Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering pure naphthalene from hot crude coke oven gas. The hot crude coke oven gas is directly cooled by means of sprinkling water directly thereon, and the naphthalene is recovered by subsequent filtering out of tar and other impurities, followed by cooling to obtain crystalline pure naphthalene. More specifically, after direct cooling of the hot crude coke oven gas, the gas is then guided through an electrofilter to be subsequently cooled in such a manner that the naphthalene contained in the crude coke oven gas is separated from the gaseous phase and is obtained in the form of pure naphthalene crystals without any required additional treatment.

Abstract: Useful byproducts are recovered through the pyrolytic processing of biomass material such as vegetation, paper, or worn tires. The process is conducted in a sealed enclosure under vacuum or other controlled atmosphere. The biomass material is ablated and burned by crunching between counter-rotating rollers whose inner walls have been exposed to a highly heated fluid. The biomass material is preheated by injecting into the feeding duct super-heated: dry steam. A condenser within the enclosure reduces resulting vapors into oils that can be drained from the enclosure pan. Solid combustion residue is abstracted from the enclosure by an Archimedes screw.

Abstract: A system and process for the recovery of oil from the pyrolysis of material containing hydrocarbons such as shredded vehicle tires. The system utilizes a pair of sequentially positioned packed towers to recover at least 95% of the oil contained in the pyrolysis gases. The first packed tower operates above the dew point of the water vapor in the pyrolysis gases to insure that no water is condensed and obtain a primary oil fraction having oil with a high flash point of about 60° C. or greater and a primary vapor fraction containing additional oils, fuel gases and water vapor. The primary vapor fraction is fed to the second packed tower which operates below the dew point of the water vapor to condense the water and oil having a low flash point of 34° C. or below, and provide a secondary vapor fraction containing valuable fuel gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching the coke drum vapor line from a coke drum to the main fractionator in a coker unit whereby the volume of quench liquid prevents the drum vapor line from plugging with carbon-based deposits. A differential pressure control technique is utilized to quench the drum vapors being delivered to the fractionator as opposed to a temperature, delta temperature, uninsulated vapor line, or fixed flow rate control as used in the prior art. Vapor line quench control by differential pressure prevents over-quenching of the vapor line during a coke drum switch, unit startup, or slowdown as well as under-quenching during drum warm-ups. It improves the fractionator recovery time from a drum switch and overall liquid product yield during the drum cycle which can be produced by over-quenching. It also prevents the vapor line from drying out at anytime, an under-quenched condition, as long as the quench oil quality and conditions do not vary significantly.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extraction of oil and hydrocarbons from crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids, such as oil shale, involving the pyrolyzing of the crushed solids with liquid hydrocarbon and syn gas rich in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Crushed hydrocarbonaceous solids are treated with liquid hydrocarbon and hot syn gas at an elevated temperature in a rotary kiln where the crushed solids are cascaded into the hot syn gas for sufficient time to strip the volatile liquids and gases found in the solids, removing the vaporized liquids, enriched syn gas and spent crushed solids from the kiln, fractionating the vaporized liquids and enriched syn gas into the desired fractions. The enriched syn gas is particularly suited for use in combined-cycle electricity generation and in the preparation of various by-products. The process efficiently recycles heat and energy to reduce harmful atmospheric emissions and reliance on external energy sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a process for obtaining phenanthrene of about 95% purity from coal tar distilled fraction containing crude phenanthrene by performing fractional distillation at a reduced pressure of 50 mm mercury and at a temperature range of 160-180° C. to obtain first distilled fraction containing acenaphthene and fluorene; a second distillate fraction at a temperature range of 200-230° C. containing phenanthrene, anthracene and traces of carbazole; followed by re-distilling the second distillate fraction at a temperature range of 210-224° C. to finally obtain pure phenanthrene and a residue which is again used for the recovery of residual phenanthrene by re-distillation at a temperature range of 210-224° C.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating fluid with a gas heater and distilling fluid with the pilot light of the gas heater are disclosed. The apparatus for heating fluid and distilling fluid includes a main tank for containing fluid to be heated, a heater, adapted to have a pilot light, for heating the fluid in said main tank and an evaporator tank for vaporizing fluid received therein with heat from the pilot light. The method of heating fluid and distilling fluid includes heating a first volume of fluid with a heater having a pilot light and heating a second volume of fluid with the pilot light.

