Pyrolysis reactor

Abstract

The present invention is a pyrolysis reactor (2) with a cylindrical reactor tank (201), - a tank inert purge line (2011); - a mass conveyor device (20) in the cylindrical reactor tank (201), - a feeder inlet (21) for particulate polymer materials; - a tank heating device (22); - one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gas (231) arranged on an upper part of said reactor tank (201), and - a solids / residuals outlet (24) arranged in a lower part of said reactor tank (201), with air proof solids / residuals outlet lock (2420)

Description

[0001] Pyrolysis reactor.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pyrolysis reactor.

[0003] Problem to be solved

[0004] The main problem to be solved is caused by enormous and uncontrolled spread all over the World of waste plastic. Polymer plastic materials generally do not decompose, decay nor rot, and may last literally forever in nature. Lighter plastic particles may float at the surface, much sink to form part of sediments. What is not wasted directly to nature may be burned and thus constitute direct pollution to the atmosphere. What is not wasted directly may be disposed in landfills, but landfills often erode aeolically or by streams or slippage of soil masses and fillings to end up in small streams, large rivers, or directly to the sea, 11 million tons according to the citation where plastic rubbish is globally scattered. Fish and marine mammals mistake plastic for food and gets a blocked stomach and intestine. Plastic material mistaken for food by microorganisms accumulate in the food chain and end up in fish and marine mammals and humans. Plastic material in microorganisms may prevent normal development or may prevent fertility of biological organisms and incur deformation of the offspring.

[0005] According to the UN Foundation per medio June 2024, "more than 430 million tons of plastic are produced each year, two-thirds of which is cast aside as waste after just one use. If trends continue, plastic waste will triple by 2060, with dire consequences for both ecosystems and human health. Eleven million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean alone each year, in addition to the estimated 200 million metric tons that already flow through our marine environments, per data from the Ocean Conservatory."

[0006] Plastic materials spilled in nature or collected through sorting of garbage may be collected and disposed but we know no sufficiently efficient industrial method to process collected garbage to form recycled oils. Recycled oils comparable to Diesel oils may be used for fuels and reduce the need for producing oils from drilled petroleum wells at sea and land.

[0007] Background art

[0008] A simple solution to disintegrate plastic waste is to burn it at very high temperatures to reduce the formation of toxic NOx. However burning it requires energy input and incurs a highly undesired production of CO2 at least proportional to the waste plastic input.

[0009] It is known to pyrolyze waste plastic material or waste tyres to recycled oils.

[0010] The average chemical formula for common diesel fuel is C12H23, ranging approximately from C10H20 to C15H28, (https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / - Diesel fuel#Chemical analysis, 20.06.2024)

[0011] In "Improving fuel quality from plastic bag waste pyrolysis by controlling condensation temperature" , Nattadon Pannucharoenwong et al., Energy Reports, Volume 9, Supplement 9, September 2023, Mr. Pannucharoenwong describes a series of experimental Pyrolysis of plastic bag waste in a fixed-bed reactor. At 300 °C of reaction temperature, hot filter temperature at 200 °C, different first condenser temperatures of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C, and a second condenser temperature -40 °C. The experiments were carried out at a series of different condenser temperatures: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C. The fuel obtained from initial condenser is of a composition similar to diesel fuel, and the second condenser yields a gasoline-like fuel. Pannucharoenwong concludes that using a pyrolysis temperature in the fixed- bed reactor below 400 °C improves the quality of the fuel produced.

[0012] In "Pyrolysis of waste tyres"’. A review by Paul T. Williams, Waste management vol. 88, 8, Aug. 2023: Williams estimates that 15 000 000 000 car tyres are manufactured annually, and will end up as waste tyres. About 6 million tonnes of waste tyres existed in Europe in 2011. Landfill of waste tyres is now forbidden in the Ell. Waste tyres may be pyrolyzed to gas, oil, char, and will leave residuals as steel fibres. The oil produced is similar to a gas oil or light fuel oil. Wiliams mentions that an average for common diesel fuel is C12H23, ranging from C10H20 to C15H28. The pyrolyzed gas may be used in combustion engines. Light gasses produced are mainly H2, Methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10), CO2, CO and H2S.

[0013] A pyrolysis reactor published by the present applicant and inventors is WO2024117917A1 "Injector, reactor, apparatus and process for pyrolysis of polymeric material”. WO2024117917A1 describes a pyrolysis injector (1) comprising a feeder unit (10) leading to a reservoir (13) mixing particulate polymeric material and oil into oil-wet particulate polymeric material. A feeding auger (22) is arranged for compacting the oil-wet particulate polymeric material and screw-feeding it into pyrolysis reactor (3) of an auger-pipe type. The pyrolysis reactor (3) is provided with outlets (31) for pyrolysis gasses. The pyrolysis reactor (3) is a long auger pipe with small diameter to length ratio, and a residuals outlet near the end of the auger pipe. The long pyrolysis auger pipe is provided with heating elements of progressively increasing temperature. A problem related to the background pyrolysis auger pipe is that the continuously fed material is advanced at generally the same speed by the auger screw along the auger pipe, while ideally requiring different residence times at different temperatures. Further, early boiled-off gases generated at a first temperature near the beginning of the auger pipe risk combusting at a higher temperature downstream in the auger pipe. Premature formation of heavy long polymer chains may require other solutions for the reactor design. The process is continuous and requires the auger pipe to efficiently separating pyrolyzed gasses and solids and residuals continuously in the same process, however, there is a risk of dust from solids and residuals being whirled into the pyrolysis gas outlets and have to be handled downstream, not all solids and residuals end up in the intended solids and residuals outlet.

[0014] It is a purpose of the present invention to produce recycled oils. Recycled oils produced by pyrolysis according to the invention may be compared to Diesel oil and may be used for fuels and reduce the need for producing oils from drilled petroleum wells at sea and land.

[0015] The volume capacity requirement due to enormous amounts of available waste plastic to be pyrolyzed is considerable.

[0016] Brief summary of the invention

[0017] The invention is a solution to some or all of the problems mentioned above and below and has significant advantages over prior art pyrolysis reactors.

[0018] The invention is a pyrolysis reactor (2), comprising:

[0019] - a cylindrical reactor tank (201),

[0020] - one or more tank inert purge lines (2011),

[0021] - a mass conveyor device (20) in said cylindrical reactor tank (201),

[0022] - a rotating conveyor device (200) on a motor driven axle (2100) axially arranged in said cylindrical reactor tank (201),

[0023] - a feeder inlet (21) for polymer particulate material;

[0024] - a tank heating device (22);

[0025] - one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gas (231) arranged on an upper part of said reactor tank (201), said rotating conveyor device (200) comprising

[0026] - a solids and residuals scraper (2430) extending from said axle (2100) adjacent to

[0027] - a solids and residuals outlet (24) arranged in a lower part of said reactor tank (201), with air proof solids / residuals outlet lock (2420) , said solids and residuals scraper (2430) arranged for displacing solids I residuals to said solids I residuals outlet (24)..

