# US 2014/0196369 A1 · Gasifier configured to electrodynamically agitate charged chemical species in a reaction region and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196369 A1 - Document ID: US20140196369A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/153,554 - Filed: 2014-01-13 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Clearsign Combustion Corporation - Applicants: ClearSign Combustion Corporation - Inventors: Christopher A. Wiklof - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196369A1 ## CPC - C10J 3/18: using electricity - C10J 3/485: {Entrained flow gasifiers} - C10J 3/723: {Controlling or regulating the gasification process} - C10J 2200/12: Electrodes present in the gasifier - C10J 2300/093: Coal - C10J 2300/1846: Partial oxidation, i.e. injection of air or oxygen only - Y02P 20/145: the feedstock being materials of biological origin - C10J: PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES (synthesis gas from liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons C01B; underground gasification of minerals E21B43/295); CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract Embodiments are directed to a gasifier that electrodynamically agitates charged chemical species in a reaction region of a reaction vessel of a gasifier and related methods. In an embodiment, a gasifier includes a reaction vessel configured to gasify at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to synthesis gas. The reaction vessel includes an inlet(s) for receiving a gasification medium that reacts with the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material and an outlet for allowing the synthesis gas to exit from the reaction vessel, and a reaction region. The gasifier includes at least one electrode positioned to be in electrical communication with the reaction region, and a voltage source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode. The voltage source and the at least one electrode are cooperatively configured to generate a time varying electric field in the reaction region to effect electrodynamic mixing of charged chemical species therein during gasification. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gasifier, comprising: a reaction vessel configured to gasify at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to synthesis gas, the reaction vessel including at least one inlet configured to receive a gasification medium that reacts with the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material and an outlet configured to allow the synthesis gas to exit from the reaction vessel, and a reaction region; at least one electrode positioned to be in electrical communication with the reaction region; and a voltage source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode, the voltage source and the at least one electrode cooperatively configured to generate a time varying electric field in the reaction region to effect electrodynamic mixing of charged chemical species therein during gasification. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel forms an additional electrode operatively coupled to the voltage source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrodes that are spaced in the reaction vessel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The gasifier of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of electrodes and the voltage source are cooperatively configured such that each of the plurality electrodes is independently biasable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrodes that are longitudinally spaced and spiraled within the reaction vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode includes at least one set having a plurality of electrodes that are circumferentially spaced from each other. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The gasifier of claim 6 wherein the voltage source is configured to independently bias each of the plurality of electrodes of the at least one set. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The gasifier of claim 6 wherein the voltage source is configured to selectively change an applied voltage to at least some of the plurality of electrodes in a sequence that moves at least some of the charged chemical species along a selected path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1, further comprising an ionizing element positioned and configured to charge at least a portion of the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material prior to the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material entering the reaction vessel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The gasifier of claim 9 wherein the ionizing element includes a sharp electrode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein application of the time varying voltage by the voltage source to the at least one electrode in electrical communication with the reaction region effects at least one of: an increase in a gasification reaction rate in the reaction region; a reduction in a temperature of the gasification reaction; an efficiency increase in the gasification reaction; or a change in a gasification reaction product generated during gasification. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is positioned in at least one of an oxidation zone or a reduction zone of the reaction region of the reaction vessel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel includes an upper region having a fuel hopper configured to receive the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The gasifier of claim 13 wherein the reaction vessel includes a grate positioned below the fuel hopper and the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material configured to allow the synthesis gas to pass therethrough. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The gasifier of claim 14 wherein the at least one inlet is positioned proximate to the grate for receiving a gasification medium, and the reaction vessel includes an outlet positioned proximate the fuel hopper for allowing the synthesis gas to pass therethrough and exit the reaction vessel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The gasifier of claim 14 wherein the at least one inlet is positioned upwardly relative to the grate for receiving a gasification medium, and the reaction vessel includes an outlet positioned below the grate for allowing the synthesis gas to pass therethrough and exit the reaction vessel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the reaction vessel is configured for use in an up draft gasifier or a down draft gasifier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The gasifier of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrically conductive stirring arms and the reaction vessel. ### Claim 19 A method of agitating charged chemical species in a reaction region of a reaction vessel of a gasifier during gasifying at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material, the method comprising: introducing the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material into the reaction vessel of the gasifier; gasifying at least a portion of the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to generate synthesis gas; and during the act of gasifying, applying a time varying voltage to at least one electrode to generate a time varying electric field in the reaction region that agitates at least some of the charged chemical species. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrodes, and wherein applying a time varying voltage to at least one electrode includes applying a time varying voltage independently to each of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one electrode includes a plurality of electrodes, and wherein applying a time varying voltage to at least one electrode includes applying a time varying voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein the plurality of electrodes are spiraled longitudinally in the reaction vessel. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein applying a time varying voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes includes selectively changing an applied voltage to at least some of the plurality of electrodes in a sequence to move at least some of the charged chemical species along a selected path. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein the plurality of electrodes are generally circumferentially spaced in the reaction vessel. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein applying a time varying voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes includes selectively changing an applied voltage to at least some of the plurality of electrodes in a sequence to move at least some of the charged chemical species along a selected path. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein applying a time varying voltage to at least one electrode in electrical communication with the reaction region to generate a time varying electric field that agitates charged chemical species in the reaction volume effects at least one of: an increase in a gasification reaction rate in the reaction region; a reduction in a temperature of the gasification reaction; an efficiency increase in the gasification reaction; or a change in a gasification reaction product generated during the act of gasifying. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising ionizing the at least one carbon-containing feed material prior to the at least one carbon-containing feed material being introduced into reaction vessel. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material includes at least one of wood, coal, municipal solid waste, recycled tires, or refuse derived fuel. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: disposing the at least one hydrocarbon-containing fee material into a fuel hopper positioned in an upper region of the reaction vessel above a grate; and wherein gasifying at least a portion of the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to generate synthesis gas includes allowing the synthesis gas to exit the reaction vessel through an outlet positioned proximate the fuel hopper. ### Claim 30 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: disposing the at least one hydrocarbon-containing fee material into a fuel hopper positioned in an upper region of the reaction vessel above a grate; and wherein gasifying at least a portion of the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to generate synthesis gas includes allowing the synthesis gas to exit the reaction vessel through an outlet positioned below the grate. ### Claim 31 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one electrode is positioned in at least one of an oxidation zone or a reduction zone of the reaction region of the reaction vessel. ### Claim 32 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein gasifying at least a portion of the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to generate synthesis gas includes converting the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material in the presence of a gasification medium to the synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide, methane, and H2. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 wherein the gasification medium includes air, steam, and oxygen. ### Claim 34 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein gasifying at least a portion of the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to generate synthesis gas includes converting the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material in the presence of a gasification medium to the synthesis gas without substantially any combustion occurring. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34 wherein the gasification medium includes air, steam, and oxygen.