Abstract: The distillation plant comprises a column (1) and a heat pump (4, 5) which operates between a sump vaporizer (3) and an exhaust vapor compressor (2) of the column. The heat pump is substitutable by devices (6, 7) which can be switched to the sump vaporizer and the exhaust vapor compressor when required. These substituting devices comprise devices (6 and 7 respectively) for the production of vapor or the provision of a coolant respectively as well as connection means (63, 63′, 72, 72′). The coolants can be liquids (water) or gases (air).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating fluid with a gas heater and distilling fluid with the pilot light of the gas heater are disclosed. The apparatus for heating fluid and distilling fluid includes a main tank for containing fluid to be heated, a heater, adapted to have a pilot light, for heating the fluid in said main tank and an evaporator tank for vaporizing fluid received therein with heat from the pilot light. The method of heating fluid and distilling fluid includes heating a first volume of fluid with a heater having a pilot light and heating a second volume of fluid with the pilot light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the thermolysis of solid waste within an enclosed thermolysis chamber in the absence of free oxygen which produces a thermolysis off-gas. The thermolysis off-gas is removed from the thermolysis chamber and injected into a cyclone where it is washed with water and cooled. The washed and cooled thermolysis off-gas is divided into two portions. One portion of the washed thermolysis off-gas is further cooled in a heat exchanger and then injected into a burner and combusted, while the remaining portion of the washed thermolysis off-gas is passed into indirect heat exchange with the hot off-gas resulting from the combustion of the other portion of the thermolysis off-gas in the burner and recycled back into the enclosed thermolysis chamber. This in-situ recycling of hot thermolysis off-gas helps prevent the creation of hot spots in the thermolysis chamber and the possibility of an explosive reaction between oxygen and hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention provides a practical and efficient method and apparatus for thermally processing organic based raw materials of either primary or secondary (recycled) origin, in order to extract volatile organic vapors and to selectively produce either condensable hydrocarbon gases or, more preferably, non-condensable synthesis gases that are rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide for use as a raw material in chemical processes, or as a fuel. In particular, the invention provides a single rotary reactor having two contiguous hearth reaction areas, i.e., a drying and volatizing area and a reformation area, the areas being separated from each other by a bed-retaining refractory weir. The weir has an aperture for fluidly connecting the two hearth reaction areas of the single reactor.

Abstract: An improved coker fractionator system which permits withdrawing, from selected ports in the fractionator, streams of selected boiling point ranges for recovery of thermal energy and for altering the liquid vapor loading within the column for more efficient fractionation within the column. The system includes the provision of one or more ports in a fractionation column between the light coker gas oil draw and the heavy coker gas oil draw connected to either a thermal energy recovery pump-around system or a recycle system for returning a stream to the coker furnace feed stream.

Abstract: Heating of polyvinyl chloride, in particular plasticizer-containing polyvinyl chloride, to a temperature of from 250.degree. to 500.degree. C. in the absence of oxygen gives a low-chlorine, carbon-containing residue, plasticizer and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: Metals are recovered from automobile shredder residue by subjecting the shredder residue to vacuum pyrolysis to produce non-condensable gases, condensable hydrocarbon vapors and water vapor, and a solid residue containing non-oxidized metals and a carbonaceous material. The vacuum pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 450.degree. to about 650.degree. C., under a subatmospheric pressure in the range of about 50 to about 200 mm Hg so as to thermally decompose and substantially completely vaporize organic matter adhered to the metals. At least one metal is separated from the solid residue, the metal being recovered in nonoxidized and substantially carbon-free form suitable for direct recycling.

Abstract: A loading mechanism places waste material into a porous rotatable cylinder that is mounted for relative rotation within an air-tight housing. Once loaded, the housing is sealed and oxygen is evacuated. A microwave heating device heats the waste material within the cylinder and breaks the waste material down into solid and fluid products. A drive motor simultaneously rotates the cylinder at high speed, creating centrifugal force on the waste material. The fluid products escape outwardly from the porous cylinder and are transferred to a heat exchanger chamber where they are cooled. A fractional distillation system stratifies the fluid products according to weight for purposes of recovery.

