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.

Disclosed is a gasification unit (1) for producing a product gas. The gasification unit (1) comprises a co-current or counterflow pyrolysis unit (2) including a pyrolysis gas outlet (3) arranged at an upper part(4)of the pyrolysis unit (2) and a pyrolysis gas inlet (5) arranged at a lower part(6)of the pyrolysis unit (2). The gasification unit (1) further comprises a co-current or counterflow gasifier (7) including a product gas outlet (8) arranged at an upper part(9)of the gasifier (7) and a gasifier inlet (10) arranged at a lower part of the gasifier (7) and coke moving means (12) for allowing pyrolyzed coke (13) to move from the pyrolysis unit (2) to the gasifier (7). The gasification unit (1) also comprises recycling means (14) arranged to guide at least a part of the pyrolysis gas produced in the pyrolysis unit (2) from the pyrolysis gas outlet (3) and back to the pyrolysis gas inlet (5) and heating device (15) comprising an input conduit (16) arranged to guide pyrolysis gas from the pyrolysis gas outlet (3) to a combustion unit (17) in the heating device (15), wherein the combustion unit (17) is arranged to least a partially oxidize the pyrolysis gas from the pyrolysis unit (2), and wherein the heating device (15) comprises an output conduit (18) arranged to guide heating gas generated by the partial oxidization in the combustion unit (17) to the gasifier inlet (10), where in the heating device (15) is arranged external to the pyrolysis unit (2) and the gasifier (7)and wherein said gasification unit (1) further comprises heat exchange means (19) arranged for heating at least a portion of the pyrolysis gas before it enters the pyrolysis unit (2) through said pyrolysis gas inlet (5) by means of at least a part of the product gas exiting said gasifier (7) through said product gas outlet (8). Furthermore, a method for producing a product gas in a gasification unit (1) and use of such a method is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a pyrolysis apparatus comprising a pyrolysis chamber have a first end and a second end, a feed inlet connected adjacent the first end of the pyrolysis chamber, a biochar outlet connected adjacent the second end of the pyrolysis chamber, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolysis chamber and feed inlet further comprise centreless screw conveyors. The present invention alleviates the problems associated with dust, oils and tars being present in the generated syngas. The present invention can also be used in a method of continuously processing biomass.

A thermolysis oil derived from textile is described. The oil comprises an N-heterocyclic aromatic compound and/or a substituted derivative thereof in an amount of at least 2 wt. %. Also described is a method of providing a thermolysis oil, a feeder (100) for an apparatus (1) for thermolysing a textile, an apparatus (1) for thermolysing a textile and a use of waste textile.

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.

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.

Process for gasifying an organic material, comprising the following steps: subjecting an organic material to a drying phase to reduce its humidity content and obtain dry organic material and steam, and extracting said steam; subjecting the dry organic material to pyrolysis and generating a pyrolysis gas and a carbonaceous solid residue from the dry organic material, the pyrolysis gas containing a tar fraction; separating the pyrolysis gas from the carbonaceous solid residue, wherein separating the pyrolysis gas comprises extracting the pyrolysis gas and conveying it separately from the carbonaceous solid residue generated by the pyrolysis; subjecting the pyrolysis gas to a thermochemical treatment; and, after the thermochemical treatment, causing the treated pyrolysis gas to penetrate through a reducing bed (31) composed of the carbonaceous solid residue generated by the pyrolysis, and producing a synthesis gas. Subjecting the pyrolysis gas to a thermochemical treatment comprises: subjecting the pyrolysis gas to a first combustion with a gasifying agent under sub-stoichiometric conditions by using ejecting nozzles (25) arranged below and upstream of the reducing bed (31), and obtaining the cracking of the tar fraction contained in the pyrolysis gas; and subjecting the pyrolysis gas to a second combustion introducing an additional gasifying agent in a chamber (20) arranged above and downstream of the ejecting nozzles (25) and upstream of an interface (23) separating the chamber (20) from the reducing bed (31), and completing the combustion of the tar fraction until the pyrolysis gas is fully converted to CO.sub.2, H.sub.2O(g) and heat.

The invention includes a downdraft gasifier having a rotatable auger/grate extending through its reduction zone. The auger at times moves biofuel through the gasifier and at times supports it in the gasifier. A frusto-conical biomass grate funnels biomass onto the auger and is perforate for permitting the passage of gases while retaining the biomass. A guide tube surrounds the auger below the frusto-conical biomass grate. The invention also 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.

A method for thermal volume reduction of waste material contaminated with radionuclides includes feeding the waste material into a fluidized bed reactor, injecting fluidizing gas into the fluidized bed reactor to fluidize bed media in the fluidized bed reactor, and decomposing the waste material in the fluidized bed reactor. A system for thermal volume reduction of the waste material includes one or more of a feedstock preparation and handling system, a fluidized bed reactor system, a solids separation system, and an off-gas treatment system. The method and system may be used to effectively reduce the volume or radioactive wastes generated from the operation of nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants including wastes such as spent ion exchange resin, spent granular activated carbon, and dry active waste. The majority of the organic content in the waste material is converted into carbon dioxide and steam and the solids, including the radionuclides, are converted into a waterless stable final product that is suitable for disposal or long-term storage.

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.