Directly Heated Chamber Patents (Class 202/99)
  • Publication number: 20110303525
    Abstract: Disclosed is a waste tire recycling system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a waste tire recycling system having a pyrolysis furnace in which waste tires injected are recycled with a carrier gas and decomposed by a direct heating method, an oil-collecting means for cooling and condensing hot steam generated from the pyrolysis furnace and collecting oil, and a carrier gas recycling line through which a carrier gas is recycled back into the pyrolysis furnace via the pyrolysis furnace and the oil collecting means, the waste tire recycling system comprising a carrier gas feeder connected to one end of the carrier gas recycling line to selectively feed a carrier gas by controlling a valve, the carrier gas feeder having a filling element filled with a carrier gas containing at least one of methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane and ammonia group components in a mixed form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Yeong Min Jeon
  • Publication number: 20110278150
    Abstract: A system and method for the continuous production of carbonaceous pyrolysis by-products are provided which include one or more pyrolysis reaction chambers adapted to receive a wide variety of feedstock materials, including biomass feedstock. System operating parameters including feedstock input rate, atmosphere composition and flow rate, temperature, reaction mixture stirring and agitation rate are selectively independently controllable to produce an end by-product having desired properties for specific applications, and gaseous reaction by-products may be recycled as a fuel for the pyrolysis reaction, thereby enhancing overall system operating efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: ECI RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel W. Mulqueen, James L. Fournier, Thomas B. Reed
  • Patent number: 7987613
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the utilization of heated waste streams for fluidizing particulate matter such as coal in a fluidizing bed dryer. The control system includes a number of graphic user interfaces that allow an operator to more easily monitor and/or control the various regulator devices. The control system controls coal handling or transportation, fluid handling or flow, and the discharge of discarded or separated coal from the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Great River Energy
    Inventors: Mark A Ness, Matthew P Coughlin, John M Wheeldon, Adam M Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110174193
    Abstract: A pyrolysis process is provided. The process includes the steps of: depositing a quantity of waste into a porous container, the porous container adapted to allow a convective stream of substantially anaerobic gas to flow therethrough; inserting the porous container into a pyrolysis thermal processor; sealing the thermal processor; circulating the convective stream of gas through the pyrolysis thermal processor; heating the waste according to a first time-temperature profile to pyrolyze the waste and form a carbonaceous char; and cooling the carbonaceous char by circulating the convective stream of gas through a cooler. An oil product and a gaseous hydrocarbon product are produced during the pyrolysis. The carbonaceous char is further processed to form a carbon black product and a recyclable metal product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth Wesley Hamby, James Brian Kelly, Timothy Joseph Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20110139596
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for effective pyrolysis of a biomass utilizing rapid heat transfer from a solid heat carrier or catalyst. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses which incorporate progressive temperature quenching and rapid disengagement of the heat carrier material and reaction product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: KIOR, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Bartek, Ronald Lee Cordle
  • Publication number: 20110132737
    Abstract: A system and method for biomass pyrolysis utilizing chemical looping combustion of a produced char to capture carbon dioxide is disclosed. The system includes a biomass pyrolysis reactor, a char combustor, and oxidation reactor and a separator for separating carbon dioxide from flue gas produced by the char combustion. The pyrolysis reactor pyrolyzes biomass in the presence of reduced metal oxide sorbents producing char and pyrolysis oil vapor. The char is separated and combusted in the char combustor, in the presence of oxidized metal oxide sorbents, into a gaseous stream of carbon dioxide and water vapor. The carbon dioxide and water are separated so that a stream of carbon dioxide may be captured. The oxidation reactor oxidizes, in the presence of air, a portion of reduced metal oxide sorbents into oxidized metal oxide sorbents that are looped back to the char combustor to provide oxygen for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Raja A. Jadhav
  • Publication number: 20110120852
    Abstract: A device for a directed gas routing of primary air into a coke chamber oven is disclosed. The primary air is conducted through the coke chamber top into the gas space of a coke oven battery and is laterally deflected as it enters into the gas space of the coke chamber. Also disclosed is a method for lateral deflection of primary air after its entry into the coke oven chamber, thus improving the distribution of the primary air in the coke oven chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald Kim