[0028] Dependent embodiments of the invention is defined in the attached dependent claims.

[0029] The invention is also expressed as a method of pyrolyzing oil-wet polymer particulate material, comprising the following steps: a) provide said pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of claim 1-18, b) establish said air proof compacted feed plug (211) of particulate oil-wet polymer particulate material, in said feeder inlet (21); c) close said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420); d) purge said cylindrical reactor tank (201), using inert gas supplied on said tank inert purge line (2011); e1) heat said reactor tank heater device (22) e2) start said mass conveyor / mass stirrer device (20) in said reactor tank (201) and f) heat said reactor tank (201) to a first temperature level (T); g) feed a batch (b1 , b2, .. ) of said particulate oil-wet polymer particulate material, by feeding said air proof compacted feed plug (211) to enter through said feeder inlet (21), disintegrate and melt in said cylindrical reactor tank (201), while forming pyrolysis produced gasses (231) in said cylindrical reactor tank (201); h) allow a flow of said pyrolysis produced gasses (231) to exit via said one or more gas outlets (23), i) use said mass conveyor / mass stirrer device (20) while accumulating solids and residuals in remaining melted mass of said oil-wet particulate polymer material; j) hold feeding of said air proof compacted feed plug (211); k) continue to heat said reactor tank (201) to a second temperature level higher than said first temperature level; l) continuing to use said mass conveyor / mass stirrer device (20) while further accumulating solids and residuals in said melted mass of oil-wet particulate polymer material, until said batch (b1 , b2, ..) is pyrolyzed, m) open said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420); n) use said mass conveyor / mass stirrer device (20) for removing the accumulated solids and residuals through said solids and residuals outlet (24), o) close said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420).

[0030] Brief Figure description

[0031] The invention is illustrated in the attached drawing Figures.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a view of a pyrolysis reactor (2) of the invention wherein a cylindrical reactor tank's (201) cylindrical wall is omitted from the drasing.

[0033] Fig. 2 is a vertical section and view of a horizontal section through the pyrolysis reactor (2) as sectioned at the level of a centric axis of the cylindrical reactor tank (201).

[0034] Fig. 3 illustrates an end view of the cylindrical reactor tank (201) and a section view of one of feeder inlets (21).

[0035] Fig. 4 is an oppsite end view of the cylindrical reactor tank (201) compared to the view of Fig. 3.

[0036] Fig. 5A is a vertical section of the reactor tank (201) with a rotatable conveyor device (200).

[0037] Fig. 5B is a vertical section and view of the reactor tank (201) at a section across the residuals outlet (24), together with a view and vertical section of a compacting pipe (140) from an injector (1).

[0038] Fig. 5C is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention of a closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) arranged to receive solids and residuals from an air proof outlet lock (2420).

[0039] Fig. 5C further illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) further comprises a second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421), arranged beyond said at least one closed screw conveyor (2440) and adjacent to said removable solids and residuals container (2431). Fig. 6 is an isometric drawing of an embodiment of the invention, showing a rotating conveyor device (200) comprising a so-called "ash scraper", a solids and residuals scraper (2430).

[0040] Fig. 6B is a detail of an embodiment of the invention wherein the solids and residuals scraper (2130) is arranged alternatively between inner ends of an oppositely directed pair of helical wiper bands (2130).

[0041] Fig. 7 illustrates in an isometric view of the reactor (2) with a cylindrical wall (2010) and the supporting frame removed from the view, an embodiment of the invention wherein said one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gasses (231) and other boiled off fluids from an upper part of said reactor tank (201) is connected to a gas outlet manifold (230).

[0042] Fig. 8 illustrates in principle the use of the present invention, showing fed-in amount of particulate polymer material, pyrolysis production rate (P) and temperature (T) in the residing polymer mass in the reactor tank (201), for a semicontinuous pyrolysis process with batch feeding in general.

[0043] Fig. 9 illustrates in more detail, graphs as a function of time (t) a semi-continuous pyrolysis process using the pyrolysis reactor of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 10 is an overview of main components of a Pyrolysis system (0) wherein the pyrolysis reactor (2) of the invention may be used.

[0045] Fig. 11 diagrammatically shows a part of a feeder device (1) for the pyrolysis system (0), comprising a screw conveyor (180), for providing particulate polymeric material from a buffer day silo with a particulate polymeric material agitator, for conveying said particulate polymeric material to a reservoir (160) and further to a lateral auger pipe inlets (1120) of pyrolysis injectors (1). Fig. 12 diagrammatically illustrates two pyrolysis injectors (1) in parallel. Fig. 12 also illustrates an oil return line (31) from beyond connected condensers (3, 4, 5).

[0046] Fig. 13 diagrammatically shows a pyrolysis reactor (2) comprising inlet lines (210) from the pyrolysis injectors (1), pyrolysis gasses outlets (23) and the manifold (230) for pyrolysis produced gasses (231). Fig. 13. also illustrates the solids and residuals line to solids and residuals discharge system (7), as illustrated in Fig. 14.

[0047] Fig. 14 diagrammatically shows the solids and residuals discharge system (7) with lines from the pyrolysis reactor (2) solids and residuals outlet (24).

[0048] Fig. 13 and 14 also shows diagrammatically the interconnection with the inert gas system (8).

[0049] Fig. 15 diagrammatically shows inlet of pyrolysis gasses (231) from the manifold (230) on the pyrolysis reactor (2), and pyrolysis fluids to storage tank (8) and back to pyrolysis injector (1) and pyrolysis reactor (2) by oil return line (31).

[0050] Fig. 16 diagrammatically shows inlet line from the first condenser (3), and condensed fluids are led to storage tanks (8).

[0051] Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cooling system (6) and lines for connection to a first, second and third condensers (3, 4, 5).

[0052] Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of an inert gas bank (8). and lines connected to the pyrolysis reactor (2), solids I residuals discharge system (7) and first and second condensers (3, 4).

[0053] Fig. 19 is a symbolic description for the diagrammatic illustrations. Embodiments of the invention.

[0054] The invention provides a pyrolysis reactor (2), comprising:

[0055] - a cylindrical reactor tank (201), please see Fig. 1 , Fig. 2, Fig. 5a, comprising

[0056] - a tank inert purge line (2011), please see the left and I or right inert purge line (2011) of Fig. 1 and Fig. 5a, Fig. 4;

[0057] - a mass conveyor device (20) in said cylindrical reactor tank (201), please see Fig. 6 in particular;

[0058] - a rotating conveyor device (200) on a motor driven axle (2100) axially arranged in said cylindrical reactor tank (201), - a feeder inlet (21) , see Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 in particular, Fig. 5b, ;

[0059] - a tank heating device (22);

[0060] - one or more gas outlets (23), please see Fig. 1 , Fig 5a, Fig. 7, for pyrolysis produced gas (231) arranged on an upper part of said reactor tank (201), said rotating conveyor device (200) comprising

[0061] - a solids and residuals scraper (2430) extending from said axle (2100) adjacent to - a solids / residuals outlet (24) arranged in a lower part of said reactor tank (201), please see Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, said solids / residuals outlet (24) provided with an air proof solids / residuals outlet lock (2420), said solids and residuals scraper (2430) arranged for displacing solids I residuals to said solids I residuals outlet (24).

