Abstract: A closed system for gaining sellable petroleum coke pieces out of solidified petroleum coke in a coke drum unit, comprises a coke drum unit containing solidified petroleum coke; a coke crushing unit for crushing petroleum coke into sellable petroleum coke pieces; a closed slurry pipe leading petroleum coke slurry to a closed slurry pit; a dewatering bin unit for receiving petroleum coke slurry from the slurry pit, for collecting the sellable petroleum coke pieces and for leading filtered water and petroleum coke fines out of it; a closed drain water pit, separate from the slurry pit, for receiving the filtered water and the petroleum coke fines from the dewatering bin unit; a water settling tank receiving the filtered water and the petroleum coke from the drain water pit and for separating the petroleum coke fines from the water such that the petroleum coke fines collect in the bottom part of the water settling tank, and for leading the petroleum coke fines into the slurry pit where they mix with the petroleu

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to improve hot gas filtration to reduce the liquid fuel loss caused by prolonged residence time at high temperatures are described. The improvement can be obtained by reducing the residence time at elevated temperature by reducing the temperature of the pyrolysis vapor, by reducing the volume of the pyrolysis vapor at the elevated temperature, by increasing the volumetric flow rate at constant volume of the pyrolysis vapor, or by doing a combination of these.

Abstract: Solid carboniferous fuels contain varying quantities of moisture, mercury, chlorine, nitrogen, sulfur, heavy metals and other materials that attain vapor pressure at elevated temperatures. The cost effective removal of these degrading and sometimes hazardous materials is important to the further use of the fuel for combustion as a solid, liquid, or gas. The solid fuel is cut, shredded, ground or sieved to appropriate size, and heated in a chamber that can exclude oxygen and air thus preventing ignition. The unwanted materials are driven in the gaseous state and extracted for disposal. The solid fuel cleaned of pollutants exits the chamber and is cooled below ignition temperature prior to contact with oxygen. The solid fuel thus purified is more appropriate for combustion, liquefaction or gasification due to the reduced costs in use as a fuel or in the post combustion clean up.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fuels from solid biomass and plastics, characterized in that in a first step biomass and plastics are dispersed at 300-400° C. in the presence of recycled carrier oil; in a second step the obtained mixture is brought to reaction at 300-400° C.; in a third step the resulting gaseous, liquid, and solid products are separated from one another and optionally further processed; wherein the ratio of biomass to plastic is in the range of 80:20 to 10:90% by weight, and wherein the method is conducted without externally supplying carrier oil and wherein the method is carried out without externally supplying catalyst. The invention further relates to facilities for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided herein. The method comprises the step of contacting a carbonaceous feedstock with heated inorganic heat carrier particles at reaction conditions effective to rapidly pyrolyze the carbonaceous feedstock to form a product stream comprising pygas, pyrolysis oil, and solids. The solids comprise char and cooled inorganic heat carrier particles. The reaction conditions include a reactor pressure of about 70 kPa gauge or greater.

Abstract: A method of recovering an organic decomposition product from an organic source may include: a) causing an inert gas to flow through the reduction zone from a reduction inlet to a reduction outlet in such a way that pressure in the reduction zone is maintained above ambient pressure of a local environment for the material recovery system and b) applying electromagnetic wave energy to the organic source in the reduction zone via a bifurcated waveguide assembly in the substantial absence of oxygen to produce at least one gaseous organic decomposition product in the reduction zone that is exhausted from the reduction zone along with the inert gas through the reduction outlet. A material recovery system may include a housing with an inert gas inlet, a reduction zone, and a reduction outlet, an inert gas supply, an electromagnetic wave generator, a bifurcated waveguide assembly, and a controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing biofuel from biomass material, comprising the steps of (a) pyrolysing a first fraction of the biomass material having a pyrolysis temperature that is lower relative to the pyrolysis temperature of a second fraction of the biomass material to thereby produce a primary volatile fraction, and (b) separating the primary volatile fraction from the biomass material before pyrolysing the second fraction, to thereby produce biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the recycling by depolymerisation through thermolysis. A method and installation for depolymerisation through efficient thermolysis for recycling is provided that allow the production of light hydrocarbons having high quality and being free of impurities and contaminants. This objective is achieved by methods and installations where either the secondary products of the process are re-fed to supply energy for the main recycling process or are refined to manufacture final usable and saleable products. Therefore, the use of the energy content of the starting materials is maximised by assuring their full utilisation, minimising the environmental harm while an energetically autonomous installation is provided. All the components of the waste or starting material may be recycled, by physico-chemical means, and no additional contaminant waste is produced.

