Abstract: An automatic charging apparatus for a furnace, including: a hopper provided with an inlet and an outlet opening; a buffer bin in which a buffer channel is provided, one end of the buffer channel including a discharge port communicating with the outlet opening, the other end being in communication with a feeding inlet of the furnace; a pushing mechanism configured to push feedstock in the buffer channel sequentially into the feeding inlet of the furnace, the pushing mechanism including a drive and a pushing element, the drive driving the pushing element to perform a reciprocating movement in the buffer channel so the feedstock in the buffer channel is sequentially pushed into the feeding inlet via the reciprocating movement of the pushing element. The solution can implement automatic charging of feedstock in the furnace, reduce labor intensity of operators, and realize accurate control of charging amount of the feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave pyrolysis reactor (1) comprising an inner pipe element (2) and a housing (4), wherein the inner pipe element (2) is made of a microwave transparent material and is arranged within the housing and comprises a first open end (5) and a second open end (6); the housing (4) comprises a first inner surface, enclosing an annular space (7,44) around the inner pipe element (2), a waste inlet (10), a solids outlet (11), a gas outlet (12), and a port (13) for a microwave waveguide (14), the waste inlet and the solids outlet are in communication with the first open end and the second open end of the inner pipe element, respectively, and the port for a microwave waveguide is in communication with the annular space; the inner pipe element, the waste inlet and the solids outlet of the housing form parts of a conduit not in fluid communication with the annular space around the inner pipe element and wherein the inner pipe element is clamped within the housing via a cylinder-shaped r

Abstract: A universal feeder system that combines with a fluidized bed gasification reactor for the treatment of multiple diverse feedstocks including sewage sludge, municipal solid waste, wood waste, refuse derived fuels, automotive shredder residue and non-recyclable plastics. The invention thereby also illustrates a method of gasification for multiple and diverse feedstocks using a universal feeder system. The feeder system comprises one or more feed vessels and at least one live bottom dual screw feeder. The feed vessel is rectangular shaped having three vertical sides and an angled side of no less than 60 degrees from the horizontal to facilitate proper flow of feedstock material that have different and/or variable flow properties. The feedstocks are transferred through an open bottom chute to a live bottom dual screw feeder and through another open bottom chute to a transfer screw feeder that conveys feedstock to the fuel feed inlets of a gasifier.

Abstract: A churning and stoking ram for a furnace is disclosed. The churning and stoking ram includes a frame disposed externally of the furnace, where the stoking ram is mounted on the frame. The stoking ram is positionable relative to the furnace between an external position and an internal position, and is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the stoking ram. The stoking ram further includes a churning device positionable relative to the stoking ram between a retracted position and an extended position, a first actuator mounted on the frame to position the stoking ram between the external and internal positions, a second actuator to position the churning device between the retracted and extended positions, and a third actuator to rotate the stoking ram and the churning device associated therewith.

Abstract: A system for thermal destruction of munitions has a rotatable kiln with a duct opening. A gate pivotally connected to the duct is arranged to open and close the duct. A loading tray is pivotally connected to the duct such that with the kiln in a first position with the gate open, the loading tray may be pivoted to load the kiln. After a thermal destruction process, rotation of the kiln to a second position facilitates emptying of the kiln via the duct.

Abstract: There is illustrated a fuel fired brazier for an enclosed granular fuel burning boiler. The brazier has an apertured grate-like brazier base. The brazier base is moved by an actuator from an operative position, retaining fuel in the brazier to a discharge position where ash can fall through a hole. At the same time, fragmentation means, formed by crushing teeth, move across the brazier to trap, for example, a large piece of clinker, between it and the opposed distal wall of the brazier.

Abstract: An energy and steel recovery system has a suspension column and a plurality of suspension supports operably disposed therein wherein the supports are spaced from one another along the length of thereof. The suspension column includes a mechanism for receiving tires and other wastes with an energy value onto one of the supports and feeding the tires to an adjacent downwardly disposed support to further gasify the same under low oxygen to preclude combustion. The column is configured to provide for a number of zones including heating, drying, volatizing, and fixed carbon formation which are collectively referred to herein as a “fractionation process.

