Pyrolysis process for stabilizing volatile hydrocarbons utilizing a

Abstract

In a process for recovery of values contained in solid carbonaceous material, the solid carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to pyrolysis in the presence of a capping agent, a carbon containing solid particulate source of heat and a beneficially reactive transport gas in a transport flash pyrolysis reactor, to form a pyrolysis product stream. The solid carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed and newly formed volatilized hydrocarbon free radicals are substantially simultaneously terminated by the capping agent to form a pyrolysis product stream. The pyrolysis product stream contains a gaseous mixture and particulate solids which are separated from the gaseous mixture to form a substantially particulate solids-free gaseous mixture stream which contains capping agent terminated volatilized hydrocarbon free radicals, hydrogen depleted capping agent, pyrolysis product vapors and a transport gas. The beneficially reactive transport gas inhibits the reactivity of the char product. Hydrocarbons of four or more carbon atoms in the vapor mixture stream are condensed. A liquid stream containing the stabilized liquid product is then treated or separated into various fractions. A liquid containing the hydrogen depleted capping agent is hydrogenated to form a regenerated capping agent, at least a portion of which is recycled to the pyrolysis zone. In another embodiment the capping agent is produced by the process, separated from the liquid product mixture, and recycled.