Abstract: The present technology discloses apparatus, systems, and methods for the thermal decomposition of carbonaceous feedstocks through continuous pyrolysis. A reciprocating reactor is disclosed that includes an inner reactor pipe and an outer reactor pipe. The outer reactor pipe has a first portion that surrounds the inner reactor pipe forming an annulus space, and a second portion that extends beyond the inner reactor pipe and forms a turnaround zone. The inner reactor pipe defines an inner reactor zone that produces partially reacted carbonaceous feedstock, and the annulus space defines an outer reactor zone that produces product gases and solids.

Abstract: A fast pyrolysis system includes an auger housing having an inlet, an outlet, and an inner wall. A rotatable auger is mounted in the housing. The auger has surfaces defining at least one spiral channel. The spiral channel is tapered from a first depth adjacent the housing inlet to a second lesser depth adjacent the housing outlet. The auger is rotatable to propel particulate materials from the housing inlet toward the housing outlet to heat the particulate material to a first temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of the particulate material into a vapor. A heat exchanger transfers a heat of vaporization from a heated medium to the auger housing inner wall. A filter assembly is connected downstream to the housing outlet in order to filter char fines from the vapor. A condenser is connected downstream to the filter assembly and is adapted to condense the vapor stream into bio-oil.

Abstract: A pyrolyzer apparatus (i.e. a “cracking pipe”) comprises a first screen, a second screen, and a catalyst material positioned between the first and second screens. The pyrolyzer is structured so that feedstock is pyrolyzed and pyrolyzer-generated gas is drawn through the first screen, through the catalyst material, and then through the second screen in series. The gas may then be directed to other processing equipment so that bio-oil is extracted from the gas.

Abstract: According to this invention, plants of the genus Triodia are harvested for use as a renewable energy source or as a means of carbon sequestration. Triodia is a hummock-forming grass endemic to Australia, commonly known as spinifex. It is an abundant perennial plant which grows in semi-arid and arid regions. The novel use of Triodia as a biofuel feedstock has many advantages over the prior art. Being perennial, there is no need to plant and fertilise crops. The plants can be continuously harvested without damaging the soil. Triodia grows well with even small amounts of natural rainfall.

Abstract: A system and a method of decomposing organic waste are provided. The system decomposes organic waste in a decomposition chamber without use of enzymes, additives, or microorganisms. In one embodiment, the system decomposes organic waste within 24 hours and deodorizes the odor of decomposing organic waste during decomposition process. The system provides sufficient heat and operating conditions to evaporate moisture from the organic waste without burning the organic waste. The byproduct of the organic waste after decomposition process by the system is substantially homogeneous material that is reduced in volume compared to the organic waste. In one embodiment, the system reuses or recycles water and heat used in the system for different processes in the system. The system includes a blower that provides flow of the moisture inside the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pyrolysis system comprising an entrained flow pyrolyser having an opening through which biomass can be added. The pyrolyser also has an inlet for hot exhaust gas, an outlet for pyrolysed biomass and an outlet for syngas. The system has a burner for producing hot exhaust gas and a conduit between the burner and the hot exhaust gas inlet. A syngas extraction means for extracting syngas from the pyrolyser. The syngas extraction means extracts syngas from the pyrolyser at a rate such that the internal pressure within the pyrolyser never exceeds the pressure external to the pyrolyser.

Abstract: A method of converting particulate lignocellulosic material to produce volatile organic compounds and char, comprising, forming a mixture of the particulate lignocellulosic material with a catalyst composition containing polar organic liquid and an acid in the presence or absence of added water, heating the mixture to a temperature sufficiently high and for a period sufficiently long as to convert a major portion of any remaining solid phase of the mixture to char whilst agitating the mixture, and separating volatile organic compounds and the catalyst composition as a gaseous phase from the solid phase.

