Optimized, heat-integrated methods and systems are provided to produce multiple, high-value products from oil shale, while minimizing overall energy and water usage. A method for producing multiple products from oil shale comprises: feeding raw oil shale into a heated retorting unit, to convert kerogen into a retorted stream; introducing the retorted stream to a distillation column to generate a high-cetane diesel stream, an -olefin-containing chemical stream, an asphalt/asphalt additive stream, and an overhead gas stream, wherein heat contained in the retorted stream is harnessed as distillation energy; separating the overhead gas stream into a fuel gas stream and a purge gas stream; combusting the fuel gas stream to generate hot flue gas; heating the purge gas with hot flue gas; feeding the heated purge gas directly to the heated retorting unit; and recovering the high-cetane diesel stream, the -olefin-containing chemical stream, and the asphalt/asphalt additive stream as products.

Optimized, heat-integrated methods and systems are provided to produce multiple, high-value products from oil shale, while minimizing overall energy and water usage. A method for producing multiple products from oil shale comprises: feeding raw oil shale into a heated retorting unit, to convert kerogen into a retorted stream; introducing the retorted stream to a distillation column to generate a high-cetane diesel stream, an -olefin-containing chemical stream, an asphalt/asphalt additive stream, and an overhead gas stream, wherein heat contained in the retorted stream is harnessed as distillation energy; separating the overhead gas stream into a fuel gas stream and a purge gas stream; combusting the fuel gas stream to generate hot flue gas; heating the purge gas with hot flue gas; feeding the heated purge gas directly to the heated retorting unit; and recovering the high-cetane diesel stream, the -olefin-containing chemical stream, and the asphalt/asphalt additive stream as products.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort for shale pyrolysis may include a pyrolysis zone, a combustion zone, and a cool down zone. The pyrolysis zone may include one or more pyrolysis zone heat exchangers that transfer heat from a working fluid to shale for heating and pyrolyzing the shale. The combustion zone may include one or more injectors that inject oxygen to combust coke residue in the pyrolyzed shale. The cool down zone may include one or more cool down zone heat exchangers that cool the shale by transferring heat to the working fluid. In a further embodiment, the working fluid is circulated to heat the pyrolysis zone heat exchangers.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort for shale pyrolysis may include a pyrolysis zone, a combustion zone, and a cool down zone. The pyrolysis zone may include one or more pyrolysis zone heat exchangers that transfer heat from a working fluid to shale for heating and pyrolyzing the shale. The combustion zone may include one or more injectors that inject oxygen to combust coke residue in the pyrolyzed shale. The cool down zone may include one or more cool down zone heat exchangers that cool the shale by transferring heat to the working fluid. In a further embodiment, the working fluid is circulated to heat the pyrolysis zone heat exchangers.

A shale pyrolysis system includes a retort with a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Corners of the retort that change direction of the shale are rounded. The system includes steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side, and a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to one or more upper sections of the retort and lower-temperature steam to one or more lower sections of the retort.

A shale pyrolysis system includes a retort with a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Corners of the retort that change direction of the shale are rounded. The system includes steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side, and a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to one or more upper sections of the retort and lower-temperature steam to one or more lower sections of the retort.

Embodiments of the invention provide a portable charcoal system and method of operating thereof, wherein the portable charcoal system comprises a first compartment adapted to burn a material, a second compartment connected to the first compartment and adapted to receive the material from the first compartment, and a third compartment adapted to receive the material from the second compartment, the third compartment comprising an auger adapted to move the material from a back end to a front end, and out of the third compartment. The portable charcoal system further includes a source of air.

Embodiments of the invention provide a portable charcoal system and method of operating thereof, wherein the portable charcoal system comprises a first compartment adapted to burn a material, a second compartment connected to the first compartment and adapted to receive the material from the first compartment, and a third compartment adapted to receive the material from the second compartment, the third compartment comprising an auger adapted to move the material from a back end to a front end, and out of the third compartment. The portable charcoal system further includes a source of air.

This method for roasting biomass, including the flow by gravity of the biomass from the top towards the bottom of a column (4) with a counter-current of hot gases flowing from the bottom towards the top of the column (4), with the establishment of an increasing temperature gradient from the top towards the bottom of the column (4), the recovery of the gases at the top of the column and their recycling at the bottom of the column (4) by way of a gas circuit (12) so that the gases flow in a closed loop in the column (4) and the gas circuit (12), and the heating of the gases recovered by passing them through a heat exchanger (16) before their recycling at the bottom of the column (4).

This method for roasting biomass, including the flow by gravity of the biomass from the top towards the bottom of a column (4) with a counter-current of hot gases flowing from the bottom towards the top of the column (4), with the establishment of an increasing temperature gradient from the top towards the bottom of the column (4), the recovery of the gases at the top of the column and their recycling at the bottom of the column (4) by way of a gas circuit (12) so that the gases flow in a closed loop in the column (4) and the gas circuit (12), and the heating of the gases recovered by passing them through a heat exchanger (16) before their recycling at the bottom of the column (4).