Abstract: A process for the recovery of chemical values from waste solids, wherein shredded waste solids are intermixed with hot char and a carrier gas in turbulent flow and passed through a pyrolysis zone under turbulent conditions at a temperature ranging from about 300.degree. F. to about 2000.degree. F., with zone residence time of under 10 seconds, with subsequent segregation and recovery of volatilized organic chemical values, char and inorganic chemical values therefrom.

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 process for producing calcined coke agglomerates characterized by having a low reactivity to carbon dioxide. The process includes calcining green coal agglomerates at a temperature within the range of 1700.degree. F. to 1950.degree. F. (927.degree. C. to 1066.degree. C.) in a calciner. The agglomerates are exposed to a gaseous atmosphere which before cracking contains not less than 20% by volume of at least one straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbon gas containing one to four carbon atoms. The gaseous atmosphere is preheated to a temperature within the range of 200.degree. F. to 700.degree. F.(93.degree. C. to 371.degree. C.) prior to being introduced into the calciner. Carbon produced when the hydrocarbon gas is cracked, is deposited as vitreous carbon on the surfaces, in the fissures and in the pores of the agglomerates. The calcined coke aggglomerates discharged from the calciner have a reactivity to carbon dioxide of between 2% to 8%.

Abstract: Essentially carbon free inorganic particles formed from the decarbonization of a carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis of comminuted organic solid waste is employed as the prime heat source for the pyrolysis of the comminuted organic solid waste.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values contained in a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to flash pyrolysis in the presence of a particulate heat source fed over an overflow weir to form a pyrolysis product stream containing a carbon containing solid residue and volatilized hydrocarbons. After the carbon containing solid residue is separated from the pyrolysis product stream, values are obtained by condensing volatilized hydrocarbons. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue.

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: To prevent plugging in a pyrolysis operation where an agglomerative coal in a nondeleteriously reactive carrier gas is injected as a turbulent jet from an opening into an elongate pyrolysis reactor, the coal is comminuted to a size where the particles under operating conditions will detackify prior to contact with internal reactor surfaces while a secondary flow of fluid is introduced along the peripheral inner surface of the reactor to prevent backflow of the coal particles. The pyrolysis operation is depicted by two equations which enable preselection of conditions which insure prevention of reactor plugging.

Abstract: A method of pyrolyzing sewage sludge to transform the same into activated carbon, with the combustible pyrogas and volatile liquids included therewith that arise from the pyrolysis operation being burned to sustain the transformation operation. A first portion of the hot activated carbon resulting from the operation is mixed with the wet sewage sludge to provide a dry sludge mixture that is subsequently subjected to the pyrolyzing operation. Water vapor that discharges as the hot activated carbon is mixed with the wet sewage sludge is heated by the burning of the pyrogas and transformed to steam. The resulting steam is in contact with the dry mixture during the pyrolyzing operation, and as a result the dry mixture is transformed to activated carbon. A second portion of the resulting activated carbon is separated from the first portion thereof, with this second portion being available for use apart from the method.

Abstract: A method for mixing a stream of particulate carbonaceous material with another stream of particulate material in a reaction zone maintained substantially free of free oxygen, which method is especially useful for mixing a stream of particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material with a stream of particulate heat-supplying material to produce valuable gaseous, liquid and solid products. This invention discloses a number of apparatuses useful for mixing streams of particulate material in a reactor maintained substantially free of free oxygen.

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: This invention concerns a carbonization and desulfurization process in which elevated pressures are used so that the product gases contain sufficient hydrogen for use as a recycle stream in the carbonization and desulfurization. The elevated pressures permit product recovery systems for the gas products which utilize the elevated pressures of the carbonization and desulfurization.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values contained in a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to flash pyrolysis in the presence of a particulate heat source over an overflow weir to form a pyrolysis product stream containing a carbon containing solid residue and volatilized hydrocarbons. After the carbon containing solid residue is separated from the pyrolysis product stream, values are obtained by condensing volatilized hydrocarbons. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue and separating out the fines.

