Abstract: A high efficiency Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) processing and supplying system for maintaining industrial boilers operating continuously at peak efficiency. The system includes equipment for efficient processing and maximum blending of diverse combustible material in municipal solid wastes into high quality, industrial grade RDF of maximum uniformity, and a plurality of RDF final processing fuel stations at least equal in number to the number of boilers to be supplied with RDF. From these fuel stations the RDF is selectively delivered at a steady, uniform, controlled rate to any of the boilers. Each station has an active storage unit, a doffing roll metering bin for attaining desired fluffiness in the RDF, a metering belt scale to achieve precise volume control of the RDF being fed to the boilers, and a trommel dryer supplied with waste heat from the boilers for drying the RDF and adapted for final removal of noncombustible fines from the RDF.

Abstract: A large volume of recovered solid discrete waste material is adapted to be stored over a large storage area at the bottom of large volume bin space within a building having opposite sides and opposite ends and providing an enclosing housing having upstanding walls rising to a substantial height along the sides and ends of the storage area and a covering roof at the tops of the walls, a loading conveyor system being operative adjacently under the roof at the top of the bin space for filling the material into the bin space thoroughly over the storage area. In a semi-automated embodiment of the invention, the stored material is adapted to be discharged selectively from one end of the storage area onto a take-away conveyor, or at any of a plurality of selected places along one side of the storage area onto a take-away conveyor.

Abstract: A bin receives coarse discrete primary shredded fuel material, such as may be derived from municipal refuse, and metering conveyor means move the material from the bin through efficient discharge controlling means to smooth flow conveyor means which deliver the fuel material to means for further preparation, e.g. a reshredder. Thence, the reshredded fuel, which may be preheated, is adapted to be conducted in a suspended, aerated state non-stop into the combustion zone of combustion means such as a boiler or a cement kiln.

Abstract: Electrostatic separation of shredded plastic from processed shredded waste paper is effected in a shredded waste separation chamber having a vertically oriented passageway through which shredded waste paper and plastic descends. A vertical axis rotating plastic separator has an electrostatically charged and optionally heated surface area exposed in the passageway to the descending shredded waste for attracting the shredded plastic waste therefrom. Outside of the chamber the plastic waste is removed from the separator. Circulation of the descending waste material is promoted within the chamber to enhance contact of the plastic waste with the separator surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk discrete fibrous material storage and feeding comprises a bin receptive of a large volume of the bulk discrete fibrous material and having a bottom wall and upright side walls along the opposite sides of the bottom wall. Movable endless flexible conveyor means, are provided along the bottom and side walls for effecting movement of material in the bin toward and to discharge from a discharge end of the bin, such conveyor means being concurrently driven in the direction of the discharge end of the bin. The apparatus is especially suitable for handling sorted, fibrous, generally flocculent, shredded material such as may be derived from municipal waste and prepared for use as fuel.

Abstract: Heterogeneous municipal solid waste is pneumatically separated in a first stage into relatively heavy incombustible and lighter weight combustible fractions. The first stage light combustible fraction is further pneumatically separated in a second stage into heavier grade fuel and lighter grade fuel fractions. In a third stage still further separation may be effected of the second stage lighter grade fraction into a heavier fraction suitable for other uses such as in the manufacture of certain building materials and a lightest fraction most suitable for air suspension boiler or kiln firing. Primary shredding of all of the solid waste to be pneumatically separated, and final reshredding of the fuel grade materials are provided for to attain maximum combustion efficiency.