  • Publication number: 20110114144
    Abstract: This invention involves pyrolysis of feedstock by introducing carbonaceous feedstock, into a hopper and moving it into a reactor tube enclosed in an oven, generating heat within the oven that is in part transferred to the feedstock, heating it to sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the feedstock into useful volatiles and char. A Venturi system produces a negative pressure directing volatiles into a pyro-gas oven producing heat necessary for pyrolysis and generating useful excess heat. The extruded pyrolysis char has uses including charcoal fuel, soil amendments, and activated charcoal while liquids can be produced for processing into fuels. Excess heat may be used to heat water, steam, and air, may be used in air heating and cooling systems, perform mechanical work with a Stirling engine or generate electricity on the order of 100 kW and higher. The system may be operated in a carbon neutral or even carbon negative manner, allowing sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Green Liquid and Gas Technologies
    Inventors: Alex E.S. Green, Bruce A. Green
  • Patent number: 7943014
    Abstract: An integrated combustion chamber and fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor. In one embodiment, the combustion chamber is cylindrical and the pyrolysis reactor is provided annularly about the combustion chamber with an annular wall that provides a common surface for heat transfer. A lift tube in fluid communication with the pyrolysis reactor is provided within the combustion chamber for circulating biomass and an inert fluidizable media upwardly through the lift tube; this advantageously increases heat transfer and leads to more rapid pyrolysis. The media and biomass exit the lift tube into either a freeboard area of the pyrolysis reactor or into a low density region of the fluidized bed. A condensable gaseous product is produced during pyrolysis that has economic value. The apparatus and process are especially well suited to the pyrolysis of low density agricultural biomass. The apparatus is compact and particularly well suited to mobile operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Agri-Therm Inc.
    Inventors: Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens, Ronald Golden
  • Publication number: 20110078951
    Abstract: A gasifier combines two reactors using externally generated preheated high temperature steam injection into the first reactor, where the heating demand for gasification is supplied by the sensible energy from the steam. The gasifier can produce a medium and higher LCV syngas. The first reactor is a fixed bed gasification section where the coarse feedstock is gasified, and the second reactor is an entrained-bed gasification section where the liquid and fine feedstock is gasified. Solid coarse feedstock is devolatilized in the first fixed bed reactor of the gasifier with high-temperature steam, and subsequently, in the second reactor subjected to a higher temperature sufficient to crack and destroy tars and oils. Activated carbon may be formed as co-product. The gasifier may be used with various solid and liquid feedstocks. The gasifier is capable of gasifying such different feedstocks simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Boson Energy SA
    Inventors: Wlodzimierz Blasiak, Weihong Yang
  • Patent number: 7871499
    Abstract: A retort oven for decomposition of waste materials through pyrolysis employing a deck with a variable angle of inclination for adjusting the retention time and processing rate of waste material flowing unassisted through the oven interior. The oven includes an outer shell lined with a refractory material and houses an inner oven chamber. The deck is adjustably hinge mounted to the inner chamber supporting sidewalls extending in a decline from a waste material entrance to a charred material exit. The deck is operated in a preferred angle range of inclination between 28°-50° from the oven floor normal. A controlled heat source is positioned within the oven to heat a first outer volume whose heated gases are transferred into a second inner volume of the inner chamber using an array of heat gun tubes heating the deck and material as it descends along the declined deck. The deck can be adjusted for varying the retention time of material within the oven for varied exposure to heat and charring efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Simeken, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Gehring, William Sweet
  • Publication number: 20110005913
    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-pyrolysing 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 whilst the material to be gasified is mechanically transported from a material container to the ash discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: von Goertz & Finger GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Finger
  • Publication number: 20100320070
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Agilyx Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Clark DeWhitt
  • Publication number: 20100283257
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, the slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture which is then subjected to a cracking temperature in a receiving tank, thereby liquefying and allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction. The cracking reaction which the liquefied mixture undergoes is continued in a mixer pump to thereby produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is outgased in an intermediate tank to separate an outgased fraction from a non-outgased fraction. Subsequently, the outgased fraction is allowed to cool down, thereby producing fuel, while the non-outgased fraction is returned to the receiving tank and subjected again to the cracking temperature. Residual matter of the non-outgased fraction settles in the intermediate tank and is periodically removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: JÜRGEN BUCHERT