Abstract: A skewer system comprises a skewer rod that holds tires in suspension during an incineration process where the tires are burned for fuel in a kiln such as a cement kiln or a lime kiln. In certain implementations, the skewer system also comprises a fuel advancing system to advance tires loaded onto the skewer rod into the heated gas in a stationary heat transfer station of the kiln. In further exemplary implementations, the skewer system comprises a mechanism to recover wire remnants from incinerated tires, the wire can be cut off the skewer and dropped into the kiln, or the wire itself can be burned off.

Abstract: A biomass gasification system for efficiently extracting heat energy from biomass material. The biomass gasification system includes a primary combustion chamber, a rotating grate within the primary combustion chamber for supporting the biomass during gasification, a feeder unit in communication with the primary combustion chamber for delivering biomass, a secondary combustion chamber fluidly connected to the primary combustion chamber, an oxygen mixer positioned between the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber, a heat exchanger and an exhaust stack.

Abstract: A method for improving a slag quality of slag in a grate firing system. The method includes providing slag in a grate firing system including a combustion chamber disposed above a combustion bed. The combustion bed has a plurality of fixed-bed burnout zones in series on a combustion grate. The fixed-bed burnout zones include a first series of fixed-bed burnout zones and a second fixed bed burn-out zone disposed downstream of the first series. The first series of fixed-bed burnout zones is traversed with a flow of oxygen-containing gas. A portion of the combustion bed associated with the second fixed bed burn-out zone is traversed with a flow of a hot combustion gas from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A feed mechanism in which a ram (2) fed from a hopper (1) compresses a fuel against a closed valve (11) which is then opened for the ram to push the fuel towards a rotary scroll (6) for delivery to a processing vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for the pyrolysis of solid waste material includes a thermal reactor including an elongate hollow housing with a reaction chamber disposed within the housing. The thermal reactor is vertically oriented in order to cause solid waste material fed thereinto to pass through said reaction chamber by the force of gravity and a plurality of vanes are disposed for both conducting heat into said reactor chamber and for tumbling said solid waste material as said solid waste material passes through said reaction chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying solid waste to a furnace includes an opening to an elongated channel into which waste material is received and an outlet open to the furnace. A reciprocating ram with a head plate located in the channel opposite the outlet forces the waste toward the outlet. The ram also has an upper shield dimensioned to be slightly greater in area than the opening such that the opening is blocked when the ram is extended. The channel also includes an actuator-impelled restrictor plate for compressing waste as it is forced through said channel into a narrower portion, and a isolation door operable to close off the channel.

Abstract: A feed mechanism in which a ram (2) fed from a hopper (1) compresses a fuel against a closed valve (11) which is then opened for the ram to push the fuel towards a rotary scroll (6) for delivery to a processing vessel.

Abstract: An inclined hearth combustor which generally includes a primary combustion chamber having a plurality of stepped hearths, a secondary combustion chamber in communication with the primary combustion chamber and a boiler having an inlet in communication with the secondary combustion chamber. The secondary combustion chamber includes a refractory-lined cyclone separator for removing fly ash from combustion gases exiting the primary combustion chamber and the boiler inlet is surrounded by the cyclone separator. The primary combustion chamber may further include an ash transfer ram movably disposed between two stepped hearths, wherein the ash transfer ram includes a top layer of refractory material extending rearwardly from a leading edge thereof. The ash transfer ram may further include a plurality of V-shaped wheels attached to a bottom surface thereof, a replaceable wear plate disposed on a side surface thereof and/or a wiper blade fixed on a forward face thereof.

Abstract: An automatic coal stoker is disclosed having at the base of its hopper an enclosed reciprocating pusher assembly rectangular box shaped which delivers compressingly a defined but variable quantity of coal into a restricted passageway. Successive quantities form a compressed strip of coal to be burned between side rails of a fire grate situate and over an air box fed with a forced air supply. As the strip works its way across the substantially horizontal grate, it burns without forming clinkers, discharges ashes at the bottom of the incline, and effects a minimal degree of uncombusted coal in the ashes. The fire grate of the present invention is substantially horizontal throughout its functional length.