[0062] Rotating conveyor device

[0063] The invention said mass conveyor device (20) comprises a rotating conveyor device

[0064] (200) on a motor driven axle (2100) axially arranged in said cylindrical reactor tank

[0065] (201). One important function of the rotating conveyor device (200) is to move solids and residuals toward the solids / residuals outlet ( 24), please see Fig. 6. In an embodiment of the invention the rotating conveyor device (200) may be rotated in either of two directions in order to move mass in the tank back and forth.

[0066] Solids and residuals scraper

[0067] In the invention said rotating conveyor device (200) comprises an "ash scraper", a solids and residuals scraper (2430) extending from said axle (2100) adjacent to said "waste ash" solids and residuals outlet (24) toward the internal cylindrical surface of said reactor tank (201), please see particularly Fig. 5a and 5b, and also Fig. 6, said solids and residuals scraper (2430) arranged for conveying or shoveling solids I residuals to said solids and residuals outlet (24). In an embodiment said solids and residuals scraper (2430) is arranged on a radial arm (2110) on said axle (2100). In an embodiment of the invention the solids and residuals outlet (24) is arranged at the middle portion relative to the circular end portions of said cylindrical reactor tank (201), please see Fig. 6B.

[0068] In an embodiment of the invention, a feeder inlet line (210) is arranged for receiving and transporting a compressed oil-wet polymer particle feed plug (211) from a conical compacting pipe (140) to said feeder inlet (21) in the operative state of the pyrolysis reactor, please see Fig. 5B. The compacted feed plug (211) of oil-wet particulate polymer material will work as an air proof seal for the feeder inlet (21), which prevents oxygen to enter through the feeder inlet (21) and into the pyrolysis process in the reactor tank (201). The feed plug (211) also prevents purging gas to escape from the reactor tank during purging before start-up.

[0069] An advantage of the plug (211) is that an air proof sealing valve at the inlet (21) is not strictly necessary to prevent air intrusion during start-up (and running) of the pyrolysis process. Another advantage of the plug (3) is to prevent air intrusion in the operative state. The compressed oil-wet polymer particle plug (211) is dynamic and air sealing during active feeding; it is formed from behind by an injector screw auger pipe (10) which feeds and compresses oil-wet polymer particles which are further compressed in the conical compacting pipe (140), and in the fore end the polymer particle plug (211) is sheared off bit by bit by a helical wiper band (2130) arranged on outer ends of said radial arms (2010) as it enters the pyrolysis tank (201), and will drop into the melting or melted bath therein. The continuously fed oil-wet polymer particle plug (1405) is sheared into pieces for increasing the surface area for its exposure to the molten polymer bath in the reactor tank (201).

[0070] Inert gas purging

[0071] The pyrolysis must be conducted in a non-oxidizing environment to avoid combustion and I or combustion of the polymer material and of the pyrolyzed materials thereof. The pyrolysis reactor of the invention is arranged for being purged with inert gas such as Nitrogen, fed with an incoming compacted plug of oil-wet particulate polymer material (211) through said feeder inlet (21) while being heated, said oil-wet particulate polymer material will melt in the reactor tank (201) and pyrolyze to gasses (231) which are recuperated downstream of the gas outlets (231). When sufficiently pyrolyzed there will remain solids and residuals which are moved by the mass conveyor device (20) towards the solids / residuals outlet ( 24) which has an air proof outlet lock (2420).

[0072] The gasses (231) are pyrolysis products of the plastic material, the particulate polymer material, which is usually considered as waste. There may be about 75 % diesel oil gas contained in the gasses (231) relative to the input mass. The solids and residuals may constitute metal particles, non-pyrolyzable particles, sand, carbon fibre remains, and wax.

[0073] Outlet lock inert gas purging

[0074] In an embodiment the receiving tank downstream of the outlet lock (2420) is also purged with inert gas so as to avoid contaminatin of the reactor tank (2420) with Oxygen while removing the solids and residuals.

[0075] Helical wiper bands

[0076] In an embodiment of the invention said rotating conveyor device (200) comprises a helical wiper band (2130) arranged on outer ends of radial arms (2010) on said axle (2100). In and embodiment the helical wiper band (2130) forms an open helical structure, not a closed helical wing. The helical band (2130) is arranged with its outer edge close to the cylindrical inner wall of the reactor tank (201) in order to move unmelted particulate polymer material along the tank wall in order to redistribute heat and to avoid too quickly heated plastic material in contact with the inner wall. In an embodiment the helical wiper band (2130) comprises two counter winded helical wiper band portions centered about the solids and residuals scraper (2430) and the residuals outlet (24), please see particularly Fig. 6, so as to convey or shovel mass toward and away from the solids and residuals scraper (2430) and the outlet (24) depending on the rotation direction of the rotating conveyor device (200). In one rotating direction the rotating conveyor device (200) will, when residuals shall be removed from the reactor tank (201), shovel the residuals toward the residuals outlet (24). This is indicated in Fig. 6 as " rotating 2130 axial central gathering rotation direction, 2430 solids and residuals scrape-out rotation direction".

[0077] Paddle elements

[0078] In an embodiment of the invention said rotating stirrer device (200) further comprises

[0079] - paddles (2120) on said radial arms (2110), and

[0080] - end wall (202) scraper paddles (2122) arranged on radial arms (2110) adjacent to end walls (202). The paddles (2120) will contribute to kneading and stirring of the contained melting particle polymer mass under pyrolyzing, together with the kneading and stirring provided by the helical wiper band.

[0081] In an embodiment of the invention, please see Fig. 6, said paddles (2020) are axially directed in order to take up axially directed forces arising between said helical wiper band (2130) when rotating and the contained plastic particle mass in the reactor tank (201), and tangentially directed ribs (2121) orthogonal to said paddles (2020) arranged for taking up tangentially directed forces arising between the rotating helical wiper band (2130) and the contained plastic particle mass.

[0082] End wall scraper paddles In an embodiment of the invention, please see Fig. 6, and also Fig. 1 , said end wall (202) scraper paddles (2122) have instrument pipe socket slots (2123), for passage and cleaning of instrument pipe sockets (2124) installed. These pipe sockets (2124) extend through the end wall (202) and are then wiped almost clean to assure good thermal contact with the passing mass.

[0083] Compacted feed plug

[0084] In an embodiment of the invention said feeder inlet (21) is connected to a feeder inlet line (210) which provides an air proof compacted feed plug (211) of particulate polymer material. In a further embodiment of the invention said feeder inlet line (210) comprises a compacting pipe outlet (1410) of a compaction pipe (140) of an injector (1).

