Abstract: A method of processing MSW, either sorted or unsorted, which can be carried out through the use of canisters to hold the waste feedstock, and autoclaves specially designed to process the waste at suitable temperature and pressure combinations is disclosed. The final solid product is a mixture of carbon ash and non-combustible materials, such as, metals, drywall, etc., and syngas that has an enhanced BTU value, typically between about 300 to 700 BTU/ft3. The remainder solid material generally amounts to approximately 5% of the original MSW volume. This material can then be sorted for metals with the balance being sent to a landfill or other recycling processes depending on its composition.

Abstract: A trash burning receptacle is fashioned as a cast iron material of construction with a venting lid, an access door, and a removable tray. The receptacle is configured to be submerged in the earth with a restricting enclosure surrounding it.

Abstract: An apparatus for distillation of feedstock, including a distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber. The plate is positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber, and defines a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate. A plurality of heating rods is included for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate. The apparatus also includes a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for distillation of feedstock. Including a distillation chamber with an inlet for receiving feedstock and an outlet for discharging feedstock, and a plate for supporting the feedstock in the distillation chamber. The plate is positioned parallel to a substantially horizontal plane across a portion of the distillation chamber, and defines a plurality of transverse apertures extending transversely across a substantial portion of the width of the plate. A plurality of heating rods is included for insertion into the apertures of the plate to heat the plate. The apparatus also includes a conveyor enclosed within the distillation chamber and extending longitudinally across the distillation chamber, the conveyor having a plurality of paddles attached thereto that, when driven by the conveyor, move proximate and parallel to the plate to agitate feedstock on the plate, and to drive the feedstock from the inlet to the outlet of the distillation chamber.

Abstract: A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body, a first slot formed in the syringe body, a first sleeve covering the first slot, a thumb grip including a first slot guide disposed in the first slot, the thumb grip shaped to slide from a first position near the distal end of the syringe body toward a second position near the proximal end of the syringe body, and a plunger disposed in the fluid chamber of the syringe body. The plunger is configured to move towards the proximal end of the syringe body in response to pressure applied by a user to the thumb grip and includes a first plunger slot guide.

Abstract: A system is described for the pyrolysation and gasification of organic substances, in particular biomasses, comprising in cascade at least one evaporation module, at least one pyrolysis reactor and at least one gassing device, such evaporation module being supplied with the organic substance, to be dried and then be transferred through first supplying means in such pyrolysis reactor to be subjected to a pyrolysis process for producing at least one pyrolysis fuel syngas and remaining organic products, the remaining organic products being then transferred through second supplying means to such gassing device to produce at least one gasification fuel syngas, further comprising first channelling means for such pyrolysis fuel syngas and such gasification fuel syngas from such pyrolysis reactor to at least one energy user, second channelling means of burnt exhaust gases produced by such energy user towards such evaporation module, and third channelling means of such gasification fuel syngas from such gassing device

Abstract: The present invention provides a burner which uses solid fuels, especially waste plastic fuels. Burner size is minimized by having multiple combustion chambers concentrically located around a rotating screw conveyor. Heat efficiency is improved by having air passages disposed around the combustion chambers, thus preheating air for the combustion prior to its delivery to the combustion chambers, while simultaneously thermally insulating the combustion chambers against the environment. Waste plastic is transported from a fuel hopper to the combustion chambers by a rotating screw conveyor having the spiraling auger blades. Speed of screw conveyor rotation controls the consumption of waste plastic and, thus, the amount of thermal energy generated in the burner.

Abstract: Embodiments of processes and systems for producing heat for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided. The process comprises the steps of contacting bubbles of an oxygen containing gas advancing through a fluidized bubbling bed with a grating to form smaller bubbles. The fluidized bubbling bed is contained in a reheater and comprises inorganic heat carrier particles and char. The reheater is operating at combustion conditions effective to burn the char into ash and heat the inorganic heat carrier particles to form heated inorganic particles. The heated inorganic particles are advanced to a reactor.

Abstract: With a method and a system for interruption-free fuel supply to a gasification system for the production of crude synthesis gas, whereby the fuel is passed from a fuel reservoir to a grinding/drying system, subsequently the resulting fuel dust is passed to a fuel storage container, from there to a dust feed container, and finally, to the gasifier, by way of transport means, the system availability is supposed to be increased, and, at the same time, the storage capacities are supposed to be minimized, in order to thereby particularly achieve a cost reduction. This is achieved in that the fuel in the form of dust is passed to the storage container from at least two grinding/drying systems, by way of transport means, whereby at least one of the transport means, as a dust transport device, is acted on by at least two grinding/drying systems.