Abstract: An automatic coal stoker is disclosed having at the base of its hopper an enclosed reciprocating pusher assembly rectangular box shaped which delivers compressingly a defined but variable quantity of coal into a restricted passageway. Successive quantities form a compressed strip of coal to be burned between side rails of a fire grate situate and over an air box fed with a forced air supply. As the strip works its across the substantially horizontal grate, it burns without forming clinkers, discharges ashes at the bottom of the incline, and effects a minimal degree of uncombusted coal in the ashes. The fire grate of the present invention is substantially horizontal throughout its functional length.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding containers of feed material into a process chamber is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to maintain the atmosphere within the process chamber as separate from the atmosphere surrounding the process chamber. The apparatus has a feeder housing having at least two internal seals, which form an airtight seal about the feeding canisters as the canisters are passed through the seals. The seals are separated by a distance less than the length of the container.

Abstract: A method of charging a pyrolytic gas-producing reactor with waste fuel wherein the waste fuel is forced into the reactor by a ram and wherein air is prevented from entering the reactor and pyrolysis gases are prevented from escaping from the reactor by means of an ablative seal which is positioned between the fuel and the ram and which is forced by the action of the ram on the fuel charge into the reactor whilst in sealing engagement with the internal walls of the reactor, the seal being made of a material which will resist the high temperature and chemical conditions in the reactor for at least as long a period as is required for the seal to perform its sealing function and which is thereafter thermally decomposed into products which are not detrimental to the pyrolytic process or to the pyrolytic gases produced by the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the production of heat energy from solid carbonaceous fuels is disclosed which comprises subjecting the carbonaceous fuel to substantially anaerobic pyrolysis in at least one first zone and thereafter transferring the char resulting from the pyrolysis to a second zone which is segregated from the first zone or zones. The char is subjected to gasification in the second zone by introduction of primary combustion air, optionally with steam and/or recycled exhaust gas. The off gases from the second zone and the pyrolysis gases from the first zone or zones are thereafter subjected to secondary combustion and the first zone or zones is heated by heat derived from the secondary combustion. Ash is removed from the bottom of the second zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a cement kiln through the kiln wall includes a processing component which shreds and blends supplemental fuel and conveys the fuel to a feeding station. The feeding station includes a feeding device, such as a ram or screw, which is moved on a carriage along rails so that the device remains in alignment with a port in the cement kiln through a period of rotation of the cement kiln sufficient to allow the fuel to be injected from the feeding device into the interior of the kiln.

Abstract: Discarded rubber tires for reclamation and recovery of the constituents therein and/or environmentally safe disposal are transferred from a pan feeder system into a hopper and transferred by an auger into a pyrolysis chamber. The pan feeder system excludes air or oxygen from passing through the hopper and auger into the pyrolysis chamber. Tire pieces from the pan feeder system are transferred by an auger through the pyrolysis chamber which is heated to a temperature between 350.degree. and 650.degree. F. The pyrolysis chamber includes a vapor recovery system for removing the vapors and maintaining a vacuum in the pyrolysis chamber. The vapors are withdrawn through a heat exchanger and into a liquid/gas separator where the condensed liquids are removed and the gas is recycled for fuel or other disposition. The solid residue from the tire pyrolysis is transferred by a closed auger to a closed bin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a bulk material supplemental fuel through a port formed in a side wall of a rotary vessel of a cement kiln. The apparatus includes a stationary annular plenum surrounding rotary vessel. The plenum is configured to define an enclosed interior region in communication with the port in the rotary vessel. The apparatus also includes a bulk material fuel charging apparatus including a hopper for receiving the bulk material, and a barrel in communication with the hopper. The barrel has an open discharge end extending into the interior region of the annular plenum. The bulk material fuel charging apparatus also includes an air cannon in air flow communication with the barrel for injecting air into the barrel to force a portion of the bulk material located in the barrel out of the open discharge end of the barrel, through the port, and into the rotary vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously feeding hazardous waste fuels having a relatively high solids content to a rotary cement kiln by delivering the fuel to a feed hopper with screw-conveyor which transfers the fuel to a filling zone where a piston pump capable of pumping a composition having a solids content of at least 40% with particle sizes up to a maidmum of 2 inches continuously charges the fuel through a conveyance tube into a feed tube which introduces the fuel into the kiln through the feed end housing.

