Abstract: A waste incinerator including separate burning-, blower-, chimney- and ash-receiving chambers. A suction-discharge port is provided in a wall between the burning chamber and the chimney chamber for discharging gases from the burning chamber through a chimney to the atmosphere. The chimney extends from the chimney chamber for discharging gases to the atmosphere. The chimney receives an air feed pipe from the blower and an ignition sleeve extends into the chimney for burning unconsumed waste gas. A vibrator vibrates an ash receiver in the ash receiving chamber, and a drying chamber may be provided for drying high moisture garbage by combustion gases from the burning chamber.

Abstract: A new apparatus and process for efficient removal of carbon from fly ash has been developed, whereby carbon removal occurs through oxidation as combustion. The ignition of the carbon is accomplished by bulk heating and molecular impingement of a suspended layer of fly ash by a heated oxidizing gas strewn, and the desired level of carbon burnout is accomplished by maintenance of combustion conditions.

Abstract: The method of an apparatus for incinerating and melting wastes along with incombustible materials in the wastes which comprise introducing wastes in a horizontal rotary furnace, incinerating the wastes at a temperature from 800.degree. C. to 1,200.degree. C., and melting the ashes of the wastes together with the remaining products which are vitrified at a temperature of more than 1,600.degree. C., by an oxygen type burner in which an oxygen-fuel mixture has an oxygen content of 50% in the mixture. The exhaust gas generated in the incineration and melting processes is introduced to a dust collector for cleaning the exhaust gas.

Abstract: Incinerator apparatus includes a furnace and a chimney in communication with the furnace. Within the furnace, a pipe having a bore and extending upward from the bottom of the furnace is disposed. The pipe is in communication with atmospheric air at the lower end thereof and is provided with a plurality of air holes therein. The pipe also includes a top air hole at the top end thereof. The top air hole has a transverse cross-sectional area smaller than that of the bore of the pipe. External air is spontaneously introduced from the outside of the furnace and flows out through the top air hole. As air flows out of the top air hole, it is also uniformly distributed through the air holes into the furnace and garbage to be burned in said furnace.

Abstract: An incinerator for incinerating medical waste in which a self-contained unit including a hopper and a fire chamber are supported on a conveyor mechanism, the fire chamber being provided with an opening and a chute coupling the hopper and the fire chamber for supplying material placed into the hopper to the fire chamber; a scrubber tank is provided which includes a rotatable scrubber, a conveyor conduit and a vacuum pump including a suction mechanism to suck up ash from the fire chamber and convey it through the conveyor conduit to the scrubber tank, a water tank is juxtaposed to the scrubber tank, and the interiors of the water tank and the scrubber tank are coupled together for supplying water to the scrubber tank while the scrubber is rotated for condensing the ash into a slurry which drops to the bottom of the scrubber tank and thereby eliminate the ash content supplied to the scrubber, a pump coupled to the scrubber tank through an extraction conduit for extracting the slurry with the bottom of the scrubb

Abstract: A dry bottom ash handling system contemplates a plurality of hoppers disposed beneath a solid fuel-fired steam boiler. Each hopper includes angled walls converging at a generally rectangular opening controlled by a grate door. Air inlets are provided at intersections between adjacent angled walls to (1) facilitate combustion of unburned fuel in the storage hopper, and (2) facilitate flow of ash through the hopper opening. Ash flowing through the hopper opening enters a crusher and is then conveyed via a vacuum line to a point of disposal including a mobile tank truck that receives heavier ash particles and allows bypassing of lighter particles to a silo.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the disposal of residual substances from waste incineration plants as well as activated coke and/or activated carbon. For this purpose the residual substance as well as activated coke and/or activated carbon is introduced into the annular shaft (3) of the primary chamber (2) of the furnace (1). In the primary chamber (2) a temperature of 1250.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. is set. The molten material flowing off leaves the primary chamber (2) together with the flue gases through the central outlet (4). The molten material is passed through the secondary chamber (5) and is discharged as slag.

Abstract: A hearth particle bed incineration furnace is used to remove dioxin contained in a combustion residue through the mixing of the hearth particle bed particles and the combustion residue at a temperature of at least 400.degree. C., preferably from 400.degree.-600.degree. C., for at least 30 minutes, preferably 30 minutes to 2 hours, through the adjustment of the rate of removal of the mixture. An incineration furnace is provided which can be compact and yet have a large capacity and a stable operation over a long period of time.

