Wood Patents (Class 48/209)
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Patent number: 4385905Abstract: A system is disclosed for the conversion of solid carbonaceous fuels to combustible gases having a high energy content. The system utilizes a two-stage reaction system where a particulate fuel is entrained in a high velocity, hot gas stream emanating from a fixed-bed char reactor, the particulate fuel delivered to a gasification reactor by the hot gas stream while being rapidly heated (fast pyrolized). The gases produced are drawn a fixed distance through a bed of char at the bottom of the gasification reactor, after which they are withdrawn from the reactor and cooled. To promote methanation, the generated gases, after passing through the fixed bed of char in the gasification reactor, exit the reactor through a dip leg within the reactor filled with a catalyst which promotes methanation.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1981Date of Patent: May 31, 1983Assignee: Everett Metal Products, Inc.Inventor: Gordon H. Tucker
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Patent number: 4384923Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the hygienization of carbonation sludges. For this purpose, these are mixed with wastes having a high calorific value and containing organic substances and are decomposed by pyrolysis, in the absence of air, at a temperature from 200.degree. C. to 800.degree. C., preferably 250.degree. C. to 720.degree. C.The fuel gases obtained in the decomposition by pyrolysis can be utilized for external heating of the thermal reactor, autothermic operation, that is to say self-sustaining operation, becoming possible when wastes of high calorific value are added to the carbonation sludge in such a quantity that the calorific value of the waste mixture is more than 1,000 kcal/kg.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1981Date of Patent: May 24, 1983Assignee: Deutsche Kommunal-Anlagen Miete GmbHInventor: Klaus Hillekamp
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Patent number: 4382915Abstract: In the gasification of char with zinc oxide improvement comprises the process of quenching the reactor effluent with recycled, cold CO product gas, thereby reducing the tendency for zinc vapor to react with any CO.sub.2 present to form blue powder.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1981Date of Patent: May 10, 1983Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventors: Pasupati Sadhukhan, William G. Billings
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Patent number: 4375362Abstract: Ash-contaminated solid or semi-solid fuel is passed into the bottom zone of a fluidized bed gasifier, preferably containing CaO to fix labile sulfur moieties, and gasified at a temperature below the ash-softening point. The resulting char and ash of relatively low size and/or weight pass to a top zone of the bed wherein the char is gasified at a temperature above the ash-softening point whereby a substantial proportion of the ash sticks to and agglomerates with solids in the top zone until the particle size and/or weight of the resulting agglomerates causes them to sink to the bottom of the gasifier from where they can be recovered. The hot gases leaving the top of the gasifying bed have a reduced burden of entrained ash, and may be cooled to prevent any entrained ash adhering to downstream equipment through which the gases pass.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1981Date of Patent: March 1, 1983Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventor: Gerald Moss
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Patent number: 4372755Abstract: A fuel gas containing methane is produced from a carbonaceous material in a single reaction zone by reacting the carbonaceous material in the presence of a stabilized metal carbide catalyst and water vapor and/or carbon dioxide at a temperature of from about 500.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. The water vapor and/or carbon dioxide is maintained in an amount of from about 10 to about 30 percent by volume.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1980Date of Patent: February 8, 1983Assignee: Enrecon, Inc.Inventors: Radon Tolman, Frank M. Stephens, Jr.
