Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to processing carbon-based feedstock, and in particular to a distillation chamber for use in a distillation process. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Coal is an abundant natural resource capable of exploitation to produce large amounts of energy. Coal in its raw form, however, usually contains undesirable compositions in the form of a number of other chemical compositions or elements. One problem faced in the coal industry is that traditional means of extracting energy from coal have been the subject of concerns, due to possible adverse environmental consequences because of the undesirable compositions usually present in raw coal. For example, historically coal has been burned to create heat, such as to turn water into steam to power a turbine and generate electricity. This process generates large amounts of gaseous emissions containing small amounts of the undesirable compositions which harm the environment. As a result, the use of coal as an energy source can cause tension between the need for an economic way to produce energy on the one hand, and environmental concerns on the other. 
         [0003]    During a typical coal processing operation, coal and other carbon-based products are often subjected to distillation processes in order to extract various products therefrom. A typical distillation process involves heating a coal feedstock in the absence of oxygen, as the feedstock is moved through a distillation chamber, leading to the creation of different products. In typical distillation processes, many of these products are emitted into the atmosphere and can harm the environment. While some efforts have been made to clean gases prior to their release into the environment, known processes for doing so are inefficient and expensive. 
         [0004]    In addition to the above, a distillation process is most effective when the feedstock can be evenly heated, and constantly agitated throughout the process. Accordingly, one shortcoming of many known distillation units is an inability to effectively heat the feedstock, and to agitate the feedstock sufficiently so that the entire mass of the feedstock can be properly heated in an even way. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Briefly, the present invention provides an apparatus for distillation of feedstock, the apparatus including a substantially enclosed distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate enclosed within the distillation chamber for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber, the plate positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber, the plate defining a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate. The apparatus also includes a plurality of heating rods for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate, and a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the paddles can be arranged in transverse rows, each row containing three or more paddles separated from one another a predetermined distance so that feedstock can pass between the paddles as the paddles move relative to the plate. In addition, the transverse position of the paddles in adjacent rows can vary so that the feedstock is constantly agitated as the rows of paddles move relative to the plate. Furthermore, each paddle can have a substantially V-shaped cross-section, with a leading edge and two sides that angle outwardly from the leading edge toward the sides of the distillation chamber, and behind the leading edge in a direction opposite the movement of the paddles, so that as the paddles move through the feedstock they separate and move the feedstock in a forward and lateral direction. In certain embodiments, each paddle can be positioned adjacent the plate so that it is agitating the feedstock, and each paddle can be positioned at a negative acute angle relative to the conveyor so that as the paddles move through the feedstock, the feedstock is driven upwardly over the top of the paddles. 
         [0007]    In some example embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the distillation chamber can include a substantially horizontal bottom, two substantially vertical sidewalls, and a top having pitched sides meeting at a curved peak so that as gasses are produced by the distillation process the shape of the chamber will encourage mixing of the gasses in the top thereof. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for distillation of feedstock that includes a substantially enclosed distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate enclosed within the distillation chamber for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber; the plate positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber. In addition, the apparatus includes a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the length of the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber. The paddles are arranged in transverse rows, each row containing three or more paddles separated, from one another a predetermined distance so that feedstock can pass between the paddles as the paddles move relative to the plate, and the transverse position of the paddles in adjacent rows varies so that the feedstock is constantly agitated as the rows of paddles move relative to the plate. 
         [0009]    In some alternate embodiments, each paddle can have a substantially V-shaped cross-section, with a leading edge and two sides that angle outwardly from the leading edge toward the sides of the distillation chamber, and behind the leading edge in a direction opposite the movement of the paddles, so that as the paddles move through the feedstock, they separate and move the feedstock in a forward and lateral direction. In addition, each paddle can be positioned adjacent the plate so that it is agitating the feedstock, and each paddle can be positioned at a negative acute angle relative to the conveyor so that as the paddles move through the feedstock, the feedstock is driven upward over the top of the paddles. 
         [0010]    In additional embodiments, the plate can define a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate, and a plurality of heating rods for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the distillation chamber can include a substantially horizontal bottom, two substantially vertical sidewalls, and a top having pitched sides meeting at a curved peak, so that as gasses are produced by the distillation process the shape of the chamber will encourage mixing of the gasses in the top thereof. 
