Conveying Patents (Class 202/117)
  • Publication number: 20120325642
    Abstract: The carbonizing apparatus includes a heating chamber that thermally decomposes a treatment object by heating, a preliminary chamber through which the treatment object is carried from an outside into the heating member in a state in which the heating chamber is substantially shielded from the outside, the preliminary chamber being provided between the heating chamber and the outside, a plurality of cooling chambers in which the treatment object is treated after thermal decomposition, shielding doors that close the preliminary chamber, the heating chamber, and the cooling chambers arranged in series, a transport means that transports the treatment object while opening and closing the shielding doors, and exhaust pipes through which gas discharged from the preliminary chamber, the heating chamber, and the cooling chambers is exhausted. The treatment object is carbonized while being sequentially passed through the preliminary chamber, the heating chamber, and the cooling chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Mamoru Ito, Akiyuki Kaneko, Megumi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8322056
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Terra Green Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Causer
  • Patent number: 8323369
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating materials, the apparatus including a main body which includes an elongated retort section having a primary treatment chamber therein, a feed inlet at an upstream end of the retort section and a discharge outlet at a downstream end of the retort section. The main body further includes a filtering section with a filtering chamber therein which is in communication with the primary treatment chamber, the filtering chamber being disposed laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the retort section which extends between the ends of the retort section and is spaced from the upstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Struan Glen Robertson
  • Patent number: 8317980
    Abstract: A reactor having a shaft protruding through one end, a fuel output tube protruding through a second end, shovels housed inside, and a discharge tube, is provided. A first end of the discharge tube is inside of the reactor and the second end protrudes out of the fuel output tube. A helix thruster can be inside the discharge tube and have a driver shaft with a first gear inside of the reactor. The reactor can also include a residue collector and a fork. The fork can be disposed on a driven shaft including a second gear, which engages the first gear of the helix thruster. A system for feeding materials into the reactor is also disclosed as well as methods of converting waste plastic or rubber into fuel using the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nantong Tianyi Environment and Energy Technology Limited Corporation
    Inventors: Jianguo Li, Xurong Zhao
  • Patent number: 8318997
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8304590
    Abstract: Autothermal torrefaction devices, which can be either stationary of mobile, are provided and include a torrefaction chamber having a chamber inlet for receiving biomass and at least one chamber outlet. The torrefaction chamber can be substantially surrounded by an exterior housing defining an outer jacket and having a jacket inlet and a jacket outlet. The outer jacket and torrefaction chamber define a space therebetween such that a burner unit including an inlet operatively connected to the chamber outlet and an outlet operatively connected to the jacket inlet allows vapors produced or released from within the torrefaction chamber to travel into the burner unit for combustion of at least a portion of the vapors and subsequently travel through the space between the jacket and the torrefaction chamber to provide heat necessary for autothermal torrefaction of biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NOrth Carolina State University
    Inventors: Christopher B. Hopkins, Rucker Preston Burnette, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8276289
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Terra Green Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Causer
  • Publication number: 20120228113
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of using the apparatus are described to decompose plastic to form a fuel for use in generating energy such as electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ALL GRADE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter John Rolston
  • Publication number: 20120217150
