Abstract: Apparatus and process for incinerating waste and reclaiming resources, particularly ferrous metals, galss, and aluminum, in separate output streams. The incinerator itself can use combustion draft air as a medium for separating lighter and heavier fractions of the burned material in the incinerator. The combustion zone of the incinerator is defined by a foraminated cylindrical wall which is rotated to distribute the incinerating materials and separate burned waste from the combustion zone.The incinerator can be cooled by a eutectic liquid metal coolant. The use of this coolant allows the heat exhange surfaces of the incinerator to be quite thin for greater economy, as such fluids, particularly a eutectic mixture of sodium and potassium, do not vaporize at atmospheric pressure over a wide working temperature also disclosed, as is improved means for separating aluminum rich and glass rich fractions from the heavier fraction of burned waste separated in the incinerator.

Abstract: Toxic and hazardous organic materials are photochemically and thermally changed into innocuous and environmentally acceptable products through the proper application of solar energy. The present invention is especially well-suited for the destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) which are resistant to conventional incineration The method and apparatus described herein are also capable of handling liquids, solids or vapors, with only minor operating modifications.

Abstract: An incineration system includes a rotary drum incinerator unit having a primary oxidation chamber and a secondary oxidation chamber for receiving gases of combustion from said primary chamber. The secondary chamber has a plurality of coaxially arranged walls which define a torturous reversing spiral flow path for gases of combustion passing through said secondary chamber whereby to effect substantial retention time and cyclonic separation of particulate matter from the gases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heating boiler operating on solid, comparatively finely divided fuel, such as chips or peat, and which is used to produce hot water or steam. The boiler comprises a furnace, in which the grate consists of a shell-like burning basket, which can be placed in rotary motion about its substantially horizontal axis. The rotating of the burning basket may be arranged by connecting to the basket a tubular arm provided with a gear wheel and which is connected to a motor placed outside the boiler. The arm then simultaneously serves as duct through which the fuel is introduced into the burning basket. The purpose of the rotating burning basket is to boost the combustion reaction so that comparatively wet fuel can be used in the boiler. The combustion may furthermore be boosted by placing the burning basket in the furnace in a housing having as its extension a cyclone constituting a helical exhaust duct for the flue gases, which sets the gases at high temperature into strongly turbulent motion.

Abstract: A process is provided for burning refuse containing polyvinyl chloride without the consequent production of phosgene. The refuse is carbonized in a rotary furnace at temperatures below 1200 degrees F., especially 700 degrees F., in an oxygen deficient atmosphere. A burnable gas containing the carbonized refuse is drawn from the furnace by an air jet wherein same is mixed with oxygen and selectively combusted. Uncarbonized refuse is collected and withdrawn after exiting the furnace. An apparatus is provided for combustion of the refuse in the nonphosgene generating process and includes the rotary furnace. Special seals are provided for the furnace to prevent excess oxygen from entering thereinto. In particular, the seals are utilized between the rotary ends of the furnace and stationary head associated with each end respectively.

Abstract: An incineration system for processing solid, semi-solid waste material and sludge includes an incinerator unit which has a horizontally disposed rotary primary oxidation chamber and a generally vertically disposed secondary oxidation chamber which receives gaseous products of combustion from the primary chamber. Baffles within the secondary chamber provide a tortuous gas flow path through the secondary chamber. Gaseous emissions from the incinerator unit pass through a heat recovery boiler, a baghouse and a scrubber tower before being discharged to atmosphere. A control system controls rotation of the primary oxidation chamber and an auger/shredder which feeds waste material to be burned into the primary oxidation chamber. The control system may include a programmable computer for modifying the control functions in response to programmed data relating to the characteristics of material processed in the incineration system.

Abstract: Tubular cylindrical rotary furnace for incinerating refuse and the like, equipped at the inner periphery with grid-shaped means (5) inclined towards the inside and in the direction of the cylinder (1) angular feed; each of said grid-shaped means is supported by radial support bars (7) that are radially extractable from the furnace cylindrical shell.

Abstract: In a procedure and an installation for the incinerating of sludge, predried sludge is dried to residual moisture by the addition of heat in a first processing step and then pyrolized by the continued addition of heat and the exclusion of air in a second processing step, with the pyrolysis gas obtained being used at least partially to generate the hot fumes required for heat input. To incinerate sludge in a way which is compatible with the environment, saves energy and is inexpensive, the predried sludge is carried co-current with the hot fumes in the first processing step and the so-dried sludge is then, in the second step, carried in countercurrent flow to those same fumes.

