Pyrolysis systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for pyrolysis of waste feed material. Some systems include a main retort and a secondary retort. Syngas is produced by pyrolysis in the main retort, and is then mixed with combustion air and ignited, in some cases to produce energy. Carbon char travels to the secondary retort and is exhausted from the system through an airlock.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15 / 365,633, filed Nov. 30, 2016, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15 / 196,645, filed Jun. 29, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,534,175, granted on Jan. 3, 2017, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14 / 105,832, filed Dec. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,394,484, granted on Jul. 19, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to systems and methods for pyrolyzing waste materials and recovering heat from the pyrolysis process.BACKGROUND[0003]Waste materials present ever-increasing disposal problems.[0004]In the past, refuse and toxic waste were often burned. However, due to increased governmental and regulatory standards, the potential public health impacts of carcinogenic air emissions, such as dioxins and furans, and the risks of spreading toxic plumes, t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present disclosure features improved pyrolysis units for use in pyrolysis systems that include a pyrolysis unit, a thermal oxidizer unit, and a stack unit, e.g., of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,150. As discussed above, in the pyrolysis systems disclosed herein, syngas is exhausted from the pyrolysis unit in a manner that prevents formation of clinkers in the exhaust duct, and flue gases are discharged from the pyrolysis unit in a manner that recovers their heat and eliminates discharge of flue gas to the environment. These and other features of the pyrolysis units enhances their viability for use in commercial processes and may increase energy yield from pyrolysis systems including the pyrolysis units.

Problems solved by technology

Waste materials present ever-increasing disposal problems.

In the past, refuse and toxic waste were often burned.

However, due to increased governmental and regulatory standards, the potential public health impacts of carcinogenic air emissions, such as dioxins and furans, and the risks of spreading toxic plumes, the burning of wastes has generally been abandoned.

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