Removal of entrained solids from retorted hydrocarbonaceous vapors

摘要

A combination of a retorting process with a granular filtration zone whereby finely divided solids are removed from hydrocarbonaceous vapors. Raw hydrocarbon-containing particles such as shale are retorted by contacting them with heat carrier particles, and the resulting hydrocarbonaceous vapors withdrawn from the retort are contaminated with entrained, finely divided solids. These solids are removed from the hydrocarbonaceous vapors by passing the contaminated vapors at substantially the retorting temperature transversely through a downwardly moving bed of solid contact material maintained at approximately retorting temperature. The solid contact material is selected from retorted solids, heat carrier particles and mixtures of them. The mixture of finely divided solids and contact material withdrawn from the granular filtration may be returned to the process.