Means Contacting Exhaust Gas With Liquid Patents (Class 110/215)
  • Patent number: 5553555
    Abstract: A system and method for purification of combustion gases cools the combustion gases to an optimal oxidation temperature, oxidizes the combustion gases, injects water or uses natural moisture content to form acid aerosols, neutralizes the acid aerosols with an alkaline solution, and then filters the acid aerosol, alkaline solution and water from the combustion gases. The purified gas stream is then exhausted from the system. Oxidation can be provided in stages to obtain optimal oxidation of different combustion gas components with different optimal oxidation temperature ranges. When used in a thermal power plant, the cooling of exhaust gases can be accomplished by regenerative preheating of combustion air, boiler feedwater or combustion fuel, and the clean exhaust gas can be cooled below the conventional exhaust stack temperature range, thus enhancing power plant efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Dasibi Environmental Corporation
    Inventors: Albert E. Gosselin, Jr., Edward R. Bate, Jr., Dale F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5553557
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for lowering NO.sub.x levels in flue gases of a fluidized bed reactor using selective non-catalytic reduction. A reactor is connected to a separator by a duct, and a reactant is introduced into the duct for decreasing NO.sub.x levels in the flue gases passing from the reactor, through the duct, and into the separator. The reactant, such as ammonia or urea, is selectively injected into a gaseous-rich region of the duct, near an upper, inner portion of the duct, so that a high degree of mixing of the reactant with flue gases is achieved while maintaining a low degree of mixing of the reactant with the particulate materials. The point of injection of the reactant into the duct is also at a location nearer to the reactor than to the separator to provide for increased residence time. In this manner, the reactant is used efficiently while obtaining the desired lowering of NO.sub.x levels in the flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Iqbal F. Abdulally
  • Patent number: 5535685
    Abstract: An incinerator for carrying out incineration of general or specific waste dry distillation, which can improve wastes incineration efficiency and prevent secondary pollution, such as a gas smell, by performing complete combustion by facilitating feeding of waste and discharging of ash under a condition that the furnace maintained sealed like for a conventional dry distillation incineration furnace. The incinerator is provided to feed waste introduced into a waste placing tube to a dry distillation incineration furnace by repeatedly pressing the waste, to discharge ash heaped on the bottom of the dry distillation incineration furnace by dropping into an ash placing tube with a discharge blade and pressing the dropped ash with a pressing plate, and to incinerate specific waste with high moist contents and waste wire using an indirect dry distillation tank accommodated in a combustion tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Dae Hwan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Hung Choi
  • Patent number: 5522326
    Abstract: A device for incinerating solid and/or liquid toxic substances, especially projectiles filled with chemical warfare agents. Because the ammunition to be incinerated may have been inadvertently not disarmed the incinerator plant must be able to withstand an operating pressure of at least 40 bar. The incineration includes a rotatably mounted unit consisting of a rotary tubular kiln, an afterburning chamber, and a waste heat boiler. The unit is designed in a corresponding pressure-proof manner, and the rotary tubular kiln as well as the afterburning chamber are lined with refractory material. The operating pressure is generated by a compressor arranged upstream of the incinerator plant, and it is released by an expander arranged downstream of the entire plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: MAN Gutehoffnungshutte Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Frohmut Vollhardt
  • Patent number: 5509461
    Abstract: A system for protecting the material of a gas-gas heater which receives a raw flue gas for being provided to a desulfurization plant for cleaning of the flue gas comprises a path of raw flue gas having a gas temperature which is provided to the heater. A quench device communicates with the raw flue gas flow for providing a rapid cooling of the raw flue gas. A controller communicates with the flow of raw flue gas and the quench device. The controller has a variable, pre-set temperature value which is the temperature at which the material of the heater can be damaged. The controller monitors the temperature of the raw flue gas for detecting when the temperature of the raw flue gas is greater than the pre-set temperature value for activating the quench device in order to provide a rapid cooling of the raw flue gas until the gas temperature is less than the pre-set temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Paul J. Williams
  • Patent number: 5503089
    Abstract: An arrangement for hot killing the acid contents of flue and process gases comprising a burner for discharging fuel and combustion supporter, preferably Diesel oil, fuel oil and air, to a combustion chamber, to produce a flame and gas burnt, and means of injecting/blowing a basic substance in either powder or solution form into a hot region of the flame, the gas burnt thus enriched with basic substance being mixed with the flue gas and hot killing its acid contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Finmeccanica S.p.A. - Azienda Ansaldo