Abstract: A process for energy recovery and transfer including: warming fresh air in a heat recovery and pressure control unit; feeding waste feed and the warm fresh air into a processor; reducing a moisture content of the waste feed by breaking the waste feed into a fuel powder in the warm fresh air in the processor; filtering contaminated air through an initial filter to remove the fuel powder from the contaminated air; pre-heating the contaminated air in the heat recovery and pressure control unit; raising the temperature of the pre-heated contaminated air in a chamber; passing the chamber discharge air through the heat recovery and pressure control unit to pre-heat contaminated air passing on to the chamber and to warm fresh air passing on to the processor; and filtering terminal air through a terminal filter to remove particles from the terminal air.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for producing a refuse-derived solid fuel using combustible waste. The apparatus of the present invention includes a forming body (10) which has a hopper (10a) through which combustible waste is supplied into the forming body (10), with a drive unit (11) mounted to the forming body (10). The apparatus further includes a force-feed pipe (30) which is mounted to the forming body (10). Thermal oil flows through a space defined between layers constituting the force-feed pipe (30). A force-feed screw (50) is provided in the force-feed pipe (30). The apparatus further includes a siphon (70) which is provided in a space defined in the force-feed screw, so that thermal oil flows through the siphon (70), thus drying the combustible waste. The apparatus further includes a plurality of rod type heaters (90) which are disposed at the first end of the force-feed pipe (30), thus heating an outer surface of the compressed waste.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are for the pyrolysis of waste. The aparatus has a rotating cell formed of a cylinder in combination with a truncated cone rotating on the same axis. The apparatus also has a hopper for charging the waste at one end of the cylinder, an ash box at the other end of the cylinder, a gas recuperator, and a retaining threshold between the cylinder and the truncated cone. A region of intimate contact of the waste with itself is created, whereby the waste is converted into coke which is used as fuel in the pyrolysis of the waste.

Abstract: The present invention is to a method and apparatus for changing the flighting (20) within a mixing drum (12). A plurality of radially spaced apart doors or paddles (30) are connected to one of the two adjacent supports (60). Each door or paddle (30) is pivotally connected (35,34) to the interior (13) of the drum (12) and can be either open or closed depending on which fixed support (60) the door/paddle is connected to.

Abstract: Material to be treated such as garbage is charged into a first rotary kiln 14 to be mainly dehydrated and charged into a second rotary kiln 18 to be carbonized. The first rotary kiln 14 has a first nozzle pipe 11 therein for spouting a first high temperature gas and the second rotary kiln 18 has a second nozzle pipe 15 for spouting a second high temperature gas, mainly high temperature superheated steam with a temperature higher than a temperature of the first high temperature gas. The carbonized material is discharged outside after a temperature thereof is lowered to prevent spontaneous combustion in an atmosphere. Thereby, it is able to provide an apparatus for thermal treatment using superheated steam which can be built relatively small and by which treatment time can be shortened, and further, the final carbonized material can be used as charcoal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are for the pyrolysis of waste. The aparatus has a rotating cell formed of a cylinder in combination with a truncated cone rotating on the same axis. The apparatus also has a hopper for charging the waste at one end of the cylinder, an ash box at the other end of the cylinder, a gas recuperator, and a retaining threshold between the cylinder and the truncated cone. A region of intimate contact of the waste with itself is created, whereby the waste is converted into coke which is used as fuel in the pyrolysis of the waste.

Abstract: A compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor includes a waste material feed assembly having a hopper, a supply tube and a compression tube. Each of the supply and compression tubes includes feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends. A feed-discharge valve assembly is located between the feed-outlet end of the compression tube and the reactor. A feed auger-screw extends axially in the supply tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. A compression auger-screw extends axially in the compression tube between the feed-inlet and feed-outlet ends thereof. The compression tube is sloped downwardly towards the reactor to drain fluid from the waste material to the reactor and is oriented at generally right angle to the supply tube such that the feed-outlet end of the supply tube is adjacent to the feed-inlet end of the compression tube.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method and an equipment for pyrolytic treatment of organic material comprising a supply storage receiving the organic material to be treated, a number of containers with meshlike walls, each to be charged with a batch of said organic material, a horizontal reactor with a charge gate in one end and a discharge gate in the opposite end, the interior of the reactor being divided by means of internal gates into at least a heating chamber, a pyrolysis chamber, and a cooling chamber, as well as a recovery storage for a solid pyrolytic residue of the organic material, i.e. the pyrolytic coke, the pyrolysis chamber being provided with an outlet pipe for generated pyrolytic gas terminating in a fractionating condenser, said condenser being provided with an outlet for each liquid fraction and an outlet pipe for uncondensed pure pyrolytic gas, which outlet pipe terminates in a gas tank.

