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: 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: A process for the decontamination of a solid product polluted by a contaminant which can be vaporized by heating under vacuum, and devices for carrying out such a process, wherein the product is introduced into a heating and evacuating enclosure (3, 37, 72), said product is heated, substantially in bulk, within a given temperature range, a vacuum being created in said enclosure which is sufficient to reduce the pressure of the enclosure below the vaporization threshold of the contaminant within said temperature range, said temperature and reduced pressure conditions in the enclosure are maintained for a sufficient time to vaporize substantially all the contaminant contained in said product, the vaporized contaminant is extracted by sucking the atmosphere out of the enclosure, and said contaminant which has been sucked out is condensed.

Abstract: A circumferential seal system wherein both low differential pressure circumferential seals and high differential pressure circumferential seals are utilized to provide the proper sealing for various wind box plenum zones supplying combustion air to a rotary combustor utilized to effectively burn solid municipal waste and maintain acceptable levels of CO even when there are large swings in the moisture content and heating value of the solid municipal waste.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of 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, non-natural cellulose, and other materials and 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 medical wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other medical wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. The system for collecting and disposing of medical wastes when burned, evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

Abstract: The system (10) for collecting and disposing of medical sharps such as personal use insulin syringes 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, non-natural cellulose, and other materials and 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 medical wastes, and for enhancing the combustion of the medical sharps and other medical wastes when the housing is placed in a furnace. The system for collecting and disposing of medical wastes when burned, evolves no more than trace levels of sulfur or chlorine and yields substantially only biodegradable ash.

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: An improved method and plasma torch incinerator or reactor in which the incinerator uses a rotating, materials-receiving drum or chamber for receiving the hot plasma of a plasma torch. By properly constructing the inner surface of the rotatable drum and by varying the speed of rotation of the drum, waste materials can be effectively spread out over the inner surface of the drum to form a relatively thin layer of waste materials which has a large surface area which can be more quickly heated to the desired high temperature provided by the plasma torch. Moreover, the spreading out of the waste materials can cause them to be recirculated and mixed by periodically reducing the speed of rotation of the drum. The plasma of the plasma torch is not directed toward a stationary part of the drum.

Abstract: Hazardous waste is formed into non-hazardous non-leaching aggregate by introducing particulate noncombustible material into at least one oxidizer beneath the surface of an accumulation of molten noncombustible material. It is preferred that the walls of a portion of the apparatus be comprised of a layer of refractory material containing metal pins over a metal-walled, water-cooled vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heating and drying stone aggregate useful in the production of asphalt, and which also has the ability to incinerate contaminated soil. The apparatus includes a rotary drum dryer for heating and drying the aggregate, and a rotary incinerator for incinerating the soil. The discharge ends of the rotary dryer and incinerator are positioned so as to oppose each other, and a breeching is provided for enclosing and interconnecting the two ends. The breeching includes a diverter gate, so that the incinerated soil may be either added to the heated and dried aggregate, or directed to a separate external stockpile. The incinerator has a refractory lined interior having a plurality of air inlet tuyeres which are spaced along its axial length so as to provide for the staged combustion of the volatilized contaminants in the soil, to thereby result in low NOx emissions.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the use of inexpensive volatile fuels in the calcining zone of a cement kiln during the manufacture of cement clinker in a rotary vessel.

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: An improved debris tolerant seal for a rotary combustor is disposed on the inlet end ring header so as to extend radially inwardly therefrom and cooperates with a parallel spaced apart surface and diverging surface on an adjacent refractory ring to form a seal which will not become jammed with waste materials and allows for radial and axial thermal expansion of the rotary combustor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying solids such as bark, peat, wet coal or the like utilizes waste heat recovered from a rotary kiln. Solids are dried by simultaneously using both the radiation heat of the shell surface of the kiln and the heat of hot flue gases being discharged from the kiln. The solids are dried in a drying space which is defined by the shell surface of the rotary kiln and a jacket surrounding at least part of the shell surface of the kiln. Flue gases from the rotary kiln are passed with solids through the drying space. The kiln may be used for combusting lime.

