A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

A reaction device is provided with a first wall that defines an interior in which a stirring mechanism is located. A heat exchanger is at least partly provided on the first outer wall surface facing away from the interior and/or on the stirring mechanism, wherein the heat exchanger has a grate structure, and at least two layers are provided which have a grate structure. Thus, it is possible to transfer heat in a precise and efficient manner primarily by means of thermal radiation in endothermic processes at different temperature levels, in particular pyrolysis, gassing, and reforming processes, and thereby use the exhaust heat for other processes.

A reaction device is provided with a first wall that defines an interior in which a stirring mechanism is located. A heat exchanger is at least partly provided on the first outer wall surface facing away from the interior and/or on the stirring mechanism, wherein the heat exchanger has a grate structure, and at least two layers are provided which have a grate structure. Thus, it is possible to transfer heat in a precise and efficient manner primarily by means of thermal radiation in endothermic processes at different temperature levels, in particular pyrolysis, gassing, and reforming processes, and thereby use the exhaust heat for other processes.

Thermal energy is derived from sunlight. The system has a heating surface arranged to support microparticles to be heated, and a group of optical-fibers arranged to transport sunlight to irradiate microparticles on the heating surface. The optical-fibers are moved relative to the heating surface to enable the microparticles to be heated by the transported light as the optical-fiber scans the microparticles. Apparatus for storing the heated particles and for using the thermal energy is also discussed.

A body of heat transfer fluid circulates in a first loop through an indirect screw-type thermal processor, a rundown tank, a pump, a heater and a fill tank, continuously heating the processor. With the pump operating, a first vertical distance between the fill tank bottom and the processor under the influence of gravity sets a minimum fluid pressure at the processor; a stem pipe opening in the fill tank at a second vertical distance above the processor sets a maximum pressure. With the pump inactive, the entire body of fluid passively drains to the rundown tank. Supplying the fluid may entail melting a salt, hydrating a salt, or both; such may be done in the rundown tank before circulation through the processor begins. A hydrated salt may be circulated, then heated and dehydrated, to gradually warm the processor. A dehydrated salt may be rehydrated and then stored; this may be done in the rundown tank after ceasing circulation through the processor. Also described: misting hydration and variable-speed-pump pressure regulation.

A system for the hydrothermal carbonization of a flowable biomass comprises a pump, a heat exchanger and a tubular reactor. The pump is connected to the heat exchanger via a delivery conduit for the flowable biomass, and the heat exchanger is connected to the tubular reactor via a connecting conduit. The heat exchanger contains an insert element and the tubular reactor contains no insert element.

There is provided a heat exchanger adapted to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid. The heat exchanger comprises an outer tubular body, an inner body, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet and a second outlet. The outer tubular body has an inner surface. The inner body is arranged inside the outer tubular body and has an outer surface facing the inner surface of the outer tubular body, leaving free a gap between the inner surface of the outer tubular body and the outer surface of the inner body. The first inlet and the first outlet are arranged to provide a first flow path for the first fluid from the first inlet to the first outlet via a first channel and via a second channel. The second inlet and the second outlet are arranged to provide a second flow path from the second inlet to the second outlet for the second fluid in the gap between the inner surface of the outer tubular body and the outer surface of the inner body. The outer tubular body comprises the first channel. The inner body comprises the second channel. The inner body and the second channel are rotatable relative to the outer tubular body and the first channel.

There is provided a heat exchanger adapted to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid. The heat exchanger comprises an outer tubular body, an inner body, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet and a second outlet. The outer tubular body has an inner surface. The inner body is arranged inside the outer tubular body and has an outer surface facing the inner surface of the outer tubular body, leaving free a gap between the inner surface of the outer tubular body and the outer surface of the inner body. The first inlet and the first outlet are arranged to provide a first flow path for the first fluid from the first inlet to the first outlet via a first channel and via a second channel. The second inlet and the second outlet are arranged to provide a second flow path from the second inlet to the second outlet for the second fluid in the gap between the inner surface of the outer tubular body and the outer surface of the inner body. The outer tubular body comprises the first channel. The inner body comprises the second channel. The inner body and the second channel are rotatable relative to the outer tubular body and the first channel.

A cooler for cooling product pursuant to a distillation process, including a first substantially enclosed housing with an inlet proximate a first end for receiving product from a distillation unit, and an outlet proximate a second end for discharging cooled product, and a first auger substantially enclosed within the housing for driving the product from the inlet to the outlet, the auger having a helical blade circumscribing a perforated central hollow shaft for transmitting cooled gas into the housing to help cool product within the housing.

A cooler for cooling product pursuant to a distillation process, including a first substantially enclosed housing with an inlet proximate a first end for receiving product from a distillation unit, and an outlet proximate a second end for discharging cooled product, and a first auger substantially enclosed within the housing for driving the product from the inlet to the outlet, the auger having a helical blade circumscribing a perforated central hollow shaft for transmitting cooled gas into the housing to help cool product within the housing.