Abstract: A method of retorting organic matter including the steps of advancing the organic matter through a chamber in the absence of oxygen, sensing the temperature in the chamber at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber, individually adjusting the heat generated by a plurality of burners along the length of the chamber in response to the temperature sensed at the locations, utilizing the generated heat to selectively raise the temperature of the organic matter at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber so as to convert the organic matter into a plurality of byproducts, and burning at least one of the byproducts in the burners.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for separating contaminated material from impurities contained therein, by heating by means of hot gases. The apparatus has receiving chambers for accommodating the contaimated materials, and heating chambers which surround the respective receiving chambers. Each heating chamber is divided into first and second chamber means of which one is designed to carry a flow of burner gas while the second is designed to carry a flow of coolant. The first and second chamber means extend in mutually separate relationship and in a helical configuration around the associated receiving chamber. Each receiving chamber has gas distributor members to produce a turbulent flow in the chamber.

Abstract: A high throughput apparatus and process for thermal remediation of soil contaminated with volatile organic compounds has a dryer with a high capacity heat source to volatilize and combust the compounds contained in a first lot of soil. The remediated soil is discharged and cooled. Hot gases and fines formed are drawn into a second dryer with an ignition source where a second lot of soil is used to cool the hot gases/fines mixture. A particulate control chamber is used to remove at least 75% of the fines from the gas/fines mixture. Gases containing uncombusted volatile organic compounds are directed back to the primary dryer for additional exposure to heat in order to complete combustion. Additional separation of the fines from gases is achieved in a baghouse.

Abstract: The portable soil remediation unit includes, on a wheeled flatbed truck, a rotary drum having a burner at one end and an inlet at its opposite end for flowing contaminated soil in counterflow relation to the hot gases of combustion for volatilizing the contaminants. Also mounted on the vehicle is a baghouse. The hot remediated soil is discharged into the baghouse for screw conveyance along the bottom of the baghouse to a baghouse discharge. The particulate-laden gases from the drum enter the baghouse at the opposite end and are separated into particles and clean exhaust gas. The hot remediated soil is in heat transfer contact with the particles and the particles release residual contaminants. The particles flow to the bottom of the baghouse for combination with the remediated soil in the screw conveyor. The hot remediated soil is additionally screened in the baghouse for large and small gradations, the large gradations being discharged from the baghouse for reprocessing.

Abstract: In a process for the treatment of dust or the like containing organic constituents, in particular filter dust from foundry sands containing binding agent, the dust is introduced into a fluidizable heat carrier of refractory material, heated and burnt, wherein the heat carrier is preferably preheated to receive the dust. An apparatus for carrying out that process, a loose material bed comprising a fluidizable refractory material is arranged as a heat carrier in a combustion chamber of a furnace on a fluidization plate, and provided in the heat carrier are a heating means and at least one feed means for the dust.

Abstract: Polychlorinated waste materials such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxines (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofuranes (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are subjected to nonpolluting destruction by combusting said materials together with waste sulfuric acids, acid tars and similar sulfur- and carbon-containing waste products of various compositions and consistencies in a multi-stage combustion furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from soil and waste materials including transporting and placing the contaminated material into a hopper, the hopper being substantially sealed from the atmosphere to prevent fugitive emissions of the contaminants from escaping into the atmosphere; conveying the material under substantially sealed conditions into a heated vapor stripping conveyor; conveying material under substantially sealed conditions along the vapor stripping conveyor to heat the material and thereby cause moisture in the material and the contaminants to be stripped from the material; streaming non-oxidizing gases at a controlled temperature over the material, in the direction of travel of the material, beginning at a point downstream of and adjacent to the introduction of the material into the vapor stripping conveyor to carry the contaminants and moisture away from the material; and maintaining the rate of flow and temperature of the gases to prevent undue surface drying o

