Systems and processes for pyrolyzing waste plastics, including, in one or more heating stages, heating a waste plastic from an initial temperature to a peak pyrolysis temperature, and, in a final pyrolysis stage, providing heat input sufficient to maintain a temperature of the waste plastic at a pyrolysis reaction temperature less than the peak pyrolysis temperature and maintaining the waste plastic at the pyrolysis reaction temperature for a time period to convert a portion of the waste plastic to a pyrolyzed product and a pitch. The process further includes recovering the pyrolyzed product and recovering the pitch.

Systems and processes for pyrolyzing waste plastics, including, in one or more heating stages, heating a waste plastic from an initial temperature to a peak pyrolysis temperature, and, in a final pyrolysis stage, providing heat input sufficient to maintain a temperature of the waste plastic at a pyrolysis reaction temperature less than the peak pyrolysis temperature and maintaining the waste plastic at the pyrolysis reaction temperature for a time period to convert a portion of the waste plastic to a pyrolyzed product and a pitch. The process further includes recovering the pyrolyzed product and recovering the pitch.

A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

A burner system for heating the material product, i.e., asphalt, includes a burner kettle designed with a thicker bottom heat transfer plate, added heat transfer oil (HTO) circulation pumps, a spiral circulation ring and heat restriction rings. The spiral circulation ring spirals up the burner kettle to move the HTO around the entire circumference of the burner kettle to eliminate hotspots. An HTO pump moves cooler oil from the top of the kettle directly across the hottest part of the bottom of the kettle, i.e., across the heat transfer plate. Keeping this zone cool will eliminate heat stress of the material. Heat restriction rings direct the heat back and forth throughout the burner kettle for increased efficiency.

A burner system for heating the material product, i.e., asphalt, includes a burner kettle designed with a thicker bottom heat transfer plate, added heat transfer oil (HTO) circulation pumps, a spiral circulation ring and heat restriction rings. The spiral circulation ring spirals up the burner kettle to move the HTO around the entire circumference of the burner kettle to eliminate hotspots. An HTO pump moves cooler oil from the top of the kettle directly across the hottest part of the bottom of the kettle, i.e., across the heat transfer plate. Keeping this zone cool will eliminate heat stress of the material. Heat restriction rings direct the heat back and forth throughout the burner kettle for increased efficiency.

A system includes a fin apparatus that is installed on a heat transfer medium pipe using thermally conductive mastic (heat transfer compound) and bands for holding the components in place. The system further includes a tank containing material of high viscosity, primarily Polymer Modified or Ground Tire Rubber Asphalts (PMAs and GTRs), that requires heating. The fin apparatus increases the surface area of the heat transfer medium piping and increases the effectiveness of the heat transfer that takes place between the medium and the high viscosity material. There is a need for the fin apparatus because to date, traditional fin designs are prone to fouling and decreased performance when used with high viscosity materials like PMAs and GTRs.

A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.

A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.

A method for producing an asphalt mix suitable for use as an asphalt pavement is provided. The method may include receiving in a preliminary mixing unit an asphalt shingle material input from a first feed system and a fluid asphalt material input from a second feed system, and heating and melting the asphalt shingle material and the fluid asphalt material in the preliminary mixing unit and then agitating the same to produce a molten asphalt. The method may include receiving in a primary mixing unit recycled asphalt material input from a third feed system and particulate material input from a fourth feed system, and mixing the molten asphalt from the preliminary mixing unit in the primary mixing unit with the same to produce an output of said asphalt mix. The method may include recirculating, in an intermediate tank, the molten asphalt.

A method for producing an asphalt mix suitable for use as an asphalt pavement is provided. The method may include receiving in a preliminary mixing unit an asphalt shingle material input from a first feed system and a fluid asphalt material input from a second feed system, and heating and melting the asphalt shingle material and the fluid asphalt material in the preliminary mixing unit and then agitating the same to produce a molten asphalt. The method may include receiving in a primary mixing unit recycled asphalt material input from a third feed system and particulate material input from a fourth feed system, and mixing the molten asphalt from the preliminary mixing unit in the primary mixing unit with the same to produce an output of said asphalt mix. The method may include recirculating, in an intermediate tank, the molten asphalt.