Abstract: A movable axially oriented air seal for a rotary combustor for burning municipal solid waste wherein the shoe portion of the seal is movable allowing the area over which underfire and overfire air can be supplied to be varied to improve the efficiency of burning the waste irrespective of varying heat value and moisture content of the waste.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatuses, and rotary furnaces for continuously manufacturing charcoal having a carbon content by weight which is greater than 95% of the total weight of carbon and volatile matter. Fragments of vegetable material contained in a hopper are inserted into a rotary furnace, with the transit time of the fragment through the furnace lying in the range 45 minutes to 60 minutes. The temperature in the front zone of the furnace where carbonization takes place is maintained in the range 900.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. The furnace is heated by an axial burner which burns both combustible gases due to pyrolysis of the vegetable matter fragments and a second fuel. The charcoal falls into a hopper, from which it passes through a cooling chamber where it is colled by sprayed jets of water, after which it is extracted by an endless screw extractor. One application of the invention is manufacturing charcoal for making activated charcoal free from inorganic impurities.

Abstract: A rotary kiln system wherein oxidant injection means are positioned at each stationary end and inject oxidant toward each other creating gas recirculation within the rotary kiln for improved mixing, combustion efficiency and temperature uniformity.

Abstract: A watercooled rotary combustor comprising a plurality of pipes or tubes secured together, means mounting the plurality of pipes or tubes for rotation about the axis of the inner surface with the axis being horizontally tilted so as to have a high end and a low end, means for rotating the plurality of pipes or tubes on the mounting, a feeding chute into which burnable waste material can be stacked which opens into the high end of the combustor, the pipes or tubes being interconnected for circulating water flow and having a water input line and a water/steam discharge line, means for circulating water through the lines including a steam drum connected to the discharge line for separating steam from the water, the pipes or tubes being secured so as to define a plurality of intermediate openings so that the inner surface of the combustor is gas porous, and means for delivering controlled amounts of combustion air for burning through selected portions of the porous surface, the improvement comprising, a combustor

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calcining fine grained material in the manufacture of cement clinker wherein material is preheated and partially calcined in a cyclone preheater, further partially calcined by a waste zone wherein waste material such as used tires are burned in an excess of oxygen, completely calcined in a kiln, the exhaust gases from the waste zone and kiln fed to a separate auxiliary burning zone which is supplied only with fuel and utilizes the excess oxygen from the waste zone reducing the presence of CO and the CO surges, and the heat from the burning zone is fed to the preheaters to further precalcine the material.

Abstract: A recycle conduit insulation assembly for use with a helical recycle conduit of a rotary reactor of the type having a rotating, horizontally-oriented, cylindrical chamber for burning materials therein and a quantity of particulate, inorganic material within the chamber for conveying heat energy to material to be burned. The insulation assembly includes a plurality of shell elements, each comprising a cylinder enclosing a portion of the conduit and being arranged in overlapping relation, a plurality of mounting rings, each attached to and extending radially from the conduit and having a T-shape in section for supporting the shell elements at ends thereof, and a pumpable refractory mixture substantially filling the insulating space between the shell elements and conduit.

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.

Abstract: A system for disposing of solid waste which recovers a portion of the energy and materials value of the waste. The system includes a plurality of sealable containers for the solid waste, and a rotary kiln. An air cannon propels the containers into the vessel on a trajectory generally parallel to the axis of the vessel. The kiln is of the type including a cylindrical vessel containing materials to be processed therein. The vessel has first and second longitudinally opposite ends, and rotates about its longitudinal axis. A burner heats gases in the interior of the vessel for processing the material in the vessel. The temperature in the vessel progressively increases from the first end to the second end of the kiln.