         [0011]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of processing feedstock in a distillation device. The method includes the steps of introducing feedstock into a distillation chamber so that the feedstock rests on a substantially horizontal plate in the distillation chamber, inserting rods into apertures in the plate, heating the rods, so feat the rods transfer heat to the plate, which in turn transfers heat to the feedstock. The method further includes agitating the feedstock by driving paddles through the feedstock to move the feedstock laterally, as well as forward and vertically upward, and discharging the feedstock from the distillation chamber. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the method can further include arranging the paddles in rows, the lateral position of the paddles of each row varied from that of the paddles in an adjacent row, to increase the lateral and forward movement of the feedstock as the feedstock is agitated. Other steps that may be part of the method include orienting the paddles so that as they pass through the feedstock, they move the feedstock vertically upward so that the feedstock is constantly circulated from a position adjacent the plate to a position removed from the plate, mixing gases within the distillation chamber prior to venting the gases from the chamber, and electrically heating the rods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is side view of a distillation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the housing of the distillation unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of the distillation unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a rear view of the distillation unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a plate of a distillation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of a section of the plate shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a side cross-sectional view of the plate shown in  FIG. 5A , taken along line  5 B- 5 B; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a section of the plate shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the section of plate shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6C  is an enlarged side view of the section of the plate of  FIG. 6B  identified by area  6 C; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of a section of the plate shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a side cross-sectional view of the section of plate shows in  FIG. 7A , taken along line  7 B- 7 B; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7C  is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of part of the section of the plate shown in  FIG. 7A , taken along line  7 C- 7 C; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of a section of the plate shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a side view of the section of plate shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an insulation grid assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a conveyor support, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a bulkhead assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a top view of the bulkhead assembly shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of the bulkhead assembly of  FIG. 11B , taken along line  11 C- 11 C of  FIG. 11B ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11D  is a cross-sectional view of the bulkhead assembly of  FIG. 11B , taken along line  11 D- 11 D of  FIG. 11B ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a conveyor, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the conveyor shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13A  is a front view of paddles attached to the conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13B  is a front view of paddles similar to those shown in  FIG. 13A , but arranged in a different configuration; 
           [0038]      FIG. 13C  is a front view of paddles similar to those shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , but arranged in a different configuration; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a paddle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an inlet guide chute according to an embodiment-of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an outlet guide chute according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 17  is a front cross-sectional view of the distillation unit shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  17 - 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    In  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a distillation unit  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The purpose of the distillation unit is to provide a chamber wherein coal, biomass, or other carbon-based feedstock is subjected to a distillation process. According to such a process, the feedstock is heated in the absence of oxygen as the feedstock is moved through the distillation chamber  13 , leading to cracking of the feedstock, and the production of useful products. 
         [0044]    The distillation unit  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes a housing  12  enclosing a distillation chamber  13  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), the housing  12  having an inlet  14  for receiving feedstock  118  (shown in  FIG. 17 ), and an outlet  16  for discharging feedstock  118 . The distillation unit  10  further includes, within the distillation chamber  13 , a plate  18  to support the feedstock  118  within the distillation chamber  13 , an insulation grid assembly  19  with a plate mounting block  21  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), and a conveyor  20  with paddles  22  to assist in moving the feedstock  118  along a surface of the plate  18  from the inlet  14  end of the distillation chamber  13  to the outlet  16  end of the distillation chamber  13 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the housing  12  surrounding and enclosing the distillation chamber  13 . The inlet  14  end of the housing can include an inlet chute  24 . configured for attachment to an infeed hopper or meter associated with an infeed hopper (not shown). In one embodiment, the infeed hopper and/meter may be positioned above the inlet chute  24  so that feedstock  118  can be gravity fed into the distillation chamber  13  within the housing  12 . 
         [0046]    Along a majority of the length of the housing  12 , the upper portion  26  of the housing  12  can be domed or peaked. Such a domed or peaked shape induces the mixing of gases produced by the distillation process as the feedstock  118  moves along the lower portion of the distillation chamber  13 , which mixing can lead to the formation of beneficial products. The sides of the housing  12  can also include one or more manways  28 , designed to provide access to the interior of the housing  12  by an operator. Such access may be necessary to perform tasks such as maintenance or replacement of the equipment within the distillation chamber  13 , removal or manual agitation of feedstock  118 , etc. Although manways  28  are shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that any appropriate access port or opening can be provided. 
