GB477491A - Improved apparatus for the distillation of schists, shales and other solid materials - Google Patents

Abstract

477,491. Retorts for destructive distillation. SOC. GENERALE DE FOURS A COKE, SYSTEMES LECOCQ, SOC. ANON. Dec. 23, 1936, No. 35313. Convention date, Jan. 3. [Class 55 (i)] Oil shale, schist or bituminous sandstone, or other solid which does not agglomerate at high temperature is fed in small pieces (1 to 40 mm.) into a number of vertical retorts 1 made up of superposed sections each having a lower portion whose cross section gradually increases towards the base, and an upper portion of smaller height whose cross section increases towards the top. Down the centre of each retort passes a hollow perforated rotary tube 12 on the outside of which is a helical flange 14 which tends to raise the central part of the charge, and to break up the agglomerations which rest on the constricted portions of the retort sections so that the average speed of the central and peripheral portions of the charge through the retort are substantially equal. The charge is fed from a screw 4, and the amount passing into each feeding tube 2 is controlled by flaps 5. Each perforated tube 12 is provided with a piston 15, for separating the low temperature distillation products, such as carbon dioxide and sulphuretted hydrogen, which pass to the outlet 16, from the higher temperature products which pass downwards to an outlet 18. Steam generated by contact of the hot residue with the water in a lower seal enters through an inlet 17, and mixes with the outgoing distillates. The retorts are heated externally by gas burners 6, the combustion products escaping through opposed outlets 7. The temperature of the charge is maintained between 450 and 650‹ C.