    Inventors: Luis E. Frontini, Maria L. Pelizza, Francesco Repetto
  • Patent number: 5462718
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for lowering NO.sub.x levels in flue gases of a fluidized bed reactor using selective non-catalytic reduction. A reactor is connected to a separator by a duct, and a reactant is introduced into the duct for decreasing NO.sub.x levels in the flue gases passing from the reactor, through the duct, and into the separator. The reactant, such as ammonia or urea, is selectively injected into a gaseous-rich region of the duct, near an upper, inner portion of the duct, so that a high degree of mixing of the reactant with flue gases is achieved while maintaining a low degree of mixing of the reactant with the particulate materials. The point of injection of the reactant into the duct is also at a location nearer to the reactor than to the separator to provide for increased residence time. In this manner, the reactant is used efficiently while obtaining the desired lowering of NO.sub.x levels in the flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Igbal F. Abdulally
  • Patent number: 5458862
    Abstract: A process for purifying exhaust gases, especially from vacuum pyrolysis installations by means of the extraction of the exhaust gases and their combustion with a supply of air. Immediately after their formation, the exhaust gases are subjected to complete combustion with a controlled air supply and an under pressure of 0.5 to 0.95 bar (500 to 50 mbar absolute) generated by a vacuum pump, whereupon the gaseous reaction products are cooled to 10.degree. to 25.degree. C. to prevent damage to the vacuum pump and then the cooled gaseous reaction products are extracted by the vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Glawion
  • Patent number: 5425916
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the effluent of a turbulent commercial combustion system for monitoring or controlling the composition of the effluent. The apparatus is a system for directyl selectively detecting the presence in the effluent high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic compounds having five or more rings by laser induced fluorescence. The system includes an illuminating source of select fluorescence excitation of wavelengths that induces substantial fluorescence by high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Janos M. Beer, Arslan Kahn, Adel F. Sarofim, Jan H. Thijssen, Majed A. Toqan
  • Patent number: 5415110
    Abstract: A refuse incinerator includes an installation with two covered hoppers connected at their lower ends by a movable plate to a combustion chamber. A series of plates have been placed in the combustion chamber and have a cadenced movement for moving and oxygenating refuse being incinerated. Cars are located beside the chamber, into which cars the refuse eventually falls. The refuse is later sorted. A boiler is heated by combustion gases, and a series of tanks and containers filter the combustion gases before their release to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Antonio Teles De Menezes Junior
  • Patent number: 5372077
    Abstract: A garbage disposal system includes a garbage classifier unit, which consists of a cutting mechanism, a separation water trough, squeezers, and a blower separator, and is controlled to separate plastics and mineral from garbage; a garbage furnace controlled to burn garbage being delivered from the garbage classifier unit, a waste gas treatment unit controlled to treat exhaust gas from the garbage furnace, and a sewage treatment unit controlled to treat waste water from the garbage classifier unit and the waste gas treatment unit for a repeat use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: Chin-Ching Yen, Jen-Chieh Tai
  • Patent number: 5345884
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of reducing polluting emissions from a circulating fluidized bed combustion installation including a furnace from which the dust is recovered at least in part by a cyclone, the partially dedusted gases output by the cyclone passing through a recovery boiler, and then into a dust filter, in which method a desulfurizing agent is inserted into the furnace. According to the invention, downstream from said recovery boiler, and upstream from said dust filter, the flue gases are desulfurized in semi-humid manner in a reaction enclosure provided with a water injection inlet. Downstream from said dust filter, the resulting desulfurization products are thermally oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Stein Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Vandycke, Jean-Xavier Morin
  • Patent number: 5339774
    Abstract: A fluidized bed steam generation system and method in which recycled flue gases are used to assist in passing solid particulate material from the separator, through the loopseal, and back into the furnace. The solid particulate material separated in the cyclone separator and passed back to the furnace is assisted by recycled flue gases which have passed through the heat recovery section, an air heater, and a baghouse. The use of the recycled flue gases decreases the oxygen content which can cause oxidizing or burning of the solid particulate material which results in overheating or agglomeration of the loopseal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Tang
  • Patent number: 5339755
    Abstract: A system for controlling sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) in a flue gas produced by a boiler comprises an air heater connected to the boiler for cooling the flue gas produced by the boiler. A dry scrubber is connected to the air heater and a slurry source for receiving the heated flue gas and a slurry in order to remove SO.sub.2 from the flue gas. A particulate collector is connected to the dry scrubber in order to collect particles from the flue gas. Heat is recovered from the flue gas by connecting a condensing heat exchanger to the particulate collector; and a condensate recycler is connected to the condensing heat exchanger and the slurry source for reducing the water requirements for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: J. William Smith
