Abstract: A method and system (100) is provided for continuous recycling of waste plastic feedstock into liquid fuels. The method includes sending the feedstock into a rotary retort vessel at an input end of the rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is received on either sides of a partition structure, wherein the partition structure connects the input end of the rotary retort vessel to an output end of the rotary retort vessel. The feedstock is pyrolized in the rotary retort vessel, wherein the feedstock produces gaseous byproducts and non-gaseous byproducts. The byproducts are moved towards the output end of the rotary retort vessel, wherein the movement is facilitated by declination of the rotary retort vessel and the one or more partition structures. The non-gaseous byproducts are continuously removed from the rotary retort vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internally by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.

Abstract: The invention discloses a coal decomposition method and equipment in cycle heating gas style. The coal decomposition equipment can avoid introducing impurity, ensure a pure decomposed gas and keep continuous heating without extrinsic heat source, which includes an airtight kiln body with coal inlet and coal outlet; a facility for impelling and decomposing coal set in the kiln body; a coal decomposed gas collecting pipe set in one end of the airtight kiln body, and a high temperature gas input pipe set in the other end of the airtight kiln body; wherein the coal decomposed gas collecting pipe is connected with a post-processing facility and communicates with the high temperature gas input pipe through a circle pipe, and the circle pipe and/or the high temperature gas input pipe comprises a heating device.

Abstract: A pyrolytic conversion assembly for processing biomass including: a rotary kiln including a tube for heating the biomass at pressure having a sealable inlet at a first, higher end for ingress of the biomass, and a sealable outlet at a lower end for egress of charcoal formed from the biomass; and heating elements disposed around the kiln to provide a localized source of heating at a predetermined distance from the sealable inlet for reflux condensation of gas from the biomass.

Abstract: An electrical heating coal material decomposition apparatus includes a closed kiln body with a feed inlet, a discharge outlet, and an electrical heating device arranged in the kiln body. A propulsion and decomposition path of coal material is formed between the electrical heating device and the inner wall of the kiln body. A coal decomposition gas collecting pipe communicates with the propulsion and decomposition path of coal material, and is connected with a gas dust-trapping and liquefying device arranged outside the kiln. The electrical heating device transfers heat to the pulverized coal inside the propulsion and decomposition path of coal material by conduction and irradiation. The pulverized coal absorbs sufficient heat and decomposes into fuel gas, tar gas and coal. The fuel gas and tar gas enters the gas dust-trapping and liquefying mechanism through the decomposed gas collecting tube, where they are collected, dust-trapped, separated and liquefied under pressure.

Abstract: A pyrolytic reactor, comprising an inner drum having a circumferential wall formed with a plurality of apertures, an outer drum surrounding the inner drum and defining a clearance therebetween, a feeding device for feeding a plurality of feedstock pieces to the interior of the inner drum, an inlet port through which heat carrier gases flow and are directed to said clearance, for introduction of the heat carrier gases via said plurality of apertures to the inner drum interior and causing pyrolysis of the fed feedstock pieces, a conveyor for transporting a plurality of solid residue pieces produced from a pyrolytic process, and an outlet port through which product vapors and gases, heat depleted heat carrier gases, and the plurality of solid residue pieces are discharged.

Abstract: A coal material decomposition apparatus includes a sealed rotary kiln body provided with a coal inlet and a coal outlet. A coal decomposition gas collecting pipe is arranged in the kiln body and is provided with two parallel spirals for dividing space in the kiln body into a heating gas bin and a coal material decomposition bin. The coal decomposition gas collecting pipe communicates with the coal material decomposition bin through a gas guide hole arranged in the coal material decomposition bin. As the kiln body is internally divided into the a heating gas bin and a coal material decomposition bin isolated from each other, a large amount of hot gas in the heating gas conducts and radiates the heat to pulverized coal in the coal material decomposition bin, and the pulverized coal fully absorbs the heat to be decomposed into gas, coal tar gas and coal with high heat-value.

