Method and apparatus for fast pyrolysis of biomass in rotary kilns

A pyrolysis rotary reactor comprising:

• a cylindrical reactor body having a first end and a second end, the reactor body being disposed generally horizontally;
• a burner disposed to heat the reactor body, wherein the burner emits flame along a flame axis, wherein the flame axis is directed towards a lower portion of the reactor body which is ascending due to rotation of the reactor body and which is located at an angle of about 50 degrees below horizontal;
• an inlet feed disposed at the first end;
• an outlet disposed at the second end for removing solid material from the reactor body;
• and
• a gas outlet pipe.

A rotating reactor system for pyrolysis of carbonaceous material comprising:

• a generally horizontal cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a burner disposed to heat the reactor body;
• a drive which rotates the body;
• an inlet feed which deposits carbonaceous material into the first end of the body;
• a char outlet for removing char from the second end of the body;
• a gas outlet pipe for removing gasses from the body;
• and
• a condenser attached to the gas outlet pipe;
• an access port located on the condenser which is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the gas outlet pipe and which may be selectively opened and closed, and further comprising a cleaning drill inserted through the access port, through the condenser, and into the gas outlet pipe to remove deposits from the gas outlet pipe;
• and
• wherein the gas outlet pipe extends linearly and connects without elbows into a condenser to transfer gasses thereto.

A rotating reactor for fast pyrolysis of carbonaceous material comprising:

• a generally horizontal cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a drive which rotates the body;
• an inlet feed which deposits carbonaceous material into the first end of the body;
• a char outlet for removing char from the second end of the body;
• a gas outlet pipe for removing gasses from the body;
• and
• a burner disposed to heat the reactor body;
• and
• a condenser having an access port located on the condenser which is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the gas outlet pipe and which may be selectively opened and closed, and further comprising a cleaning drill inserted through the access port, through the condenser, and into the gas outlet pipe to remove deposits from the gas outlet pipe.

A rotating reactor for fast pyrolysis of carbonaceous material comprising:

• a generally horizontal cylindrical body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a drive which rotates the body;
• an inlet feed which deposits carbonaceous material into the first end of the body;
• a char outlet for removing char from the second end of the body;
• a gas outlet pipe for removing gasses from the body;
• and
• a burner disposed to heat the reactor body, wherein the burner comprises a flame axis and wherein flame produced by the burner is emitted along the flame axis, wherein the burner flame axis intersects the body and is directed towards a longitudinal center axis of the body, wherein the burner flame axis is directed towards a lower ascending quadrant of the reactor body, and wherein the burner flame axis is oriented about 50 degrees from horizontal;
• and
• an outlet reducer attached to the second end of the reactor body to close the second end of the reactor body, wherein the gas outlet pipe extends through the outlet reducer, and wherein the char outlet extends through the outlet reducer.