Patent Publication Number: US-2016223087-A1

Title: Control valve system for controlling fluid flow

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/111,323 filed on Feb. 3, 2015, and entitled “CONTROL VALVE SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to machines that devolatilize materials, and more particularly, to a control valve system for controlling the flow of a feedstock material through a devolatilization system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Control valves are used to control the flow of feedstock material through a variety of devices, including devolatilization reactors, gasifiers, and other slurry piping systems utilized for slurry transport, treatment, and/or processing. Control valves are coupled to the entrance and/or exit of these devices and are used to control the flow rate of the feedstock. 
     Current methods for controlling the flow of feedstock material into a device include using traditional valves. These valves may include pinch valves, swing check valves, gate valves, ball globe valves, or other commercially available valves, configured to allow and restrict the flow of a fluid. 
     Hydraulic control valves are traditionally utilized to modulate or actuate fluids including air, gas, oil, water, and the like. These valves are for high pressure, clean fluid systems, and may include strong billet stainless steel bodies and heavy duty seats. However, using hydraulic control valves to control feedstock slurry has not been considered for concern over damage and/or wear to the valve. Feedstock may contain a liquid and solid combination which can cause an inconsistent flow of the feedstock through the valve causing unintended disruptions. 
     Thus, an improved system for controlling the flow of a feedstock material into a devolatilization reactor is desired to increase efficiencies. 
     The foregoing background discussion is intended solely to aid the reader. It is not intended to limit the innovations described herein, nor to limit or expand the prior art discussed. Thus, the foregoing discussion should not be taken to indicate that any particular element of a prior system is unsuitable for use with the innovations described herein, nor is it intended to indicate that any element is essential in implementing the innovations described herein. The implementations and application of the innovations described herein are defined by the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control valve for modulating a slurry. The control valve includes a valve body, a pin, and an actuator. The valve body defines a flow channel. The flow channel has a channel diameter configured to allow slurry to flow through the valve body. The flow channel is further configured to accept slurry from an intake device. The intake device has an intake diameter such that the channel diameter and the intake diameter are substantially the same. The pin is moveably coupled to the valve body. The pin is configured to slide into any position within the flow channel between a first position and a second position. In the first position the flow of slurry through the flow channel is restricted. In the second position the flow of slurry is allowed through the flow channel unrestricted up to a maximum channel diameter. The actuator is configured to move the pin from the first position to the second position in rapid succession. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a flow control system for controlling the flow rate of slurry through a device. The device has an entrance and an exit and a device channel that extends from the entrance to the exit and has a first diameter. The flow control system includes a pump and a control valve. The pump is fluidly coupled to the entrance of the device and configured to pump the slurry into the device. The control valve is fluidly coupled to the exit of the device and includes a valve body, a pin, and an actuator. The valve body defines a flow channel that has a second diameter configured to allow slurry to flow through the valve body. The flow channel is further configured to accept slurry from the device. The first diameter and the second diameter are substantially the same. The pin is moveably coupled to the valve body and configured to slide into any position within the flow channel between a first position and a second position. In the first position the flow of slurry through the flow channel is restricted and in the second position the flow of slurry is allowed through the flow channel unrestricted up to a maximum second diameter. The actuator is configured to move the pin from the first position to the second position in rapid succession. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method for controlling the flow of slurry, by a control valve, through a device. The control valve includes a seat and a pin. The method includes admitting the slurry into the control valve. The control valve has a valve body defining a flow channel having a first diameter configured to allow slurry to flow through the valve body. The flow channel is further configured to accept slurry from the device. The device has a second diameter, such that the first diameter and the second diameter are substantially the same. The method further includes controlling, by the pin, a pressure of the slurry through the device. An actuator is configured to control the pin to a first position from a second position and from the second position to the first position. The slurry passes through the valve body upon exiting the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a devolatilization system, according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a control valve system, according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the front of an embodiment of a control valve system with a pin in a closed position, according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the front of an embodiment of a control valve system with a pin in an open position, according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the front of another embodiment of a control valve system with a pin in an open position, according to another aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of a controller used to control a devolatilization system, according to one aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a pin position diagram during operations, according to an aspect of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a pin position diagram during a valve clear operation, according to an aspect of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the front of another embodiment of a control valve system having debris within, according to an aspect of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The disclosure relates generally to a system and method for controlling the flow of carbonaceous feedstock through a devolatilization reactor. The method includes providing the feedstock to a devolatilization system, whereby the feedstock is heated and substantially pulverized. While the feedstock is being heated, the materials composing the feedstock, including entrained volatiles, are thermally converted into simple carbon constituents that may be used as synthetic natural gas after separation from the water and remaining devolatilized solid fraction, or be used in a gasification reactor to further convert the devolatilized solids and volatiles together into a product SynGas. 
