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: An energy supplier of an ultrasonic treatment system can output an electric power in a first output mode and a second output mode in which the electric power supplied to a drive force generation unit during a unit time is higher than in the first output mode. A controller maintains an output state of the electric power in the first output mode when a judgment section judges that a load on an ultrasonic probe is less than or equal to a threshold, and switches the output state of the electric power to the second output mode when the judgment section judges that the load is more than the first threshold.

Abstract: The device herein described includes: a feeder for feeding wet crushed coal from an upper feed nozzle (1) into two branches (1a and 1b) provided with suitable mills; an element for mixing/distributing screened coal (2), located downstream of the nozzle (1); a gasification chamber (3) located downstream of the aforementioned element (2) where the screened material is oxidised by means of the supply of oxygen at approximately 1,800° C.-1,900° C., said chamber (3) being divided into two sub-chambers by a gas diffusion membrane; a cyclone separator (4) located downstream of the chamber (3), which retains the solid particles present in the synthesis gas; an essentially pyrolytic chamber (5) where the solids carried from the cyclone separator (4) are pyrolysed, the residual gases being fed back into the chamber (3); and a sawtooth screen (6) which collects the solid waste, storing same as slag in a storage element (7).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the generation of consistent output synthesis gas from highly variable input feedstock solids carbonaceous materials. A stoichiometric objectivistic chemic environment may be established to stoichiometrically control carbon content in a solid carbonaceous materials gasifier system. Processing of carbonaceous materials may include dominative pyrolytic decomposition and multiple coil carbonaceous reformation. Dynamically adjustable process determinative parameters may be utilized to refine processing, including process utilization of negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, process utilization of flue gas, and adjustment of process flow rate characteristics. Recycling may be employed for internal reuse of process materials, including recycled negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, recycled flue gas, and recycled contaminants.

Abstract: A solar thermal system for the partial desalination of sea water and for generating electricity includes a mass of black top material such as asphalt or the like used in paving roadways, parking lots and the like. The system also includes a network of interconnected conductive conduits such as a serpentine array of copper tubing and a pump for pumping seawater through the copper tubing that is in contact with or surrounded by the black top or asphalt portion of a roadway. The asphalt layer acts as a black body for absorbing heat from the sun and converts solar energy to thermal energy.

Abstract: A moving disk type tube reactor for continuously pyrolyzing waste tire chips and preventing accumulation of remainders produced by pyrolysis, includes: a heating tube having at the ends thereof inflow and outflow ports for allowing high-temperature gas to flow; a first transfer tube penetrating the heating tube and having an input port for inputting the chips at one end thereof; a second transfer tube disposed parallel to the first transfer tube; a driving part disposed at the other end of the first and second transfer tubes, having a driving sprocket driven by a driving motor, and having a discharge port discharging oil vapor; a driven part disposed at one end of the transfer tubes, having a driven sprocket and a discharge port discharging pyrolyzed carbon black to the outside; a chain penetrating the transfer tubes and wound on the sprockets to circulate; and a plurality of disks along the chain.

Abstract: A biomass torrefaction system is provided which enables a continuous torrefaction process that involves the introduction of biomass particles into a rotating reactor drum having a low oxygen environment. The particles are conveyed through the drum by a heated gas stream and simultaneously torrefied thereby. Gas exiting the drum is recirculated back to a heat source for reheating the gas prior to reentering the drum. A method of biomass torrefaction is also provided.

Abstract: A method of converting particulate lignocellulosic material to produce volatile organic compounds and char, comprising, forming a mixture of the particulate lignocellulosic material with a catalyst composition containing polar organic liquid and an acid in the presence or absence of added water, heating the mixture to a temperature sufficiently high and for a period sufficiently long as to convert a major portion of any remaining solid phase of the mixture to char whilst agitating the mixture, and separating volatile organic compounds and the catalyst composition as a gaseous phase from the solid phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a steam biomass reactor converts organic waste placed inside a sealed steam injected reactor to biogas (methane CH4 and carbon dioxide CO2). The amount of liquid introduced into the reactor can be minimized, increased methane and CO2 can be produced, and the methane produced can have higher Btu values as compared to methane produced in other reactors. Some embodiments provide a method of injecting steam into a sealed vessel that is loaded with organic waste and collecting the methane produced by accelerated decomposition/biodegradation of the organic component of the waste within the vessel. The steam accelerates the decomposition of the organic refuse, thereby enhancing the production of methane gas and CO2.

Abstract: Failures associate with bad hand pieces and blade failures in an ultrasonic surgical system are distinguished by monitoring the rate of change of the resonance frequency and the rate of change of the resonance impedance of the hand piece/blade as the drive frequency is changed. As the system reaches resonance, the control system locks onto the resonance frequency. When a loss of lock occurs with no recovery, the rate of change of the frequency and rate of change of the impedance are compared to obtain the fastest rate of change which is stored in non-volatile memory of the ultrasonic generator. If the rates of change are higher than normal rates of change due to temperature changes with the longest blades, a “Bad Blade” message is displayed on an LCD.

Abstract: A dry distillation and volume reduction apparatus for waste comprising a superheated steam generator 1 for generating a superheated steam, a dry distillation and volume reduction vessel 2 for heating waste 5 and subjecting the same to dry distillation and volume reduction with the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generator 1, and heating gas supplier 4 for supplying exhaust gas of an engine 3 as a heat source for heating the superheated steam generator 1. Furthermore, the superheated steam can also be generated by producing a combustible gas by incomplete combustion of carbides 52 produced by heating of organic waste 52 in the dry distillation and volume reduction vessel 2 using heating gas supplier 4.

