Tire Recycling Technologies Corp.

Jeffrey D Wilder

Dana J Finley

A discharge system for a destructive distillation apparatus wherein the discharge solids act as plug to avoid the unwanted flow of product gas or ambient air therethrough while effectively discharging finely divided, disperse solids material from a continuously operating distillation apparatus. The use of a positive displacement two-stage auger having close clearance between the auger and auger cylinder wall, combined with an open section within the auger cylinder where a sealing material plug forms, results in improved sealing of the inventive system from unwanted transfer of gases. The hot, disperse, and finely divided solids exiting a distillation apparatus, such as carbon black formed from the distillation of automobile tire chips, is effective in the formation of a seal plug. The solid material sealing plug feature of the present invention is primarily intended as an additional sealing feature useful in conjunction with conventional drop or lock hoppers, but in some circumstances the use of these additional mechanical systems can be eliminated when using the sealing plug technology of the present invention. Also, the provision of inert gas systems as part of the discharge system may be eliminated by the employment of the inventive sealing plug system. The provision of a sealing plug section within the auger conveyor apparatus, along with the provision of small clearances between the outer edge of the auger flight and the auger cylindrical casing, allows the continuous operation of the distillation system without unwanted passage of ambient air into the system, or the passage of distillation product gases through the discharge system, and inhibits the passage of gas surges from the distillation apparatus through the auger conveyor to the solids disposition area.

Plug seal discharge system for distillation apparatus

A combination liquid seal and spiral auger conveyor feeding system which provides both a liquid seal, effective under normal operating conditions, with a sealed spiral auger conveyor, which is effective to seal against the surge flow of distillation gases back through the feeding system. This is attained while providing for a reliable, continuous flow of solid bulk material such as rubber tire chips to a reactor or distillation unit. A bulk feeding system having a partially submerged inclined spiral auger conveyor is provided, communicating at its base with a liquid reservoir so as to form a liquid seal within the combined apparatus. Solid bulk material is introduced to the upper end of the liquid reservoir above the liquid level where it descends by the action of gravity into the liquid and sinks to the bottom of the reservoir to by picked up by the partially submerged rotating auger conveyor and elevated thereby. The bulk material is raised above the liquid level and introduced to the reactor or distillation unit inlet. The requirement of a small clearance between the flights of the auger and its cylindrical wall, along with the presence of the bulk material being conveyed within the auger, acts as a seal against distillation gas surges, thus avoiding fires and explosions in the bulk material storage and conveying apparatus.

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Jeffrey D Wilder