Biomass gasifier with disruption device
The present application thus provides a gasifier for use in converting a feedstock material into a syngas. The gasifier may include an outer chamber, a reaction zone positioned within the outer chamber, and a disruption device maneuverable within the outer chamber to ensure a steady flow of the feedstock material into the reaction zone without bridging.
1. A gasifier for use in converting a feedstock material into a syngas, comprising:
an outer chamber;
a reaction zone positioned within the outer chamber, the reaction zone comprising an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion;
a disruption device comprising at least two extensions, the disruption device maneuverable within the outer chamber to ensure a steady flow of the feedstock material into the reaction zone without bridging, wherein the disruption device is configured to maneuver from a first position where one of the at least two extensions is in contact with the uppermost portion of the reaction zone and a second position where one of the at least two extensions is in contact with the lowermost potion of the reaction zone;
a controller in communication with the disruption device, wherein the controller is programmed to initiate maneuvering of the disruption device from the first position to the second position;
an input pressure sensor in communication with the controller; and
an output pressure sensor in communication with the controller;
wherein:
the input pressure sensor is configured to measure a first pressure at an inlet of the gasifier;
the output pressure sensor is configured to measure a second pressure at an outlet of the gasifier; and
the controller is programmed to initiate maneuvering of the disruption device upon detecting a predetermined difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
2. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the disruption device comprises a shaft.
3. The gasifier of claim 2 , wherein the disruption device comprises a drive device to maneuver the shaft within the outer chamber.
4. The gasifier of claim 2 , wherein the disruption device comprises an insertion device to insert and remove the disruption device from within the chamber.
5. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the at least two extensions are coaxially aligned.
6. The gasifier of claim 5 , wherein the at least two extensions comprise one or more paddles.
7. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the disruption device comprises an extended spiral.
8. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the disruption device comprises an extended screw.
9. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the outer chamber comprises an upper inlet and wherein the disruption device comprises a substantially vertical orientation.
10. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the outer chamber comprises a sidewall and wherein the disruption device comprises a substantially horizontal orientation.
11. The gasifier of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined difference is a percentage of an initial difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
12. A biomass gasifier for use in converting a feedstock material into a syngas, comprising:
an outer chamber;
a reaction zone positioned within the outer chamber, the reaction zone comprising an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion;
a disruption device maneuverable within the outer chamber to ensure a steady flow of the feedstock material into the reaction zone, the disruption device comprising a shaft and at least two extensions, the disruption device maneuvered by a drive device, wherein the disruption device is configured to maneuver from a first position where one of the at least two extensions is in contact with the uppermost portion of the reaction zone and a second position where one of the at least two extensions is in contact with the lowermost potion of the reaction zone;
a controller in communication with the disruption device, wherein the controller is programmed to initiate maneuvering of the disruption device from the first position to the second position;
an input pressure sensor in communication with the controller; and
an output pressure sensor in communication with the controller;
wherein:
the input pressure sensor is configured to measure a first pressure at an inlet of the gasifier;
the output pressure sensor is configured to measure a second pressure at an outlet of the gasifier; and
the controller is programmed to initiate maneuvering of the disruption device upon detecting a predetermined difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
13. The biomass gasifier of claim 12 , wherein the disruption device comprises an insertion device to insert and remove the disruption device from within the outer chamber.
14. The biomass gasifier of claim 12 , wherein the at least two extensions are attached to the shaft such that the at least two extensions are coaxially aligned.
15. The biomass gasifier of claim 12 , wherein the shaft comprises an extended spiral.
16. The biomass gasifier of claim 12 , wherein the shaft comprises an extended screw.