Gravitating Patents (Class 201/34)
  • Patent number: 4388174
    Abstract: Oil-containing materials and part of the hot burnt material which is available after the combustion of solid carbon are charged into a retorting shaft reactor and the oil-containing mineral in the mixture is heated to the retorting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Magedanz, Horst Seidel, Hans J. Weiss
  • Patent number: 4383912
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a process of pyrolysis of shale capable of producing hydrocarbons. It comprises associating at least two retorts and causing their respective operational phases to be so coordinated as to achieve simultaneous pyrolysis of said materials in one of said retorts and treatment of the hot residues subsequent to an earlier pyrolysis in another of said retorts, said treatment comprising the discharging of the residues, the admission or supply into said other retort of crude or raw material as well as the recovery of the heat contained in the pyrolysis residues by means of a circulation therethrough of an oxidant gas, preferably air, and of initially pulverized or atomized water, the resulting mixture of oxidant gas and steam being then supplied into a retort in which a phase of pyrolysis is being run to assist the combustion of the carbonaceous residues formed as a result of the pyrolysis of the load of materials treated or pyrolyzed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: Bureau de Recherches et de Participations Minieres
    Inventors: Moussa Saadi, Rabah Bouchta, Chang Y. Cha, Mohamed Sdiqui, Bachir Barodi
  • Patent number: 4357210
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric furnace for heating by passing a current through the charge, and more particularly, a continuous furnace in which the charge is a carbonaceous material.The furnace according to the invention is provided with a device for allowing non-reactive gas to be circulated in the opposite direction to the charge.The furnace according to the invention is used, in particular, for calcining anthracite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Societe des Electrodes et Refractaires Savoie/SERS
    Inventors: Michel Aubry, Jean-Claude Bernard, Paul Philipon
  • Patent number: 4352720
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Weber, Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Klaus Urbye
  • Patent number: 4338198
    Abstract: Improved method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating wet spent carbon containing volatile impurities wherein the wet spent carbon is dried in a drying zone utilizing incinerated reactivation zone gaseous effluent. The inmprovement of the invention provides that the portion of reactivation zone gaseous effluent used to dry the wet spent carbon in the drying zone is continuously recycled to the reactivation zone for incineration to remove any volatile impurities which may have been removed from the wet spent carbon during drying. The balance of the reactivation zone gaseous effluent may be discharged into the atmosphere without further incineration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: George N. Brown
  • Patent number: 4332641
    Abstract: Carbonaceous material such as petroleum coke is calcined in the upper part of an air-injected vertical shaft kiln, and steam injected into the lower part of the kiln reacts with hot coke below the combustion zone to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A product gas stream rich in hydrogen and low in nitrogen is withdrawn from a level below the combustion zone in the kiln. High sulfur coke can be desulfurized in the process by maintaining the temperature in the calcining zone above 1400.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Conoco, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. McConaghy, Ardis L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4329202
    Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and process for drying and/or heating materials. This invention was designed for use in the production of charcoal from wood feed material; however, it can be used to heat and/or dry many types of materials. Feed material is disposed in a reactor, wherein there is provided a first array of input channels extending through said feed material, through which hot gases are introduced into said feed material, and a second array of output channels extending through said feed material to collect and exit those hot gases and any gases or vapors derived from the heating and/or drying of the feed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Enerco, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene W. White, Francis M. Gross, Fred E. Knoffsinger
  • Patent number: 4326857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a gas having a high heating value and a gasification furnace used for carrying out the process. The process of this invention is characterized in that a powdery coal is reacted with a hydrogen gas at a temperature of between 400.degree. and 900.degree. C. and a pressure of 20 and 100 Kg/cm.sup.2 in such a state that the powdery coal forms a layer on a dispersing plate from the surface of which the hydrogen gas is emitted and which is inclined so that the coal layer may move thereon in the down grade direction thereof. The gasification furnace of this invention is characterized by the provision of a housing 11 which defines therein a reaction chamber, and a dispersing plate 36 provided in the housing for dividing the housing into an upper space A and a lower space B and laterally inclined with a predetermined gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Director-General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kato, Mamoru Kaiho
  • Patent number: 4325787