Abstract: Certain examples relate to methods of continuously cracking waste rubber or plastics and apparatuses related to the same, to produce oil from waste rubber or plastics. Raw materials comprising a catalyst and rubber or plastics may be extruded in order to separate the air or to prevent oxidization. The raw materials are transported into the cracking chamber, and moved from the inlet to the discharge hole. After the cracking process is finished, the products are discharged automatically through the discharge hole. The separation of air and oxygen in the inlet and discharge hole of the cracking chamber can avoid dangers caused by oxygen entering the cracking chamber, and realize industrial production with continuous feedings. The ratio of the oil can be raised from 19% to 45%-48%, and the loss of production equipment reduced. Production costs are reduced, safety measurements improved, and continuous production is realized.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems of a coated coker. An apparatus for coking includes a coated coking drum that receives a pitch material, wherein the coking drum is coated with a coating comprising at least one of a chromium, an aluminum, a nickel, or an alloy thereof, a heater that heats the pitch material to a coking temperature, and a flash vessel that condenses a liberated volatile matter, wherein a coke formed in the apparatus is readily removable. A coated Archimedes screw or coated plunger may be used with the coker, both of which can remove coke from the coking drum via force of their movement inside the coking drum.

Abstract: A method and installation for energy densification of a material to obtain pyrolytic oils for energy. The method includes preconditioning the material by heating and drying to raise the material temperature close to 100° C. and a relative humidity not exceeding about 10%; pyrolyzing the material that is subsequently caused to flow through a substantially hermetic reactor containing at least one transfer screw or vibrating tube heated by the Joule effect, the material heated progressively in the range of 300° C. to 850° C., the electrical power passing through the transfer screw or the vibrating tube for providing heating regulated as a function of the material in order to obtain the desired temperature level during the transit time of the material through the reactor; extracting pyrolysis gas from a high portion of the reactor for rapid recondensation in a vertical condenser; and recovering pyrolytic oils from a low portion of the vertical condenser.

Abstract: A system, method and configuration for recovering turpentine during the manufacturing of wood chips, wood pellets or other substances that may include turpentine. In general, a turpentine recovery system is used to capture turpentine from exhaust of a dryer as wood chips are being dried. Advantageously, application of the various techniques disclosed herein can result in the recovery of turpentine that can then be sold to generate revenue and, may contribute to a reduction in the capital and operation costs for emission controls for the dryer exhaust.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is apparatus and method for thermolysis of waste plastics especially polyolefins where reaction feedstock, reaction residuals and reaction products are removed continuously. Apparatus for thermolysis of waste plastics especially polyolefins includes plastic feeding system, pyrolysis reactor, discharge system according to the invention characterized in that after the plastic feeding system (1) the extruder (2) and pyrolysis reactor (3) which height is at least 1.5 time bigger than its diameter are situated. Pyrolysis reactor is equipped with dual high speed propeller (7). Method for thermolysis of plastic waste especially polyolefins thermolysis in the presence of inert gas according to the claim characterized in that plastic waste are continuously fed to the extruder where plasticized at 180° C. to the temperature of the reactor later are fed to the pyrolysis reactor where at 350° C.-450° C.

Abstract: A closed loop bromosilane process is provided to provide semiconductor grade silicon through the thermal decomposition of tribromosilane. The resulting silicon tetrabromide byproduct from this thermal decomposition is recycled in a silicon tetrabromide converter to produce converted tribromosilane.

Abstract: The invention relates to alternative power engineering, more specifically to methods and devices for processing organic waste into thermal and electrical energy, liquid, solid and gaseous energy carriers and into other useful chemical products. The method differs from a known method for the pyrolysis processing of organic waste through air-free thermal heating in that the thermal heating is carried out in an aqueous medium at pressures in the medium that are greater than the pressure of saturated water vapor at the highest pyrolysis temperature. As a result, humid and liquid organic waste can be processed into combustible energy carriers without pre-drying, and the heat energy produced when the pyrolysis products are burned can be used both for maintaining the organic waste processing process and for producing commercial heat and electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conversion of biomass to biochar in subcritical water at 230-350° C. and 500-3000 psi. Under subcritical water conditions, biomass readily converts into biochar, biocrude, and some gases. In this invention, yield of biochar is significantly improved by recycling of biocrude. The process can produce hydrophobic biochar that has at least 70 wt % (dry basis) carbon as opposed to ˜25 wt % carbon in hydrophilic biomass, and has a heating value of about 29 MJ/kg (HHV-dry basis) which is comparable to good quality coals. More than 90% energy of biomass is retained in the biochar. The invention provides an effective means to convert biomass into a high energy density fuel for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the controlled gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock, including: pyrolizing the feedstock to produce a gas product and a solid product, wherein the gas product includes methane and noxious chemicals and the solid product includes carbon; and controlling the pyrolizing step using feedback related to constituents of the gas product. The present invention also provides a system for the controlled gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock, including: a pyrolysis unit including a heater and a conveyor for transporting the feedstock through the heater; a resultant chamber disposed downstream of the pyrolysis unit for separating gas products and solid products; means for adjusting the temperature of the solid products; and a filter for sequestering noxious materials from the gas products, wherein the filter uses at least some of the solid products to filter at least a portion of the gas products.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process are described for compressing superheated steam into porous coal batches in chambers, and, after a time interval, expanding this steam out of the chambers, and repeating this steam cycle of compression followed by expansion. Thusly heated by the steam, volatile matter separates from the solid coke portion of the coal and separate volatile matter and coke products can be produced from coal or biomass fuels. These volatile matter liquids and tars can be used as fuel components in slurry fuels, for internal combustion engines used in our surface transportation industries. These solid coke products can be used as boiler fuel in steam electric plants. In this way our large domestic reserves of coal can be used as a fuel source, not only for electric power generation, but also for our surface transportation needs.