Abstract: A municipal or like refuse, from which large articles of metals have been removed, is mixed with an alkaline substance like limestone preferably in a triple screw mixer, and then advanced along the pyrolysis path in which the refuse mixture is subjected to heat from combustion gases from an incineration chamber therebelow. A portion of the pyrolyzed product is recycled to the upstream side of that path and the remainder of the pyrolyzed product is scrubbed with an aqueous medium, e.g. water and/or aqueous acetic acid and the washed pyrolyzed product is then incinerated to produce the combustion gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, and a process for its charging, for carrying out high-temperature recycling for heterogeneously occurring waste in compact packages. The compact packages are introduced into a heated channel for evaporation of liquids and slightly fluid materials as well as to partly decompose them. The invention is characterized by a temperature insulating mouthpiece interconnecting the reactor and the channel for limiting the conduction of heat from the reactor to the channel. Accordingly, packages may be serially forced through the channel and into the reactor while maintaining the packages in sealing engagement with the channel to prevent reduction in the predetermined cross section in response to high temperatures transmitted from the reactor.

Abstract: A device for combustion of granular material, for example wood flour pellets, chippings and the like, comprises a rotary solid fuel burner (1), air intake to the bumer, at least one conduit (18) for the supply of fuel and outlet (3) for combustion gases to a boiler part for heat transfer to water-cooled surfaces, for example. The rotary solid fuel burner is formed as a vessel with a rear wall, said outlet (3) for combustion gases and a jacket part between the rear wall and the outlet. A fuel feed pipe (18), which forms part of a fuel feed conduit, extends through the rear end wall, and an air admission pipe (19) surrounds the central fuel feed pipe at a distance from this, so that a space (20) which is ring-shaped in section is formed between the central fuel feed pipe (18) and the air admission pipe (19).

Abstract: An animal carcass incineration process comprising the steps of: providing a large hopper with a large spring loaded trap door at the top, a series of stationary and rotating blades in the center and a second set of spring loaded doors below. The hopper features a double walled construction which serves to keep the blade drive gears and rollers away from the carcasses as they are being processed through the rotating blades. The carcass hopper blade assembly incorporates a slide out drawer allowing the entire unit to slide out for maintenance and cleaning. A ramp is provided that leads to the top of the hopper to allow a rendering truck to dump carcasses directly into the hopper. A large pipe is provided with an opening beneath the bottom of the hopper and includes a hydraulically driven auger for forcing the shredded carcasses upward along the pipe. A very hot exhaust gas pipe is vented into the auger pipe and is used for removing moisture from the carcass to be burned.

Abstract: A tower garbage incinerator is provided, consisting of an upper main blast furnace having a zigzag furnace cavity, and a lower accessory burning furnace. When garbage is fed through the inlet of the main blast furnace, the zigzag design of the furnace cavity combined with the hot upwardly flowing gas in the blast furnace, causes the garbage to drop slowly and to burn as it drops, as well. The hot gas tumbles the garbage thoroughly, so that caked garbage is completely dispersed, and thereby increases the burning area of the garbage, so as to greatly improve the burning efficiency thereof. Any residual incompletely burned garbage that drops into the accessory burning furnace is burned therein. The accessory burning furnace increases the temperature of gases entering the blast furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing and recycling CCA (copper, chrome, arsenic) treated wood chips that includes a vertical reaction chamber into which a continuous stream of wood chips is poured. Hot gases at about 400.degree. C. are introduced into the bottom of the column to heat the chips below their ignition point. The combustion gases flow upwardly through the chips to progressively cool the gases and allow them to condense in the column. The condensate is deposited upon the surface of the chips and the gases, which are now free of heavy metals, are evacuated from the column.

