Abstract: A system for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands includes a heated enclosure 66, one or more input conveyors 60, 67 move tar sands through the heated enclosure, provide a flow line with a temperature gradient of at least 150° F., and mechanically move the tar sands along the flow line. A heated rotary drum 74 is in fluid communication with the flow line, and condenser unit 94, 98 receive vapors from the flow line and the rotary drum and output hydrocarbons. One or more discharge conveyors 76 discharge stripped sands from the rotary drum. Control valves 80, 82 seal a vacuum downstream from the discharge conveyors, and control valves 34, 46 seal vacuum upstream from the one or more input conveyors. Various types of vacuum pumps may be used to maintain a selected vacuum between the control valves.

Abstract: A system for recycling solid waste into energy includes a heated enclosure 66, one or more input conveyors 60, 67 move waste materials through the heated enclosure, provide a flow line with a temperature gradient of at least 150 F.°, and mechanically move the waste particles and the residual solids along the flow line. A heated rotary drum 74 is in fluid communication with the flow line, and condenser unit 94, 98 receive vapors from the flow line and the rotary drum and output hydrocarbons. One or more discharge conveyors 76 discharge carbon black from the rotary drum. Control valves 80, 82 seal a vacuum downstream from the discharge conveyors, and control valves 34, 46 seal vacuum upstream from the one or more input conveyors. Various types of vacuum pumps may be used to maintain a selected vacuum between the control valves.

Abstract: A method for forming an article from recyclable plastic materials includes progressively heating thermoplastic solid particles simultaneously with mixing, melting and conveying the particles, prior to delivery of molten material to an extruder. The process is particularly suitable for the continuous extrusion of elongated members having a plurality of internal wall surfaces defining elongated cavities within the member. The apparatus embodying the present invention includes a heated mixer-conveyor that simultaneously heats, melts, mixes and conveys thermoplastic material from an inlet port at which the material is received in solid particulate form, to a discharge port at which the material is in a substantially liquid state. A die particularly adapted for the continuous extrusion of an elongated member having internal walls shaped by surfaces within the die cavity is also disclosed.