Abstract: There is described a system and method for recycling carbon-containing material, in particular tires and plastics materials. The system includes a heating arrangement for anaerobically heating carbon containing material to produce carbon-containing gases. A condensing arrangement is also used to condense a proportion of the carbon-containing gases to provide condensed gases and non-condensed gases. In addition, a recirculating arrangement is provided for recirculating the non-condensed gases into the heating arrangement. Further systems and methods for pre- and post-processing of the carbon-containing material are also disclosed and products of the systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) is provided for thermal or thermal-catalytic degradation of feedstock. The apparatus includes a retort vessel (102). The retort vessel (102) is configured to receive feedstock. Further, the retort vessel includes at least one partition structure (106), wherein the partition structure (106) divides the retort vessel into volumetric zones and extends from an input end (122) of the retort vessel (102) to an output end (124) of the retort vessel (102). The retort vessel (102) is declined to facilitate movement of the feedstock from an input end (122) of the retort vessel (102) towards output end (124) of the retort vessel (102). Further, the retort vessel (102) is configured to rotate angularly and heated to facilitate thermal or thermal-catalytic degradation of the feedstock.

Abstract: A modular plant, including at least one basic module is suitable for converting carbonaceous matrices (6) into fuel or useful products with no adverse environmental impact. The modular plant includes a rotary reactor (9) with a rotating drive mechanism (22) and a fixed stationary body (1). The inclination of the reactor (9) with rotating central longitudinal axis can vary from 0° to 45° with respect to horizontal. The reactor has a substantially cylindrical central body closed at a first entry end with a stationary fixed head (8), and at the exit end with a head fixed to the rotary reactor (9). The inlet end (8) contains one inlet (7) for the introduction of the carbonaceous matrix (6) into the rotary reactor and the other inlet (5) for introducing thermally conductive carriers (4). The rotary reactor (9) lacks internal components which provide rotation motion relative to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: Improved, fuel-efficient systems are provided for the processing of biomass, such as wood or crop residues, food waste or animal waste in order to selectively obtain torrefied and/or carbonized final products. In general, the processes involve thermally drying incoming biomass using a dryer employing the hot gas output of a fuel-operated burner. Next, the dried product is torrefied in an indirect torrefaction reactor so as to evolve light volatile organic compounds which are used as a gaseous fuel source for the burner. The torrefied product can be recovered, or some or all of the torrefied product may be directed to a carbonization reactor coupled with a reactor burner. Carbonization serves to remove most of the remaining VOCs which are used as a gaseous fuel input to the dryer. In certain instances, portions of the dried biomass are directed to the burners, as an additional source of fuel.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements to a transportable hydrocarbon-recovery unit. More particularly, this invention relates to an integral hydrocarbon-recovery unit that comprises a first evaporation system and a condensation system. The actual first evaporation system comprises means for supplying the material to be extracted that includes means for controlling supply, means for conveying said material, treatment-chamber means including internal cleaning means, means for heating the material, means for increasing the heat-transfer area, means for removing excess material, including means for increasing hermeticity, and means for conveying the extracted vapors towards the condensation system. The purpose of the invention is to provide a unit for extracting hydrocarbons and other contaminants from impregnated material at the same time as providing, over a shorter time period and with greater effectiveness, the recovery process.

Abstract: A system and method of converting tires or other solid carbon based material is disclosed, wherein the system and method includes providing a chamber, feeding tires or other solid carbon based material or both into the chamber, rotating the chamber and heating and reducing the material in the chamber, collecting solid residue from the chamber, collecting vapor from the chamber, and converting vapor collected from the chamber to a liquid. The chamber has an interior surface and can include one or more ribs on the interior surface for rotating and tumbling the material in the chamber while heating the material.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating materials, the apparatus including a main body which includes an elongated retort section having a primary treatment chamber therein, a feed inlet at an upstream end of the retort section and a discharge outlet at a downstream end of the retort section. The main body further includes a filtering section with a filtering chamber therein which is in communication with the primary treatment chamber, the filtering chamber being disposed laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the retort section which extends between the ends of the retort section and is spaced from the upstream end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recycling waste plastic can convert the waste plastic into a form of purified crude oil that includes one or more organic molecular species and that is free, or substantially free, of impurities such as acids and metals. In some systems and methods, the plastic is heated under vacuum conditions to effect depolymerization of the plastic, which yields a vapor, and the vapor is then directly contacted with a pH adjusted solution in a vapor treatment system. In some systems and methods, a continuous batch process is employed.

