From Synthetic Resin Or Rubber Patents (Class 585/241)
  • Patent number: 6504068
    Abstract: A method of converting a plastic waste into oil by decomposing the plastic waste by a reaction using water in a supercritical or near supercritical region as a reaction medium. In this method, the reaction is conducted by using a tubular continuous reactor. The present invention further provides an apparatus therefor. Moreover, the present invention provides a method of converting a plastic waste into oil by conducting the reaction after hydrogen chloride is removed by performing the pyrolysis of the plastic waste in the case that the plastic waste contain chlorine. The present invention further provides an apparatus for performing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Matsubara, Hiroshi Makihara, Kazuto Kobayashi, Masaki Iijima
  • Publication number: 20020177745
    Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for converting both organic and inorganic materials into more desirable products by the expedient of breaking down these materials into their stable molecular constituents and reforming them into more desirable substances. The process involves the use of two chambers. Blended solid and fluid wastes are augered into the first chamber and agitated, preferably by rotating the chamber so that the waste tumbles over internal fins, while a heat gradient is applied. Carbon and inorganic solid wastes are removed from the system and fluid wastes passed to a second chamber where they are again subjected to a heat gradient. Effluents are recovered and condensed. Electromagnetic radiation, preferably from microwaves, and/or lasers, masers or ultrasonic energy is applied to the wastes in both chambers. Liberal use of catalysts is made in the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Billy P. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20020156332
    Abstract: A system and method of converting waste plastics into hydrocarbon oil comprises a thermal cracking reactor, into which the waste plastics are cracked at a temperature in the range of 270-800° C. to obtain partly gaseous hydrocarbons, partly liquid hydrocarbons, and remaining residues. A continuous thermal cracking and residual discharging portion is connected to have the liquid hydrocarbons gradually and fully cracked into gaseous hydrocarbons, while the residues are discharged at a residual discharge outlet. A chlorine removal portion is connected to receive the gaseous hydrocarbons to remove chlorine from it. A catalytic cracking reactor is connected to the chlorine removal portion to have the gaseous hydrocarbons catalytic cracking with an acid catalyst. A three-stage cooling portion is adopted to have the catalytically cracked gaseous hydrocarbons fully converted into liquid hydrocarbons, i.e., hydrocarbon oil. A pressurized activation reaction portion is provided to remove few amount of S. N. P.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Tainfu Jiang
  • Publication number: 20020156333
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel, cost-effective and rapid processes suitable for degradation and recycling of specially designed plastics, which are defined as instantly degradable synthetic polymeric plastics having the characteristics and properties of conventional forms of plastics. These novel plastic products are made from a variety of compositions of polymers and their compatible nontoxic modifiers. The resulting novel instant degradable plastic products retain latent solubility properties which are triggered upon mild chemical processes of the present invention, thus enabling cost effective and facile recycling of plastic refuge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Oren Rosen
  • Patent number: 6465702
    Abstract: A process for the feedstock recycling of thermoset materials treats the material with a partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon at a temperature of from 200 to 350° C. in the presence of an amine. In the case of epoxy resin materials an amine is not needed if processing is carried out at temperatures of from 300 to 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Von Gentzkow, Dietrich Braun, Arnd-Peter Rudolf
  • Patent number: 6444864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recycling polymeric waste products into monomers and high value forms of carbon by pyrolytic conversion using an induction coupled RF plasma heated reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Richard Knight, Elihu D. Grossmann, Ravikishan R. Guddeti
  • 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: 6423878
    Abstract: An apparatus for the pyrolysis (cracking) of a polymeric material consisting of a reactor provided with a molten catalyst bed and a feeding extruder for introducing the polymeric material into the catalyst bed. The process consists in the introduction of a polymeric material in the molten catalyst bed for converting a variety of polymers, side-chain plastics, linear-chain plastics and halogenated plastics, such as for example PVC, into hydrocarbon products which are useful for energy generation while avoiding the pollution problems associated with the direct combustion of plastic materials. The process can also be used for cracking mixtures of polymeric material derived from the sorting of municipal solid waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Riccardo Reverso
  • Publication number: 20020077516
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the destructive distillation or pyrolysis of rubber, such as used rubber tires, to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and a solid carbonaceous char. A heat transfer gas circulating in a circulation loop is used to cool the hot char produced in the distillation chamber of a distillation oven, the circulation loop having some means for removing the heat transferred to the heat transfer gas from the hot char. In one embodiment, two distillation ovens are operated in off-set, batchwise distillation cycles. The distillation cycles in the two ovens are coordinated so that a fresh charge of rubber feed is introduced into the distillation chamber of one of the ovens as the distillation of rubber in the other oven is concluded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Gentech, Inc.
