Abstract: A system and method for treating feedstocks containing solids, sludges or slurries that contain organics includes introducing the feedstock into a desorption chamber. In the desorption chamber, the temperature and pressure of the feedstock are elevated to volatilize a portion of the feedstock and thereby separate the feedstock into a volatile portion containing organics and a residue portion. Steam, water or oxidants can be injected into the desorption chamber to aid in the volatilization process. From the desorption chamber, the volatile portion of the feedstock is transferred to a reactor for hydrothermal treatment to oxidize or reform the organics in the volatile portion. In the hydrothermal reactor, the volatile portion may be reacted with excess oxidant and auxiliary fuel at a temperature between approximately 1000° F. and approximately 1800° F. and a pressure of between approximately 20 atmospheres and approximately 200 atmospheres.

Abstract: A system and method for treating feedstocks containing solids, sludges or slurries that contain organics includes introducing the feedstock into a desorption chamber. In the desorption chamber, the temperature and pressure of the feedstock are elevated to volatilize a portion of the feedstock and thereby separate the feedstock into a volatile portion containing organics and a residue portion. Steam, water or oxidants can be injected into the desorption chamber to aid in the volatilization process. From the desorption chamber, the volatile portion of the feedstock is transferred to a reactor for hydrothermal treatment to oxidize or reform the organics in the volatile portion. In the hydrothermal reactor, the volatile portion may be reacted with excess oxidant and auxiliary fuel at a temperature between approximately 1000° F. and approximately 1800° F. and a pressure of between approximately 20 atmospheres and approximately 200 atmospheres.

Abstract: A method for incinerating contaminated soil or other material utilizing an incinerator, such as a CBC, which is operated below atmospheric pressure and apparatus for carrying out such decontamination by delivering the soil to be processed in desired particulate size to the incineration unit, e.g., to a recirculation loop through which separated solids are being returned from a cyclone to a CBC. The system for supplying the contaminated soil is isolated from the chute leading to the incineration unit by a feeder that forms an agglomerated plug which serves as a pressure seal and prevents any gas flow therepast. Illustrated are a pair of twin counterrotating screws which include shafts that extend past the ends of the screw flights to locations where rotary cutters having multiple blades are mounted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably removing heat from a high-temperature process wherein finely atomized liquid suspended in a stream of transport gas is used as a coolant pumped through a heat exchanger while remaining separated from the high-temperature process. The system pressure and flow rates are maintained at levels such that the temperature of the coolant exceeds the boiling point of the liquid component at the outlet of the heat exchanger. Means are provided to monitor continuously the temperatures of the process and of the coolant at the outlet of the heat exchanger and adjust the flow rates of the liquid and/or the transport gas as necessary to maintain the respective temperatures within predetermined ranges.