Abstract: A mixture of a high density particulate inorganic heat source and a low density particulate carbon containing residue formed in the pyrolysis of a solid waste is passed along with some entrained pyrolytic oil to a fluidized bed of particles, where a gas is injected to strip the entrained pyrolytic oil from the particles, and a mixture of a high density particulate heat source and low density particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis are separated from an intermediate point of the fluidized bed and passed to a decarbonization zone, where the carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis is decarbonized to form a high density particulate inorganic solid heat source for use as the source of heat in the pyrolysis of organic solid waste.

Abstract: Solid carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by introducing a low velocity stream of carbonaceous material into a cyclone reactor-separator and introducing a low velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined toward the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. A high velocity stream of the particulate source of heat is introduced into the cyclone reactor-separator along the inner surface of the separator to prevent carbonaceous material from caking along the walls of the separator. The velocity of the high velocity stream is at least about 50 feet per second greater than the velocity of both low velocity streams. The cyclone reactor separator induces separation of solids consisting of a particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which contains hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed by introducing the carbonaceous material to a fast fluidized bed contained by a perforated wall and introducing a particulate source of heat through the perforations of the wall at an angle inclined to the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. The radially introduced particulate source of heat prevents carbonaceous material from caking on the walls of the bed.

Abstract: A vessel is provided for stripping oil from char particles of different density recovered from a pyrolysis of organic solid waste. The lower end of the vessel is of reduced diameter with a plurality of gas jets which direct gas inwardly and upwardly to direct stripping gas through the particles. A standpipe extends upwardly from the bottom of the vessel and terminates above the gas inlet jets. A gas outlet is provided at the top of the vessel. The particles are introduced at an intermediate level in the vessel. The top of the standpipe is covered with a screen mesh for limiting the size of particles which can enter the standpipe. The gas fluidizes the particles of different density which tend to concentrate at different levels in the fluidized bed because of their density differences. The standpipe terminates at a selected level within the fluidized particle bed which results in a desired mixture of the particles of different density being withdrawn from the fluidized bed through the standpipe.

Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by simultaneous feed of the carbonaceous materials and a particulate source of heat to a cyclone reactor-separator wherein the centrifugal forces separate the vaporized product of pyrolysis from the solids. The carbon in the solids is partially combusted for recycle to the cyclone reactor separator and the vaporized products quenched and recovered. The yield of liquid hydrocarbons may be maximized.

Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are rapidly pyrolyzed by feed of the carbonaceous material at a high velocity tangentially to a cyclone reactor-separator while introducing a high velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined to the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. The cyclone reactor-separator induces separation of solids consisting of the particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which includes condensible and non-condensible hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis. The particulate source of heat and solid particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis are transported to a cyclone burner and heated by partial combustion to a temperature suitable for feed to the cyclone reactor-separator. Rapid pyrolysis maximizes the yield of middle boiling hydrocarbons and olefins.

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: A pyrolysis reactor decomposes solid organic waste materials by heating the materials with a fast fluidized particulate source of heat which are admitted to one end of a chamber through first and second inlet pipes. The products of decomposition together with the particulate source of heat are removed through an outlet pipe at the other end of the chamber. The chamber has an intermediate section adjacent the inlet pipes of reduced diameter forming a throat which improves the mixing of the heating particles and the organic waste particles for faster heat transfer.

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: Solid carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by introducing a low velocity stream of carbonaceous material into a cyclone reactor-separator and introducing a low velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined toward the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. A high velocity stream of the particulate source of heat is introduced into the cyclone reactor separator along the inner surface of the separator to prevent carbonaceous material from caking along the walls of the separator. The cyclone reactor separator induces separation of solids consisting of a particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which contains hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis.

Abstract: Solid carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by feeding the carbonaceous material along with a particulate source of heat to a fast fluidized bed contained within a vertically disposed duct. An internally circulating stream of spent particulate source of heat and carbon containing solid residue of the pyrolysis of the carbonaceous material flows upwardly along the inner surface of the duct, thereby preventing carbonaceous material from caking on the duct.

Abstract: A source of fluid and entrained particles including fines is connected to the entrance of a cyclone particle separator lying above a particle storage vessel that has an outlet near its bottom. The particle separator has a particle exit connected to the storage vessel and a fluid exit. The separator imparts angular motion to the fluid received at its entrance such that the fluid with a first percentage of the fines entrained therein flows out the fluid exit, and the particles minus such first percentage passes through the particle exit to the storage vessel. The particles in the storage vessel are fluidized to a particular level above the outlet. Fluidized particles with a second percentage of the fines entrained therein are removed from the process by withdrawal from the storage vessel at a point between the particular level and the outlet. Fluidized particles minus the first and second percentages of the fines flow from the outlet of the storage vessel to a receiver for processing.

Abstract: A burner for decarbonizing organic char in which the particles of char are introduced through a first inlet to a combustion chamber where they are mixed with hot air introduced through one or more additional inlets, the mixture being ignited and burned in the chamber, with the products of combustion being removed from the other end of the chamber through an outlet. Water in the form of a fog is mixed with the hot air as it enters the chamber, the volume of water being controlled to maintain the temperature in the chamber within a predetermined temperature range.