    Inventor: V. J. Flanigan
  • Publication number: 20020072641
    Abstract: A low energy method of pyrolysis of rubber or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The hydrocarbon material is heated while maintaining a vacuum, using a clay catalyst. In an additional embodiment, also under a vacuum and optionally with or without the catalyst, the temperature of the reaction chamber and corresponding fuel input is varied either over time or spatially within the reaction chamber, to take advantage of the exothermic properties of the reaction. With the method of the present invention, an improved solid reaction product can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald E. Nichols, Alan M. Levine, Jules E. Langlois
  • Publication number: 20020072640
    Abstract: A low energy method of pyrolysis of rubber or other hydrocarbon material is provided. The hydrocarbon material is heated while maintaining a vacuum, using a clay catalyst. In an additional embodiment, the temperature of the reaction chamber and corresponding fuel input is varied either over time or spatially within the reaction chamber, to take advantage of the exothermic properties of the reaction. With the method of the present invention, a higher quality solid reaction product can be achieved, as well as a liquid having reduced polyaromatic hydrocarbons and oxidized organic contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald E. Nichols, Alan M. Levine, Jules E. Langlois
  • Publication number: 20020062054
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a process and apparatus for reclamation of waste polystyrene-type materials for reuse within the specification ranges of the input polystyrene-type material. The disclosed process and apparatus include dissolution of the waste polystyrene-type materials in a dissolve section utilizing a reusable solvent having a low boiling point and high vaporization rate, removal of solid contaminants in one or more filter sections, devolatilization of the dissolved polystyrene and recovery of the polystyrene-type material in a solid form in a recovery section. Preferably the process and apparatus provide a closed system and include recycling and reuse in the process of the vaporized solvent. The maximum temperature in the recovery section is 190° C. The reusable solvent is preferably environmentally safe and has a low boiling point and high vaporization rate. n-Propyl bromide, or environmentally safe mixtures thereof, including mixtures with isopropyl alcohol, is the preferred reusable solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: David R. Cistone, L. Steven Moore, Edmond J. Carreras
  • Patent number: 6380448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering styrene monomers from polystyrene resins by using sulfate as a catalyst. The present invention makes possible to thermally decompose polystyrene resins at comparatively low temperatures, and to reduce facility costs, etc., and also makes possible to recover oil containing less ratio of low molecular weight components and a high content of styrene monomers from vapors obtained through thermal decomposition of polystyrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: San Kaihatsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Sato, Mitsuo Masunari
  • Patent number: 6372948
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the destructive distillation or pyrolysis of rubber, such as used rubber tires, to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and a solid carbonaceous char. A heat transfer gas circulating in a circulation loop is used to cool the hot char produced in the distillation chamber of a distillation oven, the circulation loop having some means for removing the heat transferred to the heat transfer gas from the hot char. In one embodiment, two distillation ovens are operated in off-set, batchwise distillation cycles. The distillation cycles in the two ovens are coordinated so that a fresh charge of rubber feed is introduced into the distillation chamber of one of the ovens as the distillation of rubber in the other oven is concluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Gentech, Inc.
