Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of producing activated carbon material in a reactor from carbonised material using at least in part the flue gas from another reactor pyrolytically producing the carbonised material from a feed material.

Abstract: This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into highcarbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is disclosed for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.

Abstract: The inventions are related to industrial processing of combustible carbon- and hydrocarbon products. A method of processing combustible carbon- and hydrocarbon products is implemented using a reactor equipped with temperature sensors. The reactors comprise the phases of heating the charge (13), pyrolysis of combustible components and coking (12), combustion (11), and formation of a solid residue (4). At the phases of heating the charge (13) and coking and pyrolysis (12), an aerosol (i.e. dust particles and condensed liquid droplets carried away from the combustion zone (11) sorption zone (21) is formed by flushing the upper part of the charge by liquid hydrocarbonaceous products through the dispenser (22) and/or by adding to the batch the solid hydrocarbonaceous products having a softening point above 60° C. and the end boiling point above 300° C.

Abstract: An improved rapid thermal conversion process for efficiently converting wood, other biomass materials, and other carbonaceous feedstock (including hydrocarbons) into high yields of valuable liquid product, e.g., bio-oil, on a large scale production, is disclosed. In the process, biomass material, e.g., wood, is fed to a conversion system where the biomass material is mixed with an upward stream of hot heat carriers, e.g., sand, that thermally convert the biomass into a hot vapor stream. The hot vapor stream is rapidly quenched with quench media in one or more condensing chambers located downstream of the conversion system. The rapid quenching condenses the vapor stream into liquid product, which is collected from the condensing chambers as a valuable liquid product.

Abstract: A process and system for the conversion of biomass under high severity in the presence of a catalyst to produce a bio-oil, olefins, methane, and carbon monoxide (CO). The methane and/or CO can be used to generate hydrogen and the generated hydrogen can be used for hydrotreating the bio-oil. Additionally, or alternatively, a syngas stream, a carbon dioxide-rich stream, and/or a methane-rich stream can be recovered for use in the bio-oil production process and/or for use in a conventional petroleum refinery and/or petrochemical plant.

Abstract: A carbonaceous feed pyrolysis apparatus is provided including two or more hot particle fluidised beds, and one or more positive displacement apparatus for the transfer of hot particles between two or more of the beds, wherein one or more of the fluidised beds contains a combustion zone. A bio-oil production process is also provided, including pyrolysis of a carbonaceous bio-mass using two or more fluidized beds, including a first combustion zone carried out in one or more combustion fluidized beds in which a particulate material is fluidized and heated, and a second pyrolysis zone carried out in one or more pyrolysis fluidized beds in which the hot particles heated in the combustion zone are used for pyrolysis of the bio-mass.

Abstract: A fluidized bed coking reactor apparatus comprises a reaction vessel; a temperature sensor inside the reaction vessel for measuring a reactor temperature, a solids feed mechanism for feeding solid particles into the reactor vessel at a mass flow rate, a feed material feed mechanism for feeding feed material into the reactor at an operating feed rate; and a supervisory controller programmed to determine an upper feed material feed rate of the reactor when operating at the reactor temperature and receiving solid particles at the mass flow rate.

Abstract: A system for regenerating or manufacturing activated carbon wherein exhaust gases and vapors for various lower sections of the furnace are recycled in up-flow fashion to higher sections of the furnace.

Abstract: A center feed system for use within a delayed coking system, or any other similar system is described. The center feed system features an inlet sleeve which slidably engages a retractable nozzle, with inlet and outlet, in fluid connection with a feed source of residual byproduct, allowing residual byproduct to flow from the feed source into the interior of a vessel, thus effectuating or inducing even thermal distribution throughout the vessel.

Abstract: A vertically situated incinerator for receiving heated kiln off gases from a petroleum coke calcining process and incinerating volatile matter and carbon fines entrained in the gases. The incinerator also functions as a hot stack through which the gases are vented to atmosphere at times when any downstream equipment for receiving the gases are off line.

Abstract: An improved, fouling-resistant configuration for the stripper sheds of fluid coking units comprises an inverted, open-bottomed channel with apertures spaced along the length of the channel and spaced from the apex of the channel. Preferably, the channels are of an inverted-V configuration with a downwardly extending lip provided on each side of the channel, extending from the bottom edge of each side of the channel. The stripper sheds may be positioned parallel to one another in the stripper section of the reactor vessel or, alternatively, the sheds in different tiers in the stripper section may be disposed so that the longitudinal axes of the sheds are rotated angularly relative to the sheds in other rows.