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Georgia Oil and Gas Company
    Inventor: Louis Strumskis
  • Patent number: 4317703
    Abstract: A pyrolysis process and system produces a solid residue and a clean, enriched fuel gas. In the process, the pyrolytic oil and filter cake are recycled in such a manner as to produce products of optimal value, and to minimize the need for servicing and downtime of the system. Recycling of water recovered in the process may also be employed to achieve enrichment of the gaseous product. The process may be carried out in such a manner as to produce a non-polluting wastewater stream that can be discharged directly from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Mack D. Bowen, Kenneth R. Purdy
  • Patent number: 4305788
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Weber, Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Klaus Urbye
  • Patent number: 4282066
    Abstract: Coal, either as coal fines or as coal briquettes, is introduced into a coking chamber and is thereat exposed to microwave radiation to transform the coal into hot coke. Preferably, the microwave radiation is at a frequency of from twenty to 3000 MHz. The hot coke is then passed to a cooling zone whereat photocells absorb radiant energy from the hot coke and transform the thus absorbed radiant energy into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Didier Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Dietrich Wagener, Horst Fach, Hayri Ergun
  • Patent number: 4259157
    Abstract: Abrasion-proof coke forms are produced from bituminous coal, brown coal, or peat in the form of briquets, by preheating the briquets, dehydrating or predrying them, carbonizing them and then cooling them in at least three separate stages in which the briquets are dehydrated indirectly by subjecting them to indirect temperature conditions, producing a temperature gradient in the briquets. The briquets are automatically fed into a shaft tower which includes an upper drying shaft portion made up of a plurality of stacked radiators which include tube elements for the passing of a heating fluid, such as steam, therethrough and which define vertical shaft passages through which the briquet forms are passed downwardly and into a carbonizing shaft which has separate gas channels for directing heating gases therethrough and to a heating flue and which subsequently includes a lower cooling zone through which the briquets pass and then into a discharge channel where they are delivered for classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignees: Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Hans B. Koenigs, Roman Kurtz
  • Patent number: 4259158
    Abstract: A method of producing abrasion resistant coke from brown coal briquets in a shaft furnace comprises charging the coke briquets into the top of the furnace and removing coke from the bottom of the furnace while directing inert hot combustion gases into the furnace and through the briquets at a plurality of vertically spaced levels throughout the height of the shaft furnace. Gases are directed at temperatures to effect and successively lower stages of the furnace the preheating, predrying, carbonization, and cooling of the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignees: Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Weber, Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Roman Kurtz, Hans-Joachim Kersting
  • Patent number: 4251323
    Abstract: Delayed petroleum coke is calcined in an internally-fired vertical shaft kiln. A downwardly-moving bed of green coke is preheated in the top of the kiln by rising combustion gases, then heat soaked at calcining temperatures in the intermediate section of the kiln, and finally cooled by recycle gas moving upwardly from the lower part of the kiln. Partially cooled calcined coke is recovered from the bottom of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Conoco, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Smith
  • Patent number: 4248670
    Abstract: A device for producing abrasion-proof coke forms from bituminous or brown coal briquettes, charcoal or peat, comprising, a preheating stage, a dehydrating stage, a carbonization stage and a cooling stage, each stacked in a column to form a tower furnace. Each of the stages include an annular zone for receiving the coal or charcoal material and each stage is supplied with a separate and independent gas circuit. Each annular zone is formed between an inner substantially cylindrical jacket and an outer substantially cylindrical jacket with a shaft space defined in the inner cylindrical jacket. Heaters for the gas circuits of the preheating, dehydrating and carbonizing stages are disposed in the shaft space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs
  • Patent number: 4248706
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating wet spent carbon containing volatile impurities wherein the wet spent carbon is dried in a drying zone utilizing incinerated reactivation zone gaseous effluent. The reactivation zone gaseous effluent is derived by reactivating dried spent carbon in a reactivation zone at pyrolysis conditions to remove volatile components from the adsorbent. Removal is effected utilizing combustion gases. The reactivation zone gaseous effluent is comprised of the combustion gases, the vaporized volatile impurities, and, where steam is employed in the reactivation zone to remove fixed carbon, substantial quantities of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. By interposing the incineration zone between the drying and reactivation zone, efficiency of the overall process is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Albert J. Repik
  • Patent number: 4240927
