Abstract: Coal is continuously fed into an extruder and reacts therein at elevated pressure and temperature and possibly in the presence of a catalyst with hydrogen and/or hydrogen containing compounds added to the contents of the extruder on at least one spot situated at a distance of at least three times the inner diameter of the extruder in front of the end of the screw. From the reaction product leaving the extruder hydrocarbons which are fluid under normal conditions are separated.Part of these hydrocarbons which are liquid under normal conditions may be recycled to the extruder.

Abstract: A system for discharging a thermal decomposition residue containing carbon residue and steel wire balls, the discharge system including: a discharge mechanism including a double shaft screw conveyer having respective screws thereof supported at one end thereof and located contiguous to a residue outlet of a thermal decomposition unit, a housing hermetically connected to the residue outlet of the thermal decomposition unit and enclosing the double shaft screw conveyer with ample space on the upper side thereof; a first outlet provided in a front bottom portion of the housing for discharging the carbon residue transferred by lower portions of the double shaft conveyer; a second outlet provided at the discharging free end of the double screw conveyer for discharging the steel wire balls transferred by upper portions of the double screw conveyer; a seal provided in said first outlet for shielding the interior of the housing from ambient atmosphere; and a water-sealer including a water bath, a chute connected to t

Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from solid drill cuttings is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable, cylindrical retort vessel having a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, with the vessel heated by an induction heating coil surrounding the vessel and travelling along the length thereof. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a general assembly of a pair of retort vessels each with a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, located generally in the same vertical plane, with the downstream end of the upper vessel being in communication with the upstream end of the lower vessel. A method of removing water from drill cuttings is also disclosed.

Abstract: Pyrolysis reaction apparatus and method are described in which carbonizable waste material is fed into the pyrolysis reaction chamber by an inlet conduit which passes through the wall of a heating furnace surrounding such chamber. As a result, the material is immediately vaporized in the reaction chamber due to the high temperature at the inlet portion of the chamber where the material is introduced. A fluid cooling jacket surrounds the inlet conduit to maintain the temperature within such conduit below the melting temperature of the material being transmitted therethrough in order to prevent clogging of the conduit. The material is fed into the reaction chamber by the inlet conduit along an input feed direction which is laterally offset from the axis of the shaft of an impeller for conveying such material through such chamber and is preferably directed toward the tips of the impeller blades in order to prevent clogging of the impeller.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the drive end of a chamber for the preparation and hydrogenation of coal with hydrogen to form hydrocarbons in which the chamber comprises a hollow cylinder with a rotatable element therein having a conveying web thereon and in a sealing region a pressurized sealing substance such as coal particles mixed with oil is fed from a storage container through a feed passage into an annular recess at a pressure higher than that in the chamber so that the scaling substance passes through a conical annular gap which tapers towards the chamber. A further narrower gap on the drive side of the recess leads to a further annular recess from which the sealing substance can be extracted through a return pipe. Pressure comparison means control the feed pressure in the feed passage. The recesses and the annular gap can be provided by machining the rotatable element rather than the hollow cylinder and forward feed screw forms may be provided on the rotatable element in the sealing region.

Abstract: In plant for hydrogenating coal to form hydrocarbons, wherein coal in powder or piece form is fed from a hopper into a preparation chamber, is compressed, conveyed and heated by a rotor comprising a rotating friction element and passed, through a feed aperture, into a hydrogenation chamber wherein hydrogen is injected into it by nozzles, monitoring and controlling means are provided whereby upon the pressure in the hydrogenation chamber rising above that in the end of the preparation chamber adjacent the hydrogenation chamber, as measured by sensors and gauges, the feed aperture is closed and the rotor is stopped. Preferably the feed aperture is closed by providing a conical portion on the rotor and a conical seat on the cylinder forming the chamber, the rotor normally being held in a position to keep the feed aperture open by an hydraulic cylinder but upon the pressure sensors sensing over pressure in the chamber, the cylinder is vented by control means to close the feed aperture.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are removed from solids such as drill cuttings in apparatus including a rotating cylindrical retort vessel having a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, the auger-type conveyor is eccentrically located at the bottom of the vessel, the vessel is heated by an induction heating coil surrounding the vessel and traveling along the length thereof, and a retention device is inserted at the downstream end of the retort vessel in order to impede the discharge of solids traveling therethrough, to ensure more complete hydrocarbon removal, and the apparatus includes a general assembly of a pair of retort vessels, each with a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, located generally in the same vertical plane, with the downstream end of the upper vessel being in communication with the upstream end of the lower vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an economical system for the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste to recover valuable by-products while reducing the putrefaction and bulk of the residue requiring disposal. Prior to this treatment, the solid waste has been processed to remove most of the metallic components, and shredded, which steps are not part of the invention disclosed. The pyrolysis and by-product recovery technology is complicated by (a) the inherent variability of the chemical and physical characteristics of the shredded solid waste as received at the pyrolysis plant and (b) the relatively low heat value of said waste as thus received.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an economical system for the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste to recover valuable by-products while reducing the putrecibility and bulk of the residue requiring disposal. Prior to this treatment, the solid waste has been processed to remove most of the metallic components, and shredded, which steps are not part of the invention disclosed. The pyrolysis and by-product recovery technology is complicated by (a) the inherent variability of the chemical and physical characteristics of the shredded solid waste as received at the pyrolysis plant and (b) the relatively low heat value of said waste as thus received.

