Abstract: A process for gasifying carbonaceous solids in a rotating zone is disclosed wherein the gasifying agents are injected into a tumbling bed of the solids through an elongated, rotating tubular flow path (19) positioned and supported so as to remain in the tumbling bed during rotation of the zone. The invention is particularly useful in rotary kilns where coal, lignite, peat, heavy oil residual, and other carbonaceous materials are gasified using injected steam, oxygen or air.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the heat processing of granular materials by the counterflow of the granular material and preheated particulate heat exchange media through a processing drum rotatable about an inclined axis. The hot media is intimately mixed with the granular material internally of the drum to heat the material and to cool the media. Various arrangements are disclosed to recover the heat imparted to the material, or to utilize the media for successive heating operations, or to recover waste heat from other related heat processing operations or to utilize the material as preheated by the media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for retorting particulate solid materials, particularly hydrocarbon-containing materials such as oil shale, oil sands, tar sands, coal shale, coal tailings, and the like, for the recovery of a volatile constituent such as oil or gas. A rotary retorting apparatus is employed which consists of a cylindrical drum, or other similar regularly shaped chamber, with a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and having multiple compartments for retorting and combustion and, optionally, spent solids cooling. The apparatus further includes solids transport chutes for forward and backward circulation of solids, arranged for the intercompartmental transfer of solids with the capability of additions at one or more points in each compartment. Employing the method and apparatus, particulate solids feedstock is heated by recycled spent solids material to remove the volatile constituent of the feedstock in the retort section.

Abstract: An apparatus for the destructive distillation of hydrocarbonaceous solids in a retort, wherein a viscous bridging zone comprising viscous liquids in intimate contact with solids, which tends to impede the flow of vaporized hydrocarbons and the flow of solid particles, is agitated by reciprocating mechanical means actuated by a rotatable crankshaft.

Abstract: Devolatizable fine-grained material which contains hydrocarbons is devolatilized by means of fine-grained solids which have been heated to temperatures of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The devolatilizable fine-grained material is mixed with the heated solids and is thus heated to temperatures of about 400.degree. to 900.degree. C. The mixture is passed through a dwell zone, and gaseous and vaporous devolatilization products are withdrawn and cooled. The heated solids are fed to the dwell zone as a loosened stream in a trickling and/or agitated state of motion, and the devolatilizable fine-grained material is introduced into said stream in order to be admixed thereto. The heated solids and the devolatilizable fine-grained material can be mixed in a weight ratio of 3:1 to 12:1. The stream of trickling heated solids can be deflected at least in part.

Abstract: The production of hydrogenated tar and distillates from coal which is passed through successive condensing, hydrogenation, desulfurization and cooling zones of a dense bed while a flue gas is discharged into the lower portion of the desulfurization zone in admixture with steam and hydrogen for countercurrent flow contact with the coal and coke solids. The gases evolved from the desulfurization zone are passed into countercurrent contact with the coal in the preceding hydrogenation zone where the high boiling coal tar fractions evolved from the coal are hydrogenated and pyrolyzed. The total effluent from the hydrogenation zone is then passed into countercurrent contact with the coal in the condensing zone, preheating the coal by direct contact and initiating the pyrolysis of the coal. The preferred method is practiced in a vertical kiln through which the coal is passed as a dense, compact gravitating bed of solids.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of incinerating dewatered sludge without using an auxiliary fuel comprising pelletizing the partially dewatered sludge having a water content of 70 to 75%, drying the pellets with a heat source obtained by burning gases formed by dry-distillation and gasification, using part of the resulting dry-distilled gas in said drying step, dry-distilling the pellets by the sensible heat of a gas formed by gasification, gasifying the dry-distillation residues with air, water vapor and the remainder of said dry-distilled gas.

Abstract: In the continuous production of coke or semicoke from coal grains and/or fines an inclined air-tight rotating tubular oven is fed with coal grains and/or fines from a hopper. As the coal grains and/or fines progress down the rotating oven they are heated by a stoichiometric mixture from a burner and converted into coke or semicoke having a volatile content of from 1% to 20%. During the heating of the coal grains and/or fines the interior of the oven is maintained under a slightly elevated pressure in relation to the atmosphere. The coke or semicoke is then extracted from the oven and passed to an extinguishing device where the coke or semicoke is extinguished to prevent recombustion.