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 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 rotary drum dryer includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced flights in each of a plurality of axially spaced flight sections. A radially inwardly directed dam is interposed between each flight section and serves as a pivotal mount for the flights of each section. The dams are provided with arcuate slots having a plurality of detent positions arranged about mounting holes for pins secured to the flights and forming the pivot axis therefor. The angular position of the flights is adjustable by locating bolts on the flights in selected detented positions in the arcuate tracks. The combination of pivotally mounted flights and dams affords more uniform veiling across the drum interior and provides efficient heat transfer to the aggregate from the hot gases of combustion.

Abstract: An improved system for treating waste material in a molten state wherein the waste material in the form of finely pulverized combustible waste material including incombustible material, e.g., pulverized coal, dried sludge derived from sewerage or the like is burnt in a primary combustion furnace and then burnt in a secondary combustion furnace, the incombustible material is molten to form a flow of molten slag and the resultant molten slag is taken to the outside of the system is disclosed. Floatable dust in the combustion waste gas is collected and agglomerated in the atmosphere of a swirling flow having a high temperature enough to keep the incombustible material in a molten state, whereby a flow of molten slag is produced and then it is cooled so as to allow it to be discharged to the outside of the system. The molten slag may flow back by its own gravity weight to the combustion furnace against a counterflow of the waste gas.

Abstract: Waste is combusted by an incinerator and becomes an ash. The ash is transferred to a melting furnace to be melt therein. The ash contains unburned carbon and the melting at the melting furnace is influenced by an amount of the unburned carbon. The amount of unburned carbon largely depends on a gas temperature at an waste inlet of the incinerator and an waste burn-out point in the incinerator. The waste disposal method, using the incinerator and the melting furnace, comprises the steps of detecting the gas temperature at the waste inlet of the incinerator, detecting the burn-out point of waste combustion in the incinerator, controlling a waste transfer speed in the incinerator and controlling a flow rate of air fed into the incinerator such that the detected temperature and burn-out point remain within repsective predetermined ranges, which in turn brings the amount of the unburned carbon remaining in the ash to a desired value, whereby the melting at the melting furnace is controlled to a desired melting.

Abstract: A bar for a rotary grate is of T-section and has an enlarged head and a fin projecting inwardly therefrom. The head is formed with an end face directed outward from the fin and a pair of substantially parallel side faces extending inward obliquely from the end face. The side faces extend at an angle of between 40.degree. and 75.degree., preferably about 60.degree., to the end face. Thus air exiting from inside the roller-grate drum flows obliquely to a radius from the drum-rotation axis. This ensures that even if the material being burned does not form a continuous layer on the surface of the roller, the air will be likely to impinge this material. The fin extends generally centrally from the head and has a centerline that generally bisects the head. The bar has ends formed with blocks projecting to opposite sides of the bar so that blocks of adjacent bars can interfit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging combustible solids through a port in the wall of a rotating kiln into a heated zone of the kiln. The apparatus includes a port closure comprising inner and outer portions which cooperate to define a passage for closure-cooling air flow when the closure is in a port-closed position. A transfer assembly is mounted on the kiln wall in alignment with the port. During kiln rotation combustible solids are loaded from a staging assembly onto the transfer assembly for alignment with the port and delivery into the kiln.

Abstract: Method for disposal of oily refinery sludges containing a hydrocarbon component, a solids component comprising sediments such as sand, silt, rust or scale, and water in an operating rotary kiln comprising a heated, rotating cylinder containing in-process mineral matter comprising analyzing the oily refinery sludge to determine its composition, drying the oily refinery sludge to a bulk granular material having an energy content of at least about 4,000 BTU per pound, and charging the dried bulk granular material to the rotary kiln and burning the bulk granular material therein.

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 a carbonaceous material from outside the gasifier and delivering the carbonaceous material 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.

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: 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 witll 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 value available in the kiln off-gases may be used for drying the materials.

