfer element and/or the plate is mounted so as to rotate about an axis, the raw material supply inlet is placed above the plate, thus defining a first point for a raw material to drop onto the plate.

A biomass gasification furnace provided with an outer tube, an inner tube provided inside the outer tube so that a lower end thereof is located higher than a lower end of the outer tube, and a reactor that heats the outer tube from outside, wherein a combustion air supply portion that supplies combustion air is provided inside the inner tube so as to be spaced from the lower end of the inner tube, a biomass raw material is supplied from above to the inside of the inner tube so as to form an accumulation portion in which the biomass raw material has accumulated from the lower end of the outer tube to a location higher than the combustion air supply portion, a fuel gas is produced in the accumulation portion, and the produced fuel gas is discharged through a space between the inner tube and the outer tube.

A biomass gasification furnace provided with an outer tube, an inner tube provided inside the outer tube so that a lower end thereof is located higher than a lower end of the outer tube, and a reactor that heats the outer tube from outside, wherein a combustion air supply portion that supplies combustion air is provided inside the inner tube so as to be spaced from the lower end of the inner tube, a biomass raw material is supplied from above to the inside of the inner tube so as to form an accumulation portion in which the biomass raw material has accumulated from the lower end of the outer tube to a location higher than the combustion air supply portion, a fuel gas is produced in the accumulation portion, and the produced fuel gas is discharged through a space between the inner tube and the outer tube.

A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.

A method of operating a fixed-bed gasifier includes positioning a tapping element at a first point above a bed of fuel particles, lowering the tapping element into the fuel particles along a first linear path to form a first linear passage in the fuel particles, raising the tapping element to retract the tapping element from the fuel particles along the first linear path so that the tapping element exits the fuel particles from the first linear passage, positioning the tapping element at a second point above the fuel particles, lowering the tapping element into the fuel particles along a second linear path to form a second linear passage in the fuel particles, and raising the tapping element to retract the tapping element from the fuel particles along the second linear path so that the tapping element exits the fuel particles from the second linear passage.

A method of operating a fixed-bed gasifier includes positioning a tapping element at a first point above a bed of fuel particles, lowering the tapping element into the fuel particles along a first linear path to form a first linear passage in the fuel particles, raising the tapping element to retract the tapping element from the fuel particles along the first linear path so that the tapping element exits the fuel particles from the first linear passage, positioning the tapping element at a second point above the fuel particles, lowering the tapping element into the fuel particles along a second linear path to form a second linear passage in the fuel particles, and raising the tapping element to retract the tapping element from the fuel particles along the second linear path so that the tapping element exits the fuel particles from the second linear passage.