A multi-stage product gas generation system converts a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas which may subsequently be converted into a liquid fuel or other material. One or more reactors containing bed material may be used to conduct reactions to effect the conversions. Unreacted inert feedstock contaminants present in the carbonaceous material may be separated from bed material using a portion of the product gas. A heat transfer medium collecting heat from a reaction in one stage may be applied as a reactant input in another, earlier stage.

Provided is a waste heat recovery apparatus including a first heat exchanger, a reformer and a reformer feed pre-heater sequentially disposed on or in the waste gas exhaust pipe from the upstream to the downstream thereof, wherein the waste gas temperature at the upstream of the waste gas exhaust pipe is higher than that at the downstream. In an embodiment, the reformer can be a hydrogen-generation reformer, and the generated hydrogen is introduced into the burning equipment for use. In such manner, the waste heat can be effectively utilized, and the carbon deposition issue inside the burning equipment can be fixed. A waste heat recovery method is also provided.

A process for the gasification of wet biomass. The process comprises heating wet biomass at a pressure in the range of from 22.1 MPa to 35 MPa. The wet biomass is heated from a temperature of at most T.sub.1 to a temperature of at least T.sub.2 by heat exchange with a first heating fluid. The gasification product is further heated. The further heated gasification product is used as the first heating fluid, upon which the further heated gasification product is cooled down from a temperature of at least T.sub.3 to a temperature of at most T.sub.4. The temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3 and T.sub.4 can be calculated by using certain mathematical formulae. Also claimed: a reaction apparatus for the gasification of wet biomass.

A process for the gasification of wet biomass. The process comprises heating wet biomass at a pressure in the range of from 22.1 MPa to 35 MPa. The wet biomass is heated from a temperature of at most T.sub.1 to a temperature of at least T.sub.2 by heat exchange with a first heating fluid. The gasification product is further heated. The further heated gasification product is used as the first heating fluid, upon which the further heated gasification product is cooled down from a temperature of at least T.sub.3 to a temperature of at most T.sub.4. The temperatures T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3 and T.sub.4 can be calculated by using certain mathematical formulae. Also claimed: a reaction apparatus for the gasification of wet biomass.

A system for cogenerating gas-steam based on gasification and methanation of biomass, the system including a gasification unit, a shift unit, a purification unit, a methanation unit, and a methane concentration unit. A waste heat boiler is provided in an upper part of a gasifier of the gasification unit. The methanation unit includes a first primary methanation reactor, a second primary methanation reactor, a first secondary methanation reactor, and a second secondary methanation reactor connected in series. An outlet of the second primary methanation reactor is provided with two bypasses, one of which is connected to an inlet of the first primary methanation reactor, the other of which is connected to the first secondary methanation reactor. The second secondary methanation reactor is connected to the methane concentration unit.

A system for cogenerating gas-steam based on gasification and methanation of biomass, the system including a gasification unit, a shift unit, a purification unit, a methanation unit, and a methane concentration unit. A waste heat boiler is provided in an upper part of a gasifier of the gasification unit. The methanation unit includes a first primary methanation reactor, a second primary methanation reactor, a first secondary methanation reactor, and a second secondary methanation reactor connected in series. An outlet of the second primary methanation reactor is provided with two bypasses, one of which is connected to an inlet of the first primary methanation reactor, the other of which is connected to the first secondary methanation reactor. The second secondary methanation reactor is connected to the methane concentration unit.

A plant for the disposal of wastes includes a supercritical water oxidation reactor, a supercritical water gasification reactor, and a feeding system configured for feeding at least two organic currents of wastes to the supercritical water oxidation reactor and supercritical water gasification reactor and configured for feeding at least one aqueous flow within said plant. The feeding system is configured for feeding the at least one aqueous current with a series flow through the supercritical water oxidation reactor and supercritical water gasification reactor. The feeding system is configured for feeding the at least two organic currents of wastes with a parallel flow through the supercritical water oxidation reactor and supercritical water gasification reactor and so as to selectively feed each of the organic currents of wastes to the supercritical water oxidation reactor or to the supercritical water gasification reactor.

A plant for the disposal of wastes includes a supercritical water oxidation reactor, a supercritical water gasification reactor, and a feeding system configured for feeding at least two organic currents of wastes to the supercritical water oxidation reactor and supercritical water gasification reactor and configured for feeding at least one aqueous flow within said plant. The feeding system is configured for feeding the at least one aqueous current with a series flow through the supercritical water oxidation reactor and supercritical water gasification reactor. The feeding system is configured for feeding the at least two organic currents of wastes with a parallel flow through the supercritical water oxidation reactor and supercritical water gasification reactor and so as to selectively feed each of the organic currents of wastes to the supercritical water oxidation reactor or to the supercritical water gasification reactor.

A method for converting carbonaceous raw materials and in particular biomass into hydrogen, includes the steps of: gasification of the carbon-containing raw materials in a gasifier, wherein heated water vapour is introduced into the gasifier and used for gasification; and cleaning of the hydrogen-containing synthesis gas produced in the gasification, wherein the gasification is an allothermal gasification and the heated water vapour is used both as gasification agent and as heat carrier for the gasification, wherein energy not used for H2 production is at least partially reused for the production and/or superheating of water vapour.

A method for converting carbonaceous raw materials and in particular biomass into hydrogen, includes the steps of: gasification of the carbon-containing raw materials in a gasifier, wherein heated water vapour is introduced into the gasifier and used for gasification; and cleaning of the hydrogen-containing synthesis gas produced in the gasification, wherein the gasification is an allothermal gasification and the heated water vapour is used both as gasification agent and as heat carrier for the gasification, wherein energy not used for H2 production is at least partially reused for the production and/or superheating of water vapour.