Abstract:
A system for waste-to-energy conversion of municipal solid waste and urban forest residue includes as a central element a vortex-cyclone suspended combustion zone furnace, supplied via a shredder and a rotary preheat kiln, and followed by a waste heat boiler. The combustion furnace takes the form of a horizontal tunnel-like structure into which solid waste material from the preheat kiln is introduced near an entry end, with separate exit ports for hot gas and ash at an exit end. The furnace has spaced horizontal waterwall tubes, between which forced draft air is injected in a circular pattern aided by vanes, producing a swirling overfire air curtain surrounding the vortex-cyclone suspended combustion zone along the length of the furnace. In the manner of a cyclone separator, a cylindrical structure surrounds the central exhaust gas opening, and extends from the exit end wall into the combustion chamber to a circular leading edge. This cylindrical structure minimizes non-combustible particulate content in the gas flow directed out through the central exhaust gas opening.
Abstract:
A thermal desorption apparatus for the vaporization of volatile organic compounds and other contaminants within solid and liquid materials, such as sand, gravel, soil, clay, and industrial sludge is disclosed. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical kiln having a bellows seal located at an inlet port, an outlet port, a fire box, an after burner, a quench tube assembly, a water cyclone having a rotary cylinder and a recyclable water tank system and pump. The kiln also includes a sludge and liquid injection port for the processing of contaminated liquid materials, as well as a computer controlled regulating system and program for operation of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes an entry port screw auger and an exit port screw auger, as well as a series of stationary paddles affixed to the inside kiln walls.
Abstract:
A method and plant for burning sludge or filter cakes during the cement clinker manufacture where the cement is manufactured in known manner by the cement raw meal being preheated, calcined and burned into clinker with subsequent cooling of the clinker and where the sludge is dried and finely divided prior to burning. The drying heat is provided by feeding hot raw meal from either the preheater or a separating cyclone installed in connection with the calciner to the drier unit, which may be a drier crusher. Applicable types of sludge include sewage sludge, beaching earth, paper sludge, fibre rejects, combustible chemical residues, e.g. waste derived from the manufacture of nylons and pesticides, and drill sludge resulting from oil exploration.
Abstract:
A method for processing electric storage batteries, particularly lithium/thionyl chloride batteries, which includes the steps of discharging the batteries, lowering the temperature of the battery components to -180.degree. C., and cutting the battery into pieces while in its cold state before further processing. The process can also include the further steps of incineration, collecting the solid, liquid and gaseous discharges from the incinerator, washing the solid and liquid discharges with water and the gaseous discharge with an alkaline solution, mixing the resultant wash streams, separating precipitates formed from the mixed stream and neutralizing the remaining solution.
Abstract:
High temperature combustion apparatus incorporating a pneumatically suspended combustion zone and capable of supporting relatively high combustion temperatures, in excess of 2400.degree. C. (4352.degree. F.) for essentially total combustion with minimal pollutant production. The combustion apparatus may be employed for waste material incineration in general, toxic waste incineration, and for smokeless burning of wood and vegetation. The combustion apparatus may be employed in an efficient steam electric power generating plant which employs municipal solid waste as fuel, and/or in combination with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electric generator. The pneumatically suspended combustion zone is created by having streams of combustion air directed upwardly from a floor grate and from the sides of a combustion chamber such that combustion occurs in a swirling turbulent mass which does not directly contact either the walls or the floor of the combustion chamber. The relatively high combustion temperatures are sustained by providing a high volume of excess combustion air, the same combustion air which maintains the pneumatically suspended combustion zone. High combustion temperatures are contained with little use of refractory materials, and without melting the combustion chamber sidewalls.
Abstract:
A fuels conversion which consumes energy and produces an aqueous waste is combined with a pressurized wet combustion which charges the waste, converting its combustible contaminants to energy returned to the conversion, concurrently purifying the waste for use or disposal. The heating value of the contaminants may be supplemented by an extraneous fuel, using the waste as slurrying medium, so that the combination is made energy self-sufficient. Transfer of heat may be by direct contact between hot combustion products and fuel being converted. Other processes which produce aqueous waste and consume energy may similarly be combined with the wet combustion.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the incineration of waste materials contained within metal containers is disclosed wherein the metal containers containing the waste materials are fed through a shredder to form a mixture of waste materials and metal shreds. This mixture is then fed, in a controlled manner, to a primary combustion chamber wherein the waste materials and metal shreds are incincerated to produce ash, deconiannated metal sheds and combustion gases.
Abstract:
A solid and liquid waste incinerator system is disclosed which utilizes the heat produced by the furnace to transform water into steam, the steam powering a steam turbine generator to produce electricity. Solid waste is automatically fed by conveyor belts into the opening in the upper portion of a gravity-fed furnace unit which has a rotating shredder unit for chopping and grinding solid waste. A rotating magnet selects the ferrous metals from the other solid waste materials at the entrance to the furnace unit. Adjustable nozzles are rotatably mounted to the furnace unit walls to inject fuel and oxygen which are ignited creating a flame. Burn grills are positioned to catch the falling solid waste and hold it in a position for combustion, and to release it after incineration is completed. Liquid waste, including toxic chemicals, are vaporized in an evaporation cylinder forming an inner chamber within the furnace unit.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the preparation and burning of biomass-derived fuels such as wood waste or peat. Wood waste or "hog fuel" from the forest industries is of particular interest. Normally the entire stream of this material must be finely ground if it is to be successfully burned in an air suspension burner without any fossil fuel support. It has now been discovered that a bimodally sized fuel can be used. Only about 10-20% of the total heat energy is provided from a portion ground to a size less than about 100 .mu.m. This serves as an ignition component for a principal fuel which may be of much larger size. The usual hog fuel pile contains both bark and wood. Of these two materials, bark is much more friable and easily ground to fine particle size than wood. A major reduction in grinding energy is achieved by selecting the more friable material to be ground to fine size as the ignition fuel. The more resistant material is used as the principal fuel. When using a bimodal system, best results are obtained when the amount of ignition fuel sent to the burner is maintained constant. Load swings are accommodated by varying only the principal fuel component.
Abstract:
Apparatus for collecting and disposing of refuse having a wheeled chassis carrying a hopper, shredder and fan for directing air and refuse to a cylindrical member preferably obliquely disposed with respect to the chassis. A hollow tube is disposed within the cylindrical member in generally co-axial relationship. The tube is provided with a plurality of apertures for directing flame therefrom against refuse within the interior of the cylindrical member. Washing apparatus is included to minimize contamination dispersal into the atmosphere. .Iadd.