WO2025012020A1

WO2025012020A1 - Material processing system

Info

Publication number: WO2025012020A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/068569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel DAVIDOV
Original assignee: Blend Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Blend Energy Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-12
Filing date: 2024-07-02
Publication date: 2025-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-12
Also published as: GB2631744A; GB2631744A8

Abstract

Material processing system There is described a material processing system, comprising: a pre-treatment vessel arranged to melt and/or fluidise material; a reactor arranged to receive material from the pre- treatment vessel and to heat the material so as to produce vapours; and a column for receiving the vapours from the reactor and separating the vapours into a plurality of component products.

Description

Material processing system

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a material processing system, in particular a system for processing plastic (e.g. to produce fuel). The invention further relates to methods and apparatuses for processing material as well as systems, methods, and apparatuses for generating electricity (e.g. using the fuel).

Background to the Disclosure

Plastic is used in many different products, many of which have a limited lifespan. This leads to substantial amounts of waste that, at the present time, are often sent to landfills. It is desirable to process plastic waste in a manner that produces a useful output so as to reduce the environmental impact of such waste.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, there is described a material processing system, comprising: a pre-treatment vessel arranged to melt and/or fluidise material; a reactor arranged to receive material from the pre-treatment vessel and to heat the material so as to produce vapours; and a column for receiving the vapours from the reactor and separating the vapours into a plurality of component products.

Preferably, the system comprises a connector between the column and the pre-treatment vessel to enable the transfer of one or more of the component products from the column to the pre-treatment vessel. Preferably, the connector is arranged to enable the transfer of heavy products (e.g. paraffin) to the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the pre-treatment vessel comprises one or more vents for removing a fluid from the pre-treatment vessel. Preferably the pre-treatment vessel comprises: a first vent for removing excess air and/or moisture from the pre-treatment vessel; and a second vent for removing chlorine from the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the system comprises a pump for transferring component products from the column to the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the system comprises a shredder for breaking a piece of material into smaller pieces. Preferably, the shredder is arranged to provide the smaller pieces of material to the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the system comprises an agglomerator for combining material. Preferably, the agglomerator is arranged to provide the smaller pieces of material to the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the system is arranged to feed material into either of the shredder or the agglomerator in dependence on a type of the material and/or a density of the material.

Preferably, the reactor comprises a collection chamber, wherein the collection chamber is arranged to collect material near an exit of the reactor. Preferably, the collection chamber is arranged to transfer the material to a structure for storing ash and/or carbon black.

Preferably, reactor comprises an angled reactor such that material is arranged to move upwards against gravity as the material moves through the reactor.

Preferably, the reactor comprises one or more screws for moving material through the reactor along an angled path

Preferably, the system comprises a carbon dioxide capture unit, wherein the carbon dioxide capture unit is arranged to remove carbon dioxide from a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide unit.

Preferably, the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises an absorbent substance, the absorbent substance being arranged to absorb carbon dioxide. Preferably, the absorbent substance comprises zeolite.

Preferably, the system and/or the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises a cooling means (e.g. a fan) for cooling a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide capture unit. Preferably, the cooling means is arranged to cool the fluid prior to supplying the fluid to a/the absorbent substance.

Preferably, the system and/or the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises a heating means for heating a/the absorbent substance so as to release carbon dioxide from the absorbent substance.

Preferably, the heating means comprises a heating structure for transferring heat from a flue gas to the absorbent structure.

Preferably, the system and/or the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises a container for capturing the carbon dioxide released from the absorbent substance.

Preferably, the carbon dioxide capture unit is arranged to receive flue gases from a heating means and/or a heating structure of the material processing system and/or from an exhaust of the system.

Preferably, the capture dioxide capture unit comprises a thermally conducting structure for absorbing heat from the fluid.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is described a carbon dioxide capture unit for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide unit, the unit comprising: an absorbent substance, the absorbent substance being arranged to absorb carbon dioxide; a cooling means (e.g. a fan) for cooling a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide capture unit, preferably for cooling the fluid prior to supplying the fluid to a/the absorbent substance; and a heating means for heating a/the absorbent substance so as to release carbon dioxide from the absorbent substance.

The cooling means and/or the heating means may comprise a blower and/or a pump, preferably a blower that is arranged to operate at temperatures of at least 300°C (e.g. 310°C) and/or at pressures of at least 8 bar. Preferably, the system comprises a hopper for providing material to the pre-treatment vessel. Preferably, the hopper is located between a/the shredder and the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the hopper comprises a cyclone separator. Preferably, the cyclone separator is arranged so that solid and liquid material passes through the hopper into the pre-treatment vessel and gas exits the hopper through an upper aperture of the hopper.

Preferably, the system comprises a vibrating device. Preferably, the vibrating device is arranged to vibrate one or more of: the hopper; the pre-treatment vessel; and a mixer of the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the vibrating device is arranged to vibrate both of the hopper and the pretreatment vessel.

Preferably, the hopper is arranged to transfer material to the pre-treatment vessel under the force of gravity.

Preferably, the hopper is mounted to another component of the system using flexible structures, e.g. springs.

Preferably, the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to transfer material to the reactor under the force of gravity.

Preferably, the system comprises a mixer. Preferably, the mixer is located between the pretreatment vessel and the reactor.

Preferably, the system comprises the mixer comprises a screw, preferably an Archimedes screw.

Preferably, the system comprises the mixer comprises one or more holes. Preferably, the holes are arranged to enable the passage of gas upwards through the mixer as liquid and/or solid material moves downwards through the mixer.

Preferably, the mixer comprises one or more scrapers, the scrapers being arranged to force material in the pre-treatment vessel through the stirrer.

Preferably, the system comprises a connector, preferably a kinked tube and/or a one-way valve, located between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor, the connector being arranged to prevent the transfer of gases from the reactor into the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the one-way valve comprises a shut-down valve, wherein the shut-down valve is arranged to operate automatically when a potential problem, e.g. a fire, is detected in the system.

Preferably, the connector comprises a cracking unit arranged to crack chains present in the component products, preferably wherein the connector comprises a heated and/or high- pressure pipe.

Preferably, the system comprises a gas inlet for introducing a gas, e.g. an inert gas, into the pre-treatment vessel. Preferably, the gas inlet is located towards the bottom of the pretreatment vessel. Preferably, the system comprises a shut-down valve between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor, wherein the shut-down valve is arranged to halt the transfer of material between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor. Preferably, the shut-down valve is arranged to be operable by a user of the system.

Preferably, the system comprises a catalyst chamber and/or a sorbent chamber located between the reactor and the column, the catalyst chamber and/or the sorbent chamber comprising a catalyst and/or a sorbent.

Preferably, the system comprises a reactivation circuit, wherein the reactivation circuit is arranged to blow hot air: into the catalyst chamber; and/or over the catalyst; and/or into the reactor.

Preferably, the system comprises a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a particulate filter and/or a catalyst of the system using a clean oil. Preferably, the cleaning mechanism is arranged to obtain the clean oil from the column. Preferably, the cleaning mechanism is arranged to obtain the clean oil from a mid-column fraction obtained from the column.

Preferably, the system comprises a heating structure. Preferably, the heating structure is arranged to heat one or more of: the reactor; the pre-treatment vessel; the column and the reactivation circuit. Preferably, the heating structure is connected to a connector and/or a cracking unit of the system.

Preferably, the system comprises a heat transfer structure arranged to transfer heat from the heating structure first to the reactor and thereafter to the pre-treatment vessel and/or the column and/or the reactivation chamber.

Preferably, the reactor is configured to operate at a higher temperature than the pretreatment vessel.

Preferably, the heating structure is arranged to heat the reactor to a higher temperature than the pre-treatment vessel.

Preferably, the reactor is arranged to operate at a temperature that is greater than a boiling and/or vaporization temperature of plastic.

Preferably, the reactor is arranged to operate at a temperature of greater than 300°C.

Preferably, the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to operate at a temperature that is greater than a melting temperature of plastic.

Preferably, the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to operate at a temperature of greater than 150°C.

Preferably, the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to operate at a temperature of less than 300°C.

Preferably, the heating structure is arranged to provide heat to the pre-treatment vessel and/or the reactor.

Preferably, the column comprises a fractional distillation column and/or a packed distillation column.

Preferably, the column is arranged to provide products to a/the heating structure. Preferably, the column is arranged to provide one or more of: light products, medium products, hydrocarbons, and combustible products to the heating structure.

Preferably, the column is arranged to provide products to a fuel storage vessel. Preferably, the column is arranged to provide one or more of: light products, medium products, hydrocarbons, and combustible products to the fuel storage vessel.

Preferably, the system comprises a compressor for compressing a fluid received from the column.

Preferably, the system comprises a neutraliser. Preferably, the neutraliser contains an alkali substance. Preferably, the neutraliser is arranged to provide the alkali substance to the hopper and/or the pre-treatment vessel. Preferably, the system comprises a carbon dioxide capture unit. Preferably, the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises an absorbent for capturing carbon dioxide.