Abstract: A rotatable drum is equipped at a front end with a burner for liquid waste materials and at a rear end has a tiltable charging mechanism for solid waste materials and waste materials stored in barrels. The rear end of the drum is sealed by a fixed casing enveloping the charging mechanism. Adjacent that end there is a gas outlet projecting through a dome-like gas inlet connection of a fixed secondary combustion chamber. The drum shell is stepped such that a refractory lining of the semicylindrical lower drum part cooled by means of water spray nozzles is thinner than a refractory brick material of the semicylindrical drum upper part by an amount equal to the depth of the drum step. Due to rotationally reciprocating or rocking movement of the drum, the waste materials undergo pyrolysis, the pyrolysis gases flowing through a gas outlet into the secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for pyrolyzing waste materials and recovering useful chemical and energy rich materials therefrom. The apparatus of the invention comprises a specially designed, rotatable pyrolysis chamber and a cooperating rotatable moisture reduction chamber which pretreats the refuse prior to its introduction into the pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolysis chamber and the moisture reduction chamber are uniquely interconnected so that a portion of the heat of combustion of the refuse is taken from the pyrolysis chamber and controllably introduced into the moisture reduction chamber to reduce the moisture content of the refuse which is continuously received therein. The outlet of the moisture reduction chamber is interconnected with the inlet of the pyrolysis chamber so that, in operation, the refuse received into the pyrolysis chamber is controllably pre-dried prior to pyrolysis.

Abstract: A process is provided for burning refuse containing polyvinyl chloride without the consequent production of phosgene. The refuse is carbonized in a rotary furnace at temperatures below 1200.degree. F., especially 700.degree. F., in an oxygen deficient atmosphere. A burnable gas containing the carbonized refuse is drawn from the furnace by an air jet wherein same is mixed with oxygen and selectively combusted. Uncarbonized refuse is collected and withdrawn after exiting the furnace. An apparatus is provided for combustion of the refuse in the nonphosgene generating process and includes the rotary furnace. Special seals are provided for the furnace to prevent excess oxygen from entering thereinto. In particular, the seals are utilized between the rotary ends of the furnace and stationary head associated with each end respectively.

Abstract: A loading method and loading device for feeding waste-filled containers into a rotary incinerator, wherein open topped containers are filled with liquid, pasty, or solid waste materials and are fed sequentially using a reciprocating ram via a slide onto a loading and dumping platform. This loading and dumping platform projects from the stationary incinerator inside wall into the drum of the rotary incinerator. Each container placed on the loading and dumping platform is allowed to stand for one loading time interval during which a portion of the combustible volatile components of the waste contents is gasified and burned by the heat radiating from the fire in the drum. After this initial combustion, the reciprocating ram feeds the next container in sequence onto the loading and dumping platform and, at the same time, tips the first container off the platform into the drum. The combustible waste residue of this tipped container spreads out on the lower wall of the drum and burns, releasing further heat.

Abstract: The emission of halogens and sulfur dioxide and the formation of water-soluble compounds of heavy metals are suppressed in the pyrolysis of waste in a carbonization zone at a temperature in the range from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C. by adding a fine-grained basic material to the waste prior to completion of the pyrolysis of the waste in the carbonization zone.

Abstract: An improved method for pyrolyzing waste materials and recovering useful chemical and energy rich materials therefrom. The apparatus of the invention includes a specially designed, rotatable combustion chamber and embodies a highly novel means for withdrawing a portion of the combustion gases generated by the pyrolysis of the waste materials, mixing these gases with preheated air in carefully controlled proportions and then using the highly combustible gaseous mixture thus formed to sustain pyrolysis within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for preheating a rotatable fluidizable bed (106) comprises rotating the bed chamber (112) slowly to cause the particles (114) to slowly tumble and mix. During tumbling, one or more burners (150, 160) extending into the chamber (112), heat the particles (114) until the desired operating or ignition temperature is reached. Temperature sensors (170) in thermal communication with the bed particles (114) sense the temperature and provide either an indication thereof or an initiating signal which, in the case of a rotating fluidized bed combustor (10), terminates preheating, accelerates the bed chamber (112) rotation to normal combustor (10) operating speed and/or introduces fluidizing air and/or fuel flow through the bed chamber (112).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00929 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 1, 1979 Sec. 102(e) date Nov. 1, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 1, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/01295 PCT Pub. Date May 14, 1981A rotating fluidized bed gasifier system especially useful in compound engines comprising an annular fluidization chamber containing a bed of carbon containing pulverulent solid materials. The chamber, which is defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial, cylindrical, perforated walls, rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. Steam enters the bed, which is maintained at about 1800.degree. F., through the outer perforated wall and fluidizes the particles. The steam reacts endothermically with the carbon to produce reaction product gas which exits the bed, together with unreacted steam, through the inner perforated wall. In a preferred form of the invention the bed is maintained at approximately 1800.degree. F. by combining a rotating fluidized bed combustor with the gasifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for carbonizing an agricultural product utilizes a horizontally rotatable cylindrical vessel in which a pair of helical barriers are used to cause hot gases and combustion air to turbulate in a vortex about a central support member to cause various volatile constituents and organic matter of the agricultural product to evolve leaving the carbon constituents remaining on the skeletal silica through controlled burning at a temperature below the fusion point of the skeletal silica of the agricultural product.