Abstract: There are provided a pretreatment facility (1) and a incineration/melting facility (2). In the incineration/melting facility, an incineration chamber (3) and a melting chamber (5) are integrally formed through a partition wall (7) so that incineration residue can be continuously transferred. Fine crushed material finely crushed by the pretreatment facility (1) is supplied as fuel to a burner (4). This enables it to obtain melting heat source from waste, and to efficiently treat the waste at a low cost by directly superheating and melting non-cooled incineration residue from the incineration chamber (3).

Abstract: A mobile waste incinerator has a moving vehicle having an engine with an exhaust gas system, a receiving chamber arranged to receive waste to be incinerated and to preliminarily heat the waste, the receiving chamber being connected with the exhaust system so as to receive the exhaust gases for preliminary heating of the waste, a preparation chamber connected with the receiving chamber for receiving the waste heated in the receiving chamber and provided with means for reducing a size of the wastes, the preparation chamber also having means for injecting fuel, an incineration chamber connected with the preparation chamber and provided with means for mixing the fuel with air and igniting a mixture, the incineration chamber being connected with the preparation chamber so that hot gases from the incineration chamber are supplied into the preparation chamber, means for connecting the chambers with one another and closing chambers from one another, and means for discharging the wastes from the incineration chamber.

Abstract: A thermal dechlorinating apparatus for collected ash, having a vertically elongated cylindrical apparatus body, a collected ash inlet and a collected ash outlet which are provided on the apparatus body and spaced in a vertical direction thereof, an inlet port for heated air provided on the portion of the apparatus body between the inlet and the outlet, an exhaust gas outlet provided on the portion of the apparatus body above the collected ash inlet, a rotary shaft provided along the axial direction of the apparatus body, a screw provided on the rotary shaft, and heating means provided on the portion of the apparatus body between the collected ash inlet and the collected ash outlet. Heated air is led into the apparatus body through the heated air inlet port. A stirred fluidized layer is formed in the portion of the apparatus body above the heated air inlet port, and a moving layer is formed below the heated air inlet port.

Abstract: A method and system for continuous incineration of solid waste, directed to reducing formation of pathogens (such as dioxins) during incineration by inducing rapid combustion in an oxygen-rich environment. Waste may be shredded first. Waste is then dispersed widely across a first combustion chamber in which it undergoes incineration into ash and gas. Alternative embodiments for continuous removal of hot ash are disclosed. Gas is encouraged to travel a spiral path into a second combustion chamber, in which further incineration occurs. Gas travels through the second combustion chamber also in a spiral path, and is cooled in a quench tube. An evacuator means, advantageously a large fan, draws air through the system continuously during combustion, encouraging flow of waste through the system and replenishing oxygen available for rapid combustion.

Abstract: A method for processing waste includes low-temperature carbonizing one portion of the waste creating low-temperature carbonization gas and low-temperature carbonization residue. A carbon-rich fraction is separated off from the low-temperature carbonization residue. At least some of the carbon-rich fraction of the low-temperature carbonization residue is supplied as fuel for a support flame for burning another portion of the waste. A plant for processing waste includes a revolving tubular kiln in which a burner is disposed. A low-temperature carbonization drum has an outlet side communicating with a low-temperature carbonization gas line and a separator device for solid low-temperature carbonization residue. A line carries a carbon-rich fraction of the low-temperature carbonization residue from the separator device to the burner.

Abstract: A truck is parked adjacent a coal boiler ash recovery unit and includes a first inlet pipe provided to receive ash from the recovery unit and an outlet pipe provided to convey dust from within the storage chamber of the truck to a bag house where the dust is loaded onto another truck. Water spray may be provided within the storage compartment of the first-mentioned truck to moisten the captured material to reduce dusting.

Abstract: Furnace exhaust gases extremely low in harmful substances are achieved by means of a specially designed postcombustion space.

