Apparatus for destructive distillation of cellulosic materials

Apparatus for producing combustible gases from cellulosic material and burning said gases to products of combustion, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a refractory gas production chamber for partial combustion of said cellulosic material to produce said combustible gases, comprising:
• 1. feed means for introducing the cellulosic material;
• 2. support means for supporting the cellulosic material;
• and
• 3. forced primary air means for controllably introducing primary air into the gas production chamber;
• (b) duct means for withdrawing the gases from the gas production chamber;
• (c) secondary air introduction means for blending secondary air into said duct means;
• (d) a combustion chamber for receiving from the duct means and burning a blend of said combustion gases and secondary air to hot gaseous products of substantially complete combustion;
• and
• (e) recirculation blower means for withdrawing said hot gaseous products from the combustion chamber for further use;
• said support means being adapted to permit continuous operation of the apparatus, the support means comprising an inclined support chute extending at an angle from the top to the bottom of said gas production chamber, the chute having a bottom surface in the form of a flat grate perforated for controllable passage therethrough of said primary air from the forced primary air means, the apparatus further including:
• (f) removal means positioned at the lower exit of said chute material for continuous withdrawal of non-destroyed cellulosic material propelled thereinto by said primary air;
• and
• (g) igniting means for maintaining partial combustion in said gas production chamber;
• said perforated grate having a plurality of perpendicular through holes and a plurality of non-perpendicular through holes for directing said primary air toward said cellulosic material in said chute to form an air blanket between the cellulosic material and the grate and to propel the cellulosic material longitudinally down the chute, said grate being made from a refractory composition interlaced with metallic needles.