Patent ID: 7798077

Claim:
A vertical retort oven for thermal conversion of material, comprising: a heating shell chamber including an interior wall surface; a reaction vessel including an exterior wall surface and an interior having an interior wall surface and positioned within the heating shell to define a cavity formed between the heating shell interior wall surface and the reaction vessel exterior wall surface, the reaction vessel further including an inlet; a plurality of plates positioned within the reaction vessel interior to direct the freefall of material from the inlet through the reaction vessel interior; a heat source positioned within the cavity; and means for transmitting heat from the heat source to the reaction vessel interior; wherein: the plates have a mounted end and have an opening at the mounted end, and the reaction vessel includes thermal energy ports disposed in alignment with openings on the mounted plate ends; the reaction vessel includes a gas exit coupled to a gas discharge conduit configured to project outward from the gas exit, through a cavity between the reaction vessel and the heating shell, and through the surface wall of the heating shell; the gas discharge conduit further comprises a pipe leading back into the heat source for supplying the heat source with the gas expelled by the oven through the gas exit; the plates are arranged vertically in overlapping succession and positioned to direct materials from one plate to succeeding lower plates; the plates are mounted adjustably hinged to the reaction vessel interior wall surface; and a bolt hinge including a first closed end, a second open end and a hollow shaft, the shaft including bores positioned along the shaft, the bolt hinge pivotally connecting respective plates to the reaction vessel interior wall surface and configured to permit heat from the heating shell to travel through the bolt open-end and through the shaft into respective plates.