Abstract: A flighted, horizontally inclined rotary retort, heated externally by flame, hot gases, steam or other sources of heat. The retort shall have sufficient flight area to transport the coal through the retort in the predetermined time. The coal being processed in this retort is prevented from becoming exothermic by provision for a countercurrent flow of blanket gas, heated to a predetermined temperature below exotherm, to prevent coal surface temperatures from rising above the ignition temperature. The retort accommodates oversize pieces of raw coal by having alternating long and short flights, thus allowing greater space between long flights and allowing the larger pieces to be carried over the center pipe by the wiping action of the long flights. The retort will also be provided with an internal pipe, mounted on the center line of the shell.

Abstract: A multiple hearth furnace having a drying zone, a combustion zone and a cooling zone includes a recirculation loop that recycles exhaust gas from the drying zone to the cooling zone. In some embodiments, a first control loop including a temperature measurement device that measures temperature in the combustion zone controls fan speed of a recirculation fan that drives the recirculation loop. A second control loop monitors recirculation fan temperature and overrides the first control loop if the recirculation fan temperature exceeds a predetermined maximum. A third control loop controls air flow into the furnace.

Abstract: A preheater in an incineration system consists of: a first opening through which refuse is input; a second opening which is formed under the first opening and communicates with an incinerator; a heat flow passageway which is formed between the first and second openings, and passes the heat generated by the incinerator; and a receiving unit between the two openings which rotates the refuse in the heat flow passageway.

Abstract: A system for pyrolysis of hydrocarbon constituents of waste material including a treatment unit featuring a retort with a ellipsoidal cross-section forming a first retort half and a second retort half, the material to be treated being selectively deposited in only one half of the retort at a time during any given period of system operation, to avoid abrasion and wear of the half not in use, thus effectively doubling the life of the retort component. Another feature of a treatment unit according to the invention is a heat reclamation arrangement that introduces gases that have first been combusted to supply heat energy to the retort through a conduit directly into the interior of the retort, to improve the efficiency with which pyrolysis takes place. Further, the treatment unit has an exhaust and cleaning arrangement to render gases produced during pyrolysis substantially free of pollutants such that the gases can be vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and heating sludge to remove pathogens and to dry the sludge into a powder form which includes an elongate housing having an endless chain conveyor inside. The conveyor having outwardly extending scrapers for slowly urging solid material from one end of the housing to the other. The housing is heated to heat the sludge and a fan removes moisture laden air from within the housing. The scrapers are provided in rows and include specialized scrapers including plows, inclined paddles, and round rods to sequentially split, redirect, split, and redirect again the stream of sludge being urged through the housing. By so mixing the stream of sludge, cold and hot spots are avoided during heating and a build up of sludge on a floor of the housing is avoided.

Abstract: Device for thermally treating loose materials, such as earth, sand, sewage sludge, gravel etc, and, in particular, for sterilizing garden soil and sand used for playing with. The device has a reception device with a surface arrangement having at least one surface section inclined with respect to the horizontal. On this surface section, the loose materials are continuouly supplied by a supply arrangement. A burner arrangement is provided above this surface section which directly fires materials to be treated.

Abstract: This invention comprises a combined cellulose sludge dryer and burner in which the drying procedure is positively and automatically controlled in response to the moisture content of the dewatered raw sludge supplied to the dryer headbox and carried through a drying chamber to discharge a dried sludge having but a 15% moisture content and suitable to be burned to provide the hot air for the drying procedure. With the sludge being critical as to charring, a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent pre-burning and charring of the sludge has to be maintained in the drying chamber and positive and automatic control for the hot air to maintain the temperature is done by checking differences between input and output temperatures of the dryer and diluting the air produced by the burner by the use of a heat exchanger and air dampers. The extracted wet air from the drying chamber and diverted over-supply of air to the drying chamber are delivered through a scrubber and chimney to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing wastes containing a large amount of water and a method for processing leachate from industrial wastes. Specifically, the present invention provides a method which comprises maintaining reduced pressure in the dryer equipped with a stirring means, feeding wastes containing a large amount of water to the dryer, stirring the wastes while blowing refrigerated air at -20.degree. C..+-.5.degree. C. to the dryer, and drying the frozen moisture portion of the wastes by sublimation. Air heated at 80.degree. C.+10.degree. C. can be used instead of refrigerated air to dry water of the wastes by evaporation. The present invention also provides a method for processing leachate which comprises pooling leachate industrial wastes and burned ashes, and utilizing the leachate to absorb wet-type toxic gas, thereby confining the leachate within the waste treatment plant.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the gasification of partially dried fuel with hot gas which has been heated by bringing it into contact with an inert hot heat carrier. The fuel gases generated during the gasification process are further combusted and utilized for heating the inert heat carrier. The process and apparatus can be combined with a process and apparatus for generating steam from wet fuel wherein water is evaporated from the wet fuel by bringing the fuel into direct contact with superheated steam. The steam is superheated by bringing it into contact with a second hot heat carrier. The second heat carrier is heated by bringing it into direct contact with the fuel gas produced by combusting the fuel gas from the gasification process.