     As used herein, the term “feedstock” generally means any energy-bearing material that may be fed into a system for processing purposes. Feedstock may be in the form of municipal garbage and sewage and may include farm waste, food processing waste, etc. Feedstock can be sourced from any number of carbon-based materials. It should be appreciated that the output of one system may serve as the feedstock input material for another system, such as a gasifier  112  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Further, the devolatilization method may process any type of carbonaceous feedstock, utilizing similarly physically designed devolatilization systems for any given feedstock. The systems may be modular and may be tuned in terms of capacity and reaction parameters. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of an embodiment of a power plant system  100  (“power plant”) which comprises a control valve system  200  for controlling the flow of feedstock through a reactor  113 . The power plant  100  may utilize fuel cells as the primary energy generator  102 . The power plant  100  may provide both power generation and waste disposal. In other embodiments, the power plant  100  may produce district natural gas and utilize the gas for mechanical power generation for use in a third party process. It should be appreciated that the power plant  100  may be arranged in a variety of configurations. 
     The acceptance of feedstock may enter in through grinders  104 , and deposited in one or more holding tanks  106 . The holding tank  106  may include tank heating coils  108 , for preheating the feedstock prior to entering the devolatilization reactor  113 . Feedstock may also include dedicated waste handling systems such as farm waste, food processing waste, etc. Feedstock can be sourced from any number of carbon-based materials. The power plant  100  may be configured to accept any combination of these feedstock streams. 
     It should be appreciated that there may be more than one grinder  104 , and that the feedstock may flow through a series of grinders and pumps which grind the feedstock to a variety of dimensions. These may include fine grinder pumps, secondary grinder pumps, and other similar mechanisms. The feedstock may be ground to sizes as small as 0.005 inches or as large as 6 inches. This ground form of feedstock may be referred to as “feedstock slurry.” Additionally, there may be more than one holding tank  106 , whereby feedstock having varying properties may be stored separately. 
     After the feedstock is ground, the resulting slurry is stored in the one or more storage tanks  106 . A pressure pump  110  may be used to pump the slurry into the devolatilization reactor  113 . The flow of feedstock may be controlled by the control valve  200  by providing back-pressure to the reactor  113 . The slurry is at a high pressure when delivered from the pump  110 . In an embodiment, the pressure may be between 500 and 900 psia as it enters the devolatilization reactor  113 . It should be appreciated that the pressure at which the devolatilization reactor  113  operates is such that the water in the slurry may flash to steam as it flows through the control valve  200 . In an embodiment, the feedstock may comprise between 40% and 85% water. 
     The devolatilization reactor  113  may provide a first stage of feedstock thermal treatment. The feedstock may be treated at high pressure, between 300 and 900 psia, and medium temperature, between 300 and 600 degrees F. The reactor  113  may also treat the feedstock at temperatures between 400 and 500 degrees F., at a pressure just above the treatment temperature&#39;s steam saturation pressure. The feedstock may have a long residency time within the reactor  113 , where the elevated temperatures and high pressure basically cook the material which releases simple gaseous constituents having simple hydrocarbons and other gaseous compounds and elements in a process known as devolatilization. Devolatilization entails the release of volatile constituents of the feedstock such as oxygen, and lighter and more easily released simple hydrocarbons. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the feedstock slurry is pumped from the holding tanks  106  and into the devolatilization reactor  113 . After the feedstock leaves the reactor  113 , the feedstock slurry may be substantially converted to char slurry. Char includes more complex carbon based constituents in solid or liquid form substantially devoid of volatile materials that requires further processing to break down the final carbon bonds and produce synthetic natural gas. The feedstock may then flow through the control valve  200  and enter into a gasifier  112 . It may also be returned to the holding tanks  106  along a feedstock recycle line, whereby it is recycled and further treated. Steam may be admitted to the feedstock from a steam header (not shown), prior to entering the gasifier  112 . 
