Method and system for recycling flue gas

An improved process to reduce emissions converts carbon dioxide from the flue gas exhaust from heat or power generators, into synthetic gas which is in-turn reintroduced back into the generator as fuel, is herein disclosed. Hot flue and exhaust gases from power generators, which contain carbon dioxide, would be blown into a gasification reactor, which contains coal, wood chips or other carbon based fuels substances. The process utilizes gasification technology to create a thermochemical reaction between the carbon dioxide and the fuel via a high temperature and no-oxygen atmosphere to produce synthetic gas. The synthetic gas includes carbon monoxide and hydrogen which is then fed back into a heat or power generator as fuel. The process may include two (2) or more reactors, thereby allowing one (1) reactor to be loaded or unloaded while synthetic gas continues to be produced by the other reactor. The synthetic gas may also be further converted into vehicle fuels and other useful chemicals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved process for utilization of carbon dioxide and heat of flue and exhaust gas, particularly from heat and power generators by a thermochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into ecologically manageable synthetic gas without pollution during said process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The “going green” movement is one that has picked up tremendous momentum in the United States. From energy and water conservation, to recycling, to buying organic foods and even clothing, people are more earth-conscious than ever. One (1) of the most popular means of going green involves reducing fossil fuel consumption. As available supplies dwindle, it is apparent that there is a need for a system to converting carbon dioxide from heat and power generators into synthetic gas without producing greenhouse gas emissions during the transformation.

When petroleum and natural gas were very expensive, it is a necessity to use biomass, coal and other carbonaceous source as fuel. Coal gasification processes are reasonably efficient and were used for many years to manufacture illuminating gas (coal gas) for gas lighting.

Gasification comprises burning of a feedstock in a reactor at a temperature in the range of eight hundred to fifteen hundred degrees Celsius (800-1500° C.) in the presence of air, or oxygen and water. Synthesis gas is obtained by reaction between carbon dioxide, which produced by combustion of feedstock to more than five hundred fifty degrees Celsius (550° C.) carbonaceous substances. Synthetic gas has a heating value from 10500 to 14600-16700 kJ/m3 (under normal conditions). This gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen; mixtures of methane with other hydrocarbons are possible. Like direct combustion, gasification is a high-temperature thermochemical conversion process, but the desired result in this case is the production of a combustible gas instead of heat. This is achieved through the partial combustion of the feedstock in restricted supply of air or oxygen, usually in a high temperature environment. The product of gasification—synthetic gas—can, after appropriate treatment, be burned directly for cooking or heat supply, or it can be used in secondary conversion technologies such as gas turbines and engines for producing electricity or mechanic work.

Synthetic gas is the name given to gases of varying composition that are generated the gasification reactor or some types of waste-to-energy gasification facilities. Synthetic gas is also used as an intermediate in producing synthetic petroleum for use as a fuel or lubricant via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Synthetic gas consists primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and has less than half the energy density of natural gas. Synthetic gas is combustible and often used as a fuel source or as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Synthetic gas for use as a fuel is most often produced by gasification of coal or municipal waste. As an intermediate in the large-scale, industrial synthesis of hydrogen and ammonia, it is also produced from natural gas. The synthetic gas produced in large waste-to-energy gasification facilities is used as fuel to generate electricity.

Gasification is a thermochemical process that generates a gaseous, fuel rich product. Regardless of how the gasification reactor is designed, two (2) processes must take place in order to produce a useable fuel gas. In the first stage, pyrolysis releases the volatile components of the fuel at temperatures below six hundred degrees Celsius (600° C.) (1112° F.). The by-product of pyrolysis that is not vaporized is called char and comprises mainly of fixed carbon and ash. In the second gasification stage, the carbon remaining after pyrolysis is either reacted with steam or hydrogen or combusted with air or pure oxygen. Gasification with air results in a nitrogen-rich, low BTU-fuel gas. Gasification with pure oxygen results in a higher quality mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen and virtually no nitrogen. Gasification with steam is more commonly called “reforming” and results in a hydrogen and carbon dioxide rich “synthetic” gas. Typically, the exothermic reaction between carbon and oxygen provides the heat energy required to drive the pyrolysis and char gasification reactions.

