Methods and systems for mixing reactor feed

A method of assembling a gasifier feed injector comprising:

• providing a first feed pipe having a first outside diameter about a longitudinal axis, the first pipe including a supply end, a discharge end, and a length extending therebetween;
• providing a second feed pipe having a first inside diameter, the second pipe including a supply end, a discharge end, and a length extending therebetween;
• providing a plurality of swirl members at a position along the length of at least one of the first pipe and the second pipe, wherein at least one of the plurality of swirl members is movable axially within at least one of the first pipe and the second pipe, at least one of the plurality of swirl members extends along a surface of the first pipe at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis such that the at least one swirl member imparts a first circumferential flow direction to a fluid that flows through the first pipe, and at least one of the plurality of swirl members extends along a surface of the second pipe such that the at least one swirl member imparts a second circumferential flow direction to a fluid that flows through the second pipe that is different in direction than the first circumferential flow direction, wherein at least one of the plurality of swirl members has a blade-shaped body that is formed integrally with an outer surface of the first pipe, and wherein the a tangential velocity of the fluid is based on at least one of the position and the angle of the swirl member;
• and
• inserting the first pipe into the second pipe such that the first pipe and the second pipe are substantially concentrically aligned.

A gasification system comprising:

• a pressure vessel for partially oxidizing a fuel;
• a feed injector configured to inject a fuel into the pressure vessel;
• wherein the feed injector further comprises:
• a plurality of annular channels that define corresponding fluid flow paths that direct a flow of fluid substantially axially therethrough from a respective source to a reaction zone;
• and
• a plurality of swirl members extending into the fluid flow path defined in at least one of said plurality of annular channels, at least one of said plurality of swirl members comprises a plurality of blades extending outwardly into said at least one of said plurality of annular channels, at least one of said plurality of swirl members is configured to impart a first circumferential flow direction to fluid flowing through at least one of said annular channels, and at least one of said plurality of swirl members is configured to impart a second circumferential flow direction to fluid flowing through at least one of said annular channels that is different than the first circumferential flow direction, and wherein a tangential velocity of the fluid is based on at least one of a pitch and a position of said plurality of swirl members.