Abstract: The rotary hearth furnace plant for heating granular high-carbon solids comprises an approximately funnel-shaped hearth, which rotates on a vertical axis and has a central outlet, which is disposed over a rotary table, on which the heated solids are moved by means of blades to an exit. The outlet of the rotary hearth furnace is disposed over the radially outer portion of the rotary table, which has a raised rim and a centrally disposed exit. A gastight hood is disposed between the rim of the rotary table and the rotary hearth.

Abstract: A wood-burning stove utilizes a volatilization chamber inserted within the combustion chamber of the stove. The volatilization chamber contains a charge of wood which is heated to drive off combustible gases and vapors. The combustible gases and vapors are thereafter burned in the combustion chamber of the stove by being passed through a layer of solid fuel w hich includes a substantial amount of charcoal residue from previous volatilized wood. The heat generated by burning the volatile material is used to produce additional volatiles as well as to heat the stove.

Abstract: A dryer system for treating oily solids, such as oil based drilling mud cuttings, into dry and oil-free solids and a liquid which includes recovered oil values. The system is a continuous feed, high vacuum, low temperature, distillation unit. An indirect heat exchanger may also be employed. The dry solids can be discharged continuously through a water standpipe, venturi type eductor or other continuous solids discharge arrangement. The dry solids are oil-free sufficiently to allow discharge into public waters without a rainbow effect. The recovered liquid includes the oil base and chemicals in a state permitting reuse directly in formulation of additional amounts of the oil based drilling mud, or other employment such as a fuel for heating the distillation unit.In one embodiment, the present dryer system is especially useful for installation on offshore drilling platforms.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering liquid and gaseous fuel from solid hydrocarbon-containing mineral material such as bitumen-containing mineral materials exemplified by tar sands or oil-bearing diatomites, without expensive pretreatment to separate the hydrocarbon containing material from material containing no hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon-containing material is agglomerated into discrete pieces that are treated on a traveling grate such as a circular traveling grate and subjected to sequential treatments in which hot gases are passed upwardly or downwardly through a relatively deep permeable bed of the pieces on the grate, in several treating zones separated by transverse gas seals and sealed at the side edges by suitable gas seals. All, or essentially all, of the heat required is obtained in a coke burn-off zone from combustion of coke that remains in the material on the grate after the volatile hydrocarbons have been removed by distillation in an earlier distillation zone.

Abstract: In the apparatus, concentric, radially spaced tubes are secured to each other and rotated about a common horizontal long axis. Selectively placed and configured lift elements repeatedly lift and drop feed material in the two tubes. Advance elements cause the feed material introduced into the feed end of the structure to advance through the inner tube where it is progressively heated, dehydrated and its hydrocarbon content is largely vaporized. The hydrocarbon vapors are removed from the opposite product end of the structure. The remaining solid material falls from the end of the inner tube into a combustion zone in the outer tube. Oxygen supplying means are provided for causing the carbon coatings on the particles in the combustion zone to burn to produce heat employed in the processing of the feed material. The solid particles in the outer tube are moved back toward the feed end by advancing elements.

Abstract: A dry thermal processor for recovering hydrocarbons from oil sand solids comprises concentric, radially spaced, horizontal inner and outer tubular members connected for rotation together. The inner member provides a substantially open preheat zone and vaporization zone while the outer member provides, in the annular space between the tubular members, a substantially open combustion zone and heat transfer zone. The ends of the outer member are sealed by stationary feed end and product end structures. Advance means move the oil sand solids from the feed end structure through the preheat and vaporization zones to the product end structure and back through the combustion and heat transfer zones. Rotation of the inner member causes size reduction of the oil sand feed in the preheat zone, and oversize is discharged directly into the annular space at the second end of the preheat zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for purification of petroleum coke to produce an economical low sulfur product suitable for electrode production. Finely ground green coke is treated on an enclosed circular grate apparatus and subjected to sequential treatments in which hot gases are passed through a deep permeable bed of coke on the grate in a series of separate treating zones including a preheat zone, a heating and calcining zone, a desulfurizing zone in which hydrogen rich gas is passed through the heated bed, a reduction gas generation zone in which hydrocarbon and steam pass through hot coke to form hydrogen, and a cooling zone.Adequate temperatures for calcination and desulfurization are achieved and the proper heating rate is obtained without overheating the metal parts of the hearth by use of radiant and hot gas heating means in the calcining zone and in the desulfurizing zone and by introducing the air and/or fuel gas near the bottom of the coke bed.