Abstract: A furnace grate roller, mainly for incinerating refuse, with a tubular casing formed by rings of bars separated by blow gaps of set width, is of conventional structure, comprising a cylindrical cage framework with T-shape cross-section longitudinal members disposed along its generatrices and a casing formed of groups of rings separated by gaps for blowing combustion-supporting air. The rings are segmented into arcuate bars which extend between the longitudinal members. To limit relative movement of the bars while allowing them some play the bars are attached at one end by a notch to the flange of a longitudinal member and are secured in place by bosses on an intermediate member bolted longitudinally to the longitudinal member. The bars have recesses at their end contiguous with the intermediate member into which the bosses are inserted. In this way the bars are attached with limited capacity for movement relative to the roller in the axial, radial and peripheral directions.

Abstract: The present invention describes a water retardant material produced by a mixture of earthen clay and 15% to 25% by weight of recycled paper pulp sludge. Paper pulp sludge is incinerated in a rotary kiln, typically a rotary cement kiln asphalt dryer, or fluidized bed incinerator. Paper pulp sludge is fed continuously into said rotary kiln while temperature are maintained in the range of approximately 800.degree. to 3500.degree. F. During incineration, mixing catalysts (typically casein or soy protein) and wood pulp fibers are burned while moisture is evaporated. The resulting incinerated product consists essentially of carbonate particles which are collected for subsequent use. Use of this material as a water retardant covering for landfills is described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the level of material within a rotating cylindrical vessel are disclosed in which a rigid member means on the interior of the rotating vessel is fixedly secured to a rod having a longitudinal axis parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating vessel, and wherein the rod extends through one end wall of the vessle to the exterior at which it is fixedly secured to an indicator means. The rigid member means within the vessel is capable of resting at the top surface of the material within the vessel. As the level of material within the vessel is raised or lowered the rigid member means will rotate, thus causing an equal rotation of the rod and the indicator means on the exterior of the vessel. By monitoring the position of the indicator means, the level of material within the vessel can be determined.

Abstract: This invention describes a process and apparatus for the combustion of wastes, wherein the wastes are combusted in a combustion chamber and the temperature of the combustion chamber is controlled by changing the amount of combustion air as a function of the slag flow rate. The combustion can be carried out substoichiometrically in a reducing atmosphere because of additives which are introduced into the slag in the form of fine dusts. On account of the substoichiometric operation, the requirement for fluid wastes and/or supplemental fuel is drastically reduced, the capacity of the rotary tubular kiln is increased and nitrogen oxides formation is reduced.

Abstract: A roller grate incinerator cooperatively associated with a waste heat boiler, wherein a plurality of cylindrical shaped water cooled roller grates are disposed on an incline to form a undulating water cooled surface upon which a bed waste is laid and burned as the roller grates turn moving the burning waste along the undulating surface, which has a plurality of perforations through which combustion air is supplied to the underside of the bed to facilitate burning of the waste and the flow of hot gases through the waste heat boiler.

Abstract: A watercooled rotary combustor comprising a plurality of pipes or tubes secured together, means mounting the plurality of pipes or tubes for rotation about the axis of the inner surface with the axis being horizontally tilted so as to have a high end and a low end, means for rotating the plurality of pipes or tubes on the mounting, a feeding chute into which burnable waste material can be stacked which opens into the high end of the combustor, the pipes or tubes being interconnected for circulating water flow and having a water input line and a watersteam discharge line, means for circulating water through the lines including a steam drum connected to the discharge line for separating steam from the water, the pipes or tubes being secured so as to define a plurality of intermediate openings so that the inner surface of the combustor is gas porous, and means for delivering controlled amounts of combustion air for burning through selected portions of the porous surface, the improvement comprising, a combustor f

Abstract: An improved method of introducing air into a rotary combustor for burning municipal solid waste in an incinerator, wherein a large amount of air is introduced over the top portion of the combustor adjacent the outlet end thereof to maintain the CO at acceptable low levels in response to a reduction in the amount of oxygen in the flue gas even when varying amounts of high heating value materials are introduced sporadically.