  • Patent number: 5333632
    Abstract: This invention comprises a small, mobile, energy-efficient, batch-type soil roaster which can be utilized directly at a contamination site. Hydrocarbon contaminated dirt or soil is placed into a rotating drum. The soil is fired or roasted utilizing a burner until all hydrocarbons are completely evaporated out of the soil. The hydrocarbon gases that are vaporized from the soil go through a water scrubber filter and an afterburner system where the hydrocarbon component of the vapors or gases are burned off and destroyed at high temperatures. A vortex effect is created within the integral afterburner/stack unit, causing the hydrocarbon gases to remain in the stack longer, thereby ensuring a more complete burning of the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventors: Allen L. Weerts, Richard E. Ledin
  • Patent number: 5328354
    Abstract: An incinerator for combustible or thermally-decomposable gases includes a device which insures that gas continues to flow through the incinerator in the event of failure of the scrubber fan connected to the outlet of the incinerator. When the scrubber fan fails, a solenoid-operated valve opens, and compressed gas from a tank flows through the valve into the main conduit of the incinerator. The compressed gas enters the main conduit through an air flow amplifier installed within the main conduit. The air flow amplifier magnifies the effect of the compressed gas, and creates a region of negative pressure which assures that toxic or hazardous gases do not remain in the incinerator, but instead continue to flow toward the scrubber fan, even after the fan has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: MG Industries
    Inventors: Kevin D. McGrath, Sivaramasubramanian Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 5326254
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a burner-containing apparatus, such as a boiler or a furnace, having reduced noxious emissions. A burner receives input air and has an exhaust for exhausting flue gases. A flue gas recirculation system is provided for recirculating a portion of the flue gases back to an input of the burner. A fogging device, which produces a fog from a fogger water supply and a fogger air supply, humidifies the recirculated flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Michael Munk
  • Patent number: 5326536
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the injecting of NO.sub.x inhibiting liquid reagent into the flue gas of a utility or industrial type boiler to reduce emissions of NO.sub.x including a temperature sensor for measuring the boiler flue gas temperature and a moveable conduit for injecting the NO.sub.x inhibiting reagent into the flue gas at a sensed predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: H. Randy Carter
  • Patent number: 5316735
    Abstract: In a vertical cylindrical casing (1) of the apparatus along the axis thereof a gas-supplying pipe (8) is disposed, the end face (11) of which is disposed above a gas-distributing grating (3) at the level of the height of a fluidized bed formed thereon and in which a tube (12) is arranged with a swirler (13) inserted thereinto, said tube forming an annular gap (14) with the pipe (8). On the gas-supplying pipe (8) and on the gas-distributing grating (3) truncated cones (15, 16) are arranged coaxially, the upper end face (17) of the external cone (16) being disposed below the end face (11) of the gas-supplying pipe (8). In the upper part of the casing (1) in front of the inlet to an axial gas-discharging pipe (7) a baffle cone (19) is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventors: Oleg R. Ivanov, Mikhail I. Snegirev, Makhail K. Chistyakov, Vladimir M. Razhev, Vladimir I. Budantsev, Jury I. Kipriyanov, Viktor A. Zaitsev, deceased, by Galina M. Zaitseva, administrator, by Natalya V. Zaitseva, administrator
  • Patent number: 5313895
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting formation of unburned substances in incinerating refuse is practiced with use of an incinerator wherein a peripheral wall defining a combustion chamber is provided with a nozzle for injecting at least one mixing fluid selected from the group consisting of air, water, water vapor, inert gas and combustion exhaust gas into the combustion chamber and producing a swirling stream of the fluid within the chamber. When the refuse is incinerated, the mixing fluid is injected into the combustion chamber from the nozzle, whereby the flame and unburned substances produced within the chamber are efficiently mixed with an excessive portion of air supplied to the chamber and remaining therein to ensure promoted complete combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitoshi Sekiguchi, Kunio Saski, Noboru Okigami, Kohei Hamabe, Kazuo Ieyama, Mamoru Knodo
  • Patent number: 5310334
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminates from industrial waste streams by thermal destruction in which contaminated waste emission gases are controllably intermixed with hydroxy gas and the mixture thus formed ignited within a combustion chamber of unique design. The temperature within the combustion chamber is maintained at no less than 3000 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve molecular disassociation of the pollutants contained within the emission gas into harmless compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Air Duke Australia, Ltd.