  • Publication number: 20100276270
    Abstract: A system and method for a constituent rendering of biomass and other carbon-based materials is provided. The system can be configured for receiving a feedstock material to be rendered into its constituent components, grinding the feedstock to a desired size and/or consistency, and placing the feedstock in contact with a hot mix heat transfer medium within a pressure chamber. Pyrolysis of the feedstock can lead to a breakdown of the feedstock into constituent components that can then be collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: WILLIAM JESWINE
  • Publication number: 20100115961
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising either a gasification step or a pyrolysis step to produce an offgas and a non-airborne, solid char material; followed by a plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: TETRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Chris Chapman, David Ovens, David Deegan, Saeed Ismail
  • Publication number: 20100111815
    Abstract: For implementing startup and priming phases of a vegetable carbon production method, an installation includes a generator of hot gases with low oxygen content, and a fan downstream which boosts the hot gases into a lower part of a reactor. The reactor includes a column of substantial height whose upper inlet, with a temperature T3 of less than 65° C., is used to continuously load and add biomass and whose lower part has a grid for support and removal of the load, an underlying injection chamber for the gases from the generator, and a mechanism for retrieving processed substances. The installation also includes, at the outlet for cold gases at temperature T3 at the top of the reactor column, a thermal post-combustion chamber for the extracted gases, a heat exchanger, a fan, a second heat exchanger, a vent and connecting pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: THERMYA
    Inventor: David Mateos
  • Patent number: 7625532
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ablative thermolysis reactor (12) comprising a reaction vessel (20), and inlet (14) into the reaction vessel (20) for receiving feedstock, and an outlet from the reaction vessel (20) for discharging thermolysis product. Within the reaction vessel (20), is provided an ablative surface (20a) defining the periphery of a cylinder, and heating means (22) are arranged to heat the ablative surface (20a) to an elevated temperature. In addition at least one rotatable surface (28) having an axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of said cylinder. The rotatable surface (28) is provided relative to the ablative surface (20a) such that feedstock is pressed between a part of the rotatable surface (28) and said ablative surface (20a) and moved along the ablative surface (20a) by the rotatable surface (28), whereby to thermolyse said feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Aston University
    Inventors: Anthony Victor Bridgwater, George Vernon Cordner Peacocke, Nicholas Matthew Robinson
  • Patent number: 7597797
    Abstract: Coker heater operation is improved by on-line spalling of coker heater pipes. In one embodiment an off-line pipe is added to the on-line coker heater pipes. When an on-line pipe is to be spalled, flow is diverted to the off-line pipe allowing for full operation of the coker heater. In another embodiment, a thermal transfer resistant zone plate is movably mounted in the radiant section of the coker heater. By moving the zone plate from an operating position to a spalling position and adjusting the temperature of the plurality of burners, the temperature of the pipes in the zone of the heater radiant section to be spalled can be lowered, while the temperature in the remaining zones of the heater radiant section are fully operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Alliance Process Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Robert L. Gregory
  • Publication number: 20090242376
    Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a substantially closed pyrolyzer (4), a supply inlet for supplying pyrolyzable fuel to the pyrolyzer (4), an outlet for taking hot bed material in particle form out of the pyrolyzer, one or more exit outlets (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer, a condenser (8) for condensing the condensible gaseous substances into pyrolysis oil, and a line (7) for transferring the condensible gaseous substances from the exit outlet of the pyrolyzer (4) to the condenser (8). The means for maintaining pyrolysis conditions in the pyrolyzer (4) comprise an inlet for taking hot bed material in particle form into the pyrolyzer and means (5) for supplying fluidizing gas to the pyrolyzer. The pyrolyzer (4) is a chamber bounded directly by a furnace (1) of a bubbling fluidized bed boiler, through which chamber fluidized bed material is arranged to be circulated between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Metso Power Oy
    Inventor: Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20090242377
    Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a furnace (1) operating by fluidized bed combustion, a pyrolyzer (4) and flow paths, which connect the furnace (1) and the pyrolyzer (4) for arranging the circulation (C) of carrier material of the fluidized bed combustion between the furnace and the pyrolyzer The apparatus also comprises a supply inlet (14) for supplying fuel to be pyrolyzed to the pyrolyzer (4), fluidizing gas supply means (5) arranged in the pyrolyzer for fluidizing the mixture of carrier material and fuel, and an outlet (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer (4), and a condenser for condensing the condensible gaseous substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Timo Honkola, Pasi Salonen, Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20090217574
    Abstract: A process, system and apparatus is provided for passivating carbonaceous material against spontaneous combustion. The process involves drying the carbonaceous material in a low oxygen environment and pre-conditioning the carbonaceous material by contacting it with volatile matter contained in a countercurrent gas stream. The volatile matter coats the particles of dried carbonaceous material and plugs the micropores of the dried carbonaceous material, thereby passivating it against adsorption of water and oxygen, and thus spontaneous combustion. The pre-conditioned dried material then undergoes devolatilisation at temperatures at which volatile matter is evolved. The evolved volatile matter mixes with the countercurrent gas stream and is used to pre-condition dried carbonaceous material located upstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: James Coleman, David Cork
  • Publication number: 20090127090
    Abstract: A delayed coking process and apparatus which greatly shorten the required duration of the alternating drum fill and decoking cycles and eliminate the need to perform drum quenching, draining, unheading, hydraulic decoking, reheading, pressure testing, and warming procedures in the decoking cycle. In the inventive system, the decoking cycle preferably comprises simply a steamout stage and a coke product draining procedure. The coke product produced in the coking drums is a hot, solid, flowable material from which heat can be recovered for preheating the coker feed and/or producing steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Kazem Ganji
  • Publication number: 20090107830
    Abstract: A retort oven for decomposition of waste materials through pyrolysis employing a deck with a variable angle of inclination for adjusting the retention time and processing rate of waste material flowing unassisted through the oven interior. The oven includes an outer shell lined with a refractory material and houses an inner oven chamber. The deck is adjustably hinge mounted to the inner chamber supporting sidewalls extending in a decline from a waste material entrance to a charred material exit. The deck is operated in a preferred angle range of inclination between 28°-50° from the oven floor normal. A controlled heat source is positioned within the oven to heat a first outer volume whose heated gases are transferred into a second inner volume of the inner chamber using an array of heat gun tubes heating the deck and material as it descends along the declined deck. The deck can be adjusted for varying the retention time of material within the oven for varied exposure to heat and charring efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: SIMEKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Michael W. Gehring, William Sweet
  • Publication number: 20090084029
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: STICHTING ENERGIEONDERZOEK CENTRUM NEDERLAND
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Albert Bergman
  • Publication number: 20090078557
    Abstract: A process for converting organic waste into reusable hydrocarbons and a system for doing so, the system including a feeding mechanism for the waste, a reactor and a residue-disposing mechanism. The waste is to be fed into the reactor in which a molten lead bath is confined in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The system is used to practice a process for the pyrocatalytic conversion of the waste, which process comprises, feeding the waste into a reaction zone of a pyrocatalytic reactor, the waste being essentially free of a halogenated synthetic resinous material, and mixing the waste with a minor proportion by weight of a particulate catalyst in the bath held at a temperature in the range from about 450° C. to 550° C. in an elongated vat. The catalyst consists essentially of a major proportion by weight of particulate bauxite <2 mm, in combination with a minor proportion of aluminum powder <0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Zbigniew Tokarz
  • Publication number: 20090032383
    Abstract: The invention relates to coke production in general and specifically to methods and devices for the production of metallurgical coke from noncaking coals. The method comprises metering, crushing and mixing of coal, an adhesion agent, and an organic waste component to produce uniform feedstock and subsequent heating of the feedstock, wherein as the adhesion agent are used high boiling point products of plastic waste pyrolysis, which are added to the feedstock in an amount of 15% to 20% of the total feedstock volume and wherein the feedstock is heated in the temperature range 250° C. to 1100° C. The device comprises a fire-resistant coking chamber; heating ducts; burners; means for charging the material to be coked; a coke discharging means, wherein the device comprises a heating tank provided with a charging hole for charging plastic waste, organic waste, and catalysts; and with a flight conveyor for removing undissolved residues from said tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Abramovich Berezin, Alexander Arkadievich Teplitsky, Artem Valeriyovich Madatov
