Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for treating waste are provided. Waste is converted in an arc plasma-joule heated melter system utilizing one or more arc plasma electrodes and a plurality of joule heating electrodes. The arc plasma electrode(s) can be configured for operation utilizing AC or DC power, or for switching between AC and DC power. The arc plasma electrodes can also be configured for independent arc voltage and arc current control. The joule heating circuits are configured for simultaneous operation with the arcing electrodes, but without detrimental interaction with the arcing electrodes. The systems provide stable, non-leachable products and a gaseous fuel. The gaseous fuel can be utilized in a combustion or non-combustion process to generate electricity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another. The preferred configuration of this embodiment of the invention utilizes two arc plasma electrodes with an elongated chamber for the molten pool such that the molten pool is capable of providing conducting paths between electrodes. The apparatus may additionally be employed with reduced use or without further use of the gases generated by the conversion process. The apparatus may be employed as a net energy or net electricity producing unit where use of an auxiliary fuel provides the required level of electricity production. Methods and apparatus for converting metals, non-glass forming waste streams and low-ash producing inorganics into a useful gas are also provided. The methods and apparatus for such conversion include the use of a molten oxide pool having predetermined electrical, thermal and physical characteristics capable of maintaining optimal joule heating and glass forming properties during the conversion process.
Abstract:
An apparatus for pyrolysis of a sample of a composite material containing a combustible binder includes a combustion chamber configured to receive a sample of the composite material and having an outlet. A heater is associated with the combustion chamber for heating the chamber to a temperature sufficient for pyrolysis of the binder. A blower is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for creating an airflow through the outlet to remove airborne pyrolysis products from the combustion chamber. An adjustable airflow regulator is operable to adjustably control the airflow to provide a desired minimum residence time within the combustion chamber sufficient for complete pyrolysis of the airborne pyrolysis byproducts.
Abstract:
The combination of a vessel and a stopper assembly. The vessel has a wall defining a storage space for a supply of a flowable material and an orifice on the wall communicating through the body from the storage space to externally of the storage space. The stopper assembly selectively blocks the orifice. The stopper assembly has a frame, a stopper element with a blocking surface on the frame that is movable relative to the vessel between i) a closed position wherein the blocking surface substantially blocks the orifice and ii) an open position, and a repositioning mechanism for moving the stopper element relative to the vessel with the stopper element remaining in the closed position to thereby avoid fixing of the stopper element to the vessel.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another. The preferred configuration of this embodiment of the invention utilizes two arc plasma electrodes with an elongated chamber for the molten pool such that the molten pool is capable of providing conducting paths between electrodes. The apparatus may additionally be employed with reduced or without further use of the gases generated by the conversion process. The apparatus may be employed as a self-powered or net electricity producing unit where use of an auxiliary fuel provides the required level of electricity production.
Abstract:
Waste is burnt in a furnace chamber (1). The oxygen-containing flue gases resulting in this process are introduced into a fluidized bed in an afterburning chamber (5) and reburnt. Solids discharged with the flue gases from the afterburning chamber (5) are separated from the flue gases in a dust separator (9) and recycled to the afterburning chamber (5), so that a circulating fluidized bed is formed, which produces a very homogeneous temperature distribution in the afterburning chamber (5) and at the same time permits highly efficient cooling of the flue gases. A secondary oxygen feed for the afterburning is dispensed with, which enables a decrease in size both of the afterburning chamber (5) and also of the downstream heat-recovery and gas cleaning devices and improvement in efficiency resulting therefrom.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process and system for thermal waste treatment. The method according to the invention comprises subjecting the waste to thermolysis in a furnace to produce from the waste thermolysis gases and carbon containing solids; purifying the carbon containing solids into purified carbon containing solids which contain pollutants; using part of the thermolysis gases as fuel which is burned to heat the waste in the furnace; burning in a cyclone furnace at least part of the purified carbon containing solids containing pollutants to produce hot gases and to immobilize the pollutants present in the purified carbon containing solids into solids containing the pollutants; and providing the hot gases to an energy recovery device and using the energy recovery device to recover energy from the hot gases.
Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, a method for supplying solid material such as hot carbonaceous material from a pyrolyzer or reactor to a furnace, is provided comprising providing a screw conveyor for receiving the solid carbonaceous material from the pyrolyzer or reactor preferably from above the conveyor and transporting it along its length to a vaned rotor preferably positioned on the axle of the screw conveyor preferably substantially near the end of the screw conveyor for supplying the carbonaceous material to the furnace.
Abstract:
Method for the thermal cleaning of objects, in particular for removing materials such as plastics and such from metal objects (4), whereby the objects (4) to be cleaned are placed in a room (3) and are heated up to a temperature at which the materials to be removed pyrolyze, characterized in that the temperature of the objects (4) to be cleaned is controlled by means of a temperature sensor (6) which is situated in a measuring space (7), in particular a receiver (9) placed under the workpieces, which also serves to collect the melted plastics.
Abstract:
A material processing apparatus includes a casing having outer and inner spaced walls forming an airtight vessel inside of the inner walls and a channel between the outer and inner walls surrounding the vessel for containing a flow of coolant fluid. The vessel contains a first chamber having an inlet and a second chamber connected in communication with the first chamber and having an outlet. The first chamber receives materials through its inlet. The materials are pyrolyzed in the first chamber. The second chamber receives the pyrolyzed materials from the first chamber. The pyrolyzed materials are oxidized in the second chamber and then discharged therefrom. The vessel defined by the casing is separated into first and second units. The first chamber of the vessel for pyrolyzing materials is disposed in the first unit. The second chamber of the vessel has primary and secondary sections for oxidizing materials in two successive stages. The first chamber and the primary section of the second chamber are disposed in the first unit, whereas the secondary section of the second chamber is disposed in the second unit.