[0085] In and embodiment of the invention said air proof compacted feed plug (211) comprises oil-wet particulate polymer material and is arranged in said feeder inlet (21). Particularly, the feed plug (211) is established to provide an air proof feeder inlet (21) before inert gas purging of the reactor tank (201). Subsequently the feed plug (211) of compressed particulate polymer material is fed semi-continuously into the reactor tank (201) when filling. Advantageously, when filling, in order to avoid too rapid heating of the particulate polymer against a more or less dry inner reactor tank bottom, oil may be injected initially to form an initial receiving bath in the lower portion of the reactor tank. A feed plug (211) of compacted particulate polymer material may advantageously be left in the feeder inlet (21), and optionally left to cool, when halting the pyrolysis process intermittently to remove the solids and residuals, so as to be prepared for a new semi-continuous batch of particulate polymer particles.

[0086] Heating devices

[0087] In an embodiment of the invention said feeder inlet line (210) and / or said compacting pipe (140) is arranged with one or more pipe heating devices (212) arranged on the outside of the feeder inlet line (210) and I or the compacting pipe (140), please see Fig. 5b, or integrated in the pipe wall. The pipe heating devices (212) are used for heating the compacted plug of oil-wet particulate polymer material (211) to obtain the required plasticity and viscosity for the compacted plug to flow to and through the feeder inlet (21) to the reactor tank (201).

[0088] In an embodiment of the invention said tank heating device (22) comprises heating elements (220) arranged on an outer surface (231) of said reactor tank (201). In a further embodiment of the invention there are heating elements (220) arranged in several elevations of the reactor tank (201) which are independently controllable, so as for a lower set of heating elements (220) may be controlled to heat an initial bath of oil in the tank ahead of the injection of compacted polymer particle material , then subsequent elevation levels of heating elements (220) are arranged to be engaged and controlled depending on the mass level within the reactor tank (201).

[0089] Gas outlet manifold to condensers

[0090] In an embodiment of the invention said one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gasses (231) and other boiled off fluids from an upper part of said reactor tank (201) is connected to a gas outlet manifold (230) on said one or more gas outlets (23), please see Fig. 7, said gas outlet manifold (230) connected to a gas outlet line leading to a first gas condenser (3) arranged part of said liquefying pyrolysis produced gasses (231) for forming first liquefied pyrolysis fluids (PF1). Remaining parts, non-condensed pyrolysis produced gasses (231) in said first gas condenser (3) will be conducted further to a second gas condenser (3) for liquefying to second liquefied pyrolysis fluids (PF2).

[0091] Solids and residuals outlet

[0092] In an embodiment of the invention said solids and residuals outlet (24) further comprising;

[0093] - a closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) beyond said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420),

[0094] - said closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) comprising;

[0095] - at least one closed screw conveyor (2440),

[0096] - a solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) [preferably N2], and - a removable solids and residuals container (2431) often named "ash container",

[0097] - said at least one closed screw conveyor (2440) is leading from said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) to said removable solids and residuals container (2431), and said solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) is connected to least one closed screw conveyor (2440) and I or said removable solids and residuals container (2431).

[0098] More specific description of embodiments related to the Drawing Figures

[0099] Fig. 1 is a view of a naked pyrolysis reactor (2) wherein a cylindrical reactor tank's (201) cylindrical wall is omitted from the drawing. Feeder inlets (21) are arranged laterally through the cylindrical wall (2010) of the reactor tank (201). A motor is connected to rotate a centrically arranged mass conveyor device (20) in bearings at either end of the cylindrical tank and liquid and air-proof sealed. Tank inert gas purge lines (2011) are arranged through upper portions of circular end walls of the reactor tank (201). Pyrolysis product gas outlets (23) are arranged at the upper parts of the cylindrical reactor tank's (201) wall (2010). A solids and residuals outlet (24) with an air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) is arranged in the lower part of the cylindrical reactor tank's (201) wall (2010). In an embodiment the solids and residuals outlet (24) is arranged near the middle of the cylindrical reactor tank's (201) cylindrical wall. In an embodiment the solids and residuals outlet (24) is arranged in the path of a circumferentially rotating solids and residuals scraper (2430) arranged for displacing solids and residuals into the solids and residuals outlet (24). The solids and residuals scraper (2430) is used, particularly after a "boil-out" of pyrolyzable polymer material at the end of a semi-continuous cycle, please see Fig. 9.

[0100] Fig. 2 is a vertical section and view of a horizontal section through the pyrolysis reactor (2) as sectioned at the level of the centric axis of the cylindrical reactor tank (201). The mass conveyor device (20) is shown in an embodiment of a rotatable conveyor device (200). The Solids and residuals outlet (24) is shown below the middle of the rotatable conveyor device (200). The air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) is partly visible with an actuator portion extending out at an angle laterally below the cylindrical reactor tank (201). In the embodiment shown here the rotating conveyor device (200) comprises two separate, oppsositely winded helical wiper bands (2130) centered on their common axle and above the position of the solids and residuals outlet (24).

[0101] Fig. 3 illustrates an end view of the cylindrical reactor tank (201) and a section view of one of the feeder inlets (21). It illustrates a compacted particulate polymer material feed plug (211) residing in the feeder inlet (21) and a feeder inlet line (210) from an injector (1). The compacted material feed plug (211) is established ahead of each semicontinuous injection of a batch (b1, b2, ...) and is continuously fed in through the cylindrical tank's (201) feeder inlet (21) during the feeding of each batch. If a subsequent batch (b2, b3, ..) shall be fed in, likewise a compacted material feed plug (211) is left behind to air seal the inlet (21). Internal components such as the rotatable conveyor device (200) are illustrated in dashed lines.

[0102] Fig. 4 is an oppsite end view of the cylindrical reactor tank (201) compared to the view of Fig. 3. A pyrolyzed oil return inlet (25) is shown through an upper portion of the circular end plate (26) of the cylindrical reactor tank (201). A view of the air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) is shown at the bottom of the tank. In an embodiment of the invention the air proof outlet lock (2420) comprises a knife valve element. As above, internal components such as the rotatable conveyor device (200) is illustrated in dashed lines.

[0103] Fig. 5A is a vertical section of the reactor tank (201) with its rotatable conveyor device (200). Here is shown a solids and residuals scraper (2430) arranged for sweeping the inner surface cylindrical wall (2010) of the reactor tank (201) and for sweeping particularly solids and residuals remaining after the completed pyrolysis cycle into the solids and residuals outlet (24). In the shown embodiment the solids and residuals scraper (2430) is positioned in an intermediate axial position between the counter directed helical wiper bans (2130) so as for cooperating the centrally collecting action of solids and residuals by the helical wiper bands (2130) rotating in one direction with the final sweeping out action of the residuals scraper (2430). Fig. 5B is a vertical section and view of the reactor tank (201) at a section across the residuals outlet (24), together with a view and vertical section of a compacting pipe (140) from an injector (1), connected to the feeder inlet line (210) connected to the inlet (21) and filled with a static or moving compacted plug of oil-wet particulate polymer material. Solids and residuals from the air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) is dropped into a closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240). To the right hand side of Fig. 5B is illustrated an injector auger pipe (10) of a pyrolysis injector (1), with a an auger screw (130) for screw feeding shredded particular polymer material into the feeder inlet line (210).