    Abstract: Methods and systems for substantially continuously treating comminuted material containing carbon and hydrogen, for example, used tires, are provided. The methods include the steps of introducing the tire material to an elongated chamber, transferring the tire material through the elongated chamber, heating the tire material to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the material to produce a gaseous stream; discharging the gaseous stream from the chamber, and cooling at least some of the gaseous stream to liquefy components of the stream. The transfer may be effected by a flexible, center-less screw conveyor to minimize material buildup in the vessel. The cooling of the gaseous stream may be practiced by reverse condensation. The apparatus may further comprise an agitator positioned in a conduit operatively connected to an outlet from the chamber, the agitator adapted to displace any condensate formed in the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Stanislaw KOSTEK, SR., Stanislaw KOSTEK, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120205230
    Abstract: A biomass fractionator and method are described for inputting ground biomass and outputting several vapor streams of bio-intermediate compounds along with syngas and biochar. In one embodiment, a method for biomass fractioning, comprises dispensing biomass into thin sheets of ground biomass; subjecting the thin sheets to ramps of temperature; and selectively collecting various groups of compounds as they are released from the thin sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Cool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Cheiky
  • Patent number: 8216430
    Abstract: A biomass fractionator and method are described for inputting ground biomass and outputting several vapor streams of bio-intermediate compounds along with syngas and biochar. A method for biomass fractioning comprises dispensing biomass into thin sheets of ground biomass; subjecting the thin sheets to ramps of temperature; and selectively collecting various groups of compounds as they are released from the thin sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Cheiky
  • Patent number: 8187428
    Abstract: A conversion-to-oil apparatus capable of efficiently treating plastic, includes a melting unit for heating and melting plastic fed thereto and a decomposing unit for further heating and vaporization-decomposing the molten plastic melted by the melting unit, wherein the decomposing unit is inclined upwardly, having a lead screw mounted therein, and is provided at its upper end portion with a catalyst cylinder extending upwardly and a residue takeout unit extending downwardly, and the decomposing unit has a prevention element for preventing molten plastic gas from flowing down to the residue takeout unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Blest Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiko Shimo, Akinori Ito, Hitoshi Itagaki, Yasuo Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120111714
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: CIRCA GROUP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Gregory Ross Court, Christopher Howard Lawrence, Warwick Douglas Raverty, Anthony James Duncan
  • Patent number: 8168043
    Abstract: A retort apparatus includes a primary rotating pipe within a second rotating pipe within a fixed pipe (27). The interior area of the primary rotating pipe is bounded by a heated pipe. A first annulus is formed between the primary and second rotating pipes. A second annulus is formed between the second rotating pipe and the heated pipe. A third annulus is formed between the primary rotating pipe and the fixed pipe. A heater is positioned within the interior area of said primary rotating pipe. In one embodiment, an inlet gate is provided for introducing a liquid and solid mixture into the first annulus proximate the second end thereof. A first conveyor is provided to move the mixture toward the hot end of the primary rotating pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Eau-Viron Incorporated
    Inventor: James Titmas
  • Patent number: 8168839
    Abstract: Certain examples relate to methods of continuously cracking waste rubber or plastics and apparatuses related to the same, to produce oil from waste rubber or plastics. Raw materials comprising a catalyst and rubber or plastics may be extruded in order to separate the air or to prevent oxidization. The raw materials are transported into the cracking chamber, and moved from the inlet to the discharge hole. After the cracking process is finished, the products are discharged automatically through the discharge hole. The separation of air and oxygen in the inlet and discharge hole of the cracking chamber can avoid dangers caused by oxygen entering the cracking chamber, and realize industrial production with continuous feedings. The ratio of the oil can be raised from 19% to 45%-48%, and the loss of production equipment reduced. Production costs are reduced, safety measurements improved, and continuous production is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Bin Niu
  • Patent number: 8168044
    Abstract: A thermochemical reactor includes a contact surface and a pressing device for pressing raw material to be pyrolyzed against the rotationally symmetrical contact surface which is rotatable relative to the raw material. A generating line of the contact surface is oriented at an angle to a radius that is perpendicular to the axis of the relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Weigelt
  • Publication number: 20120090977