    Abstract: A reactor for the continuous thermal treatment of solids, particularly carbonaceous adsorbents comprises two superimposed fluidizing beds, below them a combustion chamber for receiving a fuel- or oil-air mixture, an intermediate regeneration space between the fluidizing beds and a similar space above the upper fluidizing bed. A gas outlet is provided in the top regeneration space to which also the inlet for the material to be treated leads. The outlet for the treated materials is provided on the intermediate regeneration space. The two spaces are connected by a channel through which the overrun of treated material passes from the upper to the intermediate regeneration space. This channel leads from the upper space through the wall of the reactor to the outside and reverts then through the wall back into the intermediate space. Valve means are provided for regulating the flow in the connecting channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Bergwerksverband GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Karweil, Josef Degel, Dietrich Rolke
  • Patent number: 4231844
    Abstract: A method of producing abrasion resistant coke from brown coal briquets in a shaft furnace comprises charging the coke briquets into the top of the furnace and removing coke from the bottom of the furnace while directing inert hot combustion gases into the furnace and through the briquets at a plurality of vertically spaced levels throughout the height of the shaft furnace. Gases are directed at temperatures to effect and successively lower stages of the furnace the preheating, predrying, carbonization, and cooling of the charge. Gases are collected in each of the preheating and predrying stages by the use of a tubular suction arm which extends substantially across the width of the furnace and includes a performated bottom and sidewalls which extend partly below the bottom and are provided with a saw-tooth configuration so as to withdraw the gases through the space below the bottom and through the perforations of the bottom and to effect entrainment of dust from the charge in so doing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignees: Firma Carl Still GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinische Braunkohlwerke AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Weber, Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Roman Kurtz, Hans-Joachim Kersting
  • Patent number: 4230602
    Abstract: A single-pass, continuous process converts organic feedstocks into activated carbonaceous products having high surface area values. The introduction of air and steam into the bed of material at selected locations, and at controlled rates, enables the economic, dependable and convenient production of such products, while maximizing the efficiency of energy utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Mack D. Bowen, Kenneth R. Purdy
  • Patent number: 4221560
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the regeneration of wet spent active carbon devised so as to bring the active carbon supplied from a hopper into contact with a reaction gas generated or heated to high temperature in a furnace, wherein an exhaust duct for the high-temperature exhaust gas from the furnace is installed penetrating the hopper in order to heat the active carbon descending therein and a condensate collecting header for discharging water separated from the active carbon is disposed at the lower part of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Assignees: JGC Corporation, Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideji Idei, Mitsuhiko Iwasaki, Michio Ito, Toshimichi Hirabayashi, Zenji Matsumoto, Nobutaka Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 4165216
    Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and process for drying and/or heating materials. This invention was designed for use in the production of charcoal from wood feed material; however, it can be used to heat and/or dry many types of materials. Feed material is disposed in a reactor, wherein there is provided a first array of input channels extending through said feed material, through which hot gases are introduced into said feed material, and a second array of output channels extending through said feed material to collect and exit those hot gases and any gases or vapors derived from the heating and/or drying of the feed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: Enerco, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene W. White, Francis M. Gross, Fred E. Knoffsinger
  • Patent number: 4164397
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing fuel gas from lignocellulose material such as wood. Wood is converted to fuel gas in a descending bed reactor which encloses a descending bed of wood material. Gas produced in the reactor travels upwardly through and thence out from the top of the descending bed, with a portion of the gas being recirculated and introduced as reflow gas, together with air, to a combustion zone established at the base of the descending bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Inventors: Herbert H. Hunt, Harold S. Worcester
  • Patent number: 4148692
    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%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent H. K. Chu, Louis G. Benedict, Sidney V. Fox
  • Patent number: 4145256