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Patent number: 4364745Abstract: Process for production and recovery of fuel gases and organic liquids from biomass by use of an upflow furnace, wherein said biomass is preheated at a temperature of from 100.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. and thermally converted at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. in a reducing atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1981Date of Patent: December 21, 1982Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)Inventor: Thomas A. Weil
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Patent number: 4353713Abstract: An integrated process for the gasification of coal alone or with other carbon-containing materials such as solid municipal wastes, biomass and sewage sludges, wherein the endothermic heat required by the gasification reaction is supplied at least in a significant part by the exothermic reaction of CaO in the form of calcined lime or dolomite with carbon dioxide. The CO.sub.2 is recycled to provide a high CO.sub.2 vapor pressure for the exothermic reaction. The calcium carbonate formed in the reaction is decomposed in a combustor to produce the CaO which is recycled to the gasification stage.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1980Date of Patent: October 12, 1982Inventor: Shang-I Cheng
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Patent number: 4344373Abstract: A method for safely and continuously pyrolyzing organic material such as contained in municipal waste is presented for use in a two-bed pyrolysis system primarily comprising a pyrolysis reactor and combustion reactor in which several different physical factors influencing the state of fluidization such as amount of sand in the system, circulation rate of the sand, pressure difference between the free boards of the two reactors and superficial velocity in the pyrolysis reactor, are comprehensively controlled or regulated so as to maintain the operating point of the system at substantially the center of the stable operating range. The feed rate of material charged into the system may also be regulated as required.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1980Date of Patent: August 17, 1982Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and TechnologyInventors: Yoshiaki Ishii, Tsutomu Kume, Naoyoshi Ando, Shosaku Fujinami
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Patent number: 4334894Abstract: In a process for producing synthesis gas by reacting a solid carbonaceous fuel with water in the presence of a carbon dioxide acceptor to produce a synthesis gas rich in hydrogen with at least a portion of the carbon dioxide so produced being reacted with the carbon dioxide acceptor to produce calcium carbonate and to provide sufficient heat to maintain a desired reaction temperature, an improvement comprising; the use of finely-divided wood as the solid carbonaceous fuel.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1980Date of Patent: June 15, 1982Assignee: Conoco Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Lancet, George P. Curran
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Patent number: 4323367Abstract: A process for improved gas production and accelerated stabilization of landfills by accelerated in situ bioleaching of organic wastes by acid forming bacteria in substantially sealed landfills, passing the leachate of hydrolysis and liquefaction products of microbial action of the microorganisms with the organic material to an acid phase digester to regenerate the activated culture of acid forming microorganisms for recirculation to the landfill, passing the supernatant from the acid phase digester to a methane phase digester operated under conditions to produce methane rich gas. The supernatant from the methane phase digester containing nutrients for the acid forming microorganisms and added sewage sludge or other desired nutrient materials are circulated through the landfill. Low Btu gas is withdrawn from the acid phase digester while high Btu gas is withdrawn from the methane phase digester and may be upgraded for use as SNG.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1980Date of Patent: April 6, 1982Assignee: Institute of Gas TechnologyInventor: Sambhunath Ghosh
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Patent number: 4322222Abstract: Carbonaceous material is gasified in a first pyrolysis zone substantially in an absence of free oxygen by heating with a solid heating media. The carbonaceous material is conducted through the first pyrolysis zone in turbulent flow to provide for the rapid transfer of heat to effect the gasification.Gaseous products are recovered while char products are introduced into a second pyrolysis zone for additional gasification. The second pyrolysis zone is maintained substantially free of free oxygen. Gasification in the second pyrolysis zone is effected by the transfer of heat from a heating media to the char products produced in the first pyrolysis zone.Gaseous products from the second pyrolysis zone are recovered.The char products from the second pyrolysis zone can be heated to a temperature sufficient for use as a solid heating media.The gaseous product from the first pyrolysis zone, after separation from the char product, can be cooled to a lower temperature to condense a liquid product therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1980Date of Patent: March 30, 1982Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventor: Allan Sass
