Method of solids discharge from coal gasifier grate

In a process for producing a fuel gas from coal by subjecting the coal to carbonization and then to reduction as it moves by gravity down a shaft, with the solids remaining at the lower end of said shaft being removed from the gasification process by passage through a multi-level grate structure, the improvement comprising the steps of:

• employing as part of the multi-level grate structure a plurality of vertically spaced generally parallel plate members generally annular in shape, restricting via adjustable means for a controllable length of time at a given annular plate member the flow of solids from said plate member at edge regions thereof, the edge regions to be restricted being selected during operation, and simultaneously discharging solids from the balance of the edge regions of said plate member thereby controlling the downward solids flow in the shaft of the gasifier.