Abstract: A scarfing nozzle and method for producing a fin-free scarfing cut at least as wide as the width of the nozzle. The method is characterized by directing a stream of oxygen at the spot to be scarfed from a scarfing nozzle which restricts the flow of oxygen at the edges of the oxygen stream such that the flow at the edges is insufficient to scarf the workpiece but sufficient to oxidize molten metal at the edges of the reaction zone to produce a fin-free scarfing cut at least as wide as the width of the nozzle. The nozzle is particularly useful for spot scarfing in gang arrangement.

Abstract: A vertical shaft furnace for the pyrolysis of pelletized refuse, having a hearth in the base provided with a refuse bed support structure comprising a plurality of cooled, refractory support members, extending radially inward from the wall toward the axis of the hearth. The support structure is characterized by having a plurality of peripheral spaces extending through side structure and converging in the downward direction, each of the peripheral spaces being formed, at least in part, by the side wall surfaces of adjacent support members and the inside surface of the hearth.

Abstract: Method for providing surge capacity and for smoothing out the flow rate of refuse in a system, wherein refuse is loaded onto a moving conveyor at variable or intermittent rates, by (1) preventing excess refuse from passing beyond a given point on the conveyor by a rotating leveler, spaced a predetermined distance from the conveyor to permit only the desired level of refuse to remain on the conveyor beyond the leveler, and (2) rotating the leveler at a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor, the direction of rotation of the leveler being opposite to the direction of travel of the refuse on the conveyor. Refuse in excess of the amount desired to be transported by the conveyor is retained behind the leveler as a rolling inventory of refuse, causing the refuse to be discharged from the conveyor at a constant and uniform rate.

Abstract: A device for tapping molten slag of variable composition comprising:A. a metal duct provided with cooling means and having an inlet port at one end and a discharge port at the other, the lower portion of the face of the discharge port being sealed against the leakage of slag by being abutted againstB. a highly heat-conductive, water-cooled metal weir having a surface inclined up and away from the face of said discharge port and terminating in an edge which extends across the face of said discharge port and constitutes the forward most portion of the device. The weir is preferably made of copper and the metal duct lined with a refractory material behind the weir.

Abstract: A process for quenching molten residue discharged from a furnace hearth, through a non-submerged taphole, including the steps of: (a) providing a vertical slag duct in sealed communication at the top with the taphole and sealed at the bottom by being immersed a substantial distance into water in a quench tank, (b) flowing the molten residue from the hearth by gravity down the central axis of said slag duct and quenching it in the water contained in the submerged portion of the slag duct, said water being at a temperature sufficiently high to prevent slag explosions, wherein the improvement comprises:Substantially reducing cooling of the tap and hearth areas of said furnace by removing hot fluid from said duct and replacing same with cooler fluid, thereby substantially preventing steam generated by quenching of said molten residue in the water contained in the submerged portion of said duct from entering said tap and hearth areas.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously disposing of refuse and producing a useful fuel or synthesis gas and an inert inorganic residue by feeding shredded refuse, from which ferrous metal has preferably been magnetically separated, and which has been compacted into hard pellets, into an oxygen fed pyrolizing, slagging shaft furnace.

Abstract: A method for producing an individual, fin-free, spot scarfing cut on the surface of a workpiece characterized by directing at the spot to be scarfed, which has first been brought to a molten state, an oxygen stream at an inclined angle to the work surface, the intensity of said oxygen stream being gradually diminished toward its lateral edges so that the flow of oxygen at the edges of said stream is insufficient to scarf the workpiece, but sufficient to oxidize molten metal at the edges of the scarfing reaction zone, thereby preventing molten metal from solidifying on the work surface along the edges of the scarfing cut in an unoxidized state.

Abstract: This invention relates to improving the known process for disposing of refuse while simultaneously producing a useful gaseous product and an inert solid residue in a shaft furnace in which refuse is fed into the top portion of said furnace, an oxygen containing gas is fed into the base, and in which the organic portion of the refuse is pyrolized to char, oils and gas containing a high concentration of CO and H.sub.2, and the inorganic portion of the refuse is fluidized and tapped from the base of the furnace.The improvement in the above-described process comprises removing a portion of the char from the furnace while retaining a sufficient amount of combustible materials in the furnace to satisfy the energy requirements of the process. The improvement permits a reduction in the oxygen requirements of the process and has a beneficial effect on the specific heating value of the fuel gas produced.

Abstract: A scarfing nozzle for producing a fin-free scarfing cut at least as wide as the width of the nozzle. The nozzle comprises an oxygen gas passage terminating in a nozzle discharge orifice characterized by having a central section and at least one end section. The central section is defined by parallel upper and lower edges and is adapted to discharge a sheet-like stream of cutting oxygen of uniform intensity across the metal body to be scarfed. The end section is defined by having at least one of its edges inclined such that the height of the end section is gradually reduced to a lesser value towards the side edge of the orifice but remaining greater than zero at the edge so as to diminish the intensity of the oxygen stream towards the edge of the orifice to the point where the flow of oxygen discharged at the edge is insufficient to scarf the workpiece but sufficient to produce a fin-free scarfing cut at least as wide as the width of said nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for making an instantaneous or flying scarfing start on a moving metal workpiece, including:A. a wire feed mechanism for feeding and contacting a spot on the workpiece where the reaction is to begin, with the end of the wire,B. a mechanism for preheating the end of the wire to its oxygen ignition temperature,C. a blowpipe for discharging a high intensity jet of oxygen at a point on the workpiece behind said spot, andD. a scarfing oxygen nozzle, directed at the workpiece at an acute angle so that the scarfing oxygen stream strikes the surface slightly behind the point.

Abstract: Apparatus for disposing of refuse by converting it to useful gaseous products and inert solid residue comprising a vertical metal shaft frusto-pyramidally shaped at the base, having vapor-tight inlet means for refuse and oxygen and outlet means for product gas and molten residue.

Abstract: A method for making an instantaneous thermochemical start on the surface of a ferrous metal workpiece, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a preselected spot on said surface where the reaction is to begin, with the end of a ferrous metal wire which has been heated to its ignition temperature in an oxygen atmosphere, (b) impinging a high intensity jet of oxygen gas on said surface at a point 1 to 15 cm. behind said spot, thereby causing an immediate scarfing reaction to begin and a molten puddle to form at said spot, and (c) continuing the impingement of a high intensity jet of oxygen on said puddle until the puddle has spread to a preselected width. Thereafter, the spreading oxygen stream may be left on and used to carry out the scarfing reaction, or it may be turned off and another oxygen stream may be impinged on the spread puddle at an acute angle to the work surface in order to "take over" and carry out the scarfing reaction.