Abstract: Both aluminum scrap covered with a volatile coating and a heated airstream having a low oxygen content pass through a kiln where the airstream causes the coating to volatilize. The temperature of the airstream, where it enters the kiln, is maintained essentially constant, slightly below the melting temperature of the aluminum, and likewise the temperature of the airstream is maintained essentially constant where the airstream leaves the kiln, this being achieved by varying the mass flow of the airstream to compensate for variances in the nature and mass of the aluminum scrap within the kiln. Beyond the kiln the airstream enters an afterburner where it is heated in the presence of sufficient oxygen to effect combustion of the volatile components of the coating. The airstream then passes through a heat exchanger and back to the kiln. The mass flow within the kiln is controlled by diverting some of the airstream from the heat exchanger or by varying the speed of the fan which creates the airstream.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is capable of efficiently decontaminating soil, and which has several common components with a conventional asphalt production plant. This feature permits a conventional asphalt plant to be retrofitted by the addition of a relatively small number of additional components, so as to permit the apparatus to selectively produce asphalt, or to decontaminate soil. When operated in the configuration for decontainating soil, the soil is initially heated to a temperature above the vaporization temperature but below the autoignition temperature of the contaminants, so as to volatilize the contaminants. The volatilized contaminants are then delivered to an incinerator, wherein the volatilized contaminants are heated to a temperature sufficient to be converted to non-toxic products, such as carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing organic contaminants from contaminated materials including a sealed hopper, a heated vapor stripping conveyor sealed from atmospheric air to vapor strip the contaminants from the material, a sealed conveyor to convey the material in sealed condition from the hopper to the vapor stripping conveyor, a supply of non-oxidative gases at a controlled temperature for introduction into the vapor stripping conveyor, an introduction portal for the non-oxidative gases into the vapor stripping conveyor, an exit for removing the non-oxidative gases from the conveyor and located to cause the non-oxidative gases to cross currently sweep over the material to convey contaminants and moisture stripped from the material out of the vapor stripping conveyor, and a controller for controlling the flow rate and temperature of the non-oxidative gases as they flow through the vapor stripping conveyor and to prevent undue surface drying of the material as the material passes through the vapor stripping

Abstract: Waste products, particularly scrap metal, adulterated by organic components, is pyroprocessed by: (1) shredding the adulterated scrap metal into particles having a maximum size of 5 cm.; (2) in a pyrolysis stage operating at a temperature of approximately 550.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. converting the particles into solids and pyrolysis gas; (3) in a mechanical processing stage separating the solids into unadulterated metal and pyrolysis coke; and (4) in a high-temperature gasification stage into which an oxidizing agent and, optionally, metallurgical coke is introduced converting the pyrolysis coke together with pyrolysis gas stemming from the pyrolysis stage into a heating gas free of organic substances.

Abstract: The remediation apparatus includes a pair of heating units, e.g., rotary drum dryers, each having a contaminated material inlet and a burner at opposite ends whereby the contaminated material and hot gases of combustion are in heat exchange, preferably counterflow relation. Material-bearing hydrocarbon contaminants are heated in the first drum to volatilize the low boiling fraction. The soil is conveyed to the second drum and heated to a higher temperature to volatilize the intermediate and high boiling fractions. The volatilized contaminants from the second drum are returned to the burner of the first drum for at least partial oxidation and reduction of the higher fractions to lower fractions. The dust and gases exiting the first drum flow to a baghouse for separation into dust and volatilized contaminants. The dust is returned to the soil. The volatilized contaminants are further eliminated, e.g., by oxidation.

Abstract: In a process for the production of clinkers from sludges containing heavy metals, especially electroplating sludges, river and/or harbor sludges, in which the sludges are mixed with clay, especially brickyard clay, and optionally lean materials and fluxing materials and then are burned to clinkers especially at temperatures between 750.degree. and 1150.degree. C., zeolites are admixed with the sludges and the clay before the burning.

Abstract: A soil remediation unit includes a counterflow drum for burning off volatile hydrocarbons and delivery to a cooler drum. Particulate-laden gases of combustion flow through a separator wherein the particle stream is delivered to the cooler drum and the gas stream delivered to a heat exchanger. The gas stream flows to a thermal oxidizer, the exhaust gas from which lies in heat exchange relation with the gas from the separator. Portions of the exhaust gas are passed into the separator in counterflow relation to the particles for remediating the particles.