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 method and apparatus for sealing the drive end of a chamber for the preparation and hydrogenation of coal with hydrogen to form hydrocarbons in which the chamber comprises a hollow cylinder with a rotatable element therein having a conveying web thereon and in a sealing region a pressurized sealing substance such as coal particles mixed with oil is fed from a storage container through a feed passage into an annular recess at a pressure higher than that in the chamber so that the scaling substance passes through a conical annular gap which tapers towards the chamber. A further narrower gap on the drive side of the recess leads to a further annular recess from which the sealing substance can be extracted through a return pipe. Pressure comparison means control the feed pressure in the feed passage. The recesses and the annular gap can be provided by machining the rotatable element rather than the hollow cylinder and forward feed screw forms may be provided on the rotatable element in the sealing region.

Abstract: In plant for hydrogenating coal to form hydrocarbons, wherein coal in powder or piece form is fed from a hopper into a preparation chamber, is compressed, conveyed and heated by a rotor comprising a rotating friction element and passed, through a feed aperture, into a hydrogenation chamber wherein hydrogen is injected into it by nozzles, monitoring and controlling means are provided whereby upon the pressure in the hydrogenation chamber rising above that in the end of the preparation chamber adjacent the hydrogenation chamber, as measured by sensors and gauges, the feed aperture is closed and the rotor is stopped. Preferably the feed aperture is closed by providing a conical portion on the rotor and a conical seat on the cylinder forming the chamber, the rotor normally being held in a position to keep the feed aperture open by an hydraulic cylinder but upon the pressure sensors sensing over pressure in the chamber, the cylinder is vented by control means to close the feed aperture.

Abstract: A process for carbonizing and then activating carbonaceous materials in a continuous process as performed by an apparatus consisting of an elongated, slightly inclined rotary retort into the higher end of which the material is deposited and from the lower end of which the product is removed, the material moving therethrough in the form of a tumbling bed, a system for introducing air in independently regulatable amounts into each of a series of longitudinally spaced zones of the retort, except a final zone closest to its lower end, in such a manner that contact of the air with the material bed is delayed for a substantial time after the air enters the retort, and a system for introducing superheated steam into the final retort zone as an oxidizing agent in such a manner as to immediately engage and thoroughly intermix with the material bed. Provision is also made for introducing air, rather than steam, into the final retort zone, in the event carbonization, but not activation, may be desired.

Abstract: A continuously operable retort-type processing system for the recovery of petroleum-like products from comminuted oil-bearing shale and other oil-yielding particulate solid materials. The retort portion of the system includes an insulated retort outer shell for a wall jacket-type heat exchanger. Disposed within the retort, all driven from a common axially disposed motor-driven shaft, are a plurality of stirring fingers, wall scrapers and discharge shovels, the latter for use in discharge of spent solid material from the retort. The system envisions burning gases from the process to provide a fluid heat exchange medium as a source of the heat required for the process. The system further includes means for the admixture of steam and acetic acid with the starting particulate materials prior to its introduction into the retort.

Abstract: Coke or activated carbon is produced from a moist organic substance, for example from a residue from the production of furfural. Initially the moist organic substance is introduced together with hot flue gases into a drying zone of a cylinder furnace and the organic substance is mixed with the hot gases and dried according to the co-current principle. Subsequent thereto the dried substance and the gases are directed into a coking zone of the same furnace, an oxygen-bearing gas also being introduced into said coking zone and the volatile constituents of the organic substance being reduction burned according to the co-current principle so as to produce a coked product. When coke is to be produced, said coked product is withdrawn together with gases from the trailing end of the furnace and the gases are separated therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting the pyrolytic treatment of solid carbonizable materials, such as coal, shredded scrap-tires, comminuted municipal waste, sawdust and wood shavings, and the like. The treatment takes place in a cylindrical, horizontally-disposed reactor vessel including a material conveying device which transports the carbonizable materials through the vessel as a moving bed. A heating chamber is arranged coaxially around the reactor vessel and is configured as an annulus of substantially uniform inner diameter and of decreasing outer dimension from its forward end adjacent the materials outlet end of the reaction vessel, to its rearward end, adjacent the materials inlet end of such vessel. The material passing through the reaction vessel is subject to an indirect heat transfer relationship with a burning air-fuel mixture spirally swirling within the heating chamber and moving in a direction generally counter-current to the material passing through the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The emission of halogens and sulfur dioxide and the formation of water-soluble compounds of heavy metals are suppressed in the pyrolysis of waste in a carbonization zone at a temperature in the range from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C. by adding a fine-grained basic material to the waste prior to completion of the pyrolysis of the waste in the carbonization zone.

