Abstract: A pyrolyser including (i) a pyrolysis chamber defining an interior compartment having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the pyrolysis chamber includes a feed inlet, a product outlet, an exhaust gas outlet, and an operational length comprising a linear distance from the feed inlet to the product outlet; (ii) a trough located in the lower portion of the interior compartment and extending through the pyrolysis chamber along the operational length of the pyrolysis chamber; and (iii) a material handling system comprising an paddle auger located within the trough and configured to convey biomass from the feed inlet towards the product outlet; wherein the paddle auger comprises an auger shaft, a plurality of sets of paddles directly or indirectly connected to the auger shaft, and a plurality of flights interconnecting the plurality of paddles is provided.

Abstract: System for generating syngas includes a primary reactor chamber operable to receive material, a plurality of first-stage gas pipes connected to the primary reactor chamber, and a secondary reactor chamber. The primary reactor chamber comprises a plurality of electrodes at least partially protruding into the primary reactor chamber, the electrodes operable to generate an arc capable to generate first-stage gas from breakdown of the material within the primary reactor chamber when electricity is applied to the electrodes. The secondary reactor chamber is operable to receive the first-stage gas via the first-stage gas pipes and to receive water vapor. The first-stage gas combines and interacts with the water vapor to form second-stage gas. Each of the first-stage gas pipes comprise a portion protruding into the secondary reactor chamber that together are adapted to direct the flow of first-stage gas to generate turbulence within the secondary reactor chamber.

Abstract: The invention discloses a sleeve-type coal material decomposition apparatus which includes a kiln body. The inside of said kiln body is set with coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers centered on the axis of kiln body; the said circular coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers are isolated from each other; both ends of the said circular coal material decomposition-promoting layer are respectively connected to the coal inlet and coal outlet on kiln body and are also connected to the decomposition gas collecting mechanism on kiln body. The coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers are isolated from each other, which is helpful for the acquisition of pure coal decomposition gas.

Abstract: A device for proportioning of secondary combustion air into the secondary air soles of coke oven chamber ovens is shown. The device is formed by a slide gate or a parallelepiped device or by plates moved by means of a thrust bar, the thrust bar being moved longitudinally in parallel to the coke oven chamber wall so that the plates move away from the secondary air apertures and open or close these. The thrust bar is moved by means of a positioning motor, with the power transmission being effected hydraulically or pneumatically. Via suitable measuring parameters, it is thus possible to optimize secondary heating so that heating is provided evenly from all sides, thus achieving an improvement in coke quality.

Abstract: Pyrolytic gas generator for generating clean useful gas from biomass, particularly wood, oil seeds or the like, where a gasification channel in multi-chambered construction is provided, which gasification channel is provided with an assist burner which can supply heat from the outside to the gasification channel during gasification of the biomass, a pre-pyrolyzing pipe is connected upstream of the gasification channel and an ash discharge downstream of the gasification channel, wherein the generated gases are re-gasified in the gasification channel while the material to be gasified is mechanically transported from a material container to the ash discharge.

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: A process for treating biomass comprises providing a material that contains an amount of residual moisture. The material is heated to a torrefying temperature in a low-oxygen atmosphere in a torrefaction reactor to convert it into a torrefied material. The material with the contained residual moisture is essentially fully dried in a drying chamber by evaporation of residual moisture. The torrefaction reactor comprises a torrefying chamber, in which the torrefaction of this dried material is essentially carried out. The material is conveyed through the torrefaction reactor. The drying of the material in the drying chamber is carried out by introducing into it a hot drying gas that flows therethrough cocurrently with the material. The torrefaction of the material in the torrefying chamber of the torrefaction reactor is carried out by introducing into it a hot torrefying gas that flows through the torrefying chamber countercurrently with the material.

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 versatile oven for converting carbon based natural resources and waste material to hydrocarbon vapor and carbon char utilizing rapid thermal processing and having the capability of utilizing a portion of the relatively inexpensive carbon based material being processed as the fuel to provide at least some of the process heat and also including a means for reducing NOx emissions in the gases exhausted from a furnace used to burn the converted hydrocarbon vapor for application of the heat energy and also a means for delivering the converted hydrocarbon vapor to a condensing system if it is desired to liquefy at least some portion of the thermally converted hydrocarbon vapor.

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

Abstract: This apparatus can effect pyrolysis of hydrocarbon containing material at high temperature of 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. and under vacuum in consecutive batches. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum rotatable at a variable speed about a horizontal axis and spacedly surrounded by a heat insulating sheath; a gas burner heats the rotating drum along its entire length from the exterior of the same; a chimney communicates with the space between the drum and the sheath, which has ventilation openings closable by trap doors; the drum is supported by bearings so to allow its axial thermal expansion. A manifold system of filters is stationarily mounted within the rotating drum to filter out fine solid residues from the pyrolytic gases and vapors. This manifold is connected to a discharge tube which exits from one end of the drum and is fitted with a sealing joint to seal the drum around the stationary discharge tube.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a carbonization drum is especially used for heating a carbonization drum for a low-temperature-carbonization combustion process. Heating gas heated in a heat exchanger is guided in a heating gas loop from the heat exchanger through the carbonization drum. A heat sink is provided for cooling the heating gas. In order to control an energy supply to the carbonization drum, the heating gas is guided back again at least partially and in a controlled fashion through a bypass line, in which the heat sink is disposed, to the heat exchanger, while bypassing the carbonization drum. The heating gas can also be delivered partially and in a controlled fashion through the heat sink to the carbonization drum. A distribution of the heating gas into a maximum of three paths is ensured by a configuration of lines and control devices.

