Biomass Gasifier System with Rotating Distribution Manifold

Abstract

A biomass gasifier for producing syngas. The biomass gasifier includes a first tube having an air distribution manifold that extend within the gasification chamber. The first tube is rotatably positioned within a second tube, where the second tube is connected to a mixer below the air distribution manifold. The first tube has an air passage that is fluidly connected to an air source to deliver air to the combustion chamber through a plurality of air outlets within the air distribution manifold for distribution. The first tube is independently rotated from the second tube to evenly distribute air within the combustion chamber and the second tube with the mixer are rotated to agitate the biomass within the combustion chamber once a desired operating temperature range within the combustion chamber has been achieved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biomass gasifier, comprising:
 a gasification chamber within a housing;   a first tube that extends into the gasification chamber, wherein the first tube is fluidly connected to an air source;   an air distribution manifold connected to the first tube, wherein the air distribution manifold includes a plurality of air outlets to disperse air received through the first tube; and   a motor that rotates the first tube and the connected air distribution manifold within the gasification chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the air distribution manifold comprises a bar having an elongate axis that is perpendicular to an elongate axis of the first tube. 
     
     
         3 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the air distribution manifold extends radially outward from the first tube. 
     
     
         4 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the gasification chamber includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the air distribution manifold is positioned in the lower portion. 
     
     
         5 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the gasification chamber includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the air distribution manifold is positioned proximate a point where the upper portion joins the lower portion. 
     
     
         6 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 1 , wherein the gasification chamber includes an upper portion that is slidable with respect to the lower portion. 
     
     
         7 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor that senses the temperature within the gasification chamber, wherein the sensed temperature is communicated to a controller. 
     
     
         8 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 7 , wherein the controller directs the motor to rotate the first tube responsive to a certain temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A biomass gasifier, comprising:
 a gasification chamber within a housing;   a first tube that extends into the gasification chamber, wherein the first tube is fluidly connected to an air source;   a second tubing that extends into the gasification chamber and surrounds at least a portion of the first tube;   an air distribution manifold connected to the first tube, wherein the air distribution manifold includes a plurality of air outlets to disperse air received through the first tube; and   a motor that rotates within the gasification chamber one or both of: (a) the first tube and the connected air distribution manifold; and (b) the second tube.   
     
     
         10 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 9 , wherein the motor comprises a singular motor. 
     
     
         11 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 9 , further comprising a temperature sensor that senses the temperature within the gasification chamber, wherein the sensed temperature is communicated to a controller. 
     
     
         12 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 11 , wherein the controller directs the operation of the motor to rotate the first tube responsive to a first temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 12 , wherein the first tube is rotated bidirectionally by the motor. 
     
     
         14 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 12 , wherein the controller directs the operation of the motor to rotate the second tube responsive to a second temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, wherein the first temperature is different from the second temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 14 , wherein both the first tube and the second tube are simultaneously rotated unidirectionally by the motor. 
     
     
         16 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 9 , wherein a slot of a connecting member engages with a prong extending from the first tube to cause rotation of the of the second tube. 
     
     
         17 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 9 , further comprising a mixer that extends from the second tube into the gasification chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The biomass gasifier of  claim 9 , further comprising an agitator that extends from the second tube into the gasification chamber. 
     
     
         19 . A method of producing syngas with the biomass gasifier of  claim 9 , the method comprising:
 receiving biomass material within the gasification chamber;   igniting the biomass material within the gasification chamber to induce combustion; and   rotating the first tube to distribute air within the gasification chamber with the air distribution manifold during combustion.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising rotating the second tube along with a mixer coupled to the second tube, wherein the mixer agitates the biomass material within the gasification chamber during combustion.