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Patent number: 4318713Abstract: Method for gasifying cellulosic material comprises feeding cellulosic material into the uphill end of an inclined rotary kiln; transporting a bed of cellulosic material through the kiln and continuously tumbling the bed; withdrawing fuel gas from the uphill end of the kiln so it flows countercurrent to the bed and removes moisture in the drying zone and thermally decompose volatiles in the devolatilization zone; admitting air overbed in the devolatilization zone and only underbed in the gasifying zone; and controlling the mass flow rate of air into the devolatilization and gasifying zones respectively as predetermined percentages of that rate of which is stoichiometric to the cellulosic material fed into the kiln to thereby limit temperature rise, prevent agglomeration and minimize entrainment of solid particles.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1980Date of Patent: March 9, 1982Assignee: Allis-Chalmers CorporationInventors: George T. Lee, John N. Lees, Jr., Paul M. Pukita
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Production of hydrogen, acetylene and ammonia gases from lithium reaction with hydrocarbon materials
Patent number: 4317659Abstract: A method of producing H.sub.2 and C.sub.2 H.sub.2 gases comprises the steps of drying a hydrocarbon biomass material to remove water without carbonization, reacting the dried hydrocarbon biomass with a stoichiometric excess of molten lithium metal to produce lithium salts comprising LiH and Li.sub.2 C.sub.2 and then hydrolyzing the lithium salts to produce a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and C.sub.2 H.sub.2.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1980Date of Patent: March 2, 1982Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Michael G. Down -
Patent number: 4313011Abstract: A process for production and recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing whole plants in a form suitable for use as chemical feedstocks or as hydrocarbon energy sources which process comprises: (a) pulverizing by grinding or chopping hydrocarbon-containing whole plants selected from the group consisting of Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Compositae, Cactaceae and Pinaceae families to a suitable particle size, (b) drying and preheating said particles in a reducing atmosphere under positive pressure (c) passing said particles through a thermal conversion zone containing a reducing atmosphere and with a residence time of 1 second to about 30 minutes at a temperature within the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C., (d) separately recovering the condensable vapors as liquids and the noncondensable gases in a condition suitable for use as chemical feedstocks or as hydrocarbon fuels.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1980Date of Patent: January 26, 1982Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)Inventors: Thomas A. Weil, Peter M. Dzadzic, Chien-Cheng J. Shih, Michael C. Price
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Patent number: 4300985Abstract: Rubber-base wastes, such as tires and industrial rubber wastes, may be disposed of, without pretreatment thereof, by contacting the wastes with molten metallurgical slag on the site of the production of the slag. The molten slag causes flash thermal decomposition of the rubber-base wastes in a non-polluting manner. The solidified slag products obtained are useful for soil improvement or construction work consolidation.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1980Date of Patent: November 17, 1981Inventor: Francis Gagneraud
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Patent number: 4300915Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of refuse of all kinds wherein the refuse is subjected to carbonization to produce solid residues and raw carbonization gases, the residues and gases are separated, the gases are divided into two parts, one part of the gases is completely burned to produce hot flue gases, the flue gases are mixed with the second part of the raw carbonization gases, the mixture of gases is cracked in a reactor, and the cracked gases are cooled.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1980Date of Patent: November 17, 1981Assignee: Babcock Krauss-MaffeiInventors: Rudiger Schmidt, Franz Steininger, Klaus Hillekamp
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Patent number: 4274839Abstract: Disclosed is a process for coal and organic solid waste gasification using a granular fluidized bed of clay to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The clay used in the gasification is circulated to an air burner to obtain producer gas via burning of carbon deposited thereon and then recirculated to the gasifier. The producer gas is used to reduce a metal oxide and the reduced metal is reoxidized with steam to generate hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1979Date of Patent: June 23, 1981Inventor: Arnold M. Leas
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Patent number: 4251227Abstract: Peat, lignite, coal, many forms of biomass (land or marine) and solid wastes may have from 1/2 to 30 times as much water associated with the dry solids. Some of this water may be chemically bound or otherwise may be practically inseparable by mechanical means. The solids may be partially oxidized by oxygen or air in the first chemical reactions of a Wet Air Oxidation (WAO) taking place in the presence of the large amount of water at temperatures of 175.degree. C. to 325.degree. C. and pressures of 10 to 100 atmospheres--preferably 240.degree. to 300.degree. C. and 70 to 100 atmospheres. All sulfur in high sulfur coal is oxidized selectively to the sulfate radical; and heat to bring the combustible up to the necessary temperature is supplied by burning part of the combustible itself. The sulfur free coal may be used as conventionally. Residual solids (now 70 to 95% of the original fuel) have a higher heating value on a dry basis, and are mechanically separated from all but 1/2 to 2 pounds of water.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1978Date of Patent: February 17, 1981Inventor: Donald F. Othmer
