Screw Patents (Class 202/118)
  • Patent number: 8512643
    Abstract: A method for controlling volatiles in recycled carbon black, such as from pyrolysis of tires, includes deagglomerating the recycled carbon black to substantially reduce the carbon black particle size and impinging an air current on the carbon black particles, preferably in a countercurrent direction, to increase the processing temperature and thereby enhance the release of volatiles. Associated apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Energy Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Steinmeyer, Alan M. Levine, Duane M. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8486231
    Abstract: Provided is a pyrolytic energy recovery system for pyrolyzing wastes to obtain oil, the system including: a recovery furnace; a heat plate for dividing an inner space of the recovery furnace; a heating chamber disposed under the heat plate; a pyrolysis chamber disposed over the heat plate; a heating pipe line installed inside the front and rear surfaces of the recovery furnace; a rotary means constituted by a plurality of rotaries installed in the pyrolysis chamber to evenly distribute recyclable materials introduced through the recyclable material inlet port; a residual discharge means having primary residual conveyance screws longitudinally installed along the valley of the heat plate, a residual hopper installed at a separate space in the heating chamber such that the residual conveyed to a center part of the heat plate through the primary conveyance screws is lowered to be gathered, and a secondary residual conveyance screw installed from the residual hopper to the exterior of the recovery furnace and dis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Young Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8460515
    Abstract: A biocoke producing apparatus has a reaction vessel that has a preset temperature range and pressure range for, without carbonizing of the pulverized biomass, inducing a pyrolytic or thermal curing reaction of lignin and hemicellulose thereof. The reaction vessel has a pressurization device for pressurizing to the pressure range, a heating device for heating to the temperature range in the state of the pressurization and a cooling device for cooling after maintaining of the above state. Multiple reaction vessels are provided. A pulverization delivery conveyor is provided superior to these reaction vessels, and each of the multiple reaction vessels is connected via a connection tube to the conveyor. The connection tube is provided with a pulverizate charging device for charging a given amount of pulverized biomass in accordance with a timing of pulverizate charging to the reaction vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Naniwa Roki Co., Ltd., Kinki University
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kawami, Jun Satou, Tamio Ida
  • Patent number: 8449725
    Abstract: Described are an apparatus and a method for recovering styrene monomer using an auxiliary solvent, more particularly an apparatus and a method for recovering styrene monomer through pyrolysis of waste polystyrene capable of improving recovery ratio of styrene monomer using an auxiliary solvent such as steam, preventing repolymerization of pyrolyzed styrene monomer and effectively preventing production of unwanted high molecular weight materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Byung Tae Yoon, Myoung Jae Choi, Seong Bo Kim, Sang Bong Lee
  • Publication number: 20130126329
    Abstract: A coal material decomposition apparatus includes a sealed rotary kiln body provided with a coal inlet and a coal outlet. A coal decomposition gas collecting pipe is arranged in the kiln body and is provided with two parallel spirals for dividing space in the kiln body into a heating gas bin and a coal material decomposition bin. The coal decomposition gas collecting pipe communicates with the coal material decomposition bin through a gas guide hole arranged in the coal material decomposition bin. As the kiln body is internally divided into the a heating gas bin and a coal material decomposition bin isolated from each other, a large amount of hot gas in the heating gas conducts and radiates the heat to pulverized coal in the coal material decomposition bin, and the pulverized coal fully absorbs the heat to be decomposed into gas, coal tar gas and coal with high heat-value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: XIXIA DRAGON INTO SPECIAL MATERIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Shucheng Zhu
  • Patent number: 8444828
    Abstract: A pyrolyzer and method is provided for devolatizing coal and other volatile materials. The pyrolyzer has a pyrolyzer furnace housing having at least two screws laterally positioned adjacent and overlapping rotatably mounted within the furnace for moving volatile material through the pyrolyzer furnace housing. The screws have hollow drive shafts with a diverter inside for converging heated fluid to heat the volatile material moving through the pyrolyzer furnace housing. A combustion chamber combusts fuel to create heated exhaust gas for directing through the hollow drive shafts to heat the volatile material. The pyrolyzer furnace housing may have a double wall with a cavity between, capable of receiving heated fluid for further heating of volatile material moving through the pyrolyzer furnace housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 8435404
