Abstract: A method of wood waste disposal which regulates factors such as the amount of wood residue being fed to an incinerator at any given time so that wood residue from a mill is processed promptly and efficiently without compromising the efficient operation of the incinerator. The wood residue is separated into at least two fractions, the first fraction being directed to a storage bin for later use as required, and the second fraction being directed to the incinerator. During periods of slack feed of the second fraction to the incinerator, portions of the first fraction, as required, are directed to the incinerator as make-up, in order to maintain an optimal range of incinerator conditions by manipulating the volume and flow of wood residue in cooperation with manipulating other factors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing device useful for attachment to a process equipment such as vertical shaft kiln (VSK) for providing air-seal self-controlled discharge of product from the said equipment, which comprises a chamber (1) having at its top end an inlet (3) with flange (2) for fitting to the discharge chute of a process equipment and a discharge outlet (16) at its bottom end, the said chamber being provided with a partition wall (4) having an inlet gate (5) & a discharge gate (6) hinged to its top & bottom respectively, the free ends of the hinged gates being such as to sit on means (7) and (8) to provide air seal, means (9,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,18,19,20& SOL) being provided for simultaneous operation of the inlet & discharge gates, the said means [9(a) & (b) and SOL] being connected to a control circuit for actuating the movement of the gates, the discharge outlet being fitted onto a volumetric discharge unit (21) provided with means (22) for measuring the quantity of product discharge.

Abstract: A power plant has two fluidized beds, one of the fluidized beds being used for generating main steam and the other being used for generating reheated steam. Further, the power plant includes a control apparatus for controlling the main steam by adjusting the fuel flow for the main steam generating fluidized bed and the fuel flow for the reheated steam generating fluidized bed so that each of the main steam temperature and the reheated temperature is maintained at a respective predetermined value.

Abstract: To carry out a process for regulating individual factors or all factors influencing combustion on a furnace grate, a radar device is provided primarily. This radar device serves to detect the three-dimensional distribution of the fuel mass on at least one preferred region of the grate. In addition, an infrared camera is provided for supplying information on the burn-up behavior of the fuel located on the grate. By using the measured quantities obtained from these two devices, control variables may be derived within a regulating unit for influencing the grate speed, the charging device, the amount and composition of supplied primary air, the amount and composition of supplied secondary air, the speed of the ash roller and the temperature of the air preheating device so that the furnace performance can be adapted to the steam output requirement.

Abstract: In refuse incineration, it has been determined that the legal requirements governing refuse incineration can be more easily met by maintaining a uniform depth of charge on the grate. The charging of the refuse and the transport speed of the charge produced by movable refuse feeders can be regulated as a function of the quantity of refuse in the incinerator or in its individual zones. The load of the drive mechanism can be used for measurement and control purposes for maintaing a uniform refuse depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally reclaiming used foundry sand is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vertically disposed furnace having a combustion chamber therein. A sand dispersion system supported within the combustion chamber disperses the free falling sand particles to expose the particles to a combustion supporting furnace environment. Disposed immediately below the furnace is a sand retention chamber in which the sand is accumulated. Heated air is introduced into the retention chamber to maintain the combustion supporting environment. Residual coatings remaining on the sand particles are thermally removed in the retention chamber.

Abstract: A fuel metering bin level control for a wood chip bin feeding a boiler wherein the wood chips have a high propensity to bridge the bin when packed, the level control includes a short chute through which the chips are fed into the upper portion of the bin and a pair of doors in the chute are opened and closed by pneumatic cylinders operating through four bar linkages in response to signals from a level transmitter to maintain the level of wood chips in the fuel metering bin within a range that prevents the chips from bridging the bin and allows the feed to the bin to be continuous with excess chips being diverted to a silo for storage and future use.

