A process and an apparatus for molten slag gasification of solid fuels in a molten slag gasifier with increased output, an increased range of solid fuels that can be used and improved gas quality. The process is conducted such that, by means of a molten slag gasifier comprising a feed of the coarse-grained solid fuels and comprising a gas takeoff, both at the head of the molten slag gasifier, comprising a slag bath and comprising a slag bath takeoff at the bottom of the molten slag gasifier, comprising a feed for first gasifying means by means of gasifying means nozzles above the slag bath, comprising a filling of the fixed bed above the slag bath, in addition to the first gasifying means a second gasifying means are injected by way of at least one gasifying means nozzle that reaches into the upper region of the fixed bed.

A process and an apparatus for molten slag gasification of solid fuels in a molten slag gasifier with increased output, an increased range of solid fuels that can be used and improved gas quality. The process is conducted such that, by means of a molten slag gasifier comprising a feed of the coarse-grained solid fuels and comprising a gas takeoff, both at the head of the molten slag gasifier, comprising a slag bath and comprising a slag bath takeoff at the bottom of the molten slag gasifier, comprising a feed for first gasifying means by means of gasifying means nozzles above the slag bath, comprising a filling of the fixed bed above the slag bath, in addition to the first gasifying means a second gasifying means are injected by way of at least one gasifying means nozzle that reaches into the upper region of the fixed bed.

A process for the conversion of hardwood and bamboo to engineered carbon is disclosed. The biomass feedstock of hardwood and bamboo is placed into a holding canister, and the holding canister is lowered into the sealable reactor vessel. The biomass feedstock is ignited, and superheated stream and/or water is metered, or alternately steam is created in situ by introduction of water, into the process. The process is controlled by supplying compressed air and steam, or in situ water, and releasing process gases. The process is performed in an oxygen deprived state. Steam, or in situ water, is injected at the end of the cycle to end the thermal conversion and clean the resulting engineered carbon.

Methods are provided for generating or recovering gaseous materials such as hydrogen and solids such as metals through the smoldering combustion of an organic material. The methods include admixing a porous matrix material with an organic material, and, in some embodiments a catalyst, to produce a porous mixture. The mixture is exposed to an oxidant, initiating a self-sustaining smoldering combustion of the mixture, and collecting the vapors and combustion products or processing the porous matrix following combustion to physically separate the porous matrix material from ash containing inorganic materials of value. Additional embodiments aggregate the organic material or catalyst or porous matrix material or mixture thereof in an impoundment such as a reaction vessel, lagoon or matrix pile. Further embodiments utilize at least one heater to initiate combustion and at least one air supply port to supply oxidant to initiate and maintain combustion.

The invention presents a covered cavity kiln pyrolyzer with modulated means of rotation, to promote mixing and exposure of the biomass to heat, thereby allowing complete and efficient pyrolysis of biomass therein. The invention has a portal arrangement for simultaneous entry of fuel and air alongside the exit of emissions and flames to a separate hood structure. In addition to rotational modulation for mixing, the rotational capabilities of the kiln also permit the removal of processed charcoal when the portal is turned downward. The invention also has a system of internal prongs for mixing and sifting removal of char, as well as automated fuel delivery mechanisms and a system of openings to allow insertion of pipes and sensors into the kiln for monitoring and for additional delivery of reagents for better modulation and efficiency by a user during the pyrolyzation process.

A process and an apparatus for pyrolysis of mixed plastic feedstock producing petroleum products are described. In one example, a process for producing petroleum products includes charging feedstock of mixed polymer materials into a reactor apparatus. Heat energy is applied to the feedstock while advancing the feedstock through the reactor apparatus in an anaerobic operation. The energy input to the reactor apparatus is controlled by controlling a temperature gradient within the reactor vessel to produce petroleum gas product. The process involves in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking and recombination reactions that that are controlled to convert solid hydrocarbonaceous portion of the feedstock to molten fluids and gases inside the reactor vessel and to produce gaseous petroleum products which exit the reactor vessel. The separated solid residue from the pyrolysis process is also removed from the reactions vessel.

A process and an apparatus for pyrolysis of mixed plastic feedstock producing petroleum products are described. In one example, a process for producing petroleum products includes charging feedstock of mixed polymer materials into a reactor apparatus. Heat energy is applied to the feedstock while advancing the feedstock through the reactor apparatus in an anaerobic operation. The energy input to the reactor apparatus is controlled by controlling a temperature gradient within the reactor vessel to produce petroleum gas product. The process involves in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking and recombination reactions that that are controlled to convert solid hydrocarbonaceous portion of the feedstock to molten fluids and gases inside the reactor vessel and to produce gaseous petroleum products which exit the reactor vessel. The separated solid residue from the pyrolysis process is also removed from the reactions vessel.

A pyrolysis oil composition that is soluble in hydrocarbon fuel, and related systems and methods for making the composition, are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a process for making a pyrolysis oil composition involves pyrolyzing biomass to generate biomass-derived pyrolysis vapor therefrom, vaporizing petroleum feedstock to generate petroleum feedstock-derived vapor therefrom, blending the biomass-derived pyrolysis vapor and petroleum feedstock-derived vapor together, condensing the blended biomass-derived pyrolysis vapor and petroleum feedstock-derived vapor simultaneously to form a condensate, and collecting the condensate.

A pyrolysis oil composition that is soluble in hydrocarbon fuel, and related systems and methods for making the composition, are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a process for making a pyrolysis oil composition involves pyrolyzing biomass to generate biomass-derived pyrolysis vapor therefrom, vaporizing petroleum feedstock to generate petroleum feedstock-derived vapor therefrom, blending the biomass-derived pyrolysis vapor and petroleum feedstock-derived vapor together, condensing the blended biomass-derived pyrolysis vapor and petroleum feedstock-derived vapor simultaneously to form a condensate, and collecting the condensate.

A biomass thermal conversion system including a fixed bed drying zone; a fixed bed pyrolysis zone fluidly connected to the drying zone; a combustion zone fluidly connected to the pyrolysis zone by a material path; and a comminution mechanism arranged across the material path between the pyrolysis zone and the combustion zone, configured to grind char off a pyrolyzed surface of solid biomass and reduce a dimension of the solid biomass below a threshold size.