The basic gasification reactions that must be considered are:
C+H2OCO+H2
C+CO22CO
CH4+H2OCO+3H2
CH4CO22CO+2H2

All of these reactions are reversible and their rates depend on the temperature, pressure and a concentration of oxygen in the gasification reactor.

If carbon dioxide (CO2) passes a layer of feedstock by five hundred fifty degrees Celsius (550° C.) and higher, CO2converts into carbon monoxide (CO). By this reaction (CO2+C═CO+CO) from two (2) molar volumes of carbon dioxide make four (4) molar volumes of carbon monoxide and, on the contrary, when carbon monoxide combusts in the reaction with oxidant from two (2) molar volumes of carbon monoxide makes one (1) molar volumes of carbon dioxide.

The basis of the formation of synthetic gas is a process that air is introduced to a lower layer of heated carbonaceous feedstock and creates carbon dioxide CO2and produces heat adequate for heating the feedstock and CO2. Subsequently, by interaction in upper layers without oxygen the carbon dioxide and heat produces carbon monoxide. The reaction moved forward due to absorption of heat.

The design and operating parameters of the gasification reactor promise low level particulate emissions. Feed stocks containing up to fifty-five percent (55%) moisture have been successfully converted to clean hot gas. The low particulate emission plus the generally lower inorganic content of biomass fuels translates into reduced emission of particulate air toxic materials. Due to the precise control of the gasification and combustion zone conditions and temperatures, pollutant by-products of combustion reactions such as NOxemissions may be lower than in conventional boilers even when fuel with a higher fixed nitrogen are used. The air intake is at the bottom and the synthetic gas leaves at the top. Near the grate at the bottom the combustion reaction occurs, and the synthetic gas ins produced by reduction somewhat higher up in the gasification reactor. In the upper part of a gasification reactor, heating and pyrolysis of the feedstock occurs as a result of heat transfer by convention and radiation from the lower zones. The tars and volatiles produced during this process will be carried in the gas stream. Ashes are removed from the bottom of the reactor.

The product gases from gasification can be used for energy production, fuels, or chemical production. A separate combustion chamber outside the gasification chambers is often used for energy production. The thermal energy resulting from the combustion of gaseous products can be used in a variety of ways. These include the production of steam for generating electricity and thermal energy for the production of heat, which can then be used to bolster the reaction within the gasification reactor.

An important component of any gasification combustion process is the after-treatment equipment used to clean the effluent gases. Although gaseous products can typically be combusted more efficiently than solid materials, advanced emission control systems would still be required to meet regulatory standards. Typical exhaust or flue gas control strategies for combustion processes include particulate filters or bag houses, wet scrubber techniques, or electrostatic precipitators. The post-processing of solid like char, and ash from gasification, is another important process step. Similarly, the char, or solid carbonaceous portion of the residue, can either be utilized as a fuel for the process or sold as a carbon-rich material for the manufacture of activated carbon or for other similar industrial purposes. The reintroduction or use of char as a fuel source in the process is an important element in the process design for many of the technologies surveyed. The inert ash in the gasification residual is generally not reintroduced into the process; however, the ash may be incorporated in many technologies. This could include water wash/quenching, screening, and the removal of metals. In some technologies, a vitrification step is also included whereby the ash is heated to a temperature above the fusion point of sand, which can then incorporate the soluble components of the ash to produce an impervious residual slag that can inhibit leaching of the ash components into ground water when buried.

The basic sources of carbon dioxide are power and heat generators: engine, turbine, and other equipments. A typical coal plant has an efficiency in the low thirty percent (30%) range, meaning sixty-five (65%) or more of the energy is wasted. Seventy percent (70%) of the nation's energy is rejected to the atmosphere as waste energy. More than forty percent (40%) of energy rejected to atmosphere with exhaust gas from mobile generators. It is often difficult to find useful application for large quantities of heat, so the heat is qualified as waste heat and is rejected to the environment. Economically most convenient is the applying of such heat to a gasification process; it is a huge resource of energy, which can be used for converting carbon dioxide into synthetic gas. The results of operation for utilizing waste heat in order to improve the efficiency and to heat feedstocks on the basis of environmentally friendly technologies are considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the disadvantages, as previously described in the prior art, it is apparent that there is a need for a system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas produce an economical and ecologically desirable synthetic gas.

An object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is a method for converting carbon dioxide from heat and power generators into synthetic gas without producing greenhouse gas emissions during the transformation.

