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 thermal reaction zone is provided with: one or more heating elements controllable to heat the thermal reaction zone to an operating temperature for mediating the non-oxidative thermal degradation of rubber in the rubber containing waste, and one or more gas outlets for withdrawing volatile gas or gases evolved during the non-oxidative thermal 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 through the one or more thermal reaction zones in both the forward and reverse directions and to the outlet; heating the rubber containing waste, in the one or more thermal treatment 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; operating the screw auger in both the forward and reverse directions to agitate the rubber containing waste within the reactor; and advancing the rubber containing waste along the horizontal axis to the outlet.

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 thermal reaction zone is provided with: one or more heating elements controllable to heat the thermal reaction zone to an operating temperature for mediating the non-oxidative thermal degradation of rubber in the rubber containing waste, and one or more gas outlets for withdrawing volatile gas or gases evolved during the non-oxidative thermal 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 through the one or more thermal reaction zones in both the forward and reverse directions and to the outlet; heating the rubber containing waste, in the one or more thermal treatment 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; operating the screw auger in both the forward and reverse directions to agitate the rubber containing waste within the reactor; and advancing the rubber containing waste along the horizontal axis to the outlet.

Systems and methods of producing a solid fuel composition are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods for producing a solid fuel composition by heating and mixing a solid waste mixture to a maximum temperature sufficient to melt the mixed plastics within the solid waste mixture is disclosed.

A reactor assembly is provided for heating plastic material. The reactor assembly includes: a reactor vessel including a central axis; and an agitator mounted within the reactor vessel. The agitator includes: one or more blade(s) distal from the central axis for mixing contents of the reactor vessel in use; and one or more wearing parts mounted to the blade(s) to extend from the blade(s).

A reactor assembly is provided for heating plastic material. The reactor assembly includes: a reactor vessel including a central axis; and an agitator mounted within the reactor vessel. The agitator includes: one or more blade(s) distal from the central axis for mixing contents of the reactor vessel in use; and one or more wearing parts mounted to the blade(s) to extend from the blade(s).

Plastic conversion vessels such as pyrolytic reactors convert plastic waste materials such as polymers, or hydrocarboneous material, or both, via in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking, recombination, reforming, recracking, and the like, to usable chemical compounds such as naphtha, diesel fuel, heavy oil, wax, and the like. Inherent within the polymers and/or carbonaceous material are generally solid, inert residues such as various fillers, pigments, flame retardants, silica, aluminum, talc, glass, clay, and so forth. Such solid inert residues (SIR) must be treated to remove residual volatile organic material therefrom in order to meet acceptable environmental standards and/or limits. A heated dryer for treating the SIR comprises heating units to remove excessive volatile organic material therefrom as when moved along a conveyor that transfers said material to a collection area. The collection area comprises one or more pistons that are capable of compacting and discharging said SIR material. Another collection area embodiment comprises a plurality of plungers that transfer the SIR material from said collection area to a plunger collection area, and subsequently to a collection container.

Plastic conversion vessels such as pyrolytic reactors convert plastic waste materials such as polymers, or hydrocarboneous material, or both, via in situ chemical reactions comprising cracking, recombination, reforming, recracking, and the like, to usable chemical compounds such as naphtha, diesel fuel, heavy oil, wax, and the like. Inherent within the polymers and/or carbonaceous material are generally solid, inert residues such as various fillers, pigments, flame retardants, silica, aluminum, talc, glass, clay, and so forth. Such solid inert residues (SIR) must be treated to remove residual volatile organic material therefrom in order to meet acceptable environmental standards and/or limits. A heated dryer for treating the SIR comprises heating units to remove excessive volatile organic material therefrom as when moved along a conveyor that transfers said material to a collection area. The collection area comprises one or more pistons that are capable of compacting and discharging said SIR material. Another collection area embodiment comprises a plurality of plungers that transfer the SIR material from said collection area to a plunger collection area, and subsequently to a collection container.

An apparatus is provided for processing reusable fuel comprising: a continuous material supply assembly; a heated airlock feeder configured to continuously receive and process the material supply received therein; a reactor configured to receive the processed material from the heated airlock feeder; and a vapor refining system configured to process vapor supplied by the reactor. The apparatus may comprise a char disposal system configured to eliminate char from the reactor. The apparatus may also comprise a thermal expansion system configured to allow thermal expansion of the reactor. A cooling system may be configured to receive processed fuel from the reactor.

An apparatus is provided for processing reusable fuel comprising: a continuous material supply assembly; a heated airlock feeder configured to continuously receive and process the material supply received therein; a reactor configured to receive the processed material from the heated airlock feeder; and a vapor refining system configured to process vapor supplied by the reactor. The apparatus may comprise a char disposal system configured to eliminate char from the reactor. The apparatus may also comprise a thermal expansion system configured to allow thermal expansion of the reactor. A cooling system may be configured to receive processed fuel from the reactor.

A Heated Airlock Feeder is disclosed. The Heated Airlock Feeder allows for the continuous feeding of solid, shredded plastic into a reactor tube surrounded by clamshell burner boxes. Inside of the reactor tube, two augers, one with right hand flights and one with left hand flights are welded to smooth augers to create two continuous augers that push solid plastic material, liquid plastic material and molten plastic material through two small holes. As the plastic is in its molten state while being forced through the two small holes, an airlock is formed preventing air form entering the system. As the solid, shredded plastic is fed into the system, an airlock is formed allowing for the continuous feeding of the system. The clamshell burner boxes allow for convection and radiant heat allowing for even, continuous heat.