Abstract: A system and apparatus for pyrolyzing solid wastes to recover there-from useful hydrocarbon distillates, carbon black, and other potentially commercially valuable by-products. Pyrolysis and distillation may be performed substantially continuously, rather than by batch processing. The pyrolysis unit including a distillation array featuring two or more parallel, heated, conveyors, arranged in alternative switch-backs, through which a feedstock is moved during pyrolysis. The feedstock moves from conveyor to conveyor, and thus may pass through zones of different temperature to optimize the distillation of various constituents from the feedstock. Friction-reducing components, such as rollers, are situated between adjacent pairs of conveyors so that temperature differentials, and the resulting contract or expansion of system components, are accommodated and associated stresses ameliorated.

Abstract: A conveyor feeding system for reliably and continuously supplying particulate matter as feedstock, such as rubber tire chips, to a reactor or distillation unit. The feeding system includes a pair of inclined spiral augers having their lower ends submerged in oil or other liquid to provide a liquid seal, thereby preventing undesirable back flow of distillation gases through the feeding system. The push auger acts to push lightweight feedstock downward, submerging it through the liquid seal. The material thereafter is taken up by the partially submerged feed auger, for withdrawal up out of the liquid seal for delivery to further processing, such as a pyrolytic reactor. Buoyant material, which otherwise might float upon the liquid of the seal reservoir, accordingly may be effectively processed through the system.

Abstract: A discharge system for a destructive distillation apparatus wherein the discharge solids act as plug to avoid the unwanted flow of product gas or ambient air therethrough while effectively discharging finely divided, disperse solids material from a continuously operating distillation apparatus. The use of a positive displacement two-stage auger having close clearance between the auger and auger cylinder wall, combined with an open section within the auger cylinder where a sealing material plug forms, results in improved sealing of the inventive system from unwanted transfer of gases. The hot, disperse, and finely divided solids exiting a distillation apparatus, such as carbon black formed from the distillation of automobile tire chips, is effective in the formation of a seal plug.

Abstract: A combination liquid seal and spiral auger conveyor feeding system which provides both a liquid seal, effective under normal operating conditions, with a sealed spiral auger conveyor, which is effective to seal against the surge flow of distillation gases back through the feeding system. This is attained while providing for a reliable, continuous flow of solid bulk material such as rubber tire chips to a reactor or distillation unit. A bulk feeding system having a partially submerged inclined spiral auger conveyor is provided, communicating at its base with a liquid reservoir so as to form a liquid seal within the combined apparatus. Solid bulk material is introduced to the upper end of the liquid reservoir above the liquid level where it descends by the action of gravity into the liquid and sinks to the bottom of the reservoir to by picked up by the partially submerged rotating auger conveyor and elevated thereby.