[0104] Fig. 5C is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention of a closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) arranged to receive solids and residuals from the air proof outlet lock (2420). The closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) comprises at least one closed screw conveyor (2440), a solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) [preferably N2], and a removable solids and residuals container (2431). The closed screw conveyor (2440) is connected to the air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) and conveys solids and residuals to removable solids and residuals container (2431). The inert purge line (2410) is connected to at least one closed screw conveyor (2440) and I or the removable solids and residuals container (2431), here at the tank.

[0105] Fig. 5C further illustrates an embodiment of the inveniton wherein the closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) further comprises a second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421), arranged beyond said at least one closed screw conveyor (2440) and adjacent to said removable solids and residuals container (2431). In an embodiment of the invention the solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) is connected between said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) and said second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421).

[0106] In an embodiment of the invention the second air proof ash outlet lock second (2421) is closed to isolate the first and I or second closed screw conveyor (2440) before releasing vacuum in the removable solids and residuals container (2431) and releasing and removing it for further processing. Advantageously the inert gas is maintained in the closed screw conveyor and only the newly replaced solids and residuals container (2431) needs new inert flushing before the operation is resumed.

[0107] Fig. 6 is an isometric drawing of an embodiment of the invention, showing a rotating conveyor device (200) comprising a so-called "ash scraper", a solids and residuals scraper (2430) extending from said axle (2100) adjacent to said "waste ash" solids and residuals outlet (24) toward the internal cylindrical surface of said reactor tank (201), please see particluarly Fig. 5a and 5b. A rotation direction arrow is shown to the right about the axle 2100 for rotating the helical wiper band (2130) for axial spreading away from solids and residuals outlet (24), and an opposite rotation direction for conveying solids and residuals toward the solids and residuals scraper (2430) and thus for placing the solids and residuals in a position to be conveyed into the solids and residuals outlet (24).

[0108] Fig. 6B is a detail of an embodiment of the invention wherein the solids and residuals scraper (2130) is arranged alternatively between inner ends of an oppositely directed pair of helical wiper bands (2130). This embodiment prevents solids and residuals to spill sideways of the solids and residuals scraper (2430).

[0109] Fig. 7 illustrates in an isometric view of the reactor (2) with the cylindrical wall (2010) and the supporting frame removed from the view, an embodiment of the invention wherein said one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gasses (231) and other boiled off fluids from an upper part of said reactor tank (201) is connected to a gas outlet manifold (230) on said one or more gas outlets (23) on top of the reactor tank (201). At the lower part of the tank (201) is shown the solids and residuals outlet (24) with the air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420). This perspective showing the rotating conveyor device (200) with the two helical bands (2130) and the solids and residuals scraper (2430) in this rotational position illustrates in a convincing way that the two counter-winded helical wiper bands (2130) may gather solids and residuals in an axial-parallel direction toward the solids and residuals outlet, in order to collect solids and residuals for being finally shoveled into the solids and residuals outlet (240) by the solids and residuals scraper (2430).

[0110] Fig. 8 illustrates in principle the use of the present invention, showing fed-in amount of particulate polymer material, pyrolysis production rate (P) and temperature (T) in the residing polymer mass in the reactor tank (201), for a semicontinuous pyrolysis process with batch feeding in general, here shown in a first and a second batch (b1 , b2) of particulate polymer material, cumulative, as function of time (t), temperature in the bath in the reactor tank (201), and production rate (P1 , P2) of the pyrolysis process. Generally, pyrolysis production of light component, short carbon chain length occur first during heating, first dominated by evaporation of light, short carbon chains and pyrolysis produced light, short carbon chains, and heavier component, long carbon chain lengths occur later during heating. This keeps the temperature T to about the boiling points of the lighter components present in the reactor tank (201) gradually increasing as the evaporation of steadily heavier components proceed.

[0111] Fig. 9 illustrates in more detail, graphs as a function of time (t) a semi-continuous pyrolysis process using the pyrolysis reactor of the present invention. Graphs illustrating a start-up pyrolysis process of a fist batch (b1) from cold along a first temperature (T1) is illustrated in the left half portion of the graphs, and a second and subsequent pyrolysis process is illustrated in the right hand portion of the graphs initially starting at an elevated temperature (T2), which is higher than the starting temperature for a first temperature (T1) which heats up from ambient temperature, please also see Fig. 8. The curves for a subsequent batch (b3, ...) may look very similar to the curves of the second batch (b2), except for the difference due to not cooling the tank to ambient temperature before starting injection of the second batch (b2).

[0112] Fig. 10 is an overview of main components of a pyrolysis system (0) wherein the pyrolysis reactor (2) of the invention may be used. A pyrolysis injector (1) receives shredded polymer materials and injects it into the pyrolysis reactor (2), pyrolysis produced gasses are fed to a heavy fraction condenser (3), which forwards gas to a medium and light fraction condenser (4, 5), both using a cooling system (6), and sends pyrolyzed heavy oil, pyrolyzed medium oil, and pyrolyzed light oil to storage tanks (8). Some of the pyrolyis produced oils are returned via return line (31) to enter at least the pyrolyzed oil return inlet (25) . The solids and residuals discharge system (7) receives solids and residuals from the pyrolysis reactor (2).

[0113] Fig. 11 diagrammatically shows a part of a feeder device (1) for the pyrolysis system (0), comprising a screw conveyor (180), for providing particulate polymeric material from a buffer day silo with a particulate polymeric material agitator, for conveying said particulate polymeric material to a reservoir (160) and further to a lateral auger pipe inlets (1120) of pyrolysis injectors (1).

[0114] Fig. 12 diagrammatically illustrates two pyrolysis injectors (1) in parallel, and wherein each of the pyrolysis injectors (1) comprises a compacting pipe (140) with heating elements (1420) and inlet line (210) with heating elements (212), wherein said inlet lines (210) are further connected to the pyrolysis reactor (2) of the invention. Fig. 12 also illustrates the oil return line (31) from beyond connected condensers (3, 4, 5).

[0115] Fig. 13 diagrammatically shows a pyrolysis reactor (2) comprising the inlet lines (210) from the pyrolysis injectors (1), pyrolysis gasses outlets (23) and the manifold (230) for pyrolysis produced gasses (231). Said pyrolysis gasses (231) are forwarded from said manifold (230) to a first condenser (3) for heavy fractions, subsequently to a second and third condenser (4,5) for lighter fractions. Fig. 13. also illustrates the solids and residuals line to solids and residuals discharge system (7), as illustrated in Fig. 14.

[0116] Fig. 14 diagrammatically shows the solids and residuals discharge system (7) with lines from the pyrolysis reactor (2) solids and residuals outlet (24). The inert gas system is connected both to the solids and residuals screw conveyor and the disposal container for flushing with inert gas. Fig. 13 and 14 also shows diagrammatically the interconnection with the inert gas system (8).

