US 5,411,714 A · Thermal conversion pyrolysis reactor system

Abstract

A thermal conversion pyrolysis reactor system (10) is provided for use in providing a continuous flow type pyrolysis reaction for conversion of carbonizable input materials ("MW") (12). The reactor system (10) utilizes a diffusion material ("MD") (14) which is preheated and admixed with the MD (12) in order to facilitate pyrolysis and to partially catalyze reactions. Subsystems are provided to receive gaseous (30), liquid (32) and solid (32) phase outputs. The reactor system (10) includes further component subsystems for waste material MW input (22), MD input (26), reactor chamber (24), and heating (28). The MD (14) is preheated by being carried through the reactor chamber (64) prior to admixing with the MW (12) and further by exhaust gases (94) from the furnace space (88) being directed through a heat exchanger (126). The system (10) provides for recycling of MD (14) and is substantially self powered as a result of using combustible hydrocarbon gases produced by the pyrolysis reaction as fuel for turbulent burners (72). Input materials are evacuated of oxygen and a positive internal pressure is maintained in the reactor chamber (66) in order to maximally facilitate oxygen free pyrolysis. The system (10) is particularly adapted for use with tire chips, medical waste and industrial plastic waste input materials. Carbon black and pelletized metallic and alloy materials are preferred MD (14).

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pyrolysis reactor system for use in pyrolyzing carbonizable input material (MW), comprising:

a reactor chamber subsystem including an enclosed reactor chamber;
an MW input subsystem for inputting carbonizable material into said reactor chamber subsystem;
an MD input subsystem for inputting diffusion material (MD) into said reactor chamber subsystem;
heating means for maintaining the interior of said reactor chamber subsystem at a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the carbonizable material;
a gaseous phase output subsystem for receiving and processing the gaseous phase products of pyrolysis reactions from said reactor chamber subsystem;
and
transport means for transporting the MW and MD from said associated input subsystem, through said reactor chamber subsystem, and through nongaseous phase output subsystems situated at an end thereof;
wherein, the MD is preheated to a higher temperature than a MW temperature and mixed with the MW near the location at which the MW enters said reactor chamber subsystem, such that the MD acts to conductively heat the MW and enhance the pyrolysis process thereon as the MW and MD are carried together through said reactor chamber subsystem.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal conversion pyrolysis reactor system

Life of this patent

Thermal conversion pyrolysis reactor system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20