Abstract: A calorimetry system for measurement of the heating value of coal having a combustor 24 and a mixing unit 30 wherein heat from combustion gases is transferred to air. The system has a gravimetric feeder 64 for providing coal at a measured mass feed rate; the coal including any moisture present therein. The coal is pulverized in an air-driven mill or pulverizer 14 which is fed coal from the feeder and is separated by a cyclone separator 16 into two streams; one carrying coal and air mixed together in a controlled ratio to the combustor. The air which drives the separator, together with fines of the coal and moisture is fed to an afterburner 26 of the combustor so that the thermal dynamics of the entire coal stream is involved in the heating value measurement. Instrumentation measures the flow rates of cooling air, primary air which carries the coal streams into the combustor and secondary combustion air as well as the mass flow rates of the coal into the combustor as measured with the gravimetric feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of a recovery boiler for compensating a predetermined reference temperature of black liquor by a compensation value in accordance with a type of an injecting gun provided in the boiler, a compensation value set by the properties of the black liquor, a compensation value set by the temperature of charbed and a compensation value set by an air flow rate to the boiler representing the magnitude of boiler steam output or load to control the black liquor temperature supplied to the boiler.

Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.

Abstract: The heating stove system includes a fuel hopper (10) from which fuel is fed into a pyrolysis gasifier (12) by means of a fuel auger apparatus (14). Controlling the entry of biomass input and air into the gasifier and ignition of the material in the gasifier is a head valve apparatus (16) which includes an igniter (129). The gasifier (12) in operation produces carbon and fuel gas which are moved into a stove burner (90) by a blower apparatus (18). The operation of the heating stove system is automatically controlled from a thermostat (150).

Abstract: An operating method for a refuse processing furnace which processes refuse by melting with electric power, comprising steps of detecting a surface level of heaped refuse in the furnace and controlling amount of either or both of power input and refuse input into the furnace in response to the detected level of the heaped refuse in the furnace. The method assures stable processing with constant yield or outflow of molten refuse besides preventing the furnace and its equipments from being damaged by heat radiation from the molten surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluidizing combustible material and feeding it to the burner of a furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conventional hopper with a tubular element coupled to the lower most portion of a conical portion thereof. A fluidizing gas delivery apparatus is provided so as to deliver fluidizing gas to the bottom tube. Fluidizing nozzles are also preferably provided at symmetrically spaced circumferential portions of the conical portion of the hopper. With this apparatus, powdered material that is fed to the hopper is fluidized by the fluidizing gas and may be delivered to the burner of a furnace from the bottom tube of the fluidized bed feeder like a liquid and may be readily ignited in the burner and burned completely within the furnace.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved solid fuel combustion assembly including a combustion chamber having a high heat capacity liner and provided with primary and secondary combustion supporting fluid conduits to thereby achieve combustion temperatures in the combustion chamber of from 1000.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A solid fuel feed system for a boiler in which a hopper is provided for storing the fuel and a discharge conduit is provided for discharging the fuel to the boiler. A first conveyor belt system conveys the fuel from an inlet to the hopper and a second conveyor system transfers the fuel from the hopper to the discharge conduit. A control system is provided for controlling the speed of the first conveyor system in response to the amount of the fuel in the hopper and a second control system responds to the operation of the boiler for controlling the speed of the second conveyor system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for delivering carbon i.e., coal dust, to be combusted in a furnace is presented. The furnace is of the type having plural combustion points and may include a shaft furnace such as, for example, a blast or cupola furnace. The carbon dust is delivered in dosed quantities to each of the individual combustion points in a separate air stream which is under a predetermined pressure. The carbon (coal dust)/carrier gas (air) is delivered to each combustion point in the furnace at super critical speed, i.e., the speed of sound, the carrier gas having a relatively high proportion of solid material therein. The actual quantity of carbon material delivered to each combustion point is directly detected and monitored as a consequence of volumetric measurement and is appropriately corrected by means of a secondary air supply when the carbon quantity either exceeds or falls below a predetermined nominal value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biomass gasifier combustor which operates by gasification and combustion of the biomass to produce a clean effluent gas which can be used directly for grain drying or other applications where thermal energy is required. The biomass gasifier combustor burns crop residue clean enough so that the combustion gases can be used directly for grain drying without the need for a heat exchanger to isolate the combustion gases from the drying air. The biomass gasifier combustor includes a screw feeder tube having a screw feeder disposed therein. The screw feeder forces the biomass into a first combustion chamber. Primary combustion of the biomass produces a first combustion gas. A venturi gas pump creates a negative pressure region in the gasifier, drawing the first combustion gas into a second combustion chamber. An air passage is provided having a cross sectional area which increases the resistance to the flow of the first combustion gas into the second gas combustion chamber.