[0117] Fig. 15 diagrammatically shows inlet of pyrolysis gasses (231) from the manifold (230) on the pyrolysis reactor (2), and pyrolysis fluids to storage tank (8) and back to pyrolysis injector (1) and pyrolysis reactor (2) by oil return line (31), non condensed gasses are forwarded to the subsequent condensers (4, 5) for further processing to extract medium and I or light pyrolysis produced fluids.

[0118] Fig. 16 diagrammatically shows inlet line from the first condenser (3), and condensed fluids are led to storage tanks (8). Part of said condensed fluids are returned back to pyrolysis injector (1) and I or pyrolysis reactor (2) by oil return line (31), non condensed gasses are forwarded to the subsequent condenser (5) for final condensation or compression.

[0119] Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic illustration of a cooling system (6) comprising a fin fan (or optionally a water cooler skid, or optionally a heat pump cooler skid, as cooling source, and lines for connection to a first, second and third condensers (3, 4, 5).

[0120] Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of a inert gas bank (8) and lines connected to the pyrolysis reactor (2), solids I residuals discharge system (7) and first and second condensers (3, 4).

[0121] Fig. 19 is a symbolic description for the diagrammatic illustrations.

[0122] Tables of reference numerals

[0123] The following reference numbers refer to the drawings:

[0124]

[0125] Discussion of the graphs in Fig. 9, first batch and second batch.

[0126] First batch

[0127] A first injection of a first batch (b1) of cumulative particulate polymer mass injected is shown in first injection graph (b1) in the left half portion of Fig. 9. A typical cumulative mass of the first batch (b1) may be 1000 - 10000 kg. In an embodiment of the invention the cumulative mass is 3000 - 8000 kg. In a further embodiment of the invention the cumulative mass is 4500 - 5500 kg. The time for injecting and pyrolyzing batch (b1) or (b2) may extend over 4 to 10 or more hours. inert flushing

[0128] An inert atmosphere in the reactor tank (201) is established by flushing with inert gas such as Nitrogen, or other gases non or relative non-reactive under normal circumstances, via tank inert purge lines (2011), subsequent to closing the air proof residuals and solids outlet lock (2420), and running the injector (1) to form an air proof compacted plug (211) of oil-wet particulate polymer material in the feeder inlet line (210). initial oil bath

[0129] In an embodiment of the invention oil is introduced to the reactor tank (201) prior to the injection of the first batch (b1). The oil in the reactor tank (201) is heated along a temperature curve (T1). The temperature of f the initial oil bath to prepare the reactor tank (201) for the initial injection of the first batch (1) is shown in the steeply rising early part of temperature curve (T1). The temperature in the polymer bath during heat-up of the semi-continuously fed first batch (b1) is indicated as the subsequent part of first temperature graph (T1) after the arrow marked "injection starts". An advantage of having warm oil in the lower portion of the reactor tank (201) is to efficiently heat the initially injected particulate polymer material and to have a good heat distribution in the particulate polymer material. Another advantage of having warm oil in the lower portion of the reactor tank (201) is to distribute heat conducted through the tank wall (2010) from the heating elements (220) arranged on an outer surface (231) of said reactor tank (201), which could otherwise overheating the tank wall (2010), thus avoiding undesired high-temperature reactions in the particulate polymer material, such as wax formation, instead of melting and pyrolyzation. remaining polymer mass present

[0130] Remaining polymer mass (excluding residuals and solids) is illustrated in remaining polymer mass curve (R1) as a function of time and temperature. The mass curve (R1) is an indication and not a model, nor a measurement. As temperature rises, particulate polymer materials injected will melt and pyrolyze and gradually evaporate. Initially, easily evaporating shorter carbon chain lengths will keep the boiling point of the melting polymer particle mass in the reactor tank (201) and pyrolysis products at a first temperature level. This relatively lower first temperature level may be maintained because compacted particulate polymer material injected usually is of a rather homogenuous quality and well mixed before injection, it has, after all, most probably been collected as unsorted waste plastic from several sources, gone through a washing and shredding process to reduce particle size for all to fit to enter the injector. As pyrolyis proceeds and the shorter carbon chain lengths are boiled off to exit the reactor tank (201), the boiling point of pyrolyzed products of increasing lengths will increase, as indicated along the temperature curve (T1). solids & residuals Cumulative solids and potential residuals (C1) is shown as a slash-dot curve and illustrates cumulative solids and residuals existing in the reactor tank (201) as a proportional function of injected particulate polymer mass and time, which actually only illustrates that solids and potential residuals are present, and which are not pyrolyzed nor evaporated, and reach a final level of solids and residuals after feeding is intermitted and the final boil-out occurs. Experiments shows typical amount of solids and residuals to be about 5%, but will vary and it is dependent on the oil-wet particulate polymer material introduced for pyrolysis. For example will waste plastic bags produce far less solids and residuals than waste tyres which comprise steel chord, metal studs, soot, etc. first pyrolysis production

[0131] A first batch production of pyrolysed products may be illustrated by the pyrolyzed production curve (P1) which comprises roughly four parts:

[0132] (P1a) describes the initial evaporation and pyrolysis production of light components including short carbon chains from the fed particulate polymer materials. Melting and evaporation may dominate over pyrolysis produced light carbon chains.

[0133] The subsequent part (P1b) illustrates pyrolysis production of light to intermediate pyrolysis produced carbon chains gathering pace due to increasing temperature and increasing volume of fed-in polymer mass in the batch (b1).

[0134] The production of intermediate carbon chain length pyrolysis products may accelerate in phase (P1c) and may transition into beginning producing longer carbon chains with increasing temperature but the production may flatten out as the (P1c) phase produces less and less intermediate length carbon chains. Less easily pyrolyzed material would remain when the pyrolysis production of intermediate carbon chain lengths (P1c) flattens out, less material of the first batch (b1) remains in the pyrolysis tank (201) and the temperature (T1) increases in the reduced volume of less easily evaporating mass, which has increasingly high boling temperature, is boiled out after the feeding is halted. An advantage of the present invention is that remaining solids and residuals generally reside in the controlledly heated bath of melted polymer materials during pyrolyzation, the solids and residuals particles do not form dry dust, they do to a very little degree blow off with the pyrolysis product gasses (231) via the pyrolysis gas outlets (23) of the tank. This may advantageously reduce or remove the need for a scrubber downstream of the manifold (230) which leads to the first gas condenser (3).

[0135] The pyrolyzing out of remaining polymers to longer carbon chains under the phase (P1d) during boil-out at an elevated temperature results in a reduced rate of pyrolysis production of longer carbon chains. When the pyrolysis production of longer carbon chains significantly reduces, heating is halted and the temperature (T1) is decreased, not to ambient temperature, but to a temperature ready for receiving a second batch (b2) or a subsequent batch.

