In an embodiment, a de-heading device for a coke drum includes an outer component that includes an inlet nozzle; and an inner component that includes a pipe elbow and an orifice, wherein the outer component is coupled to the inner component by an actuator, the actuator for shifting between two or more positions. In another embodiment, a method of de-heading a coke drum includes actuating an actuator, the actuator coupled to a de-heading device, wherein the de-heading device includes an outer component comprising an inlet nozzle; and an inner component comprising a pipe elbow and an orifice, wherein the outer component is coupled to the inner component by the actuator, the actuator for shifting between two or more positions; and either removing a material from a coke drum coupled to the de-heading device, or filling a coke drum coupled to the de-heading device with a material.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

A method of retorting oil shale is provided, comprising: continuously feeding oil shale into a retorting unit; heating the retorting unit using renewable electrical energy; converting the oil-shale kerogen into kerogen oil; conveying a cross-flow sweep gas across a moving bed of the oil shale, to carry the kerogen oil out of the retorting unit; recovering the kerogen oil; and recovering spent oil shale. The combination of electrical heating and cross-flow retorting achieves uniform heating to optimize the production of hydrocarbons. A system for retorting oil shale is also provided, comprising: a retorting unit; an inlet for continuously feeding oil shale; electrical-energy elements within the retorting unit; an inlet for conveying a cross-flow sweep gas through the retorting unit; and an outlet for the cross-flow sweep gas carrying the kerogen oil. The principles of the invention may be applied to ex situ systems, in situ systems, or hybrid systems.

Continuous charcoal production system in a vertical reactor with a concentric charging zone (1) and drying zone (2), a carbonization zone (3), a cooling zone (4) and a discharge zone (5), and a method for recovering energy from carbonization gases for the production of this charcoal, comprising the extraction of carbonization gas from the drying zone (2) and subdividing it into recirculating gas and heating gas, with the remaining gas exceeding the energy required to generate electricity; burning the heating gas in a hot gas generator (11); injecting the recirculating gas into a heat recovery unit (9); injecting the heating gas after combustion into the heat recovery unit (9), indirect heating of the recirculating gas; and reinjecting the heated recirculating gas into the carbonization zone (3) of the reactor (R).

Continuous charcoal production system in a vertical reactor with a concentric charging zone (1) and drying zone (2), a carbonization zone (3), a cooling zone (4) and a discharge zone (5), and a method for recovering energy from carbonization gases for the production of this charcoal, comprising the extraction of carbonization gas from the drying zone (2) and subdividing it into recirculating gas and heating gas, with the remaining gas exceeding the energy required to generate electricity; burning the heating gas in a hot gas generator (11); injecting the recirculating gas into a heat recovery unit (9); injecting the heating gas after combustion into the heat recovery unit (9), indirect heating of the recirculating gas; and reinjecting the heated recirculating gas into the carbonization zone (3) of the reactor (R).

A controlled dispersion module includes a distal end coupled to an effluent feed. A proximal end having at least one baffle is disposed within the controlled dispersion module. The proximal end is fluidly coupled to the coke drum. In various embodiments, the proximal end is curved to match a curvature of the coke drum. In various embodiments, the at least one baffle includes a plurality of baffles.

A pyrolysis apparatus having a heating system adapted to heat a first gas enclosure, wherein a gas path within the heated enclosure is helical or spherical. Pyrolysis is used to destroy oils, tars and/or PAHs in a gaseous mixture.

A pyrolysis apparatus having a heating system adapted to heat a first gas enclosure, wherein a gas path within the heated enclosure is helical or spherical. Pyrolysis is used to destroy oils, tars and/or PAHs in a gaseous mixture.

A radial flow oil shale retort can include a central heating fluid conduit having a permeable outer wall and an outer heating fluid annulus positioned about the central heating fluid conduit, the outer heating fluid annulus having a permeable inner wall. An annular body of comminuted oil shale can be between the permeable outer wall of the central heating fluid conduit and the permeable inner wall of the outer heating fluid annulus. A heating fluid supply can be connected to either the central heating fluid conduit or the outer heating fluid annulus to flow a heating fluid in a radial direction through the annular body of the comminuted oil shale.

A radial flow oil shale retort can include a central heating fluid conduit having a permeable outer wall and an outer heating fluid annulus positioned about the central heating fluid conduit, the outer heating fluid annulus having a permeable inner wall. An annular body of comminuted oil shale can be between the permeable outer wall of the central heating fluid conduit and the permeable inner wall of the outer heating fluid annulus. A heating fluid supply can be connected to either the central heating fluid conduit or the outer heating fluid annulus to flow a heating fluid in a radial direction through the annular body of the comminuted oil shale.