Abstract: An elongated tube is maintained at a temperature of about 1100.degree. F. throughout its length. Organic waste material such as shredded rubber automobile tires or industrial plastic waste or residential trash which preferably has metal and inorganic matter removed therefrom, is moved through the tube at a uniform rate of speed in the absence of air and/or oxygen, with the material being churned or tumbled as by means of a screw conveyor. The vapors and gases which are produced and/or liberated within the tube are quickly removed therefrom by means of a vacuum of from about four inches to about six inches of mercury, with the vapors being condensed and the gases separated therefrom. The char or residue which is a black, powdery, carbon-type material is also recovered.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an economical system for the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste to recover valuable by-products while reducing the putrecibility and bulk of the residue requiring disposal. Prior to this treatment, the solid waste has been processed to remove most of the metallic components, and shredded, which steps are not part of the invention disclosed. The pyrolysis and by-product recovery technology is complicated by (a) the inherent variability of the chemical and physical characteristics of the shredded solid waste as received at the pyrolysis plant and (b) the relatively low heat value of said waste as thus received.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for converting a substance containing organic matter into hydrocarbon vapors and solids residue by feeding the substance into the upstream portion of a substantially cylindrical retort having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, substantially conveying the substance through the retort toward the downstream portion thereof, heating the retort by means of a fluidized bed of heated particles to a sufficient temperature to convert the substance into hydrocarbon vapors and solids residue and removing the hydrocarbon vapors and solids residue from the retort.

Abstract: A process comprising heating coal in a substantially air-free environment to liberate volatile materials and produce coke, condensing at least some of the volatile materials so liberated to liquefied products and dispersing the coke therein to form a coke slurry, feeding the coke slurry to a slurry pipeline, and pumping the coke slurry through the pipeline to a destination.Apparatus comprising a tube furnace having an external heating means for indirectly heating powdered coal therein in a substantially air-free environment to a temperature adequate to liberate volatile materials and produce coke, means to feed powdered coal to the furnace under pressure and force the volatile materials and coke produced in the furnace through the furnace to a condensing means in which at least some of the volatile materials are condensed with the coke dispersed therein to form a coke slurry, and means to convey the coke slurry from the condensing means to a pipeline for transport to a destination.

Abstract: A coal pump is provided in which solid coal is heated in the barrel of an extruder under pressure to a temperature at which the coal assumes plastic properties. The coal is continuously extruded, without static zones, using, for example, screw extrusion preferably without venting through a reduced diameter die to form a dispersed spray. As a result, the dispersed coal may be continuously injected into vessels or combustors at any pressure up to the maximum pressure developed in the extrusion device. The coal may be premixed with other materials such as desulfurization aids or reducible metal ores so that reactions occur, during or after conversion to its plastic state. Alternatively, the coal may be processed and caused to react after extrusion, through the die, with, for example, liquid oxidizers, whereby a coal reactor is provided. Alternative utilization of the device may be to secure continuous pyrolysis of the coal or to feed the extruded coal into furnaces operating at pressures near ambient.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for material processing, in particular for producing gas from carbon-containing material, are disclosed. Feed material comprising particulate material is continuously formed into briquettes and is simultaneously introduced into a processing compartment. The feed material is formed into briquettes by one or more pressure wheels forcing the material through channels in a die.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a continuous thermal treatment of organic carbonaceous materials under controlled pressure in which the feed material is introduced into the system in the form of a slurry, and the level of liquid is maintained at a preselected operating level, serving as a gas-tight seal. The feed material is conveyed upwardly of the liquid operating level and is thereafter introduced into a reaction chamber in which it is heated to within a controlled elevated temperature range under controlled pressure in a manner to effect vaporization of at least a portion of the volatile substances therein, forming a gaseous phase composed of condensible and noncondensible vapors.