    Abstract: A reactor and/or process is disclosed for fluidized cracking of solid particulate biomass material, including a first mixing zone where a particulate stream comprising solid particulate biomass is mixed with a lift gas and becomes fluidized, and including a second mixing zone where a heat carrier material is mixed with the fluidized solid particulate biomass material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bartek, Ronald Lee Cordle, Steve Yanik, Paul O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20120073949
    Abstract: A reactor for converting organic feed is provided. A retort extends through the furnace of the reactor. The retort has a retort auger, an inlet and an outlet. The reactor includes a charcoal delivery assembly having a collection line, delivery line, and a transfer zone. The collection line is adjacent to the outlet of the retort receives charcoal from the retort, and contains a collection auger with a flighted portion extending at least partially therethrough. The delivery line is connected to a downstream portion of the collection line and has a flighted delivery auger extending therethrough. The transfer zone is a space, between a downstream end of the flighted portion of the collection auger and an upstream end of the flighted delivery auger, where charcoal collected and delivered by the collection auger forms a plug, thereby blocking biogas from the retort from entering the delivery line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Patent number: 8038848
    Abstract: A processor for vacuum distillation of whole tires including; an insulated housing having a door on one end, and rails on a lower surface of the housing to support a cart loaded with whole tires. A plurality of first heat tubes arranged around and spaced from a central radiant heat tube, the central radiant heat tube having an unsupported end adjacent the door such that whole tires loaded on the cart and through the door will pass over the central radiant heat tube such that the central radiant heat tube is located in a central opening of each tire on the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Harvey Bohr
  • Publication number: 20110180381
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus based on a reactor vessel (201) that is brought to a predetermined vacuum degree, in particular said vacuum degree set between 2 and 6 absolute millibar, an to a high temperature. A waste material is continuously introduced in the vessel (202), in particular a solid waste material (5) is introduced in such a way that a vacuum loss from the vessel (201) is prevented. Owing to the high temperature, waste material (5) forms a plasma that undergoes a molecular rearrangement, which gives origin to a substantially liquid residue that is collected in a bottom portion (204) of reactor (201), and to a gas (11). The gas (11), which mainly comprises carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and steam, i.e. a typical syngas composition, is continuously taken away from the vessel (201) through a duct (12), and is sent to subsequent treatments to obtain a gas fuel that can be burnt by devices such as a gas turbine, a motor or a boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: RE.CO 2 S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Fabbri, Enrico Sonno
  • Patent number: 7951271
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for recovery of energy and by-products from automobile and truck tires. The tires are heated in an oxygen poor environment, and the off gases are condensed to recover a liquid oil product and compressible natural gas. The tires are reduces to ash and steel, both of which can be feed streams for other processes. The apparatus includes a condenser with cooled plates, and oil recovery structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: David Brent Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110089015
    Abstract: A pyrolysis system may include a source of feed material having carbon and hydrogen bonds, a feed material transport system and a pyrolysis unit. The pyrolysis may be configured to rest upon a support surface and having a feed material inlet coupled by the feed material transport system to the source of feed material. The pyrolysis unit may define therein a reaction chamber having a length and having the feed material inlet defined at one end thereof. The reaction chamber may define a material flow axis in the reaction chamber from the feed material inlet along its length that is oriented one of parallel to and at an acute angle relative to the support surface. The pyrolysis unit may define at least one outlet for extraction of at the least one of a solid, gaseous and liquid fuel from the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Carl D. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20100292523
