Patent ID: 7531014

Claim:
A fluid bed reformer configured to convert a carbonaceous material into a product gas, the reformer comprising: a reaction vessel defining a compartment configured to receive fluidizable carbonaceous material, the reaction vessel having at least a first wall portion and a second wall portion; a first heat transfer module connected to the reaction vessel, the first heat transfer module comprising a first pulse combustor connected to a first acoustic chamber having a first end and a second end, wherein the first pulse combustor comprises at least one first tailpipe that terminates in the first acoustic chamber between the first and second ends; and a first plurality of heat transfer tubes protruding into said compartment, each of said first plurality of heat transfer tubes being in fluid communication with the acoustic chamber through said first wall portion, wherein: each of said first plurality of heat transfer tubes is configured such that combustion products emitted from said at least one first tailpipe travel along a first channel of each heat transfer tube in a direction away from said first wall portion, and then along a second channel of said each heat transfer tube in a direction towards the first wall portion; and the at least one tailpipe comprises a resonator tube of the first pulse combustor and does not protrude into the compartment of the reaction vessel.