Rotary Drum Patents (Class 110/246)
  • Patent number: 5415112
    Abstract: An incinerator is described which includes a cylindrical rotary furnace slightly inclined downwardly in its longitudinal direction for combusting material introduced into an entrance, a cylindrical housing for housing the furnace and a secondary combustor connected with an exit of the furnace. Partition plates are placed in an annular space between the housing and the furnace for defining a combustion air introduction zone below the furnace and recirculated gas introduction zone above the combustion air introduction zone. A gas recirculation duct extends from the secondary combustor to the furnace housing for introducing a portion of the gas flow discharged from the secondary combustor into the recirculated gas introduction zone. An external air flow is introduced to the combustion air introduction zone. The recirculated gas lowers the,temperature of the furnace and this results in reduced NOx generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Kenzo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5410973
    Abstract: Sewage sludge from municipal and industrial sewage systems can be incinerated in conjunction with the incineration of refuse in a refuse incinerator as environmentally safely as possible, with a favorable energy balance and low expenditures for technology and equipment. The sewage sludge can be fed into a rotary tubular kiln, while in a countercurrent, flue gas from a refuse incinerator can be passed through the rotary tubular kiln. The resulting vapors from the sewage sludge incineration can then be injected back into the refuse incinerator for afterburning, while the components of the vapors are useful for the reduction of the formation of nitrogen oxide during the incineration of the refuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Noell Abfall- und Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Kunstler, Erwin Wachter, Peter Nuesch, Kurt Scholl
  • Patent number: 5401472
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing high surface area active carbons in a safe and commercially advantageous manner by the alkali metal hydroxide-based activation method is provided. Using pushers (9a-k), the apparatus circulates containers (C) along a container travel line (8) connecting the elements: material feeding section (1).fwdarw.inlet side gas replacement chamber (2).fwdarw.tunnel kiln (3).fwdarw.cooling zone (4).fwdarw.water injection chamber (5).fwdarw.outlet side gas replacement chamber (6).fwdarw.reaction mixture discharge port (7) to form a closed circuit. During the travel of the containers, a series of steps is performed, namely the steps of charging of the containers with raw materials (carbonaceous material and alkali metal hydroxide-water mixture), dehydration, activation of the carbonaceous material with the alkali metal hydroxide, cooling, water injection and discharge of the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kansai Netsukagaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawakami, Toshiro Otowa, Mamoru Shiraishi, Kazuhiko Higuchi
  • Patent number: 5393501
    Abstract: Material remediation apparatus includes a remediation drum through which materials, such as soil contaminated with hydrocarbons, are advanced from a feed end to a discharge end of the drum. A tube extending concentrically from the discharge end of the drum into the drum forms a combustion chamber. Materials being decontaminated advance through an annular space between the tube and the drum. The tube is axially first of converging and then of diverging shape, as viewed from the discharge end of the drum. A turbo burner injects combustible gases into the tube which are burned within the diverging shape of the tube. A portion of the burned gases reflow from the outlet of tube through the annular space to the discharge end of the drum. In a zone of the drum occupied by the tube materials are heated by conduction and radiation of energy passing through the wall of the tube as well as by convective heating from the reflow gases. Hot gases are exhausted from the drum at the feed end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Cedarapids, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Clawson, Joseph E. Musil
  • Patent number: 5392721
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the reduction and recycling of papermaking sludge. Papermaking sludge is incinerated in a rotary heater, typically a rotary cement kiln, asphalt dryer, or specially designed rotary kiln or incinerator. Aggregate may be combined with the sludge to provide better dispersion of the sludge within the heater, and to facilitate heat transfer. Once in operation, the heat of sludge combustion is added to the process heat, resulting in markedly reduced energy requirements. Papermaking sludge is typically fed continuously into said rotary heater while temperatures in the combustion zone are maintained in the range of approximately 800.degree. to 3500.degree. F. During incineration, mixing catalysts (typically casein or soy protein) and wood fibers are burned, while moisture is evaporated. The resulting product consists essentially of carbonate particles which are collected for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Technology Development Corp.
