US 7,476,296 B2 · Apparatus and process for converting a mixture of organic materials into hydrocarbons and carbon solids

Abstract

The present invention provides for an apparatus for converting an organic liquor into a mixture of hydrocarbons and carbon solids, comprising: a heater for heating the organic liquor, thereby producing a mixture of liquid and vaporized oil; a reactor for converting the mixture of liquid and vaporized oil into carbon solids, and a mixture of hydrocarbons and gases; a first cooler for accepting the carbon solids; and a second cooler for accepting the mixture of hydrocarbons and gases. The apparatus of the present invention finds application in the processing of waste and low-value products to produce useful materials in reliable purities and compositions, at acceptable cost, without producing malodorous emissions, and with high energy efficiency. In particular, the organic liquor derives from feedstocks such as offal, animal manures, municipal sewage sludge, tires, and plastics, that otherwise have little commercial value, and are thereby converted into useful materials including gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for converting an organic liquor into carbon solids and a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising:

a heater configured to receive and heat the organic liquor to produce a mixture of liquid and vaporized oil, said heater having an outlet;
a reactor comprising a vessel having an inlet and first and second outlets wherein said inlet communicates with the heater outlet, said reactor configured to receive and convert the mixture of liquid and vaporized oil into carbon solids and a mixture of hydrocarbon vapors and gases;
a first cooler having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet communicating with the first reactor outlet for accepting the carbon solids, the first cooler being configured for containing and cooling the carbon solids accepted from the reactor;
a second cooler having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet communicating with the second reactor outlet for accepting the mixture of hydrocarbon vapors and gases;
and
a particulate separator disposed between the second reactor outlet and second cooler inlet, wherein said particulate separator returns entrained particulate from the mixture of hydrocarbon gases and vapors to the reactor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and process for converting a mixture of organic materials into hydrocarbons and carbon solids

Life of this patent

Apparatus and process for converting a mixture of organic materials into hydrocarbons and carbon solids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18