Abstract: A biofuel production method, catalyst and system. The method may include combining a feedstock comprising a carbonaceous material with a consumable catalyst to produce a feedstock/catalyst mixture, and subjecting the feedstock/catalyst mixture to a vacuum pyrolytic gasification and liquefaction process to produce one or more biofuels. The catalyst includes effective amounts of various catalyst constituents, which may include some or all of kaolin, zeolite, amorphous silica, alumina aluminum phosphate and rare earth elements. The system may include apparatus for heating the feedstock/catalyst mixture under selected temperature and vacuum pressure conditions to produce a gaseous effluent comprising one or more hydrocarbon fractions, and additional distillation and condensation apparatus to produce one or more liquid and gaseous fuels.

Abstract: A method is provided of recycling and decontaminating oil-based waste drilling mud and cuttings contaminated with oil-based waste drilling mud. A facility for performing the method is also provided. The method includes vaporizing all residual oil and water from mud solids, and recondensing the oil. The mud may be the subject of additional treatment steps before or after the vaporization step (or both before and after the vaporization step). The method produces a solid “soil” product that is free from oil contamination (or is sufficiently decontaminated to allow reuse), an oil product that is fit for reuse, and clean air emissions. A thermal desorber or a soil dryer can be used to efficiently vaporize the oil at low temperature. Optionally the water fraction of the mud can be vaporized, solutes and salts can be captured as evaporite and then be mixed with the soil product. The method has the unique advantage of producing no persistent hazardous waste.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, the slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture which is then subjected to a cracking temperature in a receiving tank, thereby liquefying and allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction. The cracking reaction which the liquefied mixture undergoes is continued in a mixer pump to thereby produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is outgased in an intermediate tank to separate an outgased fraction from a non-outgased fraction. Subsequently, the outgased fraction is allowed to cool down, thereby producing fuel, while the non-outgased fraction is returned to the receiving tank and subjected again to the cracking temperature. Residual matter of the non-outgased fraction settles in the intermediate tank and is periodically removed.

Abstract: A method for producing char and fuel gas includes degasifying a carbonaceous material with oxygen-containing gases in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of more than about 1000° C. and at a pressure of from about 1 bar to about 40 bar. A supply of oxygen within the fluidized bed reactor is adjusted so as to recover more than 60% of fixed carbon in the carbonaceous material in a char product, and an oxygen availability in a lower or bottom region of the fluidized bed reactor is less than 80% of an oxygen availability in an upper region of the fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A waste plastic to fuel oil distillation vessel is disclosed. The distillation vessel can be a revolving cone with many traverse supporting tubes therein. This structure allows high temperature air or gas to go through the support tubes, which pass through the vessel, to increase the heating area and increase the temperature of the distillation vessel. Also disclosed is a discharging system for discharging residue from inside of the vessel and a method of converting waste plastic or rubber into fuel oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for treating flammable wastes and a method for treating the same, and more particularly, to a thermal decomposition treatment system of the flammable waste and a waste treatment method of the waste using the same through which the flammable waste inputted into a trash burner is shielded from air or gas and the waste is thermally decomposed and carbonated through a indirect heating by a heating tube for combustible gas to be extracted and recovered for a reuse without emitting contaminated gas, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for obtaining hydrocarbons from organic or inorganic solid waste, wherein said system comprises: an inlet chamber, within which is a mixer assembly which mixes and conveys the waste through said chamber, which is also at ambient temperature, thus avoiding any thermal stuck to the solid waste for processing; a dehydration chamber with a mixing assembly therein, and the upper part of this chamber contains an expansion chamber for promoting more efficient molecular breakdown; the thermal breakdown is carried out in two reactors which are operated at different temperatures, the first thermal disassociation reactor which has inside a mixer unit, and which in its upper part houses an expansion chamber, the second thermal breakdown reactor, therein has a mixer unit, and in the upper portion thereof houses an expansion chamber and at the top end thereof a vertical expansion tower; wherein the thermolytic steam is homogenized, a separator of heavy hydrocarbons, which does not require

Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichiometric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.

Abstract: A closed loop biomass energy system includes at least one agricultural facility that produces agricultural waste; a waste processing system operable to convert the waste into biomass; a wastewater treatment system operable to treat wastewater created by the waste processing system and an energy production system operable to utilize the biomass to produce energy and provide the energy to an energy end-user. In one form, the energy is steam and the energy end-user is a biofuel production facility that utilizes the steam to power production of a biofuel. In a further aspect of this form, wastewater created as a byproduct of the biofuel production is transferred to and treated by the wastewater treatment system. However, additional forms, embodiments, features and aspects are contemplated as discussed in further detail in this document.

Abstract: Tar is contacted with stripping agent, such as steam or tail gas, in a stripping tower. A product comprising deasphalted tar is recovered as overheads and a product comprising heavy tar is recovered as bottoms from the stripping tower.

Abstract: A system and a method of decomposing organic waste are provided. The system decomposes organic waste in a decomposition chamber without use of enzymes, additives, or microorganisms. In one embodiment, the system decomposes organic waste within 24 hours and deodorizes the odor of decomposing organic waste during decomposition process. The system provides sufficient heat and operating conditions to evaporate moisture from the organic waste without burning the organic waste. The byproduct of the organic waste after decomposition process by the system is substantially homogeneous material that is reduced in volume compared to the organic waste. In one embodiment, the system reuses or recycles water and heat used in the system for different processes in the system. The system includes a blower that provides flow of the moisture inside the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a process material such as powdered plastic to usable fossil fuel. A hollow cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein is externally heated to produce an internal temperature of approximately 500.degree. C. The powdered plastic is injected into the heated cylinder utilizing an inert gas, thereby vaporizing the powdered plastic and forming a volatile gas. An electric motor rotates a crankshaft to slide the piston and expel the volatile gas from the cylinder. A condenser receives the volatile gas and condenses the gas into the usable fossil fuel. A first stage condenser condenses oil, and a secondary stage condenses Diesel fuel, kerosene, toluene, gasoline, or natural gas.

Abstract: A system and process for gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock uses pyrolysis to produce a gas product, which may include methane, ethane, and other desirable hydrocarbon gases, and a solids product, which includes activated carbon or carbon. The gas product may then be filtered using at least a portion of the activated carbon from the solids product as a filtering medium. In an embodiment, at least some of the noxious chemicals are sequestered or removed from the gas product in one or more filtering steps using the activated carbon as a filtering medium. In a further embodiment, the filtering steps are performed in stages using activated carbon at different temperatures. A high-temperature pyrolysis system that produces activated carbon may be combined with another high-temperature pyrolysis system that does not produce activated carbon to provide filtering of noxious compounds using activated carbon from the first high-temperature pyrolysis system.

Abstract: A fast pyrolysis apparatus (200) for producing pyrolysis liquid, such as oil or tar, char and pyrolysis gas from biomass, such as straw, comprises a centrifuge chamber (204) and a rotor (210) arranged to impart rotation on the biomass in the centrifuge chamber to force the biomass outwardly under the action of centrifugal forces. A furnace (206) arranged coaxially around the centrifuge chamber (204) maintains the temperature at an outer reactive wall of the centrifuge chamber at an elevated temperature to effect the pyrolysis process at or near the reactive wall. The apparatus comprises a condenser (218) arranged coaxially with and surrounded by the centrifuge chamber (204). The apparatus may be accommodated by a mobile unit for simultaneously collecting biomass from a field and processing the biomass in the apparatus.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture. The mixture is subjected in a heated mixer pump to a cracking temperature, thereby allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction to produce a reaction mixture which is directly outgased in the mixer pump to produce an outgased portion and a solid portion. The outgased portion and the solid portion are separately discharged from the mixer pump; with the low boiling fraction of the outgased portion allowed to cool down for further processing, and the solid portion collected in a residual matter container for further processing.