Preferably, the system comprises a switch, wherein the switch is arranged to selectively connect the heating structure to one of a plurality of fuel sources. Preferably, the switch is arranged to selectively connect the heating structure to: the column; and/or a fuel storage vessel.

Preferably, the switch is arranged to operate in dependence on an amount of fuel being produced by the system.

Preferably, the system comprises a fuel storage vessel.

Preferably, the system comprises a carbon black storage structure located beneath the reactor. Preferably, the carbon black storage structure is connected to the reactor via a closeable opening and/or an operable valve.

Preferably, the system comprises a fan for blowing carbon black into the storage structure and/or for drawing carbon black into the storage structure.

Preferably, the system comprises a sensor. Preferably, the system comprises a computer device that is arranged to operate the system in dependence on a reading of the sensor.

Preferably, the system comprises a generator for receiving component products from the column, wherein the generator is arranged to combust the component products so as to generate electricity.

Preferably, the system is a plastic processing system.

Preferably, the system comprises a stabilizing vessel, wherein the stabilizing vessel is arranged to receive products, preferably light products, from the column.

Preferably, the system comprises a stabilizing mechanism, preferably a pump, for encouraging the movement of gases out of the products in the stabilizing vessel.

Preferably, the system comprises a fire suppression system. Preferably, the fire suppression system comprises one or more sprinklers for providing a suppressive substance to the reactor (and/or to one or more, or each, components of the system). Preferably, the suppressive substance comprises carbon dioxide.

Preferably, the fire suppression system is arranged to receive carbon dioxide from a/the carbon dioxide capture unit.

Preferably, the fire suppression system is arranged to isolate and/or seal one or more components of the material processing system. Preferably, the fire suppression system is arranged to seal the reactor.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is described an apparatus comprising the material processing system of any preceding claim.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is described a method of operating the material processing system of any preceding claim.

Preferably, the method comprises transferring material into the reactor.

Preferably, the method comprises extracting components from the column.

Preferably, the method comprises providing a fluid from the reactor and/or the column (and/or from a furnace and/or burner) to a carbon dioxide capture unit; cooling the received fluid; absorbing carbon dioxide from the cooled fluid using an absorbing substance; and heating the absorbing substance to cause the release of carbon dioxide.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is described a method of operating a carbon dioxide capture unit, the method comprising: receiving a fluid; cooling the received fluid; absorbing carbon dioxide from the cooled fluid using an absorbing substance; and heating the absorbing substance to cause the release of carbon dioxide.

Preferably, the method comprises: absorbing a first amount of carbon dioxide from a cooled fluid at a first time; and heating the absorbing substance so as to release the first amount of carbon dioxide at a second time. Preferably, the second time is substantially after the first time.

Preferably, the method comprises transferring the absorbing substance from a substance chamber to a treatment chamber between the first time and the second time.

Preferably, the absorbing substance comprises zeolite.

Preferably, the method comprises heating the absorbing substance using a fluid from the reactor and/or the column (and/or from a furnace and/or burner).

Preferably, the method comprises capturing the released carbon dioxide. Preferably, the method comprises compressing the released carbon dioxide or liquifying the released carbon dioxide.

Preferably, the received fluid comprises a flue gas. Preferably, the method comprises absorbing carbon dioxide from a first amount of flue gas. Preferably, heating the absorbing substance comprises heating the absorbing substance using a second amount of the flue gas.

Preferably, the method comprises: absorbing heat from the received fluid at a first time; storing the heat; and providing the stored heat to the absorbing substance at a second time. Preferably, the method comprises absorbing the carbon dioxide using the absorbing substance between the first time and the second time.

Preferably, light products are products with a boiling point between 60°C and 120°C. Preferably, medium products are products with a boiling point between 120°C and 300°C.

Preferably, heavy products are products with a boiling point above 300°C.

Any feature described as being carried out by an apparatus, an application, and a device may be carried out by any of an apparatus, an application, or a device. Where multiple apparatuses are described, each apparatus may be located on a single device.

Any feature in one aspect of the disclosure may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa.

Furthermore, features implemented in hardware may be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any reference to software and hardware features herein should be construed accordingly.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the disclosure can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

The present invention provides a number of benefits. For example:

Removal & neutralization of chlorine from any PVC feedstock.

- A unique catalyst composition.

Catalytic/non catalytic breakdown of mixed plastic waste.

The symbiosis of mixed plastic waste to produce consistent hydrocarbon components.

Reduction in energy consumption via our heat recovery system by absorbing it in the CO2 capture unit.

Integrated refining process.

- A unique feeding system.

The disclosure extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a system for processing plastic according to the present disclosure.

Figure 2 shows a stirrer comprising holes that may form a part of the system of Figure 1.

Figures 3a and 3b shows a reactor that may form a part of the system of Figure 1 .

Figure 4 shows a distillation column that may form a part of the system of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a method of processing plastic according to the present disclosure.

Figure 6 shows an apparatus that comprises components of the system of Figure 1 .

Figure 7 shows a carbon dioxide capture unit.

Figure 8 shows a method of operating a carbon dioxide capture unit.

Description of the preferred embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a system for processing plastic, which system may in particular be used to output a fuel given an input of waste plastic. It will be appreciated that the components of this system may be provided in any combination (so that the system may comprise only a subset of the components disclosed below and may comprise these components in any combination).

The system comprises a shredder 110 that is arranged to receive the plastic waste and to break the plastic waste into small pieces via a physical process. The shredder may be any structure and/or mechanism for breaking a piece of material into a plurality of smaller pieces of material. Such a mechanism may comprise a shredder, a grinder, a cutter, etc.

The shredder 110 is connected to a pre-treatment vessel 130 via a hopper 120. The hopper may comprise a conveyer belt and/or a screw that conveys the material to the pre-treatment vessel. The hopper may be connected to the shredder via a filter or a sieve, where the filter is sized so that only pieces of material below a threshold size are able to pass onto the hopper. Typically, the hopper 120 is associated with a weighing sensor which automatically regulates and controls the feed of plastic into the pre-treatment vessel.

In some embodiments, the shredder 110 is located above the pre-treatment vessel 130 and the hopper 120 is arranged to transfer material from the shredder to the pre-treatment vessel under the force of gravity. For example, the hopper may comprise a sloped container so that material moves along the slope of the hopper and into the pre-treatment vessel.

In these (and other) embodiments, the hopper 120 may comprise, or may be associated with, a vibrating device, where the vibrating device vibrates the hopper so as to encourage the movement of the material through the hopper. In some embodiments, the hopper is associated with a pump (e.g. an air pump or a vacuum pump), where the pump is arranged to draw material from the shredder into the hopper and/or to force material from the hopper into the pre-treatment vessel 130. The use of a gravity-fed arrangement with a vibrating device enables the hopper 120 (and the system) to be provided without conveyors, which enables the provision of a compact system. Though, equally, the hopper may comprise a conveyor that is able to move material through the hopper. In some embodiments, the system comprises an agglomerator for combining pieces of the material waste. In this regard, light plastics or film type plastics may be combined by the agglomerator into more dense granules that can be more easily fed into the pre - treatment vessel.

In some embodiments, the agglomerator is used instead of the shredder 110 (where the choice of component may depend on the intended use of the processing system. In some embodiments, the system comprises each of the agglomerator and the shredder. In these embodiments, a user or a computer device may be arranged to feed material to either of the agglomerator or the shredder in dependence on a property of the material (e.g. a density of the material). For example, all material may be fed into an intake of the system and then this material may be sorted based on sensor readings (e.g. weight measurements) associated with the material.

Typically, the hopper 120 is attached to another component of the system (e.g. to the pretreatment vessel 130 or to a mount) using flexible structures, such as springs. The use of such flexible structures increases the effectiveness of a vibrating device and equally can be used to provide a vibration to the hopper in the absence of a power source (as the material that is entering the hopper provides a force that results in the flexible structures deforming and thereby effectively vibrating to provide a vibration to the hopper.

The hopper 120 may comprise a cyclone separator (or a ‘cyclone’). Such a cyclone is arranged to form a vortex in the body of the cyclone. This vortex provides a situation in which lighter materials (e.g. gases) are able to move upwards through the center of the cyclone while heavier materials (e.g. shredded plastic) fall through the cyclone in a spiral near the walls of the cyclone. Therefore, the cyclone is able to direct lighter products (e.g. gases) out through an aperture at the top of the hopper while directing heavier products (e.g. shredded plastic) through an aperture at the bottom of the hopper and into the pre-treatment vessel 130). These gases may comprise toxic gases, and so may be directed to a neutraliser 190 (e.g. as described below).

