Patent ID: 7977518
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: B01J,C10B,C10G,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for the pyrocatalytic conversion of a predominantly hydrocarbon waste comprises, feeding the waste, substantially free of a halogen-containing synthetic resinous material, into a bath of molten lead held at a temperature in the range from about 400° to 600° C. in a vat confined in a reaction zone having an essentially oxygen-free atmosphere; mixing the waste with a catalyst in an amount no more than 20% by weight of the waste fed, the catalyst comprising a physical mixture of a major proportion by weight of particulate aluminum oxide mineral having particles less than 2 mm in equivalent diameter, in combination with a minor proportion of essentially pure aluminum powder wherein substantially all particles have an equivalent diameter less than 0.1 mm; urging the waste along the vat's longitudinal axis while contacting the waste with the molten lead; thermally and catalytically converting the waste with at least 50% effectiveness into reusable hydrocarbon vapors and carbonaceous residue; removing the reusable hydrocarbon vapors from the reaction zone; and, removing the carbonaceous residue from a residue-discharging zone.