    Abstract: A method for the pyrolytic extraction of hydrocarbons such as shale oil from kerogen. Oil shale containing kerogen which has been ground into particulate form, is cascaded downwardly between a plurality of rotating trays within a heated processing chamber. As the hydrocarbons are volatized within the chamber, the volatiles are collected and condensed within a condenser or other suitable recovery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Wyssmont Company Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Weisselberg
  • Publication number: 20130098750
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating carbon-containing waste materials include a gasifying system, a drier system for pre-drying the material, and an energy-recovery system for recovering waste heat and/or producer gas from the gasifying system/method for use in pre-drying the material. The energy-recovery system can include a recirculation system for recovering the waste heat and/or a thermal oxidizer or other combustion device for burning the producer gas, along with a heat-transfer-loop for transferring the recovered heat energy to the drier for pre-drying the material. In another aspect of the invention, the gasifying systems and methods use a thermal-screw conveyor with a product chamber and rotary thermal screws, and an oxygen-delivery system configured for delivering oxygen into the product chamber for immediate absorption into the material, with or without the dryer system and/or the energy-recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Robert NICKERSON, Mike POTTER, John WHITNEY
  • Patent number: 8419902
    Abstract: Proposed are a system and method for wasteless pyrolytic processing and complete utilization of municipal and domestic wastes. The wastes are sequentially passed through units of sorting, grinding, drying, accumulating, and sending to a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolytic treatment. The syngas produced in the pyrolysis is passed through dry cleaning, dust catching, a first wet cleaning with water, a second wet cleaning with alkali, and a floatation unit for separation of water which is purified to an extent sufficient for technical use. The purified syngas is also passed through an absorber and is then used as a working medium for a power generation unit such as a gas turbine co-generator that generates electricity. Solid products of the pyrolysis reaction, such as coke, are returned to the reactor for afterburning, and the heat of the reaction can be utilized in a dryer, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Greenlight Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Arkady Feerer, Marat Hasbulatovich Kulakov, Denis Zagorsky
  • Patent number: 8419901
    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 practised by introducing combustible materials into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: 0752831 B.C. Ltd.
    Inventor: John Flottvik
  • Publication number: 20130064754
    Abstract: A process for multistage thermal treatment of rubber waste, in particular scrap tires, is proposed. The process comprises several steps of transferring a product granulate of rubber waste into three different sequencing heating zones of a reactor (10). In the heating zones (11a, 11b, 11c) the product granulate is heated at a first temperature between 100° to 200° C., preferably 150° to 180° C., then at a second temperature between 200° to 350° C. and at a third temperature between 300° to 600° C. The temperature is maintained until such time that no further oil is emitted within the respective heating zone. As a final step, the product granulate is removed from the reactor (10) and the desirable solid materials are separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SCUTUM CAPITAL AG
    Inventors: Fikret Dülger, Niels Raeder
  • Patent number: 8388813
    Abstract: Improved, fuel-efficient systems are provided for the processing of biomass, such as wood or crop residues, food waste or animal waste in order to selectively obtain torrefied and/or carbonized final products. In general, the processes involve thermally drying incoming biomass using a dryer employing the hot gas output of a fuel-operated burner. Next, the dried product is torrefied in an indirect torrefaction reactor so as to evolve light volatile organic compounds which are used as a gaseous fuel source for the burner. The torrefied product can be recovered, or some or all of the torrefied product may be directed to a carbonization reactor coupled with a reactor burner. Carbonization serves to remove most of the remaining VOCs which are used as a gaseous fuel input to the dryer. In certain instances, portions of the dried biomass are directed to the burners, as an additional source of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Earth Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Livingston, Bijoy J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8354006