         [0047]    In addition, access panels  30  can be provided along the length of the housing  12  to allow access to the plates  18  within the distillation chamber  13 , and in particular to heating rods within the plates, as described in detail below. A jackshaft assembly  32  can also be provided on the housing  12  coupled to a gear  34  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 12A, and 12B ) inside the distillation chamber  13 . The gear is configured to turn the conveyor  20  within the distillation chamber  13 . Furthermore, the outlet  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the housing  12  may include a flanged chute  36  capable of carrying the feedstock  118  out of the distillation chamber  13  and into separate equipment, such as a cooler or condensing unit. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 3  A and  3 B depict front and rear views of the housing  12 , respectively. The front end of the housing  12  has a front wall  37  fastened to the sides of the housing  12  and preferably sealed, so that oxygen, does not enter the distillation chamber  13  within the housing  12 . A man way  28  or other opening like those on the sides of the housing  12  may be provided in the front wall  37  to provide access to the distillation chamber  13  through the front wall  37 . Similarly, the rear end of the housing has a rear wall  39  fastened to the sides of the housing  12  and preferably sealed so that oxygen does not enter the distillation chamber  13  within the housing  12 . A manway  28  or other opening like those on the sides of the housing  12  and the front wall  37  may be provided in the rear wall  39  to provide access to the distillation chamber  13  through the tear wall  39 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the plate  18  used to support the feedstock  118  within the distillation chamber  13 . In some embodiments, the plate may be divided into multiple plate sections  18   a,    18   b,    18   c,    18   d.  For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the plate  18  is divided into first plate section  18   a,  second plate section  18   b,  third plate section  18   c,  and fourth plate section  18   d.  When fully installed in the housing  12 , the plate  18  extends the majority of the length of the housing  12 . Also shown in  FIG. 4  axe transverse heating apertures  38  and thermocouples  40 . The heating apertures  38  are configured to accept elongate heating rods  41  that heat the plates, which in turn heat the feedstock  118 . The thermocouples  40  may be provided to measure the temperature of the plate  18  so the temperature can be maintained within predetermined ranges. 
         [0050]    First plate section  18   a,  as best shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , is designed for placement at the inlet end of the distillation chamber  13 . Thus, as feedstock  118  is fed into the distillation chamber  13 , it drops through, the inlet chute  24  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), and lands on first plate section  18   a.  As the feedstock  118  is driven along first plate section  18   a,  as discussed in detail below, the surface of the first plate section  18   a  is heated by the heating rods  41  in the transverse heating apertures  38 . The feedstock  118  may first contact the first plate section  18   a  adjacent a first end  42  thereof, and from there it will be driven towards a second end  44  of the first plate section  18   a , The second end  44  of the first plate section  18   a  may have a lip  46 , as shown in  FIG. 5B , with apertures  48  for receiving fasteners (not shown). The lip  46  corresponds to a corresponding lip  50  (shown in  FIG. 6C ) of the second plate section  18   b,  and the fasteners may pass through the lips  46 ,  50  of both sections in order to fixedly attach the plate sections to one another. In FIG.  5 B, the apertures  48  are shown to be threaded, and are configured to accept threaded bolts. In practice, however, the apertures  48  may be unthreaded, and any appropriate type of fastener may be used. In addition, the apertures  44  are shown in  FIG. 5A and 5B  to be staggered across the width of the first plate section  18   a.  Such a staggered pattern is advantageous because it helps to reduce stresses in the fasteners and plates. Such a staggered pattern, however, is not necessary, and any appropriate configuration of apertures  44  can be used. 
         [0051]    Second plate section  18   b  is shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , and includes first end  52  and second end  54 . Each of first end  52  and second end  54  of the second plate section  18   b  contain apertures  56 ,  58  tor fasteners that can attach the second plate section  18   b  to adjacent plate sections. Apertures  56  pass through the lip  50  of the first end  52  which, as discussed above, corresponds and aligns with the lip  46  of the first plate section  18   a,  so that the first and second plate sections  18   a,    18   b  can be attached by fasteners passing through apertures  48  of the first plate section  18   a  and apertures  50  of the second plate section  18   b.    