Abstract: A process for gasifying finely-divided coal in a fixed bed gasifier, the process comprising: charging finely-divided coal to a stirred semi-fluidized carbonizer reaction zone where the coal is contacted with oxygen and agglomerated into coal derived particulate solids of a size suitable as a feedstock to a fixed bed gasifer and thereafter passed to a fixed bed gasifer.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing coal dust to a reaction chamber, especially in the process of producing low-sulfur coke dust and gas by gas extraction and partial gasification of coal dust in a reaction chamber for partially combusting coal dust. Coal dust and a first stream of combustion gas are combined and passed through a central conduit to a reaction chamber. A second stream of combustion gas can be selectively subjected to swirling motion and can be combined with the stream emanating from the central conduit. The degree of swirl of the first stream and the second stream of combustion gas is used to control distribution of the gas-solids mixture in the reaction chamber and to control the path of the gas-solids mixture leading into the wall of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A process for producing a feedstock for a fixed bed gasifier from finely-divided coal by treating the coal in a first stirred semi-fluidized carbonizer reaction zone to produce particulate coal derived solids larger than the finely-divided coal charged to the first carbonizer and thereafter charging the particulate coal derived solids so produced to a second stirred semi-fluidized carbonizer reaction zone to produce particulate coal derived solids of a size consist greater than 1/4 inch which is charged to a fixed bed gasifier.

Abstract: Process for calcining green coke in at least three heating stages, which comprises preheating the green coke in the first stage, preliminarily calcining the coke in the second stage, cooling the coke; and calcining the coke in the third stage, volatile matter from the second stage being burned during the third stage. The product coke is suitable for preparing graphite electrodes.

Abstract: A single retort and accumulator structure includes two heating zones for successively removing volatile material from dried crushed coal so that the resultant calcined char has less than about 7 weight percent volatile material and is suitable as a raw material for producing formcoke. In the first zone (carbonizing zone) heat carrying solids are introduced with crushed coal to heat the powdered coal to a temperature in the order of about 800.degree. F. to 1000.degree. F. and produce a carbonized char containing about 10% to 20% by weight of volatile material. The resultant carbonized char is fed onto a trommel, or rotating cylindrical or tapered screen, and the char passes through the screen into a calcining fluidized bed zone. The fluidized bed is maintained by upwardly directed jets of an oxygen containing gas and steam. The temperature of the fluidized bed zone is in the vicinity of about 1200.degree. F. to 1600.degree. F.

Abstract: A solid carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed in a descending flow pyrolysis reactor in the presence of a particulate source of heat to yield a particulate carbon containing solid residue. The particulate source of heat is obtained by educting with a gaseous source of oxygen the particulate carbon containing solid residue from a fluidized bed into a first combustion zone coupled to a second combustion zone. A source of oxygen is introduced into the second combustion zone to oxidize carbon monoxide formed in the first combustion zone to heat the solid residue to the temperature of the particulate source of heat.

Abstract: An elongated tube is maintained at a temperature of about 1100.degree. F. throughout its length. Organic waste material such as shredded rubber automobile tires or industrial plastic waste or residential trash which preferably has metal and inorganic matter removed therefrom, is moved through the tube at a uniform rate of speed in the absence of air and/or oxygen, with the material being churned or tumbled as by means of a screw conveyor. The vapors and gases which are produced and/or liberated within the tube are quickly removed therefrom by means of a vacuum of from about four inches to about six inches of mercury, with the vapors being condensed and the gases separated therefrom. The char or residue which is a black, powdery, carbon-type material is also recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting, degassing and carbonizing carbonaceous agglomerates, the apparatus comprising a rotary kiln having an agglomerate inlet means for introducing green agglomerates into the kiln near the inlet of the kiln and a heating medium inlet for introducing a heating medium comprising a finely divided solid into the kiln at a preselected location intermediate the inlet end of the kiln and the outlet end of the kiln to produce a mixture at a temperature above the carbonizing temperature of the agglomerates and a sieve positioned to receive the products from the rotary kiln and separate the heating medium and the compacted, degassed, carbonized agglomerate product. A method for producing compacted, degassed, carbonized carbonaceous agglomerates by the use of the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an economical system for the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste to recover valuable by-products while reducing the putrecibility and bulk of the residue requiring disposal. Prior to this treatment, the solid waste has been processed to remove most of the metallic components, and shredded, which steps are not part of the invention disclosed. The pyrolysis and by-product recovery technology is complicated by (a) the inherent variability of the chemical and physical characteristics of the shredded solid waste as received at the pyrolysis plant and (b) the relatively low heat value of said waste as thus received.