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Patent number: 4243489Abstract: A solid carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed in a descending flow pyrolysis reactor in the presence of a particulate source of heat to yield a particulate carbon containing solid residue. The particulate source of heat is obtained by educting with a gaseous source of oxygen the particulate carbon containing solid residue from a fluidized bed into a first combustion zone coupled to a second combustion zone. A source of oxygen is introduced into the second combustion zone to oxidize carbon monoxide formed in the first combustion zone to heat the solid residue to the temperature of the particulate source of heat.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1978Date of Patent: January 6, 1981Assignee: Occidental Petroleum Corp.Inventor: Norman W. Green
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Patent number: 4235675Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor is operated by passing the waste products into a reactor provided with a heating unit; after completion of the pyrolysis passing the gaseous and vaporous products including suspended solids resulting from said pyrolysis into a partial oxidation zone wherein preheated air is added in an amount insufficient for complete combustion but sufficient to cause the exiting gas to have a temperature of at least 1000.degree., thereby causing decomposition of substantially all hydrocarbons present; then passing the partially oxidized gas through separate heat exchange means in contact, successively, with (1) the purified gas, (2) the air to be fed into the heating unit of the reactor and (3) with the air for said partial oxidation; then subjecting the partial oxidation gas to a purification; introducing air separately to said oxidation zone and heating means of the reactor; and passing the purified gas together with part of said added air into the heating unit of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1978Date of Patent: November 25, 1980Assignee: Ealther & Cie AktiengesellschaftInventor: Horst Bechthold
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Patent number: 4235676Abstract: An elongated tube is maintained at a temperature of about 1100.degree. F. throughout its length. Organic waste material such as shredded rubber automobile tires or industrial plastic waste or residential trash which preferably has metal and inorganic matter removed therefrom, is moved through the tube at a uniform rate of speed in the absence of air and/or oxygen, with the material being churned or tumbled as by means of a screw conveyor. The vapors and gases which are produced and/or liberated within the tube are quickly removed therefrom by means of a vacuum of from about four inches to about six inches of mercury, with the vapors being condensed and the gases separated therefrom. The char or residue which is a black, powdery, carbon-type material is also recovered.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1977Date of Patent: November 25, 1980Assignee: Deco Industries, Inc.Inventor: R. William Chambers
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Patent number: 4234388Abstract: The gas stream obtained from the pyrolysis of solid organic wastes and containing chlorine in the form of hydrogen chloride is processed to obtain a substantially chlorine free pyrolytic oil.The gas stream is first contacted with a hydrocarbon immiscible with the pyrolytic oils to quench the gas stream and reduce the gas stream temperature close to the dew point of water. This forms a two phase condensate of the quench hydrocarbon and pyrolytic oil. The phases are separated, the pyrolytic oil recovered and the hydrocarbon recycled as the quench. The resultant gas stream is then treated for removal of hydrogen chloride from the gas stream for disposal or recovery of hydrochloric acid.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1979Date of Patent: November 18, 1980Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventors: George M. Mallan, George T. Preston
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Patent number: 4230602Abstract: A single-pass, continuous process converts organic feedstocks into activated carbonaceous products having high surface area values. The introduction of air and steam into the bed of material at selected locations, and at controlled rates, enables the economic, dependable and convenient production of such products, while maximizing the efficiency of energy utilization.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1979Date of Patent: October 28, 1980Assignee: American Can CompanyInventors: Mack D. Bowen, Kenneth R. Purdy
