Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vessel having an interior chamber formed by a vessel wall. The vessel wall comprises a double-walled structure having an inner wall and an outer wall. A moveable lid is configured to form an airtight seal with the interior chamber in a closed position. A basket is positioned within the chamber. One or more vibration devices, such as transducers, are attached to the basket. A heating coil is positioned within the chamber and surrounding the basket. The heating coil is configured to heat the basket using induction heating. An airtight space is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall and is filled with a gas. The temperature within the chamber may be lowered by cooling the gas.

Abstract: A method for steam reforming carbonaceous material into a synthesis gas by using a single stage process of heating the carbonaceous material in a rotary kiln at an elevated reforming temperature so that the carbonaceous material undergoes substantially complete conversion to synthesis gas or by using a dual stream, multiple-stage process of heating carbonaceous material to a reforming temperature, below that at which metallic materials will typically vaporize, to form gaseous and solid materials; further reforming the gaseous materials in a second stage reforming kiln at an elevated reforming temperature to form synthesis gas; and separating carbon char from the solid material for further processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of charcoal from wood chips or other particulate organic waste material. The quality of charcoal produced is suitable for use in applications such as chemical reagents, fuels, and as absorbents. The reaction vessel defines a flow path extending from the input to the vessel, through to the output from the vessel, in which the thermal decomposition of the organic material progresses as the organic material passes through the reaction vessel. The vessel includes a reaction zone for autogenous reaction of organic material in a reaction bed of the organic material, and a cooling zone having at least one inlet for supplying cooling gas into the reaction bed and an outlet to extract heated gas from the reaction bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing an energy carrier and/or raw material carrier from moisture-containing and/or dry biomass with the aid of a heatable carbonisation reactor (1) having a closable inlet opening (13). The biomass is converted in the carbonisation reactor (1) into a solid, pourable or gaseous energy carrier and/or raw material carrier and for interim storage of the energy carrier and/or raw material carrier is then delivered via a closable outlet opening (14) to a coolable tank (9) connected to the carbonisation reactor (1). The tank (9) is connected to an adjoining heatable gasification reactor (16), in which gas and waste substances, such as ash, are separated from the energy carrier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.

Abstract: A top temperature T1 of a distillation tower 1 is held below a liquefying temperature of a light fraction by returning a part of an exhaust gas W, which is cooled by a condenser 5, to the upper zone of the distillation tower 1. A bottom temperature T2 is raised up to 300° C. at highest by returning a part of a liquid product P from a re-boiler 3 to a lower zone of the distillation tower 1. When a liquid hydrocarbon L comes in countercurrent contact with a stripping gas G inside the distillation tower 1 with the temperature profile that an inner temperature gradually falls down along an upward direction, mercury is efficiently transferred from the liquid L to a vapor phase without effusion of the light fraction in accompaniment with the exhaust gas W.

Abstract: The invention describes a process and a plant for pyrolyzing hydrocarbon-containing waste products, in particular used tires or biowaste, in which the material to be pyrolyzed is introduced into a pyrolysis furnace and is pyrolyzed at 500° C. The significant factor is that the material is introduced as far as possible without being broken down, into a receiving device outside the furnace (1), which receiving device is introduced into the pyrolysis furnace, which is open at the bottom, from below, the device simultaneously closing the furnace (1) in a sealed manner. The significant advantage is that a plurality of different receiving devices for different materials can be provided, so that the pyrolysis plant can be used with a relatively quick changeover for different pyrolysis raw materials, without changeover measures on the furnace being required.

Abstract: The present end-lap retainer is a one-piece device having a particular configuration so as to fit snugly over the end of a pliable tube used to dispense viscous materials, such as, toothpaste, glue, ointment, etc. During the normal use process, a toothpaste user will lap or fold the bottom end of the tube when the tube becomes partially depleted. This lapping process forces the remaining paste upward toward the top of the tube for easy dispensing of its contents. The end-lap retainer device is attached to the laps or folds, holding them firmly in place, thereby preventing any unlapping or back flow of the contents when pressure is applied to the tube during dispensing.

Abstract: An improved gasification system, in which synthesis gas is produced through the operation of a fuel gas production bed comprising an upper layer (66) of organic input material, typically in the form of pellets or briquettes of substantially uniform size and configuration, two intermediate layers, one intermediate layer (70) for carbonizing the input material and the other intermediate layer (72) for partially oxidizing and substantially completely pyrolizing the input material and a lower layer (68) of tar-free charcoal. The gasification system includes a closed reaction chamber (10) which includes upper and lower portions (14/18). The cross-sectional area of the lower portion (18) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the upper portion (14), the lower portion further including an upper part which overlaps the lower part of the upper portion (14).

Abstract: Wet refinery sludges are disposed of by feeding them into a delayed coking process. The sludge is fed to the blowdown drum of the delayed coking process and mixed with oil condensed from the coke drum overhead, and the resulting sludge-oil mixture is fed to the coke drum where it is converted into coke. In order to remove the water from the sludge, a portion of the sludge-oil mixture is heated and recirculated to the blowdown drum where it provides the heat for drying and heating the sludge. The recirculating sludge-oil mixture is heated by a low level heat source, such as one of the fluid streams taken off from the fractionator.