    Inventor: V. J. Flanigan
  • Publication number: 20010056214
    Abstract: An apparatus for the pyrolysis (cracking) of a polymeric material consisting of a reactor provided with a molten catalyst bed and a feeding extruder for introducing the polymeric material into the catalyst bed. The process consists in the introduction of a polymeric material in the molten catalyst bed for converting a variety of polymers, side-chain plastics, linear-chain plastics and halogenated plastics, such as for example PVC, into hydrocarbon products which are useful for energy generation while avoiding the pollution problems associated with the direct combustion of plastic materials. The process can also be used for cracking mixtures of polymeric material derived from the sorting of municipal solid waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Riccardo Reverso
  • Patent number: 6310264
    Abstract: A method for processing material comprising combinations of aluminum and plastic, such as aluminum bottle caps having a plastic coating, comprising the steps of: pyrolyzing the plastic in an inert atmosphere, cracking or gasifying the gases or vapours which are released in the course of pyrolysis, afterburning the coke which remains behind on the aluminum in the course or pyrolysis. The gases or vapours released are recirculated and are used, during pyrolysis, as an inert, oxygen-free medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Alcoa Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald Gerard Kamst
  • Publication number: 20010023307
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rubber process oil in which the content of polycyclic aromatics (PCAs) as determined by the IP 346 method is less than 3% by mass and which is rich in aromatic hydrocarbons, and a method for producing the same. The aniline point of the rubber process oil is 80° C. or less, and the %CA value as determined by ring analysis according to the Kurtz method is from 20 to 50%. The rubber process oil is produced by using extraction of lube oil fraction with a solvent having a selective affinity for aromatics. The extraction conditions are determined so that the extraction yield is regulated to a predetermined requirement defined by the PCAs content of the lube oil fraction. Alternatively, the extract is cooled to further separate into the extract and the raffinate, and the second raffinate is used for the rubber process oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: Japan Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kaimai, Kazumitsu Fujihara, Yoshiyuki Morishima
  • Patent number: 6288296
    Abstract: The invention includes a process of making a lubricating oil composition including: a process for making a high VI lubricating oil composition including the steps of (1) contacting a waste plastics feed including mainly polyethylene in a pyrolysis zone at pyrolysis conditions, whereby at least a portion of the waste plastics feed is cracked, thereby forming a pyrolysis zone effluent including 1-olefins and n-paraffins; (2) passing the pyrolysis zone effluent, including a heavy fraction and a middle fraction, the pyrolysis effluent middle fraction including 1-olefins, to a separations zone; where the pyrolysis effluent heavy fraction portion is separated from the pyrolysis effluent middle fraction; (3) passing the pyrolysis effluent middle fraction to a dimerization zone, where at least a portion of the pyrolysis effluent middle fraction is converted to a lube oil range material; and (4) passing at least a portion of the lube oil range material to a catalytic isomerization dewaxing zone, where at least a porti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Gerald P. Huffman, Naresh Shah
  • Patent number: 6271427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recovery of carbon and combinations of hydrocarbons from discarded tyres or similar polymeric material by pyrolysis, using a reactor (3) in which the material is placed in a preferably largely fragmented condition, whereby the material is heated to pyrolysis temperature by the recirculation of previously formed and heated pyrolysis gas which is led through the material and where the pyrolysis gas obtained in this way is brought to condense to condensable products in a condenser (8) connected to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Bengt-Sture Ershag
  • Patent number: 6270655