Abstract: Hydrogenation of coal is improved through the use of a mechanical force to reduce the size of the particulate coal simultaneously with the introduction of gaseous hydrogen, or other hydrogen donor composition. Such hydrogen in the presence of elemental tin during this one-step size reduction-hydrogenation further improves the yield of the liquid hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for utilizing solar energy in a water and/or waste management system. At least one rotary chamber having a porous or perforated outer wall structure and an inner disposed filter is oriented within a drying structure having a transparent surface of substantial area for allowing solar radiation to be directed through the drying structure onto said rotary chamber. Water or waste material is directed into said rotary chamber, and free water drained therefrom, leaving a sludge like material within the interior of said rotary chamber. To effectuate drying, the rotary chamber is rotatively driven and solar energy in the form of heat is collected about the exterior of the rotary chamber and utilized to dry the interior sludge. At night and when available solar radiation is minimum, drying is achieved by conventional heating means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons from drill cuttings is disclosed. The method involves heating the contaminated drill cuttings at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, milling the cuttings to expose hydrocarbons trapped within agglomerates of the material, and separating the vapors thereby produced from the cuttings. The cleaned cuttings can be used or disposed of without damage to the environment. The vaporized hydrocarbons may be condensed and recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting, degassing and carbonizing carbonaceous agglomerates, the apparatus comprising a rotary kiln having an agglomerate inlet means for introducing green agglomerates into the kiln near the inlet of the kiln and a heating medium inlet for introducing a heating medium comprising a finely divided solid into the kiln at a preselected location intermediate the inlet end of the kiln and the outlet end of the kiln to produce a mixture at a temperature above the carbonizing temperature of the agglomerates and a sieve positioned to receive the products from the rotary kiln and separate the heating medium and the compacted, degassed, carbonized agglomerate product. A method for producing compacted, degassed, carbonized carbonaceous agglomerates by the use of the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for converting a substance containing organic matter into hydrocarbon vapors and solids residue by feeding the substance into the upstream portion of a substantially cylindrical retort having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, substantially conveying the substance through the retort toward the downstream portion thereof, heating the retort by means of a fluidized bed of heated particles to a sufficient temperature to convert the substance into hydrocarbon vapors and solids residue and removing the hydrocarbon vapors and solids residue from the retort.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering liquid and gaseous fuel from solid hydrocarbon-containing mineral material such as bitumen-containing mineral materials exemplified by tar sands or oil-bearing diatomites, without expensive pretreatment to separate the hydrocarbon containing material from material containing no hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon-containing material is agglomerated into discrete pieces that are treated on a traveling grate such as a circular traveling grate and subjected to sequential treatments in which hot gases are passed upwardly or downwardly through a relatively deep permeable bed of the pieces on the grate, in several treating zones separated by transverse gas seals and sealed at the side edges by suitable gas seals. All, or essentially all, of the heat required is obtained in a coke burn-off zone from combustion of coke that remains in the material on the grate after the volatile hydrocarbons have been removed by distillation in an earlier distillation zone.

Abstract: Green petroleum coke is indirectly dried, than calcined in a cylindrical rotary kiln and indirectly cooled utilizing a one-way gas flow in the system. Most of the dust in the vapor from the drying step is directly burned in a steam boiler whose off-gases are used to heat the dryer. Any residual dust in the gas is collected in an electro-filter. This dust together with dust which settles out from the dryer and the kiln is collected and added in controlled amounts to the dried coke before calcining. Hydrocarbons expelled during calcining are partially burned off with a stream of secondary air introduced at the coke exit end of the kiln. Most of the remaining hydrocarbons are burned off before they leave the coke inlet end of the kiln. The calcined coke product contains 0.1% by weight of hydrocarbons. The final off-gas from the process has a residual dust content of less than 100 mg/nm.sup.3.

Abstract: Activated carbon from carbonizable, e.g., organic materials is produced in either two physically separated drums which include means for transferring the superheated steam from one drum to the other or in a single drum provided with a longitudinal, axial separation wall that separates the drum into two drum halves or cavities. The separation wall can be opened, e.g., with hinged gates defining the wall, to transfer the materials from one cavity to the other. Suitable piping and valving is disclosed to effect the quenching of the non or incompletely activated carbon in one cavity and to activate the carbon in the other cavity with the superheated steam generated during the quenching of the carbon in the first cavity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding an oxidant such as air and/or a fuel rich gas within the confines of a substantially air tight enclosure employed in the heat treatment of volatile containing materials which are deposited on the floor of a rotary hearth mounted within the enclosure. A larger number of air and/or fuel rich gas inlet ports are provided in the roof of the enclosure at the outer periphery thereof than at the central or intermediate areas of the enclosure to thus provide a more oxidizing atmosphere at the outer peripheral area of the enclosure than at the central and intermediate areas of the enclosure. The oxidant is admitted into the furnace enclosure through concentrically arranged rows of inlet openings formed in the roof of the enclosure.

