Patent ID: 8475552

Claim:
A system, comprising: a posimetric pump configured to increase pressure of a feedstock to provide a pressurized feedstock, wherein the posimetric pump comprises: an inlet; an outlet; a curved passage disposed between the inlet and outlet; a first region at atmospheric or low pressure disposed adjacent the inlet; and a second region at higher pressure relative to the first region disposed adjacent the outlet, wherein the feedstock is pressurized as it travels along the curved passage from the first region to the second region; a fixed bed gasifier configured to gasify the pressurized feedstock, wherein the fixed bed gasifier comprises an enclosure, a feedstock inlet configured to receive the pressurized feedstock, at least one agent inlet configured to receive at least one gasification agent, a syngas outlet configured to output a syngas, an ash outlet configured to output ash, and a fixed bed configured to support the pressurized feedstock while allowing flow of the at least one gasification agent through the pressurized feedstock; first and second feedstock conveyors configured to deliver first and second feedstocks as the feedstock to the posimetric pump; at least one transducer disposed in the posimetric pump or the fixed bed gasifier; and a controller programmed to vary a ratio of the first feedstock relative to the second feedstock into the posimetric pump to adjust a moisture content or a heating value of mixed feedstock in the posimetric pump based on feedback received from the at least one transducer, wherein the feedback comprises the heating value of the mixed feedstock, a temperature, a pressure, an indicator of performance of the fixed bed gasifier, or a measurement of the moisture content of the mixed feedstock in the fixed bed gasifier.