    Inventor: Wendell Judd
  • Patent number: 5390630
    Abstract: A rotary fluid bed gasifier having a combustor assembly and a stationary feed conduit which is capable of feeding a carbonaceous material and/or limestone from outside of the gasifier and delivering this material to the gasification chamber of the combustor assembly through a rotating wall of the combustor assembly, wherein the stationary conduit is centrally disposed within the combustor assembly such that the rotatable inner assembly of the combustor assembly revolves about the stationary conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Spinheat Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael J. Virr
  • Patent number: 5385104
    Abstract: Waste material is incinerated by a partial combustion in a furnace on step grates and the heated combusted product is supplied in a rotary kiln in which the waste is liquified. Solid waste material passing through the grate is collected with ash products, separated from flue gases, including boiler ash, fly ash and residue from flue gas cleaning. The collected products are returned to the inlet of the rotary kiln where these products are introduced along with he combusted waste. In this manner, the slag, boiler ash, flue ash and other harmful residual products from the combustion process are fused into the liquified waste to form a glass-like mass from which salts and heavy metal cannot be leached out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Volund Ecology Systems A/S
    Inventor: Siegfried Binner
  • Patent number: 5377603
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignees: Cadence Environmental Energy, Inc., Ash Grove Cement Company
    Inventors: Theodore J. Reese, Eric R. Hansen, Michel R. Benoit
  • Patent number: 5378060
    Abstract: A combustion chamber having improved heating efficiency and reduced NO.sub.x emissions includes a reduced diameter throat and a stepped configuration within the chamber. The chamber configuration encourages efficient combustion to reduce NO.sub.x production by promoting the formation of eddy currents within the chamber. A method for increasing heating efficiency and reducing NO.sub.x production is provided and involves passing combustion gases through such a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Don Brock, Erbie G. Mize, Malcom L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5372458
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating used potassium chloride (KCl) drilling mud for disposal. The process comprises feeding the mud into one end of a rotary tube, advancing the mud through the rotating tube and heating the mud by cascading action using lifters, to expose it to a hot gas stream, thereby partially drying the mud to lumps, further modifying the lumps by contacting them with a burner flame to form clinker pellets, and finally contacting the clinker pellets with a second flame to complete the drying process, producing dried clinker pellets containing the majority of the KCl in the mud, the pellets having a structure that resists the leaching action of water. The pellets further lend themselves to being evenly distributed over fields, so that unwanted excessive concentrations of KCl can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: Henry Flemmer, Arne E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5363780
    Abstract: Burners for burning waste, comprising a conventional fuel nozzle and a waste slurry nozzle. Waste slurry nozzles, comprising a first conduit, a second conduit and an acceleration zone comprising a mixing chamber and an acceleration conduit. Waste slurries comprising a continuous phase and a solids phase, the solids phase consisting essentially of solids having at least one dimension less than about 1/8 inch and solids having no dimension less than 1/8 inch and no dimension larger than about 5/8 inch. Methods for burning waste, comprising feeding a slurry of cement raw materials to an up end of a rotating kiln, and ejecting a waste slurry from a burner such that a portion of the waste slurry lands in the calcining zone of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Rineco Chemical Industries
    Inventor: John P. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5363779
    Abstract: The invention relates to combusting contaminants on foundry sand in a container (13) rotating about an axis (A) at a particular angle with a particularly placed oxygen-fuel burner (32). As the container (13) rotates about the axis (A), the oxygen-fuel burner (32) fires a flame and excess oxygen at a particular angle to enhance pyrolysis of the contaminants. The amount of excess oxygen is such that the resulting off gas contains at least 2% oxygen by volume, thus preventing or substantially minimizing products of incomplete combustion from leaving the container (13). After having pyrolyzed the contaminants, the firing of a flame and excess oxygen from the oxygen-fuel burner (32) may be replaced with oxidant dispersion an the bottom of the foundry sand. The resulting off gas from the container (13) may be treated in a post combustion furnace (7), a flue gas cooling means (8), a filtering device (9) and/or a pollutant removing means (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roland P. A. G. Bury
