A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

An electronic waste processing apparatus has a power supply device, a vacuum cracking device, a filter device, and a separation device. The vacuum device is electrically connected to the power supply device, and has a vacuum pump, a vacuum chamber, and a high-frequency furnace body. The vacuum chamber is connected to and communicates with the vacuum pump. The high-frequency furnace body is disposed in the vacuum chamber. The filter device is electrically connected to the power supply device, and is connected to and communicates with the high-frequency furnace body of the vacuum cracking device. The separation device is electrically connected to the power supply device, is connected to and communicates with the vacuum pump and the filter device, and has a condensation cylinder, a cooling cylinder, and an oil storage tank.

An electronic waste processing apparatus has a power supply device, a vacuum cracking device, a filter device, and a separation device. The vacuum device is electrically connected to the power supply device, and has a vacuum pump, a vacuum chamber, and a high-frequency furnace body. The vacuum chamber is connected to and communicates with the vacuum pump. The high-frequency furnace body is disposed in the vacuum chamber. The filter device is electrically connected to the power supply device, and is connected to and communicates with the high-frequency furnace body of the vacuum cracking device. The separation device is electrically connected to the power supply device, is connected to and communicates with the vacuum pump and the filter device, and has a condensation cylinder, a cooling cylinder, and an oil storage tank.

The present invention provides a microwave pyrolysis reactor (1) comprising an inner pipe element (2) and a housing (4), wherein the inner pipe element (2) is made of a microwave transparent material and comprises a first open end (5) and a second open end (6); the housing (4) comprises a first inner surface, enclosing an annular space (7,44) around the inner pipe element (2), a waste inlet (10), a solids outlet (11), a gas outlet (12), an inert gas inlet (45) and a port (13) for a microwave waveguide (14), the waste inlet and the solids outlet are in communication with the first open end and the second open end of the inner pipe element, respectively, and the port for a microwave waveguide is in communication with the annular space; and wherein the inner pipe element is arranged with the first open end at a higher vertical level than the second open end, such that a material entering the waste inlet during use is transported through the inner pipe element, from the first open end to the second open end, by gravity; and wherein the gas outlet (12) is arranged upstream the first open end of the inner pipe element and downstream the waste inlet of the housing, and the inert gas inlet (45) is arranged to provide an inert gas into the annular space (7,44) during use.

The present invention provides a microwave pyrolysis reactor (1) comprising an inner pipe element (2) and a housing (4), wherein the inner pipe element (2) is made of a microwave transparent material and comprises a first open end (5) and a second open end (6); the housing (4) comprises a first inner surface, enclosing an annular space (7,44) around the inner pipe element (2), a waste inlet (10), a solids outlet (11), a gas outlet (12), an inert gas inlet (45) and a port (13) for a microwave waveguide (14), the waste inlet and the solids outlet are in communication with the first open end and the second open end of the inner pipe element, respectively, and the port for a microwave waveguide is in communication with the annular space; and wherein the inner pipe element is arranged with the first open end at a higher vertical level than the second open end, such that a material entering the waste inlet during use is transported through the inner pipe element, from the first open end to the second open end, by gravity; and wherein the gas outlet (12) is arranged upstream the first open end of the inner pipe element and downstream the waste inlet of the housing, and the inert gas inlet (45) is arranged to provide an inert gas into the annular space (7,44) during use.

A method for processing waste using pyrolysis reactor include generating a microwave signal; amplifying the microwave signal into a plurality of drive signals; measuring temperature of the waste; determining, based on measured temperature, at least one phase-control signal; and outputting the at least one phase-control signal to maximize power transfer to the waste.

A method for processing waste using pyrolysis reactor include generating a microwave signal; amplifying the microwave signal into a plurality of drive signals; measuring temperature of the waste; determining, based on measured temperature, at least one phase-control signal; and outputting the at least one phase-control signal to maximize power transfer to the waste.

Method and apparatus for compact and easily maintainable waste reformation. Some embodiments include a rotary oven reformer adapted and configured to provide synthesis gas from organic waste. Some embodiments include a rotary oven with simplified operation both as to reformation of the waste, usage of the synthesized gas and other products, and easy removal of the finished waste products, preferably in a unit of compact size for use in austere settings. Yet other embodiments include Fischer-Tropsch reactors of synthesized gas. Some of these reactors include heat exchanging assemblies that provide self-cleaning effects, efficient utilization of waste heat, and ease of cleaning.

A pyrolysis device (1; 200) comprising an elongated tubular structure (2; 201) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and includes a first tubular body (3; 202) which defines an initial washing or drainage chamber, in which a shaped carriage (5; 204) containing a polymeric material to be subjected to pyrolysis thermal treatment is received, and provided with a movable front shutter (8; 207), arranged at an axial inlet mouth (9) through which the shaped carriage (5; 204) is introduced into the initial chamber (4; 203), and cooperating with first actuating means (10; 209) which alternately move them at least between a first position, in which the front shutter (8; 207) closes the initial chamber (4; 203) from the outer side (4a), and a second position, in which the front shutter (8; 207) opens the initial chamber (4; 203) from such an outer side (4a) putting it into communication with the external environment. The pyrolysis device (1; 200) further comprises a second tubular body (11; 210), located downstream of the first tubular body (3; 202) and provided at a first end (11a) with closing means (12; 211), defining a pyrolysis chamber (13; 212) which receives the shaped carriage (5; 204) to be subjected to the pyrolysis treatment, interface chimneys (6, 7; 225) for replacing the air present in the initial chamber (4; 203) and/or in the pyrolysis chamber (13; 212) with an inert gas, one or more microwave heating sources (14; 213) coupled to the second tubular body (11; 210) and facing the pyrolysis chamber (13; 212) in which they activate the pyrolysis treatment on the polymeric material present in the shaped carriage (5; 204), and a movable center shutter (15; 214) interposed between the first tubular body (3; 203) and the second tubular body (11; 210) and cooperating with second actuating means (16) which alternately move it between a closing position, in which the center shutter (15; 214) keeps the initial chamber (4; 203) and the pyrolysis chamber (13; 212) mutually isolated, and an opening position in which the center shutter (15; 214) puts the initial chamber (4) into communication with the pyrolysis chamber (13), thus allowing the passage of the shaped carriage (5; 204).