Abstract: A horizontal circulating carbonizer comprising an annular horizontally rotatable circulating hearth disposed rotatably, a carbonizer body covering said hearth, a coal feeder equipped on the carbonizer body, a preheating zone disposed in the vicinity of said feed coal supply opening, a carbonizing zone connected to said preheating zone, a cooling zone connected to the carbonizing zone, and a discharger of cooled coke, and a process for the preparation of coke using this horizontal circulating carbonizer.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for heating solid materials containing volatile matters. This apparatus includes a heating portion for heating solid materials, and a conveyor portion having a conveyor unit for transporting solid materials. The conveyor is inclined so as to provide an entrance lower in level than an exit thereof, whereby solid materials heated in the heating portion are discharged from an exit to the conveyor unit, while volatile matters vaporized according to the heating are discharged through an entrance of the conveyor unit.

Abstract: Rotation of a first drum member at a preselected speed intimately mixes finely divided agglomerative materials to form a loosely coherent, plastic sticky mass. The tumbling action generated by the rotating drum breaks up the loosely coherent, plastic mass into plastic particles or agglomerates which grow in size as they roll within the first drum member. The formed agglomerates are conveyed by rotation of the first drum member into a second drum member that includes an inlet portion surrounding the outlet portion of the first drum member. The second drum member has a longitudinal axis that is coplanarly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first drum member and both drum members are independently rotated at preselected peripheral speeds with the angle of inclination of the first drum member being adjustable relative to the second drum member to control the movement of the agglomerates.

Abstract: Oil Shale is partially dehydrated prior to retorting. Both the dehydrating and retorting steps carried out by heat treatment in rotating horizontal cylindrical vessels heated by indirect heat exchange with hot gas. The vapors withdrawn from the retorting step are fractionated to yield products including a heavy conversion oil.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the heat treatment of volatile containing materials in a rotary hearth type furnace wherein the flue gases emanating from the calciner are employed to create either a positive or negative pressure within the calciner hearth as well as the soaking pit area of the said calciner.

Abstract: A first cylindrical drum member having an inlet portion for receiving materials to be treated, such as preheated coal and char includes a longitudinal axis and an outlet portion through which the treated materials are discharged into the inlet end portion of a second cylindrical drum member. The second drum member is independently supported for rotation relative to the first drum member and has a longitudinal axis coplanarly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first drum member such that the drum members are concentrically positioned in tandem relative. A sealing assembly is connected to the first and second drum members for longitudinal movement with the drum members during expansion and contraction of the drum members as they are subjected to different temperatures.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for decomposing kerogen and recovering oil, high BTU gas and energy for the process wherein a crushed oil shale is fed to a rotary preheater (300.degree. to 350.degree. F.) hence into a rotary retort (850.degree.-1050.degree. F.) where the kerogen is decomposed and the oil evaporated, removed and condensed. From the retort the crushed shale goes to a hopper where any residual oil is stripped out by super heated steam leaving a char on the crushed shale. The stripped shale is fed into a furnace wherein the char is burned to provide heat for the process. To supplement the char and provide enough BTU's for the process, it is necessary to add a small amount of coal to the feed to the process. The hot gases from the furnace first pass into contact with the rotary retort and hence indirectly heat the oil shale in the retort. The hot furnace gases (or a portion thereof) then pass into direct contact with the crushd oil shale feed in the preheater.

Abstract: A modified rotary kiln suitable for calcining normally solid carbonaceous material, having adapted thereto at one end a firing crown and means for admitting combustible gases or liquids and air; a feeding means for such solid carbonaceous material to be calcined adapted to the other end of the kiln; and wherein the combustion gases and solid materials travel countercurrently in the kiln during calcination, wherein: at least one series of at least two tuyeres passes through the wall of the kiln symmetrically spaced to and at about a point longitudinally in the middle one-half of the longitudinal axis of the kiln; each tuyere terminating within the kiln through a nozzle on the side of the tuyere at a height sufficient for the discharge of exterior oxidizing gases passing therethrough at a point above the bed of the carbonaceous material in the kiln, directing the exterior oxidizing gases toward the feed end at about the same acute angular direction from a line passing through the nozzle and parallel to the long

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the heat treatment of materials on a traveling hearth mounted on a horizontal plane and rotated on a vertical axis within a substantially air-tight enclosure. The materials on the hearth are deposited thereon in separate and distinct rows and retained in separate rows while undergoing heat treatment within the enclosure. The material in one of said rows is capable of evolving volatiles when the materials are subjected to a heat treatment and the evolved volatiles rise and are dispersed in the upper portion of the enclosure where the same will combine with an oxidant such as air and/or oxygen which is admitted into this portion of the enclosure. The mixture of evolved volatiles and oxidants such as air and/or oxygen will combust in the upper portion of the enclosure.