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon liquid feedstock containing at least 50 wt. % chemically digested organic-MSW material is catalytically hydroconverted utilizing either a single stage or two-stage catalytic reaction process to produce desirable lower-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products. The catalyst can be either a particulate supported type catalyst such as containing cobalt and/or molybdenum and/or nickel on alumina support, or a dispersed slurry type catalyst containing mainly iron oxide with anions of molybdate, phosphate, sulfate or tungstate, and combinations thereof. Broad useful reaction conditions are 600-860° F. (315-460° C.) temperature, 1000-3000 psi hydrogen partial pressure, and fresh feed rate of 20-60 pounds/hr/ft3 reactor volume. Effluent material from the final stage catalytic reactor is phase separated and the resulting liquid portion is fractionated to produce the desired low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products particularly useful as transportation fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Hydrocarbon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Partha S. Ganguli
  • Patent number: 6270630
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials. In particular, the invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials in virtue of pyrolysis and catalytic cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Li Xing
  • Patent number: 6258988
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reforming organics into shorter-chain unsaturated organic compounds. A molten metal bath is provided which can cause homolytic cleavage of an organic component of an organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes partial homolytic cleavage of an organic component of the feed. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause partial homolytic cleavage of the organic component to produce unsaturated organic compounds, as products of the homolytic cleavage, which are discharged from the molten metal bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Quantum Catalytics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nagel, Thomas P. Griffin, Thomas A. Kinney, Kevin A. Sparks
  • Patent number: 6255547
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is the method of obtaining liquid fuels from polyolefine wastes. According to the method, properly disintegrated polyolefines in an amount of 100 parts y weight are heated in the temperatures between 300° C. to 450° C. till the moment of a decay of volatile product forming, in the presence of heavy metals silicates as catalysts, added in amounts of 1-30 parts by weight. As catalyst, the silicates of iron Fe3+, cobalt Co2+, nickel Ni2+, manganium Mn2+, chromium Cr3+, copper Cu2+, zinc Zn2+, cadmium Cd2+ and/or their mixtures are used. The catalyst is applied in an amorphic form in an amount from 5 to 10 % by weight, calculated on the mass of the raw material. The catalyst is recycled and used multiply. A process is run in a continous way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Heinrich Smuda
  • Patent number: 6251148
    Abstract: A process for producing a synthetic and/or fuel gas from an organic containing material by utilizing a thermal pretreatment operation and a gasification reactor. The organic containing material is passed through a thermal pre-treatment operation to produce a gas fraction and a solid fraction. The solid fraction is processed in gasification reactor whereby product gas is produced, and contaminated products are processed for safe disposal. The thermal pre-treatment of the organic containing material produces a solid fraction which can be directly supplied to the gasification reactor without a need to supply a high quality coke to the gasification reactor thereby simplifying the process. The gas fraction and product gas produced from the thermal pre-treatment operation and/or gasification reaction, respectively, can be recycled so as to supply energy and/or processing gas for the various other processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: John Brown Deutsche Entineering GmbH, Veba Oil Technologie
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Redepenning, Peter M. Wenning
  • Patent number: 6248929
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rubber process oil in which the content of polycyclic aromatics (PCAs) as determined by the IP 346 method is less than 3% by mass and which is rich In aromatic hydrocarbons, and a method for producing the same. The aniline point of the rubber process oil is 80° C. or less, and the % CA value as determined by ring analysis according to the Kurtz method is from 20 to 50%. The rubber process oil is produced by using extraction of lube oil fraction with a solvent having a selective affinity for aromatics. The extraction conditions are determined so that the extraction yield is regulated to a predetermined requirement defined by the PCAs content of the lube oil fraction. Alternatively, the extract is cooled to further separate into the extract and the raffinate, and the second raffinate is used for the rubber process oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kaimai, Kazumitsu Fujihara, Yoshiyuki Morishima
  • Patent number: 6184427
