US 5,085,738 AGranted

Method and apparatus for thermal conversion of organic matter

OwnerWindel L. Harris, James R. Donnohueinventors

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Abstract

An apparatus for the thermal conversion and recovery of organic waste materials includes an oxygen-free chamber filled with molten lead and a method of use of the apparatus. The chamber is elongate and inclined so that organic material introduced in a lower portion of the chamber migrates through the molten lead to a higher portion of the chamber due to the organic material having a specific gravity less than that of lead. As the organic material migrates through the molten lead, the material is thermally converted to gaseous and vapor hydrocarbons that are captured in a condenser. The gaseous hydrocarbons are utilized to heat the lead in the chamber and the vapor is condensed to liquid hydrocarbons in the condenser. Residual solids flow to a reservoir connected to the chamber. Light carbon black is drawn into a receiver by a vacuum line located near the top of the reservoir and all other residual solids flow over a reservoir wall.

An apparatus for thermal conversion of hydrocarbons in organic material to a gaseous state;

said apparatus comprising:
(a) an elongate tubular chamber having an upper side, a first portion and a second portion;
said chamber being substantially axially inclined relative to the horizontal with said first portion lower than said second portion;
(b) molten lead contained in and substantially filling said chamber;
(c) a hopper for receiving the organic material;
(d) a cylindrical infeed tube having a horizontal section and a discharge end;
said horizontal section flow connected to said hopper for receiving the organic material from said hopper;
said horizontal section having an outer wall with at least one aperture through said outer wall;
said discharge end flow connected to said chamber first portion;
(e) a ram located within said infeed tube horizontal section for advancing organic material from said horizontal section to said chamber first portion;
(f) ram propelling means for operably driving said ram;
(g) a collar circumferentially surrounding said infeed tube and flow connected to said aperture on said horizontal section;
(h) a first vacuum line flow connected to said collar;
(i) a first vacuum pump flow connected to said vacuum line and for drawing air from the organic material in said horizontal section through said aperture and through said collar for discharge outside of said horizontal section;
(j) a plurality of spaced gas burners located below said chamber;
(k) a plurality of burner fuel lines each being respectively connected to said burners;
each of said burner fuel lines having a valve and connected to a main fuel line at an end thereof;
(l) temperature control means operably sensing temperatures within said chamber and operating said fuel line valves to control heating of said chamber by each burner so as to maintain desired temperatures within each segment of said chamber;
(m) a plurality of tubes spaced along and flow connected to said chamber upper side;
each of said tubes having a filter located therein;
(n) a condenser flow connected to each of said tubes;
(o) a liquid flow connected to each of said tubes;
(p) a noncondensed hydrocarbon gas line flow connected to said condenser at one end thereof and flow connected to said main fuel line at an opposite end thereof;
(q) a second vacuum pump flow connected to said gas line and urging concondensed hydrocarbons therethrough;
(r) a reservoir having an overflow wall;
said reservoir being flow connected to said chamber;
(s) a third vacuum line located above said reservoir;
(t) a carbon black receiver flow connected to said third vacuum line;
and
(u) a third vacuum pump flow connected to said carbon black receiver and operably urging light carbon black particles from said reservoir to said carbon black receiver.

27 more elements

Facts

Application

07/520,025Filed 7 May 1990 · continuation in part

Priority

24 Apr 1989

Granted

4 Feb 1992

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

C10B 53/00
Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw
C10B 7/06
Coke ovens with mechanical conveying means for the raw material inside the oven: with endless conveying devices
C10B 7/14
Coke ovens with mechanical conveying means for the raw material inside the oven: with trucks, containers, or trays
C10B 49/14
Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the…

Abstract

Claims3