    Abstract: A carbonaceous residue or char having novel properties is produced from particulate agricultural waste material, such as peanut shells, which upon heating exhibits an exothermic decomposition into an off gas component and a solid component in which the off gas component is more highly reactive to oxygen than is the solid component. By introducing air into the reaction zone whereat the decomposition is effected and controlling the amount of air so introduced such that not all of the off gas component may be oxidized, the preferential reaction of the air with the off gas component will protect the solid component from any significant oxidation while at the same time it will elevate the temperature in the reaction zone sufficiently to effect substantially complete decomposition of the material so that the recovered product is of very high carbon content. At the same time, a temperature gradient is established in the reaction zone which will allow some of the vapor component of the decomposition (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Institute
    Inventor: Mack D. Bowen
  • Patent number: 4140583
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing ethylene from lignite and subbituminous coal by chemical condition and temperature control using cellulosic material within the treated mass or added thereto whereby ethylene gas is evolved from such carbonacous feed and recovered with other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Halligan, William J. Huffman
  • Patent number: 4134794
    Abstract: The coke forms are produced in four stages, each constituted by a respective oven chamber, and in which the briquets are, respectively, preheated, dehydrated or dried, carbonized and cooled. Hot gas circuits are provided, in which the hot gas is composed substantially of burnt lean gas of the carbonization, and, for each stage, the hot gases are recirculated in a separate respective circuit. In the preheating, dehydrating and carbonization stages, the hot gases are heated and produced, or supplemented, in a respective separate combustion chamber with the recirculating hot gas in the carbonization stage being supplemented with cooled lean gas from this stage. The recirculating hot gases are dedusted separately in a dust settling chamber in which their flow velocity is reduced to approximately 0.2 to 2.0 m/sec, with the dust being collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignees: Firma Carl Still, Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Peter Speich
  • Patent number: 4126518
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, coking or carbonizing fluent or flowable carbon-containing material, such as wood, peat, residues, wastes or the like, by means of gases in an inclined treatment chamber through which the material moves from the top towards the bottom under the influence of gravity while utilizing the flow action of the material while exceeding the natural angle of repose of the material. Gas is conducted from the bottom towards the top in countercurrent flow to the material through the treatment chamber. The gases, constituting a mixture of an infed dosed supply of air and distillation gas escaping out of the material in gaseous state into the hot gas mixture, are exclusively conducted upwardly in the treatment chamber over the material in direct contact therewith owing to the natural rise or lift and the heat needed for coking or carbonizing the material is exclusively produced in the treatment chamber by combustion of the distillation gas with the infed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Etablissement Capitrop
    Inventor: Julio C. S. da Silva Bento
  • Patent number: 4126519
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a continuous thermal treatment of organic carbonaceous materials under controlled pressure in which the feed material is introduced into the system in the form of a slurry, and the level of liquid is maintained at a preselected operating level, serving as a gas-tight seal. The feed material is conveyed upwardly of the liquid operating level and is thereafter introduced into a reaction chamber in which it is heated to within a controlled elevated temperature range under controlled pressure in a manner to effect vaporization of at least a portion of the volatile substances therein, forming a gaseous phase composed of condensible and noncondensible vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Edward Koppelman
    Inventor: Robert G. Murray
  • Patent number: 4120644
    Abstract: The present invention provides a double-cylinder type apparatus for the regeneration of active carbon, which comprises a heating furnace provided with at least one burner and at least one annular regeneration chamber composed of at least one set of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder installed concentrically inside said heating furnace, said outer cylinder having a plurality of holes penetrating the side wall thereof, wherein the spent active carbon is supplied to the upper part of said annular regeneration chamber and the regenerated carbon is to be taken out at the lower part of the same. The heating of said annular regeneration chamber from the side of said inner cylinder is performed either by introducing the flue gas arising in said heating furnace into the inner cylinder or by providing at least one burner within said inner cylinder and utilizing the combustion gas from said burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignees: JGC Corporation, Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Numasaki, Yoshihisa Sakai, Takehiko Nawa, Zenji Matsumoto, Nobutaka Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 4116810
    Abstract: Hot, non-oxygenous gas at carefully controlled quantities and at predetermined depths in a bed of lump oil shale provides pyrolysis of the contained kerogen of the oil shale, and cool non-oxygenous gas is passed up through the bed to conserve the heat inventory for a viable process. The bed being fed at the top with raw shale and retorted shale being removed at the bottom provides a constant depth, continuously moving bed of shale, for a continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Paraho Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Jones, Jr., Adam A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 4116779