Abstract: A process for treating an agricultural product having a high silica content utilizes the steps of supplying hot gases and combustion air to a combustion zone, dispersing the agricultural product in the hot gases and combustion air for controlled burning thereof and then arresting the combustion process after evolution of the volatile constituents and organic matter and prior to oxidation of the carbon constituents remaining in the agricultural product.

Abstract: The rotary combustion bed has a rotary drum with a permeable refractory lining through which air is blown during rotation of the drum and cascading of a charge of material in the drum. The air blown into the drum can be controlled to blow through various angular sections of the drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to an incinerator for crematories, including a combustion chamber provided with charge inlet, flue gas outlet, supply means for combustion air, heat supply means and ash outlet. The novelty resides in the fact that the combustion chamber is placed in a unit which is movable, between two positions, relative to at least one stationary end wall in which the charge inlet and the flue gas outlet are provided, and is divided into at least two compartments which communicate with each other at some distance from the flue gas outlet and are adapted to be positioned, one at a time, at respectively the charge inlet and the flue gas outlet. The heat supply means works in the compartment present at the charge inlet at just that moment, and the combustion gases from said compartment will pass the other compartment on their way towards the flue gas outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed conveyor for lime sludge to a lime kiln and, respectively, of cement to a cement kiln. The conveyor, which has the form of a screw conveyor, is characterized in that its housing is cooled by a cooling liquid so that a condensate film is formed on the inside of the housing.

Abstract: A thermal reductor system is provided with a rotary ignition chamber having an input end, a discharge end of enlarged size relative to the input end and an inside chamber wall having a configuration for promoting natural flow of gases, smoke and ash discharge from the input end to the discharge end. To limit discharge of solid residue to a maximum predetermined size, the discharge end of the chamber is provided with a restricted ash exit. So that the ignition chamber is particularly suited for disposing of liquid wastes in a compact chamber construction, the inside chamber wall has a restriction intermediate the input and discharge ends of the chamber defining a barrier to liquid flow. An exhaust duct is provided for the passage of gases and smoke from the ignition chamber.

Abstract: A freely oscillating moving element (12-14-16), according to a radial axis with respect to the furnace wall (1) and having an inner appendix (12) deviated from the axis and with an outer counter-weight (16), can oscillate between two angular positions defined by pawls, towards the first of such positions said moving element is cyclically moved during the moving element lowering trajectory with the rotation of the furnace while towards the second angular position said moving element is cyclically moved during the moving element raising trajectory with the furnace rotation; said moving element can reach said second position only when the inner appendix (12) emerges from the material contained in the furnace.

Abstract: Moist combustible matter is burned in a combustion zone following a drying treatment in which the combustible matter is brought into contact with hot, inert particulates circulated from the combustion zone. The water in the combustible matter is evaporated at a relatively low temperature in the drying zone, thereby conserving heat in the system. The exhaust gas stream from the drying zone is handled separately from the reactor exhaust gases to condense the water vapor therein, the water is removed from the process and the remaining gas is subjected to odor-destroying high temperature.

