Methods 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 processing apparatus includes a microwave processing chamber. In addition, the processing apparatus includes a rigid, rotatable feed wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation such that a part of the feed wheel is located within the processing chamber. Further, the processing apparatus includes a feed device configured to deposit materials to be processed onto the feed wheel. Still further, the processing apparatus includes an output into which processed materials from the feed wheel can be deposited.

A processing apparatus includes a microwave processing chamber. In addition, the processing apparatus includes a rigid, rotatable feed wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation such that a part of the feed wheel is located within the processing chamber. Further, the processing apparatus includes a feed device configured to deposit materials to be processed onto the feed wheel. Still further, the processing apparatus includes an output into which processed materials from the feed wheel can be deposited.

The invention relates to a cracking furnace containing a tubular vertical chamber which comprises an inlet for introducing a gas to be treated and an outlet for removing said gas from the chamber, means for heating said gas which include a heating tube extending vertically inside the chamber and coaxial with the chamber, the heating tube being shaped in such a way as to have a closed lower end and being arranged in such a way that the lower end thereof is arranged in the chamber and such that the upper end thereof is connected to a burner of the heating means arranged outside the chamber. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a cracking furnace and a device for thermal treatment of biomass and/or waste, an outlet of which is connected to the inlet of said cracking furnace.

The invention relates to a cracking furnace containing a tubular vertical chamber which comprises an inlet for introducing a gas to be treated and an outlet for removing said gas from the chamber, means for heating said gas which include a heating tube extending vertically inside the chamber and coaxial with the chamber, the heating tube being shaped in such a way as to have a closed lower end and being arranged in such a way that the lower end thereof is arranged in the chamber and such that the upper end thereof is connected to a burner of the heating means arranged outside the chamber. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a cracking furnace and a device for thermal treatment of biomass and/or waste, an outlet of which is connected to the inlet of said cracking furnace.

An apparatus for distillation of feedstock, including a distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber. The plate is positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber, and defines a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate. A plurality of heating rods is included for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate. The apparatus also includes a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber.

An apparatus for distillation of feedstock, including a distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber. The plate is positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber, and defines a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate. A plurality of heating rods is included for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate. The apparatus also includes a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber.

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.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.