     The gasifier  112  performs a gasification process on the feedstock slurry. As the feedstock passes through the control valve  200 , a portion of the water within the slurry will flash to steam. As it flashes, it becomes both a pulverizing force and a motive fluidizing agent which carries the feedstock through the gasifier  112 . The steam is also a significant heat transfer medium between the feedstock and the gasifier heating medium. It is also a hydrogenating fluid, as the temperature at which the gasification occurs is within the region where the water-gas shift occurs. 
     Upon exit, the feedstock enters into a separator  116 . The separator  116  may be of standard construction known in the field, and may feature a water bath at the base, where particulates such as ash are collected. The ash may be handled by an ash handling system (not shown). An ash handling system may include slurry pumps, separation tanks, grinder pumps, recycle circuits, transport circuits, and other components known in the art. The ash may be recycled along a recycle line and returned to the holding tanks  106  or it may be transported, for example, by a truck to a material recycler. It should be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, that the power plant  100  may not include a gasifier and the devolatilization process ends after the feedstock exits the reactor  113 . 
     In the separator  116 , the thermally converted synthetic natural gas is separated from any entrained ash or slag that is unwanted. To further separate the fine particles, the gas may exit the separator  116  and pass through a screen filter (not shown) and an aftercooler  120 . The gas may be cooled and the condensate from the steam may be drained. The filters and aftercooler  120  may be of standard construction as known in the field. 
     The synthetic natural gas may leave the aftercooler and be routed to gas storage tanks  122 , an auxiliary boiler  124 , the primary energy generator  102 , or combinations thereof. The gas may also be routed to other applications that may require natural gas, such as a booster heater. 
     The primary energy generator  102  may be a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), a reciprocating engine, gas turbine, boiler, or other commercially available energy generation source. The primary energy generator  102  converts the natural gas into electricity and also produces heat to drive the remainder of this process. The heat produced by the energy generator  102  may be provided to the gasifier heating medium or fluid stored in a gasifier heating medium storage tank  126 . In alternate embodiments, the gasifier heating fluid may be heated using coils prior to entering the storage tank  126 , by burners upon exiting the storage tank  126 , or combinations thereof. 
     The gasifier heating fluid may be pumped into the gasifier  112  through a gasifier heating fluid control valve  128  along a main path  132  and/or pumped along a bypass  134  through a bypass control valve  130 . The bypass  134  rejoins the main path  132  after the gasifier heating fluid flows through the gasifier  112 , whereby the heating fluid is exhausted  136  from the system  100 . The heating fluid may also be diverted to a reactor heating medium generator  138 , through a coil control valve  140 , which is used to provide heat to a reactor heating medium used to provide heat to the devolatilization reactor  113 . The reactor heating medium may be stored in a storage tank  142 . The reactor heating medium may be pumped into the reactor  113  by a pressure pump  146  and may be regulated by a reactor heating fluid control valve  144 . In alternate embodiments, prior to the heating fluid being exhausted, it may be admitted to a heat recovery steam generator, hot water generator, or other heat recovery apparatus known in the art. The reactor heating medium is preferably a heating oil, which has been previously heated by any one or combination of sources. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a side view and cross sectional front view of an embodiment of the control valve system  200 , respectively. The valve system  200  includes a top portion  202 , a body portion  204 , and a base plate  206 . The top portion  202  includes an actuator  208  and a spacer assembly  210 . The body portion  204  includes a main body  214  and an adapter assembly  216 . The control valve system  200  is configured to control or modulate the flow of slurry there through. In an embodiment, the control valve system  200  may include a hydraulics control valve. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a cross-sectional view of the front of the control valve system  200  in a close position and an open position, respectively. The actuator  208  includes an operator assembly  218  and a coupling assembly  209  operatively connected to the operator assembly  218 . The coupling assembly  209  includes a coupling  220  and a jam nut  222  for connecting the actuator  208  to the main body  204 . It should be appreciated that a threaded coupling nut set may be used to connect the actuator  208  to the main body  204 . The actuator  208  is configured to drive the coupling assembly  209  in a reciprocating motion along an axis D. The actuator  208  may include a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electrically driven actuator, or other actuator configured to drive a coupling assembly  209 . The axis D is defined as the central vertical axis of the control valve system  200 , and extends from the top portion  202  through the main body portion  204 . As used herein, the “top end” or “bottom end” of a component refers to the end of a component that is closer to the actuator  208  or closer to the adapter assembly  216 , respectively. 
