Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor has a feed system which includes one or more circularly arcuate feed tubes removably inserted through the outer wall of the reactor. Each feed tube is slidably disposed in a corresponding circularly arcuate external guide sleeve for positioning the discharge end of each feed tube at a predetermined location and orientation within the reactor. A hot particulate material normally suspended in a fluid carrier is fed into the reactor. The inlet end(s) of the feed tube(s) can be connected to a source of particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material suspended in a fluid carrier for injection into the reactor, preferably at a location where the hot particulate material is uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section of the reactor. Means can be provided to cool the particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material during transit through the feed tube(s) to prevent agglomeration in the feed tube(s).

Abstract: A knockout pot for separating pyrolysis oil and heavy hydrocarbon constituents from gaseous constituents in the vapor discharge from a flash pyrolysis process. The knockout pot includes a closed vessel having an inlet pipe extending vertically through the top of the vessel to the interior, the pipe having a plurality of discharge holes in the lower end of the inlet pipe. A quench liquid input is connected tangentially to the inlet pipe on the outside of the vessel, imparting a swirling motion to the quenching liquid. The quench liquid is withdrawn from the vessel and recirculated.

Abstract: In a rotary feeder, a sealing surface on the end of each compartment defining radial wall is closely spaced from the peripheral surface of the rotor cavity in the housing, a distance that establishes controlled laminar fluid flow between compartments. Preferably, the sealing surface has an approximately uniform spacing from the peripheral surface of the cavity and a matching curvature, and is formed on a blade at least as wide as the radial wall.