    Abstract: A process of activated cracking of high molecular organic waste material which includes confining the organic waste material in a reactor space as a mixture with a pulverized electrically conducting material (sensitizer) and/or catalysts and/or “upgrading agents” and treating this mixture by microwave or radio frequency electro-magnetic radiation. Organic waste materials include hydrocarbons or their derivatives, polymers or plastic materials and shredded rubber. The shredded rubber can be the source of the sensitizer and/or catalyst material as it is rich in carbon and other metallic species. This sensitizer can also consist of pulverized coke or pyrolytically carbonized organic feedstock and/or highly dispersed metals and/or other inorganic materials with high dielectric loss which absorb microwave or radio frequency energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Invitri, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Klepfer, Travis W. Honeycutt, Viktor Sharivker, Gulshen Tairova
  • Patent number: 6172271
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for reclaiming oil from waste plastic in such a way that thermosetting resins and solid foreign matter in the plastic will not pose a problem. This method greatly reduces the burden of presorting the garbage or industrial waste. To achieve this objective when oil is to be reclaimed from a waste plastic containing chlorine compounds, such as vinyl chloride, the plastic must first be stripped of chlorine. Prior to pyrolysis, while being conveyed forward in a continuous stream, the plastic is mixed with heated sand and/or an additive agent to raise its temperature to 250-350° C. This creates a product which is comprised of a mixture of sand and substantially dechlorinated plastic. The product is mixed with heated sand to heat it directly to a temperature of 350-500° C. It is maintained at this temperature until pyrolysis occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Horizoe, Takeshi Amari, Hiroshi Nagai, Shizuo Yasuda, Yuji Kaihara, Yoshimasa Kawami, Yasumasa Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 6171475
    Abstract: A method for converting a polymer or oligomer derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer into alkanes or into a hydrocarbon fraction or a lower oligomer fraction by controlled hydrocracking, wherein the polymer or oligomer is exposed to a catalyst based on a metal hydride or an organometallic complex supported on a mineral carrier, the complex having at least one hydrocarbon ligand and optionally at least one hydride ligand, and the resulting mixture is reacted with hydrogen to cause catalytic hydrocracking of the polymer or oligomer. The polymer or oligomer is broken down into reclaimable products with a lower molecular weight for use, e.g., in the field of polymers, particularly controlled molecular weight polymers, fuels or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: CPE-Lyon-FCR
    Inventors: V{acute over (e)}ronique Dufaud, Jean-Marie Basset
  • Patent number: 6152975
    Abstract: A method for converting liquid organic material in a mixture into a product utilizing a catalyst in the form of a plurality of porous particles wherein each particle is a support having nickel metal catalytic phase or reduced nickel deposited thereon in a first dispersed phase and an additional metal deposited onto the support in a second dispersed phase. The additional metal is effective in retarding or reducing agglomeration or sintering of the nickel metal catalytic phase without substantially affecting the catalytic activity, thereby increasing the life time of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Douglas C. Elliott, Todd R. Hart
  • Patent number: 6149881
    Abstract: The amount of limonene produced during pyrolysis of scrap tire carcass or polyisoprene rubber can be increased by decreasing residence time of the isoprene gas produced during the thermal degradation of polyisoprene rubber in the high temperature reactor region of an oven. This is achieved by using a novel oven design which permits rapid expansion of the isoprene gas away from the high temperature reactor region of the oven to a cooler region where the gas forms limonene and condenses. This pyrolysis method also decreases the amount of soot produced while increasing the amount of limonene produced. Furthermore, this system readily enables separation of the solid, liquid and gas phases produced during pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventors: Curtiss D. Hanson, Timothy Burrell, James E. Haworth, James A. Olson
  • Patent number: 6150577
    Abstract: The invention includes a process of making a lubricating oil composition including: a process for making a high VI lubricating oil composition including the steps of (1) contacting a waste plastics feed including mainly polyethylene in a pyrolysis zone at pyrolysis conditions, whereby at least a portion of the waste plastics feed is cracked, thereby forming a pyrolysis zone effluent including 1-olefins and n-paraffins; (2) passing the pyrolysis zone effluent, including a heavy fraction and a middle fraction, the pyrolysis effluent middle fraction including 1-olefins, to a separations zone; where the pyrolysis effluent heavy fraction portion is separated from the pyrolysis effluent middle fraction; (3) passing the pyrolysis effluent heavy fraction to a hydrogenation zone; and (4) passing at least a portion of the hydrogenation zone effluent to a catalytic isomerization dewaxing zone, where at least a portion of the hydrogenation zone effluent is contacted with a isomerization dewaxing catalyst at isomerization