The vibrating device, or the flexible structures, may also be used to influence the distribution of materials in the hopper 120 and/or the pre-treatment vessel 130. The pre-treatment vessel may be vibrated to distribute other materials through an amount shredded plastic that is present in the pre-melting vessel. For example, an alkali may be added to the material in the hopper 120 to neutralise products in the material (e.g. sulphur or chlorine), where the vibration provided by the vibrating device assists in distributing such an alkali through the material as it passes through the hopper and the pre-treatment device. It will be appreciated that an alkali, or more generally a neutralizing product may also be used in embodiments without a vibrating hopper. The pre-treatment vessel 130 is arranged to extract any excess fluids from the material. For example, the pre-treatment vessel may be arranged to extract water, chlorine, and/or air that is released from the material (e.g. due to the melting of the material in the pre-treatment vessel). The pre-treatment vessel typically comprises a stirring mechanism and/or an agitator that is arranged to encourage the release of such fluids from the material in the pre-treatment vessel. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment vessel comprises a screw and/or a twin screw (e.g. a screw extruder), where the rotation of this screw causes a mixing of the material in the pre-treatment vessel.

Typically, the pre-treatment vessel 130 comprises a structure for introducing gas (e.g. an inert gas and/or a noble gas) into the pre-treatment vessel, which gas may encourage the release of fluids from the material in the pre-treatment vessel. For example, the pre-treatment vessel may comprise a gas inlet (e.g. a gas ring) located towards the bottom of the pre-treatment vessel. The gas may for example comprise nitrogen or carbon dioxide, but it will be appreciated that other gases may equally be used. The gas may be heated prior to the addition of the gas to the pre-treatment vessel (e.g. to avoid cooling the material in the pre-treatment vessel). The inert gas also acts to displace any other gases in the pre-treatment vessel and to force these gases towards the top of the pre-treatment vessel where they can exit the pretreatment vessel. The gas inlet may be arranged to receive gas from a gas storage tank that forms a part of the system. Equally, the gas inlet may receive gas from a nitrogen (N2) or other inert gas generator.

Typically, the pre-treatment vessel 130 comprises a vent for removing fluids from the pretreatment vessel. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment vessel comprises a plurality of vents; in particular, the pre-treatment vessel may comprise a first vent for removing excess air and/or moisture from the pre-treatment vessel and a second vent for removing chlorine from the pre-treatment vessel.

Typically, the pre-treatment vessel 130 is arranged to melt or fluidise the material in the pretreatment vessel (and the pre-treatment vessel may be termed a pre-melter). For example, the pre-treatment vessel may comprise, or be associated with, a heater or an electrical heater. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment vessel comprises an injector or bubbler for introducing gas into the material from the base of the pre-treatment vessel or the stirrer shaft of the premelter so as to fluidise the material.

The pre-treatment vessel 130 is connected to a reactor 140, e.g. via a conveyer, another hopper, and/or a stirrer (as described below), so that material from the pre-treatment vessel can be provided to the reactor. Typically, the material from the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to flow into the reactor under the force of gravity, where this flow is encouraged by the stirrer in the pre-treatment vessel.

In some embodiments, the stirrer comprises a screw mechanism (e.g. an Archimedes screw), where liquids and solids are able to flow down the screw while gases are able to rise up the screw mechanism so that these gases do not enter the reactor 140. These gases may then be able to exit the pre-treatment vessel 130 via an opening near the top of the pre-treatment vessel. In some embodiments, this opening is connected to the neutraliser 190. The opening may comprise a one-way valve to prevent the ingress of materials into the pre-treatment vessel.

Referring to Figure 3, the system may comprise a stirrer 132 (or a ‘mixer’ or ‘agitator’) that comprises a plurality of holes 134, which holes are arranged to enable and encourage the flow of gas upwards through the stirrer. For example, where the stirrer comprises a screw, the helix or tine of the screw may comprise a regular arrangement of holes so that gases can rise through the levels of the screw.

In particular, the stirrer 132 may comprise a screw along which solid or liquid material moves towards the reactor 140 while gases rise through the holes 134 in the screw towards a roof of the pre-treatment vessel 130.

In some embodiments, the stirrer 132 comprises a plurality of scrapers that are arranged to force material from the pre-treatment vessel 130 through the stirrer so as to promote the flow of material through the system.

In some embodiments, the pre-treatment vessel 130 is connected to the reactor 140 via the stirrer 132. For example, where the stirrer comprises a screw, the screw may be located between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor so that all of the material exiting the pretreatment vessel passes through the screw, which screw enables the passage of solid material to the reactor while reducing the amount of gas passing into the reactor (since the gas can rise up through the screw (e.g. through holes in the screw).

The stirrer 132 (or the pre-treatment vessel 130) may be connected to the vibrating mechanism of the hopper 120 and/or to another vibrating mechanism, where the vibration of the stirrer then encourages the flow of material along the stirrer as well as encouraging the mixing of the material as it moves along the stirrer to achieve a more uniform temperature distribution.

The stirrer 132 (or the pre-treatment vessel 130) may be connected to the reactor 140 via a connector that is configured to prevent the passage of gas from the reactor to the pretreatment vessel. For example, the pre-treatment vessel may be connected to the reactor via a (e.g. one way) valve or via a narrow or kinked tube that is arranged to be fully filled with fluid or solid material so that gas is blocked from passing through this tube.

More generally, the pre-treatment vessel 130 is connected to the reactor 140 via an opening that enables material to move from the pre-treatment vessel to the reactor (and in basic embodiments this opening may simply be an aperture). The use of the stirrer 132 or the hopper is optional.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a shut-down valve located between the pretreatment vessel 130 and the reactor 140, wherein the shut-down valve is arranged to halt the transfer of material between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor. Preferably, the shutdown valve is arranged to be operable by a user of the system. The shut-down valve may operate automatically whenever a potential safety concern is detected (e.g. if a fire is detected in the system, if an excess pressure is detected in a component of the system, or if there is a loss of power). The shut-down valve may then operate to separate the pre-treatment vessel 130 and the reactor 140 and in particular to prevent the backflow of material (and pressure) from the reactor to the pre-treatment vessel.

The reactor 140 comprises a heating vessel that is arranged to provide heat to the material in the reactor. For this purpose, the reactor may comprise a heating structure 142 such as a burner that heats the reactor. The heating structure may be internal to the reactor or external from the reactor.

The reactor 140 is arranged to heat the material (e.g. the plastic) so as to produce product vapours, which product vapours are then transferred (e.g. via an aperture near the top of the reactor) to a column 150, e.g. to a packed distillation column.

The reactor 140 may, for example, comprise a continuous stirred tank reactor, CSTR, that is arranged to stir material and scrape clean reactor walls within the reactor.

Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the reactor 140 may comprise one or more screws 142 and/or one or more stirrers. In particular, the reactor may comprise a plurality of screws that are arranged to move material from an entrance of the reactor towards an exit of the reactor (e.g. up an incline). The reactor may also comprise one or more holes or grates 144 located on a lower side of the reactor to transfer leftover materials (e.g. ash or carbon black) into a collection chamber 146 from which these leftover materials can be removed.

The holes and/or grates 144 may be located towards an exit side of the reactor 140. Therefore, as the material moves through the reactor and releases product vapours, these (e.g. gaseous) product vapours exit the reactor via the aperture and any remaining (e.g. solid or liquid) material drops through the holes and into a collection chamber 146. The material moving through the reactor typically comprises the screws moving the material along an angled path so that the exit side of the reactor is both above and offset from the entrance side of the reactor. Therefore, the collection chamber may be placed under the reactor so that material can move into this collection chamber under the force of gravity as it approaches the exit side of the reactor. More specifically, any product vapours released from the heating of the material in the reactor are able to pass to the column 150 via vents in an upper side of the reactor while any solids or fluids, e.g. ash or carbon black, instead fall into the collection chamber of the reactor. These materials may then be collected and processed (e.g. disposed of in a suitable manner).

Typically, the screws are arranged to move material continuously from an entrance chamber of the reactor, where material may move from the pre-treatment apparatus into this entrance chamber. The use of the screws enables a continuous provision of material through the reactor 140 so as to provide a continuous supply of product vapours to the column 150.

The column 150 is arranged to separate material into light, medium, and heavy products. For example, the column may comprise a condenser. It will be appreciated that numerous structures for separating materials by weight are known. Light products, medium products, and heavy products may be distinguished by their boiling points. For example, light products may be those products with a boiling point between 60°C and 120°C, medium products may be those products with a boiling point between 120°C and 300°C, and heavy products may be those products with a boiling point above 300°C. More generally, light products have a lower boiling point than medium products, and medium products have a lower boiling point than heavy products. Typically, the column 150 is arranged to separate the material into liquid or gaseous light products, liquid medium products, and liquid or solid heavy products (with components with a boiling point of less than, e.g. 60°C being gaseous in the column and exiting through the top of the column). Such an arrangement enables the products to be separated and also enables the products to be collected and processed.

In particular, light products (which are in a gaseous form following the heating in the reactor 140) may pass through the top of the column 150; medium products may condense in the column and then exit the column as liquids through an outlet in a midsection of the column; and heavy products may condense in the column and exit the column through an outlet towards the bottom of the column.