    Inventor: Spiro Spiros
  • Patent number: 5305697
    Abstract: A waste disposal system (10) which provides for the destruction of solid and liquid waste materials, through a controlled and monitored flow, from the loading of the material to be processed to the expulsion of clean nontoxic and sterile air and inert solid residue. The system includes; a waste loading module (30), a shredding module (33), an injection module (34), a first combustion chamber (40), a second combustion chamber (50), a first cooling module (60), an electrostatic module (701), a reducing catalyst module (70), an oxidizing catalyst module (80), a liquid filtering module (90), a neutralization module (100) and a second cooling module (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: New Clear Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. Greene, Patrick C. Malone
  • Patent number: 5285737
    Abstract: An has included a furnace, a blower at one side of the furnace, a fuel supply means, a wind guiding means, a filter means, a broiling chamber, and a dust expelling means. The furnace has a combustion chamber at inner bottom portion adapted to burn trash therein by lighting a fire on the trash through the fuel supply means. Ashes results from burning trash are cleaned through a door on the broiling chamber. Waste gas results from burning trash is expelled through the filter means whereas most particles of the smoke are falling on the bottom of the furnace and only a few amount of particles and the Carbone Monoxide are expelled through exhaust fan of the filter means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Tsai-Hsia Chen
    Inventor: Hong-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 5282429
    Abstract: In a coal-fired boiler, a heat recovery unit is located upstream of a dry electrostatic precipitator so as to reduce the temperature of exhaust gas flowing to the dry electrostatic precipitator and thus prevent reverse ionization in the electrostatic precipitator. The heat recovery unit located upstream of the dry electrostatic precipitator will in no way be corroded even if the concentration of dust is reduced in the dry electrostatic precipitator. A desulfurization unit does not require a cooling/dust removing section and eliminates the need for a wet electrostatic precipitator. The dry electrostatic precipitator includes a gas passage divided into a plurality of parallel passages and dampers operable to close the passages. This arrangement prevents dust from being dispersed as a result of hammering without charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignees: Chubu Electric Power Company Inc., Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Kato, Tadashi Tanaka, Yasuki Nishimura, Katsutoshi Yata, Masahiko Nakao, Takeshi Sakai, Tsuyoshi Ohishi, Tsuneo Higashi
  • Patent number: 5269236
    Abstract: A method of preventing dust from adhering to a wall of a combustion apparatus, such as a furnace wall or exhaust duct, is carried out by forcing gas through a porous refractory member forming the wall. Specifically, the furnace wall or exhaust duct wall to which dust might otherwise adhere is made of a porous refractory member and gas is injected through the pores of the refractory member. In an incinerator, the refractory porous member extends around the periphery of a liquid injection nozzle, so that gas fed to the inside of the incinerator through the refractory porous member prevents flower from accumulating at the periphery of the end of the nozzle and attenuates the wake of the injected liquid so as to suppress the entrainment of dust in the liquid. In a melting furnace, the refractory porous members provide the ceiling of a slag separating chamber and the entrance of an exhaust gas duct open to the upper portion of the slag separating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Okuno, Toshihisa Gouda, Kazuo Sato, Shizuo Yasuda, Hiroki Honda, Susumu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 5269235
    Abstract: A process for disposing of a waste chemical stream containing materials which can produce objectionable combustion products, such as NO.sub.x, free bromine, carbon, particulates or ash, the process comprising the steps of passing the waste chemical stream to an oxidizing first zone where burning occurs in stoichiometric oxygen excess above about 2000.degree. F.; then to a reducing second zone where reaction occurs in stoichiometric reduction at a temperature of above about 2000.degree. F.; and then to an oxidizing third zone to oxidize the combustibles at temperatures of between about 1400.degree. F. and 2000.degree. F. The process provides high efficiency destruction of waste compounds, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, in a substantially NO.sub.x free manner. In the case of brominated compounds, the process generates HBr which is readily scrubbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Koch Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene C. McGill, Kevin W. McQuigg
  • Patent number: 5257588
