GB178157A - Improvements in and relating to the distillation of solid hydrocarboncontaining materials - Google Patents

Abstract

178,157. Knibbs, N. V. S. Dec. 7, 1920. Coking processes; retorts. - Coal, shale, lignite &c. are distilled in inclined rotating retorts by direct contact with the combustion gases obtained by burning within the chamber the less volatile or non volatile residues produced during the distillation, with or without additional heat from an external source. Screened material is fed into a hopper 1 and is delivered bv the worm 2 into the retort 3 which is supported on rollers 4 and is driven by means of the gear 5. To prevent excessive heating, and to increase the yield of ammonia, air, neutral gas, water, or steam, or any desired mixture, may be introduced into the lower end of the retort by a fan 6 through the pipe 7. The draught is regulated so that the distillation zone occupies about one-half the length of the retort nearer the hopper 1. In this zone the material is pre-heated by the combustion gases, the air supply being controlled to prevent the presence of any free oxygen. In the second zone, about one-quarter of the length of the retort, the non-volatile or less volatile carbon-containing residues are burnt, whilst in the final zone the mineral residues are cooled by the incoming air, which is thereby heated. The inorganic residues fall into the pit 8 and are removed by an elevator 9. The pressure and temperature conditions may be modified to vary the character of the distillate. According to the Provisional Specification the less volatile or non-volatile carbon-containing residues, instead of being burnt in the distillation chamber, may be discharged from that chamber into a separate combustion chamber, such as a gas-producer, there to be more or less completely burnt in order to produce the hot gases necessary for carrying out the distillation of the hydro-carbon-containing material in the rotating treatment chamber.