Abstract: An integrated combustion chamber and fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor. In one embodiment, the combustion chamber is cylindrical and the pyrolysis reactor is provided annularly about the combustion chamber with an annular wall that provides a common surface for heat transfer. A lift tube in fluid communication with the pyrolysis reactor is provided within the combustion chamber for circulating biomass and an inert fluidizable media upwardly through the lift tube; this advantageously increases heat transfer and leads to more rapid pyrolysis. The media and biomass exit the lift tube into either a freeboard area of the pyrolysis reactor or into a low density region of the fluidized bed. A condensable gaseous product is produced during pyrolysis that has economic value. The apparatus and process are especially well suited to the pyrolysis of low density agricultural biomass. The apparatus is compact and particularly well suited to mobile operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pyrolysis of solid waste material includes a thermal reactor including an elongate hollow housing with a reaction chamber disposed within the housing. The thermal reactor is vertically oriented in order to cause solid waste material fed thereinto to pass through said reaction chamber by the force of gravity and a plurality of vanes are disposed for both conducting heat into said reactor chamber and for tumbling said solid waste material as said solid waste material passes through said reaction chamber. Inlets and outlets are provided for passing oxygen transversely through the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Organic matter, i.e., biomass, fibrous plant matter, organic chemicals or organic waste, or other carbon-based matter is converted to synthesis fuel gas by reactive contact with superheated steam at a temperature of about 200 to 2000 degrees C., typically 500 to 1700 degrees. A reactor has a generally tubular envelope, a rotor within the envelope, and hot reaction spaces disposed annularly within the wall of the tubular envelope. The steam and biomass particles can be heated to the required temperatures by RF induction. The product gases include H2, CO, and CO2 in ratios controlled by a programmable controller. Control of temperature, biomass feed rate and water flow preselects the output synthesis gas mix. The synthesis gas may be processed into portable liquid fuels, or can be used directly in a fuel cell.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a new method and apparatus for the fast pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials involving rapid mixing, high heat transfer rates, precisely controlled short uniform residence times and rapid primary product quench in an upflow, entrained-bed, transport reactor with heat carrier solids recirculation. A carbonaceous feedstock, a non-oxidative transport gas and inorganic particulate heat supplying material are rapidly mixed in a reactor base section, then transported upward through an entrained-bed tubular reactor. A cyclonic hot solids recirculation system separates the solids from the non-condensible gases and primary product vapors and returns them to the mixer. Product vapors are rapidly quenched to provide maximum yields of liquids, petrochemicals, high value gases and selected valuable chemicals.

Abstract: A two stage carbonizer places as much heat as possible into the gas streams entering the carbonizer to drive off volatile matter and reduce tars and oils by thermal cracking which is enhanced by the addition of sorbent. The carbonizer operates as a fluidized bed with a combustor providing flue gas as one fluidizing medium and preheated air as the other. This allows the coal to be devolatilized and the tars and oils to be thermally cracked due to the direct contact with the coal and hot flue gas. The device is designed to operate at high pressures from about 12-20 atmospheres.

Abstract: The reactor forms a chamber which contains the reaction process. There are accesses to the chamber for receiving shredded tires and oil. There are egresses from the chamber for discharging the tire oil and for discharging unreacted elements. Apparatus is located within the chamber which separates the unreacted components of the shredded tires from the tire oil. The apparatus also provides for the removal of the unreacted elements from the chamber means. The reactor also includes a heater which heats the inside of the chamber to a temperature sufficient to cause a reaction between the shredded tires and the oil.