  • Publication number: 20090020405
    Abstract: A method of and a plant for combusting carbonaceous fuel, the method including the steps of introducing particulate oxygen selective sorbent, such as a perovskite type material, into an adsorption reactor of the combustion plant to form a first particle bed in the adsorption reactor, fluidizing the first particle bed by an oxygen-containing first fluidizing gas to adsorb oxygen from the fluidizing gas to the sorbent, conveying oxygen-rich sorbent from the adsorption reactor to a combustion reactor of the combustion plant to form a second particle bed in the combustion reactor, fluidizing the second particle bed by an oxygen-deficient second fluidizing gas to desorb oxygen from the sorbent, so as to produce free oxygen gas, and introducing carbonaceous fuel into the combustion reactor to oxidize the fuel with the free oxygen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen FAN, Horst Hack, Andrew SELTZER, Archibald Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090000938
    Abstract: Apparatus for the destructive reclamation of materials and energy from municipal wastes and other raw materials through the use of Microwave induced Gasification and Pyrolysis, where the waste or raw material may be circulated once or several times through the process thus enabling the programming of different processes to differing materials and desired end products. The form employed being linear, circulating conveyors or rotating carousels that may carry trays or crucibles, some of which may be equipped with linings that absorb microwaves to enable the early charring of materials that do not initially absorb microwaves and thus will not heat up on their own.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Kjell Ivar Kasin
  • Publication number: 20080230365
    Abstract: A processor for vacuum distillation of whole tires including; an insulated housing having a door on one end, and rails on a lower surface of the housing to support a cart loaded with whole tires. A plurality of first heat tubes arranged around and spaced from a central radiant heat tube, the central radiant heat tube having an unsupported end adjacent the door such that whole tires loaded on the cart and through the door will pass over the central radiant heat tube such that the central radiant heat tube is located in a central opening of each tire on the cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Harvey Bohr
  • Patent number: 7416641
    Abstract: Tire pyrolysis systems and processes are provided which include feeding tire shreds to a pyrolysis vessel (40) and pyrolyzing the shreds in a pyrolysis vessel (40) to produce a pyrolysis gas and carbon black mixture. The pyrolysis gas processed by centrifugally separating entrained particles therefrom, separating the pyrolysis gas into a hydrocarbon condensate and a light vapor, removing entrained hydrocarbon condensate from the light vapor, and purifying and refining the hydrocarbon condensate. The carbon black mixture is processed by pulverizing the mixture to break up all strands and clumps of inorganic solids, cooling the carbon black mixture, separating the gross contaminants from the carbon mixture, and purifying and refining the carbon black. The hydrocarbon condensate is purified and refined by removing all remaining contaminants, removing any polycyclic aromatics to produce a clear, colorless plasticizer oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Federal Recycling Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert W. Denison
  • Publication number: 20080197012
    Abstract: An integrated combustion chamber and fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor. In one embodiment, the combustion chamber is cylindrical and the pyrolysis reactor is provided annularly about the combustion chamber with an annular wall that provides a common surface for heat transfer. A lift tube in fluid communication with the pyrolysis reactor is provided within the combustion chamber for circulating biomass and an inert fluidizable media upwardly through the lift tube; this advantageously increases heat transfer and leads to more rapid pyrolysis. The media and biomass exit the lift tube into either a freeboard area of the pyrolysis reactor or into a low density region of the fluidized bed. A condensable gaseous product is produced during pyrolysis that has economic value. The apparatus and process are especially well suited to the pyrolysis of low density agricultural biomass. The apparatus is compact and particularly well suited to mobile operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens, Ronald Golden
  • Publication number: 20040220435
    Abstract: A method for processing organic material including heating the organic material to a temperature exceeding 100° C. in an atmosphere including at least one of superheated steam, a hot inert gas, hot air and hot process gases, and subsequently cooling the heated organic material in an atmosphere including at least one of superheated steam and an inert gas. Also described are processing apparatus for use in performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas John Stubbing
  • Publication number: 20040178052
    Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized with air and heated to ignition. Control of pressure by input of air and release of gases to maintain successively lower pressure levels results in a typical time for the conversion of less than 30 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: University of Hawaii