Abstract: A feeder for discharging a load of material includes a hopper, a swing arm pivoting between raised and lowered positions in the hopper, and a ram mounted on the free end of the swing arm. The ram is moved by the swing arm back and forth on a curved floor in a trapezoidally shaped trough underneath the hopper to push material in the trough out of the hopper through a discharge outlet. A shutoff valve at the discharge outlet prevents backflow of discharged material into the trough.

Abstract: A device for tearing-up and stoking straw into a burner unit. A reciprocating slide is provided under a magazine shaft for straw bales, the slide having mutually staggered teeth on its upper side in a forward part of the slide and elongated fins extending in the direction of movement of the slide in a rear part. The part closest to the stoking channel constitutes a piston means for the conveyance and compression of comminuted straw. The straw is torn-up during the initial advance movement of the slide towards the channel because the teeth are in engagement with the bottom of the lowermost bale, whereas the bale is upheld by the teeth and the fins during the return movement of the slide. The piston means ensures that the shredded straw is pushed into a stoking channel for the combustion chamber of a boiler. Very compressed straw bales are thereby very uniformly comminuted and compressed before being fed into a burner unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding solid material into a pressurized combustion or gasification plant in stages. The feed apparatus (10) is provided with an inlet (18), sluice chamber (30), and outlet (20). In a loading stage, solid material is conveyed through the inlet into the sluice chamber. The loaded sluice chamber is transferred to an unloading stage. During the transfer stage, the inlet (18) is closed. During the unloading stage, solid material is conveyed through the outlet (20) into a pressurized space (26). The volume of the sluice chamber (30) is adjustable so that the volume is enlarged during the loading stage and reduced during the unloading stage. The volume is adjusted e.g. by a piston (38).

Abstract: An improved fuel feed system for a solid particulate fueled stove includes a hopper which supplies fuel to an elevated fuel plate. A pusher block forces fuel pellets from the fuel plate through a drop area and into a trough. The drop area is of sufficient distance to prevent burnback.

Abstract: A feed device comprises a filling hopper, a feed chute and a plurality of feeding pistons arranged adjacent to one another on a feed table, each feeding piston carrying at least one retaining and compression body in the area of its front end. The retaining and compression bodies can be constructed as flat or cubic bodies, wherein the surface configuration can be shaped in the manner of a rectangle, triangle, arc, trapezoid, pyramid or cone frustum.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder in combination with a fuel fired furnace such as a coal fired steam generating boiler is disclosed. The vibratory feeder has a tray with a flat bottom in one embodiment and a step bottom in another and a hopper having vertical sides supported above the bottom so that the fuel in the hopper rests on the tray bottom and the vibration of the tray is transmitted into the stack of fuel thereby agitating it. The discharge end of the tray bottom directs the fuel from the feeder tray to the bladed distributor and water is directed onto the tray bottom to prevent caking of fuel on the discharge end.

Abstract: An improved waste feed arrangement for feeding waste into a rotary combustor including a stepped support frame and a ram which pushes the waste through a doorway into the rotary combustor, the ram slidably engaging an upper step of the support frame and has a bracket on the outboard end to which a cam follower is rotatably attached, the cam follower rolls on a lower step of the support frame and a hydraulic cylinder is connected between the bracket on the ram and a bracket disposed in the support frame in such a manner that the hydraulic cylinders piston rod pushes the ram away from the doorway as it extends from the hydraulic cylinder providing a smaller, totally covered hydraulic cylinder and piston rod and an improved waste feed system.

Abstract: A scrap loader for a molten metal furnace. A loader housing, to be positioned beside a molten metal furance, includes a chamber having an inlet portion for receiving metal scrap and an outlet port through which the metal scrap is to be fed into the furnace. Metal is fed to the chamber along a path. A ram assembly in the housing comprises a leg unit pivoted with respect to the housing, a ram fixed on the leg unit and pivotable therewith along a wall of the chamber past the inlet port and toward the outlet port, and a device actuable for pivotally advancing and retracting the ram along the chamber wall and therewith for driving metal scrap along the wall and through the outlet port into the furnace.