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a reactor apparatus for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, the apparatus including: a reactor component comprising a refractory material in oxide form, the refractory material having a melting point of at least 2060° C. and which remains in oxide form when exposed to a gas having an oxygen partial pressure of 10?15 bar, a carbon partial pressure above the carbon partial pressure of the zirconium carbide and zirconium oxide phase transition at the same temperature, and at temperatures below the temperature of the zirconium triple point at the oxygen partial pressure of 10?15 bar; and ii) when exposed to a gas having an oxygen partial pressure of 10?15 bar and at temperatures above the zirconium triple point at the oxygen partial pressure of 10?15 bar. In some embodiments, the reactor comprises a regenerative pyrolysis reactor apparatus and in other embodiments it includes a reverse flow regenerative reactor apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, ChangMin Chun, Paul F. Keusenkothen, Shiun Ling, Gary David Mohr
  • Publication number: 20100289270
    Abstract: A pyrolytic process includes converting various organic wastes into more readily usable organic substances such as, without limitation, organic gases and liquids that may be used as fuels. An exemplary pyrolytic process generates sufficient organic fuels in satisfaction of the heat requirements and electrical requirements to carry out the pyrolytic process, thereby providing excess fuels above and beyond those necessary to carry out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Organic Power Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Behrens, Brian Rayles, Robert E. Burrows, III
  • Publication number: 20100282589
    Abstract: This invention is regarding an industrial continuous cracking device of rubber. The technical program of this invention is as following: including the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder, and the internal cylinder has promoting mechanism; the heating mechanism is fixed in the outer cylinder or the internal cylinder, and the characteristic of it is: the internal cylinder wall is fixed with heat plates. These heat plates can adopt different forms, such as separated plate, intermittent or continuous helical ribbon, and so on. According to the instance of other structures of the equipment, they not only can be fixed in the internal cylinder, but also can be fixed in the wall of the internal cylinder. The simple structure used in this invention has realized the effect of improving the heat efficiency, reducing the energy consumption and decreasing the running cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Bin Niu
  • Publication number: 20100276271
    Abstract: A reactor (9) for the pyrolysis of carbon-containing waste material such as rubber chips includes a cylindrical air-tight reactor vessel (10) which has an inlet through which rubber chips (4) are introduced into the reactor vessel and an outlet (60) through which oil distillate can be discharged therefrom. The reactor vessel has a cooling jacket through which cooling water flows for cooling an inner shell (40) of the vessel. The chips (4) are deposited onto a support tray (70) and displaced towards a rear end of the reactor vessel by a chain conveyer (89). The chips (4) are heated on the tray (40) causing decomposition of the chips into a vapour and amorphous carbon. The vapour condenses when it contacts the inner shell (40) and runs down the sides of the vessel (10) towards a lower side thereof before being discharged through the outlet (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: John Lindsay Dinnematin
  • Patent number: 7767187
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating carbon products from used tires includes a decomposing chamber into which used tires are charged, a nitrogen gas supply device that supplies nitrogen gas into the decomposing chamber, one or more magnetrons that generate microwave of predetermined frequency and one or more phase shifters that removes interference between microwaves generated by the magnetrons, a receiving plate that is adapted to receive carbon black and iron cores generated by the decomposing process, a tire support that is adapted to support used tires, an opening and closing device that opens or closes a door on which used tires are placed, conveyor belt that moves carbon black and iron cores to a desired location after decomposition is complete, and a cooling plate that is provided in an upper portion of the apparatus and cools down gaseous oil that is generated by decomposition by microwave into liquid oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Charlie Hong
  • Patent number: 7749359
    Abstract: A reactor is provided for converting organic material to charcoal, with the reactor having a furnace and a retort extending through the furnace. The retort has an auger extending therethrough, with the auger having a flight with gaps therein. Members project inwardly from the walls of the retort at the gaps in the flight to unplug blockages in the retort. A gas collection system is provided which has a branched portion having two or more venting tubes, each with valves so that each may be shut off independently to allow to off-line cleaning without requiring shutdown of the system. A method for converting organic material may be practiced by introducing combustible materials into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: 0752831 B.C. Ltd.