Abstract: Waste plastics are heated so as to be thermally decomposed and produce a vapor product containing oil and gas components. The vapor product is brought into contact with a solid acid catalyst containing a hydrochloric acid as a decomposing activator to be cracked so as to recover a low boiling point hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A process for disposing of filter media is provided, which process comprises (a) mixing a filter media with a hydrocarbonaeous mixing stream to form a media-hydrocarbon mixture and (b) feeding said media-hydrocarbon mixture to a coking vessel. Preferred coking vessels include delayed cokers, fluidized cokers, and coke calciners. An apparatus for disposing of filter media is provided, which apparatus comprises (a) a coking vessel; (b) a mixer to mix the filter media with a hydrocarbonaeous mixing fluid to form a media-hydrocarbonaeous fluid mixture; and, (c) a feed means to feed the media-hydrocarbonaeous fluid mixture to the coking vessel. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a size reduction means to reduce the size of the filter media to form a media staple comprising fiber clusters having a desired shape and size.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of charcoal by the comingling of a source of wood and ground sludge where the sludge is received from a paper making plant as wet sludge, grinding the wet sludge to a desired reduction, feeding the ground sludge into a furnace where it is comingled with wood, and circulating the furnace hot gas exhaust back through the grinding of the wet sludge to initiate the drying thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing oil, gas and by-products from pyrobituminous shale impregnated with hydrocarbons utilizes a vertically disposed reactor having a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion. As shale is introduced into the top portion of the reactor through a rotary seal mechanism, hot gasses are introduced into the middle portion of the reactor through hollow, parallel tubes having a hexagonal configuration with gas introducing holes disposed in the side walls which are protected by overhanging portions of the top walls. Relatively cool gasses are introduced into the bottom portion of the reactor through horizontally disposed circumferentially spaced pipes having downwardly and outwardly chamfered inner ends to prevent clogging of the pipes. The hot effluent gasses from the top portion of the reactor are passed through the cyclone, a heat regenerator for reducing the temperature of the gaseous stream and an electrostatic precipitator prior to being compressed.

Abstract: A process and system for low-temperature carbonization of oil shale, oil sands and similar oil-bearing solids includes low-temperature carbonization of oil-bearing solids in a high-pressure fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a substance selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and steam at temperatures substantially between 400.degree.and 600.degree. C. for producing low-temperature carbonization gas. The low-temperature carbonization gas is condensed in at least two stages for producing relatively higher boiling and relatively lower boiling oil fractions. The oil-bearing solids are peripherally mashed with the higher boiling oil fraction of the low-temperature carbonization gas, before introducing the oil-bearing solids into the high-pressure fluidized bed reactor. The oil-bearing solids mashed with the higher boiling oil fraction are returned to the high-pressure fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A retorting apparatus including a vertical kiln and a plurality of tubes for delivering rock to the top of the kiln and removal of processed rock from the bottom of the kiln so that the rock descends through the kiln as a moving bed. Distributors are provided for delivering gas to the kiln to effect heating of the rock and to disturb the rock particles during their descent. The distributors are constructed and disposed to deliver gas uniformly to the kiln and to withstand and overcome adverse conditions resulting from heat and from the descending rock. The rock delivery tubes are geometrically sized, spaced and positioned so as to deliver the shale uniformly into the kiln and form symmetrically disposed generally vertical paths, or "rock chimneys", through the descending shale which offer least resistance to upward flow of gas. When retorting oil shale, a delineated collection chamber near the top of the kiln collects gas and entrained oil mist rising through the kiln.

Abstract: A device for and method of working up etching and pickling liquids consisting of a vertical furnace having one or more vertical reaction spaces through which balls move at a maximum packing density.The furnace has a temperature gradient from the bottom (high) to the top (low). The reaction space and the balls consist of a material which is inert with respect to the liquid to be worked up. The liquid is introduced into the upper side of the furnace so that a film is formed in the heated surface of the balls. The salt dissolved in the liquid decomposes pyrolytically. The metal oxide is deposited on the surface of the balls and is removed therefrom after leaving the reaction space. The acid residue vapours are drained at the top and recovered in a separate absorber to the original pickling or etching acid.

Abstract: A gas generating system deriving useful BTU products from cellulosic waste material and comprising a conical shell to which the waste material is fed at the bottom and moved upwardly by an auger to permit the expanding walls of the cone to loosen the material by sintering action in the upper portion of the shell in a combustion zone located above the level of a row of air inlet ports substantially midway of the shell, the shell also having a gas accumulating chamber in the top thereof and a gas discharge device leading from the chamber to gas purifying and cooling mechanism including spray devices, a settling tank and liquid storage tank operating in a manner to re-use liquid incident to the operation of the spray devices. Operation of the controlled air delivery to the nozzles and cone also can be regulated to produce desirable amounts of charcoal and mechanism is included to remove the same from the cone.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for the retorting of oil shale comprising passing feed comprising oil shale to a contacting zone wherein the feed oil shale is contacted with heat transfer medium to heat said shale to retorting temperature. Retorting of the feed oil shale is substantially effected to form fluid material having heating value and forming partially spent oil shale comprising inorganic and carbonaceous material. At least a portion of the partially spent oil shale is passed to a combustion zone wherein the partially spent oil shale is contacted with oxidizing gas comprising oxygen to substantially combust carbonaceous material and forming spent oil shale. At least a portion of the spent shale is passed to a cooling zone to remove heat from the spent shale and at least a portion of the spent shale from the cooling zone is recycled to the contacting zone.