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Gerald P. Huffman, Naresh Shah
  • Patent number: 6143940
    Abstract: The invention includes a process of making a wax composition including: a process for making a heavy wax composition including the steps of (1) contacting a waste plastics feed containing primarily polyethylene in a pyrolysis zone at sub-atmospheric pressure, whereby at least a portion of the waste plastics feed is cracked, thereby forming a pyrolysis zone effluent including 1-olefins and n-paraffins; and (2) passing the pyrolysis zone effluent to a hydrotreating zone, for contacting with a hydrotreating catalyst at catalytic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Gerald P. Huffman, Naresh Shah
  • Patent number: 6139723
    Abstract: A highly dispersed iron-based ionic liquid or liquid-gel catalyst which may be anion-modified and metals-promoted has high catalytic activity, and is useful for hydrocracking/hydrogenation reactions for carbonaceous feed materials. The catalyst is produced by aqueous precipitation from saturated iron salt solutions such as ferric sulfate and ferric alum, and may be modified during preparation with anionic sulfate (SO.sub.4.sup.2-) and promoted with small percentages of at least one active metal such as cobalt, molybdenum, palladium, platinum, nickel, or tungsten or mixtures thereof. The resulting catalyst may be used in a preferred ionic liquid form or in a liquid-gel form, and either fluidic form can be easily mixed and reacted with carbonaceous feed materials such as coal, heavy petroleum fractions, mixed plastic waste, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Hydrocarbon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Pelrine, Alfred G. Comolli, Lap-Keung Lee
  • Patent number: 6139722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for producing synthetic crude oil from oil bearing material, e.g., oil shale or tar sand, through continuous feeding and calcining, hydrocracking and hydrogenating kerogen or bitumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Chattanooga Corporation
    Inventors: Chalmer G. Kirkbride, James A. Doyle, Fred Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 6133491
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials. In particular, the invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from residential trash or waste and/or organic waste materials in virtue of pyrolysis and catalytic cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Li Xing
  • Patent number: 6107532
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical process for treating a large amount of plastics waste in which thermoplastics, crosslinked plastics, thermosetting plastics or a mixture thereof can be continuously and rapidly degraded and converted into oil without sorting various types of plastics waste. According to this process, powdered plastics obtained by grinding thermoplastics, crosslinked plastics, thermosetting plastics or a mixture thereof is mixed with water to form a slurry, and a dispersing agent such as a water-absorbing resin, a water-soluble polymer or a surface-active agent is added thereto. The resulting mixed slurry is fed to a tubular continuous reactor where the powdered plastics is degraded under reaction conditions causing the water to be in or near its supercritical region. Finally, oil is recovered from the reaction product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignees: Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Saito, Takehiko Moriya, Masaki Iijima, Wataru Matsubara, Kazuto Kobayashi, Naohiko Ukawa
  • Patent number: 6084139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing waste or biomass material into valuable products such as, for example, combustible gases, which is characterized in that(a) the waste or biomass material is subjected to a pyrolysis at a temperature of 350-650.degree. C., advantageously 450-550.degree. C.;(b) the gas released in the course of the pyrolysis is subjected--without condensation--to a cracking treatment at a temperature of 1100-1600.degree. C., advantageously 1200-1400.degree. C., under the influence of oxygen-rich gas introduced from outside and possibly of steam;(c) the residue liberated in the course of the pyrolysis is gasified under a pressure of 0.5-1.5 bar, advantageously 0.8-1.2 bar, at a temperature of 1200-1700.degree. C., advantageously 1400-1600.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Gibros Pec B.V.
