Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out an essentially closed loop pyrolysis process includes a pyrolysis reactor, a first collection vessel in which the carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis is separated from the products of the reactor and deposited, a conduit from the first collection vessel to a burner, a second collection vessel in which the particulate source of heat produced by the burner is deposited, and a return conduit from the second collection vessel to the pyrolysis reactor. A higher pressure is established at the outlet of each collection vessel than the pressure at the inlet to which it is coupled. Specifically, each collection vessel comprises a hopper, a standpipe extending downwardly from the hopper to the outlet of the collection vessel, an angle riser through which the particles at the outlet of the vessel are transported by a transport gas, and a vertical riser through which the particles are lifted to the inlet in a less dense state than in the corresponding vessel.

Abstract: Particulate organic solid waste is pyrolyzed in the presence of an inert particulate source of heat and a carrier gas in a pyrolysis reactor to form a carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis, pyrolytic oils and gases. The particulate source of heat and carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis are separated from the product stream. The particulate source of heat and carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis are transported to a combustion zone where through partial or total combustion. The particulate source of heat is reheated to a temperature requisite for feed to the pyrolysis reactor with attendant generation of additional particulate source of heat.

Abstract: There is provided a system for segregating through comminution and classification solid waste into ferrous metal, inorganic, and organic fractions. The inorganic fraction is further classified into aluminum and glass fractions. The organic fraction is further comminuted, dried and fed to a pyrolysis system where it is converted to gas for use in drying the organic material for feed to the pyrolysis system, pyrolytic oils and char. The principal saleable products recovered are char, pyrolytic oils, glass, aluminum, and ferrous metal.

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.