Abstract: A cooler for cooling product pursuant to a distillation process, including a first substantially enclosed housing with an inlet proximate a first end for receiving product from a distillation unit, and an outlet proximate a second end for discharging cooled product, and a first auger substantially enclosed within the housing for driving the product from the inlet to the outlet, the auger having a helical blade circumscribing a perforated central hollow shaft for transmitting cooled gas into the housing to help cool product within the housing.

Abstract: A pyrolysis device and process to convert a carbonaceous feedstock to a carbon solid and pyrolysis gas, and processes for refining the resulting carbon solid and pyrolysis gases. The pyrolysis process may include introducing a carbonaceous feedstock into a pyrolysis processor having a vertical rotary tray processor, heating the feedstock to a temperature above about 790° F., removing a carbon material from a bottom of the pyrolysis processor, and removing a pyrolysis gas from a top of the pyrolysis processor.

Abstract: A system for regenerating or manufacturing activated carbon wherein exhaust gases and vapors for various lower sections of the furnace are recycled in up-flow fashion to higher sections of the furnace.

Abstract: A method for cyclical operation of a coke oven facility which includes an even number of coke oven banks which in turn include an even number of coke oven chambers is shown. Located downstream of the coke oven banks are boiler facilities which drive turbines with the hot waste gases from the coke oven banks. Energy is recovered in this manner. The coke oven chambers are pushed and charged in an exactly determined cycle so that the production of hot waste gas over the temporal mean can be homogenized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for regenerating or manufacturing activated carbon wherein the exhaust gases and vapors from various sections of the furnace are supplied to other sections of the furnace in a recycling manner. In a down-flow embodiment, the water vapor and calorific gasses generated in excess in the drying and devolatilization sections, respectively, are provided, either directly or through a combustion chamber, to the activation section. In an up-flow embodiment, heat from the activation section is recycled to the drying and devolatilization section and the down-flow brings the water vapor from the drying section and volatile material from the devolatilization section into the activation section where it can be effectively used.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material comprising placing the polymeric material in a reactor and establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor. The polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material to produce volatile products and non-volatile residue. The volatile products and non-volatile residue are subsequently removed from the reactor and collected.

Abstract: A vibrating bed pyrolysis system has a vibrating bed which is supplied with hot solid particles. Dry coal particles are rapidly heated by the hot solid particles to drive off hydrocarbon vapors. The vapors are condensed in a jet condenser, and products are flowed to a header tank. A portion of the liquid product is stored at room temperature for later use. A small portion of the liquid product is pumped from the header tank and cooled to ambient temperature and is sprayed in the jet condenser, which is positioned above the vibrating pyrolysis bed. A dryer bed vibrated by the same vibrating machine which vibrates the pyrolysis bed is supplied with hot solid particles and the crushed coal. Moisture in the coal particles is evaporated, and water vapors entrain coal fines before the coal particles are passed to the pyrolysis bed. The hot solid particles are taken from a fluidized bed combustor and are returned to the combustor with the coal char particles by entrainment into the gas lift system.

Abstract: A staged retort is provided for the retorting of certain types of carbonaceous materials such as oil shale, coal or lignite, wherein the staged retort includes a number of separate retort chambers arranged in a modular configuration, with one retort chamber above the other, and mounted transversely within the staged retort. Each retort chamber is heated to a different temperature, and carbonaceous material is moved from a given retort chamber to a retort chamber having a higher temperature, whereby heavier fractions of liquid and/or gaseous hydrocarbons are formed as the carbonaceous materials undergo pyrolysis. Arrangements such as pressure regulating valves are provided to reduce mixing of the various fractions between the individual retort chambers to nearly zero, and conduits are provided to separately withdraw the hydrocarbon gases and/or liquids from each retort chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for accomplishing thermal separation of various hydrocarbons and other compounds from coal, a hydrocarbon rendering module is provided for the continuous agitation and circulation of coal during the rendering period and utilizes thermal trays having stationary and revolving apparatus to improve heat transfer to coal particles and minimize rendering time. Portions of the rendered hydrocarbon products are recycled to the mechanism as an energy source for continuous operation.

Abstract: Coal dust comprising coal particles of 40 mesh or less may be utilized as a fuel for stable combustion by aspirating the dust in fluidized suspension for delivery to a turbulent reservoir and aspirating the suspension from the reservoir for delivery to a combustion zone.