Method and apparatus for combined steam boiler/combuster and gasifier

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a steam boiler/combuster and gasifier that uses a primary dirty fuel, such as waste materials, or high-polluting fossil fuels, and a secondary low-polluting fuel, such as biomass fuels for co-generation of electricity while reducing harmful emissions. The primary fuel is burned in the combuster to create steam in the steam boiler. The steam turns a steam turbine thereby powering a first generator. The dirty exhaust from the combuster is scrubbed by a gasifier. The secondary fuel and oxygen are added to the dirty exhaust in the gasifier creating gas and ash. The gas powers an engine that turns a second generator and releases a cleaner exhaust.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for converting dirty fuels to steam and useful gas, the apparatus comprising: 
 a combuster burning dirty fuels producing heat and exhaust;    a steam boiler receiving the heat from the combuster to produce steam; and    a gasifier wherein biomass material and the exhaust from the combuster result in useful gas.