An apparatus, system, and method for processing hydrocarbon-containing wastes are described. The system and method include the use of a gasification apparatus comprising a rotary kiln reactor and a gas distributor. The rotary kiln reactor and gas distributor are configured to generate multiple reaction environments within the gasification apparatus. Each of the reaction environments has unique temperature reaction conditions to suit various physical and chemical properties associated with processing of the varied-source hydrocarbon-containing wastes.

A method and system for continuous production of contaminant free and size specific biochar using downdraft gasification of variable quality feedstock. The system and process of the present invention includes the transfer of biochar from a gasifier after gasification to a temperature-controlled cooling screw conveyor, into a drum magnet for ferrous metal removal into multiple diverters to separate and remove ungasified materials and non-ferrous metal contaminants, then transferred into a granulator for grinding and screening the biochar to a pre-selected size. By directly attaching a novel and continuous product treatment process to the biochar stream as it exits the gasifier, the particle size, moisture content, carbon content and yield of a contaminant free biochar product can be narrowly controlled and improved to meet strict product quality specifications required by specialty applications.

A process and apparatus for gasification of biomass. Biogenic residue may be supplied to a heating zone to dry the biomass and allow the volatile constituents to escape to generate a pyrolysis gas. The pyrolysis gas is supplied to an oxidation zone and substoichiometrically oxidized to generate a crude gas. The carbonaceous residue generated in the heating zone and the crude gas is partially gasified in a gasification zone. The gasification forms activated carbon and a hot process gas. The activated carbon and the hot process gas are conjointly cooled. The adsorption process during the conjoined cooling has the result that tar from the hot process gas is absorbed on the activated carbon in the cooling zone. A pure gas which is substantially tar-free is obtained. The tar-enriched activated carbon may be at least partly burned for heating the heating zone and/or the gasification zone.

Processes and systems are provided for converting a carbonaceous feedstock into a reaction gas and a syngas, involving a step of pyrolysing and methanating the feedstock in a pyrolysis chamber to produce the reaction gas and a step of gasifying unconverted feedstock in the presence of a reactant to produce a syngas.

Electric-powered, closed-loop, continuous-feed, endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a shaftless auger. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a drag conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a distillation and/or fractionating stage. The endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods feature mechanisms for natural resource recovery, refining, and recycling, such as secondary recovery of metals, minerals, nutrients, and/or carbon char.

Exemplary apparatus or method implementations for a universal feeder system configured with a transfer screw feeder within a multi-section clamshell pipe permitting access to the feed screw and pipe interior for inspection, maintenance and/or cleaning during production, without disassembly or screw removal. The clamshell screw feeder pipe provides access to the screw by opening or removing the multi-section top portion of the clamshell pipe. The top pipe section is bolted and or hinges to the bottom portion of the clamshell pipe. The number of segmented multiple clamshell top sections depends on the length of the screw. One or more clamshell top sections may be configured with an inspection port. The universal feeder system configured with a transfer screw feeder within a multi-section clamshell pipe transfers feedstock feed from one or more feed vessels to one or more reactor vessel.

Methods and apparatuses for producing fuel and power from the reformation of organic waste include the use of steam to produce syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, followed by conversion of that syngas product to hydrogen. Some embodiments include the use of a heated auger both to heat the organic waste and further cool the syngas.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to drying a wet coated seed material stream comprising an incoming wet granular biosolids stream mixed with a controlled size dried seed material recycling stream to produce a moist air and pellet stream, separating an uncontrolled size dried pellet stream from the moist air and pellet stream, diverting a recycle portion of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to be recycled, diverting the remainder of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to an outlet, resizing oversized pellets from the recycle portion of the uncontrolled size dried pellet stream to produce the controlled size dried seed material recycling stream, and mixing the controlled size dried seed material recycling stream with the incoming wet granular biosolids stream to produce the wet coated seed material stream. Oversized pellets may be selected using a screen. The oversized pellets may be resized using a crusher inline with the recycle stream.

A gas generation plant for generating hydrogen-containing synthesis gas includes a gas generation reactor which is oriented in the vertical direction being greater in length vertically than width. A gas inlet is designed for the passage of superheated water vapor into the gas generation reactor. Through an upper outlet, a gas/water vapor mixture can exit the gas generation reactor and be reused in the second heating element after having been superheated. Synthesis gas can exit through a lower gas outlet. In the vertical direction, the gas inlet is arranged at a smaller distance from the lower end than the lower gas outlet. The upper gas outlet is arranged at a smaller vertical distance from the upper end than the lower gas outlet. The vertical distance between the upper gas outlet and the lower gas outlet is greater than the vertical distance between the lower gas outlet and the gas inlet.

The invention includes mixing gas or solid particulate fuel in a conduit segment that houses a mixing chamber. Fuel is fed through a fuel inlet port into the mixing chamber. High velocity combustion air from a blower is forced into the mixing chamber through a restricted orifice that generates a suction pressure for drawing gas or solid particulate fuel into the mixing chamber. A combustion chamber supply conduit delivers fuel from the mixing chamber into a burner.