SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF RAW MATERIAL
The invention provides a system and process for treating a raw material to reduce the level of a contaminant in the raw material or to form a raw product that can be used to produce a fuel. The system and process include means for pressurising a pumpable feedstock comprising the raw material to a pressure of between 100 and 350 bar, preferably using indirect pressurising means; heating the feedstock to a temperature of between 250°C and 400°C within a processing vessel to form a pressurised raw product stream; cooling the raw product stream within the processing vessel to an ambient or near ambient temperature; then depressurising the raw product stream before discharging the raw product from the system.