Abstract: A particle fuel burning furnace has an upper combustion chamber for holding a pile of particle fuel and burning the same from the bottom thereof. The furnace also includes a lower combustion chamber for afterburning combustible gases given off by the burning of solid fuel in the upper chamber and a series of spaced apart vertically-extending passageways arranged in a row and interconnecting the upper and lower chambers for communicating the combustible gases from the upper to the lower chamber. A first improved feature relates to a particle fuel delivery control device which operates an auger for filling the upper chamber with particle fuel to a desired level. A beam of light is transmitted and reflected between a photoelectric cell and reflector respectively of the device. When the particle fuel pile has grown in height during filling to the desired level the light beam is interrupted and filling is terminated.

Abstract: A hydro-pressurized fluidized bed combustor having an uptanding shell and an entry at its bottom for admission of feedstock. The feedstock passes through a conduit surrounded by a heat exchanger. Inside the shell an entry conduit is outwardly flared in the upward direction to furnish a controlled expansion entry feeding into the fluidized bed. The entry conduit has a plurality of tuyeres in its peripheral wall. An injector pump feeds the feedstock into the entry. A weir above the entry conduit keeps the height of the bed constant within the combustion during operation.

Abstract: An improved biomass gasifier combustor system including a furnace, a screw feeder system for feeding a biomass fuel to the furnace and a venturi eductor system adapted for drawing a gaseous combustion product from a combustion chamber of the furnace is disclosed. The furnace enclosure forms a principal chamber in which a housing containing a secondary air chamber is disposed so as to form a partition in the principal chamber which divides the principal chamber into two regions, one of which regions is a gasification chamber and the other of which is a gas combustion chamber.

Abstract: A rotary hearth pyrolyzer is described as having a conically tapered roll for uniformly spreading waste material that is charged onto the hearth for pyrolyzation. The taper of the spreader roll is such that the linear speed at any point measured longitudinally of the roll corresponds to the speed of the rotary hearth at a point on the hearth opposite the point on the spreader roll. An angularly disposed scraper blade is positioned slightly downstream of the spreader roll, relative to the movement of the rotary hearth, and has a pair of marginal edges, one of which engages the spreader roll to remove waste material sticking thereto and the other of which edges terminates in spaced relation from the hearth to evenly spread or distribute waste material onto the hearth.

Abstract: A gravity operated conical hopper having a sliding closure plate which is pneumatically activated as soon as the hopper has been emptied. An apparatus and method is also disclosed for pneumatically detecting and automatically closing the hopper to stop the flow of contained material after material has been discharged to a particular level.

Abstract: A detachable fuel feeder device for use with wood stoves is disclosed comprising an inclined fuel storage chamber adapted for alignment with the door opening of the wood stove, a dog clamp for detachably mounting the chamber to the wood stove, a door pivotally mounted to the storage chamber, a releasable catch selectively holding the door to close off the storage chamber, and a sensor to sense the amount of combusting wood fuel in the combustion chamber of the wood stove and being operationally connected to the catch to actuate the catch upon sensing a predetermined amount of combusting wood fuel. Alternative sensors are disclosed for sensing the height of combusting fuel, the weight of combusting fuel and a predetermined amount of heat.An alternate embodiment discloses a generally horizontal fuel storage chamber having a spring-loaded pusher element for injecting wood fuel into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for collection of gases and particulates which arise during the feeding of an electric furnace, especially in the manufacture of phosphorus. The collection system for the gases and particulates includes novel explosion panels which are employed in an enclosure that contains the gases and particulates, and the use of such panels also in the ductwork and filter units that conveys and treats the gases and particulates from the enclosure. A further treating system also prevents moisture in the gases and particulates from clogging the filters used to separate the particulates from the gases. Also described is a novel furnace feeding system that can be used in cooperation with the gas and particulate collection system.

