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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A wood gasification apparatus in which cellulosic material is transported by an auger through a housing and heated to vaporize at least a portion of the cellulosic material by frictional heating. The auger and housing define a spiral void through which the cellulosic material is propelled from the inlet to the outlet, and which continually decreases in volume from the inlet to the outlet. The ever decreasing volume of the void increases the pressure on the cellulosic material and maximizes the frictional heating until the material reaches a vaporization temperature.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from plastic material provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste plastic materials. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a waste product and producing a synthesis gas is provided. The system includes a sealed, heated rotatable drum for preheating and preparing the waste material suitable for a plasma reactor, and processing the material in the reactor. The synthesis gas created by the reactor is used to preheat the waste material by circulating the hot synthesis gas around the drum. In an alternative embodiment, the hot synthesis gas flows through the drum to preheat the waste material and to clean the synthesis gas. Different methods of cooling and cleaning the synthesis gas are used. The system may comprise two plasma reactors in combination with a rotating desorber drum.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method for producing clean energy from coal by feeding the coal in a reactor which is sealed to the atmosphere and moving the coal in the reactor while injecting oxygen to combust a portion of the coal in a substoichiometric mode to devolatilize the coal and yield a pressurized hydrogen rich raw gas which contains coal-derived cancer causing distillates and hydrocarbons together with a hot char. The distillates and the hydrocarbons are cracked to result in a cracked gas of essentially 2H2 and 1CO which after desulfurization becomes an ideal synthesis gas that can be synthesized to a liquid fuel for heating and transportation as an alternate to petroleum. The hot char is gasified in an air blown gasifier to produce a fuel gas and a molten slag which are jointly directed out of the gasifier through a common port which is maintained open for the free flow of both.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to unique and advantageous systems for gasifying and/or liquefying biomass. The systems of the subject invention utilize a unique design whereby heat from a combustion chamber is used to directly gasify or liquefy biomass. In a preferred embodiment, the biomass is moved through a reactor tube in which all the gasification and/or liquefaction takes place. Preferably, char exits the biomass reactor tube and enters the combustion chamber where the char serves as fuel for combustion. The combustion chamber partially surrounds the reactor tube and is in direct thermal contact with the reactor tube such that heat from the combustion chamber passes through the reactor wall and directly heats the biomass within the reactor tube.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from waste material provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste plastic materials and waste materials such as oil contaminated materials and soils. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from contaminated soil provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste materials such as oil contaminated materials and soils. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.

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: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials. In particular, the invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials in virtue of pyrolysis and catalytic cracking.

Abstract: An apparatus removes water and organic compounds from waste streams such as contaminated soils and refinery tailings by a combination of thermal stripping and molecular decomposition. The apparatus includes at least one unit having a pipe which is preferably heated by induction heating and also having a transport arrangement. The transport arrangement includes a suitable motor and operates to move the waste stream material through the pipe and mix the material to provide uniform heat transfer from the heated pipe. The transport arrangement preferably includes an adjustment mechanism which allows adjustment of the rate at which material moves through the pipe for a given motor speed. The adjustment mechanism also adjusts the mixing provided by the transport arrangement. Several of the treatment units according to the invention may be connected in series to form a multistage device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in removing at least one volatile contaminant from contaminated material by using a rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. The apparatus employs, in another preferred embodiment, at least one material transfer element. Furthermore, the contaminated material may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the decontaminated material can be cooled through a heat exchanger prior to discharge.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition apparatus for decomposing polymer waste is provided which is simple in structure, small in size and inexpensive, and also the operating cost thereof is low.A feed pipe 18 and an inclined pipe 23 are connected in the form of the letter V at a large angle therebetween, and a feed screw 19 and an feed-up screw 25 are arranged inside the respective pipes. Polymer waste introduced into a hopper 17 is melted in the interior of the feed pipe 18 by heat from a first hot air furnace 10 and accumulated in the V-shaped portion. The polymer melt is then conveyed upward by the feed-up screw 25. In the process of conveyance, the polymer melt undergoes primary decomposition by means of heat from a second hot air furnace 11 and the cracked gas thus generated undergoes secondary decomposition by the heat from a third hot air furnace 12, the resultant gas being guided to a condenser 7. Sludge drops down through a chute pipe 35 into a water tank 36.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in continuously loading material to be treated into a rotary vacuum retort and continuously unloading one or more vapors or similar volatile substances and treated material out of the rotary vacuum retort during high temperature and high vacuum processing. The loading and unloading are performed in a manner that minimizes the introduction of low boiling point gases. The apparatus employs, in one preferred embodiment, elastomeric pinch valve airlocks to isolate the entire system between the airlocks and a vacuum generator. Furthermore, the material being treated may be dried in a dryer prior to introduction into the retort. Moreover, the processed material can be cooled through a heat exchanger to permit the use of a low temperature pinch valve airlock on the discharge end of the process.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to unique and advantageous systems for gasifying and/or liquefying biomass. The systems of the subject invention utilize a unique design whereby heat from a combustion chamber is used to directly gasify or liquefy biomass. In a preferred embodiment, the biomass is moved through a reactor tube in which all the gasification and/or liquefaction takes place. Preferably, char exits the biomass reactor tube and enters the combustion chamber where the char serves as fuel for combustion. The combustion chamber partially surrounds the reactor tube and is in direct thermal contact with the reactor tube such that heat from the combustion chamber passes through the reactor wall and directly heats the biomass within the reactor tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of a pyrolizer are disclosed in which carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed in a two stage process. In the first stage the materials are moved through a pretreater using augers and are heated to between 180 and 220 degrees C. In the second stage the materials are moved through a pyrolysis reactor using augers and are heated to between 500 and 1,100 degrees C.