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of flue gas abatement for a combustion process, particularly for a refuse incinerating unit, in the case of which ammonia in a gaseous form or dissolved in water is fed into the combustion process or hot flue gases therefrom and furthermore preferably acidic components are removed by scrubbing from the flue gases and are neutralized by a basic material, to which milk of lime has been added, and furthermore the flue gases may be passed in addition though adsorbing materials and if necessary basic materials are supplied to the process so that nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride in gas form, dioxines and furans are removed. The material necessary for this are taken from a local sewage plant where they at least proportionately form partial streams in a sludge treatment unit and otherwise would have to be dispensed with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Hermann Kollmann
  • Patent number: 5242295
    Abstract: A combustion method for the simultaneous control of PICs and NO.sub.x wherein the combustion is carried out in two combustion zones. High velocity oxidant is injected into the second combustion zone to aspirate exhaust from the first combustion zone prior to combustion within the second combustion zone. The first combustion zone is preferably operated under pyrolytic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Da Ho
  • Patent number: 5207176
    Abstract: A hazardous waste incinerator (100) includes a rotary kiln (120) with a helical flight (250) within. The kiln (120) is fed hazardous waste by either a continuous feed system (164) or a positive feed system (162). The kiln (120) is comprised of six retort sections (202, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210). The combusted waste is separated into ash and recoverable metals. The air flow is counter to the flow of waste through the kiln (120), with exhaust gases vented from the kiln entrance. Fugitive emissions are also contained by shrouds (164, 166) and containment building (160). These exhaust gases pass through the secondary combustor (130) to ensure destruction of any principle organic hazardous constituents. The exhaust gases are then treated in a spray dryer (140) to cool it and neutralize any acidic components. A baghouse (150) then removes any remaining particulate matter before the exhaust exits the stack (156).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: ICI Explosives USA Inc
    Inventors: Robert C. Morhard, Peter J. Astrauskas, Michael E. Weber, Irving H. Tyler, Donald R. Beltz, Mark M. Zaugg, Stanley E. Hill, Charles J. Trom, Johnny R. Isbell, Thomas E. Berty
  • Patent number: 5203267
    Abstract: A waste disposal system (10) which provides for the destruction of solid and liquid waste materials, through a controlled and monitored flow, from the loading of the material to be processed to the expulsion of clean nontoxic and sterile air and inert solid residue. The system includes; a waste loading module (30), a shredding module (33), an injection module (34), a first combustion chamber (40), a second combustion chamber (50), a first cooling module (60), an electrostatic module (701), a reducing catalyst module (70), an oxidizing catalyst module (80), a liquid filtering module (90), a neutralization module (100) and a second cooling module (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: New Clear Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. Greene, Patrick C. Malone
  • Patent number: 5199362
    Abstract: A pollution control system for removing harmful elements from industrial smoke streams comprises a reciprocating pump assembly that draws smoke from a furnace or the like and delivers it through a passageway where the smoke is treated sequentially to remove harmful elements therefrom. Disposed along the passageway is an atomizer station, a first fibrous filter, an ignition chamber, and a second fibrous filter. Having traversed the passageway, the smoke is ejected into a large tank of water and bubbles to the surface thereof, thus being further cleansed. From the water tank, the cleansed smoke stream moves up a stack, through a final fibrous filter, and into the atmosphere where it poses a substantially reduced environmental hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Lee R. Carter
  • Patent number: 5199363
    Abstract: Harmful constituents are removed from non-combustible solid waste, such as incinerator ash, by continuously feeding a mixture of the solid waste and a combustible excitation material into a reaction chamber, igniting the mix in said chamber and causing it to react in the presence of oxygen until the heat of the reaction causes the solid waste material to become a molten slag and the temperature within the chamber above the molten slag is high enough to destroy substantially all of the harmful constituents in the gaseous effluent released by the formation of the molten slag. The excess molten slag is conducted from the reaction chamber. The effluent is conducted from the reaction chamber into a second chamber where it is rapidly cooled to cause particulate material to precipitate out of the effluent. The effluent is thereafter treated to remove substantially all of the remaining particulate and harmful gases to achieve acceptable environmental quality. The thus treated effluent is released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Phoenix Environmental, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Cheetham
  • Patent number: 5190672
    Abstract: A method of thermal disposal of sewage sludge. The sludge is dried and incinerated. The flue gases from the incineration are washed. The flue gas dust resulting from the incineration and the sludge resulting from washing of the flue gases are treated together with high temperature combustion which includes melting of solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Passavant-Werke AG
