Systems and methods are provided for conversion of polymers (such as plastic waste) to olefins and/or feedstocks that can be further processed for formation of olefins, fuels, and/or other products. The systems and methods can include an optional thermal dehalogenation stage followed by an initial pyrolysis stage where a plastic feedstock is at least partially converted to lower boiling products. Prior to, during, and/or after the pyrolysis stage, one or more contaminant removal stages can be used in order to reduce the content of halides and/or other contaminants in the pyrolysis effluent. This can allow at least a portion of the pyrolysis effluent, such as a gas phase portion and/or a liquid phase portion of the pyrolysis effluent, to have a sufficiently low contaminant content to be used as part of a feed to a conventional petrochemical process.

Systems and methods are provided for conversion of polymers (such as plastic waste) to olefins and/or feedstocks that can be further processed for formation of olefins, fuels, and/or other products. The systems and methods can include an optional thermal dehalogenation stage followed by an initial pyrolysis stage where a plastic feedstock is at least partially converted to lower boiling products. Prior to, during, and/or after the pyrolysis stage, one or more contaminant removal stages can be used in order to reduce the content of halides and/or other contaminants in the pyrolysis effluent. This can allow at least a portion of the pyrolysis effluent, such as a gas phase portion and/or a liquid phase portion of the pyrolysis effluent, to have a sufficiently low contaminant content to be used as part of a feed to a conventional petrochemical process.

The disclosure relates to the purification and treatment of oil produced from the liquefaction of waste polymer like for instance the pyrolysis of waste plastic via the polymerization of dienes prior to further treatments.

The disclosure relates to the purification and treatment of oil produced from the liquefaction of waste polymer like for instance the pyrolysis of waste plastic via the polymerization of dienes prior to further treatments.

A biochar production method by which biochar having a stable pH can be produced even at a low heating temperature is provided. A biochar production method according to the present disclosure includes mixing a terrestrial-derived raw material, i.e., a terrestrial biomass, with a marine-derived raw material, i.e., a marine biomass, and heating the mixed raw material at a temperature higher than or equal to 300 C. but lower than or equal to 350 C. in a low oxygen atmosphere.

A biochar production method by which biochar having a stable pH can be produced even at a low heating temperature is provided. A biochar production method according to the present disclosure includes mixing a terrestrial-derived raw material, i.e., a terrestrial biomass, with a marine-derived raw material, i.e., a marine biomass, and heating the mixed raw material at a temperature higher than or equal to 300 C. but lower than or equal to 350 C. in a low oxygen atmosphere.

Under current practices, agricultural or landscaping waste left in a field or forestry waste left in a forest will decay and release greenhouse gases. In addition, forestry waste also poses a high risk for fires. Accordingly, mechanisms are provided to allow efficient conversion under anaerobic conditions of biomass, such as agricultural or forestry waste, into biocarbon product, such as biochar, biocoal, inert carbon and/or activated carbon, using molten salts as a more efficient heat transfer medium than conventional heat. Specifically, biomass is converted into biocarbon product during a supertorrefaction process during which molten salts are pumped under anaerobic conditions from a molten salt reservoir to a batch process cooker that holds the biomass. The salts are washed from the resulting biocarbon product as needed.

Under current practices, agricultural or landscaping waste left in a field or forestry waste left in a forest will decay and release greenhouse gases. In addition, forestry waste also poses a high risk for fires. Accordingly, mechanisms are provided to allow efficient conversion under anaerobic conditions of biomass, such as agricultural or forestry waste, into biocarbon product, such as biochar, biocoal, inert carbon and/or activated carbon, using molten salts as a more efficient heat transfer medium than conventional heat. Specifically, biomass is converted into biocarbon product during a supertorrefaction process during which molten salts are pumped under anaerobic conditions from a molten salt reservoir to a batch process cooker that holds the biomass. The salts are washed from the resulting biocarbon product as needed.

Aspects of the invention are associated with the discovery of approaches for the conversion of carbonaceous feeds, such as biomass and biomass-containing solids via thermal treatment. Particular examples of biomass-containing solids are municipal solid waste (MSW), as well as waste plastics and waste tires. In some cases, this conversion, such as by pyrolysis, will allow for straightforward integration with gasification (e.g., entrained-flow gasification) or partial oxidation. Advantageously, processes and associated apparatuses/equipment described herein are tailored to the physical and chemical properties of the feeds. In this regard, important advantages reside in auger reactors that include electric heating elements within one or more auger shafts. Such centralized heating may be used in combination with external heating, for example also utilizing electric heaters. With centralized heating, the surface area available for heat transfer into the feedstock may be increased dramatically (e.g., by a factor of 3 to 5).

Aspects of the invention are associated with the discovery of approaches for the conversion of carbonaceous feeds, such as biomass and biomass-containing solids via thermal treatment. Particular examples of biomass-containing solids are municipal solid waste (MSW), as well as waste plastics and waste tires. In some cases, this conversion, such as by pyrolysis, will allow for straightforward integration with gasification (e.g., entrained-flow gasification) or partial oxidation. Advantageously, processes and associated apparatuses/equipment described herein are tailored to the physical and chemical properties of the feeds. In this regard, important advantages reside in auger reactors that include electric heating elements within one or more auger shafts. Such centralized heating may be used in combination with external heating, for example also utilizing electric heaters. With centralized heating, the surface area available for heat transfer into the feedstock may be increased dramatically (e.g., by a factor of 3 to 5).