Abstract: Systems for recycling waste plastic can include cartridges that are selectively sealable. Some cartridges can have elongated receptacles that improve heat transfer to plastic feedstock within the cartridges.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recycling waste plastic can convert the waste plastic into a form of purified crude oil that includes one or more organic molecular species and that is free, or substantially free, of impurities such as acids and metals. In some systems and methods, the plastic is heated under vacuum conditions to effect depolymerization of the plastic, which yields a vapor, and the vapor is then directly contacted with a pH adjusted solution in a vapor treatment system. In some systems and methods, a continuous batch process is employed.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of recycling a plastic material includes heating a plastic material in a treatment chamber in incremental steps through a series of graduated temperature set points wherein each graduated temperature set point corresponds to a vaporization temperature of an individual by-product of said plastic material, and pulling a vacuum of inert gas on the treatment chamber at each temperature set point to selectively remove an individual by-product corresponding to the temperature set point.

Abstract: A system (10) for pyrolysing material comprises a stationary inlet stage (20), a rotary kiln (60) and a stationary outlet stage (70), with a rotary joint mechanism (30, 80) provided between the inlet stage (20) and the rotary kiln and/or between the rotary kiln and the outlet stage (70). The rotary joint mechanism (30, 80) comprises a face seal between a rotating surface (66) of a first seal member (65, 85) fixed to the kiln (60) and a stationary surface (26) of a second seal member (25, 82) fixed to the respective stage (20, 70).

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing uncalcined coke are provided. The methods and systems provide for combusting effluent gas from a refinery unit and a stream of uncalcined coke. The refinery unit effluent gas may be the offgas from a rotary kiln calciner. The refinery unit effluent gas and the uncalcined coke stream are combusted in an integrated gas/solids incinerator. Heat released during the combustion of these streams may be used to generate steam or electricity. The methods and systems disclosed provide low cost energy production at calciner effluent gas incinerator locations where uncalcined coke is available.

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: An apparatus and method are for the pyrolysis of waste. The aparatus has a rotating cell formed of a cylinder in combination with a truncated cone rotating on the same axis. The apparatus also has a hopper for charging the waste at one end of the cylinder, an ash box at the other end of the cylinder, a gas recuperator, and a retaining threshold between the cylinder and the truncated cone. A region of intimate contact of the waste with itself is created, whereby the waste is converted into coke which is used as fuel in the pyrolysis of the waste.

Abstract: A device for distilling a liquid feed which includes a core pipe and a first fluid in a series of helically wound tubes or vanes employing the core pipe as a mandrel. The liquid to be distilled passes over a series of interstices which are created by the helically wound tubes or vanes and a distillate recovered as a consequence.

Abstract: A flighted, horizontally inclined rotary retort, heated externally by flame, hot gases, steam or other sources of heat. The retort shall have sufficient flight area to transport the coal through the retort in the predetermined time. The coal being processed in this retort is prevented from becoming exothermic by provision for a countercurrent flow of blanket gas, heated to a predetermined temperature below exotherm, to prevent coal surface temperatures from rising above the ignition temperature. The retort accommodates oversize pieces of raw coal by having alternating long and short flights, thus allowing greater space between long flights and allowing the larger pieces to be carried over the center pipe by the wiping action of the long flights. The retort will also be provided with an internal pipe, mounted on the center line of the shell.

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: For thermally treating waste and/or residual materials, in particular fiber glass, glass silk, glass wool and glass mat coated with organic materials, a drum (1) with embedded elements is used to make the materials circulate. In this drum the materials are heated up to a temperature at least equal to the carbonization and/or evaporation temperature of the coatings but lower than the softening temperature of the materials. The waste or residual materials are preferably increasingly disaggregated in the drum and are heated by a stream of hot gas which flows in the drum from the discharge side (11) to the inlet side (4) and has its highest temperature at the discharge side.

Abstract: A method for producing a solid fuel from combustible waste includes sorting and grinding the waste, treating the waste by heating in the absence of oxygen in a first pyrolysis reactor and then collecting the waste so treated. Polluting elements in the gases emerging from the pyrolysis are removed while the gases are hot before being directly reused to heat a first pyrolysis reactor so that solids leaving the pyrolysis operation provide a fuel without the pollutants initially contained in the waste. The device for carrying out this method includes a pyrolysis reactor and a unit for supplying an absorbent to a zone wherein the gases generated by pyrolysis are contacted by the absorbent to remove the polluting elements; the absorbent and the decontaminated solids are separated from each other.

