Abstract: The invention relates to a coke oven of a non-recovery horizontal type of construction, known as a non-recovery or heat-recovery coke oven, in which the coke oven floor is made up of at least two layers and each layer is formed of the same or different silica materials, wherein the first layer, seen from the oven space, is formed from a solid refractory material and the second layer comprises a multiplicity of openings, gaps, apertures or the like, the gas spaces of these openings, gaps, apertures or the like being in communication with the gas space of the flue gas duct running under them.

Abstract: A system for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands includes a heated enclosure 66, one or more input conveyors 60, 67 move tar sands through the heated enclosure, provide a flow line with a temperature gradient of at least 150 F.°, and mechanically move the tar sands along the flow line. A heated rotary drum 74 is in fluid communication with the flow line, and condenser unit 94, 98 receive vapors from the flow line and the rotary drum and output hydrocarbons. One or more discharge conveyors 76 discharge stripped sands from the rotary drum. Control valves 80, 82 seal a vacuum downstream from the discharge conveyors, and control valves 34, 46 seal vacuum upstream from the one or more input conveyors. Various types of vacuum pumps may be used to maintain a selected vacuum between the control valves.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a process for burning lime containing mixture (CaCO3) and converting it to calcinated lime (CaO) in a rotary kiln, the rotary kiln having an elongated cavity surrounded by a wall and a burner arranged to heat the cavity. The method includes collecting measurement data of the temperature in the wall at a plurality of measuring points along the longitudinal axis of the cavity, predicting the actual temperature gradient along the longitudinal axis of the cavity based at least on the measurement data of the temperature in the wall, and by means of a thermal model describing the temperature along the cavity of the kiln, determining a desired temperature gradient along the cavity based on the predicted temperature gradient along the cavity and a predetermined control strategy controlling the temperature in the kiln.

Abstract: The organic matter carbonization process is based on thermal treatment at high temperatures, under a controlled atmosphere, if possible in the absence of oxygen. The organic matter carbonization theory was expounded in this text, with emphasis on the thermodynamic aspects. It is shown in this exposition the important misfit between the endothermic and the exothermic carbonization stages, which hinders the use of the energy emitted during the exothermic stage by the brick kilns. Following there is a summary of the carbonization technique actual stage. The present invention relates to a method and plant for the thermal treatment of organic matter comprising independent reactors for the drying and pyrolysis of organic matter, and an independent reactor for the charcoal cooling. In this method the volatile products—non condensable gases and condensable pyrolytic vapors—are burned in an independent combustion chamber in order to supply the energy demanded by the process.

Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process in which biomass feedstock particles (having a d5o mean particle size of at least 1 mm) are thermally treated substantially in the absence of oxygen to pyrolyse the biomass feedstock particles. The thermal treatment of the biomass feedstock particles includes a heat treatment drying step at a temperature in the range 100° C. to 250° C. Then, at a pre-pyrolysis heating location in a heat treatment system, the biomass feedstock particles are heated to a temperature in the range 280° C. to 350° C., held within the same temperature range for a time of at least 5 seconds and then moved from the pre-pyrolysis heating location to a pyrolysis heating location by a conveyor system for heating to a temperature above 350° C. for pyrolysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a biochar retort kiln are disclosed herein. A method for making biochar includes placing waste bio mass in a cylindrical retort chamber. The retort chamber extends outwardly at a first end and a second end from a fire box. Pyrolysis is fueled by igniting the waste biomass. Syngasses are evacuated through one or more holes defined by the cylindrical retort chamber, such that the syngasses are driven out of the biomass and out of the retort chamber to be consumed by a fire in the firebox. The byproduct of the described method is biochar.

Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.

Abstract: A system for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands includes a heated enclosure 66, one or more input conveyors 60, 67 move tar sands through the heated enclosure, provide a flow line with a temperature gradient of at least 150° F., and mechanically move the tar sands along the flow line. A heated rotary drum 74 is in fluid communication with the flow line, and condenser unit 94, 98 receive vapors from the flow line and the rotary drum and output hydrocarbons. One or more discharge conveyors 76 discharge stripped sands from the rotary drum. Control valves 80, 82 seal a vacuum downstream from the discharge conveyors, and control valves 34, 46 seal vacuum upstream from the one or more input conveyors. Various types of vacuum pumps may be used to maintain a selected vacuum between the control valves.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coking oven in flat-type construction, a non-recovery or heat-recovery coking oven, which has at least one measuring apparatus for measuring the concentration of gasous constituents of the coke oven retort, the coke oven hearth and/or the off gas duct, and in which, on the basis of these data, a process control computer determines and regulates the optimal supply of primary and/or secondary air. Also embraced by the invention is a coking method employing a coking oven of this kind.

