Abstract

The invention provides apparatus and method of pyrolysing feedstock to produce char. A feedstock advancing mechanism in a lower portion of a substantially sealed reaction chamber advances the feedstock laterally along the lower portion as it pyrolyses in its progression from the proximal end to the distal end. Char is discharged from the distal end of the reaction chamber. A control system controls at least the flow rate of oxygen containing gas entering the chamber via the inlet port in response to the temperature measurements in the reaction chamber so that the temperature measurements are appropriate for the production of char from the feedstock and so that a zone of volatile gas combustion is established in the headspace, involving essentially complete consumption of all incoming free oxygen in the headspace without contacting the feedstock.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10B 49/04 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge while moving the solid material to be treated
• B01J 6/00 - Calcining; Fusing
• C10B 53/02 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material

Abstract

The invention provides apparatus and method of pyrolysing feedstock to produce char. A feedstock advancing mechanism in a lower portion of a substantially sealed reaction chamber advances the feedstock laterally along the lower portion as it pyrolyses in its progression from the proximal end to the distal end. Char is discharged from the distal end of the reaction chamber. A control system controls at least the flow rate of oxygen containing gas entering the chamber via the inlet port in response to the temperature measurements in the reaction chamber so that the temperature measurements are appropriate for the production of char from the feedstock and so that a zone of volatile gas combustion is established in the headspace, involving essentially complete consumption of all incoming free oxygen in the headspace without contacting the feedstock.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
• C10B 49/02 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge
• C10B 53/02 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material
• C10B 49/04 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge while moving the solid material to be treated
• C10B 7/10 - Coke ovens with mechanical conveying means for the raw material inside the oven with conveyor-screws

Abstract

A method and apparatus for drying and pyrolyzing carbon-containing materials to produce valuable products including char, oil, gas and thermal energy. The present invention involves a method whereby carbon-containing material 1 is maintained in a heated region predominantly free of oxidizing gases to promote pyrolysis reactions, and the thermal energy required to drive the process is provided via the combustion of a proportion of the volatilized matter with an oxygen containing gas in the same chamber 3. The arrangement of the chamber 3 eliminates the need for any form of solid physical barrier between the concurrent pyrolysis and combustion reactions occurring in the process, and also avoids any requirement for external means of recirculating the gaseous volatilized matter. The present invention also relates to a method for improving the transfer of thermal energy from the combustion to pyrolysis zones via radiative and convective heat transfer mechanisms.

IPC Classes  ?

• F23G 5/12 - Methods or apparatus, e.g. incinerators, specially adapted for combustion of waste or low-grade fuels including supplementary heating using gaseous or liquid fuel
• D06F 75/00 - Hand irons
• F23L 13/00 - Construction of valves or dampers for controlling air supply or draught
• F23L 1/00 - Passages or apertures for delivering primary air for combustion
• C10B 21/00 - Heating of coke ovens with combustible gases
• C10B 1/04 - Vertical retorts
• C10B 49/02 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge
• C10B 53/02 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material

Abstract

A method and apparatus for drying and pyrolysing carbon-containing materials to produce valuable products including char, oil, gas and thermal energy. The present invention involves a method whereby carbon-containing material 1 is maintained in a heated region predominantly free of oxidizing gases to promote pyrolysis reactions, and the thermal energy required to drive the process is provided via the combustion of a proportion of the volatilized matter with an oxygen containing gas in the same chamber 3. The arrangement of the chamber 3 eliminates the need for any form of solid physical barrier between the concurrent pyrolysis and combustion reactions occurring in the process, and also avoids any requirement for external means of recirculating the gaseous volatilized matter. The present invention also relates to a method for improving the transfer of thermal energy from the combustion to pyrolysis zones via radiative and convective heat transfer mechanisms.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10B 51/00 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by combined direct and indirect heating
• C10B 49/02 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge
• C10J 3/20 - Apparatus; Plants
• B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus