Abstract: A waste recycling system which separates the reusable components within waste such as tires by incomplete burning followed by a series of separation steps. The incomplete burning is carried out within a chamber having at least two hollow perforated rollers on which the waste is supported. The tires are ignited and caused to smolder within the chamber, allowing gaseous and vapor by-products to be released and travel downward into the rollers. Inorganic solid matter remaining from the combustion process continuously falls between the slowly rotating rollers into a removal bin or conveyor. The gaseous combustion by-products are directed through an oil bath filter having a mesh on which sprayers apply a cooling oil mist to capture the oil vapor. The remaining hydrocarbon emissions are burned incompletely, and the resulting carbon black within the effluent filtered out. The effluent is then completely combusted generating heat and then scrubbed to emit a relatively clean gaseous discharge.

Abstract: A device for improved burning of bio-mass fuels such as corn wherein the fuel is supported within a fixed combustion chamber upon a continuous track which continuously intermittently moves such that as the fuel is consumed the ash produced thereby is continuously removed from the combustion chamber while new fuel is continuously added thereto so as to greatly increase the operational cycle of the device.

Abstract: A bio-mass burner construction for alternate fuels at temperatures from about 1,800 degrees F. to about 2,800 degrees F. to replace oil and gas burners. The burner utilizes a first burning chamber having a falling fuel, entrained bed zone positioned above a traveling grate having a porous metallic woven belt. Primary air is directed through the porous belt to establish an oxygen-starved first burning chamber. A second burning chamber in fluid communication with the first burning chamber, but having a restricted diameter, effectively provides a hot air gas nozzle. The second burning chamber receives a superheated secondary air source from cored apertures in interfitting refractory block members which provide a refractory lining for a portion of the first burning chamber and receive heat from the first burning chamber to heat the secondary air.

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.

Abstract: A sludge drying apparatus (10) including a housing through which air is recirculated wherein makeup air forms an air curtain assuring recirculation of heated air. The housing (12) includes a receiving station (14) in which sludge (20) is deposited on a conveyor belt (18). The conveyor belt (18) moves the sludge (20) to a drying station (16) where infrared heaters (42) radiate infrared heat on the sludge. Air for drying the sludge circulates from a fan plenum (28) to an air supply plenum (24). Air from the air supply plenum (24) passes across the face of the infrared heaters (42), and is directed downwardly toward the sludge (20) in a belt passageway (30). Air is returned through a return air plenum (26) located below the belt passageway (30). Part of the air received by the return air plenum (26) is ported directly from the belt passageway (30) to the return air plenum (26).

Abstract: A distillation type incinerator generates gas containing much combustible gas owing to restricted air introduction at feeding the combustible matters thereto and minimum necessary supply of air for combustion and dry distillation, and generates residue which contains less unburned matters and can be taken out in lumps, so as to reduce the amount of waste and facilitate the recycle of useful metals.

Abstract: An incinerator for combustion of general refuse and industrial wastes having a pair of ash discharge plates and a pair of refuse supporting plates. The ash discharge plates are disposed at the bottom of a furnace in such a manner that it can be freely opened and closed for timely discharge of ashes that accumulate on the bottom. The refuse supporting plates are disposed at a lower level of the furnace in such a manner that it can be freely displaced in a horizontal direction out of and into the furnace projecting into an upper layer of the piled up ashes at the time of discharge of ashes by the ash discharge plates to support the refuse and ashes disposed thereabove.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of burning trash containing aluminum in a furnace having a moving grate and inclined trays. The grate has an upper and lower part. The inclined trays are provided with one or more inclined plates. The inclined plates are supported on the trays below the upper part of the grate and above the lower part of the grate. Ash and molten aluminum falls through the upper part of the grate, onto the inclined plates, the ash slides off the plates and the aluminum remains on the plates. The plates have holes therethrough to allow air flow for combustion. Some blockage of the holes by aluminum will result over time, but not enough to significantly restrict the flow of combustion air to the combustion area. The trays are removed through the side walls of the furnace for removal of the aluminum when necessary.