Abstract: A recycling apparatus for obtaining oil from waste plastic by thermal decomposition has a thermal decomposition tank 2 comprising a tank proper 3. The inside of the tank proper 3 is divided by a partition 7 into a thermal decomposition chamber at its front and a melting chamber at its rear, with a communicating space to connect the thermal decomposition and melting chambers and provided below the partition. Heating pipes are disposed in the tank proper so that hot air travels from the thermal decomposition chamber through the communicating spaces to the melting chamber. This arrangement permits keeping the thermal decomposition chamber, communicating spaces and melting chamber at temperatures suited for thermal decomposition and melting, thereby realizing design simplification and size reduction, permitting substantial cost savings and ease of maintenance, and increasing productivity and economy.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of organic sludges, the process comprising the steps of:(a) feeding dried sludge through a first reactor (16);(b) heating the dried sludge in the first reactor (16) in the absence of oxygen for the volatilization of oil producing organic materials therein, resulting in gaseous products and sludge residue (char);(c) condensing oil from the gaseous products of the first reactor (16) in a condenser system (20);(d) reinjecting water free oil and/or non-condensable products, if any, into a second reactor (24);(e) transferring the sludge residue (char) from the first reactor (16) to the second reactor (24);(f) contacting the heated sludge residue from step (b) in the second reactor (24) with the oil and/or any non-condensable products of steps (c) and (d) in the absence of oxygen to allow the generation of clean products and a high quality oil product; and(g) removing the gaseous products from the second reactor (24).

Abstract: A technique of preparing oil from waste plastics, especially the one to which a mechanism of an extrusion molding machine is applied, is provided wherein an effective control of a decomposition process is conducted in order to effectively prevent the generation of carbon and to efficiently obtain recovered products having a desired composition. For this purpose, reactors 1a, 1b, and 1c having built in carrying means 3a, 3b, and 3c, respectively are used as connected in stages, in which reactors waste plastics are heated and decomposed into oil as carried. One or a series of reactors are used as a unit to form a melting zone and a decomposing zone in the carrying direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the separation and chemical and physical alteration of organic solid material in which the materials are placed in a sealed rotating drum and exposed to hot products of combustion produced by a flame in the drum. The temperature, oxygen content, material flow rate and dwell time within the drum are controlled so that a substantial portion of the organic molecules is cracked and reformed. Many of these cracked molecules revert to a gas or liquid, and the gas, liquid, and remaining solids from the initial material are separately collected and processed further. The inside of the drum is kept clean by recirculating carriers. The drum wall is cooled by exposure to the ambient temperature and selectively insulating the inside of the drum. The flame is produced with a stoichiometric mixture of oxygen and fuel to produce a temperature to avoid combustion of the solid material.