Abstract: Oily sludges containing volatile hydrocarbons are mixed with diatomaceous earth or perlite in a system which includes an indirect dryer for vaporizing liquids have a boiling point of less than about 700.degree. F. Dried solids are discharged from the dryer and conveyed to an oxidation unit comprising a rotary kiln or lift pipe combustor. Dried hydrocarbon free solids are recirculated for mixing with the oily sludge and condensable vapors are condensed and separated for further use or disposal. A system including the indirect dryer, condenser, oxidation unit, separators for the condensate and separators for gaseous products can be modified to receive hydrocarbon contaminated soils and other earth-like materials having particle sizes ranging from as low as 10 microns up to about 1.0 inches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in processing waste materials of various kinds and for reclaiming useable by-product materials from the pyrolized waste materials. The waste materials to be pyrolized are efficiently dehydrated prior to their introduction into the pyrolysis retort using microwaves generated by a large microwave generator. After the waste material is dried, initial ignition is accomplished using a very high intensity laser beam. Laser ignition is continued until sufficient methane and other volatile gases are produced for burning in a burner unit to sustain the pyrolysis reaction.

Abstract: A system wherein the contaminated cuttings are fed into the system for eventual incineration. The principal apparatus of the system comprises a plurality, preferrably three, of horizontally disposed cylindrical drying chambers mounted onto a skid for receiving contaminated cuttings into each separate chamber. There is provided on the first end of the chambers a receiving bin or hopper, wherein the cuttings are received from the shakers or the like into the bin, and dropped into an opening in the first end of the three chambers. Each chamber is provided with a seperate variable motor controlled auger disposed substantially throughout the length of the chamber wherein rotation of the auger would move the cuttings along the length of the interior of the chamber. The second end of each chamber is provided with a lower exit chute for removal of the cuttings from the chamber as the auger has moved into position.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging a shaft furnace for burning carbonaceous mineral material in at least two furnace shafts comprises a common feed container, which is connected to each furnace shaft by a separate charging duct. In order to provide a simple structure and to reduce the overall height, the feed container is designed to constitute a lock chamber, which is provided with a shut-off valve for controlling the inlet port of the feed container and with a plurality of shut-off valves for controlling respective outlet ports connected to the charging ducts.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having a dioxin contaminant absorbed or adsorbed thereon. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the dioxin from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The dioxin are then further treated to dispose of the dioxins, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.

Abstract: In an improved refuse incineration system, wet refuse is heated in a dryer by inlet superheated steam in direct contact to remove most moisture therefrom while converting such moisture into outlet steam also in superheated state. The dried refuse is then fed into a boiler, through which the outlet superheated steam is circulated to raise temperature to much higher superheated level and recycled to the dryer as inlet superheated steam. This system will greatly increase the drying efficiency and productivity and thus reduce the necessary volume of the dryer.

Abstract: A pyrolysis unit in which feed materials containing cellulose or oil are subjected to destructive heating to drive off gases and liquid vapors while leaving solid residue in the form of nearly pure carbon. The feed materials are conveyed in succession through horizontal reaction cylinders located at different elevations. Heat is applied by the burning of solid fuel in a firebox of the unit and also by injecting into each cylinder the process gas driven off in the immediately succeeding cylinder. A feeder which delivers both the fuel and feed materials includes drying zones in which combustion gases are directed through the fuel and feed materials to preheat and dry them and to filter the combustion gases.

Abstract: Apparatus for burning material such as fuel, waste material and the like, which when burned produces gases within which pollutants are entrained and for cleaning the gases. The apparatus comprises an incinerator or a furnace having a combustion chamber in which the material is burned and in which tubes, preferably apertured, extend through the burning coke to which solid fuels are reduced and through the flames of an oil burner gun, for example within the confines of the combustion chamber which in such an instance is also a refractory chamber, act to conduct the polluted gases of combustion from the burning material through the same burning material where they are super heated and cleaned.