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Patent number: 4229185Abstract: Carbonaceous material is gasified in a first pyrolysis zone substantially in an absence of free oxygen by heating with a solid heating media. The carbonaceous material is conducted through the first pyrolysis zone in turbulent flow to provide for the rapid transfer of heat to effect the gasification.Gaseous products are recovered while char products are introduced into a second pyrolysis zone for additional gasification. The second pyrolysis zone is maintained substantially free of free oxygen. Gasification in the second pyrolysis zone is effected by the transfer of heat from a heating media to the char products produced in the first pyrolysis zone.Gaseous products from the second pyrolysis zone are recovered.The char products from the second pyrolysis zone can be heated to a temperature sufficient for use as a solid heating media.The gaseous product from the first pyrolysis zone, after separation from the char product, can be cooled to a lower temperature to condense a liquid product therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1975Date of Patent: October 21, 1980Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventor: Allan Sass
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Patent number: 4225457Abstract: Briquettes of specified geometry and composition are produced to serve as feed material or "burden" in a moving-burden gasifier for the production of a synthesis or fuel gas from organic solid waste materials and coal, including especially, the so-called "caking" coals, as in the process of copending application number 675,918. The briquettes are formed from a well-blended mixture of shredded organic solid wastes, including especially, municipal solid waste (MSW) or biomass, and crushed caking coal, including coal fines. A binder material may or may not be required, depending on the coal/MSW ratio and the compaction pressure employed. The briquettes may be extruded, stamped, or pressed, employing compaction pressures in excess of 1000 psi, and preferably in the range of 2000 to 10,000 psi. The briquettes may be circular, polygonal, or irregular in cross-section; they may be solid, or concentrically perforated to form a hollow cylinder or polygon; they may be formed into saddles, pillows or doughnuts.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1979Date of Patent: September 30, 1980Assignee: Dynecology IncorporatedInventor: Helmut W. Schulz
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Patent number: 4209303Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recovery of combustible gas formed from combustible refuse or vegetable matter in an enclosed space from which the combustible gas is collected. Water can be injected into the apparatus and the decay process initiated and promoted by activating a heating element projecting upwardly from the base of the apparatus into the material undergoing decomposition. The combustible gas contains a substantial proportion of methane.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1978Date of Patent: June 24, 1980Inventor: Jay W. Ricks
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Patent number: 4204842Abstract: Biodegradable organic wastes are crushed and then fed to a first cell A of a treatment unit in which they are mixed with liquid recirculated from the discharge end of that unit to form a sludge. After oxygenation in cell A, and following the establishment of an anaerobic atmosphere in that cell by the introduction of carbon dioxide, part of the sludge passes by gravity into a lower-level second cell B for prefermentation with evolution of carbon dioxide. Subsequently, part of the contents of cell B is transferred -- again by gravity -- to a third cell C, at a still lower level, where fermentation with generation of methane takes place. The methane production is continued thereafter in a fourth cell D at the lowest level, the latter containing a potash solution in which the accompanying carbon dioxide is dissolved while the methane is recovered.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1979Date of Patent: May 27, 1980Inventors: Pierre Morel, Yasmine Ortega, Claudette Jullien, Antonin Jullien
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Patent number: 4192371Abstract: Thermal energy, especially solar heat, is converted into chemical energy by being used for the endothermic dissociation of a compound which is exothermically recombinable to release at least a substantial part of that energy at a time and/or location at which the original heat source is not readily available. One or more of the dissociation products are transported to the point of utilization, preferably after interim storage, and are there recombined with one another and/or with locally available reactants to restore the original compound which is then returned, again preferably after interim storage, to the dissociation site for a repetition of the process. The exothermic reaction at the recombination site may be used to decompose a locally available compound, e.g. water, for the purpose of liberating one of its constituents, e.g. hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1977Date of Patent: March 11, 1980Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Agence Nationale de Valorisation de la Recherche (ANVAR)Inventors: Jean-Jacques Derouette, Jacques Dartoy, Jacques Fournier, Bernard Vollerin
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Patent number: 4188193Abstract: Plant-derived organic material is converted to high BTU gas by heating the organic material with ammonia in the presence of a vanadium +3 or +4 catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst in an atmosphere substantially free of oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1979Date of Patent: February 12, 1980Assignee: University of Rhode IslandInventor: George T. Felbeck, Jr.
