US 7,743,912 B2 · Liquid seal bulk feeder for destructive distillation of lightweight materials

Abstract

A conveyor feeding system for reliably and continuously supplying particulate matter as feedstock, such as rubber tire chips, to a reactor or distillation unit. The feeding system includes a pair of inclined spiral augers having their lower ends submerged in oil or other liquid to provide a liquid seal, thereby preventing undesirable back flow of distillation gases through the feeding system. The push auger acts to push lightweight feedstock downward, submerging it through the liquid seal. The material thereafter is taken up by the partially submerged feed auger, for withdrawal up out of the liquid seal for delivery to further processing, such as a pyrolytic reactor. Buoyant material, which otherwise might float upon the liquid of the seal reservoir, accordingly may be effectively processed through the system. An inlet valve, through which feedstock is introduced into the push auger, can be opened and closed in coordination with the rotation of the push auger, so that material is fed smoothly into the liquid seal reservoir. The inlet valve also may be of a type which prevents back-flow of gas from the push auger to material inlet valve.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A liquid sealed conveyor apparatus for continuously feeding particulate material, such as chips of used automobile tires, to a reactor or distillation unit while maintaining a seal against the exchange of distillation gases and atmospheric air comprising:

an inclined pusher auger having an outlet at a lower end thereof and an inlet;
an inclined feed auger having an inlet at a lower end thereof and an outlet at an upper end thereof, said feed auger inlet being connected to and in liquid communication with said pusher auger outlet;
said pusher auger and said feed auger being partially filled with a liquid to an operating reservoir liquid level and an operating feed auger liquid level, respectively, wherein
said pusher auger inlet is above, and said pusher auger outlet is below, said operating reservoir liquid level;
whereby action of the rotation of said pusher auger pushes particulate material entering said pusher auger inlet into said liquid, beneath said operating reservoir liquid level and to said feed auger inlet, and whereby the particulate material then is engaged and transported by action of the rotation of said feed auger to a point above said feed auger liquid level, and is discharged through said feed auger outlet for delivery to said reactor or distillation unit.

2 more elements

an inclined pusher auger having an outlet at a lower end thereof and an inlet;
an inclined feed auger having an inlet at a lower end thereof and an outlet at an upper end thereof, said feed auger inlet being connected to and in liquid communication with said pusher auger outlet;
and
an inlet valve in operative connection with said pusher auger, above said operating reservoir liquid level, for regulating the feeding of particulate material into said pusher auger;
said pusher auger and said feed auger being partially filled with a liquid to an operating reservoir liquid level and an operating feed auger liquid level, respectively, wherein said feeder auger inlet is below, and said feeder auger outlet is above, said operating feed auger liquid level;
whereby action of the rotation of said pusher auger pushes particulate material entering said pusher auger inlet into said liquid, beneath said operating reservoir liquid level and to said feed auger inlet, and
whereby the particulate material then is engaged and transported by action of the rotation of said feed auger to a point above said feed auger liquid level, and is discharged through said feed auger outlet for delivery to said reactor or distillation unit.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Liquid seal bulk feeder for destructive distillation of lightweight materials

Life of this patent

Liquid seal bulk feeder for destructive distillation of lightweight materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19