     The actuator  208  may be operatively connected to an upper stem assembly  212 , whereby the coupling  220  is connected to the top end (not labeled) of the upper stem assembly  212 . The upper stem assembly  212  may be positioned within the coupling  220  and held into place by a jam nut  222 . The connection may be such that the reciprocating motion of the coupling assembly  209  may cause a reciprocating motion of the upper stem assembly  212  along the D axis. The upper stem assembly  212  extends from actuator  208  through a packing gland  211 , and into the main body  214 . A flow restrictor  332 , illustrated in one embodiment as a pin, is coupled onto the bottom end (not labeled) of the upper stem assembly  212 . The flow restrictor  232  may be any structure, such as a plate, disc, dowel, or the like, that can restrict the flow of a fluid. It should be appreciated that the upper stem assembly  212  may be coupled to the pin  232  using a pin connection, welding, or combinations thereof, or other coupling means as known in the art. The coupling between the upper stem assembly  212  and the pin  232  is such that the reciprocating motion of the stem assembly  212  causes a reciprocating motion of the pin  232  from a closed position ( FIG. 3 ) to an open position ( FIG. 4 ), along axis D. The pin  232  may be an unbalanced needle design. 
     The packing gland  211  may be threadedly attached to the main body  214 . The outside surface (not labeled) of the gland  211  may engage with an internal surface (not labeled) of the main body  214 . In other embodiments, the packing gland  211  may be attached by other means commonly used in the art. The packing gland  211  may define an inner portion configured to allow the upper stem assembly  212  to slidably move within, allowing the upper assembly  212  to move in a reciprocating motion along axis D. The packing gland  211  is also configured to fit within a hole  213  defined by the base plate  206 . 
     The base plate  206  is coupled to the main body  214  by mounting screws  224   a  and  224   b.  The mounting screws  224   a  and  224   b  may fit within predefined holes (not labeled) in the base plate  206  and threadedly engage the main body  214 . The plate  206  further defines the hole  213  which the gland  211  may fit within. The actuator  208  is coupled to the bracket  206  by the spacer assembly  210 . The spacer assembly  210  includes spacers  226   a  and  226   b,  jam nuts  228   a  and  228   b,  and connecting rods  229   a  and  229   b.  The connecting rods  229   a  and  229   b  are attached to the base plate  206  by the jam nuts  228   a  and  228   b,  respectively. The jam nuts  228   a  and  228   b  secure the spacers  226   a  and  226   b  between the actuator  208  and the base plate  206 . The length of spacer  226   a,  extending from its top most end to its bottom most end, is substantially the same length as spacer  226   b.  It should be appreciated that the length of each spacer  226   a  and  226   b  is configured to allow the upper stem assembly  212  and the coupling  220  to move along the D axis. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the spacer assembly  210  may be directly connected to the packing gland  211 . In this embodiment, the spacer assembly  210  may be supported by the base plate  206 , and locked into place by a locking nut. 
