| CPC C01B 32/39 (2017.08) [C01B 32/378 (2017.08); C01B 2210/0014 (2013.01); C01B 2210/0051 (2013.01)] | 35 Claims |
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1. A system for continuous, concurrent production of activated carbon, hydrogen, process steam, and electric power from carbonaceous matter, comprising:
a thermolysis reactor, wherein carbonaceous matter is processed in individually temperature-controlled zones for sequentially drying, torrefying, pyrolysing, and devolatilizing the carbonaceous matter to produce char and volatile materials, the thermolysis reactor comprising:
a carbonaceous matter inlet,
a char outlet,
means for moving the carbonaceous matter from the carbonaceous matter inlet to the char outlet,
means for admitting steam at various locations within the zones for sequentially drying, torrefying, pyrolysing, and devolatilizing the carbonaceous matter,
a first radiant electric heat distribution system acting to control the temperature within a devolatilization zone, and
an array of volatile materials outlets; and
a pressurized activation reactor, the pressurized activation reactor comprising:
a char inlet integrally connected to the char outlet of the thermolysis reactor and configured to receive char from the char outlet,
an activated carbon outlet,
means for moving the char from the char inlet to the activated carbon outlet, means for admitting steam, the steam acting as a reactant for char activation,
a second radiant electric heat distribution system acting to provide an endothermic heat of reaction, and
a gas outlet.
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