Abstract: Apparatus for the gasification under pressure of bituminous coal, especially fine coal, comprising a generator which has a container to receive the coal to be gasified and a feed device which supplies the coal to the container, while keeping the container closed off so as to maintain the pressure in the generator. The feed device includes a briquette forming device located on the container, and a continuously operable screw conveyor which feeds the coal to be gasified through the briquette forming device and directly into the container in the form of briquettes. The feed device is encapsulated and, together with the fine coal and briquettes within it, forms a gas tight closure for the container to maintain the pressure therein.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods for converting a supply of solid, naturally occurring coal and like hydrocarbon material to a plastic-like condition solely by the application of heat, and without employing any extraneous additives, and conducting the plastic-like conditioned material to a pressurized receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously pyrolyzing, vaporizing or gasifying a particulated carbonaceous feed material in which preheated heat-containing bodies or pebbles are admixed with the feed material in a stratified manner to form a downwardly moving columnar reaction mass, with a remaining portion of the pebbles substantially devoid of any feed material disposed in a surrounding layer relative to the reaction mass. Gas is continuously passed transversely through the reaction mass and surrounding layer in a manner to sweep the gaseous pyrolysis reaction products out of the reaction chamber and wherein the layers of pebbles surrounding the reaction mass serve to effect a deposition of carbonaceous residue preventing encrustation and fouling of the reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus and the method of converting organic material such as that separated from municipal and industrial waste into useful products by using a form of an extruder in a continuous destructive distillation process and in which the material being processes is compressed in the extruder in the absence of air and is heated to carefully controlled temperatures in separate zones to extract different products from each of the zones.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for recovering oil products from oil shale and like materials, controlled amounts of raw oil shale are delivered into an upper inlet of a downwardly sloping retort chamber that is constructed as readily portable. The raw oil shale is first moved in a direction countercurrent to gravity flow and crushed in the retort chamber by means of a rotating member that also serves to retain the oil shale in the retort chamber until a satisfactory recovery is completed. The crushed oil shale is confined to a relatively thin, downwardly moving layer in contact with a heated, inner, annular wall surface and moves by gravity flow between the inlet and a lower outlet to produce oil product vapors that rise to an upper portion of the retort chamber. The moving layer of the oil shale becomes spent as it passes through the retort chamber and finally is selectively discharged through the lower outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the pyrolysis of waste material such as old tyres in which cuttings of the waste material are fed to a reactor vessel and heated under sub-atmospheric pressure by an outside heat source, the decomposition products being given off mainly in the form of gases. Some of the gas is burnt to provide the heat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for reducing the particulate content in a gaseous stream containing entrained particulate matter and condensable hydrocarbons wherein said stream is obtained from the retorting of hydrocarbon-containing solids, particularly from retorted shale. A gaseous effluent containing condensable hydrocarbons and entrained solid particulate matter is produced during the retorting of hydrocarbon-containing solids and is discharged from a retorting vessel through a conduit containing a rotating elongate spiral-shaped element on which a portion of the particulate matter and condensable hydrocarbons form a semi-solid mass. The rotating spiral collects and conveys the semi-solid mass back into the retorting vessel for further processing thereby reducing the solid particulate content of the condensable hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pyrolysis of waste products such as polymeric and/or inorganic waste products comprising a reactor vessel and in which fluid or paste-like waste materials may be pyrolised by tilting the reactor vessel upwardly from its entrance end to its delivery end. Paddle blades are provided for driving the waste products therethrough which are mounted so that their angle of attack is variable.

Abstract: Apparatus for the gasification under pressure of bituminous coal, especially fine coal, comprising a generator which has a container to receive the coal to be gasified and a feed device which supplies the coal to the container, while keeping the container closed off so as to maintain the pressure in the generator. The feed device includes a device for agglomerating the coal to be gasified located on the container, and a continuously operable screw conveyor which feeds the coal to be gasified to the agglomerating device which delivers the formed agglomerates, in a green condition, into the container. The feed device is encapsulated and, together with the fine coal and agglomerates within it, forms a gas tight closure for the container to maintain the pressure therein.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for feeding scrap tires into a reactor for the recovery of carbonaceous raw materials. The process comprises suspending the tires in a melt chamber having hot gases flowing therethrough at between 250.degree. F and 600.degree. F, allowing the hot gases to flow past the tires, melting the carbonaceous material therein, the melted material being fed into a reactor tube which converts the material to carbonaceous raw materials. The non-meltable portions of the scrap tires, such as metal beads or belted reinforcement, are separated in the melt chamber from the melted scrap tires.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing coal and like material, wherein the material is converted by heat into plastic-like condition and then supplied to a pressurized receiver such as a coal gasification reactor or a synthesis gas generator.