Solar heated fluidized bed gasification system

Abstract

A solar-powered fluidized bed gasification system for gasifying carbonaceous material. The system includes a solar gasifier (10) which is heated by fluidizing gas and steam. Energy to heat the gas and steam is supplied by a high heat capacity refractory honeycomb (16) which surrounds the fluid bed reactor zone (14). The high heat capacity refractory honeycomb (16) is heated by solar energy focused on the honeycomb (16) by solar concentrator (32) through solar window (20). The fluid bed reaction zone (14) is also heated directly and uniformly by thermal contact of the high heat capacity ceramic honeycomb (16) with the walls of the fluidized bed reactor (12). Provisions are also made for recovering and recycling catalysts used in the gasification process. Back-up furnace (50) is provided for start-up procedures and for supplying heat to the fluid bed reaction zone (14) when adequate supplies of solar energy are not available.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.