  • Patent number: 5361708
    Abstract: A device for applying heat to sludge, including a rotating tubular chamber having a hollow-centered helical auger on its interior to move the sludge longitudinally through the chamber, and a gas distribution tube extending through the center of the chamber. Hot gas is injected into the chamber through outlets in the wall of the distribution tube, and sludge, which has been raised by lifters on the interior of the rotating chamber, falls through the hot gas streams from the outlets to dry and pasteurize the sludge. Chambers may be used in series, with the discharge from one chamber feeding the inlet of the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Alva D. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5353722
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the viscosity of the slag in incinerating kilns. The alkali content is measured in the stream of the off-gasses, and additives are added in order to counteract the effect of the alkalis on the slag viscosity. The rate of addition of additives depends on the alkali analysis and the off-gas temperature in the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Rollins Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eustathios Vassiliou, David A. Kliauga, Robin K. Baynes
  • Patent number: 5349910
    Abstract: In a generally known cement kiln plant which incorporates a preheater (1), a calciner (2) having a separation cyclone (3), a rotary kiln (4) and a clinker cooler (5), a decomposition chamber (10) is additionally installed for incineration of waste. Waste is introduced into the chamber at a location (12) and decomposed in the chamber by the heat from calcined raw meal which is conveyed to the chamber from the separation cyclone (3) of the calciner via a splitting gate (13) and a pipeline (14). Gaseous products are conveyed to the calciner (2) and burned there, whereas noncombustible by-products are discharged via an outlet (15) of the chamber (10). By utilizing the heat from preheated or calcined raw meal instead of, for example, hot exhaust gases to incinerate waste, any disturbance of the draught conditions of the cement kiln plant can be avoided, and the overall control of the calcining process is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: F. L. Smidth & Co. A/S
    Inventor: Soren Hundebol
  • Patent number: 5339754
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for oxidizing unoxidized fuel in combustion systems in which the air and fuel are not completely and uniformly mixed, the average air fuel ratio being sufficient for complete oxidation, but portions not containing sufficient air for complete oxidation. A bed of a readily reducible metal oxide, the reduced form of this metal oxide being readily oxidized, is placed within the combustion system. The air and fuel are passed through the bed at an elevated temperature, the metal oxide oxidizing those portions not containing sufficient air for complete combustion, and then being reoxidized by those portions which contain more than sufficient air for complete combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research
    Inventor: Richard K. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5339751
    Abstract: A firing system is provided for charging a plurality of incoming combustible fuel modules containing a known amount of a parameter of interest into a heated zone of a rotating kiln. The firing system separates incoming fuel modules into a plurality of stages based on the parameter amount in each fuel module. The system then removes fuel modules from the plurality of stages in a selected order to maintain an average parameter amount for fuel modules charged into the kiln at substantially a preselected level. The system charges fuel modules into the kiln in the selected order. The system determines an optimum time to charge each fuel module into the rotating kiln to maintain an average amount of the parameter of interest supplied to the kiln substantially at the preselected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignees: Ash Grove Cement Company, Cadence Environmental Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Tutt
  • Patent number: 5338188
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for remediating soils and other materials contaminated with organic compounds comprising dual volatilizing zones and radiant heat. The material is treated in the volatilizing zones to substantially volatilize the organic compounds contained within the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Cedarapids, Inc.