Abstract: Earth solids which have been contaminated by volatile organic contaminants can be treated by a method and in an apparatus of this invention. The apparatus includes a rotary kiln, a baghouse filter, a high temperature incinerator and a recycle conduit to recycle a major portion by volume of the hot exit gases from the rotary kiln back to the gas inlet end of the rotary kiln. The remainder of the rotary kiln exit gases is delivered through a baghouse filter to remove gas-borne particulates and the substantially particulate-free kiln exit gas is discharged through a high temperature incinerator which converts unburned volatile organic contaminants to innocuous products of combustion. Recycling the kiln exit gas to the gas inlet end of the kiln permits use of a larger kiln with accompanying increased solids throughput by permitting use of smaller baghouse filters and a smaller incinerator. In the preferred embodiment the entire system preferably is mounted on a frame suitable for highway mobility.

Abstract: A unique valve mechanism for opening and closing inlet, outlet, and purge valves in a regenerative incinerator is disclosed. The valves are mechanically opened and closed by a cam arrangement which insures proper timing, and optimal volume flow through the valves during each cycle. Further, a method of the present invention begins the purge mode while the inlet valve is opened, and completes it after the outlet valve has opened. This reducing the required time for each cycle of operation.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil. The apparatus of the invention includes a shallow container, preferably with vertical sides, which has in its bottom wall a multiplicity of elongated recessed chambers with an open mesh entry area at the upper side, and a gas discharge orifice at one end of each chamber. A rack containing burners is adapted for positioning over the material to be treated within the container. The invented method includes charging materials to be treated into a container, heating the material while creating a partial pressure within the chamber, establishing a vacuum to pull the gasses downwardly through the soil and atmospheric air downwardly with the gasses, then either collecting or discharging the removed gasses, after which the soil is removed from the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remedial treatment of soil with volatile contaminants includes a rotating drum having a firebox projecting a flame into the discharge end of the drum. An inlet conveyor enters soil which tumbles through the drum atmosphere which is recycled through the firebox and drum for contaminant incineration in the drum. The recycled atmosphere moves in a circular path about the outer edge of the furner flame to form an annular flame projecting into the drum. A part of the drum recycled atmosphere processed through a final burn box to destroy remaining contaminants, and a cooler for cooling the atmosphere. A separator connected to the cooler separates solids and moisture to discharge a contaminant free atmosphere. The temperature of the discharged soil and the recycled atmosphere from the drum as well as the final processed atmosphere is monitored for controlling the system operation. The several mechanical and electrical components are monitored to provide selected system control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decontaminating soil that has been contaminated with vaporizable contaminants are disclosed. Contaminated soil is conveyed through a treatment vessel by means of an auger that has internal passages therein with a hot heat transfer fluid flowing through such passages. As the contaminated soil passes through the treatment vessel, it is heated to a point where the contaminants are vaporized and are withdrawn from the treatment vessel. The vaporized contaminants can be processed in suitable equipment to safely recover or dispose of such contaminants. Air is added to the interior of the treatment vessel from the atmosphere. Appropriate control means are present for controlling the amount of air added to the treatment vessel to ensure that the oxygen level in the mixture of vaporized contaminates and air does not fall within a flamable or explosive range. Following the vaporization of the contaminates from the soil, the thus treated soil is removed from the treatment vessel.

Abstract: A portable machine for sanitizing soil, particularly that contaminated with petroleum products, including a closed main chamber including vertically spaced augers (26,28,30) which agitate the soil while moving it into position to fall in parallel sheets after it strikes a separation bar 52. A burner 44 generates heat which passes through the falling soil driving off the petroleum which is then burned.

Abstract: Volatile compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) which contaminate a soil can be removed--without incineration--by a process which generally involves: (1) introducing the contaminated soil into a vessel, (2) heating the soil to a temperature greater than about 300.degree. F., but less than 600.degree. F., preferably in the presence of an inert gas, (3) drawing a vacuum on the vessel to such a degree as to cause the contaminant to flash to a contaminant vapor and (4) condensing the contaminate vapor to a liquid and (5) disposing of said liquid.