         [0052]    The second end  54  of the second plate section  18   b  has a lip  60  similar to lip  46  of the first plate section  18   a.  Apertures pass through lip  60 , and correspond to apertures  68  in lip  62  of the third plate section  18   c  (shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). Although apertures  56 ,  58  are shown in a staggered configuration across the width of lips  50 ,  60 , respectively, it is to be understood that the apertures  56 ,  58  could be arranged in any appropriate configuration, including in a straight line. Furthermore, although apertures  56  are shown to be threaded, they could alternatively be unthreaded. In addition, similar to the other plate sections, the second plate section  18   b  includes transverse heating apertures  38  for accepting elongate heating rods  41  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), and thermocouples  40 . 
         [0053]    The third plate section  18   c  is shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , and includes first end  64  and second end  66 , Each of first end  64  and second end  66  of the third plate section  18   c  contain apertures  68 ,  70  for fasteners that can attach the third plate section  18   c  to adjacent plate sections. Apertures  68  pass through the lip  62  of the first end  64  which corresponds and aligns with the lip  60  of the second plate section  18   b,  so that the second and third plate sections  18   b,    18   c  can be attached by fasteners passing through apertures  54  of the second plate section  18   b  and corresponding apertures in the lip  62  of the third, plate section  18   c.    
         [0054]    The second end  66  of the third plate section  18   c  has a lip  72  similar to lip  60  of the second plate section  18   b.  Apertures pass through, lip  72  and. into lip  74  of the fourth plate section  18   d  (shown, in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). Although apertures  68 ,  70  are shown in a staggered configuration across the width of lips  62 ,  72 , respectively, it is to be understood that the apertures  68 ,  70  could be arranged in my appropriate configuration, including in a straight line. In addition, similar to the other plate sections, the third plate section  18   c  includes transverse heating apertures  38  for accepting elongate healing rods  41  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), and thermocouples  40 . The third plate section  18   c  may also include mounting apertures  76 . The mounting apertures  76  may be used to accept fasteners for attaching the plate  18  to other components m the distillation chamber  13 , such as, for example, the insulation grid  19 , described in detail below. Thus, the plate  18  may be anchored in the distillation chamber  13  so that it stays in one place relative to the housing  12  while the feedstock  118  passes over the plate  18 . 
         [0055]    The fourth plate section  18   d  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , and includes first end  78  and second end  80 . First end  78  of the fourth plate section  18   d  contain apertures  82  for fasteners that can attach the fourth plate section  18   d  to the third plate section  18   c.  Apertures  82  pass through the lip  70  of the second end  66  of the third plate section  18   c,  which corresponds and aligns with the lip  74  of the fourth plate section  18   d,  so that the third and fourth plate sections  18   c,    18   d  can be attached by fasteners passing through apertures  70  of the third plate section  18   c  and the corresponding apertures  82  in the lip  74  of the fourth plate section  18   d.    
         [0056]    The second end  80  of the fourth plate section  18   d  terminates the plate  18  at the discharge end of the distillation chamber  13  in the housing  12 . When the feedstock  118  falls off the second end  80  of the fourth plate section  18   d,  it then leaves the distillation chamber  13  via outlet chute  36 , Although apertures  82  are shown in a staggered configuration across the width of the lip  74 , it is to be understood that the apertures  68 ,  70  could be arranged in any appropriate configuration, including in a straight line. In addition, similar to the other plate sections, the fourth plate section  18   d  includes transverse heating apertures  38  for accepting elongate heating rods  41  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), and thermocouples  40 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown the insulation grid assembly  19  with the plate mounting block  21 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The insulation grid assembly  19  is positioned in a bottom portion of the distillation chamber  13 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the plate mounting block  21  serves as an attachment point for the plate  18 . Apertures  84  in the plate mounting block  21  correspond to apertures  76  in the third plate section  18   c,  Fasteners can be passed through apertures  84  of the plate mounting block  21  and apertures  76  of the third plate section  18   c  to attach the third plate section  18   c  to the plate mounting block  21 , thereby limiting or eliminating movement of the plate  18  relative to the plate mounting block  21 . 
