Methods and apparatus for converting waste materials into fuels and other useful products

摘要

Conversion of waste and other organic feedstock into sustainable energy, feed, fertilizer, and other useful products of reliable purities is accomplished using water, heat, and pressure. More specifically, the invention provides methods and apparatus that handle mixed streams of various feedstocks, e.g. agricultural waste, biological waste, municipal solid waste, municipal sewage sludge, and shredder residue, to yield gas, oil, specialty chemicals, and carbon solids that can be used as is or are further processed. Useful products can be diverted at various points of the process or internalized to enhance the efficiency of the system.

主权项

1. A process for converting a carbon containing feedstock into at least one useful material, comprising:
preparing a slurry from the feedstock, said feedstock being selected from a group consisting essentially of agricultural waste, animal processing waste, municipal sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, animal by-product and shredder residue; reacting the slurry in a first reaction to produce a stream comprising at least one solid product, and at least one liquid product, and water, wherein said reacting comprises decomposing and hydrolyzing the slurry, said decomposing occurring at temperatures between about 125-400° C. and pressures between about 20-600 psig, and said hydrolyzing occurring at temperatures between about 200-350° C. and pressures between about 210-800 psig; an initial separating between the decomposing and hydrolyzing to remove solids, including inorganic materials, and gases from the liquid product before said hydrolyzing; after said hydrolyzing separating said at least one solid product, said water and said at least one liquid product from said stream; and converting said at least one liquid product into at least one useful material.