Abstract: A solid waste disposal unit having a lower, pyrolyzing chamber and an upper, oxidizing chamber separated by a movable plate. Waste is deposited in the lower chamber. The chambers are rotated to move the plate to a first position which seals the lower chamber from the entrance of air. While the chambers continue to rotate, a pair of heaters separately heats the chambers. The waste in the lower chamber is pyrolyzed in the absence of air and gives off a combustible vapor that in turn is oxidized in the upper chamber. A plurality of venturi jets, mounted in the movable plate, mix the vapor with air as the vapor passes into the upper chamber. Additional air is introduced into the upper chamber through a rotating regenerative heat exchanger recovering heat from the exhaust gases. After the waste is thoroughly pyrolyzed into a char, the rotation of the unit is reversed causing the movable plate to rotate into a new position wherein air is permitted to enter the lower chamber to cause oxidation of the char.

Abstract: A process and apparatus whereby radioactive waste can be treated such as produced from within a nuclear power plant comprising the steps whereby waste is admitted to a dual 90 degree conveyor system, the latter of which transfers waste to an incinerator, burns the waste to ashes, transfers via vacuum the ashes for compaction, filters the exhaust particulate prior to dispensation to the atmosphere and provides a curie content accounting of each package.

Abstract: Hazardous waste treatment method and apparatus are disclosed in the preferred and illustrated emboldiment. A feedstock of hazardous waste material is combusted in a plasma generator in the absence of oxygen and converted into a gaseous outflow which is collected in a reactor chamber. The gaseous outflow is cooled and separated into selected constituents which are collected in storage vessels.

Abstract: A method for thermal decomposition treatment of a radioactive waste uses an apparatus comprising a container for holding molten matter of a radioactive waste containing a sodium compound, a pair of electrodes contacting the molten matter, and a power source for applying voltage between the electrodes while changing the polarity thereof every several tens of seconds. In this apparatus, the molten matter can be heated in the container by Joule heat, which is evolved by electric current directly flowed through the molten matter, so that the sodium compound contained in the radioactive waste can be decomposed, vaporized and removed to recover a stabilized radioactive solid as a residue in the container.

Abstract: A method is described for environmentally sound usage of combustible hazardous waste in an operating rotary kiln. The method is particularly adapted for disposal of solid hazardous wastes, optionally in the form of a blended waste homogenate, packaged in sealable containers. The containers are used as fuel modules and charged into a rotary kiln cylinder where kiln gas temperatures range from about 950.degree. to about 1200.degree. C. to achieve high destruction and removal efficiencies.

Abstract: The pH of low level radioactive waste liquid is adjusted to be substantially neutral and the liquid is passed to apparatus comprising an atomizer (11) having a turbine (15), air being heated by an electric heater (16) to the atomizer (11) to provide low level radioactive waste particles which may be encapsulated, e.g. in a resin. The apparatus may be transportable, and is claimed per se.

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 the destruction of organic waste material such as halogenated organic compounds, e.g., PCB's and related waste organic matter, comprises subjecting the waste material to reduction with a gaseous reducing agent, preferably hydrogen, at a temperature above about 600.degree. C. and thereafter subjecting the hot reaction mixture thus obtained to oxidation with a gaseous oxidizing agent at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C. The combined reduction followed by immediate oxidation is effective in achieving substantially complete breakdown of the halogenated compounds to substantially non-noxious gases. The system includes a reduction vessel wherein hydrogen is used directly in intimate mixing relation with the pulverized waste material, and after completion of a residence time sufficient to reduce the organic compounds, the gaseous by-products pass to an adjacent combustor for oxidation therein.

Abstract: Complete incineration of combustible radioactive wastes in the combustor can be regulated in the manner of controlling the flow rate of supplemental fuel fed to the combustor so that the outlet gas temperature of the combustor may be maintained at the set temperature; and increasing or decreasing the supply amount of wastes in response to said increase or decrease of said flow rate.

Abstract: The pH of low level radioactive waste liquid is adjusted to be substantially neutral and the liquid is passed to apparatus comprising an atomizer (11) having a turbine (15), air being heated by an electric heater (16) to the atomizer (11) to provide low level radioactive waste particles which may be encapsulated, e.g. in a resin.

Abstract: A method for disposing of waste materials including wastes generated by residential neighborhoods and business districts of a municipal area, by collecting waste materials centrally, sorting out and removing non-combustible materials from the collected wastes, and shredding the combustible materials coarsely. The coarsely shredded materials are then transported, if necessary, to the location of an incinerator or other furnace into which the materials are fed as fuel at a rate controlled in accordance with the requirements of the burner for complete and clean combustion, by feeding the coarsely shredded materials into a further shredder, shredding the materials to a final size, and immediately conveying the reshredded materials into the burner. Transportation and measurement of the coarsely shredded materials is thus accomplished with the waste materials at an optimum density for convenient handling and transportation at an economical cost.

Abstract: Ion exchange resin wastes are prepared for disposal by dewatering and/or dehydrating the resins, sealing the pores and recovering the ion exchange resins having radioactive waste products trapped within the sealed pores.

Abstract: Radioactive organic wastes, such as granular or powdered ion exchange resins and organic filter aids, are treated by oxidation decomposition using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron ions in an aqueous medium under refluxing an effluent which is condensed from evaporated components during the oxidation. Condensed water containing a very small amount of organic matter is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is an incinerating and melting apparatus for processing materials such as organic matters, inorganic matters and metals, which apparatus has a cylindrical or polygonal horizontal furnace body provided with a material charging port and a melt discharge port formed in the wall thereof, wherein a burner is mounted in the inner surface of the furnace body, the furnace body is oscillatorily rotatable in one and the other directions about its axis, and a melt receiver is detachably secured to the melt discharge port, or wherein the furnace body is fitted in a hood into which the melt discharge port opens and the melt receiver is detachably secured to the hood.

Abstract: There is needed a process and an apparatus for the pyrolytic decomposition of halogen and/or phosphorus containing organic materials, particularly those which are radioactive, in which no corrosive secondary products, minimal amounts of waste gas, small amounts of dust and conditionable active solid waste form. This is accomplished by mixing the materials in an over stoichiometric ratio with basis compounds and introducing them from above in the form of a suspension into a fixed bed reactor which is charged with mechanically agitated substantially spherical ceramic structures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detoxifying soil particles containing low melting point mineral compounds contaminated with combustible toxic materials wherein the soil particles are located without melting the low melting point mineral compounds to form combusted solids and a mixture of mineral dust and toxic material containing gas, the combusted solids are separated from the dust-gas mixture, the dust gas mixture is thereafter separated into the mineral dust and the toxic material-containing gas, and the toxic material-containing gas is then combusted at high temperature to form less harmful combustion products. The low melting point mineral compounds may be those mineral compounds of oxygen, silicon, calcium, iron and aluminum, and certain metal and metal oxides. The combustible toxic materials may be dioxin and PCB.

Abstract: An incinerator, or furnace, receives low-level radiation waste from a nuclear installation in varying volumes and calorific values. A supplemental, conventional fuel is concomitantly supplied under the control of the exhaust temperature of the products of combustion. The low-level radiation waste and supplemental fuel are mixed with combustion air in a first stage where combustion is initiated, the products of combustion being flowed downward into a second stage where the combustion is complete prior to exhaust.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating any fluidizable solid material having an organic contaminant or recoverable material absorbed or adsorbed thereon, particularly a sludge contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl or other toxic chemicals having a boiling point of at least 110.degree. C. The method and apparatus includes heating the fluidizable solids to a temperature of at least 250.degree. F., using hot turbulent gas at a temperature, for example, in the range of 850.degree. to 2,500.degree. F. to vaporize and thereby separate the organic material, for example, the toxic chemicals from the fluidizable solids and to fluidize at least a portion of the solids. The recoverable or contaminant liquid, for example, the toxic chemicals, are then further treated to recover or dispose of the separated liquid, such as by condensing the liquid and filtering or decanting them from the condensed water.

Abstract: A furnace is disclosed adapted to provide for the complete smokeless combustion of liquid or partially liquid materials. Said furnace can be advantageously used when said materials contain toxic components or compounds. The subject furnace includes a hollow cylindrical body provided at the lower end thereof with a substantially cylindrical body whose opposite end faces carry radially extended projections, of a substantially circular shape. Together with the side surface of said substantially cylindrical body, and with the inner surface of said hollow cylindrical body, said projections enclose an essentially annular combustion chamber.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition reactor accepts solid, liquid or gaseous waste products of industrial processes or the like and rapidly reduces same to substances such as carbon dioxide, water and glassified non-leachable ash without limitation by materials that may be commonly included in such waste.

Abstract: A method of batchwise oxidatively reducing radioactive wastes mainly composed of various combustible or poorly combustible organic compounds or the mixtures thereof and containing a small amount of inorganic substances. The oxidative decomposition is carried out in an aqueous solution containing a fusion-preventive agent and a catalyst. The process allows radioactive waste to be oxidatively decomposed effectively and safely while requiring low amounts of energy thereby permitting the volume of the final wastes to be discharged and stored after the oxidative decomposition to be minimized.

Abstract: Incinerator furnace for incinerating organic substances, especially compounds which contain radioactive actinides in chemically bound form or are contaminated with chemical compounds, having an incinerating chamber which has a feed opening for oxygen-containing gas, a discharge opening for exhaust gas, and a filter body of the exhaust gas stream. The filter body is cup-shaped, and is arranged with its opening at the feed opening for oxygen-containing gas. The filter body on the side facing the feed opening for oxygen-containing gas forms a receiving space for the organic substances.

Abstract: A spent, radioactive, organic ion exchange resin is converted into a stable inorganic product having a considerably reduced volume in the following way. The radioactive ion exchange resin is mixed with a salt and an inorganic sorbent for radioactive nucleides, liberated by the salt, the mixture is dried and incinerated, whereupon the ash is solidified in cement.

Abstract: Cholinesterase inhibiting agents such as nerve gas agents and pesticide agents are destroyed by reaction with molten aluminum and the gaseous products are analyzed and recycled if they are not essentially free of such agents.

Abstract: A method for destroying organic explosives, such as RDX and HMX, by hydroolysis comprises contacting liquors containing waste explosive, produced in the manufacture and processing of the explosives, with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, such as nickel-on-kieselguhr, for a sufficient period to destroy the explosives. The method is simple and economic and destroys the explosives, which are considered to be toxic, hazardous and non-biodegradable in soil and hence are not amenable to landfill or discharge into rivers etc., thereby eliminating or reducing the attendant pollution problems to acceptable levels.

Abstract: Radioactive wastes are treated in a furnace which has electrodes for electric heating. The furnace has at the lower end an outlet for slag material as well as a gas discharge line. Its well is a self-supporting tubular body which is arranged detachably in a metal furnace housing. At the upper end of the well is a line for feeding water. Thereby, carbon-containing waste, possibly also carbon of a carbon bed, is reacted to form water gas (CO+H.sub.2), which is burned after purification in an exhaust gas plant. The outlet of the metal housing has a movable grate.

Abstract: A method of processing radioactive waste resin by pyrolyzing radioactive waste ion exchange resin generated in a nuclear plant such as a nuclear power station. First, the ion exchange resin is pyrolyzed at a low temperature, and the resulting decomposition gas is separated. Second, the ion exchange resin at a high temperature, and the resulting decomposition gas is separated. Finally, the residue of the ion exchange resin is hot-pressed into a molded article.

Abstract: A process is described for reducing the volume of a liquid waste containing an organic amine chelating agent in which a finely atomized spray of the liquid waste is contacted with a gas stream having a temperature in excess of the thermal decomposition temperature of the chelating agent. The proportions of the hot gas stream and liquid waste are controlled to rapidly evaporate water from the liquid waste and cool the gas to a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chelating agent in a time of less than about 6 seconds to produce a dry, flowable powder product including the chelating agent.

Abstract: A method for processing spent radioactive ion exchange resin formed in a nuclear power plant by a two-step pyrolysis method. First, the spent resin is heated at 350.degree. C. to decompose functional groups selectively. Then the base polymer, formed as residue, is decomposed at a temperature above 350.degree. C., e.g. 600.degree. C. After the thermal decomposition, exhaust gases which require a special exhaust gas disposal means, such as NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x can be reduce to below 1/20.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for vitrifying highly radioace waste solutions. The arrangement has a glass melting furnace and a wet scrubber for scrubbing particles of dust out of the offgas from the glass melting furnace. The offgas is passed from the glass melting furnace into the wet scrubber through an offgas conduit. The solids in the offgas are deposited in the offgas conduit. In order to counteract the disadvantageous consequences of such deposits, the offgas conduit includes two conduit lengths. The glass melting furnace is connected to one end of a first one of the conduit lengths via a connecting conduit stub mounted on the melting furnace and the wet scrubber is connected to one end of the second conduit length via a connecting conduit stub on the scrubbers. The two conduit lengths extend upwardly and are inclined toward each other so that they interconnect at their respective other ends.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the destruction of toxic organic halogenated substances which comprises treating in a reaction chamber under a reductive atmosphere and at a temperature of from 1000.degree. to 1600.degree. C. a mixture of a toxic organic halogenated substance, carbon and a carbonate or bicarbonate of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal whereby vapors of the alkali or alkaline earth metal are generated "in situ" to cause total degradation of the toxic organic halogenated substance into alkali or alkaline earth metal halide and carbon with the production of carbon monoxide which is subsequently oxidized into carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present portable incinerator is adapted for the disposal of small amounts of hazardous waste material with a minimum of exhaust combustion gas and includes a boiling chamber for receiving and heating the hazardous waste material to form waste gas thereof. The waste gas is directed through successive primary and secondary combustion chambers which are supplied with pure oxygen and the mixture of waste gas and oxygen is ignited for oxidizing the mixture, and for ionizing the gases to combine with the oxygen. A catalytic converter is positioned at the exit ends of each of the primary and secondary combustion chambers and the oxidized and ionized combustion gas passes through these catalytic converters to insure total oxidation thereof. A vertical wet scrubber chamber is communicatively connected with the exit end of the secondary combustion chamber and the combustion gas is directed to pass upwardly therethrough to prevent harmful combustion gases from escaping through the exhaust.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of destroying hazardous waste, by means of under-stoichiometric incineration at a temperature of at least 1200.degree. C., the ratio between injected waste material and oxidant being regulated to give a quotient CO.sub.2 /(CO+CO.sub.2) of less than 0.1.

Abstract: Toxic chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls and other organic wastes are destroyed by injecting them, together with oxygen, into a metal or slag bath such as is utilized in a steelmaking facility. The metal bath may be melted initially by induction or an electric arc; the desired temperature greater than 2500.degree. F. may be maintained thereafter by the reaction of the oxygen and the organic waste. Various by-products may be obtained from the gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electric arc heater process and apparatus for the essentially complete decomposition of hazardous materials including polychlorinated biphenyls. Finely divided liquid or gaseous hazardous material is injected into a primary gas stream which has been superheated in an electric arc heater. The mixture is directed into a primary reactor for complete decomposition with dwell times in the reactor being in the order of 0.05 to 0.15 seconds. The decomposition products are neutralized with the gases being released to atmosphere and any remaining particulates being collected for ultimate disposal. Large solid hazardous material is first shredded then heated in a roaster or rotary kiln to vaporize the primary gas stream. A soaking reactor is provided where increased dwell times are required for the decomposition of thermally stable compounds which may be formed in the primary reactor. When these compounds are absent the soaking reactor can be by-passed.

Abstract: The volume of low-level radioactive wastes containing free water is reduced by introducing the waste as a finely atomized spray into a zone heated by means of a hot gas. Contact of the spray particles with the hot gas results in the production of a dry, flowable radioactive solid product and a gaseous non-radioactive product which contains substantially no NO.sub.x or SO.sub.x and no volatile radionuclides, which are retained in the solid product.

Abstract: Radiation detectors measuring gamma radiation from radioactive accumulations in an incinerator through low density refractory windows therein for burning combustible, contaminated wastes from nuclear fuel manufacturing activities.

Abstract: A high temperature reactor includes a reaction chamber which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. Surrounding the reaction chamber are annular spaces to which a gaseous reactant is supplied. A plurality of conduits conduct the gaseous reactant from the annular spaces to the reaction chamber and introduces the gaseous reactant into the latter in the form of a helicoidal flow. A plurality of cooling conduits are disposed between the annular spaces and the reaction chamber for conducting a cooling medium. The cooling medium can also be conducted so as to cool a rear end of the reactor. The reactor can be used in combination with a contacting chamber to supply hot gases thereto.

Abstract: A process for treating radioactive sludge waste wasted in a nuclear power plant comprises the steps of pulverizing the radioactive sludge waste into dry powder which is combustible, burning the powder into ashes, and pelletizing the ashes. The radioactive sludge waste including granular ion-exchange resins, powder resins, filter sludge, etc. is reduced in volume by subjecting to combustion.