The light products typically exit the column via an aperture in the top of the column 150 before being condensed in a condenser (e.g. an air cooler) that is separate to the column. These condensed light products may then be collected in a separating structure, e.g. a three-phase separator, before being removed from the system.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a stabilizing vessel that is arranged to store the light products (in a liquid form) and the system comprises a stabilizing mechanism that is arranged to remove gases from these light products. In this regard, gases, such as carbon dioxide, natural gas, butane/propane etc. may be present in the light products that exit the column 150 and these gases may complicate the storage, transportation, and use of the light products. The stabilizing vessel may be connected to the column, e.g. to the aperture in the top of the column, so that light products exiting the column pass into the stabilizing vessel.

The stabilizing mechanism is arranged to encourage the release of gas from a liquid in the stabilizing vessel and typically comprises one or more of: a pump (e.g. a compressor); and a heating structure. For example, the stabilizing mechanism may comprise a pump that is arranged to reduce a pressure in an upper section of the stabilizing vessel so as to encourage the transfer of gases into this upper section from a liquid in a lower section of the stabilizing vessel. These gases can then be drawn out of the stabilizing vessel and processed appropriately. Providing some heat to the stabilizing vessel can encourage this transfer of gas.

An exemplary embodiment of the column 150 is shown in Figure 4. This column comprises an inlet 152 that is arranged to receive product vapours (or vapour products), which vapour products are at a high temperature. The column further comprises a plurality of outlets 154-1 , 154-2 arranged at different locations (e.g. heights) on the column. These outlets are each associated with a different temperature. As the vapour products pass through the column 150, the temperature of these products reduces. For example, the temperature may reduce due to the transfer of heat to surrounding air. In some embodiments, the column comprises one or more cooling structures that are arranged to provide a specific temperature of the products at various locations in the column (e.g. each outlet of the column may be associated with a heat exchanger that is arranged to cool the vapour products to a desired temperature as these products pass the associated outlet). The products are formed of a plurality of component fluids, which fluids each have a different condensation temperature. Therefore, as the vapour products cool, different liquids condense from the vapour products. These liquids then pass through one of the openings of the column, e.g. under the force of gravity.

In a practical example, the vapour products may comprise fuel oil, diesel oil, kerosene, and/or gasoline. Typically, fuel oil has a condensation temperature of around 370°C, diesel oil has a condensation temperature of around 300°C, kerosene has a condensation temperature of around 200°C, and gasoline has a condensation temperature of around 150°C.

With this example, the first outlet 154-1 may be associated with fuel oil and the second outlet 154-2 may be associated with diesel oil. As the vapour products pass through the column and cool, the vapour products reach a temperature of 370°C shortly after passing the first outlet, so that the fuel oil in the vapour products condenses above the first outlet and then and flows through the first outlet. The remaining vapour products then reach a temperature of 300°C shortly after passing the second outlet, so that the diesel oil in the vapour products condenses above the second outlet and flows through the second outlet. These different component products can then be transferred to different components or containers.

The column 150 may further comprise a base outlet 156, which is arranged to collect those components of the vapour products with the highest condensation temperatures (this base outlet may collect a mixture of products which are separated separately).

Similarly, the column 150 may further comprise a top outlet 158, which is arranged to collect those components of the vapour products with the lowest condensation temperatures (this top outlet may collect a mixture of products which are separated separately).

In some embodiments, the column 150 comprises a heating device (and/or is connected to the burner 142) so that the vapours in the column can be reheated after they enter the column.

In some embodiments, the column 150 comprises the base outlet 156, the top outlet 158, and only a single middle outlet, which middle outlet is arranged to output the light and medium products from the column (e.g. diesel and/or kerosene).

The reactor 140 typically comprises a catalyst, which may be located in a catalyst chamber 144 of the reactor. The catalyst chamber may be connected to the exit of the reactor so that fluids (e.g. product vapours) that result from the heating of the material pass through the catalyst before entering the column 150. For example, the catalyst chamber may be located adjacent an upper vent of the reactor where the product vapours then pass through this catalyst chamber while any solid or liquid materials passing into the collection chamber 146 do not pass through the catalyst chamber. Equally, the catalyst chamber 144 may be provided separately to the reactor 140. For example, the catalyst chamber may be located at an outlet of the reactor with a particulate filter being located between the reactor and the catalyst chamber.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a sorbent, which sorbent may be located in the catalyst chamber 144 and/or may be located in a separate sorbent chamber. The sorbent is arranged to absorb fluids that pass through the sorbent (e.g. so that these fluids can be removed from the system). The sorbent may be used to neutralise chlorines or sulfurs that are present in the fluid passing through the sorbent chamber.

In some embodiments, the catalyst is associated with a reactivation circuit that is arranged to pass hot air over or through the catalyst chamber 142 in order to cleanse and reactivate the catalyst. The hot air may remove a surface coating of the catalyst and/or remove substances that have been absorbed by the catalyst. The reactivation circuit may, for example, pass hot air through the catalyst chamber based on a cycling of material through the reactor, where each cycle of material relates to an amount of material being provided to the reactor 140 (which material is thereafter heated to obtain product vapours). The reactivation circuit may, for example, operate once every cycle, at least once every five cycles, and/or at least once every ten cycles.

Typically, the reactivation circuit is arranged to receive hot air (or heat) from the pre-treatment vessel 130 and/or the reactor 140. This precludes the need to provide additional power in order to heat the air for the reactivation circuit vessel. For example, the reactivation vessel may comprise a heat transfer structure and/or a tube that is arranged to transfer heat and/or hot air from the reactor to the catalyst chamber 144.

The reactivation circuit may further be used to clean the reactor 140, where the reactivation circuit may be arranged to blow hot air through the reactor and/or onto the walls of the reactor. Such a reactivation circuit may be used to remove particulate matter, such as carbon black, from the walls of the reactor.

In some embodiments, the system cleaning mechanism that is arranged to clean a particulate filter and/or a catalyst and/or the reactor 140 using a clean oil. For example, the cleaning mechanism may be arranged to obtain the clean oil from the column 150, e.g. from a midcolumn fraction, and then to use the clean oil to cleanse any carbon residue from the particulate filter and/or catalyst. Such a cleaning mechanism may be more efficient and/or safer than the use of the reactivation circuit.

Typically, the system comprises a filter, e.g. a mesh, that is located between the reactor 140 and the column 150, where this mesh is used to prevent the passage of materials such as carbon black. In particular, the mesh may prevent the passage of particulate matter that is present in the gases that are moving towards the column 150. This particular matter can build up on the mesh and form a blockage and therefore the system may comprise a cleaning mechanism for cleaning this mesh.

In some embodiments, the cleaning system is arranged to pass a fluid over the mesh, preferably to pass a fluid through the mesh so that this fluid moves into the reactor 140, and, e.g. into the collection chamber 146 of the reactor and/or into a carbon black storage structure). This fluid can be provided during a cleaning cycle of the system to dislodge any particulate matter from the mesh. Typically, the fluid comprises medium products from the column. These medium products are typically free of particulate matter and solids (which may not be the case for the heavy products) while being substantial enough to dislodge the particulate matter from the mesh. This process could be considered to involve backwashing fluids, e.g. medium products, from the column 150 to the reactor in order to remove particulate matter from the mesh that has built up during the passage of material from the reactor to the column. Typically, this cleaning process occurs shortly after the completion of a processing stage so that the fluid (e.g. the medium products) are still hot. This increases the effectiveness of these fluids.

The catalyst typically comprises a honeycomb structure (e.g. a metal honeycomb structure) that comprises (e.g. is laced with) one or more of, or all of, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The honeycomb structure is typically located in the center of the catalyst chamber 144 so that the product vapours pass through the honeycomb structure before entering the column 150.

The catalyst may (e.g. further) comprise an alkali or base that acts as both a catalyst and a neutralising agent for any acidic vapours. For example, the catalyst may comprise soda or calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide that is arranged to neutralise chlorine or sulphur that might be present in the vapour products.

The reactor 140 may comprise a structure for removing and/or storing carbon black so that the carbon black is not transferred to the column 150. For example, the reactor may comprise a valve at the base of the reactor that enables this carbon black to be removed. Typically, the reactor comprises a carbon box that is located at the base of the reactor and is arranged to collect carbon black during the operation of the reactor (where the carbon black falls into this box); the box may then comprise a valve or an opening that enables a user to periodically remove the carbon black from the box. Similarly, the box may be connected to the reactor using a closeable valve so that the box can selectively be disconnected from the reactor so that it can be removed.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a fan for blowing carbon black into the storage structure and/or for pulling carbon black into the storage structure. Such a fan can be operated periodically to push (or draw) carbon black from the reactor 140 into the storage box in order to clean the reactor. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms may be used to transfer the carbon black into and/or out of the storage structure, e.g. a screw conveyor may be used to effect a movement of carbon black.