Abstract: A rotary, continuous pyrolytic conversion system converts solid hydrocarbons into gases, liquid hydrocarbons and char by pyrolyzing feed stocks including: plastic waste, tires and plastic from automobile shredding operations; containers and trays of styrofoam and other plastic materials such as used in "fast food" restaurants; rubber; leather; tires; garbage; sewage sludge; coal; oil shale; broken asphalt and the like. These materials are preferably shredded and kinds thereof having different melting points are mixed to facilitate movement of the feed stock through the converter without clogging. Preferably, the materials are baled and injected into the converter where they are severed as they are injected. The materials are fed by gravity from the input end of a converter drum to the discharge end thereof; the input end being elevated above the discharge end.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolyzing shredded tires including an oven having a discharge opening and a tote having a discharge snout corresponding to the opening, the tote being placed in the oven with the snout inserted into the opening, radiant heating tubes are provided in the oven in close proximity to the top and bottom of the tote to heat the shredded tires, the tote having an inclined top for directing gaseous vapors produced on heating the tires toward the snout, the gaseous vapors are drawn through a discharge duct assembly and condenser by a fan located at the exhaust from the condenser.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering the material components of rubber tires, the process including the steps of shredding the rubber tires to a size capable of being transported, heating the shredded rubber pieces in an inert atmosphere to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the heat recoverable components of the tires, condensing the vaporizable components to liquify the oil and ammonia present, collecting the uncondensed gas, and recovering the carbon residue and metal remaining after cooling. The apparatus including a hot air oven having a plurality of hot air conduits defining a primary heating zone and a top wall configuration defining a gas collection zone and a tote bin formed by a closed container having an opening at one end and a top wall configuration conforming to the top wall of the oven.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon containing oil shale is processed on the surface of a rabbled rotary hearth by mixing it with a heat exchange medium consisting of heated spent oil shale. Mixing is obtained by feeding the raw shale and the heated spent shale separately, but in proximity to one another, onto the surface of a hearth, and then subjecting both materials to rabbling action. This mixing causes heat from the heated spent shale heat exchange medium to be transferred to the fresh raw shale, which results in the removal of hydrocarbons from the raw shale. In one preferred embodiment, heated spent shale is obtained by removing spent shale from the hearth after processing, mixing it, preferably while it is still hot, with compatible combustible solids, and then introducing oxidizing gases into the mixture. This results in the burning of the combustible solids and any combustible materials remaining in the shale and the heating of the spent shale.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting the pyrolytic treatment of solid carbonizable materials, such as coal, shredded scrap-tires, comminuted municipal waste, sawdust and wood shavings, and the like. The treatment takes place in a cylindrical, horizontally-disposed reactor vessel including a material conveying device which transports the carbonizable materials through the vessel as a moving bed. A heating chamber is arranged coaxially around the reactor vessel and is configured as an annulus of substantially uniform inner diameter and of decreasing outer dimension from its forward end adjacent the materials outlet end of the reaction vessel, to its rearward end, adjacent the materials inlet end of such vessel. The material passing through the reaction vessel is subject to an indirect heat transfer relationship with a burning air-fuel mixture spirally swirling within the heating chamber and moving in a direction generally counter-current to the material passing through the reaction vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the separation of bitumen crude petroleum from oil bearing solid materials and the collection of all the vapors produced, as multiple fractionated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An apparatus for making hollow carbon microspheres starting with hollow microballoons made of a material which can by heating be degraded to a carbon structure having a shape similar to that of the original microballoon. The disclosure teaches specific batch treating steps and apparatus for optimizing the rate of production of the microspheres, while at the same time minimizing degradation, rupture and cracking of the resulting carbon product.

Abstract: Fine grained coal is fed into a first chamber of a generally horizontally extending fluidizing bed reactor while a stream of hot solid heat exchange material is passed through the chamber. The coal is then subjected to a fluidizing action with a low nitrogen and low oxygen content so as to degas the coal particles and obtain the combustible gases and liquid byproducts. The coke particles thus formed are then passed into an adjoining second chamber which acts as the combustion chamber and are subjected therein to fluidization with air and burning. Steam is generated in water-filled conduits passing through said second chamber. The heat exchanger particles are simultaneously heated up and are continuously fed back into the first zone of the reactor to contact fresh coal introduced thereinto.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for treating a comminuted solid carbonizable material, such as comminuted municipal waste; sawdust, granulated coal, shredded tires and the like wherein the material is caused to be pyrolyzed in a horizontally disposed elongated reaction zone essentially free of any oxygen containing gases at ambient pressure and at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. The material is passed through the reaction zone by paddle-like impellers mounted on a shaft while being subject to an indirect heat transfer relationship via a burning air fuel mixture spirally swirling within a heating zone about the reaction zone and the mixture being withdrawn from a lower portion of the heating zone. During pyrolysis, the material is chemically changed into valuable gaseous, liquid and solid products.

Abstract: Carbonization of coal in travelling grate furnace with hot gas inlets below the grate. A refractory screen is provided above the grate to provide a flame propagation base for the volatile gases withdrawn from the coal on the grate. The combustion zone above the refractory screen provides radiant heat to vaporize volatiles present in the coal on the grate.The coal to be treated may be in the form of briquettes or an extruded slab. When an extruded slab of slurried coal is used the thermal shock on first entering the carbonization chamber results in the formation of carbon granules.