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Patent number: 4181504Abstract: Apparatus and method for gasification of carbonaceous matter by plasma arc pyrolysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a refractory-lined furnace is provided with a depression along its base for holding a pool of molten metal which acts as the external electrode for a bank of long arc column plasma torches which provide a heat mass for the process. The plasma arc pressure imparts momentum to the surface of the melt and causes it to flow in cusping eddy currents during the process. Crushed coal is deposited through the roof of the furnace by a rotary feeder in continuous plural streams. The coal is devolatilized in a matter of milli seconds and the volatiles are cracked as the coal falls by gravity through the interior of the furnace. The remaining carbon-rich char collects at plural sites on the surface of the melt and the mounds of char are rotated by the eddy currents. Steam is continuously injected into the furnace to produce hydrocarbon gases through reaction with the carbon-rich char.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1977Date of Patent: January 1, 1980Assignee: Technology Application Services Corp.Inventor: Salvador L. Camacho
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Patent number: 4169712Abstract: A solar energy collection and utilization system includes a reservoir having a heat transfer fluid stored therein, and a platform supported by the fluid. A solar energy collector is carried by the platform, the system further including a fluid conductor in the collector for receiving energy collected from solar radiation and heating the heat transfer fluid passing therethrough. Appropriate piping is provided between the reservoir and the fluid conductor such that the fluid heated by the collector is stored in the reservoir for subsequent use for heating applications, including methane generation in a separate facility.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1977Date of Patent: October 2, 1979Inventors: James R. Boyce, Erich A. Farber
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Patent number: 4164397Abstract: A method of manufacturing fuel gas from lignocellulose material such as wood. Wood is converted to fuel gas in a descending bed reactor which encloses a descending bed of wood material. Gas produced in the reactor travels upwardly through and thence out from the top of the descending bed, with a portion of the gas being recirculated and introduced as reflow gas, together with air, to a combustion zone established at the base of the descending bed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1978Date of Patent: August 14, 1979Inventors: Herbert H. Hunt, Harold S. Worcester
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Patent number: 4151044Abstract: Solid carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by introducing a low velocity stream of carbonaceous material into a cyclone reactor-separator and introducing a low velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined toward the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. A high velocity stream of the particulate source of heat is introduced into the cyclone reactor-separator along the inner surface of the separator to prevent carbonaceous material from caking along the walls of the separator. The velocity of the high velocity stream is at least about 50 feet per second greater than the velocity of both low velocity streams. The cyclone reactor separator induces separation of solids consisting of a particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which contains hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1978Date of Patent: April 24, 1979Assignee: Occidental Research CorporationInventor: Charles K. Choi
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Patent number: 4147593Abstract: Essentially carbon free inorganic particles formed from the decarbonization of a carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis of comminuted organic solid waste is employed as the prime heat source for the pyrolysis of the comminuted organic solid waste.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1977Date of Patent: April 3, 1979Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventors: Robert W. Frischmuth, Allan Sass
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Patent number: 4135968Abstract: A process of significantly increasing the capacity of and decreasing the pollution from an existing recovery boiler. The spent liquor is concentrated to 55 to 65 weight % solids and divided into two portions. One portion, containing 10 to 65 weight % of the solids is pyrolyzed, reducing the original fuel value of that portion by 25 to 70%. The remaining carboniferous char and inorganic material is carried to the recovery furnace. The other portion, containing the remainder of the solids, is carried directly to the furnace. The two portions may be combined prior to entering the furnace. In the latter case, the solids content of the combined portion should not be greater than 80 weight %.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1977Date of Patent: January 23, 1979Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventor: Gerrit G. Dehaas
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Patent number: 4121912Abstract: Power is developed by an expansion turbine in which the working fluid is a gaseous mixture comprising all of the hot raw gas stream leaving an unpacked partial oxidation gas generator, after removing if present a portion of the entrained solids, in admixture with a temperature moderating stream. A molal increase is associated with the partial oxidation process. Power is obtained from this molal increase in addition to the power obtained from the elevated pressure and sensible heat in the hot raw partial oxidation product gas. The temperature moderating stream may comprise a recycle portion of the turbine exhaust gas stream after being cooled, cleaned, optionally water-gas shifted or purified, or both, and recompressed. Alternatively, the recycle gas stream may be mixed with water, steam, or both. In one embodiment the temperature moderating stream comprises liquid water or condensate produced in the process.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1977Date of Patent: October 24, 1978Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Everett M. Barber, James R. Muenger, David L. Alexander, Warren G. Schlinger