Abstract: A solid fuel conversion system feeds solid fuel to a burning area at a controlled and metered rate. In the burning area, the solid fuel is dried before it reaches a burning bed of coals. Once it reaches the bed of coals, it is advanced at a controlled rate from said drying means through the area of the burning bed of coals to an ash area. The fuel-drying and advancing is carried out by a series of grates having controlled amounts of grate movement. The drying grate is set at a relatively steep angle (here, 60.degree.) which breaks the free-fall of an incoming curtain of solid fuel. The fuel-advancing is accomplished by a series of grates which are set at less than a free-fall angle (here, 15.degree.). A reciprocating feeder moves the fuel-advancing grates back and forth by the controlled amounts. The controlled rate of advance causes the solid fuel to gasify in the area over the burning bed. An air delivery system controls the flow of gaseous fuel from the solid fuel burning area to a gaseous burning area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biomass gasifier combustor which operates by gasification and combustion of the biomass to produce a clean effluent gas which can be used directly for grain drying or other applications where thermal energy is required. This biomass gasifier combustor burns crop residue clean enough so that the combustion gases can be used directly for grain drying without the need for a heat exchanger to isolate the combustion gases from the drying air. The biomass gasifier combustor includes a screw feeder tube having a screw feeder disposed therein. The screw feeder forces the biomass into a first combustion chamber. Primary combustion of the biomass produces a first combustion gas. A venturi gas pump creates a negative pressure region in the gasifier, drawing the first combustion gas into a second combustion chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for collection of gases and particulates which arise during the feeding of an electric furnace, especially in the manufacture of phosphorus. The collection system for the gases and particulates includes novel explosion panels which are employed in an enclosure that contains the gases and particulates, and the use of such panels also in the ductwork and filter units that conveys and treats the gases and particulates from the enclosure. A further treating system also prevents moisture in the gases and particulates from clogging the filters used to separate the particulates from the gases. Also described is a novel furnace feeding system that can be used in cooperation with the gas and particulate collection system.

Abstract: Solid fuel such as coal is fed into an inlet shaft of the furnace through a rotary feeder constructed to prevent the admission of air. Primary air channels supply the major part of the air required for combustion of the fuel in a region in which the fuel bed is sufficiently thick to avoid disturbance and the formation of "holes" by this air. Further, narrower air channels supply sufficient, diffused and low velocity air to complete the combustion of the fuel without substantial entrainment of grit and ash. Air is prevented from flowing in contact with the fuel up stream of the primary channels and the metering edge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biomass gasifier combustor which operates by gasification and combustion of the biomass to produce a clean effluent gas which can be used directly for grain drying or other applications where thermal energy is required. This biomass gasifier combustor burns crop residue clean enough so that the combustion gases can be used directly for grain drying without the need for a heat exchanger to isolate the combustion gases from the drying air. The biomass gasifier combustor includes a screw feeder tube having a screw feeder disposed therein. The screw feeder forces the biomass into a first combustion chamber. Primary combustion of the biomass produces a first combustion gas. A venturi gas pump creates a negative pressure region in the gasifier, drawing the first combustion gas into a second combustion chamber.

Abstract: An improved burning system for automatically controllably charging a wood-waste burning steam boiler utilizes a fuel bin unloader having a gravity fed screw metering device for feeding fuel into the system in response to steam demand and pollution output feedback signals. The metering device deposits fuel through a rotary air lock into an air stream of a fuel injection fan having a vortex controller on the inlet side to modulate and maintain a proper fuel-air ratio for wood firing. The fan injects the fuel and air into the boiler through a controlled proportioning valve. All controls and recording devices are contained in one control unit for operating each component of the system to achieve and maintain a proper fuel-air ratio according to received steam demand and pollution output feedback signals.