Abstract: There is disclosed a waste treatment process for a fossil-fuel extraction site (18, 40), comprising: processing extracted waste generated by a fossil-fuel extraction process to produce primary waste having a higher calorific value than the extracted waste; mixing the primary waste with secondary waste to generate pyrolysis feedstock, the secondary waste having a lower calorific value than the primary waste; pyrolysing the pyrolysis feedstock in a pyrolysis unit (32) to form pyrolysis char; and gasifying the pyrolysis char in a gasification unit (36) to form syngas and ash.

Abstract: A pyrolyser may include a rotary kiln configured to pyrolyse feedstock material received therein. The pyrolyser may also include a heating vessel surrounding the rotary kiln and defining a heating chamber for hot gases. The pyrolyser may further include an agitator disposed within the heating chamber. The agitator may be configured to agitate the hot gases. The agitator may be rotatable with the rotary kiln.

Abstract: A waste processing apparatus may include a pyrolyser and a feed assembly. The feed assembly may include a feed duct including a waste inlet configured to receive waste. The feed duct may further include a waste outlet configured to discharge the waste from the feed duct to the pyrolyser. The feed assembly may also include a feed screw disposed within the feed duct configured to convey the waste from the waste inlet to the waste outlet. The feed assembly may further include a rotary drive configured to cause the feed screw to convey the waste from the waste inlet to the waste outlet. The feed assembly may also include a rotational resistance sensor configured to monitor a parameter related to resistance to rotation. The feed assembly may further include a rotary drive controller configured to reduce, based on the parameter, a rotary output speed of the rotary drive.

Abstract: A gasifier may include a chamber wall defining a gasification chamber configured to allow gasification of feedstock material. The gasifier may also include an ash grate disposed in the gasification chamber. The gasifier may further include a rotary crusher disposed in the gasification chamber above the ash grate. The rotary crusher may include at least one crushing element. The rotary crusher may be configured to break apart, between the at least one crushing element and an opposing surface, the feedstock material responsive to rotation of the rotary crusher.

Abstract: A separator for separating or partially separating oil, water, gas and solids from hydrocarbon production well fluids comprises a vessel and a cyclone contained within the vessel. An inlet passage passes through a wall of the vessel and into the cyclone, the inlet passage having means for causing the flow to rotate within the cyclone. A first outlet passage for an oil rich phase extends from a position within the cyclone and substantially on a central axis of the cyclone; a second outlet passage for a water phase extends from a base of the vessel; and a third outlet passage for the solids extends from a lower end of the cyclone.

Abstract: A separator for separating or partially separating oil, water, gas and solids from hydrocarbon production well fluids comprises a vessel and a cyclone contained within the vessel. An inlet passage passes through a wall of the vessel and into the cyclone, the inlet passage having means for causing the flow to rotate within the cyclone. A first outlet passage for an oil rich phase extends from a position within the cyclone and substantially on a central axis of the cyclone; a second outlet passage for a water phase extends from a base of the vessel; and a third outlet passage for the solids extends from a lower end of the cyclone.

Abstract: A fluidizing apparatus comprises a vessel having an inlet, a plurality of outlets and a nozzle, through which a pressurized fluid can be fed into the vessel. The outlets are spaced at different heights from a base of the vessel and are controlled by valves enabling fluidized solids to be removed in layers from the vessel. In a further embodiment, a single outlet is raised or lowered to a desired position in the vessel.