Abstract: A dryer assembly dries waste materials to a predetermined moisture level. The dryer includes a drum having an inlet where waste materials and hot gasses are simultaneously introduced, and an outlet where dried materials and hot vapors are transferred out of the dryer. The drum presents a plurality of preheat baffles in which the material is heated by but does not contact the gasses, thereby avoiding premature combustion of the material. Baffle sections located downstream of preheat baffles uniformly distribute material downstream into a primary drying section of the drum, where the material is mixed with the gasses to uniformly dry the material to the predetermined moisture level. The primary drying section includes alternating baffle sections which dry the material and which recycle material that is not yet dried back into the preceding baffle sections, respectively.

Abstract: A vapor clarification system includes a suction box and a plurality of fans located on top of the suction box. The fans withdraws a moisture-laden stream from the suction box and centrifugally accelerates it, producing a clarified vapor stream and a secondary vapor stream that is heavily laden with particulate matter. The secondary vapor stream leaving each fan passes through a cyclone, where particulate matter falls out of the vapor stream. The partially clarified vapor stream leaving the cyclone is returned to the suction box and re-accelerated in the fans. By placing the fans on top of the suction box, there is a reduction in the temperature drop occurring in the vapor stream which exits the fans; this in turn reduces condensation and improves the efficiency of the system. Primary cyclones are preferably disposed within the suction box, and secondary cyclones may be placed outside of the suction box.

Abstract: A dryer assembly dries waste materials to a predetermined moisture level. The dryer includes a drum having an inlet where waste materials and hot gasses are simultaneously introduced, and an outlet where dried materials and hot vapors are transferred out of the dryer. The drum presents a plurality of preheat baffles in which the material is heated by but does not contact the gasses, thereby avoiding premature combustion of the material. Baffle sections located downstream of preheat baffles uniformly distribute material downstream into a primary drying section of the drum, where the material is mixed with the gasses to uniformly dry the material to the predetermined moisture level. The primary drying section includes alternating baffle sections which dry the material and which recycle material that is not yet dried back into the preceding baffle sections, respectively.

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.