Abstract: A method of cleaning flow structure within a regenerative fume incinerator of the type having a plurality of heat exchange chambers for directing fluid into and out of a combustion chamber. Each of the heat exchange chambers have a separate inlet and outlet line which are cyclically opened such that air to be cleaned is continuously being directed into the combustion chamber through one of the chambers, and cleaned air is continuously directed out of the combustion chamber through an alternative one of the chambers. The flow structure, valves and manifolds may become clogged with residue from the air being combusted. An alternate inlet line communicates from the source of fluid directly into the combustion chamber. That line is opened when cleaning of the flow structure is desired. At the same time flow to the normal inlet manifold is closed.

Abstract: A continuous method of removing volatilizable organic composition from particulate mineral composition comprises heating the organic composition contaminated mineral particles in a rotating drum and exposing the particles to said hot gases to volatilize the organic composition from the mineral particles while advancing the particles counter-current to the direction of hot gas flow, removing a gaseous composition from the drum comprising a mixture of the gases of combustion, volatilized organic composition and airborne fine mineral particles, separating the fine mineral particles from the hot gases and volatile volatilized organic composition, returning the separated fine mineral particles into the drum near the hot end, mixing the fine particles with the coarse mineral particles advancing toward the hot drum end, continuing to heat the mixture of fine and coarse mineral particles until the concentration of volatilizable organic composition is less than about 100 parts per million, and recovering a mixture of

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleansing contaminated soil (11), the apparatus includes an extraction vessel (12) into which contaminated soil (11) is delivered together with a solvent. A slurry is produced which is delivered to a settler (18) which produces a settler underflow and contaminated solvent. The settler (18) underflow is delivered to a drier (23). The contaminated solvent passes through a filter (20) which produces a filter cake also delivered to the drier (23). The contaminated solvent passes through a distillation column (28) and is subsequently delivered to a plasma gun (35) whereat the contaminants are oxidized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from soil including removing contaminated soil from the earth; transporting and placing the contaminated soil into a soil hopper, the hopper being substantially sealed from the atmosphere to prevent fugitive emissions of the contaminants from escaping into the atmosphere; conveying the soil under sealed conditions into a heated vapor stripping conveyor having moving flights; conveying the soil under sealed conditions along the vapor stripping conveyor and in close contact with the flights to heat the soil to a temperature below the boiling temperatures of the contaminants, thereby causing moisture in the soil and the contaminants to be stripped from the soil; streaming non-oxidizing gases having a greater than ambient temperature across the surface of the soil to carry the contaminants and moisture across and away from the soil; and maintaining the rate of flow and temperature of the gases to prevent undue surface drying of the soil as the soil

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for improving the control and efficiency of a combustion reaction in a flash smelting furnace, having the steps of mixing a first oxidizing gas having a first oxygen concentration with solid particles consisting of at least one combustible component and at least one incombustible component, directing the mixture of solid particles and said first oxidizing gas into a combustion chamber of the flash smelting furnace, burning the mixture of solid particles and oxidizing gas in a first flame portion to provide for the smelting of the solid particles, directing an auxiliary fuel into the combustion chamber to surround said first flame portion, directing a second oxidizing gas having a second oxygen concentration into the combustion chamber to surround the first flame portion and mix with the auxiliary fuel, burning the auxiliary fuel and the second oxidizing gas to create a second flame portion surrounding the first flame portion, controlling the flow of the first and second ox

Abstract: An environmentally safe process for the recycling of spent electrical equipment, such as electrical transformers, comprises placing intact equipment within a furnace and burning the combustible materials, including PCB-contaminated insulating oil. Following combustion, the equipment is cooled, disassembled, and the various metals and porcelain are recycled.