Abstract: An improved system for treating waste material in a molten state wherein the waste material in the form of finely pulverized combustible waste material including incombustible material, e.g., pulverized coal, dried sludge derived from sewerage or the like is burnt in a primary combustion furnace and then burnt in a secondary combustion furnace, the incombustible material is molten to form a flow of molten slag and the resultant molten slag is taken to the outside of the system is disclosed. Floatable dust in the combustion waste gas is collected and agglomerated in the atmosphere of a swirling flow having a high temperature enough to keep the incombustible material in a molten state, whereby a flow of molten slag is produced and then it is cooled so as to allow it to be discharged to the outside of the system. The molten slag may flow back by its own gravity weight to the combustion furnace against a counterflow of the waste gas.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for recycling paper pulp sludge. Paper pulp sludge is incinerated in a rotary kiln, typically a rotary cement kiln, asphalt dryer, or fluidized bed incinerator. Paper pulp sludge is fed continuously into said rotary kiln while temperatures are maintained in the range of approximately 800.degree. to 3500.degree. F. During incineration, mixing catalysts (typicaly casein or soy protein) and wood pulp fibers are burned, while moisture is evaporated. The resulting incinerated product consists essentially of carbonate particles which are collected for subsequent use. Typically, but not exclusively, later use of the resulting product could be as mineral filler binding agents in the manufacture of construction products such as concrete, asphalt and others; or in gravel-based construction operations; or in earthen-fill constructions operations; or in other ways.

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: A method for thermal treatment of human waste has the steps of feeding a predetermined small quantity of human waste into an indirectly heated flash chamber, instantaneously evaporating the human waste with a large capacity of heat in the flash chamber, and decomposing the human waste into a small gaseous water vapor and a residue of human waste.

Abstract: An improved method and plasma torch incinerator or reactor in which the incinerator uses a rotating, materials-receiving drum or chamber for receiving the hot plasma of a plasma torch. By properly constructing the inner surface of the rotatable drum and by varying the speed of rotation of the drum, waste materials can be effectively spread out over the inner surface of the drum to form a relatively thin layer of waste materials which has a large surface area which can be more quickly heated to the desired high temperatures provided by the plasma torch. Moreover, the spreading out of the waste materials can cause them to be recirculated and mixed by periodically reducing the speed of rotation of the drum. The plasma of the plasma torch is not directed toward a stationary part of the drum.

Abstract: A method and device for incinerating hazardous waste, having a first rotating section for transporting hazardous waste within the device, the first rotating section having a forward opening at a first end thereof for introducing hazardous waste into the device and an exit opening at a second end thereof, a second rotating section for further transporting hazardous waste within the device, the second rotating section having a forward opening at a first end thereof and an exit opening at a second end thereof, wherein the exit opening of the first rotating section is in flow communication with the forward opening of the second rotating section, first burning means for heating and at least partially volatizing hazardous waste in the first rotating section, second burning means for increasing the temperature of solid residue in at least one additional rotating section to further convert the hazardous waste into decontaminated solid ash and flue gas, means for collecting the decontaminated residue, solid ash from t

Abstract: In a method and a plant for the combustion of special waste, a combustion chamber is connected downstream of a tubular revolving furnace which receives waste to be burnt. A part of the special refuse, particularly gaseous and liquid refuse is introduced into the combustion chamber and is burnt therein by a burner. A revolving tube of the revolving furnace opens into a lower conically downwardly tapering area of the combustion chamber which is constructed as an upright tube. The flue gases produced in the tubular revolving furnace flow from the bottom of the top of the combustion chamber together with the flue gases produced in the combustion chamber. Secondary air is also introduced into the combustion chamber so that there is ensured an extremely good, complete burning up of the waste to the end of the combustion chamber. Due to the fact that part of the special waste is burnt-out in the combustion chamber, the dimensions of the tubular revolving furnace can be reduced.

Abstract: A scraper for an axial seal on a rotary combustor of a municipal solid waste incinerator comprising a plurality of short scraper blades having a tapered leading cutting edge attached to alternating radially disposed seal support bars attached to combustor tubes to remove aluminum and other built up material from axial seal shoes to extend the effective life of the axial seals.