Abstract: Separation of the apparatus for drying and degassing organic waste from the shaft furnace containing a gasification chamber and a combustion chamber increases the through-put capability of the shaft furnace gasification. The gasification is promoted by the addition, in the same direction of flow as the partly carbonized waste material, of a gas such as air, steam, carbon dioxide or oxygen adjusted in accordance with the changes in composition of the material that is gasified. The drying and degassing chamber is a rotary drum feeding the dried and degassed material into the top of the shaft furnace. An intermediate chamber may be imposed between the rotary drum and the shaft furnace at the top of the shaft furnace so that a sieve can separate incombustible material such as metal parts for withdrawal through a gas-tight sluice.

Abstract: The invention includes the apparatus and method for cleaning gases such as flue gases. In the apparatus form of the invention a biomass combustion system includes apparatus for holding, at least temporarily, a quantity of biomass fuel, apparatus for directing combustion products from the associated combustion process intermediate a plurality of biomass fuel particles or through a plurality of biomass flue particles, and apparatus for directing flue gas from the apparatus for holding the biomass fuel back to the combustion chamber of the associated biomass combustion system.

Abstract: In an improved refuse incineration system, wet refuse is heated in a dryer (4) to remove most moisture therefrom while converting such moisture into steam for use in order to save energy consumption in a steam generating plant. The dried refuse is then fed into a boiler (23) for combustion where, because it has been dried, the combustion gas temperature within the boiler is greatly increased and thus the thermal efficiency improved.The preferred form of the system includes additional devices (27, 38) for preheating air used to support combustion of refuse enhancing the extent of combustion of combustible matter in the refuse. The preferred system also including devices (34, 29) for increasing the recovery of residual heat content from the waste stack gas.

Abstract: A drying attachment for use with a combine (10) for harvesting grain is disclosed and claimed. The attachment includes a distributor receptacle (18) in which the shelled corn or other grain is received after being separated from cobs, husks, and other residue material. After being received in the receptacle (18), it is transferred through a plurality of drying tubes (20) to a storage bin (19). The residue material is burned in a furnace (22) which is carried by the combine (10). The heat thereby generated is conducted to the drying tubes (20) wherein moisture is absorbed from the grain passing through the tubes (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge involves heating the sludge, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. with a sludge residence time of about 0.5 to 2 seconds, to separate the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge. The particulates are subsequently removed from a PCB entraining gas stream and the PCB's are then burned in a multifuel burner. Pressurized air, fluidized PCB's, and a gaseous fuel are injected into the burning chamber at spaced points along the length of the flame in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the flame to very completely consume the fuel and PCB's.

Abstract: Inerts, particularly flotation addles and/or middlings are burned as a fire material in a grate firing and form a solid slag which is mechanically comminuted during the firing process. Comminution is accomplished with grate elements which are movable with respect to the slag and which are cooled by feeding combustion air therethrough, the combustion air being directly injected from the grate elements into the firing material.

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: An outer cylindrical drum has an inner drum concentrically mounted therein in spaced relationship, to form coextensive outer and inner drying chambers that are connected to a common source of hot exhaust gases from a sugar factory boiler. Raw bagasse is first passed through the outer annular chamber to effect primary drying thereof, and then a portion of the primary dried bagasse is divided from the remainder and is passed through the inner chamber to produce secondary dried bagasse. The conveyance path between the point where the primary bagasse is divided and the inlet of the inner chamber is short in both time and distance to preserve heat in the divided portion, and an entrainment unit is utilized to preheat the divided portion before it enters the inner chamber.

Abstract: This defines a process and an apparatus to treat wet organic wastes, such as manures, to protect the environment and to recycle the solid content in the form of a soil conditioner or fertilizer. This process and apparatus are made to remove the bad smell and to separate the solid content in a very dry form, adapted to be readily bagged. This process and apparatus are characterized by an efficient conveying and concurrent agitation of the organic wastes in an evaporation furnace and in combination with use of the combustion gases for heat exchange heating of the fluidizing content of the wet organic wastes.

Abstract: Equipment and method for treating solid waste in which a non-oxidizing atmosphere is provided through which the shredded solid waste falls freely, unsupported and non-contacted, to prevent fusion of the plastics with each other, with other materials in the solid waste, or with the walls or components in the treating equipment. The unique atmosphere also allows a high treatment temperature to accelerate the debonding of fibrous combustible matter and fusion of the plastics into dense particles for substantially complete separation and recovery of plastics from the lighter fibrous but non-fusible combustible matter through gas classification during the free fall. This same atmosphere also produces a clean, unoxidized, homogeneous, storageable and highly combustible fuel derived from the fibrous combustible matter.