    Abstract: A vertical vessel, having a low bed of broken material, having included combustible material, is initially ignited by a plurality of ignitors spaced over the surface of the bed, by adding fresh, broken material onto the bed to buildup the bed to its operating depth and then passing a combustible mixture of gas upwardly through the material, at a rate to prevent back-firing of the gas, while air and recycled gas is passed through the bed to thereby heat the material and commence the desired laterally uniform combustion in the bed. The procedure permits precise control of the air and gaseous fuel mixtures and material rates, and permits the use of the process equipment designed for continuous operation of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Paraho Corporation
    Inventor: Harry A. Harris
  • Patent number: 4115202
    Abstract: The coke forms are produced in four stages, each constituted by a respective oven chamber, and in which the briquets are, respectively, preheated, dehydrated or dried, carbonized and cooled. Hot gas circuits are provided, in which the hot gas is composed substantially of burnt lean gas of the carbonization, and, for each stage, the hot gases are recirculated in a separate respective circuit. In the preheating, dehydrating and carbonization stages, the hot gases are heated and produced, or supplemented, in a respective separate combustion chamber with the recirculating hot gas in the carbonization stage being supplemented with cooled lean gas from this stage. The recirculating hot gases are dedusted separately in a dust settling chamber in which their flow velocity is reduced to approximately 0.2 to 2.0 m/sec, with the dust being collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignees: Firma Carl Still, Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Lorenz, Horst Dungs, Peter Speich, Roman Kurtz
  • Patent number: 4106999
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Edward Koppelman
    Inventors: Edward Koppelman, Robert G. Murray
  • Patent number: 4105504
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing form coke that is coke having pieces of substantially identical form comprises a heated shaft furnace comprises mixing fine coke with a caking coal and pressing the mixture at temperatures at which the mixture is plastic in order to form briquettes. The briquettes are permitted to harden and degasify and thereafter they are exposed to a high temperature after hardening for example to a temperature of from 400.degree. to 900.degree. C. from 60 to 120 minutes. Thereafter the briquettes are cooled. A first mixing substance is prepared by permitting a fine coal to fall in a non-compressed stream in the shaft furnace while heat is transferred thereto substantially by radiation. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a regeneratively fired shaft furnace which is provided with heating flues and which has a clear height of approximately 35 meters, a width of approximately 1 meter and a length of approximately 5 meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Firma Carl Still
    Inventor: Kurt Lorenz
  • Patent number: 4102750
    Abstract: Process for producing formed coke for metallurgical use from coal powder by continuously heating with a high temperature gas as heating medium for carbonizing agglomerated coal which are made of coal powder and a binder such as coal tar, pitch and petroleum asphalt, comprising providing tuyeres for introducing gas at the middle and the lower parts of an upright type carbonization oven, adjusting temperature of the gas to be supplied to the tuyere at the middle part at 600.degree. to 800.degree. C, adjusting the supply rate of the gas so as to maintain the temperature of the gas on the agglomerated coal at 300.degree. to 500.degree. C, and further adjusting the supplied heat to the lower part of the carbonization oven including the lower tuyere to amount less than 50% of the total supplied heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Nishihara, Toshiaki Okuhara, Tetu Nishi, Hiroyuki Nakama, Chikara Saito, Kouichi Yuta
  • Patent number: 4095953
    Abstract: A system for reducing sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur in which a reactor vessel is divided into a plurality of compartments, and coal is fed from a single source into each of the compartments. A sulfur dioxide rich gas is distributed to each of the compartments and is contacted with the coal to form substantially pure sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Gutterman, Peter Steiner
  • Patent number: 4095958
    Abstract: A reactor wherein a biomass is moved progressively downwardly along the upwardly facing side of an inclined grate supported with an enclosure comprising a retort, the rear and front walls of which provide, in conjunction with the grate, a plenum chamber at the downwardly facing side of the grate and a mixing chamber at the upwardly facing side of the grate, the said structure providing for converting the biomass by a process of destructive distillation to CO and ash characterized in that the grate is maintained at a temperature below the fusion temperature of the ash to prevent slagging of the ash by the expedient of supplying an excess of primary air to the plenum chamber at the lower end of the grate so that it flows upwardly along the downwardly facing side thereof, the surplus discharged at the top, providing the grate with a plurality of relatively small openings distributed throughout its length and breadth and providing fins at the downwardly facing side of the grate perpendicular to the plane of the u