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Patent number: 4118282Abstract: A process and apparatus for the destructive distillation of high molecular weight organic materials such as organic wastes, particularly those containing hydrocarbon groups, using ultrasonic and microwave generators together to irradiate, and molecularly disperse the organic molecules in the organic materials. At least initially a portion of the organic materials are preferably irradiated with a laser beam or other initiator to initiate molecular motion in the organic materials and produce elemental carbon in situ from the organic materials so that the process will begin rapidly. Carbon and/or particulate catalysts which promote or increase the absorption of microwaves are preferably admixed with the organic materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1977Date of Patent: October 3, 1978Assignee: Wallace Energy Conversion, Inc.Inventor: Floyd D. Wallace
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Patent number: 4118281Abstract: Solid organic wastes are slurried with hot coker recycle feed or fresh petroleum feedstocks at temperatures within the range from about 300.degree. to 1000.degree. F and the resulting mixture is coked to produce gas, oil, and coke. The oil can be used as clean liquid fuel, but preferably it is used as catalytic craker feed since it is a particularly suitable cracking stock and produces high yields of gasoline. This process affords a low-cost waste disposal method by a process compatible with current petroleum refining technology.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1977Date of Patent: October 3, 1978Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventor: Tsoung-Yuan Yan
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Patent number: 4113446Abstract: Solid or liquid organic materials are converted to high BTU gas with little or no undesirable char formation by reaction with water at or above the critical temperature of water and at or above the critical pressure of water to achieve the critical density of water. The reaction can be conducted either in the presence or in the absence of a catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1976Date of Patent: September 12, 1978Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Michael Modell, Robert C. Reid, Sanjay I. Amin
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Patent number: 4105502Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by simultaneous feed of the carbonaceous materials and a particulate source of heat to a cyclone reactor-separator wherein the centrifugal forces separate the vaporized product of pyrolysis from the solids. The carbon in the solids is partially combusted for recycle to the cyclone reactor separator and the vaporized products quenched and recovered. The yield of liquid hydrocarbons may be maximized.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1976Date of Patent: August 8, 1978Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventor: Charles K. Choi
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Patent number: 4101412Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are rapidly pyrolyzed by feed of the carbonaceous material at a high velocity tangentially to a cyclone reactor-separator while introducing a high velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined to the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. The cyclone reactor-separator induces separation of solids consisting of the particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which includes condensible and non-condensible hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis. The particulate source of heat and solid particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis are transported to a cyclone burner and heated by partial combustion to a temperature suitable for feed to the cyclone reactor-separator. Rapid pyrolysis maximizes the yield of middle boiling hydrocarbons and olefins.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1976Date of Patent: July 18, 1978Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventor: Charles K. Choi
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Patent number: 4095958Abstract: A reactor wherein a biomass is moved progressively downwardly along the upwardly facing side of an inclined grate supported with an enclosure comprising a retort, the rear and front walls of which provide, in conjunction with the grate, a plenum chamber at the downwardly facing side of the grate and a mixing chamber at the upwardly facing side of the grate, the said structure providing for converting the biomass by a process of destructive distillation to CO and ash characterized in that the grate is maintained at a temperature below the fusion temperature of the ash to prevent slagging of the ash by the expedient of supplying an excess of primary air to the plenum chamber at the lower end of the grate so that it flows upwardly along the downwardly facing side thereof, the surplus discharged at the top, providing the grate with a plurality of relatively small openings distributed throughout its length and breadth and providing fins at the downwardly facing side of the grate perpendicular to the plane of the uType: GrantFiled: June 21, 1977Date of Patent: June 20, 1978Assignee: Forest Fuels, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Caughey
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Patent number: 4083751Abstract: A pyrolysis reactor decomposes solid organic waste materials by heating the materials with a fast fluidized particulate source of heat which are admitted to one end of a chamber through first and second inlet pipes. The products of decomposition together with the particulate source of heat are removed through an outlet pipe at the other end of the chamber. The chamber has an intermediate section adjacent the inlet pipes of reduced diameter forming a throat which improves the mixing of the heating particles and the organic waste particles for faster heat transfer.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1976Date of Patent: April 11, 1978Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventors: Charles K. Choi, Joseph P. Tassoney
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Patent number: 4078904Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for extracting hydrogen from magma and water by injecting water from above the earth's surface into a pocket of magma and extracting hydrogen produced by the water-magma reaction from the vicinity of the magma.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1976Date of Patent: March 14, 1978Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: John K. Galt, Terrence M. Gerlach, Peter J. Modreski, Clyde J. M. Northrup, Jr.