    Inventor: Michael J. Antal
  • Patent number: 6666955
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material comprising placing the polymeric material in a reactor and establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor. The polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material to produce volatile products and non-volatile residue. The volatile products and non-volatile residue are subsequently removed from the reactor and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: G. Thomas Bissell
  • Patent number: 6657095
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for pyrolyzing waste tire chips, the tire chips passed into an inclined rotary kiln having an output end. The tire chips are saturated by oil in the inclined rotary kiln and are pyrolyzed by indirectly heating with a heated gas. The pyrolyzed tire chips and oil produces a vapor product and a solid product that are separated within the kiln by gravitational separation. The vapor product is processed to condense oil and a portion of the condensed oil is recycled to the rotary kiln. The solid product is separated into oil and char, a portion of the oil recycled to the inclined rotary kiln for saturating the tire chips. The vapor product following the oil removal is used to produce the heated gas to heat the rotary kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Recycled Energy, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Harold H. Holden, H. Scott Holden
  • Patent number: 6623602
    Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for reclaiming volatile products and non-volatile residue through the pyrolysis of a polymeric material comprising placing the polymeric material in a reactor and establishing an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a reactor. The polymeric material is simultaneously compressed and heated to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the polymeric material to produce volatile products and non-volatile residue. The volatile products and non-volatile residue are subsequently removed from the reactor and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: G. Thomas Bissell
  • Publication number: 20030141176
    Abstract: Cracker apparatus, comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Esa Supponen
  • Patent number: 6596128
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for decreasing gas flow rates in a sole flue gas system for a coke oven during at least an initial coking operation after charging a coking oven with coal. The method includes providing a duct system between a first coke oven having a first coking chamber and a second coke oven having a second coking chamber to direct at least a portion of gas from a gas space in first coking chamber to the second coke oven thereby reducing a gas flow rate in the first sole flue gas system of the first coke oven. Reduction in sole flue gas flow rates has a beneficial effect on product throughput, the life of the coke oven and environmental control of volatile emissions from coke ovens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Coke Company
    Inventor: Richard W. Westbrook
  • Publication number: 20030127312
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from contaminated soil provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste materials such as oil contaminated materials and soils. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Donald W. Lemmons, Richard William Scheu
  • Publication number: 20030127310
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from waste material provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste plastic materials and waste materials such as oil contaminated materials and soils. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Donald W. Lemmons, Richard William Sheu
  • Publication number: 20030098227
    Abstract: A dry distillation and volume reduction apparatus for waste comprising a superheated steam generator 1 for generating a superheated steam, a dry distillation and volume reduction vessel 2 for heating waste 5 and subjecting the same to dry distillation and volume reduction with the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generator 1, and heating gas supplier 4 for supplying exhaust gas of an engine 3 as a heat source for heating the superheated steam generator 1. Furthermore, the superheated steam can also be generated by producing a combustible gas by incomplete combustion of carbides 52 produced by heating of organic waste 52 in the dry distillation and volume reduction vessel 2 using heating gas supplier 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Ryoichi Okamoto, Hiromu Shishido, Norio Omoda
  • Publication number: 20030050519
    Abstract: A method for decomposing plastic waste to produce fuel materials makes the plastic waste decomposed by cracking and then inverted the plastic waste to be multiple fuel materials such as gas, gasoline, and diesel oil, and other byproducts such as hydrochloride acid and active carbon by fractionation. Whereby, the plastic waste is reused in an efficient and beneficial way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Chin Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020119089
