Abstract: The present invention relates to various apparatuses and processes for treating carbonaceous materials to remove by-products therefrom. More particularly, the present invention relates to the treatment of carbonaceous materials by injecting an inert gas into the carbonaceous material under a vacuum or injecting steam into the carbonaceous material either with or without the vacuum being applied in a controlled manner to more consistently treat the charge of carbonaceous material.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a process for treating carbonaceous material wherein the resulting product is resistant to undesired combustion. According to the process, carbonaceous material is treated with a gaseous mixture comprising a major amount of inert gas and a minor amount of oxygen either during or subsequent to carrying out the upgrading step to at least partially oxidize the carbonaceous material.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with upgrading the BTU values of carbonaceous materials. The carbonaceous material is introduced into a heat exchanger and is injected with gas such as an inert gas or carbon dioxide at a high pressure to raise the pressure at which the upgrading process is carried out. The carbonaceous material is then heated to the desired temperature by circulating a heat exchange medium throughout at least one vessel which is in contact with the carbonaceous material. Water and other by-products such as tar and gases are recovered during this process. The heated water may be used as a source of pre-heating feed material in another vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process of steam treating carbonaceous materials under a controlled temperature and pressure. The feed material is introduced into an autoclave or similar vessel and injected with steam at a high pressure and temperature for a controlled period of time to effect thermal restructuring of the carbonaceous material and to effect a conversion of the moisture and a portion of the volatile organic constituents therein to a gaseous phase. Water, wax and tar are recovered during this process and the water may be used as a source of pre-heating feed material in another vessel while the tar may be used as a heating source since it has a high heating value. The upgraded product is allowed to cool and then removed from the reaction vessel. The invention alternatively contemplates use of a separate pre-heating chamber for the carbonaceous feed material.

Abstract: A multiple hearth apparatus and process for the thermal treatment of organic carbonaceous materials under controlled pressure and temperature comprising a pressure vessel containing a plurality of superimposed annular hearths including hearths in a reaction zone of the apparatus which are formed with a foraminous upper surface disposed in communication with a plenum for injecting a heated fluid into heat exchange contact with the feed material disposed thereon. The injected heating fluid or gas in further combination with the volatile gases evolved during the thermal restructuring reaction pass countercurrently relative to the travel of the feed material to effect a preheating thereof to a moderate temperature in a preheating zone of the apparatus. Preferably, at least a portion of the volatile gases from the apparatus are treated to remove condensible portions thereof and are reheated and pressurized for recycle to the apparatus.

Abstract: A multiple hearth reactor apparatus and process for the thermal treatment of organic carbonaceous materials under controlled pressure and temperature comprising in accordance with one embodiment, a pressure vessel containing a plurality of superimposed annular hearths including a series of upper hearths defining a preheating zone and a series of lower hearths spaced therebelow defining a reaction zone. The reactor is provided with an inlet for introducing a moist carbonaceous feed material under pressure into the preheat zone and the feed material is transferred downwardly in a cascading manner through the preheat zone and reaction zone. The solid product is extracted from the lower portion of the apparatus while waste water and product gas are extracted from the preheat zone. The hot gases are passed in countercurrent fashion to effect a preheating of the feed material.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the continuous processing of organic carbonaceous materials containing appreciable amounts of water to produce thermally upgraded products suitable for use as fuels, carbon-containing chemical intermediates, and the like. The apparatus and process utilizes controlled elevated temperatures and pressures to which the feed material is sequentially subjected including a preheating stage, a pressurized dewatering stage and a reaction stage during which vaporization of at least a portion of the volatile organic and moisture constituents therein is effected to form a gaseous phase. The intervening dewatering stage removes a large proportion of the initial moisture content of the feed material whereby substantially improved efficiency and increased capacity are attained.

Abstract: A screw conveyor apparatus suitable for conveying and processing flowable materials such as particulate materials and slurries, for example, which incorporates cleaning or scraping elements for dislodging the accumulation of materials from the surfaces of the helical flight. The apparatus comprises an elongated housing defining a conveying chamber in which a helical flight is rotatably supported formed with a central axially extending bore through at least a portion of the length thereof and a shaft slidably disposed in the bore and reciprocable and rotatable relative to the helical flight. A series of scraper elements are mounted on the shaft adjacent to the leading and trailing surfaces of the helical flight and a drive mechanism is provided for rotating the helical flight and the shaft.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and filtering system which is particularly applicable for extracting particulated material from hot gases comprising a collector overlying a portion of the upstream face of the filter element for applying a reduced pressure to the particulate filter cake formed thereover to effect a dislodgement and recovery of the filtered particulate material. The collector is movable to progressively traverse substantially the entire upstream face of the filter element to effect a cleaning thereof by removal of the filter cake without interruption of the operation of the filtering system. The invention further encompasses a separator for cleaning the granular filter medium withdrawn from the filter apparatus and for recycling the cleaned filter medium back to the filter apparatus.