Abstract: A pyrolytic converter utilizing a rotatable drum surrounded by an outer drum support structure and disposed in an oven chamber pyrolyzes materials including plastic waste, tires, materials from automobile shredding operations, containers and trays of plastic material, rubber, leather, garbage, sewage sludge, coal, oil shale, broken asphalt and the like. These materials are formed into cartridges by a compactor using a reciprocating ram which forms cartridges in an injection tube wherein another ram injects the cartridges into the converter drum. The converter is disposed on a fulcrum near the injection end thereof while the discharge end is suspended by cables to accommodate thermal expansion of the converter. Cables also suspend collection and separation apparatus having water filled chutes, into one of which the products of pyrolyzation of low density (char) and solids of higher density are discharged from the converter drum. Lower and higher density solids are separately collected tanks.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the refinement of organic material is disclosed. Converting and processing organic material is achieved with or without organic and inorganic additions. The base material uses waste material, i.e. forest industry waste and slaughter-house waste. The method and apparatus produce a packeted end product, specifically carbon powder/granulate as full and charcoal for grilling/smoking, as well as active coal and additives for steel production.

Abstract: A rotary, continuous pyrolytic conversion system converts solid hydrocarbon containing feedstocks into gases, liquid hydrocarbons and char. A converter drum is contained within an outer drum which is in substantially air-tight relationship with an injector for introducing the feedstock in the form of bales and with a discharge chute for the solid products of pyrolysis. A casing around the outer stationary drum defines an oven chamber which is heated by combustion products. A rod extends into the injection end of the converter drum for supporting scrapers against the inner periphery of the converter drum. A crusher bar is carried in the drum at the discharge end thereof and crushes the solid products. A second pyrolysis reactor may receive the solid pyrolysis products and be operative at higher temperature than the first converter to destroy chlorinated hydrocarbons.

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 inducing and accelerating hydrogen dissociation in a cloud generated from feedstock fed into a chamber defined by the apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a device for thermally stimulating the feedstock to generate the cloud, a device for localizing the cloud within the chamber, a device for electrically stimulating the localized cloud, and a device for photonically stimulating the localized cloud. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A shale oil retorting system and novel continuous feed means for retorting oil shale within a retort housing employs a tilted circular conveyor within the housing which allows for continuous feeding of crushed oil shale within the conveyor for subsequent immersion in a hot process oil bath and unloading from the housing. The retort housing is constructed of side body members arranged to provide primary refluxing action of flammable process oil vapors evolved during retorting to prevent explosion. Safety is further augmented by providing an overhead vapor outlet and a sufficient level of process oil in the bath to produce a slight overpressure in the free board region conducive to quickly exhausting shale oil vapor from the housing into an overhead condensing unit. The spent shale particles discharged from the housing are immediately quenched to recover process oil coating the particles and minimize generation of flammable vapors from the hot particles.

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 process and apparatus for the pyrolysis of coal or other hydrocarbon bearing materials in which the material is fed into the upper end of a rotating cylinder and is heated in a plurality of stages, the heated material passing from the cylinder into a char pit, and treating the resulting materials to separate them into fuels having different characteristics.One feature of the invention is the addition of CaO or NaHCO.sub.3 to the charged materials and addition of H.sub.2 O in the char pit to facilitate removal of sulfur.Another feature is the scraping and brushing of the inside surfaces of the rotary cylinder to clean the interior of the cylinder during the conduct of the process.

Abstract: A thrust containment apparatus is disclosed for use with a pressurized rotary kiln gasifier. The thrust containment apparatus maintains stationary hoods mounted on both ends of the kiln shell in fixed positions by relieving the hoods of forces generated by high pressures within the kiln. The thrust containment device comprises braces mounted on the hoods on the sides remote from the kiln shell. Tie members, or tie rods, extending along the exterior of the kiln shell connect the braces. An expandable bellows is provided between one brace and its adjacent hood. As tie members deform through thermal and tensile expansion, the bellows accomodates the expansion while maintaining a gas-tight seal between the hood and the brace.

