Abstract: A method for processing various organic materials such as lignocellulosics or biomass into more useful states, such as charcoal, carbon black, and coke, and other processed products while producing useful off-gases, includes feeding aggregate pieces of the material to a vertically extending heating chamber and, preferably, closing the chamber to air to control oxygen therein. The pieces are conveyed upwardly through the chamber in a predetermined time by spiral vibratory conveyor. The chamber is heated to a preselected temperature sufficient for gaseous conversion of volatile hydrocarbon constituents of the material. Resultant off-gases are removed from the chamber for further use such as burning thereof for heating the chamber or condensing volatiles, etc.Apparatus for carrying out the method includes preferably first and second such chambers, there being continuous spiral vibrator tray in each chamber carried by a central, vertical support column.

Abstract: A pallet construction for use with detachable tiering frames, which pallet is fabricated of metal having parallel stringers with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart deck members extending transversely therebetween which latter are fixed, as by welding, to said stringers. Said pallet may be adapted for use with tiering frames of the center post or corner post type by means of a unique support member fixed, in the former case, to the intermediate zone of the under face of the stringers and end deck members, and in the latter case to the ends of said stringers. Said supports each incorporate a surface bearing portion for engaging a portion of the underlying tiering frame; there being an adjacent inclined portion which serves as a detent to inhibit shifting of the pallet as so supported while also acting cammingly to assist in positioning of such pallet. Each support has a base portion for engaging a support surface.