US 5,755,837 AGranted

Fuel spreader assembly for use in a gasifier

AssigneeThermal Technologies, Inc.

InventorsLeonard G. Beierle, Leroy Graff, John J. Fitzgerald

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A pyrolysis gasifier includes a first auger (26) which moves carbon from a carbon collection tank (24) through an air lock valve (30) to a carbon holding tank (28). The gasifier includes an inner cylindrical sleeve (80) which is configured such that there is a small air gap between it and an interior wall of the gasifier (16). The air lock valve (30) includes an inlet member (96) which connects the housing to a connecting tube from the first auger (26). A plate (100) within the housing is mounted such that in a closed position, the plate is sealingly positioned against a lower edge of the inlet member (96), while in an open position, the plate is away from the inlet member, permitting carbon to move into the carbon holding tank. A fuel spreader apparatus 53 is positioned at the top portion of the gasifier. It includes a stirring rod (44) and two opposed fuel paddle assemblies (67, 69) at the lower end thereof to spread the fuel over the cross-sectional area of the gasifier.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A fuel spreader assembly for use in a gasifier, the fuel spreader assembly comprising:

a support rod extending downwardly into the gasifier at an upper end of the gasifier;
a support assembly, fixedly connected to the support rod in the vicinity of a lower end of the support rod;
at least two separate, circumferentially spaced-apart fuel paddle assemblies, such that said fuel paddle assemblies do not overlap circumferentially, each paddle assembly being relatively narrow compared to the circumference of the gasifier, each paddle assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and being rotatably connected to the support assembly near said proximal end for movement of the paddle assembly in a vertical plane, wherein the paddle assemblies are connected to the support assembly such that there is an approximately central opening between the proximal ends of the paddle assemblies, such that in operation fuel falls through said central opening, and wherein the paddle assemblies each have at least one opening therethrough;
means for rotating the paddle assemblies in a horizontal plane;
and
cover means movably mounted on each paddle assembly, for selectively closing at least a portion of said at least one opening.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/797,721Filed 11 Feb 1997 · continuation
Priority: 15 Sep 1994
Granted: 26 May 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

C10B 53/02
Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form: of cellulose-containing…
C10B 1/04
Stationary retorts: vertical retorts
C10B 33/12
Discharging devices; Coke guides: discharge valves
C10J 3/20
Fixed-bed gasification of lump fuel: apparatus; Plants