Abstract: An improved coal stove grate including a floor and side walls to either side of the floor. Coal is pushed along the floor, up a rise surface, past a crest at the end of the rise surface and along a fire support section to the end of the grate. Part of the coal forced up the rise surface rolls back to fill a reservoir space in the grate and fuel a fire extending the full length of the grate during heating and a stable long-burning fire during turndown of the stove.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding material to the open end of a combustor including a vertical chute leading to a doorway to the combustor which is normally closed by a biased door, and a stepped ram reciprocating at the bottom of the chute for feeding material through the door and into the combustor.

Abstract: An improvement for use in a mechanical stoker with a coal stove is disclosed. The improvement device is used with a stoker, generally including a hopper, operatively connected to a small stove having a fire box forming an ash pit. The fire box, through its sides sloping downward from the hopper, supports a ramp. The lower portion of the ramp is a perforated fire grate, while the upper portion is a plate that extends through the hopper bottom and into the stove. A fan effecting a forced draft through the grate is operatively connected to a fan motor. The improvement comprises a wiper bar which overlies generally the width of the plate. The wiper bar oscillates about the longitudinal center line of the plate to feed coal or other solid fuels from the hopper onto the grate. The oscillation of the wiper bar is effected by eccentric connection to a gear motor.

Abstract: An automatic coal stoker is disclosed having at the base of its hopper an enclosed reciprocating pusher assembly rectangular box shaped which delivers compressingly a defined but variable quantity of coal into a restricted passageway. Successive quantities form a compressed strip of coal to be burned between side rails of an inclined fire grate situate over an air box fed with a forced air supply. As the strip works its way down the inclined grate it burns without forming clinkers and discharges ashes at the bottom of the incline.

Abstract: A stoking plant for fuel in whole bales, where the bales are conveyed on a transport tract (8) from a store and stoked in the whole condition into one of a number of combustion furnaces (2) with boilers (1), comprises a slide-gate (10) through which a bale transport carriage (5) can be filled with a bale of fuel. The transport carriage (5) then conveys the bale forward to the furnace (2) which is in need of fuel. When the bale transport carriage is positioned opposite the stoking door (4) of the furnace, a cover door (6) is released which is pressed against the carriage (5) by springs (13), a switch element is activated and the stoking door (4) is opened, and the bale is pushed into the furnace (2) by a piston (7). The piston (7) is withdrawn, but in such a manner that the furnace door (4) is closed before the cover door (6) is withdrawn to the start position. The bale transport carriage (5) is a tubular carriage which travels on running rails (9).

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: An improvement for use in a coal stoker is disclosed. The improvement device is used with a common stoker generally including a hopper operatively connected to and aligned with a base box forming an ash pit. The base box, through its sides sloping downward from the hopper, supports a ramp. The lower part of the ramp is a perforated fire grate while the upper section is a plate that extends through the hopper bottom. A fan effecting a forced draft through the grate is operatively connected to a motor. The improvement comprises a linear reciprocation action carpet that overlies generally the length and width of the plate. The carpet's movement is effected by its connection to the motor. When coal is fed into the hopper and the movable carpet is activated by the motor, the carpet will move in a linear reciprocating direction. The coal falling on the carpet from the hopper will continually advance in an even flow from the carpet's leading edge onto the perforated grate.

Abstract: The invention relates to boilers using solid fuels in granular form.It comprises: (a) automatic feeding of the firebox with fuel by a reciprocating piston system forming a fire barrier in the rest position and actuated by a low power linear movement motor, and (b) combustion quickened by the supply of blown air and stirred by a system for discharging ashes and combustion residues out of the burner by the action of fingers integral with the piston.This type of boiler is suited for central heating as well as any other domestic or industrial hot water production.

