Patents by Inventor William C. Meenan

William C. Meenan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5273629
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic oxidizable contaminant absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, to a temperature of about 200.degree. F. to about 700.degree. F., preferably about 200.degree. F. to about 400.degree. F., e.g., by using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the toxic organic material. The recoverable or toxic contaminant vapors and/or liquids are charged to an electrochemical cell where they are oxidized to less toxic or non-toxic materials, such as HCl and CO.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Recycling Sciences International, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4793937
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic contaminant or recoverable material absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the organic material, for example, the toxic chemicals from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The recoverable or contaminant liquid, for example the toxic chemicals, are then further treated to recover or dispose of the separated liquid, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting it from the condensed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: American Colloid Company
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4778606
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having a polychlorinated biphenyl contaminant absorbed or adsorbed thereon. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the polychlorinated biphenyls from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The polychlorinated biphenyl vapors are then further treated to dispose of the polychlorinated biphenyls, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: American Toxic Disposal Partners
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4699721
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic contaminant or recoverable material absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids to a temperature of at least 250.degree. F., using hot turbulent gas at a temperature, for example, in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the organic material, for example, the toxic chemicals from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The recoverable or contaminant liquid, for example, the toxic chemicals, are then further treated to recover or dispose of the separated liquid, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: American Toxic Disposal Partners
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4685220
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having a dioxin contaminant absorbed or adsorbed thereon. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the dioxin from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The dioxin are then further treated to dispose of the dioxins, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: American Toxic Disposal Partners
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4463691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge involves heating the sludge, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. with a sludge residence time of about 0.5 to 2 seconds, to separate the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge. The particulates are subsequently removed from a PCB entraining gas stream and the PCB's are then burned in a multifuel burner. Pressurized air, fluidized PCB's, and a gaseous fuel are injected into the burning chamber at spaced points along the length of the flame in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the flame to very completely consume the fuel and PCB's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: American Toxic Disposal Partners
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4402274
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge involves heating the sludge, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. with a sludge residence time of about 0.5 to 2 seconds, to separate the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge. The particulates are subsequently removed from a PCB entraining gas stream and the PCB's are then burned in a multifuel burner. Pressurized air, fluidized PCB's, and a gaseous fuel are injected into the burning chamber at spaced points along the length of the flame in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the flame to very completely consume the fuel and PCB's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Inventors: William C. Meenan, George D. Sullivan