Abstract: A vertical incinerator for burning general refuses and industrial wastes which comprises a plurality of sets of grates disposed at different levels within a furnace to divide the furnace into a plurality of combustion chambers in such a manner that the refuse charged into a top portion of the furnace is burnt as it is successively allowed to move downward to become ashes which are withdrawal from the bottom of the furnace.

Abstract: Burner having two coaxially mounted tubes (3,4). The outer tube (3) is provided with means to introduce both air and particulate matter in the space between both tubes. For conveying of solid matter between both tubes screw conveyor means (5) are provided. Transferring of gasses resulting from gasification of the solid material to the inner space of the inner tube 4 is provided by opening (15).

Abstract: A movable grate comprising a number of grate steps which are arranged adjacent each other, partly overlap one another and are pivotable around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of said grate step, and which are pivotably mounted outside shield members (7, 10) which in lateral direction enclose a combustion chamber, end plates (5) being rigidly secured to the ends of the grate steps and swingable therewith, the end plates being aligned with and fitted in openings in the shield members. The novel matter of the invention resides in that portions (10) of the shield members having such openings aligned with the end plates (5), are displaceably mounted relative to adjoining shield members (7) in the direction of the grate step axis, and that the shield portions (10) which outwardly sealingly engage adjoining shield members (7) and inwardly sealingly engage the end plates (5), are in the direction of said axis rigidly secured to the grate step shaft.

Abstract: A stationary, stepped, downwardly inclined incinerator grate assembly includes independent combustion control at each step through the provision of laterally disposed, perforated support tubes each joined to an inclined grate plate, likewise having openings therethrough. Valve devices associated with each support tube allow control of the volume of a mix gas which impinges upon a deposit of a feed material on the grate plates while damper elements in plenum chambers communicating with the apertured grate plates are controllable to regulate the admission of combustion air to the feed material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tunnel type garbage incinerator, which is characterized that the garbages are first classified into combustible and incombustible materials, then the combustible materials are loaded on a bogie and fed into the incinerating tunnel for incineration, the fore section of the incinerating tunnel is used for drying combustible materials, the middle section of the incinerating tunnel is used for the bleast incineration of the combustible material, the aft section of the incinerating tunnel is used for the cooling and output port of the incinerated materials or ashes. In which, the incinerating tunnel is furnished with blowers, flame igniting device, smoke processing device, and through proper arrangement of the components, the garbages can be completely combusted with minimal fuel oil consumption, furthermore, since the smoke is filtered before it is expelled, it does not produce air pollution.

Abstract: A stoker comprising a housing defining first, second and third plenum chambers, a grate unit disposed at an upper end of each plenum chamber, a first residue removal means disposed at a lower end of the first plenum chamber, a second residue removal means disposed at a lower end of the second plenum chamber for receiving residue from the first residue removal means and a third residue removal means disposed at a lower end of the third plenum chamber for receiving residue from the second residue removal means.

Abstract: A stoker consisting of a support frame, a stationary assembly of longitudinally spaced sets of grates mounted on the support frame, a first movable assembly of longitudinally spaced sets of grates mounted on the support frame, the first movable assembly having first and second pluralities of grate sets, the first plurality of grate sets being disposed in a first set of alternate spaces between sets of grates of the stationary assembly, the second plurality of grate sets being disposed in successive spaces between sets of grates of the stationary assembly, a second movable assembly of longitudinally spaced sets of grates mounted on the support frame, the sets of grates of the second movable assembly being disposed in a second set of alternate spaces between sets of grates of the stationary assembly, and means for reciprocating the first and second movable assemblies.

Abstract: An incinerator having a funnel shaped burning chamber within a firebox with the chamber being formed of water pipes connected to a water circulation system including a steam chest. The chamber is rotated about its axis which is inclined so that the lower conical portion of the chamber is horizontal. Material for burning is driven up the cylindrical portion of the chamber, and combustion air is forced through a nozzle into the open conical portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A mobile hazardous waste treatment facility (10) is provided for transfer to a remote treatment site where it can be rapidly assembled and disassembled. A primary combustion chamber (20) is placed on a trailer and support section (74). A secondary combustion chamber (24) and a scrubber section (37) are also placed on trailers (119, 127 and 196). Each trailer (74, 119, 127 and 196) is provided with three sets of hydraulic jacks for leveling and lowering the appropriate piece of equipment to jack stands on a concrete slab.

Abstract: A process for preparing a feed gas, for a thermolytic detoxification reactor or other processing units, utilizing an autoclave is described. A container of liquid waste is placed in an inerted and atmospherically sealed enclosure and hot gaseous effluent from the reactor is introduced to the interior of the enclosure outside the container to heat the liquid waste. The hot gaseous effluent is recirculated from the enclosure to the interior of the container to mix with the gaseous contents thereof. Gas is conducted from the interior of the container to the reactor as feed gas. The autoclave can also be fed by a pumped liquid waste stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating sludge from a paint spray booth operation. The sludge from the spray booth is deposited onto a porous belt of a conveyor system to allow the water to pass through the belt where it is collected for discharge from the apparatus. The remaining residue is passed over a vacuum device positioned beneath the belt and is then carried by the belt through an oven comprising a series of infrared thermal reactors arranged in serial fashion over the belt. The sludge is passed continuously beneath the infrared reactors and is dried thereby so that the sludge leaving the apparatus is in a dried particulate form which may be readily disposed of and/or solid. Convection air is recirculated through the apparatus to preheat the incoming sludge, remove smoke and other contaminants from the oven, and provide the desired pressure condition within the oven to optimize the efficiency of the thermal reactors.

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

Abstract: System and method for burning wood and other fuel materials in a substantially smokeless manner. The fuel material is fed to the inlet end of an inverse pile burning chamber through an air lock chamber having inlet and outlet gates to prevent smoke from escaping from the inlet end of the burning chamber. The burning chamber is inclined in a downward direction from its inlet end to its outlet end, and the angle of inclination can be adjusted to facilitate the passage of different types of fuel material through the burning chamber. Combustion gases from the burning chamber are utilized for drying the fuel material before the material is delivered to burning chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in processing waste materials of various kinds and for reclaiming useable by-product materials from the pyrolized waste materials. The waste materials to be pyrolized are efficiently dehydrated prior to their introduction into the pyrolysis retort using microwaves generated by a large microwave generator. After the waste material is dried, initial ignition is accomplished using a very high intensity laser beam. Laser ignition is continued until sufficient methane and other volatile gases are produced for burning in a burner unit to sustain the pyrolysis reaction.

Abstract: A first stage, sub-stoichiometric reaction chamber (12) reacts a carbon-based fuel with an oxygen-carrying gas to produce a combustible gas, heat, and residual ash. A rectangular grate (B) supports a fuel pile (34) in the reaction chamber. A fuel supply (20) continuously supplies the carbon-based fuel from overhead in sufficient quantity to maintain the desired pile configuration with minimum particle entrainment in the generated gas. A fabric chute (36) may be provided to further limit particulate entrainment in the generated combustible gas. A temperature sensor (78) monitors temperature at the grate or another preselected reaction condition. When the preselected condition is sensed, the grates are reciprocated to step residual ash to an ash removal conveyor (74). Nozzles (82) combust a portion of the generated gas to inhibit condensation of vaporized constituents. A second stage, combustion chamber (C) completely combusts the generated gas to derive useful work therefrom.

Abstract: A combustion barrel used in a rotary combustor is constructed of cooling pipes joined by perforated webs to form a generally cylindrical side wall. Water-cooled baffle pipes are attached to the interior of the generally cylindrical side wall at widely spaced intervals. The baffle pipes and cooling pipes are coupled at an exit end of the combustion barrel to a ring header which in turn is coupled to heat exchanging equipment. The ring header supplies low-energy coolant from the heat exchanger to the cooling and baffle pipes and discharges high-energy coolant from the cooling and baffle pipes to the heat exchanging equipment. At an input end of the combustion barrel, the cooling and baffle pipes are coupled to U-tubes or a return header for returning the coolant to the ring header. Solid material is supplied at the input end of the combustion barrel for incineration. The combustion barrel is slowly rotated as the solid material is transported to the exit end of the barrel.

Abstract: A rotary combustor formed of water cooled tubes in an inclined cylindrical array with the lower portion being conical so as to reduce the incline at the lower end. The combustor extends into the cooperating furnace, and is formed with openings between the tubes that increase in size toward the lower end.

Abstract: A system for pyrolysis and combustion of combustible solid material, such as waste, which comprises a pyrolysis chamber having a series of spaced vertically disposed movable grates, forming a plurality of stages in the pyrolysis chamber and permitting downward movement of solid feed material at a controlled rate countercurrent to the upward flow of hot gaseous products, the movable grates being synchronized for successive actuation whereby the charge of feed material is successively passed through each of the stages to the bottom of the pyrolysis chamber. Inlet lines are provided for introducing air into each of such stages and into the bottom of the pyrolysis chamber.

Abstract: A system wherein the contaminated cuttings are fed into the system for eventual incineration. The principal apparatus of the system comprises a plurality, preferrably three, of horizontally disposed cylindrical drying chambers mounted onto a skid for receiving contaminated cuttings into each separate chamber. There is provided on the first end of the chambers a receiving bin or hopper, wherein the cuttings are received from the shakers or the like into the bin, and dropped into an opening in the first end of the three chambers. Each chamber is provided with a seperate variable motor controlled auger disposed substantially throughout the length of the chamber wherein rotation of the auger would move the cuttings along the length of the interior of the chamber. The second end of each chamber is provided with a lower exit chute for removal of the cuttings from the chamber as the auger has moved into position.

Abstract: A system for reacting solid particles flowing under gravity through a thin walled enclosure has at least one fluid flowing through the enclosure in a counter-current to the flow of the solid particles. The feeding of the solid particles into the enclosure and the discharging therefrom of the converted ash particles may be adjusted. A particle bed is controlled by feeding the fluid into the enclosure so that it has to go through a substantial part of the bed thickness. The enclosure is vibrated to obtain a vibrated particle bed, with the vibrations being directed along a direction which lies at substantially a right angle to the vertical.

Abstract: A refuse fuel burning boiler system incorporating a unique tuyere construction wherein the tuyere plates associated with the conveyor-like stoker grate are hingedly mounted to permit the passage of any hard deposits of metal or glass contaminates which form upon the grate during incineration of the refuse fuel. The tuyere plates and support structure are designed for relatively easy retrofit into an existing conventionally designed refuse burning boiler or be incorporated into a new boiler construction. Vertical pivoting of the tuyere plates is limited by hold-down members installed between adjacent plates. These members further function to fix the lateral position of each plate and form the top of an enclosure over the recess in the support wall in which the plates are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: A solid fuel furnace having an oscillating grate plate solid fuel burner therein wherein the grate plates are in a stepped arrangement and every other plate moves together, in an opposite direction from the adjacent plates so that the solid fuel is kept moving down the step grate positively. Additionally, the solid fuel burner is mounted in a furnace housing which is designed to utilize the hot combustion gases to preheat incoming or makeup air for a blower used for supply air flow for heating. Baffles are used to provide a substantially elongated path for the combustion gases to ensure adequate heat exchange in a compact space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dehydrating a metal hydroxide sludge, including depositing the concentrated metal hydroxide sludge containing approximately 60-80% water into a feed hopper, breaking up the concentrated sludge with rotary beaters and preferably a rotary breaker bar, then transferring the broken sludge through a feed auger to an elongated dehydrater chamber in which the sludge is conveyed longitudinally along the dehydrater chamber by a dryer auger continuously in contact with a longitudinally flowing hot gas. The moisture-laden hot gas is exhausted from the outlet end of the dehydrater chamber while the dryed sludge is deposited through a discharge port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing pollutant emissions, and in particular, for reducing NO.sub.x and particulate emissions, from spreader-stoker-fired furnaces. A combustible material is introduced into the spreader-stoker-fired furnace and combusted while the stoichiometric ratio of oxygen to combustible material in different regions of the furnace is carefully controlled. Control of the stoichiometric ratio is accomplished by controlling the amount of air injected into different regions of the furnace and by controlling the amount of smaller particles of combustible material or fines introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding waste tire chips to an incinerator comprises a chip container having a front wall, a rear wall and an outlet at the lower end of the front wall, and a screw feeder having a shaftless helical screw blade provided at an inner bottom portion of the container. The screw blade has one end supported by a first bearing provided on the rear wall of the container and the other end projecting from the outlet of the container. The other end of the screw blade is supported by a second bearing disposed outside the container outlet. Waste tire chips can be fed to the incinerator stably at all times.

Abstract: A system for removal of tramp or trash material from a single fluidized bed contained within a single vessel used to incinerate or pyrolyze solid fuel, the system comprises a gently sloped, skewed or serpentine stationary bed support and air distributor structure which distributes air in a fashion so as to uniformly fluidize a shallow bed of variable depth across the slope thereof without internally circulating the bed, and at the same time cause non-combustible tramp or trash material (e.g. pieces of steel, rocks, clumps, etc.), to be removed from the bed without passing to a location either above or beneath the bed. The angle of slope is strictly controlled. During periods of non-fluidization and/or non-use, the bed material is kept from falling into the air distribution plenum below the bed support structure by hollow bed containment structure disposed at sites below the bed support structure.

Abstract: A system for removal of tramp or trash material from a single fluidized bed contained within a single vessel used to incinerate or pyrolyze solid fuel, the system comprises a gently sloped, skewed or serpentine stationary bed support and air distributor structure which distributes air in a fashion so as to uniformly fluidize a shallow bed of variable depth across the slope thereof without internally circulating the bed, and at the same time cause non-combustible tramp or trash material (e.g. pieces of steel, rocks, clumps, etc.), to be removed from the bed without passing to a location either above or beneath the bed. The angle of slope is strictly controlled. During periods of non-fluidization and/or non-use, the bed material is kept from falling into the air distribution plenum below the bed support structure by hollow bed containment structure disposed at sites below the bed support structure.

Abstract: A drum-shaped grate of an incinerator includes a plurality of cylindrical drums, the grate covering of which is formed of a plurality of suspended middle grate bars which are combined in segments and arrested by fixed grate bars. The adjacent grate bars in the circular direction are suspended on bar carriers and the lateral faces of each two adjacent grate bars are spaced from each other by spacers. The surfaces of the spacers positioned between each two adjacent grate bars and abutting against each other are flat and smooth. Due to a possible relative displacement of the middle grate bars in their longitudinal direction owing to the placing of the spacers between the adjacent bars a clogging of the air slots formed between the grate bars would be prevented.

Abstract: Bales of combustible trash made to specific specifications are burned in a furnace having two parallel upright sidewalls between which the bales pass during burning. A horizontal grate extends between the sidewalls. The bales, if remotely made from the furnace, are bound by an easily meltable strap. The length of the bale is measurably smaller than the distance between said sidewalls to accurately accommodate springback. A ram, after compacting the waste in segmental fashion, pushes each bale to a position between said sidewalls; with the length of the bale being perpendicular to the sidewalls, so that a bale enters the furnace. Springback following the melting of straps allows the bale to expand to fill the gap between the sidewalls. This facilitates ignition and/or burning of the bales and provides a seal against furnace sidewalls. When the ram feeds a fresh bale, previously charged bales (consumed proportional to time in the furnace) are advanced toward the ash discharge port.

Abstract: In a low NO.sub.x emission incinerator a refuse supply stoker (1), a dry-ignition stoker (2), a gas generation stoker (3), and a complete combustion stoker (4) are positioned in descending stair-step fashion beneath a combustion chamber (A). In the dry ignition stoker (2) and the gas generation stoker (3) refuse is thermally decomposed under an amount of air which is less than the amount of air theoretically required for complete combustion, so that reducing gases such as CO, NH.sub.3, and the like are generated. At the complete combustion stoker (4) the residuum of the refuse is completely combusted under an amount of air greater than the required theoretical amount. Air is supplied through nozzles (7,8,9) at successive points above the flow route of combustion gas inside the combustion chamber (A) so that the temperature in the combustion chamber (A) is maintained in a range to reduce the amount of NO.sub.x generated by the combustion of gases.

Abstract: An inclined hearth incinerator for the incineration of municipal, and industrial/commercial solid waste optionally in conjunction with sludge, with a controlled amount of combustion air allows the even distribution of underfire air to an upper hearth of plural stepped hearths in the floor of the incinerator. A clean-out assembly includes a piston which automatically cleans out feed-tubes for combustion air. The feed-tubes are protected by being embedded in the hearth, or being disposed beneath the hearth. The piston and a ram on the hearth may be interconnected for reciprocation by an actuating means so as to provide synchronous to-and-fro movement of the piston and ram.

Abstract: An incinerator with a moving-bed stoker in which a chain conveyor is inclined in the direction of its movement and a plurality of fuel- or fire-bed members L-shaped in cross section are mounted on the links of the chain conveyor, whereby a step-like moving fuel- or fire-bed is defined. Each fuel- or fire-bed member comprises an upright or vertical plate and a horizontal plate and combustion air injection holes are formed through the upright or vertical plate so that the foreign matter such as ash, metal pieces or the like as well as the molten ash produced as the result of the combustion of waste with a low melting point can be prevented from falling through the combustion air holes into the stoker.

Abstract: A new and improved reciprocating grate system for furnaces and incinerators wherein the system is advantageously constructed to accomplish a variety of objectives. Adjacent flights of adjacent portions of the composite grate structure reciprocate back and forth and the speed and stroke of such reciprocation can be ganged, coupled, or independently controlled. The individual grates themselves are advantageously configured for suitable spreading and air mixture relative to debris advancement. Air seals are provided and batch feed is accommodated. Grate frame reciprocation is accommodated by fluid control means, either hydraulic or pneumatic, and features are provided for enabling appropriate adjustment both of drive and stroke of related individual components.

Abstract: This invention relates to a boiler installation for the combustion of solid fuels, for example forest waste material in the form of e.g. bark and/or chips, peat pellets, coal etc., which installation comprises a furnace located in connection to a heat medium portion and a grate located in the furnace. The grate feeds fuel from a fuel charge opening through the furnace while the fuel is being combusted, from which furnace the flue gases flow to the heat medium portion and continue to a chimney. The installation also includes at least one intake for controlled supply of combustion air in the form of at least primary and secondary combustion air.

Abstract: A substantially smokeless burning system for burning waste material fuels. An elongated hollow burning chamber is supported in a generally horizontal orientation. An elongated fuel accumulation chamber and a hydraulic hoist driven ram in the chamber are adapted to push elongated volumes of new fuel into the lower front end of the burning chamber such that already burning fuel is pushed to the rear of the chamber. This establishes a charcoal burning zone which at least partially overlies a volatile burning zone such that incomplete combustion products from the volatile burning zone pass over and through the charcoal burning zone to be substantially burned before exiting at the rear of the burning chamber. Integral preheat and air delivery channels are formed in the walls of the burning chamber. A pipe section is mounted within the burning chamber for incinerating liquid waste materials.

Abstract: A solid fuel conversion system feeds solid fuel to a burning area at a controlled and metered rate. In the burning area, the solid fuel is dried before it reaches a burning bed of coals. Once it reaches the bed of coals, it is advanced at a controlled rate from said drying means through the area of the burning bed of coals to an ash area. The fuel-drying and advancing is carried out by a series of grates having controlled amounts of grate movement. The drying grate is set at a relatively steep angle (here, 60.degree.) which breaks the free-fall of an incoming curtain of solid fuel. The fuel-advancing is accomplished by a series of grates which are set at less than a free-fall angle (here, 15.degree.). A reciprocating feeder moves the fuel-advancing grates back and forth by the controlled amounts. The controlled rate of advance causes the solid fuel to gasify in the area over the burning bed. An air delivery system controls the flow of gaseous fuel from the solid fuel burning area to a gaseous burning area.

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 material treating apparatus, such as an incinerator, incorporating an auger having an internal air supply system and an internal heat transfer mechanism. The incinerator includes a cylindrical combustion chamber containing a rotatable auger, and waste material is fed to one end of the combustion chamber and is conveyed through the chamber by the auger, while ash and non-combustible residue are discharged from the opposite end of the chamber. The auger is composed of a tubular shaft which carries a hollow spiral flight. Air is introduced into the downstream end of the shaft and flows through the hollow flight and is discharged through outlet ports in the periphery of the flight into the combustion chamber. To cool the auger, water flows within internal passages in the hollow flight. The flight is formed with a forward wall facing downstream and a rear wall which is spaced from the forward wall to define a central air passage.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus utilizing an auger having an integral air supply system. The apparatus includes a cylindrical combustion chamber containing a rotatable auger. Waste is delivered to one end of the combustion chamber and is conveyed through the chamber by the auger, and ash and the non-combustible residue is discharged from the opposite end while the waste gases are discharged through a cyclone separator to remove fly ash. The auger is composed of a tubular shaft and a hollow spiral flight. Air is introduced into the downstream end of the shaft and flows through the hollow flight and exits through outlet holes in the flight into the combustion chamber. A portion of the air is introduced into the mass of waste being conveyed by the auger to provide primary air for combustion, while a second portion of the air is discharged from the flight into the upper zone of the combustion chamber above the level of the waste, to provide secondary combustion of the waste gases.

Abstract: A substantially smokeless burning system for burning waste material fuels. An elongated hollow burning chamber is supported in a generally horizontal orientation with a slight degree of upward tilt from front to rear. An elongated fuel accumulation chamber and a hydraulic hoist driven ram in the chamber are adapted to push elongated volumes of new fuel into the lower front end of the burning chamber such that already burning fuel is pushed to the rear of the chamber. This establishes a charcoal burning zone which at least partially overlies a volatile burning zone such that incomplete combustion products from the volatile burning zone pass over and through the charcoal burning zone to be substantially burned before exiting at the rear of the burning chamber. The burning chamber is formed of a plurality of pipe sections which are molded of refractory material in a concrete pipe making machine. Integral preheat and air delivery channels are formed in the walls of the burning chamber during the molding process.

Abstract: Converging upper and lower conveyors transport loose waste from a receiving hopper toward an incinerator combustion chamber entrance at an adjustably predetermined normal rate, cooperating to compact the waste into a continuous plug and to force the plug through a confining passageway extending from the conveyors to the incinerator entrance, thereby feeding the waste plug to the burning firebed in the combustion chamber at a steady rate for causing waste combustion therein at a generally steady rate while sealing the entrance thereto against incoming air and outgoing heat or fire.

Abstract: Apparatus for pyrolytically treating municipal and other waste comprised of solid heat-decomposable material by radiative heating from an open flame and convective heating, the invention particularly provides for heat recovery of a substantial amount of initial energy input. In the several embodiments of the invention, the source of initial heat energy input can vary from gasification of renewable fuel such as wood chips and the like to burning of a primary fuel, such energy input being preferably augmented by burning of at least a portion of the gaseous pyrolytic decomposition gases produced by treatment of the waste. Heat generated during the process of pyrolyzing waste is also utilized to warm combustion air as well as recovered to the extent possible for heating purposes or for the accomplishment of useful work.