The column 150 is connected to the pre-treatment vessel 130 (e.g. via a pump) so that products, in particular heavy products such as paraffin, can be returned to the pre-treatment vessel and then recirculated through the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor 140. The column is also connected to a compressor 170 so that light products (e.g. fuels) can be transferred to the compressor 170, compressed, and thereafter transferred to a gas storage vessel 180. In this regard, the aforementioned processing and heating of the plastic waste typically produces a hydrocarbon gas that can thereafter be used as fuel. For example, the gas may be compressed and then provided in a similar form to liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and/or natural gas.

Where the system is used to process plastic, the vapours may comprise one or more of: liquified petroleum gas (LPG), butane, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, diesel fuel, alkenes, asphalt, tar, and/or paraffin. The vapours may be separated into heavy products (e.g. products with a high boiling point) and light products (e.g. products with a low boiling point).

Heavy products that are obtained from the product vapours using the column 150, such as paraffin, may be transferred from the column to the pre-treatment vessel, where these heavy products both lubricate the pre-treatment vessel and the stirrer and also raise the heat capacity of the materials in the pre-treatment vessel.

The transferring of the heavy products to the pre-treatment vessel may occur via a connector, which connector may comprise a cracking unit arranged to crack long chains that are present in the heavy products. Such a connector may comprise a heated and/or high-pressure (e.g. coil of) pipe (e.g. where the pressure is obtained by heating the pipe), where the heavy products undergo cracking as they pass through the connector/pipe.

Light products and/or fuels obtained from the product vapours using the column 150, such as gases and hydrocarbons, may be passed to a compressor 170. Equally, these light products and/or fuels may be provided to the heating structure 142 so that these gases can be burnt and used to provide heat to components of the system, such as the reactor.

In this regard, when the system is first operated, it typically requires an external power source or a fuel to be provided in order to operate the heating structure 142 and to heat the material passing through the system. However, once an amount of plastic has passed through the system, flammable gases can be extracted using the column 150. These gases can then be used to sustain the system by providing a fuel source to the heating structure.

The system may comprise a (e.g. physical or digital) switch that is arranged to be operated in dependence on an amount of fuel being produced by the system so that, when this amount is below a threshold the system receives power or fuel from an external source and/or when this amount is above a threshold the system receives fuel from the column 150 (e.g. via the gas storage vessel 190). The ‘external source’ of fuel may comprise the gas storage vessel, where the system may be arranged to draw fuel from the gas storage vessel during an initial period of operation. Such an embodiment requires an external fuel source or a non-empty gas storage vessel to be provided only for the very first period of operation of the system, where restarting operation after subsequent breaks in operation does not require such an external fuel source to be provided.

As described above, the system may further comprise the neutraliser 190, which neutraliser may connected to the pre-treatment vessel 130. The neutraliser is arranged to receive fluids (e.g. gases and liquids) from the pre-treatment vessel, to process these fluids, and to either output these fluids to a container or to provide these fluids to the heating structure 142. The neutraliser may comprise a substance, such as an alkali, that is arranged to neutralise gases such as chlorine that are output by the pre-treatment vessel. Flammable gases that are obtained by the neutraliser (e.g. syngas or other hydrocarbons) may be provided to the heating structure to aid in the heating of the reactor. The neutralizer may also (or alternatively) be connected to another component of the system, such as the reactor 140.

The neutraliser 190 may be attached (directly or indirectly) to the hopper 120 and/or to the vibrating device so that the vibrations of the hopper or the vibrating device also vibrate the neutraliser. Equally, the neutraliser may be associated with a separate vibrating device. Vibrating the neutraliser promotes the distribution of a neutralizing substance through a material that is located in the neutraliser.

In some embodiments, the neutraliser 190 is combined with the catalyst chamber and/or the sorbent chamber, e.g. so that gases exiting the reactor pass through a combined catalyst/sorbent/neutraliser chamber in order to remove undesirable substances from these gases.

Typically, each of the components of the system are sealed to avoid the leakage of substances out of the system. For example, each adjacent pair of components may be joined by a high temperature gasket and/or by a mechanical seal.

Typically, the system comprises a high-temperature seal, e.g. in between the pre-treatment vessel 130 and the reactor 140 and/or in between the hopper 120 and the pre-treatment vessel and/or as part of an agitator or mixer. The high-temperature seal may comprise a mechanical seal, which mechanical seal comprises an inner chamber, which comprises packing for the shaft, and an cooling jacket, which cooling jacket is arranged to provide cooling to the inner chamber. For example, the cooling jacket may comprise fins to encourage the transfer of heat away from the mechanical seal, or the cooling jacket may comprise a fan that is arranged to transfer heat away from the mechanical seal.

Typically, the mechanical seal comprises a stretchable (e.g. stainless steel) cover, where this enables a secure connection to be made between the two components being joined by the seal. The mechanical seal may comprise a packing material such as a graphite rope that enables a steel shaft connecting a plurality of components to turn while maintaining a seal between these two components.

Typically, one or more of the components comprises a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flowmeter, and/or a level meter. The operation of the system is typically controlled using a computer device (e.g. that determines when material should be introduced to the shredder 110). The computer device may operate in dependence on one or more of said aforementioned sensors, e.g. to provide more material to the shredder when the rate of flow of material into the reactor 140 falls below a threshold level.

Typically, each of the pre-treatment vessel 130 and the reactor 140 are arranged to provide heat to materials within these components. The reactor may be maintained at a higher temperature than the pre-treatment vessel, for example the pre-treatment vessel may be heated to around 200°C and the reactor may be heated to above 350°C or to between 350°C and 600°C. Typically, the pre-treatment vessel 130 is heated to, or above, a melting point of the material being processed (e.g. to, or above, the melting temperature of plastic). Typically, the reactor 140 is heated to a greater temperature than the pre-treatment vessel (e.g. to a boiling temperature or a vaporization temperature of the material) so as to promote the emission of vapour products from the melted material (e.g. the reactor may be heated to the boiling temperature or the vaporization temperature of plastic).

The pre-treatment vessel 130 and the reactor 140 may be heated by various arrangements of heating structures. For example, pipes may be arranged around the exterior of the pretreatment vessel and/or the reactor, where a heated fluid is passed through these pipes in order to transfer heat to the pre-treatment vessel or the reactor.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a heat transfer structure that is arranged to heat both of the reactor 140 and the pre-treatment vessel 130. In particular, such a heat transfer structure may pass from the heating structure 142, around (or through) the reactor, and then around (or through) the pre-treatment vessel. The reactor is typically operated at a higher temperature than the pre-treatment vessel so that the burner is able to heat the fluid to a suitable temperature for heating the reactor, which heating of the reactor results in a corresponding cooling of the fluid. This cooled (but still hot) fluid can then be used to heat the pre-treatment vessel. To ensure that the fluid is at a suitable temperature for heating the pretreatment vessel, the heat transfer structure may be arranged to pass by a cooling device to cool the fluid if it is undesirably hot and/or a heating device (e.g. the burner) to reheat the fluid if it is not as hot as desired.

The heat transfer structure may further pass by the column 150; for example, the heat transfer structure may pass from the heating structure 142, around the column, around the reactor 140, and then around the pre-treatment vessel 130. This heat transfer structure may then reheat the vapours in the column.

The heat transfer structure may further pass by the reactivation circuit; for example, the heat transfer structure may pass from the heating structure 142, around the reactor 140, around the pre-treatment vessel 130, and then around the reactivation circuit.

Furthermore, the heat transfer structure may pass by the connector (between the column and the pre-treatment structure), the cracking unit, and/or the carbon capture unit.

As described above, the hopper 120 may be associated with a vibrating device, where this vibrating device encourages the movement of material through the hopper. Furthermore, one or more of the other components may be associated with a vibrating device, which may be the hopper vibrating device or a different vibrating device. In particular, the pre-treatment vessel 130 may be associated with a vibrating device, where this encourages movement of material into the reactor 140 (e.g. via the screw) as well as mixing of the material in the pre-treatment vessel.

Typically, the system comprises a vibrating device that is arranged to vibrate one or more of (or each of): the hopper 120; the pre-treatment vessel 130; the stirrer 132 and/or screw of the pre-treatment vessel; and the reactor 140. The vibrating device may be connected to one or more of these components via rigid links. Equally, the vibrating device may be connected to one or more of these components via flexible structures, such as springs. Typically, the same vibrating device is arranged to vibrate a plurality of components of the system (e.g. the hopper and the pre-treatment vessel).

In some embodiments, the system comprises a generator for combusting the fuel produced by the system. Such a generator may vibrate during the course of normal operation and so, in some embodiments, the generator is connected to one or more of: the hopper 120; the pretreatment vessel 130; the stirrer 132 and/or screw of the pre-treatment vessel; and the reactor 140 so as to vibrate these components.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture unit. This capture unit is typically arranged to receive a fluid containing carbon dioxide from one or more of: the column 150; a flue gas exhaust, the neutraliser 190, and/or (e.g. a vent of) another component of the system.