    Inventors: Hubert Coenen, Helmut Hubert, Friedhelm Bultmann, Matthias Brunner
  • Patent number: 5156659
    Abstract: An off-gas stack for a melter comprising an air conduit leading to two sets of holes, one set injecting air into the off-gas stack near the melter plenum and the second set injecting air downstream of the first set. The first set injects air at a compound angle, having both downward and tangential components, to create a reverse vortex flow, counter to the direction of flow of gas through the stack and also along the periphery of the stack interior surface. Air from the first set of holes pervents recirculation zones from forming and the attendant accumulation of particulate deposits on the wall of the stack and will also return to the plenum any particulate swept up in the gas entering the stack. The second set of holes injects air in the same direction as the gas in the stack to compensate for the pressure drop and to prevent the concentration of condensate in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: George T. Wright
  • Patent number: 5148757
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for removing VOC's from soil, particularly soil contaminated with gasoline, diesel fuel, or the like. The apparatus includes a burner-heated drum for substantially vaporizing the VOC's (the drum desirably is of the type used in hot mix asphalt plants, to which the apparatus of the invention is particularly suited to be adapted). The vaporized VOC's are then ducted to an air scrubber where the VOC's are substantially entirely absorbed into the scrubber water, along with any airborne soil particulates. The VOC and particulate-laden water is then conducted to a settling basin where the particulates are allowed to settle out. Particulate-free VOC-laden water is withdrawn from the basin and transported to an air stripper where the VOC's are vaporized. The vaporized VOC's are then conducted to the drum burner, where they are burned to help heat the drum and additional soil that is being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Charles McCrossan
  • Patent number: 5147421
    Abstract: A particle discharge system employs a wet scrubber producing a waste particle sludge, and an evaporator and solidifier operating in parallel with the wet scrubber to cause discharge material to be dried and then solidifed in a compacted composition for convenient disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Calvert Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Shui-Chow Yung
  • Patent number: 5142998
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for removing volatile organic contaminants from particulate material utilizes a particulate material processor (12) and an emissions processor (14) which includes a recirculating emissions pretreatment circuit (16) and a final treatment system (18). The recirculating emissions pretreatment circuit (16) has an inlet (72) that receives the contaminated hot gas emissions from a heating unit (20) of the material processor (12) and also has a condenser (76) that is preferably embodied by a wet scrubber (88) for removing condensible gases from the emissions prior to passage through an outlet (78) thereof back to the heating unit (20). An inlet (82) of the final treatment system (18) has a fan (48) that draws off a portion of the pretreated emissions for a final treatment. This final treatment may be provided either by a flame burner that is most preferably a part of the heating unit of the particulate material processor (12) or by a carbon adsorber (144).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Frederick E. Feitel
  • Patent number: 5135723
    Abstract: A flueless combustion system which accepts materials nominally designed as trash and waste, including the solid and gaseous combustion products of the system itself, and converts these materials and combustion products to marketable products. Pyrolytic conversion is employed to reform these materials and combustion products. The gaseous combustion products of this system are exhausted to an underwater distribution system which permits the gaseous combustion products to percolate through water which contains cellulosic materials to further absorb and entrap gases. The water, cellulosic materials, as well as sediments resulting from the cooling of the exhaust gases, are utilized within the pyrolytic process. The gases, steam, and heat resulting from the pyrolytic process are used in conversion processes such as the Fisher-Tropsche Process to provide marketable products. For example, the Fisher-Tropsche Process produces liquid fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Tom E. Fuller
  • Patent number: 5133267
