A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

A biofuel includes a mixture having a gasoil generated from hydropyrolysis and hydroconversion of a solid biomass containing lignocellulose and an isomerized hydroprocessed ester and fatty acid (HEFA) generated from hydrotreating a renewable resource having fats and oils. The gasoil has a cetane index less than 46 and at least 10 parts per million weight (ppmw) of a heteroatom and a cetane index of the biofuel is greater than 46.

A biofuel includes a mixture of a gasoil generated from hydropyrolysis and hydroconversion of a solid biomass containing lignocellulose. The gasoil has a cetane index less than 46. The biofuel also includes a hydroprocessed ester fatty acid (HEFA) generated from hydrotreating a renewable resource having fats and oils. A cetane index of the biofuel is greater than 46.

A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.

A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.

The invention presents a covered cavity kiln pyrolyzer with modulated means of rotation, to promote mixing and exposure of the biomass to heat, thereby allowing complete and efficient pyrolysis of biomass therein. The invention has a portal arrangement for simultaneous entry of fuel and air alongside the exit of emissions and flames to a separate hood structure. In addition to rotational modulation for mixing, the rotational capabilities of the kiln also permit the removal of processed charcoal when the portal is turned downward. The invention also has a system of internal prongs for mixing and sifting removal of char, as well as automated fuel delivery mechanisms and a system of openings to allow insertion of pipes and sensors into the kiln for monitoring and for additional delivery of reagents for better modulation and efficiency by a user during the pyrolyzation process.

The present disclosure provides a process for preparing a hydrocarbon fuel from waste rubber. The process involves admixing, in a reaction vessel, at least one fluid medium with the waste rubber to obtain a slurry; wherein the concentration of the waste rubber in the slurry ranges from 45% to 70%. A reactor is charged with the slurry and a predetermined amount of at least one catalyst composition to obtain a mixture, followed by introduction of hydrogen to the reactor to attain a predetermined pressure and heating the mixture at a predetermined temperature, to attain an autogenously generated pressure, and for a predetermined time period to obtain a reaction mass comprising the hydrocarbon fuel. This reaction mass comprising the hydrocarbon fuel is then cooled to obtain a cooled reaction mass. The hydrocarbon fuel is then separated from the cooled reaction mass.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of modifying thermoplastic properties of lignin rich biomass to reduce agglomeration during any subsequent pyrolysis. The method comprises providing a lignin rich biomass and treating the lignin rich biomass with an alkali metal hydroxide or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide under conditions effective to reduce agglomeration, during any subsequent pyrolysis, compared to when the lignin rich biomass is not subjected to said treating. Also disclosed is a method of fast pyrolysis using the product of this method of modifying the thermoplastic properties of lignin rich biomass.

A method and an apparatus for manufacturing, with thermal treatment, biocoal which is non-energent, such as functional as a heat sink, by using a conveyor arrangement housed in an essentially Thompson Converter type process space. A to-be-processed feedstock is conveyed in the process space with the conveyor arrangement, which is closed relative thereto, in a longitudinal direction of the process space. A pyrolysis gas, generated from the to-be-processed feedstock present inside the conveyor arrangement as a result of heat transferring from the process space thereto, is conducted into a combustion chamber included in the process space for burning the gas, a thereby generated flue gas being removed from the process space by a discharge arrangement and a resulting non-energent biocoal being removed from the conveyor arrangement for further processing.

A method and an apparatus for manufacturing, with thermal treatment, biocoal which is non-energent, such as functional as a heat sink, by using a conveyor arrangement housed in an essentially Thompson Converter type process space. A to-be-processed feedstock is conveyed in the process space with the conveyor arrangement, which is closed relative thereto, in a longitudinal direction of the process space. A pyrolysis gas, generated from the to-be-processed feedstock present inside the conveyor arrangement as a result of heat transferring from the process space thereto, is conducted into a combustion chamber included in the process space for burning the gas, a thereby generated flue gas being removed from the process space by a discharge arrangement and a resulting non-energent biocoal being removed from the conveyor arrangement for further processing.