     The adapter assembly  216  includes an adapter opening device  238  and a seat  240 . The adapter opening device  238  may be threadedly engaged with an interior surface (not labeled) of the main body  214 . The adapter assembly  216  is positioned at the bottom most end (not labeled) of the main body  214 . In an embodiment, the adapter assembly  216  may be positioned at different locations on the main body  214 . The opening device  238  is configured to support the seat  240  within the main body  214 , such that when the opening device  238  is threadedly engaged, the seat  240  is supported within the main body  214 . The opening device  238  and the seat  240  are further configured to define a portion of a flow channel  242 . It should be appreciated that the seat  240  may be a replaceable seat. 
     The seat  240  is further configured to support the pin  232  within the main body  214 . The pin  232  may be lowered onto the seat  240  by the actuator  208  and the upper stem assembly  212 . When the pin  232  is in its lowest vertical position along the D axis ( FIG. 3 ) and in contact with the seat  240 , the control valve system  200  is in a closed position. When the pin  232  is not in its lowest vertical position then the control valve system  200  is in an open position.  FIG. 4  illustrates the pin  232  in an open position. In an embodiment, the pin  232  and the seat  240  may be made of a high-strength alloy, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, or titanium alloys. 
     The body portion  204  may also include packing elements  244 , a packing washer  234 , and a bottom washer  248  attached to an interior surface (not labeled) of the main body  214 . These elements may be used, for example, to support the gland  211 , align the pin  232 , and to prevent the flow of slurry into the top portion  202  of the control valve system  200 . 
     The main body  214  may also define a flow port  250  and a portion of the flow channel  242 . The flow port  250  may fluidly connect to channel  242 , thereby composing a slurry flow channel through the control valve system  200 . When the control valve system  200  is in the open position, slurry may flow through the channel  242  and the flow port  250 . 
     The interior surfaces (not labeled), the flow port  250 , and the portion of the channel  242  which the main body  214  defines, all compose a main body  214  chamber. The main body  214  chamber may include a variety of configurations or orientations which allow the flow and control of feedstock through the control valve system  200 . 
     The actuator  208  may be configured to actuate the control valve system  200  between the open position and the closed position. Input to the actuator  208  may be received from an operator via controller  700  ( FIG. 7 ) our automatically controller  700  ( FIG. 7 ) based on a predetermined condition. During a devolatilization process, whereby feedstock is pumped, by the main pump  110 , into the reactor  113 , the feedstock exits the reactor  113  and flows through the control system  200 . In an embodiment, when the flow restrictor or pin  232  is in an open position, the feedstock may enter through the adapter opening device  238 , and flow through the seat  240  within the flow channel  242 . The fluid flows past the pin  232  and exits the system  200  through the flow port  250 , whereby it enters into the gasifier  112 . When the when the flow restrictor or pin  232  is in a closed position, the pin  232  is engaged with the seat  240 , thereby restricting the flow of the feedstock through the seat  240 , and therefore, restricting the flow through the channel  242 . 
     Over time, the feedstock flowing through the control valve system  200  may cause the pin  232  and the seat  240  to wear. The feedstock generally comprises a solid and fluid mixture, and when it is controlled through the system  200  it comes in direct contact with the pin  232  and the seat  240 . As this wear occurs, the travel distance of the pin  232  to engage the seat  240  may increase, requiring additional motion of the actuator  208  to control the valve system  200  from the open position to the close position. 
     A position controller  233  may be configured to determine the status or condition of the actuator  208 . The position controller  233  may also be configured to determine the travel range of the flow restrictor  232  from the open position to the close position. The travel range may be utilized in order to determine the integrity of the pin  232  and the seat  240 . Accordingly, the position controller  233  may provide an indication of when the wear exceeds a certain threshold, thereby indicating that the pin  232  and/or seat  240  may need to be replaced. It should be appreciated that a 100% shutoff (for example, such as, when the pin  232  in the closed position) may not be required for the valve system  200  to operate effectively. The indicator, along with the determined position of the actuator  208 , may be provided to valve system  200  operators, power plant  100  operators, the controller  700 , and/or any other necessary control means. The position controller  233  is coupled to the base plate  206 . However, it should be appreciated that the controller  233  may be located remotely or coupled to another portion of the valve system  200 . 