    Inventors: Abraham Barend Van Der Giessen, Jacob Hendrik Obbo Hazewinkel, Klaus Jungk, Jan Pieter Lotens, Ruurd Andries Van Der Veen
  • Patent number: 6060631
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of plastic to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of separating a liquefied plastic into a lower boiling fraction and a higher boiling fraction containing non-distillable particulate matter which is admixed with a hydrocarbonaceous recycle stream and filtered. The filtered stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided particulate matter and the distillable lower boiling stream together with hydrogen is contacted with a hydro-demetallization catalyst in a hydro-demetallization zone. The effluent from the hydro-demetallization zone is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking zone to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons suitable for use as a synthetic crude oil and to produce gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds. A recovered hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is preferably recycled to the hydro-demetallization zone. The gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds are removed by scrubbing the hydrocracking zone effluent with an aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. James, Jr., Tom N. Kalnes
  • Patent number: 6048380
    Abstract: A method for disposing synthetic resinous material comprises: dechlorinating a synthetic resinous material by heating the synthetic resinous material and decomposing the same; and supplying the synthetic resinous material into the furnace as a fuel or a reducing agent. An apparatus comprises: a chlorine removing means for dechlorinating the synthetic resinous material by heating the synthetic resinous material; and a pulverizer for pulverizing the dechlorinated synthetic resinous material, a supply means for supplying the processed synthetic resinous material into a furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Asanuma, Tatsuro Ariyama, Yukihiko Asakawa, Koichi Tomioka, Mitsuhiro Fujii, Hiromi Nakamura, Tsutomu Shikada
  • Patent number: 6046370
    Abstract: The process aims treatment of used rubber and plastics such as vehicle tires, car fluff (plastic and rubber residues from shredded automobiles), and RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel). A vacuum pyrolysis of cuttings of said rubber and plastics is made in a reactor to yield a non condensable fraction of combustible gas, oil, and a carbonaceous solid residue. A portion of the carbonaceous solid residue is mechanically mixed in the reactor to the rubber and plastics cuttings before and during pyrolysis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcyon S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Affolter, Richard Bovey, Jean-Pierre Vuille
  • Patent number: 6031142
    Abstract: A method of pretreating polystyrene-containing materials to form a solution of polystyrene in a processing solvent from which the styrene in the polystyrene in the materials is reclaimed. The materials are mixed with an environmentally acceptable pretreating solvent having a lower boiling point than the processing solvent, typically at a location remote from the reclamation plant. The pretreating solvent is selected from the group consisting of d-limonene, l-limonene, dipentene, and blends thereof. Prior to actual processing to reclaim styrene, the pretreating solvent is substantially replaced with the processing solvent. The pretreating solvent may be recovered for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ponsford, Henry T. Ponsford
  • Patent number: 6018085
    Abstract: A method of reclaiming styrene from polystyrene-containing materials contaminated with animal fats and/or vegetable oils. A solution of polystyrene from such materials in a solvent is heated in distillation equipment to depolymerize the polystyrene and produce a styrene fraction and a heavier fraction, the styrene fraction being separated from the heavier fraction. Prior to heating, an inert gas is used to purge the distillation equipment of oxygen. The method preferably is carried out at the lowest temperature which will achieve the desired rate of depolymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas E. Ponsford, Henry T. Ponsford
  • Patent number: 6011187
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for reclaiming oil from waste plastic in such a way that thermosetting resins and solid foreign matter in the plastic will not pose a problem. This method greatly reduces the burden of presorting the garbage or industrial waste. To achieve this objective when oil is to be reclaimed from a waste plastic containing chlorine compounds, such as vinyl chloride, the plastic must first be stripped of chlorine. Prior to pyrolysis, while being conveyed forward in a continuous stream, the plastic is mixed with heated sand and/or an additive agent to raise its temperature to 250-350.degree. C. This creates a product which is comprised of a mixture of sand and substantially dechlorinated plastic. The product is mixed with heated sand to heat it directly to a temperature of 350-500.degree. C. It is maintained at this temperature until pyrolysis occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Horizoe, Takeshi Amari, Hiroshi Nagai, Shizuo Yasuda, Yuji Kaihara, Yoshimasa Kawami, Yasumasa Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 6005149
    Abstract: The invention provides a practical and efficient method and apparatus for thermally processing organic based raw materials of either primary or secondary (recycled) origin, in order to extract volatile organic vapors and to selectively produce either condensable hydrocarbon gases or, more preferably, non-condensable synthesis gases that are rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide for use as a raw material in chemical processes, or as a fuel. In particular, the invention provides a single rotary reactor having two contiguous hearth reaction areas, i.e., a drying and volatizing area and a reformation area, the areas being separated from each other by a bed-retaining refractory weir. The weir has an aperture for fluidly connecting the two hearth reaction areas of the single reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Engineering, Separation & Recycling, Ltd. Co.