Another object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to use the high level energy contained within the synthetic gas for increasing reaction rates and minimizing required amounts of feedstock fuel when introduced into a power/heat generator or alternately introduced into a secondary reactor.

A further object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Still another object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to combat global warning by reducing harmful emissions that affect the ozone layer.

Still a further object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to refine corrosive ash elements.

Yet another object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to provide compatibility with existing equipment and requiring a small capital investment.

Yet a further object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to provide a proprietary shape of the reactor that produces negligible entrained particulate matter and promotes mixing of volatilized combustibles.

Yet still another aspect of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to provide a residence time for biomass fuels within the reactor that can be precisely controlled.

Yet still a further aspect of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a reactor that produces provides low levels of particulate emissions and lower inorganic content of biomass fuels which results in reduced emission of toxic materials and thermal energy.

An object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a reactor, a loading hatch, a drying zone, a process chamber, a distillation zone, a reduction zone, a hearth zone, a grate, a cyclone, a charcoal filter, an oil filter, a condensate accumulator, a fan, a power heat generator, an oxygen flow regulator, a choke valve, a synthetic gas regulator, and a bypass gas line.

Another object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise two (2) primary zones of the process which are the combustion zones in a power/heat generator and the thermochemical reaction zone within the gasification reactor, which are integrated in combination therewith one another to recycle carbon dioxide into synthetic gas. The gasification reactor converts carbon dioxide from flue or exhaust gases into synthetic gas by cracking and reforming the feedstock fuel.

A further object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a bypass gas line that routs synthetic gas flow to the hearth zone, producing additional synthetic gas combustion within said hearth zone to increase a balance of energy. The bypass gas line comprises a choke valve providing a flow control means to said synthetic gas.

Still a further object of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a gasification reactor comprising a cylindrical vessel further comprising output plumbing providing a connecting means thereto a gas cleaning system comprising a cyclone. The reactor further comprises a feedstock fuel loading hatch that comprises a hermetic seal. The reactor also comprises a damper-type oxygen flow regulator that is hermetically sealed during operation of the reactor.

Still another aspect of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a gasification reactor comprising several zones including a drying zone, a process chamber, a distillation zone, a reduction zone, a hearth zone, a grate, and an ash bin.

Yet another aspect of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide and heat from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a gas cleaning system further comprising a charcoal filter, an oil filter, and a condensate accumulator.

Yet a further aspect of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide from flue or exhaust gas is to comprise a fan and a synthetic gas regulator to control a volumetric flow of said synthetic gas flow.

An aspect of the method and system to utilize carbon dioxide from flue and exhaust gas, in an alternate embodiment is to comprise a secondary reactor to guarantee a continuous and steady flow of synthetic gas to a power generator to maintain said gasification process.

A method of utilizing the system may be achieved by performing the following steps: starting a thermochemical reaction within a gasification reactor by loading an appropriate volume of coal or other biomass fuel; introducing hot flue or exhaust gases from a heat or power generator being oxygen poor and CO2rich and having a temperature range above five-hundred fifty (550) degrees Celsius said reactor to produce a synthetic gas; utilizing the high level energy contained within the synthetic gas to increase reaction rates and minimize required amounts of feedstock normally consumed by a conventional power/heat generator.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention describes a system to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat from flue or exhaust gas (herein described as the “system”)10, which provides a thermochemical reaction of a heating value contained in coal or other biomass materials24, and hot flue or exhaust gases92therefrom heat or power generators50to produce an economical and ecologically desirable synthetic gas84. The system10utilizes a combination of heat having an elevated temperature therefrom exhaust or flue gases92, which is produced therefrom a power or heat generator50, and captured carbon fuel24therefrom sources such as, but not limited to: feedstock, coal, biomass, or the like, thereby achieving the thermochemical reaction and subsequently producing said synthetic gas84. The high level energy contained therewithin the synthetic gas84may be utilized for increasing reaction rates and minimizing required amounts of feedstock fuel24when introduced thereinto a power/heat generator50or alternately introduced thereinto a secondary reactor120(seeFIG. 3). The two primary zones of the process are the combustion zones therein a power/heat generator50, and the thermochemical reaction zone therewithin the gasification reactor10, which are integrated in combination therewith one another to recycle carbon dioxide into synthetic gas84.

