Patent ID: 8328992
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: C10B,C10L

Abstract:
1. A retort unit comprising: a heating compartment surrounded by a vapor compartment, the heating compartment defining a plurality of passages where vapors emitted from a material within the heating compartment flow into the vapor compartment, the heating compartment further including: at least a first louver unit including a first plate with a first lower section angularly positioned relative to a first upper section, the first lower section having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side of the first lower section including a plurality of heat sink fins substantially aligned with a flow of the material over the first louver unit and a first heating element adjacent the second side of the first lower section, the first heating element configured to heat the material within the heating compartment and being interposed between the heat sink fins and a first insulation layer disposed on the second side of the first lower section; and at least a second louver unit including a second plate with a second lower section angularly positioned relative to a second upper section, the second lower section having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side of the second lower section including a plurality of heat sink fins substantially aligned with a flow of the material over the second louver unit and a second heating element adjacent the second side of the second lower section, the second heating element also configured to heat the material within the heating compartment, and being interposed between the heat sink fins and a second insulation layer disposed on a second side of the second lower section, wherein the second lower section is spaced below at least a portion of the first lower section such that the plurality of heat sink fins coupled to the first side of the first lower section extends inwardly toward the plurality of the heat sink fins coupled to the first side of the second lower section so that material flowing over the first lower section of the first louver unit is deposited on the second lower section of the second louver unit so that the plurality of heat sink fins coupled to the first side of the first lower section are staggered relative to the plurality of heat sink fins coupled to the first side of the second lower section.