System for conveying hydrocarbonaceous material in a retort structure

Abstract

A system for conveying material in a high volume, substantially continuous retort process. In the system a material is introduced into the retort and forms a live pile atop a distribution system. As the material falls through the distribution system it is heated to pyrolyze any organic matter. The resulting hydrocarbons are collected and the material is collected at a bottom of the retort structure.

1 . A system for conveying hydrocarbonaceous material in a retort process, the system comprising:
 a retort structure having a volume enclosed by a wall, a floor, and a ceiling, the retort structure having an upper material inlet and a lower material outlet;   a support column disposed in the enclosed volume;   a first bridge connecting the support column and the wall at a first level;   a second bridge connecting the support column and the wall at the first level;   a first grate at the first level between the first bridge and the second bridge, the first grate supported by the first bridge and the second bridge;   a first rake system disposed above the first grate; and   a rotating auger disposed proximate the floor, the auger configured to sweep material into the lower material outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third bridge disposed at a second level below the first level, the third bridge connecting the support column and the wall; 
 a fourth bridge disposed at the second level, the fourth bridge connecting the support column and the wall; 
 a second grate at the second level between the third bridge and the fourth bridge, the second grate supported by the third bridge and the fourth bridge; and 
 a second rake system disposed above the second grate. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a fifth bridge disposed at a third level below the second level, the fifth bridge connecting the support column and the wall; 
 a sixth bridge disposed at the third level, the sixth bridge connecting the support column and the wall; 
 a third grate at the third level between the fifth bridge and the sixth bridge, the third grate supported by the fifth bridge and the sixth bridge; and 
 a third rake system disposed above the third grate. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an auger bridge disposed at an auger level above the first level, the auger bridge connecting the wall and the support column, the auger bridge having an auger suspended therefrom. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the auger has a central axis that is substantially horizontal relative to the floor and wherein the auger is adapted to rotate about the central axis and to sweep about a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a heat source disposed proximate the first grate; and 
 a cover disposed above the heat source, the cover adapted to divert material around the heat source. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the heat source is selected from the group consisting of: heated gas, hot recycle gas, a microwave device, a nuclear plant, a solid oxide fuel cell, solar energy, molten salt, geothermal heat sources, and combinations of the same. 
     
     
         8 . A system for conveying hydrocarbonaceous material in a retort process, the system comprising:
 a retort structure having a volume enclosed by a wall, a floor and a ceiling, the retort structure having an upper material inlet and a lower material outlet;   a first grate suspended in the volume a first level between the floor and the ceiling;   a first rake disposed above the first grate;   a first temperature control disposed proximate the first grate and adapted to change a temperature of hydrocarbonaceous material proximate the first grate from an input temperature to a pyrolysis temperature;   a second grate suspended in the volume at a second level between the first level and the floor;   a second rake disposed above the first grate;   a second temperature control disposed proximate the second grate and adapted to change a temperature of material proximate the second grate from the pyrolysis temperature to a different temperature; and   an auger disposed proximate the floor, the auger disposed to sweep the material into the lower material outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a second auger disposed above the first grate, the second auger adapted to sweep in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the floor and convey the material above the first grate. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a third auger disposed above the second grate, the third auger adapted to sweep in a second substantially horizontal plane relative to the floor and convey the material between the first grate and the second grate. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first temperature control comprises nozzles for injecting heated gas into the material. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the second temperature control comprises nozzles for injecting steam into the material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the first rake is adapted to scrape the first grate causing the material to fall through the first grate towards the second grate. 
     
     
         14 . A system for conveying material in a retort process, the system comprising:
 a cylindrical retort structure having a volume enclosed by a circumferential wall, a circular floor and a circular ceiling, the retort structure having an upper material inlet and a lower material outlet;   a vertical support column disposed in a center of the enclosed volume;   a first bridge connecting the central support column and the circumferential wall at a first level;   a second bridge connecting the central support column and the circumferential wall at the first level;   a first grate at the first level between the first bridge and the second bridge, the first grate supported by the first bridge and the second bridge, the first grate having solid portions and open portions;   a temperature control mechanism disposed above the open portions;   a cover covering the temperature control mechanism;   a rake system adapted to rake the material off of the solid portion and into the open portion allowing the material to fall through the first grate; and   a rotating auger disposed proximate the floor, the auger configured to sweep material into the lower material outlet.