Patent ID: 6066263
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B01J,C10B,C10G

Abstract:
An apparatus for converting waste plastic into oil, comprising:a receiver tank for containing therein a mixture of plastic and water;a high-pressure injection pump in communication with the receiver tank through a flow passage change-over valve, the flow passage change-over valve being in communication with a water injection passage;a reactor device including a curved piping in communication with the injection pump, the curved piping being provided with a heating means; andan effluent tank in communication with the reactor device through a pressure reducing valve,wherein the mixture can be injected into the reactor device by means of the injection pump, wherein the flow rate of the mixture to be injected into the reaction device may be controlled by regulating the pressure reducing valve, and wherein thermal decomposition of the mixture is performed in the reactor device,said apparatus characterized in that: said flow passage change-over valve is communicated with said water injection passage, so as to allow a flow of water to be injected into said reactor device, while maintaining the pressure of the water at or above a value by which a supercritical condition is achieved; the water is heated, by means of said reactor device, to a temperature equal to or above a value by which a supercritical condition is achieved; then, said container tank and said high-pressure injection pump are communicated with each other by appropriately changing said flow passage change-over valve; the mixture is injected into said reactor device, while maintaining a pressure condition by which a supercritical condition of the water is achieved; the water is heated, by means of said reactor device, to a temperature equal to or above a value by which a supercritical condition of the water is achieved; the mixture is passed, under a turbulent condition, into said piping by regulating said pressure reducing valve, so as to cause the plastic to be decomposed; and the resultant reaction product is discharged through said pressure reducing valve into said effluent tank, for the collection of gaseous materials, oily materials and water.