Abstract: Naphthenic acid corrosivity of hydrocarbon feedstocks is correlated with the chemical composition of naphthenic acids, and especially with a ratio between an alpha fraction and a beta fraction of naphthenic acids. Contemplated plants, configurations, and methods are directed to reducing naphthenic acid corrosivity of hydrocarbon feedstocks by increasing the beta fraction over the alpha fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing a beverage comprising filtration sterilizing an untreated liquid to yield a filtration sterilized permeable constituent and an impermeable constituent, heating and disinfecting the impermeable constituent, and mixing the heat disinfected impermeable constituent with the filtration sterilized permeable constituent. Also disclosed herein is a beverage produced by such a method and a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for removing contaminants from seawater by an evaporation/condensation process. The method and system utilize alternative energy sources, such as geothermal, solar, and wind energy. The system may include a water separation unit powered by a geothermal system to sufficiently vaporize source water. The system may further include a first input line configured to receive the source water for distillation by the water separation unit. A first heat exchanger coupled to the first input line is powered by a plurality of energy harnessing devices. The first heat exchanger is configured to preheat the source water. At least one second heat exchanger powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices is configured to condense the vaporized source water into a distilled water product. The plurality of energy harnessing devices are electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from plastic material provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste plastic materials. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material comprising placing the polymeric material in a reactor and establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor. The polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material to produce volatile products and non-volatile residue. The volatile products and non-volatile residue are subsequently removed from the reactor and collected.

Abstract: An apparatus for the pyrolysis (cracking) of a polymeric material consisting of a reactor provided with a molten catalyst bed and a feeding extruder for introducing the polymeric material into the catalyst bed. The process consists in the introduction of a polymeric material in the molten catalyst bed for converting a variety of polymers, side-chain plastics, linear-chain plastics and halogenated plastics, such as for example PVC, into hydrocarbon products which are useful for energy generation while avoiding the pollution problems associated with the direct combustion of plastic materials. The process can also be used for cracking mixtures of polymeric material derived from the sorting of municipal solid waste.

Abstract: An apparatus for the pyrolysis (cracking) of a polymeric material consisting of a reactor provided with a molten catalyst bed and a feeding extruder for introducing the polymeric material into the catalyst bed. The process consists in the introduction of a polymeric material in the molten catalyst bed for converting a variety of polymers, side-chain plastics, linear-chain plastics and halogenated plastics, such as for example PVC, into hydrocarbon products which are useful for energy generation while avoiding the pollution problems associated with the direct combustion of plastic materials. The process can also be used for cracking mixtures of polymeric material derived from the sorting of municipal solid waste.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials. In particular, the invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials in virtue of pyrolysis and catalytic cracking.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for reclaiming oil from waste plastic in such a way that thermosetting resins and solid foreign matter in the plastic will not pose a problem. This method greatly reduces the burden of presorting the garbage or industrial waste. To achieve this objective when oil is to be reclaimed from a waste plastic containing chlorine compounds, such as vinyl chloride, the plastic must first be stripped of chlorine. Prior to pyrolysis, while being conveyed forward in a continuous stream, the plastic is mixed with heated sand and/or an additive agent to raise its temperature to 250-350° C. This creates a product which is comprised of a mixture of sand and substantially dechlorinated plastic. The product is mixed with heated sand to heat it directly to a temperature of 350-500° C. It is maintained at this temperature until pyrolysis occurs.

Abstract: A self-sustaining system for converting organic waste feedstreams into usable solid and gas end products includes a plurality of interconnected retorts, an apparatus for flash pyrolyzing the feedstream to form intermediate gas and solid products, a source for introducing a water spray to refine and cool the intermediate products, a device for separating the gas product from the solid product and a device for regenerating, and thereby further refining, the solid product. In a self-sustaining process, wastes which would otherwise be landfilled are converted to an activated carbon product and a combustible gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and lower hydrocarbons.