Abstract: A kiln having pyrolysis, gasification and cooling horizontal zones, divided over its height into vertical chambers by vertical dividing walls, and having flues with vents housed in the dividing walls and the walls of the outer enclosure for injecting reaction fluids and fumes and for drawing off gases and vapors.In the gasification zone, the dividing walls have diffusion panels adjacent diffusion chambers. The panels are connected to the reaction fluid supply and are of a height which corresponds substantially to the height of the panel.The vertical chambers form modular cells through which the granulated mineral flows continuously without encountering obstructions in the form of irregularities.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for depressurizing, cooling, and, optionally, moisturizing retorted oil shale produced in an oil shale retort operated at superatmospheric pressure. Hot retorted oil shale particles are gravitated from the retort and into an elongated, multichambered vessel. In the upper chambers of the vessel the particles are partially cooled by contact with a controlled flow of liquid water. The water, having been totally vaporized, is removed from the particles at a rate which prevents the substantial flow of gases between the vessel and the retort. In the lower chambers of the vessel, the particles are first stripped of entrained hydrocarbon gas by gravitating through a countercurrently flowing stream of stripping gas and then brought to ambient pressure by gravitating through a long, narrow seal leg. Optionally, the depressurized and partially cooled particles are then further cooled and moisturized by admixing with a controlled flow of liquid water.

Abstract: Combustion gas such as air, oxygen-enriched air or oxygen is introduced at an intermediate level in a vertical shaft kiln for the calcining of petroleum coke using a plurality of radially disposed combustion gas injectors. The injectors include means for circulating coolant around the periphery of the injector so that common metals may be used in the high temperature (above 2000.degree. F.) environment of the shaft kiln.

Abstract: Combustion gas such as air, oxygen-enriched air or oxygen is introduced to a calcining zone at an intermediate level in a vertical shaft kiln for the calcining of petroleum coke utilizing a plurality of radially disposed combustion gas injectors and at least one vertically disposed injector located within the shaft kiln and extending into the calcining zone. The injector includes means for circulating coolant around the periphery of the injector so that common metals may be used in the high temperature (above 2000.degree. F.) environment of the shaft kiln. The vertical combustion gas injector may extend from the top of the calcining chamber to the calcining zone or from the bottom of the calcining chamber to the calcining zone. When the vertical combustion gas injector extends vertically upwardly from the bottom of the calcining chamber, means for introducing recycle gas to the calcining chamber may be incorporated into the vertical combustion gas injector.

Abstract: A pyrolysis process and system produces a solid residue and a clean, enriched fuel gas. In the process, the pyrolytic oil and filter cake are recycled in such a manner as to produce products of optimal value, and to minimize the need for servicing and downtime of the system. Recycling of water recovered in the process may also be employed to achieve enrichment of the gaseous product. The process may be carried ou in such a manner as to produce a non-polluting wastewater stream that can be discharged directly from the system.

Abstract: The method of producing blast furnace coke by (1) compacting a finely divided coal wherein at least about 60% by weight of the coal has a diameter of less than about 1/8 inch to form a coal compact, which compact immediately after removal from the compacting means comprises at least about 20% by weight of particles having a particle size of less than 1/4 inch in diameter; (2) breaking the thus formed compact such that the bulk density is sufficiently increased to be capable of conversion into coke suitable for use in large blast furnaces upon carbonization thereof; and (3) carbonizing the broken compact to thereby produce blast furnace coke having a minimum hardness of about 68 and a minimum stability of about 55. The compacting is preferably performed at a pressure equivalent to that achieved by passing the finely divided coal between rolls at a pressure applied to the coal of between about 20 and about 60 tons per lineal inch.

Abstract: A pyroscrubber for combustion of large carbon particles in a stream of waste gas, particularly the waste gas from a coke calcination furnace comprises a generally U-shaped combustion chamber having a first passage arranged parallel with (preferably above) a second passage, so that there is a reversal in gas flow direction between the two passages. The combustion chamber has an exhaust gas inlet and an array of air inlets at the inlet end of the first passage. A gas outlet preferably leads laterally out of the side of the structure at the outlet end of the second passage to secure an abrupt change in the direction of gas flow.

Abstract: A coke oven discharge device for the closed discharge of coke from a horizontal row of coke ovens into a receiving bunker located alongside the ovens comprises a support frame which is mounted on an undercarriage for movement along a path alongside the rows of coke ovens. The tank is made up of a plurality of heat resistant metal plates which are suspended in loosely adjacent layers from strips and they overlap their adjacent plates. The tank includes a bottom with openable door means for selectively opening and closing a bottom discharge for discharging the coke into a receiving bunker. A separator and washer is connected to the tank for withdrawing gaseous dust and odors and for subjecting them to a washing and a removal of the dust. The tank carries a sealing sleeve which is engageable between the exterior of the tank around the bottom discharge and a bunker to seal the space therebetween during the discharge.

Abstract: Upon discharge from a coke oven, highly heated coke is cooled by charging the hot coke to a shaft cooler wherein it is contacted with an inert cooling gas to a temperature of between 600.degree.-800.degree.F, the coke then being discharged through a pressure retention device and to a quench bunker by means of a feeding device, with the coke further cooled to a temperature of below 300.degree.F by water sprays, while preventing entrance of steam into the shaft cooler. The feed means and quench bunker are enclosed so as to prevent discharge to the atmosphere of steam produced on contact of the spray with the coke as well as particulate material carried thereby. The coke at below 300.degree.F is then fed to a conveyor for removal from the cooling area.