    Inventor: Norman G. Bishop
  • Patent number: 6001144
    Abstract: A process of gasifying waste containing organic substances which may be combusted or gasified by means of partial oxidation in the presence of air or oxygen and steam. The gasification process includes the step of adjusting the molar ratio of steam/carbon (H.sub.2 O/C) for supplied steam and the organic substances containing carbon to a desired ratio. The process continues with partial oxidation at about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C. and discontinuing the steam supply while continuing only air or oxygen supply to combust the remaining combustibles having carbon as their major component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takeuchi, Akira Satou
  • Patent number: 5998682
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for energy recovery through waste classification and calcination, and an apparatus therefor; the process comprises crushing and sorting various types of wastes, and by means of a series of classification, calcination and recovering treatments, recovering and reusing efficiently fuel oil, fuel gas and residues, as well as providing electric power and heat required for the apparatus in the self-supplying feedback system of the invention, and additionally, lowering successfully the secondary pollution from waste disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Szu Jeng Chien
  • Patent number: 5977421
    Abstract: The amount of limonene produced during pyrolysis of scrap tire carcass or polyisoprene rubber can be increased by decreasing residence time of the isoprene gas produced during the thermal degradation of polyisoprene rubber in the high temperature reactor region of an oven. This is achieved by using a novel oven design which permits rapid expansion of the isoprene gas away from the high temperature reactor region of the oven to a cooler region where the gas forms limonene and condenses. This pyrolysis method also decreases the amount of soot produced while increasing the amount of limonene produced. Furthermore, this system readily enables separation of the solid, liquid and gas phases produced during pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Curtiss D. Hanson, Timothy Burrell, James E. Haworth, James A. Olson
  • Patent number: 5973217
    Abstract: According to the process described, old or waste plastics are depolymerized into a pumpable phase and a volatile phase to allow recovery of chemical raw materials and liquid fuel components. The volatile phase is separated into a gaseous phase and a condensate. In order to simplify the process in comparison with the state of the art, the depolymerised product remaining after the volatile phase is separated is also heated together with the condensate or condensate fractions in the presence of hydrogen under pressure and is subjected to hydrotreating, after non-boiling components are removed, to produce syncrude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Veba Oel AG
    Inventors: Horst Hastrich, Christian Hecka, Rolf Holighaus, Klaus Niemann, Claus Strecker
  • Patent number: 5969201
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of plastic to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of contacting the plastic with a hydrocarbonaceous recycle stream in a liquefying zone operated at liquefying conditions to produce a liquefied stream of plastic containing non-distillable particulate matter and at least a portion thereof is filtered. The filtered stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided particulate matter and the balance, if any, of the original liquefied stream together with hydrogen is contacted with a hydro-demetallization catalyst in a hydro-demetallization zone at hydro-demetallization conditions to produce gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds. The effluent from the hydro-demetallization zone is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking zone to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons suitable for use as a synthetic crude oil. A recovered hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is preferably recycled to the hydro-demetallization zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Tom N. Kalnes, Robert B. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5964985
    Abstract: A method of 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: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: William A. Wootten