Abstract: The rate of calcining carbonaceous material in a rotary kiln is increased by enriching with oxygen air supplied into the kiln by fans. The introduction of oxygen is effected during a predetermined portion of each kiln revolution and is effective to enrich the oxygen content of air supplied to the kiln to approximately 23-25% oxygen. By so enriching the interior kiln atmosphere during calcining of material such as petroleum coke, greater temperatures are obtained than will be obtained by the use of air alone thereby accelerating the evolution of volatile materials and the combustion of such volatiles during calcination. The accelerated evolution and combustion of volatiles enables the rate at which carbonaceous material is calcined in a kiln of a given length to be increased.

Abstract: The rate of calcining carbonaceous material in a rotary kiln is increased by introducing oxygen into the inlet of air fans mounted on the kiln. The introduction of oxygen is effected during a predetermined portion of each kiln revolution and is effective to enrich the oxygen content of air supplied to the kiln to approximately 23-25% oxygen. By so enriching the interior kiln atmosphere during calcining of material such as petroleum coke, greater temperatures are obtained than will be obtained by the use of air alone thereby accelerating the evolution and combustion of volatile materials during calcination. The accelerated evolution and combustion of such volatiles enables the rate at which carbonaceous materials can be calcined in a kiln of a predetermined length to be increased.

Abstract: A process for carbonizing and then activating carbonaceous materials in a continuous process as performed by an apparatus consisting of an elongated, slightly inclined rotary retort into the higher end of which the material is deposited and from the lower end of which the product is removed, the material moving therethrough in the form of a tumbling bed, a system for introducing air in independently regulatable amounts into each of a series of longitudinally spaced zones of the retort, except a final zone closest to its lower end, in such a manner that contact of the air with the material bed is delayed for a substantial time after the air enters the retort, and a system for introducing superheated steam into the final retort zone as an oxidizing agent in such a manner as to immediately engage and thoroughly intermix with the material bed. Provision is also made for introducing air, rather than steam, into the final retort zone, in the event carbonization, but not activation, may be desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting, degassing and carbonizing carbonaceous agglomerates, the apparatus comprising a rotary kiln having an agglomerate inlet means for introducing green agglomerates into the kiln near the inlet of the kiln and a heating medium inlet for introducing a heating medium comprising a finely divided solid into the kiln at a preselected location intermediate the inlet end of the kiln and the outlet end of the kiln to produce a mixture at a temperature above the carbonizing temperature of the agglomerates and a sieve positioned to receive the products from the rotary kiln and separate the heating medium and the compacted, degassed, carbonized agglomerate product. A method for producing compacted, degassed, carbonized carbonaceous agglomerates by the use of the apparatus is also disclosed.

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: Process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering liquid and gaseous fuel from solid hydrocarbon-containing mineral material such as bitumen-containing mineral materials exemplified by tar sands or oil-bearing diatomites, without expensive pretreatment to separate the hydrocarbon containing material from material containing no hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon-containing material is agglomerated into discrete pieces that are treated on a traveling grate such as a circular traveling grate and subjected to sequential treatments in which hot gases are passed upwardly or downwardly through a relatively deep permeable bed of the pieces on the grate, in several treating zones separated by transverse gas seals and sealed at the side edges by suitable gas seals. All, or essentially all, of the heat required is obtained in a coke burn-off zone from combustion of coke that remains in the material on the grate after the volatile hydrocarbons have been removed by distillation in an earlier distillation zone.

Abstract: Green petroleum coke is indirectly dried, then calcined in a cylindric rotary kiln and indirectly cooled utilizing a one-way gas flow in the system. Most of the dust in the vapor from the drying step is directly burned in a steam boiler whose off-gases are used to heat the dryer. Any residual dust in the gas is collected in an electro-filter. This dust together with dust which settles out from the dryer and the kiln is collected and added in controlled amounts to the dried coke before calcining. Hydrocarbons expelled during calcining are partially burned off with a stream of secondary air introduced at the coke exit end of the kiln. Most of the remaining hydrocarbons are burned off before they leave the coke inlet end of the kiln. The calcined coke product contains 0.1% by weight of hydrocarbons. The final off-gas from the process has a residual dust content of less than 100 mg/nm.sup.3.