Abstract: An oven-apparatus for flaming the interior and exterior surfaces of a container for removing nonkosher oils, fats, dirt, and the like, which apparatus has a main housing defining a tunnel through which are conveyed containers to be flame-treated, and a first flame-burner capable of developing a substantially vertically-oriented exposed flame for flame-treating the interior surface of a container, and a second flame-burner capable of developing a horizontally-oriented flame for flame-treating the exterior surface of a container. The apparatus also has a conveyor for conveying a plurality of containers to be flame-treated adjacent to the first and second flame-burners. A turntable lifts and rotates the container while the two flame-burners' flames treat all of the surfaces of the container.

Abstract: A portable machine for sanitizing soil, particularly that contaminated with petroleum products, including a closed main chamber including vertically spaced augers (26,28,30) which agitate the soil while moving it into position to fall in parallel sheets after it strikes a separation bar 52. A burner 44 generates heat which passes through the falling soil driving off the petroleum which is then burned.

Abstract: A process for koshering relatively large metallic containers used to store and transport kosher foods includes the steps of washing and rinsing the interior of the container to remove surface oils and greases, treating the interior surface of the container with a rust inhibitor, flame treating the interior surface to drive off any impregnated oils, greases or dirts and, optionally, spraying the interior of the container with a kosher epoxy/phenolic compound and thereafter curing the compound by the application of heat. The resulting container may be used to store and transport food stuffs certified to have been prepared in accordance with the kosher dietary laws. An oven for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An oven-apparatus for koshering container or drum lids made of metal. The oven-apparatus has a substantially hollow interior through which are conveyed the lids after having passed through a bath, with the lids being conveyed through the hollow interior in a semicircular or arcuate path, with the entrance being positioned directly in-line with the exit of a conventional bath for initially washing the lids clean. The same conveyer system that conveys the series of lids through the bath is also used for conveying the lids through the oven-apparatus. After having passed through the oven-apparatus of the invention, the lids are conveyed in the conventional manner substantially parallel to but in the opposite direction by which they were conveyed through the bath. Within the hollow interior of the oven-apparatus, there are provided a pair of flame-burners. One flame-burner is mounted at a first corner of the housing of the oven-apparatus at an acute degree angle with respect the center line of the main housing.

Abstract: A thermal remediation apparatus for the combustion of hydrocarbon contaminants within particulate fill including a generally cylindrical combustion chamber having an exhaust port, an inlet, an outlet, and a mill having two shafts and four burners. The apparatus also includes a condenser including a condensing unit and a conduit, and an exhaust system including a fan, and optionally an exhaust stack, and a plate burner.

Abstract: A method and furnace assembly for treating solid refuse. The refuse comprises both recoverable materials useful either in cement or in construction and contaminants. The contaminants have a vaporization temperature lower than the vaporization or sublimation temperatures of the recoverable materials. The furnace assembly comprises a resource recovery furnace connected to a cement manufacturing furnace. According to the method, the refuse is transferred through a resource recovery furnace. Inside the resource recovery furnace the refuse is separated into vaporized contaminants and recoverable materials. Gas carrying the vaporized contaminants is transferred to the cement manufacturing furnace and used as an energy source. The recoverable materials are used in the cement manufacturing furnace as a constituent for making cement.

Abstract: Excavatged landfill material is treated in a plasma fired cupola in a process wherein hazardous material such as PCB's are volatilized and consumed in an afterburner above the cupola and hazardous materials containing heavy metals are fixed in vitreous material made molten within the cupola and resulting in a non-leachable solid product.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted system for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from the soil has an inclined rotary kiln which is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, a burner assembly at the discharge end of the kiln and a hopper for loading soil into the inlet end to advance through the kiln and be directly heated by the burner assembly. The exhaust stream created in the kiln is drawn through a baghouse for removal of fines, then through the catalytic incinerator to burn any unburned constituents in the exhaust stream. The temperature of the exhaust stream is monitored prior to its passage into the incinerator and at the discharge end of the incinerator as well; and the concentration of hydrocarbon constituents in the exhaust stream is regulated either by introduction of air into the exhaust stream as it is discharged from the kiln or by recirculating a portion of the exhaust stream, after filtration, into the kiln.

