Greatpoint Energy, Inc.

Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.

Gas Technology Institute

Francis Sikming Lau

Earl Robinson

Pattabhi K Raman

Nicholas Charles Nahas

Shain-Jer Doong

Vincent G Reiling

Raja A Jadhav

Donald Anthony

Dwain Dodson

Tsung-Yao Robert Sheng

Mustafiz Rahman

A fluidized bed gasification system which comprises a fluidized bed gasification reactor having a bottom ash discharge outlet below the reactor, wherein an L-valve is used to control the rate of bottom ash discharge. The L-valve uses an aeration port located on distal side of the L-valve vertical pipe at a location that is above the center line of the horizontal pipe. Also provided are methods of controlling the bottom ash discharge as well the fluidized reaction bed height of the system.

High temperature and pressure solids handling system

Steam generating gasification reactors for providing high-pressure and high-temperature steam for catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock can be based on oxygen blown gasification reactors adapted for processing a slurry feedstock comprising at least 40% water. The exhaust from the slurry gasifier comprises at least steam, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The slurry composition and the oxygen to fuel ratio can be varied to control the ratio of carbonaceous gases in the generator exhaust. By directing substantially all of exhaust gases produced from the slurry gasification reactor through the catalytic gasifier and subsequent gas separation and sequestration processes, a greatly higher energy efficiency and decreased carbon footprint can be realized. The subsequent gas separation process produces a syngas stream which is recycled and directed into the slurry gasifier.

Steam generating slurry gasifier for the catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock

A cyclone system for a gasifier having two or more cyclones arranged in series sharing a combined loop seal and dipleg is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for capturing and recycling fines with the cyclone system.

Fines capture and recycle system and uses thereof

Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided. In addition, the processes provide for the generation of a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and, optionally, a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream, which can be mixed or used separately as an energy source for subsequent catalytic gasification processes.

Processes for the separation of methane from a gas stream

The present invention relates to processes and continuous processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular, methane via the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam. In one aspect of the invention, the processes comprise at least partially combusting a first carbonaceous feedstock with an oxygen-rich gas stream in an oxygen-blown gasifier, under suitable temperature and pressure, to generate a first gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and superheated steam; and reacting a second carbonaceous feedstock and the first gas stream in a catalytic gasifier in the presence of a gasification catalyst under suitable temperature and pressure to form a second gas stream comprising a plurality of gaseous products comprising methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. The processes can comprise using at least one catalytic methanator to convert carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gaseous products to methane and in certain embodiments do not recycle carbon monoxide or hydrogen to the gasifier.

Processes for gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock

Processes for the generation of steam are provided for use in an integrated catalytic gasification process for converting carbonaceous materials to combustible gases, such as methane. Generally, the exhaust gas from a steam generating reactor is provided along with steam, a carbonaceous feedstock, and a gasification catalyst, to a catalytic gasifier, wherein under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, the carbonaceous feedstock is converted into a plurality of product gases, including, but not limited to, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. As substantially all the carbon dioxide produced from the steam generation process and the gasification process are subsequently directed though gas purification and separation processes, substantially all the carbon dioxide may be recovered, yielding a process having a near zero carbon footprint.

Reduced carbon footprint steam generation processes

Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided, where a sour shift reaction is used to remove carbon monoxide gas stream produced by the gasification process. The incorporation of the sour shift reaction provides an efficient and cost-effective means of eliminating carbon monoxide from the gas stream. In addition, the sour shift reaction also generates additional hydrogen, thus increasing the amount of hydrogen produced from the gasification process.

Sour shift process for the removal of carbon monoxide from a gas stream

A system for the selective removal of CO, HS, and Hfrom a gaseous fluid mixture comprising CO, HS, and H, which system includes a first membrane section having a nonporous metal oxide membrane, a second membrane section having a CO-selective membrane, and a third membrane section having an H-selective membrane. Each membrane section has a feed side and a permeate side and the membrane sections are arranged in series whereby the gaseous fluid mixture contacts the feed side, in sequence, of the first membrane section, the second membrane section and the third membrane section, resulting first in the separation or removal of HS, second in the separation or removal of CO, and third in the separation or removal of H. The process can be used to process synthesis gas generated from the gasification or reforming of carbonaceous materials for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture.

Growing community of inventors

Darien, IL, United States of America

Francis Sikming Lau