     The control valve system  200  may also include a locking mechanism (not shown) coupled to the main body  214  for restricting the motion of the packing gland  211  during valve  200  operations. The locking mechanism may include a locking nut and a locking screw. The locking nut may be configured to allow the locking screw to fit within and may be threadedly engaged with the screw. An outside surface of the locking nut may be configured to contact the packing gland  211 . The contact between the locking nut and the gland  211  may lock the gland  211  onto the main body  214 . The locking screw may also threadedly engage with an interior surface of the main body  214 , coupling both the screw and the nut to the main body  214 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment for a valve system  200 . The actuator  208  may be operatively connected to the body portion  204  by using a mounting bracket  260 . The mounting bracket  260  may be connected to the body porition  204  by using multiple mounting screws  262   a  and  262   b.  The mounting screws  262   a  and  262   b  may fit within predefined holes (not labeled) in the mounting bracket  260  and threadedly engage the main body  214 . It should be appreciated that the mounting bracket  260  may be connected to the main body  214  in various ways including welding, adhesives, or other means commonly used in the art. 
     The actuator  208  may be connected to the mounting bracket  260  via a threaded connection  264 . The actuator  208  and the mounting bracket  260  may each include a threaded portion (not labelled) that interconnects at the threaded connection  264 . The actuator  208  may be held in place on the mounting bracket  260  by a locking nut  266 . The locking nut  266  may include a threaded portion (not labelled) configured to interconnect with the threaded portion of the mounting bracket  260 . It should be appreciated that the actuator  208  may be operatively connected to the body portion  204  of the valve system  200  by alternate means, and that this description is merely an illustrative example of an attachment means for the actuator  208 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the controller  700  which may be included in the power plant  100 . The controller  700  may be an electronic control unit, which may be used to facilitate control and coordination of any methods or procedures described herein. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the controller  700  may include a processor  702 , memory  704 , display  706 , the position controller  233 , and valve actuators. The processor  702  may be configured to output signals to valve actuators and/or receive values sensed by sensors or gauges  708 , such as temperature and pressure. The processor may be further configured to output signals that indicate failures that have been determined by indicators  709 . The output signals and sensed values may be stored in memory, shown on a display  706 , and used by the controller  700  to control the flow of the feedstock through the power plant  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators include the control valve actuator  208 , a gasifier heating fluid actuator  129 , a bypass control actuator  131 , a coil control actuator  141 , and a reactor heating fluid actuator  145  coupled to the control valve system  200 , gasifier heating fluid control valve  128 , bypass valve  130 , coil control valve  140 , and reactor heating fluid control valve  144 , respectively. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, additional actuators, sensors, or gauges may be used, for example, to sense and control the pressure and temperature of the feedstock within the reactor  113  and the gasifier  112 . Additionally, sensors or gauges may be used to sense and control the pressure and temperature of the gasifier heating fluid flowing through the gasifier  112  and the reactor heating fluid flowing through the reactor  113 . While the controller  700  is represented as a single unit, in other aspects the controller  700  may be distributed as a plurality of distinct but interoperating units, incorporated into another component, or located at different locations on or off the power plant system  100 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a pin position diagram  800  of the pin  232  within the control valve system  200  during operations. The control valve system  200  may include four distinct operations, including, valve system start-up, valve system operation, valve system clear, and valve system shutdown. The position of the pin  232  within the valve system  200  and the behavior may be set by the controller  700  by setting a percent open or closed between 0 percent and 100 percent. A first position, which may be the close position, may be set to 0 percent and a second position, which may be the open position, may be set to 100 percent. The controller  700  may move the pin  232  to any position between 0 percent and 100 percent. 
     Upon system start up, the controller  700  may command the control valve actuator  208  to force the pin  232  into the first position, or close position. The pin  232  may remain in that position as the controller  700  brings the system  200  up to an operating temperature and pumps fluid into the reactor  113  until a preset pressure point is reached within the reactor  113 . In an embodiment, the operating temperature may be between 500 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The preset pressure may be based on the saturation pressure of water at the present operating temperatures. Upon reaching the preset pressure point, the controller  700  may command the valve system  200  to begin system operation. 
