Method and apparatus for a feed into a gasifier utilizing a slurry

1. A fuel feed system for a gasifier comprising:

a grinding mechanism capable of grinding a feedstock into particles of desired particle sizes, the particle sizes including solids particles larger than a first threshold size and fines particles smaller than a second threshold size;

at least one solids separation device in flow communication with the grinding mechanism and capable of separating the solids particles from the fines particles;

at least one solids conduit for conveying the solids particles to a gasification plant; and

at least one fines stream for conveying the fines particles to the gasification plant, the fines stream including a slurry stream having at least one slurry tank in flow communication with the at least one solids separation device wherein the fines are added to a slurry.

2. The feed system of claim 1 wherein the slurry stream further comprises:

at least one slurry conduit in flow communication with the at least one slurry tank for conveying the slurry to the gasification plant.

3. The feed system of claim 1 wherein the solids separation device comprises a cyclone.

4. The feed system of claim 1 including a drying mechanism in operable communication with the grinding mechanism and capable of removing moisture from the solids particles and the fines particles.

5. The feed system of claim 4 wherein the drying mechanism is disposed in the grinding mechanism.

6. The feed system of claim 1 including a ground solids storage hopper disposed between the at least one solids separation device and the gasification plant.

7. The feed system of claim 1 including a storage device disposed between the at least one solids separation device and the at least one slurry tank.

8. The feed system of claim 7 wherein the storage device is a baghouse.

9. The feed system of claim 1 including at least one pressurization device disposed between the at least one solids separation device and the gasification plant for urging the solids particles toward the gasification plant.

10. The feed system of claim 9 wherein the at least one pressurization device is at least one solids pump.

11. A method for feeding stock into a gasifier comprising:

conveying a feedstock into a grinding mechanism;

grinding the feedstock into particles of desired sizes in the grinding mechanism;

separating solids particles larger than a first threshold size from fines particles smaller than a second threshold size;

conveying the solids particles toward a gasification plant; and

conveying the fines particles toward the gasification plant by:

conveying the fines particles toward a slurry tank;

mixing the fines particles with one or more additives to produce a slurry mixture; and

conveying the slurry mixture toward the gasification plant.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising removing moisture from the solids particles and/or the fines particles in the grinding mechanism.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein removing is accomplished by forcing hot gas across the solids particles and/or the fines particles.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein separating the solids particles from the fines particles comprises:

conveying the solids particles and the fines particles to a particle separation device; and

separating the solids particles from the fines particles via the particle separation device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the particle separation device comprises a cyclone.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the second threshold size is a particle diameter of about 100 microns.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the solids particles are conveyed to the gasification chamber via one or more solids pumps.

18. The method of claim 11 including storing the fines particles in a baghouse until conveyed to the slurry tank.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the additives include particles recycled from the gasification chamber.