Abstract: A refractory wall for a combustion chamber comprising a plurality of wall portions which include refractory blocks having generally horizontal, front-to-back passageways interspersed with a plurality of portions which include unperforated refractory blocks. Outwardly of each perforated block portion a heat-exchange section is located with the perforated block portion serving to retain heat-exchange elements in that section and to resist their considerable lateral thrust. At the same time the perforated portions are integrated with the non-perforated portions to form a continuous circular wall of superior strength and resistance to elevated temperatures as well as to chemical attack.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the incinerator has three or more aligned stationary, vertical adjacent structures, each of which has a heat-exchange section covered partially by respective plates which are so arranged as to provide between adjacent ones of the sections substantially uniform gas flow paths via a common combustion chamber disposed above all of the sections. In another embodiment, generally cylindrical vertical and aligned sections are provided, each having a heat-exchange bed supported on a perforated member. The level of the heat-exchange elements in each section is kept very low. The tops of the three sections communicate with one another via a generally horizontal, combustion passageway formed between them into which at least one burner is placed.

Abstract: A vertical incinerator has three or more adjacent, stationary, heat-exchange sections which communicate, via respective plenums, with a common high-temperature combustion chamber positioned above them. Inlet and outlet valving to each heat-exchange section is provided and operated so that when effluent from an industrial process is fed upwardly through one of the sections to the combustion chamber, at least one other section is operating in an exhaust mode to withdraw the products of combustion downward through it thereby recapturing some of the generating heat.In order to prevent upwardly moving effluent from substantially short-circuiting the combustion chamber, each section is provided with a cover having an aperture which produces a jet effect. Thus, the relatively low velocity effluent stream from the industrial process applied through the aperture in the cover of the first section has its velocity increased, for example, 3-5 times as it enters the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In a thermal regeneration anti-pollution system in which there are a plurality of heat-exchange beds communicating with a high temperature incineration zone, excessive temperatures in the zone and danger to equipment in the installation are prevented by drawing off at least part of the hot gases therein. The gases are by-passed around the heat-exchange bed through which they would normally flow and then mixed in the exhaust with those incinerated gases which have been cooled through their normal passage through a heat-exchange bed.

Abstract: In a thermal regeneration anti-pollution system in which there are a plurality of heat-exchange beds communicating with a high temperature incineration zone, excessive temperatures in the zone and danger to equipment in the installation are prevented by drawing off at least part of the hot gases therein. The gases are by-passed around the heat-exchange bed through which they would normally flow and then mixed in the exhaust with those incinerated gases which have been cooled through their normal passage through a heat-exchange bed.

Abstract: An incineration system for industrial effluents and the like in which, to promote more uniform heat distribution in a large combustion chamber ordinarily heated by a single burner, some of the primary fuel gas for the burner is fed to the combustion chamber along with the effluent so that they are both uniformly oxidized throughout the chamber.

Abstract: In thermal regenerative apparatus having at least one heat-exchange section which includes a plurality of ceramic refractory elements, an upstanding hatch is provided to permit additional elements to be inserted after settling of the original charge due to wide temperature fluctuations, the gas flow through them, etc. The hatch has lower, outwardly-angled surfaces to facilitate downward and outward movement of the ceramic elements as they settle thereby preventing gas flow bypass in clearances above the elements. A light cover for the hatch has a lower, flexible metal surface that enables it to maintain sealing contact despite high-temperature effects on it.

Abstract: In a system for purifying effluents from industrial processes in which there are a plurality of sections containing heat-exchange beds communicating with a high temperature incineration zone, the flow of effluent through the beds and the direction of flow being controlled by inlet and outlet valves associated with each section, double valves in series are provided at the inlet and/or outlet to each section to reduce leakage of the effluents past them when in a nominally closed position so as to prevent release of noxious gases into the ambient air. Additionally, purified heated gas from the incinerator may be fed under pressure between the valves of each set to suppress the flow of noxious effluent past any of the valves when they are supposed to be closed.

Abstract: In thermal regeneration incineration apparatus having a main combustion chamber in communication with at least one heat-exchange section to which inlet and outlet ducts are connected, each duct having an associated valve, purified effluent from the output of the apparatus is fed back to blanket at least one side of one or both of the valves. This helps to prevent unpurified effluent applied to the input of the apparatus from leaking through the valves when nominally closed and thereby avoiding passage through the main combustion chamber.