Abstract: A pyrolysis gasifier includes a first auger (26) which moves carbon from a carbon collection tank (24) through an air lock valve (30) to a carbon holding tank (28) The gasifier includes an inner cylindrical sleeve (80) which is configured such that there is a small air gap between it and an interior wall of the gasifier (16). The air lock valve (30) includes an inlet member (96) which connects the housing to a connecting tube from the first auger (26). A plate (100) within the housing is mounted such that in a closed position, the plate is sealingly positioned against a lower edge of the inlet member (96), while in an open position, the plate is away from the inlet member, permitting carbon to move into the carbon holding tank. A fuel spreader apparatus 53 is positioned at the top portion of the gasifier. It includes a stirring rod (44) and two opposed fuel paddle assemblies (67, 69) at the lower end thereof to spread the fuel over the cross-sectional area of the gasifier.

Abstract: A purge chamber for purging oxygen from interlocking, solid material, such as shredded tire pieces, prior to further processing of the material in a liquefaction apparatus. The purge chamber includes a chamber for holding interlocking, solid material An entrance port is connected to the chamber for passing the interlocking, solid material into the chamber. A purge device communicates with the chamber for providing a purging gas to the chamber. An exit port of the chamber passes the interlocking, solid material from the chamber. An auger screw mounted in the chamber, when rotated, moves the interlocking, solid material from within the chamber into the exit port.

Abstract: A discharge system is used with a tire liquefaction process using a reactor. The system includes a receiver receiving unreacted components, including oil coated metal from the reactor. The unreacted components are moved through a pyrolysis reactor where they are heated to a temperature sufficient to convert the unreacted hydrocarbon components to a liquid and to a gas by way of pyrolysis. The liquid and the majority of gas are drawn off from the pyrolysis reactor. Discharge apparatus connected to the pyrolysis reactor converts the remaining gas to a condensate and discharges the metal. The condensate is also removed for further use.

Abstract: Apparatus for the thermal conversion of solids containing hydrocarbons. In one embodiment for solids which can be converted entirely to vapour, pieces of the solids are continually fed into a molten lead bath in an oxygen free atmosphere in an elongated conversion chamber. An auger partially immersed in the lead bath carries the floating pieces along in the molten lead bath until they are gradually converted to hydrocarbon vapour which rises upwardly to a condenser. In another embodiment for solids which can be converted to a vapour, particulate matter and residual solids, the lead bath extends further into a separation chamber with an inclined retaining skirt extending between the conversion chamber and the separation chamber, The auger forces the particulate matter and residual solids remaining after vaporization down under the inclined skirt, but the hydrocarbon vapour is prevented from escaping into the separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the separation and extraction of a waste material into a solid, a liquid, and a gas phase utilizing a rotating drum that is sealed from the atmosphere. The exterior of the drum is heated and the waste material flows through the interior of the drum where the liquid components are vaporized and the solids are dried. The drum includes a oxidizing section where the hot dried solids, after the majority of the liquids have been vaporized, are mixed with gas containing oxygen for oxidizing the remaining particles of oxidizable material in the solids. Hot exhaust gases flow through the interior of the drum in a counter current direction of the flow of the solids to maintain an inert atmosphere in the heating section where the vaporization takes place and to prevent the condensables from flowing back over the solids and condensing. The vapors flow through a chamber that contains a hot oil spray for removing solids from the vapors, and then flow to a condenser.

Abstract: A discharge system is used with a tire liquefaction process using a reactor. The system includes a receiver receiving unreacted components, including oil coated metal, from the reactor. The unreacted components are moved through a pyrolysis reactor where they are heated to a temperature sufficient to convert the unreacted hydrocarbon components to a liquid and to gas by way of pyrolysis. The liquid and the majority of gas are drawn off from the pyrolysis reactor. Discharge apparatus connected to the pyrolysis reactor converts the remaining gas to a condensate and discharges the metal. The condensate is also removed for further use.

Abstract: A thermal conversion pyrolysis reactor system (10) is provided for use in providing a continuous flow type pyrolysis reaction for conversion of carbonizable input materials ("MW") (12). The reactor system (10) utilizes a diffusion material ("MD") (14) which is preheated and admixed with the MD (12) in order to facilitate pyrolysis and to partially catalyze reactions. Subsystems are provided to receive gaseous (30), liquid (32) and solid (32) phase outputs. The reactor system (10) includes further component subsystems for waste material MW input (22), MD input (26), reactor chamber (24), and heating (28). The MD (14) is preheated by being carried through the reactor chamber (64) prior to admixing with the MW (12) and further by exhaust gases (94) from the furnace space (88) being directed through a heat exchanger (126).

