Pyrolysis retort methods and apparatus

Abstract

A pyrolysis surface such as a rotating retort is provided by copper sheet supported by a nickel alloy framework. Pyrolysis is used to destroy calorific waste and/or to produce gas therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pyrolysis apparatus comprising: a retort structure, the retort structure comprising a sheet of a high thermal conductivity metal affixed to a framework of a high temperature strength metal, wherein the high thermal conductivity metal comprises copper. 
     
     
         2 . A pyrolysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the copper is high purity copper. 
     
     
         3 . A pyrolysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the high temperature strength metal is a nickel alloy. 
     
     
         4 . A pyrolysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the high temperature strength metal is a stainless steel. 
     
     
         5 . A pyrolysis apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the retort structure is a rotatable retort. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , in which said retort has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , in which said retort is cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , comprising a first body of co-rotating inner and outer bodies. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  in which said first body is said outer body of said co-rotating inner and outer bodies. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a second body of said co-rotating inner and outer bodies, said second body being constructed of a high thermal conductivity metal such as copper. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , in which the inner body contains holes to allow particulate material to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , in which the inner and outer bodies carry vanes to retain particulate material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , in which the vanes are symmetrical. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , in which the vanes have a T-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14  in which the vanes are constructed of a high thermal conductivity metal such as copper. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a rotatable drive capable of rotating the retort. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , in which said drive is reversible, and controllable to periodically alternate the direction of rotation of the retort. 
     
     
         18 . A gasifier comprising apparatus according to  claim 17 , enclosed within a thermally insulated housing, and a heating system capable of heating the pyrolysis apparatus to a temperature sufficient for pyrolysis of calorific material. 
     
     
         19 . The gasifier according to  claim 18 , further comprising means for varying the inclination of the pyrolysis apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The gasifier according to  claim 19 , wherein the means for varying comprises a hydraulic arrangement. 
     
     
         21 . A method of making a pyrolysis structure intended for gasifying feedstocks at high temperatures, comprising:
 providing a first sheet of a high thermal conductivity metal, wherein the high thermal conductivity metal comprises copper;   providing a second sheet of a high temperature strength metal; and   explosively welding said first and second sheets together.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising milling away portions of said second sheet to leave said first sheet exposed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 23 , in which said first and second sheets are cylindrical.