    Abstract: Hazardous waste is formed into non-hazardous non-leaching aggregate by introducing particulate noncombustible material into at least one oxidizer beneath the surface of an accumulation of molten noncombustible material. It is preferred that the walls of a portion of the apparatus be comprised of a layer of refractory material containing metal pins over a metal-walled, water-cooled vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Marine Shale Processors, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kent, Henry L. Robards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5123836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the combustion treatment of a toxic gas which forms microparticles by combustion are disclosed wherein the toxic gas is subjected to a combustion treatment in a specific combustion furnace where the combustion gas formed is brought into contact with an aqueous film flowing downwards on the inner wall of the furnace from the upper end portion thereof to the lower end portion thereof or with a cooled surface, and then optionally with aqueous droplets dispersed in the interior space of the furnace. The water captures the microparticles formed by combustion of the toxic gas and is discharged out of the furnace as a mixed flow with the combustion gas thus treated, and optionally the mixed flow is successively treated in a gas-liquid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Yoneda, Hidehiko Kudoh, Norio Iwamoto, Munekazu Nakamura, Chiaki Kojima, Kunio Kaneko, Yoshifumi Mori, Hideto Ishikawa, Hiroji Kawai
  • Patent number: 5117763
    Abstract: A process for elimination of liquid hazardous waste, solid hazardous waste and medical waste. The waste material is incinerated in a rotary furnace to produce a gaseous phase, and a solid phase of non-combustible solids. The gaseous components with suspended particulates are passed to a waste heat boiler for cooling and elimination of some particulates. A mist-producing scrubber further reduces the quantity of particulates in the gases. Finally a chimney with hydrating filters collects and removes any remaining particulates. The invention is a fully closed unit that will emit no particulates into the atmosphere at an efficiency never before realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Leif V. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 5103742
    Abstract: An exhaust system adapted for the selective control of the types and concentrations of emissions to the atmosphere in the off-gas of a combustion unit, the system including at least one chemical treatment chamber, at least one off-gas, kinetic energy reducing chamber communicating with at least one chemical treatment chamber and adapted to provide a reduced pressure off-gas region wherein the kinetic energy of the off-gas from the treatment chamber is diminished, at least one chemical reactor communicating with at least one treatment chamber and adapted to provide reactant chemicals in contact with the off-gas in the treatment chamber, at least one reactant chemical selecting system associated with at least one chemical reactor and adapted for presenting different chemicals and concentrations thereof to the off-gas in at least one treatment chamber, cooling apparatus for the off-gas in one or more selected portions of the exhaust system, and a control system communicating with the off-gas at one or more locat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph V. Valentino
  • Patent number: 5099770
    Abstract: It is the object of the invention to present a construction for convective smoke filtering cleaners, especially for of the kind that mainly consists of a ceramic smoke filter, a drive fan, a smoke converting device, a water filter, a poison filtering device and a draw fan. Its major feature is that the ceramic smoke filter percolates the black smoke in the exhaust duct and turns it into white smoke, and then the drive fan makes white smoke quickly flow into the smoke converting device. The water supply system of the smoke converting device keeps water flowing around the wall of the exhaust duct and atomized water spraying incessantly in the duct. A rotating reservoir atomizes water and sprays over the inside wall of the duct. Consequently, when the white smoke arrives at the smoke converting device, atomized water drops can completely absorb and purify the smoke. The drifting dust and impurities in smoke along with water fluid are collected in the water filter installed under the smoke converting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Shih C. Yang
  • Patent number: 5095829
    Abstract: A method is provided for combusting multifarious waste material. The waste to be combusted is subjected to a self maintaining pyrolysis in a long, horizontal chamber oven under oxygen depleted conditions, and is subsequently completely combusted under a supply of adequate air. A chamber oven is provided with an upper row of closable air inlet apertures at the upper side, divided over the wall length, and a lower row of closable air inlet apertures at the lower side, divided over the wall length. A larger air inlet aperture is provided in each one of the side walls in the vicinity of the oven throat, and air inlet apertures are also provided in the off-gas conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Leonardus M. M. Nevels
  • Patent number: 5086715
    Abstract: The flue gases formed in the combustion chamber of the incinerator furnace, after they have reached a temperature of about 450.degree. C., are brought to a temperature of 200.degree.-250.degree. C. by shock-type cooling. Before this shock-cooling (quenching), heat recovery from the flue gases is carried out in a high-temperature stage from 1000.degree.-1200.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C. and, after the shock-cooling, in a low-temperature stage from 200.degree.-250.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. As a result, a de novo synthesis is avoided in which dioxins and furans are formed from the components of the flue gases and the fly ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: W&E Umwelttechnik AG