Abstract: A gas generating system utilizing cellulosic waste, such as sawdust and the like, of a low BTU rating, which is partially dried on the closed top of, and then fed to the bottom of a conical generator into which a limited air supply is delivered to the upper portion of the generator where a combustion zone occurs to sinter the material and form steam and wood gas (methane) which passes to and through a heat exchange coil in an after-cooler tank in which water is heated incident to cooling the gas which successively passes through several cyclone units which successively remove dust, ash, creosote and other condensates, a blower also being included to induce a low rate of suction in the system to insure movement of the gas through the system which finally preferably is passed through a scrubber to clean the gas product of any appreciable impurities and the scrubbing water is recirculated to absorb more impurities after being stratified to remove heavy condensates and other solids.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pyrolyzing agglomerative coals which comprises introducing a fluidized bed of hot char particles into a pyrolysis chamber or reactor, and injecting upwardly into the chamber a high velocity jet of agglomerative coal particles in a carrier gas, the fluidized hot char particles surrounding the high velocity coal jet and heating the coal particles to yield gaseous products and char. The hot char particles in the fluidized state and disposed around the coal jet are entrained in the upwardly expanding coal jet and mixed with the coal particles, so that by the time the coal particles contact the pyrolysis chamber wall, such coal particles being heated by the char have passed through the tacky state and are no longer tacky and do not adhere to the chamber wall. The gaseous product and char formed during pyrolysis are rapidly removed from the pyrolysis chamber, and such char can be separated, e.g.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating wet spent carbon containing volatile impurities wherein the wet spent carbon is dried in a drying zone utilizing incinerated reactivation zone gaseous effluent. The inmprovement of the invention provides that the portion of reactivation zone gaseous effluent used to dry the wet spent carbon in the drying zone is continuously recycled to the reactivation zone for incineration to remove any volatile impurities which may have been removed from the wet spent carbon during drying. The balance of the reactivation zone gaseous effluent may be discharged into the atmosphere without further incineration.

Abstract: A continuously operable retort-type processing system for the recovery of petroleum-like products from comminuted oil-bearing shale and other oil-yielding particulate solid materials. The retort portion of the system includes an insulated retort outer shell for a wall jacket-type heat exchanger. Disposed within the retort, all driven from a common axially disposed motor-driven shaft, are a plurality of stirring fingers, wall scrapers and discharge shovels, the latter for use in discharge of spent solid material from the retort. The system envisions burning gases from the process to provide a fluid heat exchange medium as a source of the heat required for the process. The system further includes means for the admixture of steam and acetic acid with the starting particulate materials prior to its introduction into the retort.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for controlling the quantity and period of charging of pitch coke furnaces whose pitch supply conduits are connected to a heatable ring conduit and are in connection with at least one pitch reservoir via this ring conduit. In the pitch supply conduits, pitch dosing containers are arranged, which containers rest on bearing-pressure measuring means. Via these bearing-pressure measuring means, the respective filling level of the pitch dosing containers is determinable.

Abstract: A single retort and accumulator structure includes two heating zones for successively removing volatile material from dried crushed coal so that the resultant calcined char has less than about 7 weight percent volatile material and is suitable as a raw material for producing formcoke. In the first zone (carbonizing zone) heat carrying solids are introduced with crushed coal to heat the powdered coal to a temperature in the order of about 800.degree. F. to 1000.degree. F. and produce a carbonized char containing about 10% to 20% by weight of volatile material. The resultant carbonized char is fed onto a trommel, or rotating cylindrical or tapered screen, and the char passes through the screen into a calcining fluidized bed zone. The fluidized bed is maintained by upwardly directed jets of an oxygen containing gas and steam. The temperature of the fluidized bed zone is in the vicinity of about 1200.degree. F. to 1600.degree. F.

Abstract: A coke oven, comprises a housing having an interior vertically elongated coke oven chamber with a plurality of vertically extending binding walls subdividing the oven chamber into a plurality of heating flues. A nozzle in each of the binder walls between the heating flues discharges a rich gas into each flue. In addition, the binder walls contain respective first and second vertical air ducts arranged in alternate binder walls between the flues with alternate ones of the air ducts having discharges at one or more levels above the others of each binder duct wall and connecting into the flues on each side of the associated binding wall. An air duct supply is connected separately to the alternate ones in each of the other air supply ducts.

