A method for the heat treatment of granular solids includes initially introducing solids into a first reactor configured as a flash reactor or fluidized bed reactor where they are brought into contact with hot gases at temperatures in the range 500 C. to 1500 C. Next, the solids are passed through a residence time reactor in which they are fluidized. The residence time reactor is configured in a manner such that it has various regions which are separated from one another, from which the solid can be withdrawn in a manner such that it is provided with a variety of residence times in the residence time reactor.

A method for the heat treatment of granular solids includes initially introducing solids into a first reactor configured as a flash reactor or fluidized bed reactor where they are brought into contact with hot gases at temperatures in the range 500 C. to 1500 C. Next, the solids are passed through a residence time reactor in which they are fluidized. The residence time reactor is configured in a manner such that it has various regions which are separated from one another, from which the solid can be withdrawn in a manner such that it is provided with a variety of residence times in the residence time reactor.

A chemical reaction method includes preparing a chemical reaction apparatus including a horizontal flow reactor partitioned into multiple chambers by multiple partition plates. A liquid content horizontally flows with an unfilled space provided thereabove. a microwave generator and a waveguide that transmits microwaves to the unfilled space are also included. The reactor is inclined such that, in each of the chambers, a weir height on an inlet side is higher than a weir height on an outlet side by at least an overflow depth at the partition plate on the outlet side. The content is flowed over each of the multiple partition plates inside the reactor. The content flowing inside the reactor is irradiated with microwaves. The inclination angle of the reactor is changed in each of the chambers so that a weir height on an inlet side is higher than a weir height on an outlet side.

A chemical reaction method includes preparing a chemical reaction apparatus including a horizontal flow reactor partitioned into multiple chambers by multiple partition plates. A liquid content horizontally flows with an unfilled space provided thereabove. a microwave generator and a waveguide that transmits microwaves to the unfilled space are also included. The reactor is inclined such that, in each of the chambers, a weir height on an inlet side is higher than a weir height on an outlet side by at least an overflow depth at the partition plate on the outlet side. The content is flowed over each of the multiple partition plates inside the reactor. The content flowing inside the reactor is irradiated with microwaves. The inclination angle of the reactor is changed in each of the chambers so that a weir height on an inlet side is higher than a weir height on an outlet side.

Various aspects provide for a multistage fluidized bed reactor, particularly comprising a volatilization stage and a combustion stage. The gas phases above the bed solids in the respective stages are separated by a wall. An opening (e.g., in the wall) provides for transport of the bed solids from the volatilization stage to the combustion stage. Active control of the gas pressure in the two stages may be used to control residence time. Various aspects provide for a fuel stream processing system having a pretreatment reactor, a combustion reactor, and optionally a condensation reactor. The condensation reactor receives a volatiles stream volatilized by the volatilization reactor. The combustion reactor receives a char stream resulting from the removal of the volatiles by the volatilization reactor.

Various aspects provide for a multistage fluidized bed reactor, particularly comprising a volatilization stage and a combustion stage. The gas phases above the bed solids in the respective stages are separated by a wall. An opening (e.g., in the wall) provides for transport of the bed solids from the volatilization stage to the combustion stage. Active control of the gas pressure in the two stages may be used to control residence time. Various aspects provide for a fuel stream processing system having a pretreatment reactor, a combustion reactor, and optionally a condensation reactor. The condensation reactor receives a volatiles stream volatilized by the volatilization reactor. The combustion reactor receives a char stream resulting from the removal of the volatiles by the volatilization reactor.

An apparatus for producing lightweight aggregates is provided that includes an elongate furnace vessel with a delivery end for receiving particulate matter feedstock to be processed and a downstream particulate matter discharge end for discharging processed particulate matter as lightweight aggregates. A perforated distributor plate is positioned in the vessel. A fluidized bed zone is defined above the plate that has an upstream heating section for converting the particulate matter into processed particulate matter due to exposure of pressurized combustion gases and a downstream cooling section for cooling the processed particulate matter. Below the plate is a heating compartment for delivering the combustion gases through the plate into the heating section and a cooling compartment for delivering cooling air through the plate into the cooling section to cool the particulate matter processed in the upstream heating section. A downstream airflow-inducing apparatus is provided for inducing a flow of the feedstock entrained in the airflow downstream from the heating section into the cooling section of the vessel. A discharge apparatus is provided for discharging the processed particulate matter from the vessel in a suspended condition in a fluidizing air stream.

An apparatus for producing lightweight aggregates is provided that includes an elongate furnace vessel with a delivery end for receiving particulate matter feedstock to be processed and a downstream particulate matter discharge end for discharging processed particulate matter as lightweight aggregates. A perforated distributor plate is positioned in the vessel. A fluidized bed zone is defined above the plate that has an upstream heating section for converting the particulate matter into processed particulate matter due to exposure of pressurized combustion gases and a downstream cooling section for cooling the processed particulate matter. Below the plate is a heating compartment for delivering the combustion gases through the plate into the heating section and a cooling compartment for delivering cooling air through the plate into the cooling section to cool the particulate matter processed in the upstream heating section. A downstream airflow-inducing apparatus is provided for inducing a flow of the feedstock entrained in the airflow downstream from the heating section into the cooling section of the vessel. A discharge apparatus is provided for discharging the processed particulate matter from the vessel in a suspended condition in a fluidizing air stream.

A system and method for cleaning, conditioning, and/or rejuvenating carbon-based sorbents is disclosed where a chemical cleaning process is used to separate contaminants from the sorbent. The contaminants can be disposed of or recycled for industrial uses. The cleaned and/or rejuvenated carbon-based sorbent is recycled back into a reverse venturi shaped fluidized bed apparatus for later use. Spent carbon-based sorbent can be routed for appropriate disposal. The carbon-based sorbents include, but are not limited to, activated carbon sorbent and biochar sorbent. Optionally, the sorbents can be processed through the system prior to exposure to contaminated emissions to enhance and increase the porosity of the outer surface of the sorbents.

A system and method for cleaning, conditioning, and/or rejuvenating carbon-based sorbents is disclosed where a chemical cleaning process is used to separate contaminants from the sorbent. The contaminants can be disposed of or recycled for industrial uses. The cleaned and/or rejuvenated carbon-based sorbent is recycled back into a reverse venturi shaped fluidized bed apparatus for later use. Spent carbon-based sorbent can be routed for appropriate disposal. The carbon-based sorbents include, but are not limited to, activated carbon sorbent and biochar sorbent. Optionally, the sorbents can be processed through the system prior to exposure to contaminated emissions to enhance and increase the porosity of the outer surface of the sorbents.