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 distillation system including a retort and a distillation column. The retort includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and including an outlet opening, a rotatable drum configured to heat a product therein and move the product between the inlet end and the outlet end. The distillation column is coupled to the outlet end of the retort and configured to receive the product therein upon exiting the outlet opening of the retort. The distillation column includes a solid particle trap section positioned above the outlet opening, a packing section positioned above the solid particle trap section and including screen at a bottom end thereof, a dust filter therein, and a first bubble tray section positioned above the packing section and including a first outlet feed for outflow of a first fluid product.

The present disclosure provides methods to transfer a pressurized slurry of plant-based biomass into a reactor vessel. The methods allow for the transfer of practical-sized pieces of biomass in a slurry pressurized to above about 300 psi.

Heavy hydro-carbonaceous materials such as bitumen are upgraded in supercritical water in a continuous-flow reactor system. The present invention provides a reactor arrangement for and a method of converting bitumen and other highly viscous hydrocarbon containing materials into pumpable liquids to enable further processing of such materials while avoiding production of char. The process can be carried out in an underground reactor based on oil well technology. The reactor design and method facilitates mass transfer to dissolve bitumen in heated water and breaks down heavy hydrocarbons by controlling the temperature and pressure in zones within the flowing stream. The reactor may include an embedded electric heater.

A two-stage reactor is disclosed for the conversion of solid particulate biomass material. The reactor is designed to maximize conversion of the solid biomass material, while limiting excess cracking of primary reaction products. The two-stage reactor comprises a first stage rector, in which solid biomass material is thermally pyrolyzed to primary reaction products. The primary reaction products are catalytically converted in a second stage reactor.

A two-stage reactor is disclosed for the conversion of solid particulate biomass material. The reactor is designed to maximize conversion of the solid biomass material, while limiting excess cracking of primary reaction products. The two-stage reactor comprises a first stage rector, in which solid biomass material is thermally pyrolyzed to primary reaction products. The primary reaction products are catalytically converted in a second stage reactor.

A process for producing products from biomass comprises pyrolysing biomass at a selected temperature and producing a bio-syngas, processing bio-syngas from pyrolysis step (a) to remove condensable constituents from the bio-syngas, and processing the non-condensable bio-syngas from bio-syngas processing step (b) and producing one or more than one product, such as bio-fuels, bio-chemicals, bio-solvents and bio-plastics.

A process for producing products from biomass comprises pyrolysing biomass at a selected temperature and producing a bio-syngas, processing bio-syngas from pyrolysis step (a) to remove condensable constituents from the bio-syngas, and processing the non-condensable bio-syngas from bio-syngas processing step (b) and producing one or more than one product, such as bio-fuels, bio-chemicals, bio-solvents and bio-plastics.

The present invention relates to a fluid composition comprising a solid fraction and a liquid organic fraction, wherein said solid fraction and said liquid fraction are present in a state of being intermixed, wherein said solid fraction comprises a lignin component, wherein said liquid fraction comprises an organic substance. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of such fluid compositions, to various uses thereof, and to a process for treatment of a lignocellulosic biomass.

Systems for extracting hydrocarbons from a crushed hydrocarbonaceous material can include a body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material. A pipe can be oriented within the body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material. The placement of the pipe can be such that the pipe is surrounded on top, bottom, and sides by the crushed hydrocarbonaceous material. The body of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material can be made up of portions having different void fractions. An arching control volume of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material can extend upward from the pipe to a vertical control distance. A support portion of crushed hydrocarbonaceous material can be oriented immediately adjacent sides of the arching control volume. The arching control volume can have a higher void fraction than the support portion. Internal friction between the arching control volume and the support portion can reduce stresses on the pipe as the hydrocarbonaceous material subsides.