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Forest Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Caughey
  • Patent number: 4092237
    Abstract: In accordance with this invention, oil shale is introduced into a lock which discharges into a closed, vertical, stationary kiln fitted with mechanisms which cause the particulate oil shale to move continuously downwardly in a controlled, uniform plug type flow. The shale is heated by a counter flow of hot, nonoxidizing gases to the temperature required to pyrolyze the kerogen. The gaseous fraction of the kerogen joins the counter flowing gases for removal from the top of the kiln. The hot particulate shale containing the carbonaceous fraction of the kerogen moves downwardly through a second lock into a conveyance connected to the top of a second similar kiln wherein the carbonaceous residue is reacted with gaseous water and oxygen in a cocurrent manner to supply heat to the decarbonized shale and to produce carbon oxides and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Corporation
    Inventor: Homer Charles Reed
  • Patent number: 4087347
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the retorting of shale and other similar hydrocarbon-containing solids in which the solids to be retorted are mixed with a solid heat transfer material to rapidly heat the hydrocarbon-containing solids to a high temperature. The shale and heat-transfer material are entrained in a high-velocity gaseous stream and conveyed upward in a vertical dilute phase lift pipe retorting vessel whereby the hydrocarbon-containing solids are rapidly heated to an elevated temperature vaporizing a minor portion of the hydrocarbons in the solid. The hydrocarbon-containing solids then pass into a disengaging zone wherein the gas and solids are separated. The partially retorted solids then pass into a gravitating bed retort and flow downward countercurrent to the flow of a stripping gas. The process is characterized by a high liquid yield and a minimum gas yield along with minimal amounts of volatile components being left in the retorted solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Gordon E. Langlois, Paul W. Tamm
  • Patent number: 4083770
    Abstract: In gas-solids contacting processes involving the transfer of granular solids from a high-temperature, non-oxidizing treating zone through an enclosed conduit to a combustion zone, the transfer of gases between the treating zone and the combustion zone is prevented by using a novel steam sealing technique which avoids the use of mechanical sealing means and differential pressure controllers. Steam is injected into the system between the two contacting zones, and by the use of flow rate controllers and a pressure controller, a portion of such steam is forced at all times to flow through the combustion zone, while another portion thereof is withdrawn from the transfer conduit in admixture with a portion of net off-gas from the treating zone. The control system is particularly adapted for use in oil shale retorting, wherein coke on the retorted shale is burned in a combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Roland F. Deering
  • Patent number: 4069107
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Edward Koppelman
    Inventors: Edward Koppelman, Robert G. Murray
  • Patent number: 4066529
    Abstract: A method of designing the gas flow parameters of a vertical shaft oil shale retorting vessel involves determining the proportion of gas introduced in the bottom of the vessel and into intermediate levels in the vessel to provide for lateral distribution of gas across the vessel cross section, providing mixing with the uprising gas, and determining the limiting velocity of the gas through each nozzle. The total quantity of gas necessary for oil shale treatment in the vessel may be determined and the proportion to be injected into each level is then determined based on the velocity relation of the orifice velocity and its feeder manifold gas velocity. A limitation is placed on the velocity of gas issuing from an orifice by the nature of the solid being treated, usually physical tests of gas velocity impinging the solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Assignee: Paraho Corporation
    Inventor: Adam A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 4060479
    Abstract: A process for obtaining oil, gas, sulfur and other products from shale whereby there is effected drying, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion and cooling of pyrobituminous shale or similar rocks in a single passage of said shale continuously in a moving bed, the charge and discharge of the shale being intermittent and wherein the maximum temperature of the bed is maintained in the range of about 1050.degree. C to 1200.degree. C (1900.degree. F to 2200.degree. F) or higher. The shale is essentially completely freed from the organic matter, fixed carbon and sulfur, resulting in a clean solid residue which can be disposed of without harming the ecology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Inventor: Eduardo Da Costa Barcellos
  • Patent number: 4060393
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating raw material comprises a mixing chamber having fuel and air inlets for admitting therein fuel and air which are mixed to produce a combustible mixture. A combustion chamber receives the combustible mixture and burns the same to evolve hot products of combustion which are fed directly into an adjoining conditioning chamber. Additional gas is supplied to the conditioning chamber and mixed with the products of combustion to form a conditioned treating gas having a prescribed temperature and composition. To promote rapid and uniform mixing of the gases and hence form a uniform treating gas, the conditioning chamber is connected directly to and has a volume one and one-half to six times greater than that of the combustion chamber. A treating chamber disposed downstream from the conditioning chamber receives both the preconditioned treating gas and the raw material to be treated and the raw material is acted thereon by the treating gas while temporarily stored in the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Assignee: Mifuji Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shozo Ito
