A process for fracturing and devolatilizing coal particles rapidly exposes coal particles to a high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a sufficient time period to cause volatile matter within the coal particles to vaporize and fracture the coal particles. The work zone has a temperature in the range from 600 C. to 2000 C. The coal particles are exposed to the high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a time period less than 1 seconds, and preferably less than 0.3 second. The vaporized volatile matter is condensed and recovered as microcarbon particles.

A process for fracturing and devolatilizing coal particles rapidly exposes coal particles to a high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a sufficient time period to cause volatile matter within the coal particles to vaporize and fracture the coal particles. The work zone has a temperature in the range from 600 C. to 2000 C. The coal particles are exposed to the high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a time period less than 1 seconds, and preferably less than 0.3 second. The vaporized volatile matter is condensed and recovered as microcarbon particles.

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.

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.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600 C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200 C.

A continuous multi-stage vertically sequenced gasification process for conversion of solid carbonaceous fuel material into clean (low tar) syngas. The process involves forming a pyrolysis residue bed having a uniform depth and width to pass raw syngas there through for an endothermic reaction, while controlling the reduction zone pressure drop, resident time and syngas flow space velocity during the endothermic reaction to form substantially tar free syngas, to reduce carbon content in the pyrolysis residue, and to reduce the temperature of raw syngas as compared to the temperature of the partial oxidation zone.

A continuous multi-stage vertically sequenced gasification process for conversion of solid carbonaceous fuel material into clean (low tar) syngas. The process involves forming a pyrolysis residue bed having a uniform depth and width to pass raw syngas there through for an endothermic reaction, while controlling the reduction zone pressure drop, resident time and syngas flow space velocity during the endothermic reaction to form substantially tar free syngas, to reduce carbon content in the pyrolysis residue, and to reduce the temperature of raw syngas as compared to the temperature of the partial oxidation zone.

A superheated steam generating apparatus (12) is made of a material capable of generating heat upon energization. The superheated steam generating apparatus (12) comprises a superheated steam generating pipe (12) which includes a flow path (129) in which steam can flow and transfers the heat to the steam in the flow path (129) to generate superheated steam. In the superheated steam generating apparatus (12), a length of a cross-sectional shape of a wall forming the flow path (129) of the superheated steam generating pipe (12) is longer than a length of a circumference of an exact circle having a same sectional area as a sectional area of the flow path (129).

A method and an apparatus for processing wood wastes and producing valuable products that are safe and have economic value is disclosed. The apparatus includes a continuous converter (3) for a feed material that includes wood wastes containing contaminants. The continuous converter includes a reaction chamber (5) for producing a solid carbon-containing product, a gas product, and optionally a liquid oil product and a separate water-based condensate product in the chamber, via pyrolysis or other reaction mechanisms.

A method and an apparatus for processing wood wastes and producing valuable products that are safe and have economic value is disclosed. The apparatus includes a continuous converter (3) for a feed material that includes wood wastes containing contaminants. The continuous converter includes a reaction chamber (5) for producing a solid carbon-containing product, a gas product, and optionally a liquid oil product and a separate water-based condensate product in the chamber, via pyrolysis or other reaction mechanisms.