    Abstract: A device for pyrolysis of a material has a horizontal receiving chamber, a horizontally moving compressing element compressing the material in the receiving chamber to form a compact body, a horizontal pyrolysis chamber communicating with the receiving chamber and subjecting the compact body to a heat treatment, a separating partition separating the chambers, and a cylinder-piston unit with a compressing plate which, with the closed partition, first compresses the material in the receiving chamber, then after vertically withdrawing the partition, moves the compressed material from the receiving chamber into pyrolysis chamber and is heated there to produce pyrolysis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Agro-Energy Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Shvabsky, Jacob Gitman
  • Patent number: 8344195
    Abstract: A process for producing fuel by cracking a plastics-derived liquid, which is obtained from a pyrolysis process, using a dolomite catalyst. The plastics-derived liquid is produced by the pyrolysis of plastic waste, such as of one or more of polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene. The plastic-derived liquid is first subjected to a semi-batch catalytic cracking reaction over a very low cost dolomite catalyst to obtain high quality oil for fuel, which comprises mainly light and heavy naphtha. Moreover, the catalytic cracking reaction is conducted at operating temperatures lower than 320° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Jumluck Srinakruang
  • Patent number: 8328993
    Abstract: Proposed is a pyrolysis reactor for processing solid municipal and domestic wastes by means of a pyrolytic reaction in the pyrolysis chamber without access of oxygen to the reaction system. The reactor is characterized by containing two waste-feeding screws which have tapered shapes, a gap between the outer surfaces of the threads, are inclined in the vertical plane and converge towards each other in a horizontal plane in the direction from the inlet to the outlet end. The gap is adjustable with diminishing toward the outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Greenlight Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Arkady Feerer, Marat Hasbulatovich Kulakov, Denis Zagorsky
  • Patent number: 8323455
    Abstract: A vent scraping apparatus (10) includes a mount (20) fixably attached a carbonizing machine (14) at an opening (18) in the carbonizing machine. A duct (28) is fixably attached within the mount (20). The duct (28) conducts gas vented from the carbonizing machine. A scraper (24) is movably attached between the mount (20) and the duct (28). The scraper (24) slides between an inner surface (22) of the mount (20) and an outer surface (30) of the duct (28). The scraper (24) includes a leading edge (36) for scraping an inner surface (44) of the carbonizing machine opening (18) as the scraper is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Fred L. Jones, James Kowalczyk
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 8246788
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Teal Sales Incorporated
    Inventors: William B. Teal, Richard J. Gobel, Andrew Johnson
  • Patent number: 8221695
    Abstract: A catalytically activated vacuum distillation system, several novel component parts of said system, a process for producing carbon based products and novel carbon black that is produced from such a system and process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Michael P Maskarinec, Bart M. Taylor
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120103781
    Abstract: A biochar generator to be carried by a vehicle may comprise a pyrolysis chamber, an auger, a heater, and a vapor condenser each connected to the pyrolysis chamber. The biochar generator may also include a synthesis gas collection chamber to collect synthesis gas, and a bio oil collection chamber to collect bio oil, each in communication with the vapor condenser. A biochar collection chamber may be included to collect biochar dispensed from the pyrolysis chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: THOMAS F. SMAIDRIS
  • 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
  • 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: 8105400
    Abstract: A process for treating biomass comprises providing a material that contains an amount of residual moisture. The material is heated to a torrefying temperature in a low-oxygen atmosphere in a torrefaction reactor to convert it into a torrefied material. The material with the contained residual moisture is essentially fully dried in a drying chamber by evaporation of residual moisture. The torrefaction reactor comprises a torrefying chamber, in which the torrefaction of this dried material is essentially carried out. The material is conveyed through the torrefaction reactor. The drying of the material in the drying chamber is carried out by introducing into it a hot drying gas that flows therethrough cocurrently with the material. The torrefaction of the material in the torrefying chamber of the torrefaction reactor is carried out by introducing into it a hot torrefying gas that flows through the torrefying chamber countercurrently with the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Stichting Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Albert Bergman
