Abstract: A process and apparatus for decomposing kerogen and recovering oil, high BTU gas and energy for the process wherein a crushed oil shale is fed to a rotary preheater (300.degree. to 350.degree. F.) hence into a rotary retort (850.degree.-1050.degree. F.) where the kerogen is decomposed and the oil evaporated, removed and condensed. From the retort the crushed shale goes to a hopper where any residual oil is stripped out by super heated steam leaving a char on the crushed shale. The stripped shale is fed into a furnace wherein the char is burned to provide heat for the process. To supplement the char and provide enough BTU's for the process, it is necessary to add a small amount of coal to the feed to the process. The hot gases from the furnace first pass into contact with the rotary retort and hence indirectly heat the oil shale in the retort. The hot furnace gases (or a portion thereof) then pass into direct contact with the crushd oil shale feed in the preheater.

Abstract: A modified rotary kiln suitable for calcining normally solid carbonaceous material, having adapted thereto at one end a firing crown and means for admitting combustible gases or liquids and air; a feeding means for such solid carbonaceous material to be calcined adapted to the other end of the kiln; and wherein the combustion gases and solid materials travel countercurrently in the kiln during calcination, wherein: at least one series of at least two tuyeres passes through the wall of the kiln symmetrically spaced to and at about a point longitudinally in the middle one-half of the longitudinal axis of the kiln; each tuyere terminating within the kiln through a nozzle on the side of the tuyere at a height sufficient for the discharge of exterior oxidizing gases passing therethrough at a point above the bed of the carbonaceous material in the kiln, directing the exterior oxidizing gases toward the feed end at about the same acute angular direction from a line passing through the nozzle and parallel to the long

Abstract: A combination carbonization apparatus and furnace for alternatively reducing cellulosic waste such as wood chips and the like to charcoal, or burning said waste completely to produce furnace heat and ash, from which potash may be produced, as desired, the desired operation being provided simply by regulating the amount of combustion air admitted to the reaction chamber of the device, either insufficient air to produce full combustion of the waste if charcoal is desired, or an excess of air if the production of ash is desired. An afterburner receiving the gaseous products of the reaction chamber is provided with an excess air supply to provide full combustion of the gaseous products in either case, whereby the effluent gases of the device may be pollution-free.

Abstract: Pulverulent coke and granular reactive coke are produced, respectively, from fines and grains of coal of grades which are not normally usable for coking, containing more than 15% of volatile matter and having a swelling index between 1 and 8, by carbonization between 600.degree. C and 1100.degree. C, wherein combustion air in excess of that which would be necessary to bring the coke to the desired coking temperature is introduced into a slightly inclined rotary tubular oven through which the coal passes during its conversion into coke, the air introduction being effected between the coke outlet and the zone in which the product reaches its maximum temperature and being controlled so that the temperature of the gases issuing from the oven is kept above 600.degree. C. At least 60% of the air is preferably introduced at the downstream end of the oven, and further air may be introduced at intermediate points along the oven length.

Abstract: Waste, preferably in a pre-dried state, is passed through a carbonizing oven chamber, from the top towards the bottom and is carbonized therein through interaction with a counter flow of heated gas; that gas together with carbonization gas is taken from the chamber and pre-cleaned (to remove condensates); a portion of the pre-cleaned gas is heated and used as carbonization producing and sustaining gas; the remainder of the pre-cleaned gas is washed and used otherwise, for example, as combustion fuel in a heater for the pre-cleaned gas that will then be used as carbonizing agent. The carbonizing oven chamber can be of various construction such as a pit furnace or a revolving oven. Preferred is to commence carbonization of waste in the chamber through a thermo shock.