In particular, the system may comprise a heating structure 142 that is arranged to provide heat to components of the system, e.g. the reactor. This heating structure may be arranged to combust a material, such as a natural gas. This combustible material may be obtained from the column 150, e.g. from the light products of the column, so that the heating structure is fueled by the products from the processing of the material. The exhaust of the heating structure may output flue gases that are a result of the combustion that occurs in the heating structure, and these flue gases may be transferred to the carbon dioxide capture unit.

The carbon dioxide capture unit comprises an absorbent structure, such as zeolite, that is arranged to capture carbon dioxide (e.g. from the flue gas). The capture unit may then release the carbon dioxide from this absorbent structure by heating or pressuring the absorbent structure so as to cause the release of the carbon dioxide from this structure. The released carbon dioxide can then be captured (e.g. in a storage tank). Equally, the carbon dioxide can be vented out of the system. This unit enables the extraction and temporary storage of carbon dioxide from fluids such as flue gases and then the selective release of this carbon dioxide (e.g. so that the carbon dioxide can be re-captured in a structure suitable for long term storage).

In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises means for cooling an incoming fluid, where this cooling can be used to remove moisture from the incoming fluid.

More specifically, the carbon dioxide capture unit typically operates by using a pressuretemperature adsorption swing process that entails receiving the flue gas, removing water/moisture from the gas, absorbing the carbon dioxide from this gas using zeolite, and absorbing the heat from the flue gas so as to release CO2 from an adsorbed zeolite bed. A more detailed method for capturing carbon dioxide is described below with reference to Figure 8.

In some embodiments, the material processing system comprises a fire suppression system. The fire suppression system typically comprises one or more sprinklers that are arranged to provide a suppressive substance (such as carbon dioxide) to a component of the system, such as the reactor 140. This fire suppression system may be operated automatically when a fire (or another potential problem is detected) and may operate in concert with the abovedescribed shut-off valve between the pre-treatment vessel 130 and the reactor. In some embodiments, the fire suppression system is arranged to enclose, isolate, or seal, one or more of the components of the system, e.g. the reactor, to prevent the flow of air into or out of this component. The combination of isolating this component and providing the suppressive substance to the component enables the fire suppression system to readily suppress any fires.

In some embodiments, the first suppression system is arranged to receive carbon dioxide from the carbon capture unit, where this carbon dioxide can then be used as the suppressive substance.

Referring to Figure 5, there is described a method of using a system for processing plastic (e.g. the system of Figure 1). Any of the steps of the method may be carried out by a user manually and/or may be carried out by a computer device. For example, the system may comprise a processor that is arranged to perform one or more of the steps of the method.

In a first step 11 , a user and/or a computer device provides plastic waste to the shredder 110. The shredder then shreds this plastic waste to obtain small pieces of plastic. The system may be used for processing various types of plastic, e.g. mixed plastic waste (that comprises, for example, both polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) may be fed into the shredder for processing.

In a second step 12, the shredded plastic is transferred to the pre-treatment vessel 130 via the hopper 120. The material may then be stirred and/or a gas may be introduced to the pretreatment vessel in order to encourage the emission of excess fluids from the material. In particular, the material may release water, chlorine, or residual air, where an inert gas may be introduced into the pre-treatment vessel to displace these substances so that they are forced towards an opening in a wall of the pre-treatment vessel.

In a third step 13, the excess fluids are removed from the pre-treatment vessel 130 and, typically, are transferred to the neutraliser 190. These excess fluids may then be neutralised in the neutraliser.

Equally, the neutraliser 190 may provide a neutralizing material to the hopper 120 and/or the pre-treatment vessel 130 in order to neutralise materials as they pass through these components. For example, the neutraliser may transfer an alkali to the pre-treatment vessel, which alkali then mixes with (and neutralizes) the material in the pre-treatment vessel.

In a fourth step 14, the material (e.g. the plastic) in the pre-treatment vessel is transferred to the reactor 140.

Typically, the method comprises transferring the material to the reactor 140 in the absence of oxygen. For example, inert gas may be introduced into the pre-treatment vessel 130 so as to displace any air and oxygen in these vessels. Therefore, there is no transfer of oxygen to the reactor when the material is transferred to the reactor. Typically, the reactor is located beneath the pre-treatment vessel with the inert gas being introduced into the base of the pre-treatment vessel. The inert gas then forces the oxygen (and any other gases) in the pre-treatment vessel towards the top of the pre-treatment vessel and out through the opening, while the plastic in the pre-treatment vessel moves through the bottom of the pre-treatment vessel (e.g. under the force of gravity) and into the reactor.

In a fifth step 15, the reactor 140 is heated, e.g. using the heating structure 142. The product vapor that is produced from the heated material in the reactor flows out of the reactor and into the column 150. The heating of the product typically occurs in the absence of oxygen and may occur in the presence of a catalyst (e.g. so as to prevent combustion of the product vapours).

In a sixth step 16, in the column 150, the product vapours are separated into constituent products. Typically, this comprises separating the product vapours by weight, e.g. heavy products and light products may be separated by the column.

In a seventh step 17, the light products and/or the medium products are collected (e.g. in an output container or a gas storage vessel 180).

In an eighth step 18, the heavy products are transferred (e.g. through the cracking unit) to the pre-treatment vessel 130 and/or the reactor 140. These heavy products aid in the melting of material in the pre-treatment vessel since the added heavy products increase the heat capacity of the mix of plastic and heavy products, and the heated heavy products that are distributed through the plastic provide increased transfer of heat to the plastic. Furthermore, the heavy products are typically at a high temperature before being transferred into the pretreatment vessel and/or the reactor (since they have passed through the reactor) and so the heat from these heavy products aids the melting of the plastic in the pre-treatment vessel.

In a ninth step 19, any flue gases may be treated (e.g. to neutralise any harmful substances). The flue gases may, for example, be transferred to a treatment vessel, to the neutraliser 190, or to a separate module of the system (e.g. the carbon dioxide capture unit) that is arranged to treat flue gases such as carbon dioxide.

Equally, the flue gases may be transferred away from the system (e.g. via an exhaust of the system).

Such a system and/or method enables the extraction of useful hydrocarbons from various types of plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS).

These extracted hydrocarbons can then be converted into fuels and petrochemicals (e.g. by being decomposed into oil/gas/carbon black and then refined into fuel). The method may comprise refining the products output from the system, e.g. to produce a desired fuel.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown an apparatus 1000 that comprises the components of the system of Figure 1 . As shown in Figure 6, each of the components may be provided as part of a single apparatus so that the system can easily be transported and installed. For example, the apparatus may comprise a housing that contains each of the disclosed components (or a subset of these components). The apparatus 1000 may be provided so that gravity helps to move materials through the apparatus. In particular, the apparatus may be arranged so that, when the apparatus is installed, the shredder 110 is located towards the base of the apparatus and/or the pretreatment vessel is located above the reactor 140. Such an arrangement enables the use of a hopper 120 that is gravity fed and does not rely on converter belts. Furthermore, the neutraliser 190 and/or the column 150 may be located above the pre-treatment vessel and/or the reactor 140 so that gases flowing out of the pre-treatment vessel can enter the neutraliser.

Typically, the gas storage vessel 180 is arranged to be easily removable from the remainder of the apparatus, e.g. it may be secured to the exterior of the apparatus using clips. This enables a gas storage vessel to be removed when it is full so that another, empty, gas storage vessel can be connected to the system.

Such an apparatus and/or system may be installed in, for example, a building or a vehicle, and the present disclosure extends to such an implementation. Equally, the apparatus or system may be provided as a standalone apparatus/system.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown an embodiment of a carbon dioxide capture unit that may be used alongside the material processing system, but equally may be provided as a separate system. The carbon dioxide capture unit is arranged to receive fluids and to process these fluids so as to remove carbon dioxide from the fluids. For this purpose, the carbon dioxide capture chamber typically comprises one or more absorbing chambers, which chambers comprise an absorbing substance for absorbing carbon dioxide. The capture chamber typically comprises one or more long term storage structures, e.g. high-pressure containers, for long term storage of carbon dioxide. In this regard, the absorbing substance may be arranged to remove the carbon dioxide from fluid entering the system and then to (selectively) release this carbon dioxide (e.g. based on heat being provided to the absorbing substance) so that the carbon dioxide can be transferred to the long term storage structure.

Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a method of operating the carbon dioxide capture unit. The method may be implemented by a computer device associated with the carbon dioxide capture unit. The method of Figure 7 is typically combined with the method of Figure 5. In particular, the ninth step 19 of the method of Figure 5, which step comprises treating flue gases, may comprise treating the flue gases using the carbon dioxide capture unit.

In a first step 21 , the capture unit receives fluids. The fluids may comprise fluids from the system for processing plastic, e.g. from the reactor. Equally, the fluids may comprise flue gases, e.g. that are a by-product of a combustion process that occurs in a heating structure of the system. More generally, the fluids may be any fluids and the carbon dioxide capture unit may be provided in isolation to the system for processing plastic (e.g. it may be used to capture carbon dioxide from other sources).