    Abstract: Tire pyrolysis systems and processes are provided which include feeding tire shreds to a pyrolysis reactor, pyrolyzing the shreds in a pyrolysis reactor to produce a hydrocarbon-containing gas stream and carbon-containing solid, removing the carbon-containing solid from the reactor, directing the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream into a separator, contacting the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream with an oil spray in the separator thereby washing particulate from the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream and condensing a portion of the gas stream to oil, removing and cooling the oil from the separator, directing non-condensed gas from the gas stream away from the separator, and directing a portion of the cooled oil removed from the separator to an inlet of the separator for use as the separator oil spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Tirenergy Corporation
    Inventors: Blaine Masemore, Robert Zarrizski
  • Patent number: 6187147
    Abstract: The return bend elbow fittings connecting adjacent tubes in a delayed coker furnace are improved by subjecting the interior surface of the fittings to a diffusion hardfacing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Doerksen
  • Patent number: 6168688
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the thermolysis of solid waste within an enclosed thermolysis chamber in the absence of free oxygen which produces a thermolysis off-gas. The thermolysis off-gas is removed from the thermolysis chamber and injected into a cyclone where it is washed with water and cooled. The washed and cooled thermolysis off-gas is divided into two portions. One portion of the washed thermolysis off-gas is further cooled in a heat exchanger and then injected into a burner and combusted, while the remaining portion of the washed thermolysis off-gas is passed into indirect heat exchange with the hot off-gas resulting from the combustion of the other portion of the thermolysis off-gas in the burner and recycled back into the enclosed thermolysis chamber. This in-situ recycling of hot thermolysis off-gas helps prevent the creation of hot spots in the thermolysis chamber and the possibility of an explosive reaction between oxygen and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Francaise de Thermolyse
    Inventors: Guy Clot, Jean Roure
  • Patent number: 6039774
    Abstract: A self-sustaining system for converting organic waste feedstreams into usable solid and gas end products includes a plurality of interconnected retorts, an apparatus for flash pyrolyzing the feedstream to form intermediate gas and solid products, a source for introducing a water spray to refine and cool the intermediate products, a device for separating the gas product from the solid product and a device for regenerating, and thereby further refining, the solid product. In a self-sustaining process, wastes which would otherwise be landfilled are converted to an activated carbon product and a combustible gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and lower hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventors: Frederick G. McMullen, Dillon G. McMullen, Roger B. McMullen
  • Patent number: 6013158
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming liquid hydrocarbons from solid coal. The coal is pulverized to provide a particulate coal feed, which is then extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed coal supported inside of a support tube. A clay feed is extruded to provide a hollow tube of compressed clay supported inside of the coal tube and a combustible fuel is burned inside of the clay tube. The temperature of combustion is sufficient to fire the extruded clay and pyrolyze the extruded coal to produce hydrocarbon gases and coal char. The support tube has holes for releasing the hydrocarbon gases, which contain suspended particles formed during combustion. The suspended particles are removed from the hydrocarbon gases to provide clean gases, which are passed through an ionizing chamber to ionize at least a portion thereof. The ionized gases are then passed through a magnetic field to separate them from each other according to their molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: William A. Wootten
  • Patent number: 5961786
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to a new method and apparatus for the fast pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials involving rapid mixing, high heat transfer rates, precisely controlled short uniform residence times and rapid primary product quench in an upflow, entrained-bed, transport reactor with heat carrier solids recirculation. A carbonaceous feedstock, a non-oxidative transport gas and inorganic particulate heat supplying material are rapidly mixed in a reactor base section, then transported upward through an entrained-bed tubular reactor. A cyclonic hot solids recirculation system separates the solids from the non-condensible gases and primary product vapors and returns them to the mixer. Product vapors are rapidly quenched to provide maximum yields of liquids, petrochemicals, high value gases and selected valuable chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ensyn Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Barry A. Freel, Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 5935387
    Abstract: A method for heating a low temperature carbonization drum includes generating a low temperature carbonization gas in the drum; combusting a partial flow of the low temperature carbonization gas for generating a heating gas; conducting the heating gas in a heating gas circuit; preheating the cooled heating gas flowing out of the drum; and then returning a controllable partial flow of the cooled heating gas to the drum while re-admixing the controllable partial flow with the heating gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Tratz, Reiner Engelhardt, Georg Losel