Abstract: A method of producing abrasion resistant coke from brown coal briquets in a shaft furnace comprises charging the coke briquets into the top of the furnace and removing coke from the bottom of the furnace while directing inert hot combustion gases into the furnace and through the briquets at a plurality of vertically spaced levels throughout the height of the shaft furnace. Gases are directed at temperatures to effect and successively lower stages of the furnace the preheating, predrying, carbonization, and cooling of the charge.

Abstract: Delayed petroleum coke is calcined in an internally-fired vertical shaft kiln. A downwardly-moving bed of green coke is preheated in the top of the kiln by rising combustion gases, then heat soaked at calcining temperatures in the intermediate section of the kiln, and finally cooled by recycle gas moving upwardly from the lower part of the kiln. Partially cooled calcined coke is recovered from the bottom of the kiln.

Abstract: A device for producing abrasion-proof coke forms from bituminous or brown coal briquettes, charcoal or peat, comprising, a preheating stage, a dehydrating stage, a carbonization stage and a cooling stage, each stacked in a column to form a tower furnace. Each of the stages include an annular zone for receiving the coal or charcoal material and each stage is supplied with a separate and independent gas circuit. Each annular zone is formed between an inner substantially cylindrical jacket and an outer substantially cylindrical jacket with a shaft space defined in the inner cylindrical jacket. Heaters for the gas circuits of the preheating, dehydrating and carbonizing stages are disposed in the shaft space.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating wet spent carbon containing volatile impurities wherein the wet spent carbon is dried in a drying zone utilizing incinerated reactivation zone gaseous effluent. The reactivation zone gaseous effluent is derived by reactivating dried spent carbon in a reactivation zone at pyrolysis conditions to remove volatile components from the adsorbent. Removal is effected utilizing combustion gases. The reactivation zone gaseous effluent is comprised of the combustion gases, the vaporized volatile impurities, and, where steam is employed in the reactivation zone to remove fixed carbon, substantial quantities of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. By interposing the incineration zone between the drying and reactivation zone, efficiency of the overall process is maximized.

Abstract: A reactor for the continuous thermal treatment of solids, particularly carbonaceous adsorbents comprises two superimposed fluidizing beds, below them a combustion chamber for receiving a fuel- or oil-air mixture, an intermediate regeneration space between the fluidizing beds and a similar space above the upper fluidizing bed. A gas outlet is provided in the top regeneration space to which also the inlet for the material to be treated leads. The outlet for the treated materials is provided on the intermediate regeneration space. The two spaces are connected by a channel through which the overrun of treated material passes from the upper to the intermediate regeneration space. This channel leads from the upper space through the wall of the reactor to the outside and reverts then through the wall back into the intermediate space. Valve means are provided for regulating the flow in the connecting channel.

Abstract: Solid, carbonaceous material is cracked in the presence of hydrogen or other reducing gas to provide aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight for gaseous and liquid fuels. The carbonaceous material, such as coal, is entrained as finely divided particles in a flow of reducing gas and preheated to near the decomposition temperature of the high molecular weight polymers. Within the reactor, small quantities of oxygen containing gas are injected at a plurality of discrete points to burn corresponding amounts of the hydrogen or other fuel and elevate the mixture to high temperatures sufficient to decompose the high molecular weight, carbonaceous solids. Turbulent mixing at each injection point rapidly quenches the material to a more moderate bulk temperature. Additional quenching after the final injection point can be performed by direct contact with quench gas or oil.

Abstract: A method of producing abrasion resistant coke from brown coal briquets in a shaft furnace comprises charging the coke briquets into the top of the furnace and removing coke from the bottom of the furnace while directing inert hot combustion gases into the furnace and through the briquets at a plurality of vertically spaced levels throughout the height of the shaft furnace. Gases are directed at temperatures to effect and successively lower stages of the furnace the preheating, predrying, carbonization, and cooling of the charge. Gases are collected in each of the preheating and predrying stages by the use of a tubular suction arm which extends substantially across the width of the furnace and includes a performated bottom and sidewalls which extend partly below the bottom and are provided with a saw-tooth configuration so as to withdraw the gases through the space below the bottom and through the perforations of the bottom and to effect entrainment of dust from the charge in so doing.