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Publication number: 20100140074
    Abstract: Combustible material is supplied to the reaction zone, continuously or in pulses, which the reaction zone is separated from the surrounding atmosphere, and combustible material gradually moves through the reaction zone to the reaction zone outlet, in the same direction as released gases leave the combustible material. The reaction zone is heated to the temperature, the value of which is increasing in the direction to the reaction zone outlet, however, to 12000 C as a maximum. Then, released gases are draught off separately from non-gasified residue. As an advantage, steam and/or water is supplied to combustible material and the combustible material previously charged into the reaction zone moves by acting of subsequently supplied combustible material, where the combustible material is being compressed. The equipment for pyrolytic conversion comprises one filling device (1), reactor (2) comprising the reaction zone (5), at least one heater (3, 13), and hopper (4) for non-gasified residue (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Václav Holusa, Petr Vanicek, Ivan Koutnik, Miroslav Kaloc
  • Patent number: 7648615
    Abstract: In the operation of smoking/burning type volume reduction treatment apparatus (1), referring to view (A), charcoal carbonized layer (T2) is spread over powdery ceramic layer (T1) in the state of having negative ion air fed through air supply inlet (H). Further, sawdust layer (T3) is spread thereover, and thereafter treatment subject layer (V) is piled thereon. In a temporary burning region of the carbonized layer (T2), the powdery ceramic layer (T1) exerts not only heat storing action but also heat radiation action. Referring to view (B), the interior of the sawdust layer (T3) is altered into temporary carbonized layer (T3 1) and temporary dried layer (T3 2). As the temporary burning region slowly moves upward, an under side of the treatment subject layer (V) is altered into dried layer (V1) and further, carbonized layer (V2) shown in view (C) is formed. Thereafter, this carbonized layer (V2) catches fire, so that burning region (V3) is formed in layered form in the treatment subject layer (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Kuniomi Araki
  • Publication number: 20090314622
    Abstract: An oil extraction system and method for pyrolyzing waste plastic materials are disclosed. The oil extraction system includes: a waste feeding device for supplying waste plastic materials contained in a hopper to a primary pyrolysis chamber through a feed inlet, wherein the primary pyrolysis chamber pyrolyzes the supplied waste plastic materials; a double jacket furnace having a burner and for heating the primary pyrolysis chamber loaded into a burning room of the furnace; a rotation device for rotating the primary pyrolysis chamber loaded into the burning room of the furnace; a secondary pyrolysis chamber for re-pyrolyzing gas produced in the primary pyrolysis chamber, and for separating carbides and residue; a condenser for liquefying the gas separated from the secondary plyrolysis chamber by compression and forming oil; and an oil-water separator for separating oil and water condensed in the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yong Sup Joo
  • Patent number: 7628892
    Abstract: A system and process for the production of combustible substances by means of depolymerisation of rubber products, comprising a depressurized depolymerising device (1), inside which it takes place the depolymerisation of a predetermined quantity of products introduced at its inner, characterized in that it comprises a divider or phases separator (2) disposed downstream said depolymerising device (1), which consists of a substantially cylindrical body, with an upper base (20) and a lower base (21), and is connected with the depolymerising device (1) by means of a pipe (3): said phases separator (2) being apt to carry out the separation of at least a part of the liquid phase of the products exiting the depolymerising device (1), and having an outlet (23) for the thus separated liquid phase and an outlet (24) for the remaining part of the products in mostly gaseous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Pernilla Finanziaria S.A., Romana Maceri Centro Italia S.r.l.
    Inventor: Franco Fini
  • Patent number: 7550063
    Abstract: The invention relates to both a method and apparatus for thermal cracking hydrocarbons. The apparatus includes a rotating conical drum assembly within a vessel containing a hydrocarbon feedstock. The conical drum assembly is internally heated to cause cracking of hydrocarbons adjacent the conical drum surface and the formation of coke on its external surface as the conical drum rotates. Coke is removed from the drum surface by a coke removal system and cracked hydrocarbon product is collected as a vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Altene (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Karol Pawel Gawad
  • Publication number: 20090114519
    Abstract: A chamber for treating waste material includes a substantially closed chamber which is horizontally elongate with a conveyor provided within the chamber oriented generally horizontally and defining an upper portion and a lower portion with a series of paddles arranged to move material along the upper portion of the conveyor. A material supporting surface formed of ceramic material is provided between the upper portion and the lower portion of the conveyor. The material supporting surface is generally U-shaped and forms a channel through which the paddles move along the upper portion of the conveyor. The material supporting surface is carried by a plurality of metal horizontal support members which are cooled by a fluid. The paddles are asymmetrically oriented with respect to the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: RECUPERACION MATERIALES DIVERSOS, S.A.