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: This invention is directed to a process for converting coal into useful liquids, solids, and gases, by combined processes of coal carbonization and liquefaction in which the carbonization reaction yields hydrogen suitable for the liquefaction. The heavy liquid products from the liquefaction and the carbonization may be combined with the solid char to form a metallurgical coke. Other liquids may be treated and converted into useful industrial hydrocarbon chemicals. The gases from the combined reactions yield a fuel gas as well as a hydrogen stream suitable for use in the overall processing.

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 dry distillation process for treating bituminous or oil-containing fine-grained material, particularly tar sand, with a heat carrier comprising fine-grained dry distillation residue which is heated in a pneumatic conveyor line by hot combustion gases and then fed to a collecting vessel and mixed in a dry distillation zone with the fine-grained material to be subjected to dry distillation. The dry distillation residue is heated to a temperature of 600.degree.-850.degree. C before being mixed at least in part with the material which is to be subjected to dry distillation, said material containing at least 0.2% by weight magnesium carbonate and/or calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of oil from oil-bearing shale and for employing the oil-depleted shale as a combustible heat source. The oil-bearing shale is charged on a traveling grate to form a burden. A bed of oil-depleted shale having uncombusted carbon and hydrocarbons is provided, and those uncombusted materials are combusted to raise the temperature of the bed to above about 1000.degree. F. A reducing atmosphere is passed through the oil-depleted and combusted bed to raise the temperature of the reducing atmosphere. The heated reducing atmosphere is then passed through the burden to raise the temperature of the oil shale to at least 800.degree. F. and to thereby educt oil from the oil shale. In another embodiment, the combusted oil-depleted material is layered onto the oil-bearing and the reducing atmosphere is passed sequentially through the oil-depleted and oil-bearing material.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an apparatus and process are disclosed wherein coal or peat or lignite is first transmitted to a devolatilizer from which tar and fuel gas are removed for transmission to a separator and recovery system, from which by-products are obtained and sulphur-free fuel gas is transmitted to the steam boiler. Char is recirculated between the devolatilizer and a heat generator. In one form of the invention a fraction of the char discharge from the devolatilizer is transmitted to a gasifier for gasification and complete sulphur extraction, and another fraction in readily combustible form is transmitted to the steam boiler for use. In another form of the invention the complete output of the devolatilizer is transmitted to the gasifier wherein a fraction is gasified and another fraction is transmitted to the steam boiler. The proportion of the fractions may be controlled to thereby control the overall sulphur emission of the system.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor has a feed system which includes one or more circularly arcuate feed tubes removably inserted through the outer wall of the reactor. Each feed tube is slidably disposed in a corresponding circularly arcuate external guide sleeve for positioning the discharge end of each feed tube at a predetermined location and orientation within the reactor. A hot particulate material normally suspended in a fluid carrier is fed into the reactor. The inlet end(s) of the feed tube(s) can be connected to a source of particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material suspended in a fluid carrier for injection into the reactor, preferably at a location where the hot particulate material is uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section of the reactor. Means can be provided to cool the particulate agglomerative carbonaceous material during transit through the feed tube(s) to prevent agglomeration in the feed tube(s).

Abstract: Formcoke suitable for use in a blast furnace is made from a non-caking or weakly caking coal by converting the coal to an agglomeratable material consisting essentially of a blend of the entire product (without separation of extract and undissolved solids) obtained by solvent extraction of the coal in the presence of hydrogen and a suitable amount of hydrocarbonaceous solids. The agglomeratable material is agglomerated under low temperature carbonizing conditions and the agglomerates are thereafter calcined to produce strong formcoke.

Abstract: In the production of reactive form coke of the sort described in Work et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,140,241, 3,140,242 and 3,184,293, where a low-temperature reactive coal calcinate is mixed with a binder and formed into shapes which are cured in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and then calcined, the use of high-temperature coke oven pitch as binder for the briquettes is made possible by adding to the calcinate, before mixing with the binder, at least about 3.0% by weight of water based on the weight of calcinate.