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: 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 functional fluid for the removal of contaminates such as but not limited to, acid causing components in gas, sulfur components and carbon oxides from fluid streams, and removal and treatment of NOX & SOX from post combustion emissions. Also described is the manufacturing process to produce the functional fluid both in a batch atmospheric process system as well as a closed system capable of operating at above or below atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for enhancing solubility of a solute in a solvent, the apparatus comprising a solvent and/or solute inlet (104) having a fluidizing unit which creates a vortex such that a fluids interfacial/boundary layer exists within the vortex where enhanced mass transfer, or dissolution of solute into the solvent takes place.

Abstract: A separator for separating a multiphase mixture comprising a pressure vessel supported for rotation within a casing containing a gas which may be held at an elevated temperature or pressure. A plurality of vanes is disposed within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel has an inlet, a first phase outlet and a plurality of second phase outlets disposed radially outwardly of the first phase outlet with respect to a separator axis. A regulator is provided in the form of pressure-activated nozzles to regulate flow through the second phase outlets. In use, a mixture of solids and liquid is fed into the pressure vessel and the pressure vessel is spun within the gas causing solids to accumulate in the vicinity of the second phase outlets. The pressure-activated nozzles are repeatedly opened and closed to expel the accumulated solids.

Abstract: A functional fluid for the removal of contaminates such as but not limited to, acid causing components in gas, sulfur components and carbon oxides from fluid streams, and removal and treatment of NOX & SOX from post combustion emissions. Also described is the manufacturing process to produce the functional fluid both in a batch atmospheric process system as well as a closed system capable of operating at above or below atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A functional fluid for the removal of contaminates such as but not limited to, acid causing components in gas, sulfur components and carbon oxides from fluid streams, and removal and treatment of NOX & SOX from post combustion emissions. Also described is the manufacturing process to produce the functional fluid both in a batch atmospheric process system as well as a closed system capable of operating at above or below atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover in the form of a settlement tank comprising: a filter which divides the tank into upper and lower portions; a fluid inlet in the lower portion for admitting into the tank a fluid with entrained solids; and a fluid outlet in the upper portion through which filtered fluid can leave the tank. The filter comprises filter media supported on a permeable wall, the wall including a filter media outlet which is normally closed, and opening means for opening the filter media outlet to allow the filter media to discharge into the lower portion of the tank. The invention also relates to a method of refilling the filter with filter media.

Abstract: A radial or crossflow media filter comprising a housing such as a vessel or tank (1), the housing containing filter media (9), a contaminated flow inlet (2) and a discharge outlet (8), the inlet comprising a manifold (5) situated within the housing, the manifold (5) having flow outlets (6) which are directed laterally, away from the discharge outlet (8). The flow inlet may comprise a substantially vertically aligned elongate tubular manifold (5) with a plurality of flow distribution holes or slots disposed along its length. Furthermore, the discharge outlet (8) may be accessed through a chamber within the housing which contains a second filter media (11) which is of larger average particle size than the first filter media (9).

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring settled or suspended solids from an open vessel into a closed vessel, the apparatus comprising a suction line which extends from the closed vessel to the open vessel via drive means, such as a pump or compressor, and a solids feed line which extends from a solids outlet in the open vessel to a solids inlet in the closed vessel, a fluidising apparatus being provided to fluidise the solids in the open vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover in the form of a settlement tank comprising: a filter which divides the tank into upper and lower portions; a fluid inlet in the lower portion for admitting into the tank a fluid with entrained solids; and a fluid outlet in the upper portion through which filtered fluid can leave the tank. The filter comprises filter media supported on a permeable wall, the wall including a filter media outlet which is normally closed, and opening means for opening the filter media outlet to allow the filter media to discharge into the lower portion of the tank. The invention also relates to a method of refilling the filter with filter media.

Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover in the form of a settlement tank comprising: a filter which divides the tank into upper and lower portions; a fluid inlet in the lower portion for admitting into the tank a fluid with entrained solids; and a fluid outlet in the upper portion through which filtered fluid can leave the tank. The filter comprises filter media supported on a permeable wall, the wall including a filter media outlet which is normally closed, and opening means for opening the filter media outlet to allow the filter media to discharge into the lower portion of the tank. The invention also relates to a method of refilling the filter with filter media.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (40) includes a housing (42), in which a cyclone assembly (10) is contained. The housing (42) has an inflow chamber (44), an overflow chamber (46) and a discharge chamber (48). The cyclone assembly (10) has an inner cyclone liner (16) positioned concentrically within a cyclone chamber (12). A displacement means (52) is provided for displacing the inner cyclone liner (16) axially from an operative position in the cyclone chamber (12) to an inoperative position in the overflow chamber (46) of the housing (42). The cyclone chamber (12) has a larger internal diameter than the inner cyclone liner (16), therefore, when the inner cyclone liner is moved to the inoperative position, the flowrate through the cyclone assembly is increased.

Abstract: A radial or crossflow media filter comprising a housing such as a vessel or tank (1), the housing containing filter media (9), a contaminated flow inlet (2) and a discharge outlet (8), the inlet comprising a manifold (5) situated within the housing, the manifold (5) having flow outlets (6) which are directed laterally, away from the discharge outlet (8). The flow inlet may comprise a substantially vertically aligned elongate tubular manifold (5) with a plurality of flow distribution holes or slots disposed along its length. Furthermore, the discharge outlet (8) may be accessed through a chamber within the housing which contains a second filter media (11) which is of larger average particle size than the first filter media (9).

Abstract: A cyclone separator (40) includes a housing (42), in which a cyclone assembly (10) is contained. The housing (42) has an inflow chamber (44), an overflow chamber (46) and a discharge chamber (48). The cyclone assembly (10) has an inner cyclone liner (16) positioned concentrically within a cyclone chamber (12). A displacement means (52) is provided for displacing the inner cyclone liner (16) axially from an operative position in the cyclone chamber (12) to an inoperative position in the overflow chamber (46) of the housing (42). The cyclone chamber (12) has a larger internal diameter than the inner cyclone liner (16), therefore, when the inner cyclone liner is moved to the inoperative position, the flowrate through the cyclone assembly is increased.

Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing solubility of a solute in a solvent, the apparatus comprising a solvent and/or solute inlet 104 having a fluidising unit which creates a vortex such that a fluids interfacial/boundary layer exists within the vortex where enhanced mass transfer, or dissolution of solute into the solvent takes place.

Abstract: A control valve has a valve body and a flow control element preferably in the form of a disc, the valve body defining at least one inlet passage, the inlet passage culminating in an opening which is surrounded at least partially by a flow control surface, and the flow control element is so arranged as to be able to pass close to the flow control surface and across the opening to adjust the flow rate of at least one fluid which is caused to pass through the valve body, wherein the flow control element is constrained within the valve body by a stopping member, the stopping member being adapted to allow a positive clearance to exist between the flow control element and the flow control surface. The stopping member is preferably adjustable, allowing the positive clearance to be adjusted.