Abstract: A pyrolytic converter utilizing a rotatable drum surrounded by an outer drum support structure and disposed in an oven chamber pyrolyzes materials including plastic waste, tires, materials from automobile shredding operations, containers and trays of plastic material, rubber, leather, garbage, sewage sludge, coal, oil shale, broken asphalt and the like. The gaseous products of pyrolyzation are collected and condensed in a series of three tanks; the later two of which are water filled and the intermediate one of which has a chamber in which expanding steam creates turbulence and provides an air lift which forms water into a spray for cooling incoming gases while simultaneously scrubbing the gases. The gases are condensed into oils of successively higher volatility in the first, second and third tanks.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing crystalline hydroxyacetaldehyde precipitated from a complex mixture of products provided by the pyrolysis of a carbohydrate-containing feedstock. The method includes distilling a first condensate under reduced pressure to give a second condensate which is enriched in hydroxyacetaldehyde; combining the second condensate with a solvent to give a homogeneous solution; precipitating hydroxyacetaldehyde from the solution; and separating the precipitated hydroxyacetaldehyde from the solution.Aqueous solutions of hydroxyacetaldehyde are useful for browning foodstuffs and for producing flavors by contacting the hydroxyacetaldehyde with ammonia or amines.In addition, hydroxyacetaldehyde may be used to make an artificial tanning product containing a suitable topical vehicle and an amount of hydroxyacetaldehyde suitable to impart a brown color to skin.

Abstract: A process and system for low-temperature carbonization of oil shale, oil sands and similar oil-bearing solids includes low-temperature carbonization of oil-bearing solids in a high-pressure fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a substance selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and steam at temperatures substantially between 400.degree.and 600.degree. C. for producing low-temperature carbonization gas. The low-temperature carbonization gas is condensed in at least two stages for producing relatively higher boiling and relatively lower boiling oil fractions. The oil-bearing solids are peripherally mashed with the higher boiling oil fraction of the low-temperature carbonization gas, before introducing the oil-bearing solids into the high-pressure fluidized bed reactor. The oil-bearing solids mashed with the higher boiling oil fraction are returned to the high-pressure fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: In a pyrolysis plant having a preliminary cooling stage and a final cooling stage, in the event of an operational malfunction of the preliminary cooling stage as indicated by temperature measurement of the pyrolysis gas cooled therein, the pyrolysis gas is withdrawn upstream of the final cooling stage and previously stored, cold pyrolysis gas is drawn from a gas reservoir and fed to the pyrolysis reactor and to the final cooling stage so that these parts of the plant can remain in unaltered operation. As a result of this procedure, a shutdown of the entire plant is avoided in the event of malfunctions of the preliminary cooling stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting hydrocarbons from tar sands. Stationary heater plates have a central opening therethrough through which a horizontal axle extends. Rotors having a central hub and a number of arms are splined on the axle, one closely sandwiched between every two heater plates. A ring is provided between the heater plates closely outward of the rotor arms. Sand retaining pockets are defined between adjacent arms of each rotor, the rotor hub, the ring and adjacent heater plates. Sand is retained in the sand retaining pockets for about one revolution about the axis between feed and removal positions. While retained in the pockets, the sand is heated and hydrocarbons driven off are collected.

Abstract: Pyrolytic reprocessing of plastic, rubber, or other hydrocarbon materials in which the resultant pyrolysis gas is brought in a cooling stage to a temperature just above the freezing point of water and to a pressure of approximately 0.8 to 1.4 bar of overpressure. The resultant condensate is then separated and heated to a normal storage temperature and the super atmospheric pressure on the condensate reduced to atmospheric pressure. The gas produced thereby comprising C.sub.4 hydrocarbon compounds is supplied to the pyrolysis process as special product gas. By means of this provision, the proportion of aromatic compounds in the pyrolysis gas is raised substantially.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of used rubber tires by vacuum pyrolysis in a reactor to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and a solid carbonaceous material is disclosed. According to the invention, the pyrolysis of the tires is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 360.degree. C. to about 415.degree. C., under a sub-atmospheric pressure of less than about 35 mm Hg and such that gases and vapors produced in the reactor have a residence time of the order of a few seconds. The process according to the invention enables one to increase the yield of the liquid hydrocarbons and lower the yields of the gaseous hydrocarbons and solid carbonaceous material, and to thereby produce hydrocarbon oils in substantially maximum yield. These hydrocarbon oils have a high calorific value and are thus suitable for use as heating fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a reaction chamber provided with a charging hole, a branch pipe for discharging a suspension, and a branch pipe for withdrawing a vapor-gas phase which branch pipe is communicated with a condenser. The apparatus further includes a heater provided with a heat-exchanger for preheating a solvent, said heat-exchanger being introduced into said heater and communicated with said reaction chamber through nozzles adapted for jet feeding of the solvent into the reaction mass.At the outlet of the reaction chamber there is mounted a distillation column communicated with the branch pipe for discharging the suspension and provided in the upper portion thereof with a branch pipe for withdrawal of the vapor-gas phase, while in the lower portion thereof there is provided a branch pipe for discharging a distillation residue.