[0136] Another advantage of the present invention is that normally, there is little or no need to inert flush the reactor between completion of pyrolyzing the first batch (b1) and beginning the feeding of a subsequential batch (b2), as the feeder inlet (21), the solids and residuals outlet (24) are both gas proof, and the gas outlets (23) lead to inert controlled downstream condensers, no entering of oxygen is incurred during removal of solids and residuals particles. The solids and residuals particles are scaped out through an air proof solids and residuals particles outlet lock (2420) by means of a solids and residuals particles scraper (2430), wherein the receiving side is inert flushed, too. solids and residuals removal

[0137] When the pyrolysis production of long carbon chains decreases towards nil, mainly solids, such as metal and glass and rock particles remain, or other non-pyrolyzed residuals remain in the pyrolysis tank. Empirically from a previous, continuous pyrolysis apparatus prototype preceding the present invention, about 5% to 15% of solids and residuals may remain at a corresponding stage near the end of complete pyrolysis. For pyrolyzing plastic bags and the like, there may be little solids and residuals, but for tyres the steel belts and cord may constitute 10% to 15% or more of the waste tyre.

[0138] If the amount of solids and residuals is acceptably low after pyrolyzing the first batch (b1) no scrape-out of solids and residuals is required; the second batch (b2) may be introduced. If, however, the amount of solids and residuals is above a set amount after pyrolyzing of the first batch (b1) is finished, a scrape-out of solids and residuals is required.

[0139] After the boil-out stage, when solids and residuals have accumulated in sufficient amounts to be removed, the solids and residuals are conveyed by the rotating conveyor device (200) in an axial-paralel direction toward the solids and residuals outlet, in order to remove solids and residuals from the reactor tank (201), the air proof solids and residuals outlet (2420) is opened (and the closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) is flushed and under inert condidtions) for being finally shovelled into the solids and residuals outlet (240). Subsequently the air proof solids and residuals outlet (2420) is closed.

[0140] At the removal of solids and residuals stage after having pyrolyzed the first batch (b 1 ), however, the temperature of the tank does not need to be decreased to ambient temperature, but maintained at a temperature ready for receiving the second batch (b2). An advantage here is reduction of energy loss by avoiding partially re-heating the reactor tank (201) from ambient before starting injecting the second batch (b2). maintaining inert atmosphere

[0141] When halting feeding from the injector (1) which inadvertently forms an air proof compacted plug (211) of oil-wet particulate polymer material in the feeder inlet line (210), is that when halting the feeding of the first batch (b1), the latest formed air proof compacted plug (211) remains sealing the feeder inlet line (210) and thus the feeder inlet (21). Second batch second injection

[0142] A second injection comprising a second batch (b2) of cumulative particulate polymer mass injected is shown in second injection graph (b2) in the right half portion of Fig. 9. inert atmosphere maintained

[0143] The inert atmosphere in the reactor tank (201) is maintained before the injection of the second batch. If required, maintenance flushing with inert gas is made. The air proof residuals and solids outlet lock (2420) remains closed. The air proof compacted plug (211) of oil-wet particulate polymer material seals the feeder inlet line (210). second oil bath

[0144] In an embodiment of the invention oil is introduced to the reactor tank (201) ahead of the injection of the second batch (b2). The temperature (T2) in the polymer bath during start of injection and heat-up of the second batch (b2) is indicated as second temperature graph (T2). As pyrolyzed oil has been produced during the processing of the first batch (b1), produced oil from (b1) may be taken hot or cooled from the condensed pyrolysis produced oil from the first and I or second condenser, please see the initial part of temperature curve (T2) of Fig. 9, or the oil is heated corresponding to an elevated initial temperature (T2) before entering the pyrolyzed oil return inlet (25), to prepare the reactor tank (201) for injection of the second batch (b2). In this way unnecessary cooling of the reactor tank (201) at the start of injection of the second batch (b2) is avoided. The advantage of having warm oil in the bottom portion of the reactor tank (201) remains as above for the first batch (b1). remaining polymer mass present

[0145] Remaining polymer mass ex. residuals and solids is illustrated in remaining polymer mass curve (R2) for the second batch (b2) as a function of time and temperature, similar to the processing of the first batch (b1). At the higher initial temperature (T2) , particulate polymer materials injected into the reactor tank (201) will start melting and I or pyrolyzing earlier for the second batch (b2) compared to the first batch (b 1 ), and gradually boil-off and evaporate, and the pyrolysis production rate (P2a) may be higher for the second, pre-heated pyrolysis process for batch (b2) compared to the first batch (b1). solids & residuals

[0146] Cumulative solids and potential residuals (C2) is shown as a slash-dot curve and illustrates cumulative solids and residuals existing in the reactor tank (201) as for the first batch (b1) above. second pyrolysis production

[0147] The second batch (b2) injection for production of pyrolysed products may be illustrated by the pyrolyzed production curve (P2) in the right half portion of Fig. 9, which, as for the first batch (b1) comprises roughly four parts, of which particularly the first part may differ in the initial phase:

[0148] (P2a) describes the initial evaporation and pyrolysis production of light components including short carbon chains from the fed particulate polymer materials. As this phase (P2a) occurs in a pre-heated pyrolysis tank (201) and environment, the temperature (T2) may initially rise faster to a slightly elevated level for the second batch (b2). Thus the initial second phase (P2a) for the second batch (b2) may provide more evaporation and more initial production of short-chained pyrolyzed materials than for the first batch (b1).

[0149] The subsequent part (P2b) illustrates pyrolysis production of light to intermediate pyrolysis produced carbon chains gathering pace as fed-in mass (b2) and temperature (T2) rises as the production of intermediate pyrolysis products of increasing length require a correspondingly increasing boiling point. The production of intermediate carbon chain length pyrolysis products may accelerate in phase (P2c) similar to the curve (P1c) but may accelerate faster initially due to a generally pre-heated, non-cooled tank and frame and manifold environment. As for the first batch (b1), for the second batch (b2) the production rate (P2b) may transition into producing longer carbon chains with increasing temperature, and the production may flatten out as the (P2c) phase produces less and less shorter carbon chains. As for the first batch (b1), in the second batch (b2) less easily pyrolyzed material would remain when the pyrolysis production of intermediate carbon chain lengths, the production of pyrolyzed materials curve (P2c) flattens out, less material of the semi-continuously injected second batch (b2) remains in the pyrolysis tank (201) and the temperature (T2) increases in the reduced volume of less easily evaporating mass is boiled out after the feeding of the second batch (b2) is halted.

[0150] The subsequent process for the second batch (b2) occurs much similar to what occurs for the first process for the batch (b1). With the pyrolyzing out of remaining polymers into longer carbon chains under the phase (P2d) during boil-out at an elevated temperature results in a reduced rate of pyrolysis production.. When the pyrolysis production of longer carbon chains significantly reduces, mostly un- pyrolyzable solids and residuals remain in the tank, heating is halted and the temperature (T2) is decreased, not to ambient temperature, but to a temperature ready for receiving a third or subsequent batch (b3, b4, etc.). solids and residuals removal

[0151] As for the first batch (b1). A third or subsequent batch (b3, ...) may be injected.