  • Patent number: 4050990
    Abstract: A method of producing form coke that is coke having pieces of substantially identical form using a heated shaft furnace comprises mixing fine coke with a caking coal and pressing the mixture at temperatures at which the mixture is plastic in order to form briquettes. The briquettes are permitted to harden and degasify and thereafter they are exposed to a high temperature after hardening for example to a temperature of from 400.degree. to 900.degree. C from 60 to 120 minutes. Thereafter the briquettes are cooled. A first mixing substance is prepared by permitting a fine coal to fall in a non-compressed stream in the shaft furnace while heat is transferred thereto substantially by radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: Firma Carl Still
    Inventor: Kurt Lorenz
  • Patent number: 4042485
    Abstract: A gravity flow, vertical bed of crushed oil shale having a two level injection of air and a three level injection of non-oxygenous gas and an internal combustion of at least residual carbon on the retorted shale. The injection of air and gas is carefully controlled in relation to the mass flow rate of the shale to control the temperature of pyrolysis zone, producing a maximum conversion of the organic content of the shale to a liquid shale oil. The parameters of the operation provides an economical and highly efficient shale oil production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventors: John B. Jones, Jr., Adam A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 4030895
    Abstract: A reactor for generating combustible fuel gases comprising a chamber, an inclined grate extending from adjacent the top of the chamber to near the bottom and sloping forwardly within the chamber from the top to the bottom, said grate dividing the chamber into a primary chamber at the forward side of the grate and an antechamber at the rear side, a conveyor for delivering a solid fuel such as wood chips and other chopped-up woody material to the upper end of the grate at a rate to maintain a continuous bed of fuel from top to bottom, a blower for delivering primary air to a plenum chamber at the downwardly facing side of the grate to sustain combustion of the fuel at the lower end of the bed and to generate sufficient heat above the place of combustion to effect destructive distillation of a portion of the fuel in the bed above the place of combustion said primary air at said place of combustion converting the charcoal remaining after distillates have passed off descending from the place of distillation to CO
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Robert A. Caughey
  • Patent number: 4007014
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises an outermost, an intermediate, and an innermost compartment, the outermost compartment being provided with burners, activated carbon being supplied into, treated in, and removed from the intermediate compartment, and there being communication for gas between the three compartments. In revivification by the direct heating process, reactor gas is supplied into the outermost compartment, heated by the burners, passed into the intermediate compartment to contact the activated carbon being treated, and is then passed into the innermost compartment and exhausted therefrom. In revivification by the indirect heating process, reactor gas is supplied into the innermost compartment, passed into the intermediate compartment for treatment of activated carbon, and then passed into the outermost compartment and is exhausted therefrom, the innermost and intermediate compartments and elements therein being indirectly heated by the burners of the outermost compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1977
    Assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenji Matsumoto, Kiyoshi Adachi, Toyohisa Fujimoto, Nobutaka Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 4007093
    Abstract: A furnace for thermal processing of lump solid fuel, comprising a body accommodating a semicoking zone, zones for gasifying semicoke and for cooling waste solid material and chambers adapted for feeding gas into said zones and discharging a vapor-gas mixture therefrom, said zones and chambers being arranged in succession along the height of the furnace body. The furnace is furnished with an unloading device for discharging solid waste material, said device being located in the bottom part of the furnace body and constituting a hopper with a water seal having a cylindrical bottom passing into a sloping trough. Mounted above the cylindrical portion of the bottom is a sector rocking-type pusher and above the sloping trough - a mechanical shovel associated with the sector pusher in such a manner that a working stroke of the sector pusher corresponds to an idle stroke of the mechanical shovel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1977
    Inventors: Svyatoslav Kirillovich Doilov, Viktor Mikhailovich Efimov, Rikhard Eduardovich Ioonas, Nikolai Andreevich Nazinin, Enn Edgarovich Piik, Khans Eduardovich Raad, Ivar Kharaldovich Roox, Nikolai Dmitrievich Serebryannikov, Jury Vasilievich Shaganov, Leonid Semenovich Ananiev, Alexei Sergeevich Volkov