Abstract: A rotary kiln or combustor having a plurality of water cooled pipes secured together to define a cylinder in which material is burned. The cylinder slowly rotates about its axis, and the pipes are secured together so as to define a plurality of intermediate openings making the cylinder gas porous and through which combustion air is introduced. The improvement comprises providing a plurality of pins, secured directly to the pipes on the inside of the cylinder, that create a pattern of projections to support burning material slightly spaced from the inner cylinder wall.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for pyrolyzing waste materials and recovering useful chemical and energy rich materials therefrom. The apparatus of the invention includes a specially designed, rotatable combustion chamber and embodies a highly novel means for withdrawing a portion of the combustion gases generated by the pyrolysis of the waste materials, mixing these gases with preheated air in carefully controlled proportions and then using the highly combustible gaseous mixture thus formed to sustain pyrolysis within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for the production of heat comprises composting solid organic waste, preferably in admixture with sewage sludge, and burning the composted waste, for example in a kiln for calcining an inorganic calcinable material. The composted waste preferably has a water content of less than 20% by weight, more preferably from 10 to 20% by weight. The organic waste is preferably composted in a rotating drum preferably for an average residence time of from 12 to 48 hours. The invention also provides a method for producing a fuel by composting a solid organic waste as described above and the fuel produced thereby. The composting is suitably carried out in a rotating drum having festoon chains arranged therein to serve as mixing lifters or flights.

Abstract: After the fly ash is removed from the flue gases by a separator, it is introduced into a combustion chamber which may be either the primary combustion chamber of the furnace or a separate chamber in a secondary combustion chamber. There, it is burned until only the liquid slag remains and then removed, along with the other liquid slag formed in the furnace by the primary combustion process. Various methods and apparatus are described for carrying out the introduction of the fly ash into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system for the combustion of moist ligneous and other wastes, such as sawdust and compacted household rubbish in order to generate heat. The system includes a crusher-extractor to divide the waste matter entrained in an air stream to produce a fuel mixture that is fed into one input of an exchanger-separator whose output supplies a pyrolytic burner coupled to a boiler. The hot fumes from the boiler are fed back into the other input of the exchanger-separator which serves to mix fresh divided waste with residue or unburned waste extracted from the fumes, and to separate the waste material to be consumed in the burner from the hot gas and moisture.

Abstract: A rotary drum for treating, especially upgrading, waste material, which includes a cylindrical mantle with an inlet and an outlet respectively provided at opposite ends of the drum and which is provided with annular guides for supporting the drum on stationary supports. The inner wall of the drum is made of concrete.

Abstract: A process and system to dry wet sewage sludge with hot sand and to burn the dried sludge. The sand is heated in a sand heater by burning dried sludge, and the hot sand is transferred to a sludge dryer. Wet sludge is mixed with the hot sand in the sludge dryer and thereby moisture is driven off. The dried sludge and sand are separated, and the sand returned to a sand heater while the dried sludge is burned to heat the sand.

Abstract: An incinerator or dryer for sewage sludge and the like includes a horizontal rotating combustion chamber with a protruding internal helical conveyor. The wet sludge enters at one end and dry ash is discharged from the other end. Heat scavenging devices include lengths of chain having ends which are secured to the helical conveyor. These chains dip into the wet sludge when the drum rotates. As the drum rotates further, the chains move to a hanging position exposing the wet sludge to the combustion gas stream which flows through the drum. The dry ash lies in the bottom of the drum and is transported by the helical conveyor to an ash wheel at the opposite end of the drum. This wheel separates the ash from the combustion gases by rotating a series of ash holding plates which pick up the ash at the bottom of the drum and discharge it at the top of the rotation of the ash wheel.

Abstract: Temperature control is often a problem in direct-fired rotary kilns for the pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials wherein at least part of the thermal energy for pyrolysis is obtained by in situ combustion of the pyrolysis gases. The present process and apparatus provides a means by which temperature control, and particularly reduction in intensity of the fireball at the burner end of the kiln and/or moving the fireball away from the burner hood. This is accomplished by (1) controlling the velocity of any burner gases and the velocity of the in situ air (or other oxygen-containing gas) and (2) the distribution of the in situ air at the burner end of the kiln, such that a Craya-Curtet number of at least 0.2, and preferably at least 0.4, is obtained.

Abstract: The ends of refractory-lined rotary kilns are often subjected to such intense heat flux that the steel shell of the kiln at either or both ends is subjected to substantial thermal expansion in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions, resulting in premature cracking and failure of the refractory. The present apparatus is a rotary kiln wherein either or both ends of the steel shell thereof are provided with a plurality of substantially longitudinal slots which accommodate circumferential expansion and the refractory is affixed to the steel shell at such end(s) with sliding anchors to accommodate longitudinal expansion.