Abstract: A batch-type pyrolysis furnace burns a load of organic combustibles on metal parts without a significant risk of explosion because of a combination of two necessary conditions: (a) a primary water spray is maintained during a large portion of the burn cycle while the main burner is neither turned off nor attenuated until a major portion of the load is combusted; and, (b) the temperature in the main chamber is controlled by a "micro-ramped" programmable temperature controller (PC). By setting the ramp for micro-steps of no more than 2.degree. F. per minute, and actuating the primary water spray to maintain the set-point temperature while it is ramped upward, the criticality of the location for the single thermocouple is obviated, and it is unnecessary to measure the temperature in the throat. The micro-steps eliminate soak periods during the ramp. The main "burn" progresses during the ramp, and at the upper set-point of the ramp (say 800.degree.) with normal fuel supply to the main burner ("high-fire").

Abstract: A continuous method of removing volatilizable organic composition from particulate mineral composition comprises heating the organic composition contaminated mineral particles in a rotating drum and exposing the particles to said hot gases to volatilize the organic composition from the mineral particles while advancing the particles counter-current to the direction of hot gas flow, removing a gaseous composition from the drum comprising a mixture of the gases of combustion, volatilized organic composition and airborne fine mineral particlles, separating the fine mineral particles from the hot gases and volatile volatilized organic composition, returning the separated fine mineral particles into the drum near the hot end, mixing the fine particles with the coarse mineral particles advancing toward the hot drum end, continuing to heat the mixture of fine and coarse mineral particles until the concentration of volatilizable organic composition is less than about 100 parts per million, and recovering a mixture of

Abstract: Crude oil sludges and other relatively heavy hydrocarbon liquid sludges are mixed with diatomaceous earth or perlite to form a friable and flowable solids mixture which is conveyed to a combustion unit, such as rotary kiln, calciner or lift pipe type combustor, wherein combustion of the hydrocarbons is carried out to provide gaseous combustion products and a substantially hydrocarbon free solids mixture. The solids discharged from the combustion unit may be recycled for use in the mixing process to reduce the sludge to a friable material for introduction to the combustion unit and excess solids may be discharged for disposal.

Abstract: A semi-continuous pyrolysis arrangement is disclosed which is particularly useful in the reclamation of a base material in a substantially pure form from a composite material which has organic compounds. The furnace base barrier free zones wherein the waste material is continuously pyrolyzed as it is indexed through the furnace and each zone is controlled in a preset manner established from pyrolyzing a sample waste specimen under controlled conditions. Preferably, the waste is containerized as a particulate solid in discrete static beds permitting a fan exhaust arrangement to establish convective heat transfer with the bed while also establishing the furnace zones. An exothermic zone is provided at the end of the furnace to remove fixed carbon from the pyrolyzed waste by bleeding substoichiometric amounts of air in an oxygen temperature controlled manner to permit recovery of the waste in a substantially pure form.

Abstract: A method and structure is provided whereby contaminated soil is decontaminated in situ by the extraction of vapor from the soil and subsequent destruction of the contaminants contained in the interstitial fluid of the soil by processing the fluid through an internal combustion engine or other suitable combustion means. To achieve this purpose, the invention is provided with a means of conducting the fluid from the soil to a manifold system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for high intensity treatment of solid particles in a combustion chamber (10) by introducing the particles into the combustion chamber (10) as a plurality of streams (30, 32, 34, 36) wherein fuel is introduced to the combustion chamber within the area formed by the streams of particles and fuel is also introduced into said combustion chamber so that it surrounds the stream of particles, and by introducing oxidizing gas into the combustion chamber so that the oxidizing gas mixes with and combusts the fuel to produce a first high intensity flame located within the area formed by the particle streams and a second high intensity flame surrounding the particle streams.

