Method and apparatus for a circulating bed transport fast pyrolysis reactor system

A process for the rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material in an upflow transport reactor, the reactor having a mixing section and a reactor section, said process comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing a primary stream of carbonaceous material and a secondary stream of inorganic particulate heat carrier into the mixing section in the relative absence of oxygen, such that an average number of particles of said heat carrier within the mixing and reactor section is between about 4.5.times.10.sup.6 and 18.6.times.10.sup.6 particles per ft.sup.3 of reactor volume;
• b) maintaining the stream of carbonaceous material in contact with the secondary stream of heat carrier through the reactor section to cause transformation of the carbonaceous material to a product stream;
• c) separating the product stream from the heat carrier by separation means at the exit of the reactor section such that the average residence time of contact between the carbonaceous material and the heat carrier is less than 2.0 seconds and the temperature of the products is reduced after exiting from the reactor section to less than 300.degree. C. in less than 0.1 second;
• and
• d) recycling the heat carrier to the mixing section.