    Inventors: Markus E. Burgin, Martin R. Zweifel
  • Patent number: 5086717
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for removing VOC's from soil, particularly soil contaminated with gasoline, diesel fuel, or the like. The method includes the steps of heating the soil in a burner-heated drum to substantially vaporize the VOC's. The vaporized VOC's are then ducted to an air scrubber where the VOC's are substantially entirely absorbed into the scrubber water, along with any airborne soil particulates. The VOC and particulate-laden water is then conducted to a settling basin where the particulates are allowed to settle out. Particulate-free VOC-laden water is withdrawn from the basin and transported to an air stripper where the VOC's are vaporized. The vaporized VOC's are then conducted to the drum burner, where they are burned to help heat the drum and additional soil that is being processed. The air stripper water, from which the VOC's have been removed, is returned to a clean water reservoir for re-use in the air scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Charles McCrossan
  • Patent number: 5052313
    Abstract: A waste treatment system conditions waste materials for combustion by uniformly drying them to a predetermined moisture level and subsequently incinerating the dried materials in a burner which effects complete combustion of even high moisture content fuels. The system includes the burner, a dryer assembly, and a system of fans which clarifies vapors withdrawn from the dryer and which returns at least part of these vapors to the burner. The system mixes exhaust gasses from the burner and recycled vapors returned by the fans to produce gasses of a suitable temperature for drying the materials. The waste materials and the gasses are then introduced into the dryer, which is designed to use the gasses to dry the material uniformly to the predetermined moisture level without burning them prematurely. The dried materials are then conveyed to the burner, where they are burned to produce more exhaust gasses for drying additional materials. The residual ash in the burners is nontoxic and is suitable for burying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Combustion Design Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5050511
    Abstract: A system for the destruction of organic waste material such as halogenated organic compounds, and related matter. In one embodiment the waste material is reduced with a gaseous reducing agent such as hydrogen above about 600.degree. C., the gaseous products are condensed and cooled in the presence of an aqueous mist at about 5.degree. C., and condensed organic and aqueous material is collected and the aqueous portion recycled into the condensing and cooling steps. In another embodiment, where acid gases (for example, hydrogen halides) are produced during reduction, the gaseous products are condensed in the presence of aqueous mist at about 85.degree. C. and a major portion of the aqueous mist condenses as acidic water which is collected and neutralized. Remaining gaseous components are then cooled to about 5.degree. C. as in the previous embodiment. In further embodiments, the remaining uncondensed gaseous products are oxidized with a gaseous oxidizing agent at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: 655901 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hallett, Kelvin R. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5050508
    Abstract: An improved system is provided for the incineration of refuse, especially scrapped automobile and truck tires and the treatment of incineration exhaust gasses as produced thereby. The refuse is incinerated in a closed fire box at controlled temperatures with the incineration exhaust gasses being serially treated by filtration, after-burning, washing with water by use of both a water bath and a water spray, washing with a petroleum based solvent, and cooling to a temperature below the freezing point of water. Filtration is carried out by a self-cleaning apparatus. A combined apparatus is used to carry out both the water bath and water spray with the resultant gasses being acceptable for release into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: HCR
    Inventor: Paul Wilson
  • Patent number: RE35251
    Abstract: Gaseous discharge from a pelletizing drier used in the treatment of sewage sludge is partially directed back to a combustion chamber that generates an effluent which is fed to the drier. Volumetric requirements of a gas scrubber and an afterburner are reduced to the volume of gaseous discharge not recycled back to the combustion chamber. A concentrated stream of sewage sludge is mixed with a quantity of dehydrated particulate matter and supplied to a rotary pelletizing drier. Fuel and air undergo a combustion process and are mixed with additional air and part of the gaseous discharge in the combustion chamber which generates a hot gaseous effluent that is directed through the drier. The effluent removes moisture from the mixture of concentrated sludge and dehydrated particulate matter to provide dehydrated particulate sludge and the gaseous discharge. Entrained materials are initially separated from the gaseous discharge by cyclone separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Jos van den Broek