Abstract: Hydrogen and Oxygen are ducted in the flame zone of a reactor chamber. A body of water and or steam is admitted into the outer zone of said reactor and with intimate contact with the flame zone will generate steam. Said steam is confluent with steam generated by combustion of said Hydrogen and Oxygen. Net steam flow is used externally for generating power, heating and cooling purposes.

Abstract: Garbage and waste of all types that includes or comprises organic matter, particularly including medical waste, plastics, paper, food waste, animal by-products, and the like, can be economically recycled into petroleum products, including oil. Machinery performs a method that mimics natural processes but accomplishes the task in minutes, at rates of about 15 tons per day in a typical processing machine, rather than taking hundreds of thousands of years in nature. The process and apparatus of the invention may chop the waste into small pieces, under negative pressure if appropriate, and then pass the waste into first and then second augers for compression and heating. Destructive distillation occurs, in which large molecular weight hydrocarbons and petrochemicals are heated by hot oil passing through the hollow shaft and by circulating hot, dense, hard material, such as steel balls or fragments or hard rock pieces and such, under pressure with steam, to produce low molecular weight hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A self-sustaining system for converting organic waste feedstreams into usable solid and gas end products includes a plurality of interconnected retorts, an apparatus for flash pyrolyzing the feedstream to form intermediate gas and solid products, a source for introducing a water spray to refine and cool the intermediate products, a device for separating the gas product from the solid product and a device for regenerating, and thereby further refining, the solid product. In a self-sustaining process, wastes which would otherwise be landfilled are converted to an activated carbon product and a combustible gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and lower hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Gaseous, liguid and solid fuels are recovered from carbonaceous organic waste material by treating charges of waste material in several successive stages including preheating, drying and conversion into solid and gaseous phases, all as a result of heating in a common vessel or in two or three successive vessels. The solid phases are thereupon cooled prior to admission into a bin, either in a separate vessel or in the vessel for conversion into solid and gaseous phases. The gaseous phases are treated to separate oil from reaction water, combustible gases and inert gases. The charges are heated from without and are sealed from the atmosphere during all four stages of treatment. Each charge is mixed during heating and the intensity of mixing action, the heating action and/or the pressure in the vessel can be varied during one or more stages.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing essential oils by plant hydro-distillation including the following steps:(a) loading the plants continuously into a still where they are processed counterflow wise with steam,(b) continuous unloading of the exhausted plants,(c) recovery of the latent heat of distillation and condensation of the steam by means of a gas in a condenser,(d) drying of the exhausted plants by contacting with the gas, in a drying installation,(e) combustion of at least a part of the dried exhausted plants in a boiler and use of the combustion heat for producing steam.

Abstract: An improved distillation process and apparatus are provided whereby liquid product recovery other than bottom product is maximized and feed stream heating is minimized. Inert gas streams combined with the feed stream and introduced into the distillation tower are controlled whereby feed stream heater residence time and partial pressures of feed stream components are minimized. The temperature of the combined inert gas-feed stream exiting the feed stream heater is controlled at a minimum temperature by establishing signals representative of overflash, bottom product specification and other conditions and comparing such signals whereby the signal which represents the lowest heater outlet temperature is utilized for controlling the heater operation.

Abstract: Energy and useful products are recovered from plantain wastes in a self-contained waste treatment plant wherein the raw material waste is charged into a boiler where the same is combusted to produce flue gases containing several organic compounds and dry ash containing residue mineral salts. The flue gas heats water in a water reservoir to generate steam which drives a turbine generator to produce electricity, the flue gas then being collected and at least partially condensed to form a pyroligneous acid solution from which alcohols and the like can be recovered. The dry ash containing residue mineral salt is mixed with other minerals or reagents with the resulting mass being supplied into a continuously stirred fusion furnace situated within the boiler to which heat is supplied by the flue gas to produce commercially useful products, such as zeolites, dolomite or other related products.

Abstract: An improved plant for coal carbonization or gasification of the type having a vessel with reaction compartment, at least one burner at the top of the reaction compartment for the partial combustion of finely-ground coal at a temperature above the ash-melting temperature to produce a product of gas, coke dust and slag or ashes, the compartment having a bottom opening for the discharge of gas-coke dust current from the compartment, and means for separating the product gas is disclosed. A lower chamber is in the vessel underneath the compartment adjacent to the opening. A heating surface in a vertical wall portion of the vessel surrounding the lower chamber, and a slag trap adapted to trap slag arranged in the bottom of the chamber is provided.

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: Oil shale containing relatively large quantities of alkaline carbonate minerals is retorted utilizing superheated water vapor at temperatures of from about 425.degree. C. to about 510.degree. C. Retorting with a sufficient carbon dioxide partial pressure effectively suppresses decomposition of the alkaline carbonates to obtain an environmentally acceptable retorted shale.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing high pressure gas, such as high pressure coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of steam in a central reaction column of a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular chamber surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. The hot flue gas is used to drive a turbine which in turn, drives a compressor which introduces compressed air into the annular chamber. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of air and steam in a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam and air to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. In some cases the air may be eliminated to produce nitrogen-free gas. In other instances, the production of methane and higher hydrocarbons may be suppressed to produce a gas consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular space surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam and air introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.

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