Abstract: A thermal system for separating out co-mingled metals in almost pure form, the system including a tunnel kiln having temperature zones through which the co-mingled metals are conveyed and progressively heated until at least one metal of the co-mingled metals melts thereby separating the melted metal from the other metal or metals of the co-mingled metals. The system includes molten metal catch basins for collecting the melted metal which are arranged beneath a conveyor on which the co-mingled metals are transported within the kiln. The catch basins are tapped to the outside of the kiln so that as the various metals melt out at progressively higher temperatures, they can be collected into cast iron chills or other collection devices to form pure ingots.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering a desired metal as metal oxide from raw material is provided. The process includes placing the raw material and a reductant in a container to form a reducing microclimate within the container. A housing having an oxidizing atmosphere is heated to maintain a temperature zone within the housing at a heating temperature sufficient to expose the raw material in the container to a reaction temperature. The container containing the raw material is conveyed through the temperature zone in the housing to expose the raw material and the reductant to the reaction temperature wherein the metal oxide is reduced to a gaseous metal that exits the container. Once outside the container, the gaseous metal is exposed to the oxidizing atmosphere of the temperature zone wherein the desired metal is oxidized to metal oxide and the metal oxide is collected. In preferred embodiments, the raw material is EAF dust and the desired metal is zinc.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering a desired metal as metal oxide from raw material is provided. The process includes placing the raw material and a reductant in a container to form a reducing microclimate within the container. A housing having an oxidizing atmosphere is heated to maintain a temperature zone within the housing at a heating temperature sufficient to expose the raw material in the container to a reaction temperature. The container containing the raw material is conveyed through the temperature zone in the housing to expose the raw material and the reductant to the reaction temperature wherein the metal oxide is reduced to a gaseous metal that exits the container. Once outside the container, the gaseous metal is exposed to the oxidizing atmosphere of the temperature zone wherein the desired metal is oxidized to metal oxide and the metal oxide is collected. In preferred embodiments, the raw material is EAF dust and the desired metal is zinc.

Abstract: A process for producing brick involves calcining electric arc furnace dust and subsequently mixing the dust with a brick raw material prior to shaping the material into bricks and firing. The precalcination of the EAF dust greatly increases the bulk density of the dust and provides a brick having a much higher compressive strength when compared to bricks incorporating raw dust which has not been precalcined. Volatilized and recondensed heavy metals produced during the calcination process are collected and refined. As a result of the separation and collection of the volatilized heavy metals during the calcination process, substantially no heavy metals are volatilized during the brick firing process.

Abstract: A supply container contains therein a supply of granular or pulverulent solid fuel material. A air supply conduit extends into the supply container and has an outlet end at a position within the supply container to be embedded within the solid fuel material. The fuel outlet conduit extends into the supply container and has an inlet end at a position within the supply container to be embedded within the solid fuel material. The outlet end of the air supply conduit and the inlet end of the fuel outlet conduit confront each other and are separated from each other by a space. A feed flow of air is supplied through the air supply conduit outwardly through the outlet end thereof, to entrain and blow particles of the solid fuel material positioned in the space into the fuel outlet conduit. The feed flow of air and particles entrained thereby are then discharged into a transport conduit and conveyed to a burner.

Abstract: The application discloses a particulate solid fuel combustion system for kilns and the like. A particulate solid fuel such as powdered coal, is supplied to a fluidized bed conveyor. Selected quantities of coal are withdrawn to air entrainment devices where the coal is entrained in a jet of a gas and delivered to a burner. The firing rate is controlled responsive to requirements of the kiln.