Abstract: Coal is processed sequentially over a range of temperatures up to a maximum of 750.degree. F. and preferably considerably less to obtain a clean burning coke, refinable petroleum and bitumen products, fertilizer minerals, combustible gases and water; the process is capable of producing a highly porous, easily crushed coke substantially free of pollutants and almost entirely depleted of oil so that it is hygroscopic and easily transformed to a pipeline slurry. The process is not one of destructive distillation but neither is atmospheric air employed as a combustion oxidant or reactant in the system; the process is preferably conducted under reflux conditions in a closed vessel and in such a way that the heat input is complemental substantially to the thermo-absorption spectrum of the coal.

Abstract: The production of oil by retorting shale and other hydrocarbonaceous and lignocellulosic solid materials is facilitated by retorting in the presence of steam and acetic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing a distillable hydrocarbonaceous stream, fuel gases and blast furnace grade coke from a heavy, high sulfur, crude oil by producing delayed coke from at least a portion of the crude oil; crushing at least a portion of the coke to provide a finely divided coke feedstock to a briquetting operation where the finely divided coke is briquetted using crude oil or topped crude oil as a binder to produce briquettes of a size from about 3/4 inch to about 3 inches with the resulting briquettes being passed to a high temperature vertical calciner where the solids are desulfurized to produce a strong blast furnace grade coke. The distillable stream and fuel gas stream are recovered from the delayed coking operation, the vertical calciner and optionally a crude oil topping operation. In some instances coke particles in the size range from about 3/4 inch to about 3 inches may be passed directly to the calciner without crushing and briquetting.

Abstract: A liquid smoke concentrate having a 3,4-benzpyrene- and 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene content of less than 0.2 nanograms, having a tar content (calculated as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) below 1 microgram/kg, and a phenolic compounds content (calculated as phenol) of 0.90-1.60 g/l, preferably 1.0-1.4 g/l, and in which the ratio of phenolic compounds content to carbonyl compounds content (calculated as acetone) to total titratable acid content (calculated as acetic acid) is 1:(17.0-47.0):(13.0-40.0), preferably 1:(20.0-37.0):(14.0-34.0).The concentrate is obtained by destructive distillation of cellulosic and/or lignin material, removing fly ashes, and separating two tar fractions by cooling to a temperature between 150.degree.-200.degree. C. and 80-120.degree. C., respectively, non-condensable gases being separated off upon cooling to room temperature. The concentrate may be used in various physical forms as a flavoring agent in foodstuffs and as aromatizing agent.

Abstract: A heavy high-sulfur hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is partially delayed coked and partially formcoked. The coke products are screened, with larger particles being calcined at desulfurizing temperatures and smaller particles being recycled to the formcoker. Overhead products from both coking operations are combined, fractionated, and desulfurized. The heaviest cut from the fractionator is combined with the feedstock as recycle.

Abstract: A process for reducing environmental pollution resulting from disposal of waste containing halogenated hydrocarbons by simultaneous treatment with used metal and/or metal scrap at elevated temperatures. The halogenated hydrocarbons are pyrolyzed and the resulting hydrogen halide containing gas is brought into contact with the used metal and/or metal scrap at elevated temperatures so as to form metal halogenides that are volatile under the conditions applied. The volatile metal halogenides are largely separated from the gaseous mixture formed, and at least part of the remaining gaseous mixture and/or hydrocarbon residue is used as fuel to maintain the required temperature. The waste feed compositions and process conditions can be chosen to effect separation between various metals by selective halogenation and condensation, and substantially all of the hydrogen halide can be tied up and recovered as metal halogenides.

