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.

A system for producing oil is disclosed. The system may comprise a container for a naturally occurring or synthetically produced hydrocarbon source material. The system may also comprise a material preparation device to physically degrade the hydrocarbon source material into small pieces. The system may further comprise a heat source to heat the hydrocarbon source material indirectly by heating the container, the hydrocarbon source material being heated to a temperature sufficient to gasify hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon source material and release the hydrocarbons therefrom. The system may still further comprise a fractionation device fluidly coupled to the container to receive the hydrocarbons and separate the hydrocarbons into like components. Additionally, the system may comprise a collection container to receive the like components.

A system for producing oil is disclosed. The system may comprise a container for a naturally occurring or synthetically produced hydrocarbon source material. The system may also comprise a material preparation device to physically degrade the hydrocarbon source material into small pieces. The system may further comprise a heat source to heat the hydrocarbon source material indirectly by heating the container, the hydrocarbon source material being heated to a temperature sufficient to gasify hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon source material and release the hydrocarbons therefrom. The system may still further comprise a fractionation device fluidly coupled to the container to receive the hydrocarbons and separate the hydrocarbons into like components. Additionally, the system may comprise a collection container to receive the like components.

A process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbon oil from the thermal decomposition of waste plastics in a continuous process which comprises melting of a waste plastic feedstock into an auger assisted melt reactor to remove chlorine and organics contained in the waste plastic, and transferring the melted waste plastic into an heated screw pyrolysis reactor which includes a transitional metal heat transfer medium. The hydrocarbon gas from the pyrolysis reactor is fed into a vessel containing metal trays for a second decomposition which is connected with an alkali treatment 2-step process gas reactor to remove acidic gases, and any inorganic solids. The hydrocarbon gases are separated by three separate condensers. The hydrocarbon fraction of the first condenser is recycled back into the pyrolysis reaction for further thermal treatment, and the hydrocarbon fractions are collected in the remaining condensers.

A process and apparatus for producing hydrocarbon oil from the thermal decomposition of waste plastics in a continuous process which comprises melting of a waste plastic feedstock into an auger assisted melt reactor to remove chlorine and organics contained in the waste plastic, and transferring the melted waste plastic into an heated screw pyrolysis reactor which includes a transitional metal heat transfer medium. The hydrocarbon gas from the pyrolysis reactor is fed into a vessel containing metal trays for a second decomposition which is connected with an alkali treatment 2-step process gas reactor to remove acidic gases, and any inorganic solids. The hydrocarbon gases are separated by three separate condensers. The hydrocarbon fraction of the first condenser is recycled back into the pyrolysis reaction for further thermal treatment, and the hydrocarbon fractions are collected in the remaining condensers.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials. The apparatus has a heating system, a distillation unit and a reaction unit to be loaded with the raw materials for treatment. The heating system can be opened and closed to be fitted with the reaction unit. The heating system comprises a top element and a jacket element firmly connected to the top element, and supporting elements. The length of the support elements can be varied in the vertical direction, between two end positions, the heating system can be opened and closed in the vertical direction of movement. The invention further relates to a method for operating an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials. The apparatus has a heating system, a distillation unit and a reaction unit to be loaded with the raw materials for treatment. The heating system can be opened and closed to be fitted with the reaction unit. The heating system comprises a top element and a jacket element firmly connected to the top element, and supporting elements. The length of the support elements can be varied in the vertical direction, between two end positions, the heating system can be opened and closed in the vertical direction of movement. The invention further relates to a method for operating an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling plastics, electronics, munitions or propellants. In particular, the method comprises reacting a feed stock with a molten aluminum or aluminum alloy bath. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel for carrying out the reaction, as well as other equipment necessary for capturing and removing the reaction products. Further, the process can be used to cogenerate electricity using the excess heat generated by the process.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling plastics, electronics, munitions or propellants. In particular, the method comprises reacting a feed stock with a molten aluminum or aluminum alloy bath. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel for carrying out the reaction, as well as other equipment necessary for capturing and removing the reaction products. Further, the process can be used to cogenerate electricity using the excess heat generated by the process.

We disclose a process for purification of hydrocarbons, suitable for a wide range of contexts such as refining bunker fuels to yield low-sulphur fuels, cleaning of waste engine oil (etc) to yield a usable hydrocarbon product, recovery of hydrocarbons from used tyres, recovery of hydrocarbons from thermoplastics etc, as well as the treatment of crude oils, shale oils, and the tailings remaining after fractionation and like processes. The method comprises the steps of heating the hydrocarbon thereby to release a gas phase, contacting the gas with an aqueous persulphate electrolyte within a reaction chamber, and condensing the gas to a liquid or a liquid/gas mixture and removing its aqueous component. It also comprises subjecting the reaction product to an electrical field generated by at least two opposing electrode plates between which the reaction product flows; this electrolytic step regenerates the persulphate electrolyte which can be recirculated within the process. The process is ideally applied in an environment at lower than atmospheric pressure, such as less than 1500 Pa. A wide range of hydrocarbons can be treated in this way. Used hydrocarbons such as engine oils and sulphur-contaminated fuels are prime examples, but there are a wide range of others such as hydrocarbons derived from the pyrolysis of a material having a hydrocarbon content. One such example is a mix of used rubber (such as end-of-life tyres) and used oils (such as engine oils, waste marine oils), which can be pyrolysed together to yield a hydrocarbon liquid which can be treated as above, and a residue that provides a useful solid fuel.