Claims

Claims1. A pyrolysis reactor (2), comprising:- a cylindrical reactor tank (201),- a tank inert purge line (2011);- a mass conveyor device (20) comprising- a rotating conveyor device (200) on a motor driven axle (2100) axially arranged in said cylindrical reactor tank (201),- a feeder inlet (21);- a tank heating device (22);- one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gas (231) arranged on an upper part of said reactor tank (201), characterized by said rotating conveyor device (200) comprising;- a solids and residuals scraper (2430) extending from said axle (2100) adjacent to- a solids / residuals outlet (24) arranged in a lower part of said reactor tank (201), with air proof solids / residuals outlet lock (2420), said solids and residuals scraper (2430) arranged for displacing solids I residuals to said solids I residuals outlet (24).

2. A pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 1, wherein said rotating conveyor device (200) comprising;- a helical wiper band (2130) arranged on outer ends of radial arms (2010) on said axle (2100).

3. A pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 1, wherein said rotating conveyor device (200) further comprising;- paddles (2120) on said radial arms (2110), and- end wall (202) scraper paddles (2122) arranged on radial arms (2110) adjacent to end walls (202).

4. A pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 3, wherein said end wall (202) scraper paddles (2122) have instrument pipe socket slots (2123), for passage and cleaning of instrument pipe socket (2124) installed .

5. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said feeder inlet (21) is further connected to a feeder inlet line (210) arranged for containing an air proof compacted feed plug (211) of particulate polymer material.

6. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an injector (1) is connected to said feeder inlet (21) is arranged to feed said air proof compacted feed plug (211) of oil-wet particulate polymer material.

7. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said feeder inlet line (210) and / or said compacting pipe (140) is arranged with one or more pipe heating devices (212).

8. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said tank heating device (22) comprising heating elements (220) on an outer surface (231) of said reactor tank (201).

9. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more gas outlets (23) for pyrolysis produced gasses (231) [and other boiled off fluids] from an upper part of said reactor tank (201) is connected to- a gas outlet manifold (230) on said one or more gas outlets (23) said gas outlet manifold (230) connected to a gas outlet line leading to a first gas condenser (3) arranged for forming first liquefied pyrolysis fluids (PF1).

10. The pyrolysis reactor (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein said solids and residuals outlet (24) further comprising;- a closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) beyond said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420),- said closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) comprising;- at least one closed screw conveyor (2440),- an solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) [preferably N2], and- a removable solids and residuals container (2431), wherein- said at least one closed screw conveyor (2440) is leading from said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) to said removable solids and residuals container (2431), and said solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) is connected to least one closed screw conveyor (2440) and I or said removable solids and residuals container (2431).

11. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 10, wherein said closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) further comprising;- a second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421), arranged beyond said at least one closed screw conveyor (2440) and adjacent to said removable solids and residuals container (2431), wherein said solids and residuals system inert purge line (2410) is connected between said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420) and said second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421).

12. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 10 or 11, closed solids and residuals outlet chamber system (240) further comprising;- a purge venting line with a check valve (2411) connected to said removable solids and residuals container (2431) and leading to open air.

13. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cylindrical reactor tank (201) having a horizontal main axis .

14. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 13, wherein said horizontal cylindrical reactor tank is arranged in a supporting frame (2411).

15. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 14, wherein said horizontal cylindrical reactor tank is arranged in two or more thermal expansional support brackets of said supporting frame (2411).

16. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according one of the preceding claims, wherein said pyrolysis reactor (2) is part of a pyrolysis system (0), wherein said pyrolysis system (0) further comprising;- at least one condenser (3, 4, 5), wherein said at least one condenser (3, 4, 5) is connected to beyond said pyrolysis product gas outlet (23).

17. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 16, wherein said cylindrical reactor tank (201) further comprises;- a pyrolyzed oil return inlet (25) connected to a pyrolyzed oil return supply line (31) from said at least one condenser (3, 4, 5).

18. The pyrolysis reactor (2) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said pyrolysis system (0) further comprising;- a cooling system (6) arranged for cooling said condensers (3, 4, 5).

19. A method of pyrolyzing oil-wet polymer particulate material, comprising the following steps: a) provide said pyrolysis reactor (2) according to any of claim 1-18, b) establish said air proof compacted feed plug (211) of particulate oil-wet polymer particulate material, in said feeder inlet (21); c) close said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420); d) purge said cylindrical reactor tank (201), using inert gas supplied on said tank inert purge line (2011); e1) use said heater device (22) to heat said reactor tank (201); e2) start said mass conveyor device (20) in said reactor tank (201) and f) heat said reactor tank (201) to a first temperature level (T); g) feed a batch (b1 , b2, .. ) of said particulate oil-wet polymer particulate material, by feeding said air proof compacted feed plug (211) to enter through said feeder inlet (21), disintegrate and melt in said cylindrical reactor tank (201), while forming pyrolysis produced gasses (231) in said cylindrical reactor tank (201);h) allow a flow of said pyrolysis produced gasses (231) to exit via said one or more gas outlets (23), i) use said mass conveyor device (20) while accumulating solids and residuals in remaining melted mass of said oil-wet particulate polymer material; j) hold feeding of said air proof compacted feed plug (211); k) continue to heat said reactor tank (201) to a second temperature level higher than said first temperature level while forming pyrolysis produced gasses (231); l) continue to use said mass conveyor device (20) while further accumulating solids and residuals in said melted mass of oil-wet particulate polymer material, until said batch (b1 , b2, ..) is pyrolyzed, m) open said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420); n) use said mass conveyor device (20) for removing the accumulated solids and residuals through said solids and residuals outlet (24), o) close said air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2420).

20. The method of pyrolyzing oil-wet polymer particulate material according to claim 19, wherein in step (I), continuing to use said mass conveyor device (20) while further accumulating solids and residuals in said melted mass of oil-wet particulate polymer material, until said batch (b1 , b2, ..) is pyrolyzed,- until said pyrolysis produced gasses (231) flow through said one or more gas outlets (23) is reduced below a predetermined flow value, or- until generally all of said melted mass of oil-wet particulate polymer material is pyrolyzed and generally only solids and residuals remains, or- until a given predefined time value after the initial injection of said batch (b1 , b2, ..) is reached, or- until a predefined weight of said reactor tank (201) is reached, or- until a predefined mass or weight of oil-wet particulate polymer has been feed through said feeder (1).

21. The method of pyrolyzing oil-wet polymer particulate material according to claim 19, comprising the steps of: p) close said second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421);q) remove said removable solids and residuals container (2431) and replace it; r) purge with inert gas said removable solids and residuals container (2431), s) open said second air proof solids and residuals outlet lock (2421); 22. The method of pyrolyzing oil-wet polymer particulate material according to claim19 or 20, comprising the steps of: t) decrease, if necessary, increase, temperature in said reactor tank (201) until said first temperature level, u) start again from point g).

23. The method of pyrolyzing oil-wet polymer particulate material according to any of claims -19-22, v) leave said air proof compacted feed plug (211) of particulate oil-wet polymer particulate material, to form an air proof seal in said feeder inlet (21) before feeding of a subsequent batch (b2, ...).

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