Abstract: A new and improved reciprocating grate system for furnaces and incinerators wherein the system is advantageously constructed to accomplish a variety of objectives. Adjacent flights of adjacent portions of the composite grate structure reciprocate back and forth and the speed and stroke of such reciprocation can be ganged, coupled, or independently controlled. The individual grates themselves are advantageously configured for suitable spreading and air mixture relative to debris advancement. Air seals are provided and batch feed is accommodated. Grate frame reciprocation is accommodated by fluid control means, either hydraulic or pneumatic, and features are provided for enabling appropriate adjustment both of drive and stroke of related individual components.

Abstract: A substantially smokeless burning system for burning waste material fuels. An elongated hollow burning chamber is supported in a generally horizontal orientation. An elongated fuel accumulation chamber and a hydraulic hoist driven ram in the chamber are adapted to push elongated volumes of new fuel into the lower front end of the burning chamber such that already burning fuel is pushed to the rear of the chamber. This establishes a charcoal burning zone which at least partially overlies a volatile burning zone such that incomplete combustion products from the volatile burning zone pass over and through the charcoal burning zone to be substantially burned before exiting at the rear of the burning chamber. Integral preheat and air delivery channels are formed in the walls of the burning chamber. A pipe section is mounted within the burning chamber for incinerating liquid waste materials.

Abstract: A furnace for burning solid waste material such as straw bales or wood shavings is fed automatically from a reservoir container through a pipe that leads into the bottom of the furnaces combustion chamber. The automatic feed may comprise a pusher sliding in the pipe under the action of a ram, or an auger. In either case, the pusher or auger largely blocks the pipe to prevent unwanted entry of air into the combustion chamber. The pusher is controlled by an element which senses flue temperature. The container outlet may include a ripping chain to break down the material and the pipe may include a fire extinguishing connection controlled by a heat sensor. The furnace is adapted for admitting controlled quantities of primary air and the hot incompletely burned gases of combustion pass to an after-burning chamber where secondary air is admitted.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an economical system for the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste to recover valuable by-products while reducing the putrecibility and bulk of the residue requiring disposal. Prior to this treatment, the solid waste has been processed to remove most of the metallic components, and shredded, which steps are not part of the invention disclosed. The pyrolysis and by-product recovery technology is complicated by (a) the inherent variability of the chemical and physical characteristics of the shredded solid waste as received at the pyrolysis plant and (b) the relatively low heat value of said waste as thus received.

Abstract: A ram is connected to reciprocate its free end up to or into a reinforced aperture in the bottom of one side wall of a wood receiving container to break wood positioned therebetween and push it through the aperture into a feed duct that is connected at its opposite end to the fire chamber of a furnace. The bottom of the container has a higher region and a lower region that is positioned adjacent the aperture and transverse of the ram and which extends either approximately horizontal or inclined downwardly away from both sides of the ram. Pusher flaps with actuating devices are pivotally connected to push material across the regions of the bottom toward the path of the ram and a member pivoted on the side-wall above the aperture is actuated to press material downwardly into the ram path in front of the aperture.

Abstract: An elongate combustion chamber is inclined at a 50.degree. to 80.degree. angle to the vertical, is connected at the lower end face to a feed duct through which fuel is pushed into the chamber and is open at the upper end face. The side walls forming the lower part of the chamber are downwardly converging and the free edges are spaced from each other at a distance decreasing in the direction of the open upper end face from the lower end face to form a primary air opening from a primary air channel therebeneath, the tapered opening covered by corresponding downwardly converging solid side walls connected at an apex and spaced from the other walls to form an air passage therebetween from the primary air channel to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus capable of producing pellets of compacted refuse having a density of at least 20 lbs./ft..sup.3 comprising:(1) a cylindrical tube having a compacted chamber whose length is shorter than the shortest "critical length" for the refuse to be pelletized, with a feed port in the side wall of the tube and a discharge port at the end of the tube,(2) a feed hopper communicating with the inlet port of the tube,(3) a reciprocating ram in the inlet end of the tube capable of exerting a pressure of at least 200 psi on each forward stroke, and(4) a refuse flow restrictor in the tube in which the degree of restriction is controlled in response to changes in the ram pressure required to advance the compacted refuse down the tube.