Abstract: A heat exchanger including one or more rotating drums with a freely rotating helix inside the drum to move material to be heated or cooled longitudinally through the drum, as well as to help clean the surface of the drum, together with carriers to assist in heat transfer and cleaning of the drum surface, and scoops to recycle the carriers through an inner coaxial drum. The drum has a sealed inlet and outlet disposed so that the seals are not exposed to excessive temperatures. Cooling chambers are coaxially mounted on each end of the rotating drums for cooling and condensing vapors and cooling solid particles treated in the drum. An inner drum conveys the carriers back to the starting point by means of a freely rotating helix.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting coal into useful motor fuels and metallurgical coke using a self-cleaning coal pyrolyzer wherein coal is heated in the absence of air at temperatures greater than 800.degree. F. to remove volatile hydrocarbon gases therefrom. Char remaining after such pyrolyzation is cooled and pulverized and mixed with selected binders at temperatures ranging from 125.degree. to 200.degree. F. to form briquettes. The briquettes are calcined at temperatures ranging from 1800.degree. to 2000.degree. F. to form metallurgical coke. The gaseous hydrocarbons are separated into liquid coal fuels, non-condensable gases and water vapor. The liquid coal fuels are further separated into various motor fuels while the non-condensable gases are used to fuel the coal pyrolyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for economically recovering char, oil and fuel gas from vehicle tires is disclosed, for either whole tires or physically fragmented tires. The tires may be washed to remove dirt and road film. The tires are dried and preheated with super-heat steam. The hot tires are pyrolyzed to partially devolatize a major portion of the hydrocarbons and produce a char that can be separated from the steel and fiber glass. The char may be subsequently pyrolyzed with microwaves that elevate the tire temperature and devolatize the remaining hydrocarbons from the char as gas. The hot gases are cooled and partially condensed. The uncondensed gas is used as fuel. The condensed oil is sent to storage. The solid residue from the tire pyrolysis is substantially char, fiberglass and steel. The char is mechanically separated from the glass and steel. Alternately, the char and the glass and steel are separated by dumping the hot mixture into a water quench tank. The mixture is cooled.

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 relates to an apparatus for converting sewage-sludge filter cakes into oil, gas and coke by pyrolysis. The apparatus has two dewatering stages--a preliminary evaporating stage and a residual evaporating stage, a conversion stage and a cooling stage. Each of the evaporating, converting and cooling stages are constructed with at least one module. Each module has a housing divided by walls into a transfer chamber at one end and a second chamber at the other end. The second chamber is divided between a feed chamber and a delivery chamber. Between the transfer chamber and the second chamber is a heat transfer chamber. In the heat transfer chamber there are a plurality of first tubes connecting the feed chamber to the transfer chamber and a plurality of second tubes connecting the transfer chamber to the delivery chamber.

Abstract: A high efficiency gasifier employs a rotary kiln having an indirect fired gasifier and a recycle system. The rotary kiln provides an essentially oxygen-free gasifying chamber into which raw feed material is introduced. Radiant tubes within the chamber transfer heat to the incoming raw feed material to pyrolyze it and convert it to char and product gas as the material advances toward the outlet end. The recycle system within the chamber returns both product gas and hot char to a receiving end of the kiln to aid in heat transfer to the raw feed material. The feed is thus heated more rapidly, and less heat input is required. Efficiency is further aided by providing additional residence time and gasification of the char.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the separation and extraction of a waste material into a solid, a liquid, and a gas phase utilizing a rotating drum that is heated by a fluid medium circulating over the exterior surface of the drum in a chamber. The interior of the drum is sealed from the atmosphere and from the chamber. The waste material flows to the interior of the drum where the liquid components are vaporized and the solids are dried. The drum vapor effluent is cooled and the condensable components are condensed and separated. The noncondensable components are used as fuel for heating the heating medium. The dry solids flow from the retort to disposal facilities.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of sludge including a heated continuous tubular member having a continuous conveyor extending therethrough and defining along its length in succession a heating zone, a connecting zone and a reaction zone. The connecting zone conveys solid products from the heating zone to the reaction zone without substantial passage of gaseous material therethrough, and a duct means separate from the tubular member connects the heating zone and the reaction zone for the passage of gaseous products from the heating zone to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in processing waste materials of various kinds and for reclaiming useable by-product materials from the pyrolized waste materials. The waste materials to be pyrolized are efficiently dehydrated prior to their introduction into the pyrolysis retort using microwaves generated by a large microwave generator. After the waste material is dried, initial ignition is accomplished using a very high intensity laser beam. Laser ignition is continued until sufficient methane and other volatile gases are produced for burning in a burner unit to sustain the pyrolysis reaction.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved extractor (10) for removing a liquid from a solid carrier medium in which the liquid is entrained. The extraction process is accomplished by utilizing both percolation and immersion removal methods. The extractor (10) includes a plurality of pools (12, 12') through which the solid entraining the liquid therein is moved in a direction counter-flow to that in which a solvent passes through the extractor (10). Percolation removal is effected at the overflow (48, 48') of each pool (12, 12') as solvent washes through the solids being processed. Immersion is effected at the lower end of a sloped floor (22, 22') of each pool (12, 12') where the solids are soaked in the solvent. A final percolation bath (14) can be provided as a last stage of the extractor (10).