In a second step 22, the capture unit cools the received fluids, e.g. by passing air over the fluids and/or by passing the fluids over a cold material. The cooling of the fluids causes the release of moisture, e.g. water, from the fluids, where this moisture may then be removed from the carbon capture unit (e.g. using a drain of the carbon capture unit). The step of cooling the fluids may include (or be followed by) a step of compressing the fluids, where the compression of the fluids may assist the absorbing of carbon dioxide these fluids (that occurs in a third step 23). For example, the fluids may be compressed using a pressure pump before the fluids are transferred into a chamber comprising an absorbing substance.

In this regard, in the third step 23, the capture unit absorbs carbon dioxide from the fluids using an absorbing substance. In particular, the capture unit may route the fluids over or through a bed of the absorbing substance such that the substance absorbs the carbon dioxide. The substance may, for example, be zeolite, though it will be appreciated that other absorbing substances are useable. The absorbing substance is typically located in a substance chamber, where the third step involves passing the fluids through this substance chamber.

In a fourth step 24, the capture unit heats the absorbing substance to cause the release (e.g. adsorption) of carbon dioxide from the absorbing substance. This fourth step is typically performed substantially after the third step 23 (e.g. once the original fluids have exited a chamber containing the absorbing substance. In some embodiments, the release of carbon dioxide from the absorbing substance may be enacted by, for example, increasing the pressure of a chamber comprising the absorbing structure or by adding a reactant to the absorbing structure to cause the release of the carbon dioxide.

Heating the absorbing substance may, for example, comprise passing hot fluids/gases over the absorbing substance. Equally, this may comprise heating a structure that contains the absorbing substance.

Typically, this step of heating the absorbing substance occurs using heat generated by the system for processing plastic. For example, the carbon dioxide capture unit may be connected to a heat transfer structure of the system and/or the carbon dioxide capture unit may be connected to the reactor 140 of the system so as to receive heat from this reactor. Equally, the heat may be obtained from the flue gases and/or from the fluids received by the capture unit. In such embodiments, the second step 22 of cooling the received fluids may also provide the fourth step 24 of heating the absorbing substance where a first amount of fluids may move through the capture unit at a first time such that a first quantity of carbon dioxide from this first amount is absorbed by the absorbing substance and then a second amount of fluids may move through the capture unit at a second time such that the heat in this second amount of fluids is used to (e.g. indirectly, via a conducting surface) heat the absorbing substance so as to simultaneously cause the release of the first quantity of carbon dioxide from the absorbing substance and the moisture from the second amount of fluids.

This may involve the capture unit comprising a series of chambers, where a first chamber is associated with the cooling of the fluids and a second chamber is associated with the absorbing of the carbon dioxide. These chambers may be adjacent and/or thermally connected such that the heat from incoming fluids in the first chamber results in the heating of the absorbing substance in the second chamber.

In some embodiments, the capture unit comprises a conducting structure and/or a thermal storage structure that is arranged to absorb heat from fluids entering the capture unit at a first time. These fluids are then passed by the absorbing substance, as described above, to remove carbon dioxide from the fluids, and then, at a second time (e.g. when the absorbing substance is saturated), the absorbed heat is transferred to the absorbing substance in order to cause the removal of the carbon dioxide from the absorbing substance.

In some embodiments, the capture unit comprises two or more parallel paths (each containing an absorbing substance) so that fluids can be passed continuously through the capture unit such that at a given time a first absorbing substance is absorbing carbon dioxide and a second absorbing substance is releasing carbon dioxide. For example, the capture unit may comprise three substance chambers that each comprise an absorbing substance so that different volumes of fluid can be processed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the substance chamber comprises a substance inlet and a substance outlet. Therefore, a first amount of the absorbing substance may be transferred out of the substance chamber when it is saturated with carbon dioxide and a second amount of the absorbing substance may be transferred into the substance chamber to replace the first amount. The first amount of the absorbing substance may be transferred into a treatment chamber, where it is heated to release the carbon dioxide. The treatment chamber may comprise a plurality of apertures, where a first aperture connects the treatment chamber to the substance chamber and a second aperture connects the treatment chamber to a container for storing carbon dioxide. These apertures may then be selectively opened/closed in order to first receive the saturated first amount of the absorbing substance and to then direct carbon dioxide released from this substance into the container. The treatment chamber may be thermally connected to the system for processing plastic, e.g. to the pre-treatment vessel 130 or the reactor 140.

In a fifth step 25, the capture unit either vents the released carbon dioxide out of the capture unit or captures the released carbon dioxide. For example, the released carbon dioxide may be captured in a container and then compressed and/or liquefied so that this container can be removed from the capture unit.

Typically, the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises a plurality of absorbing chambers (e.g. filled with zeolite) in order to increase the amount of carbon dioxide that can be extracted from incoming fluids.

Alternatives and modifications

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, it will be appreciated that a system or apparatus may be provided that contains only a subset of the components described herein. For example, the system may be provided without the shredder 110 or with an external shredder, where shredded plastic is directly fed into the hopper 120. Typically, where a small integrated shredder is used this shredder enforces a bottleneck on the amount of plastic that can be processed by the system. Therefore, there may be provided an apparatus that includes the other components, where a large external shredder can then be provided separate to this apparatus. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a generator, e.g. that is arranged to combust the fuel produced by the system. Therefore, given an input of plastic, the system may be used to produce electricity. Such a generator may be provided in the apparatus of Figure 5, or the generator may be provided separate to this generator.

In some embodiments, one or more of the vessels (e.g. the pre-treatment vessel 130 and/or the reactor 140) is surrounded by (or padded, e.g. internally, with) insulation. The insulation may comprise one or more of: refractory cement, refractory bricks, aerogel blankets, and ceramic wool blankets. The use of insulation improves the efficiency of the system by reducing heat loss from the heated vessels of the system.

Typically, the system, and each component of the system, is arranged to be compact so that it can be easily transported. For example, the system may have a length of less than 40ft, a width of less than 8ft, and a height of less than 9.5 ft and/or less than 8.5 feet where these dimensions enable the system to be shipped using a standard shipping container. To provide this system, each component of the system (e.g. the pre-treatment vessel 130, the reactor 140, and/or the column 150 may have a length of less than 40ft, a width of less than 8ft, and a height of less than 9.5 ft and/or less than 8.5 feet.

The present disclosure further comprises a shipping container for transporting the system, a shipping container comprising the system, and a method of manufacturing and/or transporting the system that comprises placing the (whole) system into a shipping container (e.g. a 40 ft x 8 foot wide x 8 foot 6 inches container high or a 40 ft x 8 foot wide x 9 foot 6 inches container).

Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A material processing system, comprising: a pre-treatment vessel arranged to melt and/or fluidise a material; a reactor arranged to receive the material from the pre-treatment vessel and to heat the material so as to produce vapours; and a column for receiving the vapours from the reactor and separating the vapours into a plurality of component products.

2. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a mixer, preferably wherein the mixer is located between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor.

3. The material processing system of claim 2, wherein the mixer comprises one or more of: a screw or a twin screw; a stirrer; one or more scrapers, the scrapers being arranged to force material in the pretreatment vessel through the stirrer; and one or more holes, preferably wherein the holes are arranged to enable the passage of gas upwards through the mixer as liquid and/or solid material moves downwards through the mixer.

4. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a connector between the column and the pre-treatment vessel to enable the transfer of one or more of the component products from the column to the pre-treatment vessel, preferably to enable the transfer of heavy products to the pre-treatment vessel.

5. The material processing system of claim 4, wherein the connector comprises a cracking unit arranged to crack chains present in the component products, preferably wherein the connector comprises a heated and/or high-pressure pipe.

6. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the pre-treatment vessel comprises one or more vents for removing a fluid from the pre-treatment vessel, preferably wherein the pre-treatment vessel comprises: a first vent for removing excess air and/or moisture from the pre-treatment vessel; and a second vent for removing chlorine from the pre-treatment vessel.

7. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the reactor comprises a collection chamber, wherein the collection chamber is arranged to collect material near an exit of the reactor, preferably wherein the collection chamber is arranged to collect carbon black and/or ash exiting the reactor.

8. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the reactor comprises an angled reactor such that material is arranged to move upwards against gravity as the material moves through the reactor.

9. The material processing system of claim 8, wherein the reactor comprises one or more screws for moving material through the reactor along an angled path.

10. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a carbon dioxide capture unit, wherein the carbon dioxide capture unit is arranged to remove carbon dioxide from a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide unit.

11. The material processing system of claim 10, wherein the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises an absorbent substance, the absorbent substance being arranged to absorb carbon dioxide, preferably wherein the absorbent substance comprises zeolite.

12. The material processing system of claim 10 or 11 , comprising a cooling means (e.g. a fan) for cooling a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide capture unit, preferably for cooling the fluid prior to supplying the fluid to a/the absorbent substance.