    Inventors: Adolfo Lopez Aguayo, Avelino Encina Canal, Pascal Haxaire
  • Patent number: 7438785
    Abstract: A method for the pyrolosis of biomass with the aid of a heating element and a feed for guiding the biomass. During pyrolysis, the heating element and the biomass are pressed against each other at a pressure of 5 bars-80 bars. A device for pyrolysing biomasses, comprises a material supply and a pyrolysing station. The material supply comprises elements for generating a pressure of between 5 bars and 200 bars, pressing the raw material which is to be pyrolysed against the pyrolysing station. The pyrolysing station comprises a heating element which is heated to a temperature of between 300° C. and 1000° C. in an operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Pytec Thermochemische Anlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Dietrich Meier, Hannes Klaubert, Stefan Schöll
  • Publication number: 20080128259
    Abstract: Methods and systems for substantially continuously treating comminuted material containing carbon and hydrogen, for example, used tires, are provided. The methods include the steps of introducing the tire material to an elongated chamber, transferring the tire material through the elongated chamber, heating the tire material to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the material to produce a gaseous stream; discharging the gaseous stream from the chamber, and cooling at least some of the gaseous stream to liquefy components of the stream. The transfer may be effected by a flexible, center-less screw conveyor to minimize material buildup in the vessel. The cooling of the gaseous stream may be practiced by reverse condensation. One or more re-usable fuel streams are provided by aspects of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Stanislaw Kostek, Stanislaw Kostek
  • Patent number: 7341646
    Abstract: A low energy method of pyrolysis of rubber or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The hydrocarbon material is heated while maintaining a vacuum, using a clay catalyst. In an additional embodiment, also under a vacuum and optionally with or without the catalyst, the temperature of the reaction chamber and corresponding fuel input is varied either over time or spatially within the reaction chamber, to take advantage of the exothermic properties of the reaction. With the method of the present invention, an improved solid reaction product can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: RJ Lee Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Nichols, Alan M. Levine, Jules E. Langlois
  • Patent number: 7329329
    Abstract: Tire pyrolysis systems and processes are provided which include feeding tire shreds to a pyrolysis reactor, pyrolyzing the shreds in a pyrolysis reactor to produce a hydrocarbon-containing gas stream and carbon-containing solid, removing the carbon-containing solid from the reactor, directing the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream into a separator, contacting the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream with an oil spray in the separator thereby washing particulate from the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream and condensing a portion of the gas stream to oil, removing and cooling the oil from the separator, directing non-condensed gas from the gas stream away from the separator, and directing a portion of the cooled oil removed from the separator to an inlet of the separator for use as the separator oil spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Renaissance Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine Masemore, Robert Zarrizski
  • Patent number: 7194962
    Abstract: A versatile oven for converting carbon based natural resources and waste material to hydrocarbon vapor and carbon char utilizing rapid thermal processing and having the capability of utilizing a portion of the relatively inexpensive carbon based material being processed as the fuel to provide at least some of the process heat and also including a means for reducing NOx emissions in the gases exhausted from a furnace used to burn the converted hydrocarbon vapor for application of the heat energy and also a means for delivering the converted hydrocarbon vapor to a condensing system if it is desired to liquefy at least some portion of the thermally converted hydrocarbon vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry M. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 7108767
    Abstract: Useful byproducts are recovered through the pyrolytic processing of biomass material such as vegetation, paper, or worn tires. The process is conducted in a sealed enclosure under vacuum or other controlled atmosphere. The biomass material is ablated and burned by crunching between counter-rotating rollers whose inner walls have been exposed to a highly heated fluid. The biomass material is preheated by injecting into the feeding duct super-heated: dry steam. A condenser within the enclosure reduces resulting vapors into oils that can be drained from the enclosure pan. Solid combustion residue is abstracted from the enclosure by an Archimedes screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Vincent H. Noto
  • Patent number: 7101464