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Patent number: 4078973Abstract: Particulate organic solid waste is pyrolyzed in the presence of an inert particulate source of heat and a carrier gas in a pyrolysis reactor to form a carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis, pyrolytic oils and gases. The particulate source of heat and carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis are separated from the product stream. The particulate source of heat and carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis are transported to a combustion zone where through partial or total combustion. The particulate source of heat is reheated to a temperature requisite for feed to the pyrolysis reactor with attendant generation of additional particulate source of heat.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1976Date of Patent: March 14, 1978Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventors: Charles K. Choi, Robert W. Frischmuth, Richard M. Gundzik, Joseph P. Tassoney
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Patent number: 4077847Abstract: There is provided a system for segregating through comminution and classification solid waste into ferrous metal, inorganic, and organic fractions. The inorganic fraction is further classified into aluminum and glass fractions. The organic fraction is further comminuted, dried and fed to a pyrolysis system where it is converted to gas for use in drying the organic material for feed to the pyrolysis system, pyrolytic oils and char. The principal saleable products recovered are char, pyrolytic oils, glass, aluminum, and ferrous metal.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1976Date of Patent: March 7, 1978Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventors: Charles K. Choi, Booker W. Morey, Robert W. Frischmuth, Joseph P. Tassoney, Richard M. Gundzik
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Patent number: 4074979Abstract: Waste material heated in the bottom of a thermal decomposition furnace is vaporized to create gas flow upwardly within the furnace. Cooling means located to have the upwardly flowing gas pass thereacross operates to control the temperature of the gas leaving the furnace through the upper end thereof so that gaseous product having a boiling point above the boiling point induced by the cooling means will condense and fall within the furnace onto tray means located below the cooling means and adapted to receive therein condensed liquid from the cooling means. The tray means include orifice means for enabling upwardly flowing gas to come into contact with the liquid received in the tray means, and downflow tubes for causing liquid within the tray means to flow downwardly to the bottom of the furnace into contact with heating means. Gas flowing upwardly from the heating means passes through the orifice means and into contact with the liquid in the tray means.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1975Date of Patent: February 21, 1978Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shingo Kurisu, Toshiya Oyamoto, Setumi Ochiai, Hiromu Miyamoto, Katsuaki Makino
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Patent number: 4070250Abstract: Solid carbonaceous materials are pyrolyzed by introducing a low velocity stream of carbonaceous material into a cyclone reactor-separator and introducing a low velocity stream of a particulate source of heat into the cyclone reactor-separator at an angle inclined toward the path of travel of the carbonaceous material. A high velocity stream of the particulate source of heat is introduced into the cyclone reactor separator along the inner surface of the separator to prevent carbonaceous material from caking along the walls of the separator. The cyclone reactor separator induces separation of solids consisting of a particulate carbon containing solid residue of pyrolysis and particulate heat source from a vapor stream which contains hydrocarbon products of pyrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1976Date of Patent: January 24, 1978Assignee: Occidental Petroleum CorporationInventor: Charles K. Choi
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Patent number: 4059416Abstract: High temperature chemical reaction processes utilizing fluid-wall reactors can be conducted in fluid-wall reactors by a process which includes the steps of (a) generating an annular envelope of an inert fluid which is substantially transparent to radiation within a shell of a refractory material which reflects radiation, the volume enclosed by the shell constituting a black body cavity, the envelope having substantial axial length and the interior of the envelope defining a reaction chamber; (b) introducing two groups of reactants into the black body cavity and into the reaction chamber, at least one reactant from each group being directed along a predetermined path substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the envelope, the first and second groups of reactants respectively being capable of reacting endothermically and exothermically at a predetermined temperature; and (c) directing high intensity radiant energy into the reaction chamber to coincide with at least a portion of the predetermined paType: GrantFiled: January 19, 1976Date of Patent: November 22, 1977Assignee: Thagard Technology CompanyInventor: Edwin Matovich
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Patent number: 4057396Abstract: A fluid-wall reactor for high temperature chemical reactions comprising (A) a porous reactor tube, at least a portion of the interior of which defines a reaction zone, the tube being made of an electrically resistive, porous refractory material; (B) a pressure vessel enclosing the reactor tube to define an inert fluid plenum, the pressure vessel having at least one inlet for admitting the inert fluid which is directed under pressure through the porous tube wall to provide a protective blanket for the inside surface of the reactor tube; (C) means for introducing at least one reactant into the reaction zone, the reactants being directed in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube and being confined by the protective blanket substantially centrally within the reaction zone; (D) means for passing an electric current through the reactor tube for heating the reactor tube to the temperature level at which it emits sufficient radiant energy to initiate and sustain the desired chemical reaction, the radiant enType: GrantFiled: November 14, 1975Date of Patent: November 8, 1977Assignee: Thagard Technology CompanyInventor: Edwin Matovich