Abstract: Rectangularly-shaped fluid distributors for large diameter, vertical vessels include reinforcers for high heat operation, vertical sides with gas distributing orifices and overhanging, sloped roofs. Devices are provided for cleaning the orifices from a buildup of solid deposits resulting from the reactions in the vessel.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor for the pyrolysis of pieces of rubber or the like, especially old tires the reactor comprising a container at the lower part of which there is discharge device for non-volatile pyrolysis products; gas blowing nozzles arranged in a zone above the discharge device for supplying a fluidizing gas and for producing a fluidized bed from material such as sand or alumina added to the reactor; preferably a heating device, especially one comprising heating tubes extending across the container; a gas outlet disposed in the zone above the fluidized bed; and supply means for conveying pieces of material to be pyrolized to the container; this apparatus is characterized by the fact that the gas blowing nozzles are arranged to direct the gas downwardly, that at least one group of nozzles are arranged in a common horizontal plane, and that the material supply device is such that its dimensions are comparable with the cross-sectional surface of the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A coking drum system is provided in combination with a process control unit wherein the rate of material delivered to a coking drum during a coking process timing cycle is monitored and the quantity of material received by the coking drum is continuously derived therefrom. Based on this derived quantity of delivered material, the quantity of feed material required to fill the drum to a preestablished level with coke, at the completion of the timing cycle, can be predicted. The flow rate of feed material to the coking drum is accordingly adjusted so that the amount of coke produced in the drum during one timing cycle is optimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for conducting the flash pyrolysis of a primary material, particularly coal, and employing a secondary material, particularly hot char, as a heat source, comprising a rectangular slot for injection of a stream of particulate coal, which communicates with a substantially rectangular reactor or pyrolysis chamber. Wells are positioned on opposite sides of the pyrolysis chamber and in communication therewith, for introduction of fluidized secondary material, particularly hot char, into the pyrolysis chamber for admixture therein with and for heating the stream of primary material, such as coal. The pyrolysis chamber has a transition chamber, and a cylindrical separator chamber communicates with the transition chamber for receiving pyrolysis products. The separator chamber is provided with a tangential inlet, a solids outlet conduit positioned about 90.degree. around the circumference of the separator chamber from the tangential inlet, and a perforate gas receiver.

Abstract: Solid carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by introducing a low velocity stream of carbonaceous material into a cyclone reactor-separator and introducing a low velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined toward the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. A high velocity stream of the particulate source of heat is introduced into the cyclone reactor-separator along the inner surface of the separator to prevent carbonaceous material from caking along the walls of the separator. The velocity of the high velocity stream is at least about 50 feet per second greater than the velocity of both low velocity streams. The cyclone reactor separator induces separation of solids consisting of a particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which contains hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and novel method and apparatus for reacting nongaseous material with a gaseous reactant comprising introducing a first stream containing a nongaseous material into a reaction zone; simultaneously introducing a second stream containing a gaseous reactant into the reaction zone such that the gaseous reactant immediately contacts and reacts with the first stream thereby producing a gaseous product; forming a spiralling vortex within the reaction zone to cause substantial separation of gases, including the gaseous product, from the nongaseous material; forming and removing a third stream from the reaction zone containing the gaseous product which is substantially free of the nongaseous material before a major portion of the gaseous product can react with the nongaseous material; and forming and removing a fourth stream containing the nongaseous material from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A vessel is provided for stripping oil from char particles of different density recovered from a pyrolysis of organic solid waste. The lower end of the vessel is of reduced diameter with a plurality of gas jets which direct gas inwardly and upwardly to direct stripping gas through the particles. A standpipe extends upwardly from the bottom of the vessel and terminates above the gas inlet jets. A gas outlet is provided at the top of the vessel. The particles are introduced at an intermediate level in the vessel. The top of the standpipe is covered with a screen mesh for limiting the size of particles which can enter the standpipe. The gas fluidizes the particles of different density which tend to concentrate at different levels in the fluidized bed because of their density differences. The standpipe terminates at a selected level within the fluidized particle bed which results in a desired mixture of the particles of different density being withdrawn from the fluidized bed through the standpipe.

Abstract: The coke forms are produced in four stages, each constituted by a respective oven chamber, and in which the briquets are, respectively, preheated, dehydrated or dried, carbonized and cooled. Hot gas circuits are provided, in which the hot gas is composed substantially of burnt lean gas of the carbonization, and, for each stage, the hot gases are recirculated in a separate respective circuit. In the preheating, dehydrating and carbonization stages, the hot gases are heated and produced, or supplemented, in a respective separate combustion chamber with the recirculating hot gas in the carbonization stage being supplemented with cooled lean gas from this stage. The recirculating hot gases are dedusted separately in a dust settling chamber in which their flow velocity is reduced to approximately 0.2 to 2.0 m/sec, with the dust being collected.

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.