Abstract: An apparatus and process for chemically and/or thermally treating substances containing or generating toxic substances during treatment is disclosed. Multiple reactors treat the material while the toxic emission containment system separates and cleans the effluents to within acceptable emissions limits as specified by government. The preferred rotary kiln employs a multiple zone reactor system for processing and volumetrically reducing feedstocks. The kiln functions as a primary treatment chamber and contains a rotatable multipurpose admixture and a multiple zone burner system. Induced cyclonic action reduces particulate entrainment, minimizes stratification, and maximizes gas residence time. A direct fed, second stage vitrifying, refining and/or separating furnace yields stabilized products. The preferred process includes an air pollution control system enhanced by a toxic emission containment system which separates the inert effluents from the toxic emissions contained in the treatment process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved multilayered storage structure composite material. The composite contains a fibrous mat made from interwoven fibers, preferably metallic fibers, that is encased with a concrete-based mixture to form a mat layer. At least one concrete-based layer is also disposed within the composite, and this concrete-based layer preferably contains at least one shielding additive. The composite material is preferably formed into a containment vessel for the storage of hazardous, radioactive, and mixed waste materials.

Abstract: A combustion device for the pyrolytic destruction and gasification of industrial or other wastes, or lower sulfur fuels, is provided which includes an elongated cylindrical kiln body. Air is introduced into the kiln body by a plurality of pipes which define different combustion zones therewithin. A sorbent such as pulverized limestone may be introduced into each zone for reaction with the feedstock material to reduce undesirable flue emissions. The pipes are oriented within the kiln body to sweep the feedstock along the kiln body in a generally cyclonic pattern of torroidal shape and cross-sectional contour. The kiln may be rotated at various speeds corresponding to the force of the introduced combustion air to fluidize and entrain the feedstock material to be combusted.

Abstract: A calcining kiln for decontaminating and detoxifying materials, such as earth, contaminated by hazardous chemicals and substantially incapable of autogenous combustion, consisting of an elongated kiln body through which the material to be treated is conveyed in the form of a tumbling bed, and apparatus for directing flame jets of high temperature against and into the tumbling bed at closely spaced intervals along the length of the kiln body to stir and agitate the material. The tumbling and the stirring and agitation reduce the material to a pulverized form of fine particle size so that all of the contaminating chemicals may be reached and destroyed by the high temperature flame jets. Various fuel gases may be used depending on the heat producing capacity required under any particular circumstances, and the heat produced in successive longitudinally spaced zones of the kiln body may be independently controlled according to the heat requirements in each zone.

Abstract: A furnace for the selective incineration or carbonization, by a process of distillation to remove its volatile components, of waste materials, the furnace consisting of an elongated, slightly inclined, rotatable cylindrical kiln, waste material being introduced into its upper end, moved along the length thereof in the form of a tumbling bed at its lower portion by rotation thereof either at higher rates to produce higher turbulence of the material as is useful in the incineration mode of operation, or at lower rates for less turbulence of the material as is useful in the carbonization mode. Air is introduced into the kiln either in large amounts supplying ample oxygen for full combustion as is useful in the incineration mode, or in sub-stoichiometric amounts as is necessary in the carbonization mode.

Abstract: A furnace afterburner consisting of an elongated combustion chamber through which the exhaust effluvia of a furnace is drawn, and in which a series of sets of air jet nozzles are arranged in longitudinally spaced relation along the chamber, which inject air tangentially into the chamber to generate vortices of air and exhaust spinning in alternately opposite angular directions. The injected air may be preheated. The central core area of the chamber is filled and obstructed to prevent inefficient combustion which would otherwise occur in the "eyes" of the vortices. Damper controls are provided to induce and reinforce other variations of conditions within the chamber, such as those capable of producing better retention time, better turbulence, air-gas mix proportions and temperature, all with the purpose of providing better combustion with a high degree of controllability in a wide variety of operating conditions.

Abstract: A process for carbonizing and then activating carbonaceous materials in a continuous process as performed by an apparatus consisting of an elongated, slightly inclined rotary retort into the higher end of which the material is deposited and from the lower end of which the product is removed, the material moving therethrough in the form of a tumbling bed, a system for introducing air in independently regulatable amounts into each of a series of longitudinally spaced zones of the retort, except a final zone closest to its lower end, in such a manner that contact of the air with the material bed is delayed for a substantial time after the air enters the retort, and a system for introducing superheated steam into the final retort zone as an oxidizing agent in such a manner as to immediately engage and thoroughly intermix with the material bed. Provision is also made for introducing air, rather than steam, into the final retort zone, in the event carbonization, but not activation, may be desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for carbonizing and then activating carbonaceous materials in a continuous process consisting of an elongated, slightly inclined rotary retort into the higher end of which the material is deposited and from the lower end of which the product is removed, the material moving therethrough in the form of a tumbling bed, a system for introducing air in independently regulatable amounts into each of a series of longitudinally spaces zones of the retort, except a final zone closest to its lower end, in such a manner that contact of the air with the material bed is delayed for a substantial time after the air enters the retort, and a system for introducing superheated steam into the final retort zone in such a manner as to immediately engage and thoroughly intermix with the material bed. Provision is also made for introducing air, rather than steam, into the final retort zone, in the event carbonization, but not activation, may be desired.

Abstract: A combination carbonization apparatus and furnace for alternatively reducing cellulosic waste such as wood chips and the like to charcoal, or burning said waste completely to produce furnace heat and ash, from which potash may be produced, as desired, the desired operation being provided simply by regulating the amount of combustion air admitted to the reaction chamber of the device, either insufficient air to produce full combustion of the waste if charcoal is desired, or an excess of air if the production of ash is desired. An afterburner receiving the gaseous products of the reaction chamber is provided with an excess air supply to provide full combustion of the gaseous products in either case, whereby the effluent gases of the device may be pollution-free.