A pyrolysis apparatus reduces feedstock to gaseous energy sources and recyclable solids by moving feedstock through a processing unit via a feedstock transport mechanism that has sections that move the feedstock at respectively different rates through a retort within the processing unit. The feedstock transport mechanism may be an auger with a variable fighting pitch along its shaft. The pyrolysis apparatus may be modular in that processing units may be added and subtracted as necessary for any given installation. A restriction device squeezes ambient air out of the feedstock prior to entry into the pyrolysis apparatus retort.

Efficient biomass conversion systems, methods and apparatus utilize a fast pyrolysis unit installed at locations having substantial quantities of biomass, with the biomass fed into the fast pyrolysis unit under pyrolytic reaction conditions, and with exhaust gases containing entrained matter resulting from the pyrolytic reactions being separated into char and bio-fuel constituents.

Efficient biomass conversion systems, methods and apparatus utilize a fast pyrolysis unit installed at locations having substantial quantities of biomass, with the biomass fed into the fast pyrolysis unit under pyrolytic reaction conditions, and with exhaust gases containing entrained matter resulting from the pyrolytic reactions being separated into char and bio-fuel constituents.

A pyrolysis apparatus reduces feedstock to gaseous energy sources and recyclable solids by moving feedstock through a processing unit via a feedstock transport mechanism that has sections that move the feedstock at respectively different rates through a retort within the processing unit. The feedstock transport mechanism may be an auger with a variable flighting pitch along its shaft. The pyrolysis apparatus may be modular in that processing units may be added and subtracted as necessary for any given installation. A restriction device squeezes ambient air out of the feedstock prior to entry into the pyrolysis apparatus retort.

A pyrolysis apparatus reduces feedstock to gaseous energy sources and recyclable solids by moving feedstock through a processing unit via a feedstock transport mechanism that has sections that move the feedstock at respectively different rates through a retort within the processing unit. The feedstock transport mechanism may be an auger with a variable flighting pitch along its shaft. The pyrolysis apparatus may be modular in that processing units may be added and subtracted as necessary for any given installation. A restriction device squeezes ambient air out of the feedstock prior to entry into the pyrolysis apparatus retort.

The present technology is generally directed to coal charging systems used with coke ovens. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, charging plates extend outwardly from inward faces of opposing wings.

The present technology is generally directed to coal charging systems used with coke ovens. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, charging plates extend outwardly from inward faces of opposing wings.

A char composition made by an oxygen-starved microwave process from an organic-carbon-containing feedstock is described. Feedstock is introduced into a substantially microwave-transparent reaction chamber. A microwave source emits microwaves which are directed through the microwave-transparent wall of the reaction chamber to impinge on the feedstock within the reaction chamber. The microwave source may be rotated relative to the reaction chamber. The feedstock is subjected to microwaves until the desired reaction occurs to produce a fuel. A catalyst can be mixed with the feedstock to enhance the reaction process.

A four-way switch valve sized to retrofit existing ball valves. The four-way switch valve has an inlet that allows resid to pass through a first orifice in the gate and divert the resid back toward a second and third orifice in the gate. The gate rotates between a first position where the gate seats on the communication port to allow the resid to pass to a first coking drum, a second position where the gate seats on a first and second communication port to allow resid to pass to both a first and second coking drum, a third position, where the gate seats on the communication port to allow the resid to pass to a second coking drum, and a bypass to allow resid to pass through the valve without entering any coking drum.

A four-way switch valve sized to retrofit existing ball valves. The four-way switch valve has an inlet that allows resid to pass through a first orifice in the gate and divert the resid back toward a second and third orifice in the gate. The gate rotates between a first position where the gate seats on the communication port to allow the resid to pass to a first coking drum, a second position where the gate seats on a first and second communication port to allow resid to pass to both a first and second coking drum, a third position, where the gate seats on the communication port to allow the resid to pass to a second coking drum, and a bypass to allow resid to pass through the valve without entering any coking drum.