         [0058]    The insulation grid assembly  19  also includes voids  86  which, when the insulation grid assembly  19  and plate  18  are mounted in the distillation chamber  13 , separate the plate  18  from the bottom of the distillation chamber  13 . In some embodiments, the voids  86  may be filled with insulation. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 10 , there is shown a conveyor support  88  for supporting the conveyor  20  (shown in  FIGS. 1, 13A, and 13B ). The conveyor support  88  includes chain guides  90  on upper and lower sides thereof, for guiding the chains associated with the conveyor  20 . Between, the upper and lower chain guides  90  are transverse support members  92 , which provide rigidity to the conveyor  20  and support the weight of the portion of the conveyor  20  located above the conveyor support  88 . 
         [0060]    The conveyor support  88  is positioned, between, and is a part of, the bulkhead assembly  94  shown in  FIGS. 11A-11D . The bulkhead assembly  94  provides a rigid support structure for many of the components in the distillation chamber  13 , and includes sidewalls  96  and an outer frame structure with longitudinal supports  98 , for providing strength and rigidity to the sidewalls  96  in a longitudinal plane in the distillation chamber  13 , and outwardly extending side supports  100  that extend from the bulkhead sidewalls  96  to the sidewalls of the housing  12 . 
         [0061]    The side supports  100  of the bulkhead assembly  94  help to fix the components in the distillation, chamber  13  during operation of the distillation unit  10 , including fixing the position of the conveyor support  88 . To accomplish this, the conveyor support  88  can be fixedly attached to the sidewalls  96  and/or longitudinal supports  98  of the bulkhead assembly  94 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , there is shown a conveyor  20  according to an embodiment of the invention. The conveyor  20  includes conveyor chains  102  that rotate around gears  34 , and that span substantially the entire length of the distillation chamber  13  from the inlet  14  to the outlet  16  (see also  FIG. 1 ). The conveyor chains  102  carry crossbars  104  with extension members  106  having paddles  22  attached thereto. Each crossbar  104  includes a plurality of extension members  106  and paddles  22 , For example, in the embodiment shown, five extension members  106  with paddles  22  are attached to each crossbar  104 , although it is to be understood that any appropriate number of extension members  106  and paddles  22  may be used. As indicated by the arrows A in  FIG. 12B , the conveyor  20  moves the paddles  22  in a counterclockwise direction, so that, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the paddles  22  on the bottom of the conveyor  20  move from the inlet  14  toward the outlet  16 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the paddles on the bottom of the conveyor  20  are positioned adjacent the plate  18 , on which sits the feedstock  118 , so that as the paddles  22  move toward the outlet  16 , they move through the feedstock  118 . 
         [0063]    Referring back to  FIG. 12A , the transverse position of the of extension members  106  and paddles  22  of adjacent crossbars  104  is shown to be staggered, so that the paddles  22  of adjacent rows are not longitudinally aligned, in fact, in the particular embodiment shown, there are three different paddles configurations, illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 13A-13C . In  13 A, the group of five extension members  106  and paddles  22  is positioned in a centered arrangement, with the extension members  106  and paddles  22  spaced and equal distance from, one another, and the extension members  106  and paddles  22  on the ends each spaced equidistant from the ends of the crossbar  104 . Alternatively, in  FIG. 13B , the extension members  106  and paddles  22  are shifted to the left, so that the left-most extension member  106  is attached to the left end of the crossbar  104 . Similarly, in  FIG. 13C , the extension member  106  and paddles  22  are shifted to the right, so that the right-most extension member  106  is attached to the right end of the crossbar  104 . These three configurations are placed adjacent one another, as shown in  FIG. 12A , with the pattern repeating. 