    Abstract: A microwave distillation apparatus provides destructive distillation of whole waste tires. The apparatus includes a housing including a plurality of vertically arranged chambers. A preheat chamber provides preheating of a whole waste tire received therein. An irradiation chamber, located below the preheat chamber and thermally coupled to the preheat chamber such that heat generated in the irradiation chamber creates heat convection currents in the preheat chamber, receives a preheated whole waste tire from the preheat chamber. A microwave energy supply supplies microwave energy to the irradiation chamber to provide destructive distillation of a tire received in that chamber. A cooling chamber, located below the irradiation chamber, receives by-products of the destructive distillation therefrom and provides delivery of the by-products from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Tire Chief, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Allen Pringle
  • Patent number: 7087140
    Abstract: A carbonizing waste processing apparatus is operable to rotate and heat a radiant tube for carbonizing waste therein so as to generate granular char and vapors from the waste, transfer waste into an upstream end of the tube, temporarily impede movement of the waste through the tube at upstream and downstream locations therein so as to ensure that residence time of the waste in the tube is sufficient at the upstream location to carry out evaporation of moisture from the waste and at the downstream location to elevate the temperature of any solids in the waste for completion of carbonization of the waste, discharge the granular char and vapors from the tube, and flow the generated and discharged vapors through a succession of finned heat exchanger tubes so as to condense and separate the vapors into oil, water and methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Harry H. Menian
  • Patent number: 7056422
    Abstract: A distillation system is provided for batch thermolytic distillation of lump carbonaceous material, such as lump wood and shredded rubber tires. The system preferably includes multiple distillation units mounted side-by-side. Each unit includes a reactor bath for holding molten tin at approximately 455° C., a two-compartment reservoir for storing molten tin, and a porous basket pivotally mounted within the reactor bath for tipping motion. A process for batch thermolytic distillation of lump carbonaceous material includes rotating the porous basket into a reactor bath by rotating the basket about an axis passing through the reactor bath; putting a charge of wood into the basket; closing a retractable lid onto the reactor bath; filling the reactor bath with molten material to produce gas and char by thermolytic conversion of the charge, draining the reactor bath of molten material while the lid is closed; quenching the char in the reactor bath with steam; opening the lid; and tipping the char from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Sector Capital Corporation
    Inventor: William Dell'Orfano
  • Patent number: 7025006
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial and/or household waste treatment method and to an industrial and/or household waste treatment installation (1). According to the invention, the method is characterised in that it consists of, in particular, the loading of the waste into numerous pierced containers (20), thermolysis of the waste in the containers (20) being conveyed into a pyrolysis oven (12); emptying of the containers (20) into a separation tank (18) in order to separate the products formed by the thermolysis; and treatment of the separated products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick Jeulin
  • Patent number: 7008459
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for coal pyrolysis pretreatment. The apparatus is made up of a pretreatment vessel for holding a bed of coal particles, a preheater for heating the bed of coal particles to a temperature below the coal pyrolysis temperature range and an oxygen remover for removing oxygen released from the heated coal particles. The apparatus can also have a flue gas source as an oxygen removal sweep gas to the bed of coal, a collector for collecting non-condensable combustible gases, and the preheater having a furnace holding ceramic balls which are circulated from the furnace to the bed of coal particles. The process involves heating the bed of coal particles to a temperature below the coal pyrolysis temperature range and preventing air from contacting the bed of coal particles in addition to collecting non-condensable combustible gases or the preheating step accomplished by having a furnace holding ceramic balls which are circulated from the furnace to the bed of coal particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Arthur P. Fraas, Richard L. Furgerson, Harold L. Falkenberry
  • Patent number: 6666955
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: G. Thomas Bissell
  • Patent number: 6623602
    Abstract: An improved method 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: G. Thomas Bissell
  • Publication number: 20030141176
    Abstract: Cracker apparatus, comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Esa Supponen
  • Publication number: 20030051987
    Abstract: This invention is a system for manufacturing char having a continuous operation and optimizing heat generation and retention elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Marshall L. Owen
  • Publication number: 20020117389
    Abstract: An improved delayed coking unit with at least one coke drum wherein said coke drum comprises a substantially closed interior, a top portion having an aperture, an overhead vapor outlet nozzle removably connected to the aperture, and a deflector for deflecting solids and heavy hydrocarbon liquids from exiting said interior of said coke drum through said aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Jim R. Roth, Harry R. Janssen, Betty Janssen, Gary C. Hughes, Brian J. Doerksen