Abstract: To increase the temperature at which a tar separator operates which separates tar from condensate obtained by cooling coking gas produced by coking preheated coal, the condensate is preheated by heat exchange with the coking gas entering a raw gas cooler and is then admitted into the coking gas collecting main of the coking ovens, from which it passes to the tar separator. A method and an apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: The process for the production of molded metallurgical coke from dried coal or fine coal mixtures with a low swelling index particularly highly volatile fine coal comprises mixing normal washed fine coal or fine coal mixtures of a grain size of from 0 to 10 mm and a swelling index of not more than 5 with a binder, pressing the mixture into briquettes, oxidizing the briquettes in a continuous material flow stream, and coking the oxidized briquettes continuously in an oven chamber by supplying indirectly and exhausting the coke oven gases with a temperature of 300.degree. to 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: In the fluidized carbonization and calcination of coal to form a reactive coal calcinate for admixture with bituminous binder for briquetting, curing, and coking to produce form coke, the improvement of recovering medium BTU gases in the overheads by using as the fluidizing medium oxygen diluted with steam or carbon dioxide and removing the steam or carbon dioxide from the overheads.

Abstract: An improved coke oven battery and an improved method for production of coke and byproducts are provided. The filling gas escaping during the filling of the oven chambers with coal is initially rendered inert by admixing flue gas. Then the resulting gas mixture of filling gas and flue gas is withdrawn via a conduit fed with flushing liquor from the coke oven gas off-take main and is added to the raw coke oven gas after the coke oven gas off-take main. The tar and coal containing flushing liquor coming from the filling gas conduit is fed back to the coke oven gas off-take main after removal of the tar.

Abstract: A method for destructive distillation of hydrocarbonaceous distilland is disclosed wherein a dienophile is introduced into the vaporous phase to reduce the production of non-distillable polymeric product. Specifically dienophiles available economically in large amounts such as maleic anhydride are disclosed. The introduction of additional sulfide to further reduce production of asphaltenic polymeric product is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing organic liquid product from solid organic waste. The process comprises pyrolyzing the solid organic waste to produce pyrolysis vapors and solid pyrolysis residue. The solid residue is separated from the pyrolysis vapors leaving entrained particulate matter in the vapor. At least a portion of the pyrolysis vapor is condensed for producing pyrolysis liquid containing entrained particulate matter. The pyrolysis liquid is centrifuged producing a light fraction containing entrained particulate matter, a middle fraction substantially free of particulate matter and a heavy fraction containing entrained particulate matter. The middle fraction is recovered as organic liquid product substantially free of entrained particulate matter. The light fraction and heavy fraction are mixed and filtered. The liquid filtrate produced is distilled for producing additional organic liquid product.

Abstract: A two-stage process, and the apparatus for practicing the process, for cooling process gas are disclosed. The process gas is firstly air-cooled by convection to a temperature above the dew point of naphthalene and finally cooled to the desired discharge temperature by heat exchange with a cooling liquid. The condensed portion of the process gas resulting from the first cooling stage may be utilized to flush the gas conduits of the liquid heat exchanger of the second stage, followed by a recirculation of that condensed portion of the coke oven gas either back through the second stage or by introduction into the stream of process gas prior to its introduction into the first cooling stage.

Abstract: A method for cooling naphthalene containing gas streams using recirculated cooling water comprising physically separating suspended naphthalenic solids from the used cooling water, injecting a water immiscible solvent for naphthalene into the clarified cooling water, and vigorously mixing the solvent and cooling water to form a dispersion which is recooled in an indirect heat exchanger without serious buildup of naphthalenic solids in the heat exchanger and recycled to cool the gas stream.

Abstract: Gaseous products produced by pyrolytic conversion of materials are treated in a series of stages in a closed system by progressively subjecting the gaseous products to decreasing temperatures ranging from near ambient to cryogenic. Removal and storage of pollutants from the gaseous products is accomplished by condensation resulting from cooling, physical separation by subjecting the gaseous products to centrifugal forces, sub-cooling of the gaseous products, and chemical adsorption by molecular sieves, these operations being carried out in the various stages.

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: A process and apparatus for the destructive distillation of high molecular weight organic materials such as organic wastes, particularly those containing hydrocarbon groups, using ultrasonic and microwave generators together to irradiate, and molecularly disperse the organic molecules in the organic materials. At least initially a portion of the organic materials are preferably irradiated with a laser beam or other initiator to initiate molecular motion in the organic materials and produce elemental carbon in situ from the organic materials so that the process will begin rapidly. Carbon and/or particulate catalysts which promote or increase the absorption of microwaves are preferably admixed with the organic materials.