The gasification reactor converts CO2therefrom flue or exhaust gases92thereinto synthetic gas84by cracking and reforming the feedstock fuel24. This is an endothermic reaction and occurs at temperatures typically in a temperature range above five hundred fifty degrees Celsius (550° C.). The reaction temperature is dependent on various things such as: different kinds of biomass fuel24being used, conversion efficiency, and a degree of coke or soot (carbon) formation. A portion of the feedstock fuel24can be combusted with oxygen in the flue stream to produce the required heat for the reaction. At these elevated temperatures, high thermal stresses can be created during the thermal cycling of the synthetic gas reactor.

The gasification process functions under an overall guidance of complementary, operational, and control strategies. One (1) control strategy comprises imposing general thermal control, based on extension of a maximum entropy principle, to optimize the system10. Such a strategy comprises moderation of dynamic thermal extremes and the maintenance of suitable thermal energy balances. Another control strategy comprises controlling the flow of gas so as to optimize the covariance of all material and chemical exchanges among various components of the system10as a whole.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a process flow diagram of the system10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Very hot flue or exhaust gas92containing CO2and running therefrom power or heat generators50, passes therethrough piping to the gasification thermochemical reactor20. Prepared feedstock fuel24is fed into the bubbling fluid-bed reactor20, which is heated with flue or exhaust gas92having an absence of oxygen. To destroy oxygen, which is contained in flue gas, an entrance pipe containing flue gas from the reactor is directed into a hearth zone, whereby a combustion reaction between the feedstock fuel24and remaining flue gas oxygen produces additional amounts of CO2. This reaction also raises the thermal energy. Flue or exhaust gases92then pass therethrough the feedstock fuel24which heats said feedstock fuel24to a temperature above five hundred fifty degrees (550° C.). A thermochemical reaction takes place between the CO2from the flue or exhaust gas92and the feedstock fuel24, which are in the absence of oxygen, thereby converting said CO2into synthetic gas84. The flow of synthetic gas84can be controlled by a choke valve86. If sufficient energy is not obtained to produce a thermochemical reaction, the thermal energy therefrom the combusted feedstock fuel24is utilized in a conventional manner therewithin the gasification reactor20to reduce feedstock fuel24costs. Said combustion of the feedstock fuel24therewithin the gasification reactor20produces an additional amount of CO2, which may also be converted into synthetic gas84by introducing it thereinto a hearth zone portion32of the reactor20via a bypass gas line94. As illustrated here, said bypass gas line94routs said synthetic gas flow84thereto the hearth zone32, thereby producing additional synthetic gas combustion therewithin said hearth zone32to increase a balance of energy. The bypass gas line94comprises a choke valve86providing a flow control means thereto said synthetic gas84as well as thermal control of the process. Control of the synthetic gas flow84is accomplished by a special regulator and a second part thereof may be used in a Fisher-Tropsh process to convert the carbon monoxide (CO) into hydrocarbons. Because the volume of the prepared CO after gasification is twice as large as that of the initial CO2, and after combustion in the power generator, the volume of CO2remains twice as large as the initial CO2. Stabilization of the process of converting CO2thereinto CO may be accomplished using either of these two (2) methods:

1. Divide the CO2into two (2) parts. Return one (1) part back to the reactor20. The second part may be rejected thereto the atmosphere or kept in a carbon capture storage device. In this case, by using oxygen, it is not necessary to separate the CO2from nitrogen (N2) and other gases by storing underground.

2. Produce twice as much CO therewithin the reactor20and return one (1) part thereto the power generator50and a second part may be used in a Fisher-Tropsh process to convert the CO into hydrocarbons. Due to the high temperature of the CO following gasification, said CO reduces the required additional energy for the thermochemical reaction in a similar manner as in South Africa which produces five (5) million tons of synthetic gasoline per year using this method.

Operation of the gasification reactor20in a continuous mode produces a steady flow of synthetic gas84allowing excess synthetic gas84to be introduced thereinto a heat or power generator50or to another synthetic gas-consuming device therewithin the system10. Adding a flow of synthetic gas84thereto an intake portion of the gasification reactor20, thereby utilizing the heating value therein the hearth zone portion32of the gasification reactor20, reduces an amount of feedstock fuel24required for combustion. The synthetic gas reactor20and the associated control system is configured to adjust the flow rates of both the synthetic gas stream84and an oxidant stream supplied thereto the synthetic gas reactor20in order to operate said synthetic gas reactor20.

