RETORT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY PROCESSING LIQUID AND SOLID MIXTURES AND FOR RECOVERING PRODUCTS THEREFROM

摘要

A retort apparatus includes a primary rotating pipe within a second rotating pipe within a fixed pipe. The interior area of the primary rotating pipe is bounded by a heated pipe. A first annulus is formed between the primary and second rotating pipes. A second annulus is formed between the second rotating pipe and the heated pipe. A third annulus is formed between the primary rotating pipe and the fixed pipe. A heater is positioned within the interior area of said primary rotating pipe. In one embodiment, an inlet gate is provided for introducing a liquid and solid mixture into the first annulus proximate the second end thereof. A first conveyor is provided to move the mixture toward the hot end of the primary rotating pipe. A second conveyance is provided for transferring the mixture from the first annulus to the second annulus within the interior of the primary rotating pipe, and a third conveyance is provided to move the mixture within the second annulus in a direction toward the cooler end of the primary rotating pipe.