Char collector

1 . A char collector for a pyrolysis system, the pyrolysis system featuring a pyrolysis reactor comprising a hot char outlet, the char collector comprises a container and a longitudinal char conveyor unit, and

the container comprises a chamber, a first inlet connectable to the hot char outlet and a first outlet, wherein the first inlet is arranged in an upper portion of the chamber and the first outlet is arranged in a lower portion of the chamber; and

the char conveyor unit comprises a first end section connected to the first outlet, a second end section featuring a second outlet for cooled char and a conveying mechanism configured to transport char from the first end section to the second outlet during use;

wherein the second outlet is at a level above the first outlet, such that a gas trap is formed between the first inlet and the second outlet when the chamber is filled with water up to a level above the first outlet during use

and wherein

the char collector comprises at least one blade arranged to rotate inside the chamber, the blade is connected to a rotary shaft arranged to allow rotation of the blade between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the blade is above the water level in the chamber and under the first inlet when in the first position and the portion of the blade is below the water level when in the second position, the blade is configured to mix hot char, entering the container via the first inlet during use, into the water in the chamber.

2 . A char collector according to claim 1 , wherein the second outlet is at a level above a mid-level of the chamber.

3 . A char collector according to claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a controllable water inlet for providing water into the chamber and a water level sensor for measuring a water level inside the chamber, the water level sensor connected to the controllable water inlet, such that water is added to the chamber when the water level falls below a predetermined level.

4 . A char collector according to claim 1 , wherein the char conveyor unit comprises a longitudinal hollow element in which at least a lower section of the conveying mechanism is arranged.

5 . A char collector according to claim 4 , wherein the conveying mechanism is a helical screw and the longitudinal hollow element is a tube element.

6 . A char collector according claim 1 , wherein the char conveyor unit comprises a third outlet positioned between the first outlet and the second outlet, and a lowest level of the third outlet is above a highest level of the first outlet.

7 . A char collector according to claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal char conveyor unit comprises an air inlet arranged at a level above the third outlet.

8 . A char collector according to claim 7 , comprising sensors for measuring temperature, moisture and/or air flow, arranged at the second outlet, the third outlet and/or the air inlet.

9 . A pyrolysis system comprising a pyrolysis reactor and a char collector according to claim 1 , wherein the pyrolysis reactor comprises a hot char outlet connected to the first inlet of the char collector.

10 . A method of collecting char from a pyrolysis reactor having a hot char outlet connected to the first inlet of a char collector according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

providing water into the chamber to obtain a water level above the highest level of the first outlet;

transferring char from the hot char outlet to the chamber;

cooling the char by mixing with the water in the chamber;

transferring the char from the chamber to the second outlet via the first outlet and the char conveyor unit; and

collecting the char from the second outlet.

11 . A method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of collecting the char from the second outlet comprises loading the char into a fluid tight bag which is subsequently sealed.

12 . A method of controlling the moisture content of char collected from a pyrolysis reactor having a hot char outlet connected to the first inlet of a char collector according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a relatively dry and cold air via the air inlet;

extracting a relatively moist and hot air via the third outlet;

determining the temperature and moisture of the char exiting the second outlet; and

increasing the flow of air into the air inlet if the char has a moisture content above a predetermined level; or

decreasing the flow of air into the air inlet if the char has a moisture content below a predetermined level.