A pyrolysis apparatus reduces feedstock to gaseous energy sources and recyclable solids by moving feedstock through a processing unit via a feedstock transport mechanism that has sections that move the feedstock at respectively different rates through a retort within the processing unit. The feedstock transport mechanism may be an auger with a variable flighting pitch along its shaft. The pyrolysis apparatus may be modular in that processing units may be added and subtracted as necessary for any given installation. A restriction device squeezes ambient air out of the feedstock prior to entry into the pyrolysis apparatus retort.

A hermetically sealed flow-through reactor for non-oxidative thermal degradation of a rubber containing waste into a char product, the reactor having an internal cylindrical surface, and the reactor including: one or more thermal reaction zones arranged between the inlet and the outlet, wherein each zone is provided with: one or more heating elements controllable to heat the zone to an operating temperature, and one or more gas outlets for withdrawing gas or gases evolved during the degradation of the rubber; and a screw auger located within the reactor, the screw augur configured to rotate in both the forward and reverse directions to agitate and transport the rubber containing waste to the outlet, wherein fighting on the screw auger tracks the internal cylindrical surface of the reactor in close relationship to minimise or prevent the transport of material through a clearance space between outer edges of the fighting and the internal cylindrical surface of the reactor.

A process for the non-oxidative thermal degradation of a rubber containing waste including: transporting the rubber containing waste along a horizontal axis of a hermetically sealed cylindrical reactor including: an inlet and an outlet, one or more thermal reaction zones arranged between the inlet and the outlet, wherein each zone is provided with: one or more heating elements controllable to heat the zone to an operating temperature, and one or more gas outlets for withdrawing volatile gas or gases evolved during the thermal degradation; and a screw auger located within the reactor, the screw augur configured to rotate in both the forward and reverse directions to agitate and transport the rubber containing waste through the reaction zones and to the outlet; heating the said waste, in the one or more thermal zones, to a temperature above the degradation temperature of rubber for a time sufficient to produce the volatile gas or gases and the char product.

A method and apparatus for thermolysing organic material. The method comprises steps of: A) feeding the material in a single-screw extruder (100), the extruder comprising a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, wherein the relation of the depth (d) to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4, B) heating the material in the single-screw extruder (100) to a flowable state, and C) thermolysing the material.

A method and apparatus for thermolysing organic material. The method comprises steps of: A) feeding the material in a single-screw extruder (100), the extruder comprising a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, wherein the relation of the depth (d) to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4, B) heating the material in the single-screw extruder (100) to a flowable state, and C) thermolysing the material.

A shale pyrolysis system includes a retort with a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Corners of the retort that change direction of the shale are rounded. The system includes steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side, and a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to one or more upper sections of the retort and lower-temperature steam to one or more lower sections of the retort.

A shale pyrolysis system includes a retort with a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Corners of the retort that change direction of the shale are rounded. The system includes steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side, and a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to one or more upper sections of the retort and lower-temperature steam to one or more lower sections of the retort.

The invention discloses a sleeve-type coal material decomposition apparatus which includes a kiln body. The inside of the kiln body is set with coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers centered on the axis of kiln body; the circular coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers are isolated from each other; both ends of the circular coal material decomposition-promoting layer are respectively connected to the coal inlet and coal outlet on kiln body and are also connected to the decomposition gas collecting mechanism on kiln body. The coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers are isolated from each other, which is helpful for the acquisition of pure coal decomposition gas. The heat released from circular heating layers is fully absorbed by adjacent set coal material decomposition-promoting layers via conduction and radiation forms; the full absorption of pulverized coal brings better effect of complete decomposition.

The invention discloses a sleeve-type coal material decomposition apparatus which includes a kiln body. The inside of the kiln body is set with coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers centered on the axis of kiln body; the circular coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers are isolated from each other; both ends of the circular coal material decomposition-promoting layer are respectively connected to the coal inlet and coal outlet on kiln body and are also connected to the decomposition gas collecting mechanism on kiln body. The coal material decomposition-promoting layers and circular heating layers are isolated from each other, which is helpful for the acquisition of pure coal decomposition gas. The heat released from circular heating layers is fully absorbed by adjacent set coal material decomposition-promoting layers via conduction and radiation forms; the full absorption of pulverized coal brings better effect of complete decomposition.

The present invention relates to a pyrolysis apparatus comprising a pyrolysis chamber have a first end and a second end, a feed inlet connected adjacent the first end of the pyrolysis chamber, a biochar outlet connected adjacent the second end of the pyrolysis chamber, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolysis chamber and feed inlet further comprise centreless screw conveyors. The present invention alleviates the problems associated with dust, oils and tars being present in the generated syngas. The present invention can also be used in a method of continuously processing biomass.