     The valve system operation behavior may be described as an oscillation of the pin  232  within the valve system  200  anywhere between the first and second positions. The position of the pin  232  during this oscillation may be controlled by a number of variables. The variable can include the set point  802 , the amplitude  804 , the duration  806 , and the period of oscillation  808 . 
     The set point  802  is an initial position of the pin  232  and may be set by a default value upon initialization or changed to any value by the controller  700 . In an embodiment, the controller  700  may receive temperature data from a sensor (not shown) monitoring the temperature of the process gas out of the gasifier  112 , and based on this temperature data, the controller  700  may change the set point  802 . If the process gas has a low temperature, the controller  700  may change the set point  802  to be higher to allow more material to flow into the gasifier  112 . If the process gas has a high temperature, the controller  700  may change the set point  802  to be lower to allow less material to flow into the gasifier  112 . It should be appreciated that the process gas may include the synthetic gas and an ash mixture exiting the gasifier  112  and steam. 
     The amplitude  804  is the magnitude of the increase in a percent opening of the pin  232  during valve system operation. The pin  232  oscillates between the set point  802  and the maximum position  810  (set point  802  plus the amplitude  804 ). The maximum position  810  may be set by a default or changed by the controller  700  to maintain pressure and flow stability within the reactor  113 . 
     The duration  806  is the amount of time the pin  232  may remain in the maximum position  810 . Upon the expiration of this time frame, the pin  232  may drop back to the last set point  802 . The duration  806  may be set by default or changed by the controller  700  to maintain pressure stability in the reactor  113 . 
     The period of oscillation  808  is the length of time of the oscillation pattern. At the expiration of this time frame, the controller  700  may begin the next oscillation. The period  808  may be set by default upon initialization or changed by the controller  700  to maintain pressure stability in the reactor  113 . 
     The oscillation pattern may continue throughout the valve system operation as the set point  802  is changed up or down in percentage as the feedstock characteristics change and impact the quality and quantity of a synthesis fuel being produced. The quantity and quality of the synthesis fuel being produced may be determined by the temperature and pressure of the gas after exiting the gasifier  112  and prior to entering the aftercooler  116 . 
     The valve system operation may continue until one or more of number conditions are encountered. These conditions may include over pressure in the reactor  113 , a pressure spike in the reactor  113  (such as for example a rapid increase in pressure of the feedstock), or a system shutdown. If an over pressure or a pressure spike condition occurs, then a system clear response may be triggered. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a pin position diagram  900  of the pin  232  within the control valve system  200  during a valve system clear E, according to an aspect of this disclosure. During the valve system clear E, the controller  700  may command the pin  232  into the first position  902   a,  then the controller  700  may command the pin  232  into the second position  904 , then the controller may command the pin  232  back into the first position  902   b  before returning the pin  232  to the last set point  802 . Upon the completion of this response, the controller  700  may either return the valve system  200  to valve system operation or repeat the valve system clear E until the over pressure or pressure spike condition is eliminated. 
     The movement of the pin  232  between the first positions ( 902   a  and  902   b ) and the second position  904  may be performed in rapid succession. This may provide for the ability to clear the main body  214  chamber and flow channel  242 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the body portion  204  of the valve system  200  having debris  950  in the main body  214  chamber. While feedstock is being admitted and restricted from entering the valve system  200 , feedstock may build up inside the chamber within the main body  214 . Rapidly opening and closing the control valve  200  may remove unnecessary feedstock, allowing the control valve  200  to continue to operate effectively. As referred to herein, moving the pin  232  in “rapid succession” may be defined as moving the pin from an open position to a close position and back to an open position within a tenth of a second. 
     A final operation of the valve system  200  is the system shutdown. The system shutdown may flush the valve system  200  of any feedstock as well as cool down the system  200  below a flash point of the fluid in the feedstock. 
     While the disclosure is described herein using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. Modification and variations from the described embodiments exist. More specifically, the following examples are given as a specific illustration of embodiments of the claimed disclosure. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details set forth in the examples.