Abstract: A process which comprises the steps of introducing combustible solid material into an upper section of a pyrolysis chamber, moving the material downwardly at a controlled rate through multiple stage zones in the pyrolysis chamber, passing hot gaseous products of the partial oxidation of carbon char upwardly countercurrent to the movement of the solid material in the pyrolysis chamber, driving off volatile matter in the solid material, depositing carbon char in the lower section of the pyrolysis chamber, introducing air into the lower section of the pyrolysis chamber and partially oxidizing the char to form the hot gaseous products, removing a hot overhead fuel gas, passing the overhead fuel gas to a combustion chamber for combustion thereof with air, and applying the resulting hot combustion gases exiting the combustion chamber to a heat load.

Abstract: A system for pyrolysis and combustion of combustible solid material, such as waste, which comprises a pyrolysis chamber having a series of spaced vertically disposed movable grates, forming a plurality of stages in the pyrolysis chamber and permitting downward movement of solid feed material at a controlled rate countercurrent to the upward flow of hot gaseous products, the movable grates being synchronized for successive actuation whereby the charge of feed material is successively passed through each of the stages to the bottom of the pyrolysis chamber. Inlet lines are provided for introducing air into each of such stages and into the bottom of the pyrolysis chamber.

Abstract: As a part of the combination there is provided a trash container of the type which can be picked up and dumped by inverting it by the lift usually found on the front or rear end of a trash collection vehicle. However, because the invention contemplates compaction of the trash in the container before its contents are dumped into the vehicle, the container has flared end walls, such as to permit the compacted contents to fall freely from the container upon its inversion by the vehicle lift. To accomplish the desired in-container compaction, a vertical hydraulically driven ram is mounted in such a way that the container may be placed below it when the ram platen is raised to its first and upper position.

Abstract: In order to grind refuse, such as municipal waste, two horizontal rotating elements, each carrying a plurality of radiating swinging hammers pivotally attached to discs spaced from each other, are driven in meshing rotation within a housing, the lower inner portion of which presents a series of grate bars extending radially inwardly toward, but spaced from the ends of the swinging hammers. Because the two elements are interconnected for synchronized rotation, the inertia of one element is added to the inertia of the other element to overcome surges of refuse arriving at the entrance of the grinder, which surges might otherwise stall the motor driving only one element. Stationary impact shear bars may be provided at the refuse entrance area of the housing to mesh with the rotating hammers, thereby to cause the ejection of uncrushable objects.