Abstract: A pyrolysis waste treatment system having a pyrolyzer and a thermal oxidizer that are aligned in a partially or completely piggybacked fashion, and heat from the exhaust gas of the thermal oxidizer is shunted back to the pyrolyzer to help sustain pyrolysis. Such conduits can have any suitable configuration, including for example where the conduit extends from sides (as opposed to the ends) of each of the pyrolyzer and the thermal oxidizer. Contemplated pyrolyzers and the thermal oxidizers can have any suitable dimensions, but are preferably at least 5 meters long, and have a cross sectional area of at least 10 m2. In most contemplated embodiments, the thermal oxidizer has a length within 20% of the length of the pyrolyzer.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating waste material having a thermal chamber, a feed-stock inlet coupled to the thermal chamber and feeds waste material into the thermal chamber, a heater that heats the thermal chamber, and at least one dual knife gate valve positioned in the apparatus for restricting the passage of the waste material through an interior space of the apparatus and limits the introduction of gas into the thermal chamber. The dual knife gate valve has at least one movable blade that moves toward another blade.