Abstract: A combustion flue gas stream containing dioxins, some of which are in the vapor phase, is cooled to between 100.degree. C. and 110.degree. C. The dioxins in the vapor phase are converted to suspended particulates which are subsequently captured and then thermally destroyed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the environmentally safe disposal of material by combustion using a hot body having a plurality of open pores.

Abstract: Wastes, in the form of liquids, solids and slurries, are converted to a mixture of a gas and an inorganic ash by introducing the waste as a finely atomized spray into a zone heated by means of a hot gas. Contact of the spray particles with the hot gas results in drying the waste and calcining and combusting the dried waste. The process is particularly useful with wastes containing hazardous materials such as radioactive substances.

Abstract: To separate combustion within a combustion chamber for deburring or high-temperature, high-pressure article treatment from gas supply valves, the combustion chamber is formed of a dual wall structure, having an outer wall (21) which is telescopically slidable with respect to an inner wall (12). The articles are introduced into the chamber (11) by placing a support plate (14) against the outer wall structure, with the inner wall (12) slightly raised, leaving a gap (23) between the lower edge of the inner wall and the support plate. Gas introduced within the outer wall structure than can pass into the chamber (11) within the inner wall, through said gap. When the requisite volume and pressure of fill gas--typically oxygen and a combustion gas such as hydrogen, methane or the like--is within the chamber, the inner wall (12) is lowered into sealing engagement with the support plate (14), for ignition of the combustible mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal decomposition of stable substances, preferably chemical hazardous waste. The invention achieves a high decomposition temperature by giving the waste the necessary decomposition temperature through the use of a plasma generated in a plasma burner. The waste itself can be carried through a plasma generator. Alternately, part, or all of the waste can be mixed with the plasma in a reaction chamber where decomposition takes place. The carrier gas of the plasma can be given a temperature of 3000.degree. to 4000.degree. C., or under certain conditions even a higher temperature. The invention also includes additional steps to eliminate toxic gases that might form during the decomposition of the waste or the cooling of the resultant gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of converting hazardous waste fluids into non-hazardous effluent gases within a boiler environment.

Abstract: The products of a molten salt combustion of hazardous wastes are converted into a cooled gas, which can be filtered to remove hazardous particulate material, and a dry flowable mixture of salts, which can be recycled for use in the molten salt combustion, by means of gas/liquid contact between the gaseous products of combustion of the hazardous waste and a solution produced by quenching the spent melt from such molten salt combustion.The process results in maximizing the proportion of useful materials recovered from the molten salt combustion and minimizing the volume of material which must be discarded. In a preferred embodiment a spray dryer treatment is used to achieve the desired gas/liquid contact.

Abstract: Incinerator having a primary and a secondary combustion chamber, the primary combustion chamber has a bottom section and a top section, both provided with burners and air injection devices. The wall of the top section has a sluice port for introducing a barrel, and within the top section there is provided a barrel holder for receiving and holding such a barrel. The barrel holder is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and can be operated for turning the barrel from upright to fully or partly inverted position and vice versa. Burning of the waste may take place either in the barrel in upright position, or upon turning of the barrel and dropping of its contents into the bottom section, or a combination of both. Thereby optimum conditions may be created for incineration of waste of varying consistency, ranging from liquid to solid, and no manual handling of barrels or their contents is required.

Abstract: Radioactive waste treatment apparatus in which the waste is burned in a controlled combustion process, the ash residue from the combustion process is removed and buried, the gaseous effluent is treated in a scrubbing solution the pH of which is maintained constant by adding an alkaline compound to the solution while concurrently extracting a portion of the scrubbing solution, called the blowdown stream. The blowdown stream is fed to the incinerator where it is evaporated and the combustibles in the blowdown stream burned and the gaseous residue sent to the scrubbing solution. Gases left after the scrubbing process are treated to remove iodides and are filtered and passed into the atmosphere.

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: A hazardous waste incineration system is provided in which a series of interconnected combustion chambers are employed to obtain successively higher temperatures in successive chambers, the gaseous products of combustion in each chamber being supplied to the next chamber in the series to act as a high temperature environment and promote the burning of hazardous wastes in successive chambers which require successively higher temperatures to become volatilized and break down into their constituent elements. Preferably, the successive chambers have successively larger volumes so that successively greater amounts of hazardous wastes, which may be of successively lower heat values and require successively higher temperatures to be broken down, may be burned in the successive combustion chambers of the series.