Abstract: A method of improving the mechanical resistance of coke comprises forming a liquor of fine grained coal and oil with the oil being of from 5% to 30% of the total weight, forming coal pellets of the liquor at an increased temperature of from approximately 80.degree. to 100.degree. C, and heating the pellets to transform them into coke in a known coking process. Prior to being carbonized, the pellets are advantageously coated with a separating layer of a substance preventing agglomeration, such as hematite ore, lime, fine coke, etc.

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: Apparatus and the method of converting organic material such as that separated from municipal and industrial waste into useful products by using a form of an extruder in a continuous destructive distillation process and in which the material being processes is compressed in the extruder in the absence of air and is heated to carefully controlled temperatures in separate zones to extract different products from each of the zones.

Abstract: A pyrolitic reducer and condenser apparatus within which waste material is reduced to char and volatiles with provision made for collecting heavy and light volatiles for their reuse. A reduction bin receives waste material which is reduced by a low oxygen heat flow passing downwardly through the bin. A lower bin portion intermittently discharges the resulting char while volatile matter passes outwardly and then upwardly along a condenser wall whereat heavier oils are condensed out. The condenser structure additionally includes an insulative member confining heat within the reduction bin. Lighter oils are condensed by water cooled surfaces within an upper, baffle equipped condenser portion. Provision is made for elevating of the condenser structure for periodic access to the reduction bin. A feed assembly embodies an air lock to enable the intermittent discharge of waste into the reduction bin while preventing the escape of reduction gases.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the destructive distillation of organic waste materials. An insulated sealed distillator compartment is provided having a plurality of conveyor stages for transporting the waste material through the sealed compartment while subjecting the material to a plurality of increased zones of temperature in order to completely pyrolyze the material and evolve pyrolysis gases. An auger feed apparatus supplys a continuous supply of material to the sealed distillator, while an auger discharge apparatus removes a continuous supply of solid carbonaceous residue from the distillator. The residue can be classified and separated into usable products. The evolved gases may be converted into crude oil and natural gas. A process for destructive distillation of the waste materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a continuous, solids upflow, gas downflow shale retorting process carried out at superatmospheric pressures, hydrostatic sealing means are provided at the shale inlet and retorted shale outlet ends of the retort, thereby avoiding the need for mechanical sealing means, lock vessels, etc. The raw shale is fed into the retort through a standing reservoir of product oil, or preferably a light fraction thereof, and the retorted shale is discharged from the retort through a water quenching zone and seal, in the lower portion of which is maintained a sufficient hydrostatic head of water to prevent the discharge therethrough of retort gases. Steam generated in the quench zone, containing some entrained hydrocarbonaceous matter, is treated in a multistage cooling and condensing manner for gas cleanup and for recovery of heat and an oil-free water condensate for recycle to the water sealing and quench zones.

Abstract: In a continuous, solids upflow, gas downflow shale retorting process carried out at superatmospheric pressures, hydrostatic sealing means are provided at the shale inlet and retorted shale outlet ends of the retort, thereby avoiding the need for mechanical sealing means, lock vessels, etc. The raw shale is fed into the retort through a standing reservoir of product oil, or preferably a light fraction thereof, and the retorted shale is discharged from the retort through a water quenching zone and seal, in the lower portion of which is maintained a sufficient hydrostatic head of water to prevent the discharge therethrough of retort gases. Steam generated in the quench zone, containing some entrained hydrocarbonaceous matter, is treated in a multistage cooling and condensing manner for gas cleanup and for recovery of heat and an oil-free water condensate for recycle to the water sealing and quench zones.

Abstract: Waste, preferably in a pre-dried state, is passed through a carbonizing oven chamber, from the top towards the bottom and is carbonized therein through interaction with a counter flow of heated gas; that gas together with carbonization gas is taken from the chamber and pre-cleaned (to remove condensates); a portion of the pre-cleaned gas is heated and used as carbonization producing and sustaining gas; the remainder of the pre-cleaned gas is washed and used otherwise, for example, as combustion fuel in a heater for the pre-cleaned gas that will then be used as carbonizing agent. The carbonizing oven chamber can be of various construction such as a pit furnace or a revolving oven. Preferred is to commence carbonization of waste in the chamber through a thermo shock.