Abstract: A process for converting cellulosic materials, including waste cellulosic materials, into a useful, low-sulfur and low-ash fuel by subjecting the cellulosic feed material to an autoclaving treatment at a controlled elevated temperature and controlled high pressure for a period of time to convert the moisture and a portion of the organic constituents therein to a gaseous phase and to effect a controlled thermal restructing of the chemical structure thereof, producing a solid carbonaceous or coke-like product and a by-product fuel gas. It is further contemplated that the low-sulfur coke product can be comminuted to a desired particle size range and admixed with high-sulfur fuel oils, providing a blended liquid slurry fuel of an acceptable sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for agglomerating bituminous fines into a useful low-sulfur particulated fuel by subjecting the bituminous fines to an autoclaving treatment at a controlled elevated temperature and controlled high pressure for a period of time sufficient to convert the moisture and a portion of the organic constituents therein to a gaseous phase and to effect a controlled thermal restructuring of the chemical structure thereof, providing a solid agglomerated coke-like product and a by-product fuel gas. It is further contemplated that the bituminous fines feed material can be subjected to a preliminary mechanical separation treatment to extract some of the impurities therein prior to the autoclaving step. It is further contemplated that the feed material can comprise bituminous fines blended with up to about 50% by weight of particulated cellulosic materials, such as agricultural and forest waste materials, which similarly are converted during the autoclaving treatment to a useful solid coke product.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously pyrolyzing, vaporizing or gasifying a particulated carbonaceous feed material in which preheated heat-containing bodies or pebbles are admixed with the feed material in a stratified manner to form a downwardly moving columnar reaction mass, with a remaining portion of the pebbles substantially devoid of any feed material disposed in a surrounding layer relative to the reaction mass. Gas is continuously passed transversely through the reaction mass and surrounding layer in a manner to sweep the gaseous pyrolysis reaction products out of the reaction chamber and wherein the layers of pebbles surrounding the reaction mass serve to effect a deposition of carbonaceous residue preventing encrustation and fouling of the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the aging of alcoholic liquors, whereby the liquor to be aged is placed in a char-lined container incorporating a char-coated manifold assembly therein, which is connected to a vapor recovery system. The liquor is moved relative to the char surfaces by agitation provided by the manifold assembly or by recirculation of the liquor through the container. The vapor recovery system is provided with pumping means for controlling the permeation rate and vaporization of the liquor entering the manifold assembly. Means are provided to remove any liquid that accumulates in the manifold system.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for continuously pyrolyzing or gasifying a particulated carbonaceous feed material in which preheated heat-containing bodies or pebbles are admixed with the feed material in a stratified manner to form a downwardly moving columnar reaction mass, with a remaining portion of the pebbles substantially devoid of any feed material disposed in a surrounding layer relative to the reaction mass. Gas is continuously passed transversely through the reaction mass and surrounding layer in a manner to sweep the gaseous pyrolysis reaction products out of the reaction chamber, and wherein the layers of pebbles surrounding the reaction mass serve to effect a deposition of carbonaceous residue, preventing encrustation and fouling of the reactor system.

Abstract: A process for upgrading lignitic-type coal including brown coals, lignite and subbituminous coals to render it more suitable as a solid fuel in which the moist lignitic-type coal in an as-mined condition is subjected to an autoclaving treatment at a controlled elevated temperature and under high pressure for a period of time to convert the moisture and a portion of the volatile organic constituents therein to a gaseous phase and to effect a controlled thermal restructuring of the chemical structure thereof. In accordance with a preferred practice, the autoclaved upgraded carbonaceous product during or after cooling is contacted with the gaseous phase to effect a deposition of at least a portion of the condensible organic constituents thereon. The upgraded carbonaceous product is stable and resistant to weathering, and is of an increased heating value approaching that of bituminous coal.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for accelerated drying of green lumber employs high voltage dielectric heating at subatmospheric pressure to effect a rapid removal of moisture from the wood without splitting, checking, case hardening, honeycombing or similar damage to the wood structure. The invention combines the advantages of both dielectric and vacuum drying techniques without inefficient and destructive corona, arcing, or ionization effects which have heretofore prevented combining such techniques. When desired, the use of subatmospheric pressures in the drying process also permits injection of suitable chemicals for fireproofing or other specialized treatments of the wood allowing the combination of such treatments with the drying of the wood in a single process.