The synthetic gas84produced therein the gasification process is not acceptably clean and must be purified using an acceptable means before using said synthetic gas84therein a power or heat generator50, expansion generators, and other prime generators. The gasification reactor20comprises a cylindrical vessel further comprising output plumbing providing a connecting means thereto a gas cleaning system comprising a cyclone38where solid particles and charcoal are extracted therefrom. The gas cleaning system further comprises a charcoal filter40, an oil filter42, and a condensate accumulator44. The clean synthetic gas84is then directed therethrough air cooled plumbing thereto either a secondary usage95or thereto the power and heat generator50as fuel to maintain process combustion. Delivery of the synthetic gas flow84thereto the secondary usage95is accomplished via a fan46and a synthetic gas regulator88to control a volumetric flow of said synthetic gas flow84. Secondary usages95may include applications such as, but not limited to: a secondary power or heat generator, a synthetic petroleum producer, or the like. Starting the combustion process therein the power and heat generator50may be accomplished using conventional fuel, like natural gas.

The gasification reactor20comprises walls made using sheet iron being lined thereon outside and inside surfaces with special insulation. The reactor20comprises a feedstock fuel loading hatch22along a top surface. The loading hatch22comprises a hermetic seal during operation. The loading hatch22portion of the reactor20provides a moderately large opening, thereby accepting pieces of coal or biomass fuel24varying in size and moisture content. The feedstock fuel24forms a vertical column in which carbonization takes place thereat a bottom region and heat therefrom exhaust gases provides a drying means thereto said feedstock fuel24thereat an upper region. The feedstock fuel24can be replenished after operation.

The reactor20further comprises an active mixing means thereto flue or exhaust gas being introduced thereto the feedstock fuel24, thereby significantly accelerating the thermochemical reaction. The intensity of said mixing is envisioned to be regulated using appropriate equipment. A damper-type oxygen flow regulator82located at a bottom portion of the reactor20is hermetically sealed during operation of the reactor20.

Interruption of the gasification process results in a significant fuel penalty that will typically cause the overall efficiency of the whole system10to be unacceptably low, and the operating cost to be high. The use of an alternate secondary reactor120may be required to guarantee a continuous and steady flow of synthetic gas84thereto the power generator50to maintain said gasification process (seeFIG. 3).

Referring now toFIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of a gasification reactor portion20of the system10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The gasification reactor20comprises several zones including (from top to bottom), a drying zone26, a process chamber27, a distillation zone28, a reduction zone30, a hearth zone32, a grate34, and an ash bin36. Said drying26, distillation28, and reduction zones30provide the thermochemical process enabling CO2to be converted into synthetic gas84. The ash36and hearth zones32participate in all existing power and heat generators. The reactor20comprises two (2) parts. The first part provides combustion of coal or other carbonaceous materials to produce heat and CO2in the flue gas92. The second part provides the thermochemical reaction where the CO2is converted thereinto synthetic gas84, thereby retaining approximately ⅓ of the heat energy produced by the reactor20. In reduction zone is occur reduction of oxygen and heat of feedstock occurs in the reduction zone30and vaporized water from the feedstock exists within the distillation zone28.

An incidental byproduct of heat and power generators50is flue/exhaust gas having a temperature of six-hundred to eight-hundred degrees (600-800° C.) which has contributed to global climate change. In an effort to reduce an atmospheric emission of CO2, the system10provides conversion of said CO2contained therein said flue or exhaust gases92thereinto synthetic gas84and subsequently introducing said synthetic gas84thereinto said generators50, thereby eliminating escaping emissions.

The system10also provides conservation of residual heat energy therefrom said power/heat generators50. CO2is currently produced as an industrial gas using a gasification reactor20which consumes coal or other feedstock fuel24. Also, in some cases, said flue or exhaust gases92emit as much as seventy percent (70%) of contained combustion energy into the atmosphere. This system10allows this CO2and heat energy from said power generators50, to be used directly therein a reactor20to produce synthetic gas84, thereby providing environmental and financial benefits.

