Abstract: Solid carbonaceous material, especially coal or coal char, is desulfurized by sequential treatment with steam, hydrogen, and steam. The partially desulfurized char from the first steam treatment zone is used to remove hydrogen sulfide from the effluent gas from the hydrogen treatment zone. Both the treated effluent gas and the spent char are recycled, thereby providing an efficient process for desulfurization.

Abstract: Essentially carbon free inorganic particles formed from the decarbonization of a carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis of comminuted organic solid waste is employed as the prime heat source for the pyrolysis of the comminuted organic solid waste.

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: Particulate solids are separated from their admixture with gases by passage through a cyclone separator, wherein the solids are guided down the lower conical section thereof by helical channels which minimize recirculation of the particles and thereby minimize agglomeration thereof.