Abstract: Pyrolytic apparatus for the rapid and efficient thermal dissociation of matter is disclosed. The apparatus includes a concentric tubular arrangement of high thermal conductivity in a heat sink configuration; inlet members for heat and feedstock; outlet members for solids, gases and heat exhaust; and a plurality of annular passages through which heat is brought into heat transfer relationship with an interior pyrolytic retort section for the dissociation of matter conveyed therein into solid, liquid and gaseous by-products. Provisions are made for the separate liberation of steam produced by the simultaneous interfacing of superheated steam and product gas during pyrolytic decomposition of high moisture content feedstocks. Additional hydrocarbons from the product gas evoluted in the pyrolytic retort section are provided by diversion of the gas to an annulus flanked on either side by adjacent annuli conveying the heat source supply to exit.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for the thermal decomposition or pyrolysis of shredded vehicle tires. Interially of a pyrolysis chamber is mounted a hollow shaft which carries on at least a portion of its outer surface, a conveyor flight and a plurality of partial flights which compact, mix and stir the rubber shreds during the decomposing cycle. Undecomposed rubber, fiberglass, carbon and metal products are collected at the end of the decomposition chamber and the gaseous products of decomposition are separately collected and sent through a fractionator. Externally of the decomposition chamber is a screen type magnetic separator which removes the magnetic susceptible metal particles and the carbon passes through the rotating cylindrical screen. Undecomposed rubber, fiberglass and the like are removed from the screen and separately treated.

Abstract: A tilted, fixed kiln with rotory steam gasifier having a fixed elongated, pressurizable kiln body member with an input end and an output end and with the center axis supported at an angle to the horizontal so as to bring into effect gravitational forces acting on high moisture content biomass material fed into the input end and travelling through the kiln to the output end and having in the kiln body an axially extending rotor and a motor, radially spaced-apart scoop-like blade elements extending along the axial length of the kiln for tumbling the material, means for increasing the temperature from its input to its output end, spaced-apart blades and chains disposed in the rotor kiln cavities for stirring the biomass material as it travels through the kiln to prevent agglomeration, a plurality of parallel, axially extending hot gas counter-flow feedback pipes arranged around the kiln body and along the backsides of the scoop-like blade elements, a metering auger mounted vertically to the input end of the kiln

Abstract: A method for low temperature carbonization of coal hydrogenation residues, wherein a coal hydrogenation residue is subjected to a reduced pressure distillation in a one-shaft or multishaft screw extruder, liberated gases and vapors are drawn off, and non-volatilized remaining material is subjected to low temperature carbonization in a screw extruder.

Abstract: A pyrolysis unit in which feed materials containing cellulose or oil are subjected to destructive heating to drive off gases and liquid vapors while leaving solid residue in the form of nearly pure carbon. The feed materials are conveyed in succession through horizontal reaction cylinders located at different elevations. Heat is applied by the burning of solid fuel in a firebox of the unit and also by injecting into each cylinder the process gas driven off in the immediately succeeding cylinder. A feeder which delivers both the fuel and feed materials includes drying zones in which combustion gases are directed through the fuel and feed materials to preheat and dry them and to filter the combustion gases.

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

Abstract: This invention is directed to a continuous still and a continuous process for separating a volatile organic material from a fibrous material of plant origin. The fibrous material of plant origin is simultaneously agitated and steam is introduced to heat the fibrous material. The volatile organic material is vaporized to form a vaporous mixture of the volatile organic material and steam. This vaporous mixture can be condensed to a liquid mixture of the liquid organic material and water. Then, the liquid organic material and the water can be separated. An example of fibrous material of plant origin is mint hay. The liquid organic material is mint oil.