Pyrolytic method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for pyrolytically decomposing carboniferous materials provided with a reactor connected by a carbonization gas conduit to a multiple stage condenser for fractionally recovering pyrolysis oils in a collection container, a central heating element connected to an external heat source, a pre-heating chamber for receiving material after pyrolysis and material prior to pyrolysis for an exchange of heat therebetween, first conveying means for alternatingly moving non-pyrolyzed and pyrolyzed material from the pre-heating chamber into an out of the reactor and second conveying means for moving non-pyrolyzed and pyrolyzed material out of and into the pre-heating chamber. For moving and pyrolyzing the material is preferably retained in basket-like receptacles. The condenser may be connected to the external heat source for utilizing residual carbonization as supplemental heat energy. To render the apparatus moveable, the reactor gas conduit and condenser, the pyrolysis oil collection container, the first and the second conveying means are mounted in separate but connectable container modules.

1 . A method of pyrolyzing in a heated reactor material containing at least one of carbon and other pollutant, comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing at least one first charge of material for pyrolyzing into the reactor for a predetermined time;    b) preparing at least one second charge of material to be pyrolyzed;    c) providing a pre-heating chamber;    d) placing the pyrolyzed at least one first charge into the pre-heating chamber upon termination of the predetermined time;    e) placing the at least one second charge into the pre-heating chamber for pre-heating by heat exchange with the pyrolyzed at least one first charge;    f) placing at least one third charge of material for pyrolyzing into the reactor for said predetermined time;    g) preparing at least one fourth charge of material to be pyrolyzed;    h) removing the pyrolyzed at least one first charge from the pre-heating chamber;    i) moving the pyrolyzed at least third charge from the reactor into the pre-heating chamber;    j) placing the at least second charge of material for pyrolyzing into the reactor for the predetermined time;    k) placing the at least fourth charge of material into the pre-heating chamber for pre-heating by heat exchange with the pyrolyzed at least one third charge; and    l) thereafter sequentially removing pyrolyzed charges from the pre-heating chamber for replacement by pyrolyzed charges from the oven and moving pre-heated charges from the pre-heating chamber to the reactor for replacement by charges of material to be pyrolyzed.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one charge is placed into at least one receptacle of basket-like structure.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the reactor is heated by a heating element centrally positioned therein and wherein the receptacle is positioned adjacent to the heating element.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is about 500° C.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined time is about 100 minutes.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 moving carbonization gases developed by the pyrolysis through a duct and over condensing means for fractionally precipitating liquids contained in the gas.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the carbonization gases are moved by a blower.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further including the step of moving the carbonizing gas through an after-heater.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , further including the step of purging carbonizing gases by an inert gas.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the purging is carried out with nitrogen.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , further including the step of feeding at least some of the carbonization gas to the heating element for combustion thereby.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for the pyrolytic decomposition of carboniferous materials, comprising: 
 a reactor comprising a housing shell and a bottom plate mounted thereon for selective movement between open and closed positions;    a heating element centrally disposed within the reactor and heated from an external heat source;    a condenser comprising a plurality of stages for fractionally condensing pyrolysis oil;    a gas conduit means for feeding carbonization gases from the reactor to the condenser;    means connectable to the condenser for collecting pyrolysis oil;    at least first and second receptacles for receiving carboniferous material for pyrolyzing;    a pre-heating chamber for receiving one of the first and second receptacles after pyrolyzing and the other of the first and second receptacles prior to pyrolyzing;    first conveying means for alternatingly moving the first and second receptacles between the pre-heating chamber and the reactor;    hoisting means for alternatingly raising and lowering the first and second receptacles into and out of the reactor; and    second conveying means for alternatingly moving the first and second receptacles into and out of the pre-heating chamber prior to and after pyrolyzing.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a blower for feeding carbonization gases from the reactor to the condenser.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising means for purging the reactor, gas conduit and condenser from carbonization gas.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the purging means comprises a source of inert gas.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for collecting pyrolysis oil comprises an equalizing container.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the reactor, gas conduit and condenser, the first conveying means and the hoisting means, the pyrolysis oil collection means, and the second conveying means are mounted in separate container modules.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising means for feeding carbonization gases from the condenser to the external heat source.