         [0064]    One advantage to staggering the paddles  22  in this manner is that as the paddles move through the feedstock  118  in the distillation chamber  13 , each paddle  22  separates and moves the feedstock  118  that it contacts both forward and laterally. The staggering of the paddles  22  ensures that as subsequent rows of paddles  22  pass through the feedstock  118 , the feedstock  318  is continually moved forward and also laterally, thereby increasing movement of the feedstock  118  within the distillation chamber  13 . Although the paddles  22  and extension members  106  have been shown herein. to be arranged in particular configurations, it is to be understood that these configurations are exemplary only, and many different configurations could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0065]      FIG. 14  shows the shape of an individual paddle  22 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The paddle  22  includes a leading edge  108  that slopes forward to a point  110 , Each side  112  of the paddle  22  slopes outward and away from the leading edge  108 . One advantage of this paddle shape is that, as the paddle  22  moves through feedstock  118 , the forward slope of the leading edge  18  of the paddle  22  pushes the feedstock  118  upward from the point  10  toward the extension member  106 . Thus, feedstock  118  located at a lower end of the paddle  22  is circulated upward. At the same time, the outward slope of each side  112  of the paddle pushes the feedstock  118  laterally outward. Thus, the staggering of the multiple paddles  22 , combined with the shape of each individual paddle  22 , combine to thoroughly agitate and mix the feedstock  118  as the paddles  22  move through the feedstock  118 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 15  depicts an inlet guide chute  114 , configured for positioning at the inlet end of the housing  12 , and to help guide the feedstock  118  that drops through the inlet  14  onto the plate  18  as necessary. In the embodiment shown, the lower portion  116  of the inlet guide chute  114  has a unique concave shape, which may help to guide the feedstock  118  more gradually onto the plate  18 , and which accommodates the movement of paddles  22  past the inlet guide chute  114  as the conveyor turns. Similarly,  FIG. 16  depicts an outlet guide chute  118 , configured to be positioned at the outlet end of the housing  12 , to help guide the feedstock  118  from the plate  18  through the outlet  16  of the distillation chamber  13 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 17  depicts the distillation unit  10 , including the paddles  22 , plate  18 , insulation grid assembly  19 , and bulkhead assembly  94 , all confined within housing  12 . Also shown in  FIG. 17  is the feedstock  118 , positioned on the plate  18  as the paddles move through and agitate the feedstock  118 . 
         [0068]    In practice, the purpose of the distillation unit  10  is to provide a chamber wherein feedstock  118  is subjected to a destructive distillation process. As discussed above, according to such a process, the feedstock is heated in the absence of oxygen as the feedstock is moved through the distillation chamber  13 , leading to cracking of the feedstock, and the production of useful products. Initially, feedstock  118  is introduced to the distillation chamber  13  via the inlet chute  24 . The feedstock  118  can be provided to the inlet chute  24  from an infeed hopper, and may pass through a meter attached to the inlet chute  24 . Inside the distillation chamber  13 , the feedstock  118  contacts a plate  18  that may be heated by inserting elongate heating rods  41  into transverse heating apertures  38  in the plates  18 . The elongate heating rods  41  may be heated by any appropriate means, such as, for example, by electricity. 
         [0069]    Once the feedstock  118  is in position on the plate  18 , the feedstock is agitated by the paddles  22 , which are driven by the conveyor  20  , The paddles  22  can be staggered, and specially shaped, as discussed above, to maximize agitation of the feedstock  118 , driving the feedstock  118  forward, but also laterally and upwardly to circulate the feedstock  118 . Once the feedstock  118  has been driven by the paddles  22  across the length of the plate  18 , it is discharged through the outlet  16  of the distillation chamber  13 . 
         [0070]    As the feedstock  118  is heated and agitated, as described herein, gases are produced within the distillation chamber  13 . The shape of the housing  12  can include a domed or peaked upper portion  26  of the housing, which can help to mix the gases to create useful, products. 
         [0071]    The invention shown and described herein is capable of converting raw coal and/or biomass, and producing at least three marketable products, including a cleaner, higher energy coal product, a liquid hydrocarbon/chemical feedstock, and a low energy gas stream. In turn, these products can be used to create many additional useful products, such as, for example, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, cleaner fuels, etc. 
         [0072]    The invention has been sufficiently described so that a person with average knowledge in the matter may reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in the invention herein Nonetheless, any skilled person in the field of technique, subject of the invention herein, may carry out modifications not described in the request herein, to apply these modifications to a determined structure, or in the manufacturing process of the same, requires the claimed matter in the following claims; such structures shall be covered within the scope of the invention. 
         [0073]    It should be noted and understood that there can be improvements and modifications made of the present invention described in detail above without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Technology Category: 8