Abstract: The invention is a method for cleaning up contaminated soil containing not only different types of hydrocarbons but also heavy metals and cyanades which upon heating of the soil can form dioxin and benzofuran products. According to the invention the production of said products is prevented by keeping the wall temperature of the rotating furnace at a high level such that its temperature during the entire process is higher than the temperature of spontaneous combustion of the pyrolyses products of which at least the hydrocarbons bind the oxygen in the furnace. The oxygen content may be further influenced by the infeed of an inert gas and/or by adding an organic fraction such as humus.

Abstract: A method for economically separating organic contaminants such as volatile organic chemicals (VOC's) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), even if the contaminants are present at low concentrations, from inert materials such as soils or sludges, comprising subjecting inert materials contaminated with organic compounds to a temperature effective to volatilize the organic contaminants but below incineration temperature, with continuous removal and condensation of evolved vapors, for a period of time sufficient to effect the desired degree of separation of contaminants.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using a liquid or powder varnishing furnace utilizing near-ultrared bulbs to form high temperature regions and low temperature regions which are alternatively disposed and spaced apart by a fixed distance to heat a cleaned and painted workpiece, whereby the workpiece is dried rapidly and paint sprayed onto the workpiece firmly adheres thereto.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge and a means for controlling odor from the production of said pellets. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried recycled particles of said sludge. Drying the mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off-gas. Clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversized pellets, and undersized pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversized pellets and admixing the crushed oversized pellets with the undersized pellets and particles and recycling said mixture for mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier. The off-gas from the mechanical separation process is then passed through a condenser to remove some of the water therein, and is routed to an afterburner wherein it is burned.

Abstract: A system for receiving and removing contaminants from soil, sand, etc. which has been contaminated by liquid contaminants. The contaminated material is heated in a rotating chamber sufficiently to volatilize the contaminants. The volatilized contaminents flow from one end of the chamber while the separated material is discharged from the other end as an uncontaminated material. Dust is removed from the volatilized contaminants and they are fed into a combustion chamber for conversion to harmless products of combustion.

Abstract: A system for thermally decomposing chemical materials efficiently and controllably heats input feed materials to very high temperatures for decomposition in the presence or absence of oxygen by heating means that may be disposed peripherally or intermediately of reaction zones may be of the protected type and may include preheating of feed material and process gas.

Abstract: In order to rationalize the operation of foundries and to avoid environmental stresses, it is endeavored so to rework used molding sand accruing as black sand and to free it from binder residue, so that this sand can be used without restriction like new sand. To achieve this aim through thermo-mechanical regeneration the black sand is heated in predetermined, relative low height layer in a fluidized bed furnace to a temperature exceeding 500.degree. C., preferably 750.degree. C. Through the swirling motions of the heated black sand, preferably supported through strong vibrations of the supporting base, the thermal destruction of the enveloping binder particles and a mechanical liberation of the sand grains form their enveloping binder remains is achieved. By means of a forced throughout (e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a method for using the apparatus, for detoxifying material contaminated with at least one volatile organic compound (VOC). The apparatus is provided with a dryer having a heat source to heat the VOC-contaminated material to a first temperature, hot enough to volatilize the VOC, but below the cracking temperature of the VOC. The VOC in the dryer is volatilized to form VOC gases. A kiln heats the VOC gases with excess air to a second temperature, hot enough to destroy the organics in the VOC gases. Simultaneously the kiln is used to treat a kiln processable material to form a desired product. The kiln includes means for feeding the kiln processable material to the heating chamber, means for cooling and recovering the desired product, and means for providing heat for the VOC dryer. The apparatus also includes a conduit for conducting the gases containing VOC from the dryer to the kiln.

Abstract: A continuous thermal treatment furnace for converting hazardous materials into environmentally acceptable materials, including a continuous belt for conveying hazardous materials through a substantially air-tight heating chamber having heating elements to thermally detoxify the hazardous materials on the belt, a charging zone and a discharging zone, each being ducted to convey volatiles to an off-gas handling system in which hazardous volatiles are converted to environmentally acceptable materials, the discharge zone being at least partially water-jacketed to cool discharged solids, the continuous belt being returned to the charging zone outside of the heating chamber in order for the belt to be cooled.