Herein disclosed are apparatus and associated methods related to producing an enhanced surface area biochar product with a desired activation level based on receiving biochar into a processing vessel configured with multiple independently temperature-controlled chambers and counter-flow steam injection, controlling activation levels of the biochar by moving the biochar through the processing vessel and adjusting the temperature of the biochar by injecting steam into at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel, recovering volatiles driven off through dehydration using a thermal oxidizer, cooling the biochar to a desired discharge temperature using steam and retention time, and discharging the activated biochar product. The processing vessel may be a calciner, a rotary calciner, or a kiln. Biochar may be heated or cooled to a desired thermochemical processing temperature depending on the temperature of the received biochar. Counter-flow saturated steam may sweep volatile gases to a thermal oxidizer using a vacuum system.

Herein disclosed are apparatus and associated methods related to producing an enhanced surface area biochar product with a desired activation level based on receiving biochar into a processing vessel configured with multiple independently temperature-controlled chambers and counter-flow steam injection, controlling activation levels of the biochar by moving the biochar through the processing vessel and adjusting the temperature of the biochar by injecting steam into at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel, recovering volatiles driven off through dehydration using a thermal oxidizer, cooling the biochar to a desired discharge temperature using steam and retention time, and discharging the activated biochar product. The processing vessel may be a calciner, a rotary calciner, or a kiln. Biochar may be heated or cooled to a desired thermochemical processing temperature depending on the temperature of the received biochar. Counter-flow saturated steam may sweep volatile gases to a thermal oxidizer using a vacuum system.

A method for forming mesophase pitch can include applying a stimulus to a first amount of coal tar to form a first amount of mesophase pitch. The stimulus can include one or more of an electromagnetic field (“EMF”) or a magnetic field. The method can further include evaluating a characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, changing a parameter of the stimulus in response to evaluating the characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, and applying the stimulus exhibiting the changed parameters to a second amount of coal tar to form mesophase pitch.

A method for forming mesophase pitch can include applying a stimulus to a first amount of coal tar to form a first amount of mesophase pitch. The stimulus can include one or more of an electromagnetic field (“EMF”) or a magnetic field. The method can further include evaluating a characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, changing a parameter of the stimulus in response to evaluating the characteristic of the first amount of mesophase pitch, and applying the stimulus exhibiting the changed parameters to a second amount of coal tar to form mesophase pitch.

A method for transforming organic waste into carbon using sequential physical and biological degradation, including fermentation, drying under vacuum and elevated temperature followed by heating to a temperature of between 300° C. and 500° C. to promote carbonization and production of charcoal.

A method for transforming organic waste into carbon using sequential physical and biological degradation, including fermentation, drying under vacuum and elevated temperature followed by heating to a temperature of between 300° C. and 500° C. to promote carbonization and production of charcoal.

Herein disclosed are apparatus and associated methods related to producing an enhanced surface area biochar product with a desired activation level based on receiving biochar into a processing vessel configured with multiple independently temperature-controlled chambers and counter-flow steam injection, controlling activation levels of the biochar by moving the biochar through the processing vessel and adjusting the temperature of the biochar by injecting steam into at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel, recovering volatiles driven off through dehydration using a thermal oxidizer, cooling the biochar to a desired discharge temperature using steam and retention time, and discharging the activated biochar product. The processing vessel may be a calciner, a rotary calciner, or a kiln. Biochar may be heated or cooled to a desired thermochemical processing temperature depending on the temperature of the received biochar. Counter-flow saturated steam may sweep volatile gases to a thermal oxidizer using a vacuum system.

Herein disclosed are apparatus and associated methods related to producing an enhanced surface area biochar product with a desired activation level based on receiving biochar into a processing vessel configured with multiple independently temperature-controlled chambers and counter-flow steam injection, controlling activation levels of the biochar by moving the biochar through the processing vessel and adjusting the temperature of the biochar by injecting steam into at least one temperature-controlled chamber of the processing vessel, recovering volatiles driven off through dehydration using a thermal oxidizer, cooling the biochar to a desired discharge temperature using steam and retention time, and discharging the activated biochar product. The processing vessel may be a calciner, a rotary calciner, or a kiln. Biochar may be heated or cooled to a desired thermochemical processing temperature depending on the temperature of the received biochar. Counter-flow saturated steam may sweep volatile gases to a thermal oxidizer using a vacuum system.

The device for pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials comprises a working chamber comprising a non-magnetic wall comprising an inner graphite lining; one or more electrodes adapted to be inserted within a carbon-based bedding; a solenoid coiled around the device exterior, the solenoid adapted to create a magnetic field within the working chamber such that when the solenoid is energized, the carbon-based bedding is caused to move; a lower solids outlet comprising an airlock, the solids outlet adapted to permit solids to exit the device; and a lower gas outlet adapted to permit gaseous substances to exit after having traveled through the carbon-based bedding. The method comprises the steps of loading carbon-containing materials into the working chamber; using the first and second electrodes to heat the carbon-containing materials by passing electric current through the carbon-containing materials without air access; collecting, cleaning and releasing gaseous pyrolysis products produced by the heating.

The device for pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials comprises a working chamber comprising a non-magnetic wall comprising an inner graphite lining; one or more electrodes adapted to be inserted within a carbon-based bedding; a solenoid coiled around the device exterior, the solenoid adapted to create a magnetic field within the working chamber such that when the solenoid is energized, the carbon-based bedding is caused to move; a lower solids outlet comprising an airlock, the solids outlet adapted to permit solids to exit the device; and a lower gas outlet adapted to permit gaseous substances to exit after having traveled through the carbon-based bedding. The method comprises the steps of loading carbon-containing materials into the working chamber; using the first and second electrodes to heat the carbon-containing materials by passing electric current through the carbon-containing materials without air access; collecting, cleaning and releasing gaseous pyrolysis products produced by the heating.