Method for optimizing the operation of a gas generator and a gas generator

Abstract

A method for optimizing the operation of a gas generator having a housing part, at the upper end of which are elements for supplying fuel to a fuel compartment inside the housing part. The fuel descends by gravity onto a grate, a combustion zone being formed above the grate, with elements for supplying gasification gas thereto. The grate includes two concentrically arranged first and second grate parts, at least one of which grate part can be turned around an axis of rotation passing through a joint centre. The grate parts can be moved in the direction of the axis of rotation towards each other into their mutually interlocking position, and away from each other, into a position partly or completely out of the interlocking position. The grate parts move with respect to each other to regulate the flow of gases through the grate and/or the removal of ash.

1 . A method for optimising the operation of a gas generator, wherein the gas generator has a housing part ( 30 ), at the upper end of which are means ( 12 ,  20 - 22 ,  20 ′- 22 ′) for supplying fuel to a fuel compartment ( 14 ) inside the housing part, the fuel descending by the force of gravity onto a grate ( 1 ,  2 ), at a point above the grate being formed a combustion zone, in connection with which are arranged means ( 4 ,  5 ) for supplying gasification gas to it, characterised in that in the method is used a grate ( 1 ,  2 ) comprised of two concentrically arranged first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) grate parts, of which grate parts at least one grate part ( 2 ) can be turned around an axis of rotation passing through a joint centre, and which grate parts ( 1 ,  2 ) can be moved in the direction of the said axis of rotation towards each other, into their mutually interlocking position, and away from each other, into a position partly or completely out of the said interlocking position, and that in the method, the said grate parts ( 1 ,  2 ) are moved with respect to one another and/or jointly to regulate the flow of gases through the grate and/or the removal of ash from the grate and/or to prevent the entry of not completely burnt fuel through the grate. 
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in the method, ash removal and/or the prevention of the formation of clogging are enhanced by turning the first ( 1 ) and second grate parts ( 2 ) with respect to one another around the said axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in the method, the thickness of the carbon layer in the reduction zone above the grate is adjusted by moving the grate ( 1 ,  2 ) as a whole in the direction of the axis of rotation towards the combustion zone or away from it. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in the method, the gas flow passing through the grate is regulated by moving the grate parts ( 1 ,  2 ) in the direction of the said axis of rotation towards one another or away from one another to change the distance between them. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in the method, nozzles ( 4 ) located on the periphery of the reactor and/or central nozzles ( 5 ) located in the centre of the combustion chamber are used for supplying gasification gas into the combustion zone. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the central nozzles ( 5 ) are located at the lower end of the central pipe ( 6 ) extending from the top downwards in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the central pipe with its nozzle heads being arranged to be moved in its longitudinal direction and/or transverse direction and/or to be rotated about its longitudinal central axis, and that in the method, the surface area of the fuel in the combustion zone and the conditions in the combustion zone are adjusted by moving and/or rotating the central pipe ( 6 ). 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the fuel supply means comprise an upper ( 20 - 22 ) and a lower closing apparatus ( 20 ′- 22 ′) arranged in the upper part of the gas generator, which form between them a closable fuel supply space ( 24 ), whereby when the lower closing apparatus is closed, fuel is supplied into the space through the opened upper closing apparatus, and then the upper closing apparatus is closed and inert gas is fed into the space to pressurise the space before opening the lower closing apparatus to allow the fuel to descend towards the combustion zone. 
     
     
         8 . A gas generator comprising a housing part ( 30 ), at the upper end of which are means ( 12 ,  20 - 22 ,  20 ′- 22 ′) for supplying fuel to a fuel compartment ( 14 ) inside the housing part, the fuel descending by the force of gravity onto a grate, at a point above the grate being formed a combustion zone, in connection with which are arranged means for supplying gasification gas to it, characterised in that the grate ( 1 ,  2 ) of the gas generator is comprised of two concentrically arranged first ( 1 ) and second grate parts ( 2 ), of which grate parts at least one grate part ( 2 ) can be turned around an axis of rotation passing through a joint centre, and which grate parts ( 1 ,  2 ) can be moved in the direction of the said axis of rotation towards each other, into their mutually interlocking position, and away from each other, into a position partly or completely out of the said interlocking position. 
     
     
         9 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that the grate is arranged to be moved as a whole in the direction of the axis of rotation, towards the combustion zone or away from it, to adjust the thickness of the carbon layer in the reduction zone above the grate so as to make it optimal. 
     
     
         10 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that the supply of gasification gas into the combustion chamber is arranged to take place from nozzles ( 4 ) located on the periphery of the reactor and/or central nozzles ( 5 ) located in the centre of the combustion zone. 
     
     
         11 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that the fuel supply means comprise an upper ( 20 - 22 ) and a lower closing apparatus ( 20 ′- 22 ′) arranged in the upper part of the generator, which form between them a closed fuel supply space ( 24 ), in which are arranged inert gas supply means for pressurising the space before allowing the fuel to descend towards the combustion zone. 
     
     
         12 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 11 , characterised in that the closing apparatus ( 20 - 22 ;  20 ′- 22 ′) comprises a closing part ( 21 ,  21 ′) which closes the fuel supply space ( 24 ), which is arranged to turn 360° about its axis of rotation ( 23 ) to release the passage of the fuel from the supply space ( 24 ) into the fuel compartment ( 14 ) and to close the supply space again. 
     
     
         13 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that the fuel compartment ( 14 ) inside the housing part has straight walls or widens slightly downwards. 
     
     
         14 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that the supply of gasification gas into the combustion chamber is arranged to take place from nozzles ( 4 ) located on the periphery of the reactor and/or central nozzles ( 5 ) located in the centre of the combustion zone. 
     
     
         15 . A gas generator as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the supply of gasification gas into the combustion chamber is arranged to take place from nozzles ( 4 ) located on the periphery of the reactor and/or central nozzles ( 5 ) located in the centre of the combustion zone.