13. The material processing system of any of claims 10 to 12, comprising a heating means for heating a/the absorbent substance so as to release carbon dioxide from the absorbent substance.

14. The material processing system of claim 13, comprising a container for capturing the carbon dioxide released from the absorbent substance.

15. The material processing system of any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the carbon dioxide capture unit is arranged to receive flue gases from a heating structure of the material processing system.

16. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a pump for transferring component products from the column to the reactor and/or the pre-treatment vessel, preferably comprising transferring the component products via a cracking unit.

17. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a shredder for breaking a piece of material into smaller pieces, the shredder preferably being arranged to provide the smaller pieces of material to the pre-treatment vessel.

18. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising an agglomerator for agglomerating material, preferably for agglomerating light plastics into more dense granules.

19. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a hopper for providing material to the pre-treatment vessel, preferably wherein the hopper is located between a/the shredder and the pre-treatment vessel; and/or

20. The material processing system of claim 19, wherein the hopper comprises a cyclone separator, preferably wherein the cyclone separator is arranged so that solid and liquid material passes through the hopper into the pre-treatment vessel and gas exits the hopper through an upper aperture of the hopper.

21. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a vibrating device, preferably wherein the vibrating device is arranged to vibrate one or more of: the hopper; the pre-treatment vessel; and a mixer of the pre-treatment vessel, more preferably wherein the vibrating device is arranged to vibrate both of the hopper and the pretreatment vessel.

22. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein: the hopper is arranged to transfer material to the pre-treatment vessel under the force of gravity; and/or the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to transfer material to the reactor under the force of gravity.

23. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the hopper is mounted to another component of the system using flexible structures, preferably springs.

24. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a connector, preferably a kinked tube, a one-way valve, and/or a shut-down valve located between the pre-treatment vessel and the reactor, the connector being arranged to prevent the transfer of gases from the reactor into the pre-treatment vessel.

25. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a gas inlet for introducing a gas, preferably an inert gas, into the pre-treatment vessel, preferably wherein the gas inlet is located towards the bottom of the pre-treatment vessel.

26. The material processing system comprising a catalyst chamber located between the reactor and the column, the catalyst chamber comprising a catalyst and/or a sorbent.

27. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a particulate filter and/or a catalyst of the system using a clean oil, preferably wherein the cleaning mechanism is arranged to obtain the clean oil from the column, more preferably from a mid-column fraction obtained from the column.

28. The material processing system of claim 27, wherein the cleaning mechanism is arranged to clean a mesh and/or a filter chamber located after the reactor, preferably to clean the mesh by passing a fluid over the mesh towards the reactor, more preferably wherein the fluid comprises medium products obtained from the column.

29. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a reactivation circuit, wherein the reactivation circuit is arranged to blow hot air: into a/the catalyst chamber; and/or over a/the catalyst; and/or into the reactor.

30. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a heating structure, preferably wherein the heating structure is arranged to heat one or more of: the reactor; the pre-treatment vessel; the column and the reactivation circuit.

31. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises a heat transfer structure arranged to transfer heat from the heating structure first to the reactor and thereafter to the pre-treatment vessel and/or the reactivation circuit.

32. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein: the reactor is configured to operate at a higher temperature than the pre-treatment vessel; and/or wherein the heating structure is arranged to heat the reactor to a higher temperature than the pre-treatment vessel.

33. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein: the reactor is arranged to operate at a temperature that is greater than a boiling and/or vaporization temperature of plastic; and/or the reactor is arranged to operate at a temperature of greater than 300°C.

34. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein: the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to operate at a temperature that is greater than a melting temperature of plastic; and/or the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to operate at a temperature of greater than 150°C; the pre-treatment vessel is arranged to operate at a temperature of less than 300°C.

35. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the column comprises a fractional distillation column and/or a packed distillation column.

36. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the column is arranged to provide products to a/the heating structure, preferably wherein the column is arranged to provide one or more of: light products, hydrocarbons, and combustible products to the heating structure.

37. The material processing system of any preceding claim, wherein the column is arranged to provide products to a fuel storage vessel, preferably wherein the column is arranged to provide one or more of: light products, hydrocarbons, and combustible products to the fuel storage vessel.

38. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a neutraliser, preferably wherein the neutraliser contains an alkali substance, more preferably wherein the neutraliser is arranged to provide the alkali substance to the hopper and/or the pretreatment vessel.

39. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a carbon dioxide capture unit, preferably wherein the carbon dioxide capture unit comprises an absorbent substance for capturing carbon dioxide.

40. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a carbon black storage structure located beneath the reactor, preferably: wherein the carbon black storage structure is connected to the reactor via a closeable opening and/or an operable valve; and/or wherein the system comprises a fan for blowing carbon black, and/or a screw conveyor for moving carbon black, into the storage structure and/or for drawing carbon black into the storage structure.

41 . The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a fuel storage vessel.

42. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a compressor for compressing a fluid received from the column.

43. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a sensor, preferably comprising a computer device that is arranged to operate the system in dependence on a reading of the sensor.

44. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a generator for receiving component products from the column, wherein the generator is arranged to combust the component products so as to generate electricity.

45. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a switch, wherein the switch is arranged to selectively connect the heating structure to one of a plurality of fuel sources.

46. The material processing system of claim 45, wherein the switch is arranged to selectively connect the heating structure to: the column; and/or a fuel storage vessel.

47. The material processing system of claim 45 or 46, wherein the switch is arranged to operate in dependence on an amount of fuel being produced by the system.

48. The material processing system of any preceding claim, being a plastic processing system.

49. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a stabilizing vessel, wherein the stabilizing vessel is arranged to receive products, preferably light products, from the column.

50. The material processing system of claim 49, comprising a stabilizing mechanism, preferably a pump, for encouraging the movement of gases out of the products in the stabilizing vessel.

51. The material processing system of any preceding claim, comprising a fire suppression system, preferably wherein the fire suppression system comprises one or more sprinklers for providing a suppressive substance to the reactor, preferably wherein the suppressive substance comprises carbon dioxide.

52. The material processing system of claim 51 , wherein the fire suppression system is arranged to receive carbon dioxide from a/the carbon dioxide capture unit.

53. The material processing system of claim 51 or 52, wherein the fire suppression system is arranged to isolate and/or seal one or more components of the material processing system, preferably wherein the fire suppression system is arranged to seal the reactor.

54. An apparatus comprising the material processing system of any preceding claim.

55. A carbon dioxide capture unit for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide unit, the unit comprising: an absorbent substance, the absorbent substance being arranged to absorb carbon dioxide, preferably wherein the absorbent substance comprises zeolite; a cooling means (e.g. a fan) for cooling a fluid supplied to the carbon dioxide capture unit, preferably for cooling the fluid prior to supplying the fluid to a/the absorbent substance; and a heating means for heating a/the absorbent substance so as to release carbon dioxide from the absorbent substance.

56. The capture unit of claim 55, comprising a heat storage structure for: absorbing heat from an incoming fluid at a first time; and providing the absorbed heat to the absorbing substance at a second time;

57. A method of operating the material processing system of any of claims 1 to 53.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the method comprises one or more of: transferring material into the reactor; and extracting components from the column.

59. The method of claim 57 or 58, comprising: providing a fluid from the reactor and/or the column to a carbon dioxide capture unit; cooling the received fluid; absorbing carbon dioxide from the cooled fluid using an absorbing substance; and heating the absorbing substance to cause the release of carbon dioxide.

60. A method of operating a carbon dioxide capture unit, the method comprising: receiving a fluid; cooling the received fluid; absorbing carbon dioxide from the cooled fluid using an absorbing substance; and heating the absorbing substance to cause the release of carbon dioxide.

61. The method of claim 59 or 60, comprising: absorbing a first amount of carbon dioxide from a cooled fluid at a first time; and heating the absorbing substance so as to release the first amount of carbon dioxide at a second time, preferably wherein the second time is substantially after the first time.

62. The method of claim 61 , comprising transferring the absorbing substance from a substance chamber to a treatment chamber between the first time and the second time.

63. The method of any of claims 59 to 62, comprising: absorbing heat from the received fluid at a first time; storing the heat; and providing the stored heat to the absorbing substance at a second time; preferably, comprising absorbing the carbon dioxide using the absorbing substance between the first time and the second time.

64. The method of any of claims 59 to 63, wherein the absorbing substance comprises zeolite.

65. The method of any of claims 59 to 64, comprising heating the absorbing substance using a fluid from the reactor and/or the column.

66. The method of any of claims 59 to 65, comprising heating the absorbing structure using heat from a flue gas.

67. The method of any of claims 59 to 66, wherein the received fluid comprises a flue gas, preferably wherein the method comprises absorbing carbon dioxide from a first amount of flue gas, and wherein heating the absorbing substance comprises heating the absorbing substance using a second amount of the flue gas.

68. The method of any of claims 59 to 67, comprising capturing the released carbon dioxide, preferably comprising compressing and/or liquifying the released carbon dioxide.