Abstract: A retort heating apparatus for processing a feed material includes a heating chamber bounded at least in part by a side wall. A plurality of baffles are at least partially disposed within the heating chamber. Each baffle includes an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface being arched. The plurality of baffles are vertically and horizontally spaced apart so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles. Systems are also provided for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a bottom cover on a coke drum. A support structure supports at least the coke drum. A vertical actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to move the bottom cover vertically in a removal operation of the bottom cover. A rotating actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to rotate the bottom cover in a removal operation. A frame assembly having opposing ends is provided, a pivoting end being attached to the bottom cover and a sliding end being slidably mounted. The frame assembly, the vertical actuator and the rotating actuator cooperate to remove the bottom cover in a removal operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing charcoal in a kiln from hardwood. The kiln is constructed over an array of hardwood logs supported on a suitable platform. Fill material is used to form a surrounding jacket surrounding the hardwood, a sawdust layer is applied over the surrounding jacket, and an airtight layer of clay earth and sand is applied over the sawdust layer. An ignition access port is provided through the several layers to allow ignition and combustion of the hardwood, after which the access port is closed to prevent air from entering the interior of the kiln during burning of the hardwood. After a predetermined burning time, the kiln and its contents are allowed to cool, and the filler, clay earth, sand and any remaining debris are removed from the hardwood. The hardwood is then cooled a second time, and then cooled a third time by stifling the hardwood, such as in a cooling box capped with earth.

Abstract: A coke drum bottom head removal system and method for deheading the bottom head cover of a coke drum comprises a carriage that is positionable beneath the bottom head cover, and a cart mounted to the carriage. Several clamps vertically mounted to the cart are positionable in a closed position, in which the clamps apply a compressive force that maintains substantially fluid tight engagement between the bottom head cover and bottom head flange, and an opened position, in which the clamps allow a limited spacing between the bottom head cover and the bottom head flange. A plurality of supports mounted to the cart support the bottom head cover once the fasteners coupling the bottom head cover to the bottom head flange are removed and the clamps are in the opened position. The system can be remotely operated to enhance operator safety when the bottom head cover is removed.

Abstract: A portable kiln is transported to a site of logging where there is significant wood waste. At the site, wood waste is collected. The portable kiln is assembled as it is being loaded with wood waste. Once the portable kiln is assembled it is lit with all air intakes open. When combustion is complete and charring begins, some of the air intakes are closed. When charring ends, all of the air intakes and exhausts are closed to permit the kiln to cool down.

Abstract: A coke drum head is hinged to a coke drum body using a compound joint such as a trammel pivot, and the head is moved between open and closed positions using an actuator. In moving between open and closed positions, the head traces out a non-circular path which reduces the required headroom relative to a head using a standard pivot.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting carbonaceous raw materials into a carbonized product and activating the product, includes a device for heating the carbonaceous raw materials to form a carbonized product, and equipment for activating the carbonized product and supplying by-product of the activation to the device to help in the heating. The device heats a column of carbonaceous raw materials to pyrolize it and form a carbonized product and vapors and gases. Upward flow of the gases and vapors is restrained so that they flow, with the carbonized product, out of the bottom of the column where they are burned in a combustion box and the resultant hot gases used to heat the column through a tube defining the column. Descending carbonized materials pass rapidly through the combustion box into the equipment which through electical resistance heating and steam, activates the carbonized materials and passes gas and vapor by-products thereby created up into the combustion box to help fuel the heating of the raw materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns a baking ring furnace characterized by the fact that the two parallel rows of cooking chambers are separated by a unique central wall or interior film or space which is capable of being specifically cooled and made firmly attached to the bottom of the basin.

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: 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: The present invention provides a charcoal producing apparatus comprising a combustion chamber, a heating chamber, first passage means interconnecting the combustion chamber and a discharge flue and second passage means interconnecting the heating chamber with the combustion chamber the second passage means being open to the atmosphere and having means for closing it off from the atmosphere. The invention also provides a method for the production of charcoal.

Abstract: An apparatus for carbonizing and then activating carbonaceous materials in a continuous process 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 spaces 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 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: Coke from a non-recovery type coke oven is pushed onto a downwardly-inclined floor within a smoke hood joined along one edge of the coke oven. The coke is quenched by water discharge nozzles inside the hood. The coke is discharged through a gate at the bottom edge of the floor onto a conveyor after quenching is completed. The smoke and effluent within the hood pass into the top of two interconnected ignition chambers filled with checkerbrick to incinerate the effluent after which it is drawn from the top of the last ignition chamber into a conduit for discharge by a stack. The ignition chambers include walls isolating the flow spaces for the smoke and quenching fumes from the other flow spaces within checker-filled portions that conduct countercurrently partially-burned distillation products delivered by sole heating flues and downcomers from the space above a coal charge in the coke oven chamber.

Abstract: A burner for oil or gas is controlled by a thermocouple to maintain a predetermined minimum operating temperature within ignition chambers employed to incinerate partially-burned distillation products conducted from the space above a coal charge in a coke oven. Passageways in the side walls of the coke oven conduct the partially-burned distillation products from the space above the coal charge into sole heating flues located below the oven floor from where such distillation products are conducted into the ignition chambers. A stack is connected to the ignition chambers by a conduit which includes a recuperator used to reduce the temperature of the burned gases and provides a heated secondary air supply. This air supply is fed by separate pipes including control valves into one of the ignition chambers and into the passageways in the side walls of the coke oven. The stack includes a gas washer and a fan used to control the draw on the ignition chambers as well as the coke oven.

Abstract: A process for destructive distillation of solid wastes and an apparatus for achieving the process whereby organic solid waste material which has been shredded, is exposed to a pyrolytic process to remove water and organic materials by a pyrolytic process wherein the off gases, after having been fractionally distilled to extract useable combustion products, are recycled through the process to enhance the destructive distillation of the solid waste material.