Abstract: An improved method for producing calcined coke agglomerates having good stability including adjusting the fluidity of coals or blends of coals to within a range of 1300 DDPM and 3000 DDPM, mixing the coals or blends of coals with char and optionally topped tar in a rotating agglomerating drum and agglomerating the mixture at a temperature between 750.degree. F. and 875.degree. F. (399.degree. C.and 468.degree. C.) for a time to form partially coked green coal agglomerates generally spherical in shape and calcining the partially coked green coal agglomerates at a temperature between 1500.degree. F. and 2000.degree. F. (815.degree. C. and 1093.degree. C). The calcined coke agglomerates are characterized by having a stability of not less than 60%.

Abstract: Green petroleum coke is indirectly dried, then calcined in a cylindric rotary kiln and indirectly cooled utilizing a one-way gas flow in the system. Most of the dust in the vapor from the drying step is directly burned in a steam boiler whose off-gases are used to heat the dryer. Any residual dust in the gas is collected in an electro-filter. This dust together with dust which settles out from the dryer and the kiln is collected and added in controlled amounts to the dried coke before calcining. Hydrocarbons expelled during calcining are partially burned off with a stream of secondary air introduced at the coke exit end of the kiln. Most of the remaining hydrocarbons are burned off before they leave the coke inlet end of the kiln. The calcined coke product contains 0.1% by weight of hydrocarbons. The final off-gas from the process has a residual dust content of less than 100 mg/nm.sup.3.

Abstract: A process for calcining green coke containing water and combustible volatile matter and obtained by a delayed coking process in three or more stages of heating furnaces which are connected in series, and the control of the temperature and the adjustment of the atmosphere in the respective furnaces can be independently carried out, which process comprises carrying out, in respective furnaces in the indicated order, the steps of:(a) evaporating the water contained in the green coke, and drying and pre-heating the coke;(b) distilling off and burning the volatile matter from the dried coke; and(c) heating and calcining the coke from the step (b).Because each furnace can be controlled independently from the other furnaces in the above described process, it is possible to produce high-grade coke without process difficulties such as the loss of the coke by combustion and the formation of coke ring.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values from a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed in the presence of a particulate source of heat to yield a particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis and volatilized hydrocarbons while simultaneously the volatilized hydrocarbons are hydrogenated. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue to heat the particles. Hydrogen for hydrogenation is obtained by reacting at least a portion of the hot particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis with steam prior to feeding the hot particulate residue to the pyrolysis reaction zone. Steam and/or carbon dioxide can be introduced into the pyrolysis reaction zone to interact with carbon containing residue contained therein. The particulate source of heat can be introduced to the pyrolysis reaction zone over an overflow weir.

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: 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: 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: Process and apparatus for treating a comminuted solid carbonizable material, such as comminuted municipal waste; sawdust, granulated coal, shredded tires and the like wherein the material is caused to be pyrolyzed in a horizontally disposed elongated reaction zone essentially free of any oxygen containing gases at ambient pressure and at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. The material is passed through the reaction zone by paddle-like impellers mounted on a shaft while being subject to an indirect heat transfer relationship via a burning air fuel mixture spirally swirling within a heating zone about the reaction zone and the mixture being withdrawn from a lower portion of the heating zone. During pyrolysis, the material is chemically changed into valuable gaseous, liquid and solid products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for regenerating and manufacturing activated carbon wherein the exhaust gases and vapors from the upper portion of a multiple hearth furnace are passed to a gas cooling apparatus such as a quencher or scrubber, the clean gases from which system are exhausted and from which a slip stream of water saturated gases are conducted to a lower hearth portion of the furnace for reaction with the carbon in the furnace.

Abstract: A process for converting relatively ash-free solid polymeric wastes to more valuable liquid, solid, and gaseous products which comprises mixing rubber and/or plastic wastes at high temperatures in a refractory petroleum stream and catalytically cracking the mixture.

Abstract: Nongaseous carbonaceous material is heated by a method comprising introducing tangentially a first stream containing a nongaseous carbonaceous material and carbon monoxide into a reaction zone; simultaneously and separately introducing a second stream containing oxygen into the reaction zone such that the oxygen enters the reaction zone away from the wall thereof and reacts with the first stream thereby producing a gaseous product and heating the nongaseous carbonaceous material; forming an outer spiralling vortex within the reaction zone to cause substantial separation of gases, including the gaseous product, from the nongaseous carbonaceous material; removing a third stream from the reaction zone containing the gaseous product which is substantially free of the nongaseous carbonaceous material before a major portion of the gaseous product can react with the nongaseous carbonaceous material; and removing a fourth stream containing the nongaseous carbonaceous material from the reaction zone.

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: In a method and apparatus for recovering oil products from oil shale and like materials, controlled amounts of raw oil shale are delivered into an upper inlet of a downwardly sloping retort chamber that is constructed as readily portable. The raw oil shale is first moved in a direction countercurrent to gravity flow and crushed in the retort chamber by means of a rotating member that also serves to retain the oil shale in the retort chamber until a satisfactory recovery is completed. The crushed oil shale is confined to a relatively thin, downwardly moving layer in contact with a heated, inner, annular wall surface and moves by gravity flow between the inlet and a lower outlet to produce oil product vapors that rise to an upper portion of the retort chamber. The moving layer of the oil shale becomes spent as it passes through the retort chamber and finally is selectively discharged through the lower outlet.

Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor decomposes solid organic waste materials by heating the materials with a fast fluidized particulate source of heat which are admitted to one end of a chamber through first and second inlet pipes. The products of decomposition together with the particulate source of heat are removed through an outlet pipe at the other end of the chamber. The chamber has an intermediate section adjacent the inlet pipes of reduced diameter forming a throat which improves the mixing of the heating particles and the organic waste particles for faster heat transfer.

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: An elongated tube (preferably stainless steel) is maintained at a temperature of at least about 1000.degree. F. throughout its length. Coal or other carbonaceous feed material is moved through the tube at a uniform rate of speed in the substantial absence of air, with the feed material being constantly churned or turned as by a screw conveyor. The churning of the feed material and the diameter of the tube is such that the material is subjected to "shock" heating, whereby gases and vapors are violently released from the solid mass and are removed therefrom at a vacuum of from about two to about five inches of mercury, with said gases and vapors passing through the aforesaid churning mass. The residue is recovered and the gases and vapors are subsequently passed through conventional condensers and scrubbers to liquify the oil and separate the gases and the water.

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: A modified rotary kiln suitable for calcining normally solid carbonaceous material, having adapted thereto at one end a firing crown and means for admitting combustible gases or liquids and air; a feeding means for such solid carbonaceous material to be calcined adapted to the other end of the kiln; and wherein the combustion gases and solid materials travel countercurrently in the kiln during calcination, wherein: at least one series of at least two tuyeres passes through the wall of the kiln symmetrically spaced to and at about a point longitudinally in the middle one-half of the longitudinal axis of the kiln; each tuyere terminating within the kiln through a nozzle on the side of the tuyere at a height sufficient for the discharge of exterior oxidizing gases passing therethrough at a point above the bed of the carbonaceous material in the kiln, directing the exterior oxidizing gases toward the feed end at about the same acute angular direction from a line passing through the nozzle and parallel to the long

Abstract: An improved process for the production in high yield of activated carbon particles of high activity comprises rapid removal of volatile material from the area of carbonaceous particles during the carbonization step by individually venting each hearth of a multiple hearth furnace. The carbonaceous particles which are subjected to the carbonization step are prepared from mixtures of carbonaceous material and petroleum acid sludge.