The proprietary shape of the reactor20produces negligible entrained particulate matter and promotes mixing of volatilized combustibles. Residence time of the biomass fuels24within the reactor20can be precisely controlled.

The reactor20provides low levels of particulate emissions. Feed stocks24containing moisture can be successfully converted to clean hot gas. Low particulate emissions plus the generally lower inorganic content of biomass fuels24translates into reduced emission of toxic materials and thermal energy.

Unloaded ash material36generated in the reactor20can contain a chemical composition which will make it suitable for commercial use. Said ash36may be mixed with a variety of other inorganic materials such as sand, clay, gravel, etc. to produce a variety of different soils useful in agriculture, landscaping, forestry, and other ecological applications. Also, said ash36used in combination therewith a joule heated vitrification unit can convert the ash36formed in the reactor20into glass.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a flow diagram depicting an alternate two (2) gasification reactor configuration, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Interruption of the gasification process therewithin the reactor20results in a significant fuel usage penalty which will typically cause the overall efficiency of the system10to be unacceptably low, and corresponding operating costs to be too high. The use of an alternate secondary reactor120may be required to guarantee a steady flow of synthetic gas84thereto the power generator50to sustain a temperature of said power generator50, thereby allowing rapid restarting of said power generator50when the first reactor20is stopped for charcoal unloading, ash unloading, and/or loading of new feedstock fuel24. The output of the hot synthetic gas84provides heat which may be used to maintain the second reactor120at a near-operating temperature.

In operation, the synthetic gas84passes into the second reactor120to preheat the feedstock fuel24. The preheating of said feedstock fuel24before starting the second reactor120provides utilization of safe energy as well as increasing an efficiency of the system10.

The process functions under overall guidance of complementary, operational control strategies. Said controls are based on natural principles when all the feedstock fuel24is under the thermochemical reaction, transforming said feedstock fuel24thereinto charcoal, thereby producing exhaust gases92which are converted into synthetic gas84. This process occurs very slowly and slowly reduces a temperature therein a hot generator50. A temperature reduction of five to fifteen percent (5-15%) is envisioned to initiate a signaling device, thereby indicating a need to unload charcoal therefrom the reactor20and fill said reactor20with new feedstock fuel24. During short periods of time such as when unloading charcoal and loading feedstock fuel24, a conventional fuel such as natural gas may be used. To provide a continuous process, a second reactor120is required and exhausts gases92directed thereinto the second reactor120. During a period of downtime, charcoal and ash is unloaded from the first reactor20and new feedstock fuel24is loaded.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be constructed and utilized by qualified technologists as indicated inFIGS. 1 through 3.

The method of utilizing the system10may be achieved by performing the following steps: starting a thermochemical reaction therewithin a gasification reactor20by loading an appropriate volume of coal or other biomass fuel24thereinto; introducing hot flue or exhaust gases92therefrom a heat or power generator50being oxygen poor and CO2rich and having a temperature range above five-hundred fifty degrees (550° C.) thereinto said reactor20to produce a synthetic gas84; utilizing the high level energy contained therewithin the synthetic gas84to increase reaction rates and minimize required amounts of feedstock24normally consumed by a conventional power/heat generator50.

The utilization of the alternate two (2) gasification reactor configuration is designed to avoid interruption of the gasification process therewithin the reactor20, thereby guaranteeing a steady flow of synthetic gas84thereto the power generator50to sustain a temperature of said power generator50, thereby allowing rapid restarting of said power generator50when the first reactor20is stopped for charcoal unloading, ash unloading, and/or loading of new feedstock fuel24. The output of the hot synthetic gas84provides heat which may be used to maintain the second reactor120at a near-operating temperature. In operation, the synthetic gas84passes into the second reactor120to preheat the feedstock fuel24. The preheating of said feedstock fuel24before starting the second reactor120provides utilization of safe energy as well as increasing an efficiency of the system10.

The gasification process functions of both the preferred and alternate embodiments of the system10are envisioned to be under an overall guidance of complementary, operational, and control strategies such as, but not limited to: imposing general thermal control based on extension of a maximum entropy principle to optimize the system. Such a strategy comprises moderation of dynamic thermal extremes and the maintenance of suitable thermal energy balances. Another control strategy comprises controlling the flow of gas so as to optimize the covariance of all material and chemical exchanges among various components of the system10as a whole.