Richard A Wolfe

US Patent:

8444828, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Dec 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/959581

Inventors:

Richard A. Wolfe - Banner Elk NC, US

Assignee:

Nucor Corporation - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

C10B 47/44

US Classification:

201 15, 201 32, 202118

Abstract:

A pyrolyzer and method is provided for devolatizing coal and other volatile materials. The pyrolyzer has a pyrolyzer furnace housing having at least two screws laterally positioned adjacent and overlapping rotatably mounted within the furnace for moving volatile material through the pyrolyzer furnace housing. The screws have hollow drive shafts with a diverter inside for converging heated fluid to heat the volatile material moving through the pyrolyzer furnace housing. A combustion chamber combusts fuel to create heated exhaust gas for directing through the hollow drive shafts to heat the volatile material. The pyrolyzer furnace housing may have a double wall with a cavity between, capable of receiving heated fluid for further heating of volatile material moving through the pyrolyzer furnace housing.

US Patent:

20130240343, Sep 19, 2013

Filed:

Sep 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/608703

Inventors:

Richard A. WOLFE - Banner Elk NC, US

Assignee:

NUCOR CORPORATION - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

C10B 49/10

US Classification:

201 5, 202 99, 201 15

Abstract:

A char making apparatus comprises a longitudinal pyrolyzer furnace housing wherein coal-bearing material may be heated to a temperature to fluidize volatile materials therein and plasticize coal in the coal-bearing material. At least two rotatable drive screws are laterally positioned and interleaved within the longitudinal furnace housing and capable of conveying coal-bearing materials through the pyrolyzer furnace housing, each drive screw having a hollow drive shaft and a diverter positioned within the drive shaft to provide heating to the coal-bearing material. A heating jacket about the longitudinal furnace housing provides additional heating to the coal-bearing material. Multiple combustion chambers adjacent the heating jacket and hollow drive shaft burn fluidized volatile materials and exhaust combustion fluids through the jacket and shaft.

US Patent:

51511592, Sep 29, 1992

Filed:

Nov 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/614085

Inventors:

Richard A. Wolfe - Abingdon VA
Chang J. Im - Abingdon VA
Robert E. Wright - Bristol TN

Assignee:

Coal Technology Corporation - Bristol VA

International Classification:

C10B 702
C10B 710

US Classification:

202118

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for converting coal into useful motor fuels and metallurgical coke using a self-cleaning coal pyrolyzer wherein coal is heated in the absence of air at temperatures greater than 800. degree. F. to remove volatile hydrocarbon gases therefrom. Char remaining after such pyrolyzation is cooled and pulverized and mixed with selected binders at temperatures ranging from 125. degree. to 200. degree. F. to form briquettes. The briquettes are calcined at temperatures ranging from 1800. degree. to 2000. degree. F. to form metallurgical coke. The gaseous hydrocarbons are separated into liquid coal fuels, non-condensable gases and water vapor. The liquid coal fuels are further separated into various motor fuels while the non-condensable gases are used to fuel the coal pyrolyzer.

US Patent:

52960056, Mar 22, 1994

Filed:

Sep 25, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/951136

Inventors:

Richard A. Wolfe - Abingdon VA
Chang J. Im - Abingdon VA
Robert E. Wright - Bristol TN

Assignee:

Coal Technology Corporation - Bristol VA

International Classification:

C10L 516

US Classification:

44551

Abstract:

A method of recovering coal liquids and producing metallurgical coke utilizes low ash, low sulfur coal as a parent for a coal char formed by pyrolysis with a volatile content of less than 8%. The char is briquetted and heated in an inert gas over a prescribed heat history to yield a high strength briquette with less than 2% volatile content.

US Patent:

20150175888, Jun 25, 2015

Filed:

Mar 3, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/636657

Inventors:

- Charlotte NC, US
Richard A. WOLFE - Banner Elk NC, US

International Classification:

C10B 47/24
C10B 7/10
C10B 21/00
C10L 5/12
C10B 47/44
C10B 57/04
B30B 11/00
C10L 5/22
C10B 1/06
C10B 45/02

Abstract:

A char making apparatus comprises a longitudinal pyrolyzer furnace housing wherein coal-bearing material may be heated to a temperature to fluidize volatile materials therein and plasticize coal in the coal-bearing material. At least two rotatable drive screws are laterally positioned and interleaved within the longitudinal furnace housing and capable of conveying coal-bearing materials through the pyrolyzer furnace housing, each drive screw having a hollow drive shaft and a diverter positioned within the drive shaft to provide heating to the coal-bearing material. A heating jacket about the longitudinal furnace housing provides additional heating to the coal-bearing material. Multiple combustion chambers adjacent the heating jacket and hollow drive shaft burn fluidized volatile materials and exhaust combustion fluids through the jacket and shaft.

US Patent:

20150175889, Jun 25, 2015

Filed:

Mar 3, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/636666

Inventors:

- Charlotte NC, US
Richard A. WOLFE - Banner Elk NC, US

International Classification:

C10B 47/24
C10B 37/04
C10B 1/08
C10B 57/04
C10L 5/08
C10B 7/10
C10B 47/44
C10B 11/00
C10L 5/04
C10B 21/00
C10B 1/06

Abstract:

A char making apparatus comprises a longitudinal pyrolyzer furnace housing wherein coal-bearing material may be heated to a temperature to fluidize volatile materials therein and plasticize coal in the coal-bearing material. At least two rotatable drive screws are laterally positioned and interleaved within the longitudinal furnace housing and capable of conveying coal-bearing materials through the pyrolyzer furnace housing, each drive screw having a hollow drive shaft and a diverter positioned within the drive shaft to provide heating to the coal-bearing material. A heating jacket about the longitudinal furnace housing provides additional heating to the coal-bearing material. Multiple combustion chambers adjacent the heating jacket and hollow drive shaft burn fluidized volatile materials and exhaust combustion fluids through the jacket and shaft.