Process for devolatizing a feedstock

A method of using a heated gas, comprising hydrogen, to pyrolyze a solid feedstock, comprising carbon-based waste selected from the group consisting of hazardous material, biomass, animal manure, tires, municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel, wherein the method comprises:

• treating the solid feedstock to a produce a particle size laying between 2 cm3 and 3 cm3;
• passing the solid feedstock into a device connected to an outlet of a compaction screw auger comprising an assembly including a solid feedstock injector, a retort, a side arm for injecting a heated gas comprising hydrogen, and a process auger;
• the injector having a cylindrical body defined by an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface with a thickness between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, an inner cavity, an inside diameter D1, and an outside diameter D2;
• an inlet end of the injector having an inlet opening and injector flange radially disposed around the inlet opening and extending radially outward from the cylindrical body of the injector;
• an outlet end of the injector having an outlet opening and an injector ring radially disposed around the outlet opening and extending radially outward from the cylindrical body of the injector;
• an internal sealing shoulder being disposed on the outer cylindrical surface of the injector at a distance L1 from the injector ring and at a distance L2 from the injector flange, wherein the distance L1 is less than the distance L2;
• the retort having a cylindrical body defined by an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface with a thickness between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, an inner cavity, an inside diameter D3, and an outside diameter D4, wherein diameter D3 is greater than diameter D2;
• an inlet end of the retort having a retort inlet opening and a first retort flange radially disposed around the retort inlet opening and extending radially outward from the cylindrical body of the retort;
• an outlet end of the retort having a retort outlet opening and a second retort flange radially disposed around the retort outlet opening and extending radially outward from the cylindrical body of the retort;
• the side arm connecting to the retort at an injection point between the retort inlet end and the retort outlet end;
• the injection point having an inlet region toward the retort inlet end and an outlet region toward the retort outlet end;
• the process auger transversing the inner cavities of the retort and the injector;
• the injector flange and first retort flange being abutted;
• the internal sealing shoulder substantially abutting the inner cylindrical surface of the retort;
• and the outlet end of the injector extending between the retort outlet end and the outlet region of the injection point to define a devolatization zone in the inner cavity of the retort near the injector ring;
• and
• contacting the solid feedstock with the heated gas at a temperature of 800° C. to 900° C. and a pressure of 0.5 atm to 2 atm for a time of 60 seconds to 120 seconds, whereby the solid feedstock is converted to a gas stream and a solid stream.