  • Publication number: 20110247927
    Abstract: A thermal pyrolysis apparatus includes at least one pyrolysis device. The pyrolysis device includes an inlet, an outlet and a pyrolysis chamber. A conveying unit is provided in the pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolysis device has a casing with thermal oil circulated in the casing. An oil gas collecting unit is disposed on top of the casing and interconnected with the pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolysis chamber of the present invention provides a better closed effect, which can be heated evenly and won't be oxidized easily. The present invention can be applied to recycle waste rubbers or waste tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Yeou Liang LIN
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7947155
    Abstract: This invention involves pyrolysis of feedstock by introducing carbonaceous feedstock, into a hopper and moving it into a reactor tube enclosed in an oven, generating heat within the oven that is in part transferred to the feedstock, heating it to sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the feedstock into useful volatiles and char. A Venturi system produces a negative pressure directing volatiles into a pyro-gas oven producing heat necessary for pyrolysis and generating useful excess heat. The extruded pyrolysis char has uses including charcoal fuel, soil amendments, and activated charcoal while liquids can be produced for processing into fuels. Excess heat may be used to heat water, steam, and air, may be used in air heating and cooling systems, perform mechanical work with a Stirling engine or generate electricity on the order of 100 kW and higher. The system may be operated in a carbon neutral or even carbon negative manner, allowing sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Green Liquid and Gas Technologies
    Inventors: Alex E. S. Green, Bruce A. Green
  • Patent number: 7922870
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for waste tyres pyrolysis wherein whole tyres are directly heated in a tunnel type furnace with flue gases from the combustion of pyrolysis gases. The process produces thermal energy, carbon black and mineral oil. The cooled flue gases are purified from sulfur oxides before released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventors: Dimitar Nikolaev Kolev, Radka Borisova Ljutzkanova, Stefan Todorov Abadjiev
  • Patent number: 7893307
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing hydrocarbon materials from a feed composition, the apparatus including a feed port; a viscous shear apparatus; a thermal decomposition assembly including a ribbonchannel reactor which includes an inner heated hollow cylinder; an outer heated hollow cylinder, one of which is rotatable with respect to the other, both heated hollow cylinders providing heat to the feed composition to convert it to a vapor fraction and a solid residue fraction; low height flighting mounted with respect to the inner and outer heated hollow cylinders to move the feed composition through the thermal decomposition assembly; at least one vapor port for removing the vapor fraction; and at least one solids port for removing the solid fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: David G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7846302
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for pyrolyzing solid wastes to recover there-from useful hydrocarbon distillates, carbon black, and other potentially commercially valuable by-products. Pyrolysis and distillation may be performed substantially continuously, rather than by batch processing. The pyrolysis unit including a distillation array featuring two or more parallel, heated, conveyors, arranged in alternative switch-backs, through which a feedstock is moved during pyrolysis. The feedstock moves from conveyor to conveyor, and thus may pass through zones of different temperature to optimize the distillation of various constituents from the feedstock. Friction-reducing components, such as rollers, are situated between adjacent pairs of conveyors so that temperature differentials, and the resulting contract or expansion of system components, are accommodated and associated stresses ameliorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Dana J. Finley
  • 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: 20100288618
    Abstract: Proposed is a pyrolysis reactor for processing solid municipal and domestic wastes by means of a pyrolytic reaction in the pyrolysis chamber without access of oxygen to the reaction system. The reactor is characterized by containing two waste-feeding screws which have tapered shapes, a gap between the outer surfaces of the threads, are inclined in the vertical plane and converge towards each other in a horizontal plane in the direction from the inlet to the outlet end. The gap is adjustable with diminishing toward the outlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Arkady Feerer, Marat Hasbulatovich Kulakov, Denis Zagorsky
  • 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: 20100282590
    Abstract: This invention is about an industrial continuous cracking device of plastics. The technical program of this invention is as following: it includes the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder, and the two sides of the internal cylinder are connected with the outer cylinder; at least one of the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder is set with heating mechanism, and the helical ribbon is fixed in the inside of the outer cylinder wall; the transport mechanism is fixed in the internal cylinder, with its direction contrary to the outer cylinder's the feeding direction. The structures of this invention are simple, and it can reduce the possessive space. Furthermore, when cycling in the cylinder, the solid heat carrier has no heat energy loss, and that can substantially reduce the operation cost of the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20100087554
    Abstract: The inventive method for recovery of tires, mainly waste tires, consists in supplying waste tires to a pyrolysis column, in exposing the tires to the action of variable magnetic field in such a way that they are heated to a temperature of rubber thermal decomposition, in removing volatile products which are formed during the rubber thermal decomposition process, in cooling solid residues of the thermal decomposition products and in removing them from the pyrolysis column, wherein the tires are previously divided into parts which are supplied to the pyrolysis column through a feed port and the tires are inductively heated by means of a magnetic field, the frequency of which ranges from 1 to 1000 kHz. A device for carrying out said method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Abramovich Berezin, Alexander Arkadievich Teplitsky, Artem Valeriyovich Madatov
  • Patent number: 7692050
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the processing of waste and low-value products that contain bone material to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, and with high energy efficiency. In particular, the invention comprises a process that converts various feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, and municipal sewage sludge, to useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids. The process heats the feedstock in order to breakdown proteins and separate organic material from bone material, applies further heat and pressure to the resulting liquid mixture, separates out various components, then further applies heat and pressure to one or more of those components. The invention further comprises an apparatus for performing a process of converting waste products into useful materials, and an oil product that arises from the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: AB-CWT, LLC
    Inventors: Terry N. Adams, Brian S. Appel, Craig Timothy Einfeldt, James H. Freiss
  • Patent number: 7594978
    Abstract: A system for refining hydrocarbon containing materials in a continuous coking mode may provide a pyrolyzer (1) which may be inclined to effect a liquid seal between a liquid conduction environment (6) and a gaseous conduction environment (7). A heat source (9) may heat the material past the coking point and the system may include a screw or auger (10) which can continuously remove the coke while simultaneously outputting refined products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventors: Lee E. Brecher, Lyle A. Johnson, Jr., Vijay K. Sethi
  • Patent number: 7476296
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus for converting an organic liquor into a mixture of hydrocarbons and carbon solids, comprising: a heater for heating the organic liquor, thereby producing a mixture of liquid and vaporized oil; a reactor for converting the mixture of liquid and vaporized oil into carbon solids, and a mixture of hydrocarbons and gases; a first cooler for accepting the carbon solids; and a second cooler for accepting the mixture of hydrocarbons and gases. The apparatus of the present invention finds application in the processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: AB-CWT, LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Appel, William F. Lange
  • 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: 20080149471
    Abstract: A pyrolyzer and method is provided for devolatizing coal and other volatile materials. The pyrolyzer has a pyrolyzer furnace housing having at least two screws laterally positioned adjacent and overlapping rotatably mounted within the furnace for moving volatile material through the pyrolyzer furnace housing. The screws have hollow drive shafts with a diverter inside for converging heated fluid to heat the volatile material moving through the pyrolyzer furnace housing. A combustion chamber combusts fuel to create heated exhaust gas for directing through the hollow drive shafts to heat the volatile material. The pyrolyzer furnace housing may have a double wall with a cavity between, capable of receiving heated fluid for further heating of volatile material moving through the pyrolyzer furnace housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard A. Wolfe