    Inventor: Gene H. Yocum
  • Patent number: 5333558
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system for converting contaminants in soil to non-hazardous compounds. The system includes a combustion chamber in which the soils to be treated are heated to a temperature above the volatilization temperature of the contaminants in the soil. Reagents are injected into the gas stream above the soil which contains the volatized contaminants to interact with the inorganic contaminants to form solid particles that can be collected on a filter for safe disposal. The volatized organic contaminants are burned to form non-toxic combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Svedala Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John N. Lees, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5329867
    Abstract: Active rice husk ash is produced by a method which includes placing a hollow platform having many holes of a size too small for rice husk to enter on an enclosed floor slab, erecting a chimney on the hollow platform in communication with the interior of the hollow platform, forming a cone of rice husk around the chimney to completely cover the hollow platform, igniting the rice husk at the small holes for smolderingly incinerating the rice husk into carbonized rice husk, and allowing the carbonized rice husk to self-burn into ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Shuichi Sugita
  • Patent number: 5323719
    Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of contaminated waste products such as medical sharps and other medical wastes includes a housing (11) and its telescopic cover (9) which are fabricated of biodegradable and combustible material such as natural cellulose and non-natural cellulose. An absorbent biodegradable and combustible absorption package (30) or insert (35) can be placed in the bottom of the holding chamber (12) for absorbing any liquids emitted from the sharps and other wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. When the housing is burned it evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: McDonald, Withers & Hughes, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Andrew Withers, David W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5312599
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank R. Schwartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5307765
    Abstract: A rotary fluid bed gasifier which comprises: a rotatable drum having a circumferentially extending wall which is permeable to gases; a means for feeding a fluidizing gas through the wall into the drum; a bed of particles which, at least when the gasifier is in use, is supported on an internal face of the wall and is fluidized by the fluidizing gas; an outlet means for receiving an oil-in-water emulsion from outside the gasifier and delivering the oil-in-water emulsion to the drum; a means for introducing steam into the drum; a de-NO.sub.x boiler having a quench zone and a nitrogen fixing zone; a means for introducing secondary air disposed between the quench zone and the nitrogen fixing zone; and a means for introducing tertiary air disposed between the de-NO.sub.x boiler and a main boiler or furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Michael J. Virr
  • Patent number: 5305696
    Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for treating particulate soil composition to remove volatilizable organic materials therefrom comprises separating fine particles of the soil from a gaseous mixture in a drum containing the fine particles and volatilized organic material, directing the separated fine particle heat exchange apparatus, indirectly heating the fine particles therein with hot exhaust gas to volatilize organic materials, and recovering the fine particles. The hot exhaust gas for heating the fine particles in the heat exchange apparatus is obtained from a furnace used to combust volatilized organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5301621
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling rotary incineration kilns by determining and controlling the viscosity of slag which is formed in such kilns. These methods and devices are based on measuring one or more properties or parameters of drippings of the slag falling from the ceiling of the kiln, as the kiln rotates. The parameters are size of drippings, shape of drippings, aspect ratio of drippings, and number of drippings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Rollins Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eustathios Vassiliou, Joseph F. Giunto, Walter R. Schaefer, Bruno R. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5302118
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for decontaminating petroleum contaminated soil and the like, and which comprises a rotary drum dryer which is adapted to convey the soil therethrough, and which includes a burner at one end for generating a heated gas stream which passes through the dryer to heat the soil to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the contaminates. A fixed enclosure is mounted to surround the discharge end of the dryer and the enclosure receives the heated soil as it is discharged from the dryer. Any entrained dust particles which are withdrawn with the exhaust gas stream from the dryer, and which may remain contaminated, are separated from the gas stream and returned to the enclosure. In the enclosure, the returned dust is mixed with the heated soil so as to cause the dust to be heated and to release its volatile contaminates, without risk of the returned dust being again entrained in the gas stream flowing through the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Renegar, Malcolm L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5301619
    Abstract: The drum of the installation is provided with a double wall which is closed on its rear end and where the inside wall of which is provided with openings, with a hollow central tube provided with openings the rear end of which tube is closed, and with radial double walls provided with openings and which connect said tube and the double drum wall with one another, where a duct is provided for blowing incineration air directly into the drum and a duct for at least partially recycling the burnt combustion gases from the drum and returning them to the drum, for cooling the double drum wall, controlling the furnace temperature and preventing waste from baking onto the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Marc Keersmaekers
  • Patent number: 5297494
    Abstract: A combustible waste incinerator with a tubular furnace defining a cavity with a first opening for receiving said waste and a second opening and an interior and an exterior surface is disclosed. A burner unit is positioned at the second opening of the cavity for producing an intense flame in the cavity sufficient to burn the combustible waste therein. A water pipe and an air pipe are spirally coiled along the interior surface of the cavity for dissipating heat formed and supplying air to the cavity to promote combustion. The water pipe and the air supply pipe are disposed on the interior surface of the cavity such that a spiral channel is formed from the first opening to the second opening of the cavity. A cylindrical wire screen is disposed between the water and air supply pipes and the cavity to permit at least a portion of the waste to pass from the cavity into the spiral channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventors: Jae B. Kim, Jang H. Kim
  • Patent number: 5286200
    Abstract: A rotary kiln with primary air feed at the end wall of the rotary kiln is distinguished by the feature that at least two primary air nozzles are oriented relative to each other and to the fuel bed so that two oppositely directed vortices are generated within the rotary kiln, the axes of rotation of said vortices extending substantially parallel to the axis of the rotary kiln and said vortices rotating about said axes of rotation so as to promote the thermal convection-induced motion of the combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Deutsche Babcock Anlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Wurz, Arvid Christmann, Gebhard Schetter, Wilfried Schings, Dietmar Schneider, Rudiger Trumpf
  • Patent number: 5272833
    Abstract: An apparatus for remediating soil contaminated with combustible pollutants comprising means for initially heating the contaminated soil to a temperature sufficient to vaporize contaminants present therein, means for feeding the contaminated soil to the initial heating means, means for reheating gases created by vaporizing the contaminants, means for introducing the gases to the reheating means, means for cooling the gases, means for removing particulate matter from the gases, and means for exhausting the gases to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Asphalt Product Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic W. Prill, Robert E. Farnham
  • Patent number: 5273355
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to heat and dry stone aggregate useful in the production of asphalt paving, and which also has the ability to incinerate contaminated soil. The apparatus comprises a rotary drum for heating and drying the stone aggregate, and a separate rotary incinerator for incinerating the soil. The incinerator includes an outlet housing for withdrawing the incinerated soil and selectively conveying the soil so as to be mixed with the heated and dried aggregate, or delivered to a separate location. Further, the incinerator has an exhaust duct for conveying the gaseous products of combustion from the incinerator into the rotary drum, so that any volatile hydrocarbons contained in the gaseous products of combustion from the incinerator are effectively incinerated before being discharged to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Astec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: James G. May, James G. Renegar
  • Patent number: 5271340
    Abstract: Burners for burning waste, comprising a conventional fuel nozzle and a waste slurry nozzle. Waste slurry nozzles, comprising a first conduit, a second conduit and an acceleration zone comprising a mixing chamber and an acceleration conduit. Waste slurries comprising a continuous phase and a solids phase, the solids phase consisting essentially of solids having at least one dimension less than about 1/8 inch and solids having no dimension less than 1/8 inch and no dimension larger than about 5/8 inch. Methods for burning waste, comprising feeding a slurry of cement raw materials to an up end of a rotating kiln, and ejecting a waste slurry from a burner such that a portion of the waste slurry lands in the calcining zone of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Rineco Chemical Industries
    Inventor: John P. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5269234
    Abstract: A method for utilizing landfill-prohibited solid hazardous waste material as an energy source in a cement kiln is provided. The method comprises obtaining landfill-prohibited solid hazardous waste materials suitable for use in a cement kiln, combining the solid waste materials with a liquid fuel in a milling apparatus to form a mixture, grinding the mixture in the milling apparatus in a manner reducing the particulate size of the solid hazardous waste material to form a fuel slurry, and delivering the fuel slurry directly into the flame of the cement kiln. The grinding of the solid hazardous waste material in the milling apparatus prior to its introduction into the kiln provides for a rapid and instantaneous ignition of the solid hazardous waste materials thereby not adversely affecting the forming clinker or the operating parameters of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Continental Cement Company
    Inventor: Ronald D. Powell
  • Patent number: 5270017
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the manufacture of activated carbon wherein a carbonaceous raw material impregnated with a chemical activating agent is treated by controlling the rate of heat transfer to the particles via indirect heating of the activation furnace and simultaneously introducing a flow of independently controlled sweep gas at spaced intervals along the path of travel of the particles through the furnace to more precisely control the activation reaction and the level of densification of the particles during certain stages of treatment. In a more preferred embodiment, the particles are processed in a plurality of treatment stages related to the rate of evolution of water and/or the evolution of water and the chemical activating agent and the rates of heat transfer and the volume flow rate of sweep gas are closely controlled relative to achieving predetermined levels of densification of the particles during each treatment stage and selected levels of activation properties in the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank R. Schwartz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5269235
    Abstract: A process for disposing of a waste chemical stream containing materials which can produce objectionable combustion products, such as NO.sub.x, free bromine, carbon, particulates or ash, the process comprising the steps of passing the waste chemical stream to an oxidizing first zone where burning occurs in stoichiometric oxygen excess above about 2000.degree. F.; then to a reducing second zone where reaction occurs in stoichiometric reduction at a temperature of above about 2000.degree. F.; and then to an oxidizing third zone to oxidize the combustibles at temperatures of between about 1400.degree. F. and 2000.degree. F. The process provides high efficiency destruction of waste compounds, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, in a substantially NO.sub.x free manner. In the case of brominated compounds, the process generates HBr which is readily scrubbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Koch Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene C. McGill, Kevin W. McQuigg
  • Patent number: 5265545
    Abstract: A method of treatment of waste material includes the steps of mixing the waste material with binder and pelletizing the mixture. The pellets are then coated with a non-agglomerating material selected to permit firing of the mixture without pellet agglomeration at a temperature above 1300.degree. C. The coated pellets are fed to a kiln and fired at a temperature above 1300.degree. C. before being discharged from the kiln. At least some of the heat of firing the pellets is recovered and recycled to the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Miltox Holdings Pte, Limited
    Inventor: William R. Milner
  • Patent number: 5257587
    Abstract: For incineration of solid combustible waste a method is described according to which the waste is introduced into and incinerated in the outlet casing of a rotary kiln when brought into contact with the hot airstream flowing through the kiln. Hence a simple and cheap method for incinerating waste is obtained, since the waste is introduced through a stationary wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: F. L. Smidth & Co. A/S
    Inventors: Ib Ohlsen, Hans H. Hartington
  • Patent number: 5257586
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering material to the interior of a kiln to be burned therein which includes a feeding mechanism which rotates with the kiln within a stationary transfer means or drum, means for delivering material to be burned to the interior of the transfer drum, said feeding mechanism including means for collecting material from the transfer drum as it rotates and said feeding mechanism including means for compressing, shredding in some applications and delivering the material to the interior of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Ricky W. Davenport
  • Patent number: 5255616
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process and device for waste incineration with an oxidation agent, which consists of oxygen in a higher concentration than in air, whereby the combustion gases pass through a filter, which is resistant to high temperatures and which is arranged behind the combustion zone and whereby the gases are cooled subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: RWE Entsorgung Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Wintrich, Michael Herbermann
  • Patent number: 5240412
    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 c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Robert L. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5237940
    Abstract: Waste is incinerated in a rotary furnace which discharges slag and exhaust gas connected to an afterburning chamber. The slag is discharged from the afterburning chamber directly into a glass melting furnace while the exhaust gas is removed to scrubbers which remove residues which are then fed to the glass melting furnace. Cullet and other glass forming materials are also added to the furnace in order to form a vitrified product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignees: Beteiligungen Sorg GmbH & Co. KG, Man Gutehollnungshutte AG
    Inventors: Helmut Pieper, Helmut Lausberg
  • Patent number: 5233933
    Abstract: Organic liquid-like hazardous waste is loaded with a sorbent in a container including interior and exterior compartments. The container is supplied to a rotary incinerating kiln. The waste is loaded in the container and the compartments are arranged so that the waste in the exterior compartment is initially vaporized in the kiln without the waste in the interior compartment mixing and being vaporized with the waste in the exterior compartment. The waste in the exterior compartment acts initially as a thermal and mass transfer barrier to prevent initial vaporization in the kiln of the waste in the interior compartment to substantially delay the vaporization of the waste in the interior compartment relative the vaporization time of waste in the exterior compartment and relative to the time when the waste in the interior compartment would have been vaporized if the container did not include the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Joseph A. McSorley, Paul M. Lemieux, William P. Linak, Ronald W. Lowans, Jost O. L. Wendt
  • Patent number: 5228398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the viscosity of slag contained in a rotary incinerating kiln by detecting the position at which the slag exits the outlet of the kiln, thereby determining changes in the viscosity of the slag. If the viscosity deviates from a predetermined range of values, appropriate additives are supplied to the slag for bringing the viscosity back to within the range of the predetermined values. There is also disclosed a method and apparatus for measuring viscosity as "angular" viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Rollins Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold L. Byerly, Bruno R. Kuhn, Donald C. Matter, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 5224433
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignees: Cadence Chemical Resources, Inc., Ash Grove Cement Company
    Inventors: Michel R. Benoit, Eric R. Hansen, Theodore J. Reese
  • Patent number: 5224432
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Covenant Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac H. Milsap, III
  • Patent number: 5220873
    Abstract: Apparatus for retorting organic matter including a conveyor for advancing organic matter through a chamber in the absence of oxygen, temperature sensors for sensing the temperature in the chamber at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber, a plurality of burners located along the length of the chamber, controls for individually adjusting the heat generated by the plurality of burners in response to the temperature sensed at the locations, means for selectively directing the heat to the plurality of locations along the length of the chamber so as to convert the organic matter into a plurality of byproducts and transporting at least one of said byproducts to said burners for burning therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Covenant Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac H. Milsap, III
  • Patent number: 5220874
    Abstract: Apparatus, and a method for using the apparatus, for stripping solid material containing at least one volatile organic compound (VOC). The apparatus is provided with a dryer having a heat source to heat the VOC-containing 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 means for combusting the VOC gases (e.g. 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 combustion means preferably can be 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Keating Environmental Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Keating, III, Alvah V. Barron, J. D. Derman, William D. Bradley
  • Patent number: 5207176
    Abstract: A hazardous waste incinerator (100) includes a rotary kiln (120) with a helical flight (250) within. The kiln (120) is fed hazardous waste by either a continuous feed system (164) or a positive feed system (162). The kiln (120) is comprised of six retort sections (202, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210). The combusted waste is separated into ash and recoverable metals. The air flow is counter to the flow of waste through the kiln (120), with exhaust gases vented from the kiln entrance. Fugitive emissions are also contained by shrouds (164, 166) and containment building (160). These exhaust gases pass through the secondary combustor (130) to ensure destruction of any principle organic hazardous constituents. The exhaust gases are then treated in a spray dryer (140) to cool it and neutralize any acidic components. A baghouse (150) then removes any remaining particulate matter before the exhaust exits the stack (156).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: ICI Explosives USA Inc
    Inventors: Robert C. Morhard, Peter J. Astrauskas, Michael E. Weber, Irving H. Tyler, Donald R. Beltz, Mark M. Zaugg, Stanley E. Hill, Charles J. Trom, Johnny R. Isbell, Thomas E. Berty
  • Patent number: RE34298
    Abstract: The invention relates to an afterburner apparatus and an incineration system and methods of waste destruction in primary incineration combustion means and afterburner means which both preferably utilize at least two different oxidizing gases. By varying the ratio of said oxidizing gases, the amount of total oxygen and nitrogen delivered in either means can be dynamically adjusted in accordance with the process requirements. Varying the flows of at least two oxydizing gases and auxiliary fuel in both the primary incinerator and afterburner makes it possible to operate the system under fluctuating waste loading conditions, by controlling temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and heat available for the process as a function of said ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: American Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Gitman, Boris M. Khudenko
  • Patent number: RE34775
    Abstract: A method is shown for producing a lightweight aggregate by treating flyash and sewage sludge. The flyash and sewage sludge are mixed together and then agglomerated into pellets, with or without the use of a binder. The pellets may be coated and then are dried. The dried pellets are introduced into a rotary kiln in a direction that is co-current with the flow of fuel and air through the kiln. The pellets in the kiln will be indurated and will experience complete calcination as well as varying degrees of pyrolizing and sintering. The product of the kiln is a nodular material having a low density but with a hard and porous structure. The product of the kiln is feed to a cooler. The flyash sewage sludge mixture has a significant fuel value that is usable in the kiln. Furthermore, the fuel valve available in the kiln off-gases may be used for drying the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Minergy Corp.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Nechvatal, Glenn A. Heian