Abstract: A process for calcining green coke containing water and combustible volatile matter and obtained by a delayed coking process in three or more stages of heating furnaces which are connected in series, and the control of the temperature and the adjustment of the atmosphere in the respective furnaces can be independently carried out, which process comprises carrying out, in respective furnaces in the indicated order, the steps of:(a) evaporating the water contained in the green coke, and drying and pre-heating the coke;(b) distilling off and burning the volatile matter from the dried coke; and(c) heating and calcining the coke from the step (b).Because each furnace can be controlled independently from the other furnaces in the above described process, it is possible to produce high-grade coke without process difficulties such as the loss of the coke by combustion and the formation of coke ring.

Abstract: Rotation of a first drum member at a preselected speed intimately mixes finely divided agglomerative materials to form a loosely coherent, plastic sticky mass. The tumbling action generated by the rotating drum breaks up the loosely coherent, plastic mass into plastic particles or agglomerates which grow in size as they roll within the first drum member. The formed agglomerates are conveyed by rotation of the first drum member into a second drum member that includes an inlet portion surrounding the outlet portion of the first drum member. The second drum member has a longitudinal axis that is coplanarly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first drum member and both drum members are independently rotated at preselected peripheral speeds with the angle of inclination of the first drum member being adjustable relative to the second drum member to control the movement of the agglomerates.

Abstract: Distillation system for distilling shale oil. Shale is inserted into a rotating retort which displaces the shale throughut the retort extended length. The rotating retort is mounted to a multiplicity of enclosed housings through rotative bearings. The enclosed housings form discrete heating chambers to provide individual temperature zones through which the shale passes in the distilling process. The multiplicity of housings are each connected to a next consecutive housing through a conduit which permits utilization of combustion gases from a common source to heat each of the temperature zones. A thermal control mechanism is coupled to each of the enclosures to provide temperature control within a particular temperature zone. Thus, the shale in its passage through the retort is subjected or exposed to predetermined temperature ranges within each of the enclosures for a predetermined time in order to maximize the efficiency of the shale oil recovery process.

Abstract: A method of pyrolyzing sewage sludge to transform the same into activated carbon, with the combustible pyrogas and volatile liquids included therewith that arise from the pyrolysis operation being burned to sustain the transformation operation. A first portion of the hot activated carbon resulting from the operation is mixed with the wet sewage sludge to provide a dry sludge mixture that is subsequently subjected to the pyrolyzing operation. Water vapor that discharges as the hot activated carbon is mixed with the wet sewage sludge is heated by the burning of the pyrogas and transformed to steam. The resulting steam is in contact with the dry mixture during the pyrolyzing operation, and as a result the dry mixture is transformed to activated carbon. A second portion of the resulting activated carbon is separated from the first portion thereof, with this second portion being available for use apart from the method.

Abstract: Oil Shale is partially dehydrated prior to retorting. Both the dehydrating and retorting steps carried out by heat treatment in rotating horizontal cylindrical vessels heated by indirect heat exchange with hot gas. The vapors withdrawn from the retorting step are fractionated to yield products including a heavy conversion oil.

Abstract: A first cylindrical drum member having an inlet portion for receiving materials to be treated, such as preheated coal and char includes a longitudinal axis and an outlet portion through which the treated materials are discharged into the inlet end portion of a second cylindrical drum member. The second drum member is independently supported for rotation relative to the first drum member and has a longitudinal axis coplanarly aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first drum member such that the drum members are concentrically positioned in tandem relative. A sealing assembly is connected to the first and second drum members for longitudinal movement with the drum members during expansion and contraction of the drum members as they are subjected to different temperatures.

Abstract: The ends of refractory-lined rotary kilns are often subjected to such intense heat flux that the steel shell of the kiln at either or both ends is subjected to substantial thermal expansion in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions, resulting in premature cracking and failure of the refractory. The present apparatus is a rotary kiln wherein either or both ends of the steel shell thereof are provided with a plurality of substantially longitudinal slots which accommodate circumferential expansion and the refractory is affixed to the steel shell at such end(s) with sliding anchors to accommodate longitudinal expansion.