Abstract: The reactor (1) that is used to melt combustion residues incorporates a vertical partition wall (4) that incorporates return flow openings (7) and an overflow (6), wherein foamed slag is produced in the chamber (3) by the injection of gases through base nozzles (10) and the foam collapses in the second chamber (5) or the return flow channel. The liquid slag is drawn off through the taphole (11) after the desired conversion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for melting down solid combustion residues such as slags, ashes and fine dusts from waste combustion installations (11) with solid, liquid and/or gaseous fossil fuels in a melting device. In order to reduce the necessary energy by combusting fossil fuels, the supply of the combustion residues (12) from the waste combustion installation (11) takes place directly into the filling opening (13) of the melting device. The melting device is designed as a shaft furnace (10) with a furnace space (14, 15) with a refractory lining, the combustion residues (12) being melted down by means of a fuel/oxygen mixture or by means of a fuel/oxygen-air mixture which is introduced into the shaft furnace below the combustion residue fill (21).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying organic materials in a gasification reactor and vitrifying residual ash in a melting furnace comprising introducing a charge containing organic materials into said reactor, heating the charge sufficiently to thermally decompose and gasify the organic materials resulting in evolved gases, by means of at least one high temperature burner gas stream by combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-containing gas, to produce said synthesis gas and residual ash, introducing said residual ash from said reactor into a separate melting furnace, vitrifying said residual ash in said melting furnace by combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-containing gas, removing said vitrified ash as a solid frit product, and introducing the combustion gas from said furnace into said reactor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a combustion firepot are shown and described, each having a means for dumping ashes and other burn debris from the firepot. The preferred embodiment is a pellet stove firepot with an interior ramped wall. Pellets are delivered to the firepot and directed by the ramp to rest and burn in a lower burn section on top of a movable floor. The movable ash-dumping floor is adapted to swing or slid away from the firepot to reveal an opening to permit ashes which have accumulated above it to be dumped out the bottom of the firepot. Preferably, when the heat demand for a room is satisfied, pellets are allowed to burn to ash, the floor is cycled open and closed to dump the ash, and then pellet delivery and burning is resumed. The dumping procedure may be done manually or automatically and either occasionally or periodically, depending on the demands placed on the system by the ash-producing tendency of the chosen fuel.

Abstract: A filter-dryer unit has an agitator having an agitator arm provided with gas discharge nozzles directed at the bottom wall, which includes a liquid discharge filter element, of the vessel of the filter-dryer unit. High pressure, high velocity gas is discharged through the nozzles to break up and remove the heel, consisting of finished product not expelled by agitator action. Product particles from the heel, after the heel has been broken up, are removed by agitator action and by the pressure of the gas discharged through the nozzles, through a standard product discharge opening. A separator/filter unit is provided to separate particles from the gas being discharged through the vessels discharge opening. The agitator arm is provided with a nozzle directed at the side wall of the vessel to remove any residual product on the side wall and a nozzle directed at an angle to the side wall to facilitate removal of the heel adjacent the side wall.

Abstract: Paper mill sludge or similar organic sludges with a high ash content are converted by burning the sludge in a cyclone furnace along with another source of fuel. The heat content of the sludge is recovered and the ash content of the sludge is converted to a glassy slag. A flux, such as limestone, may be added to the sludge before introduction into the cyclone furnace. The slag is useful as a construction material, an abrasive, for roofing products, or for other purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for burning waste with simultaneous regeneration of a usable gas and an inert solid residue in which the waste is fed into the upper part of an upright shaft furnace, an oxygen-containing gas is fed into the lower part of the furnace, the organic part of the waste substances is gasified and pyrolyzed, the inorganic part of the waste substances is made flowable, the gas from the upper part of the furnace is taken off and the inorganic material made flowable is taken off at the lower part of the furnace.

Abstract: Dustlike and/or finely divided solids which arise in the purification of flue gases, in particular from refuse incineration plants, are subjected to a thermal treatment. In this case, the said solids are fed to a filter device along a predetermined transport path by a gas stream having at least the thermal treatment temperature. After the filtration, the solids can be subjected to a thermal post-treatment. The thermal treatment can serve to destroy halogenated, in particular aromatic, hydrocarbons, to remove ammonia or other volatile constituents.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for sintering unsintered abrasive grain precursor to provide sintered abrasive grain. The sintered abrasive grain can be incorporated into abrasive articles such as bonded abrasives (e.g., grinding wheels), coated abrasives, and nonwoven abrasives.

Abstract: A method of collecting and conditioning either or both of a fluid bed combustion cyclone or bed ash, from a sulfur-containing petroleum coke combustion, by transferring dry combustion ash, containing anhydrous calcium sulfate and resultant lime to a pneumatic tanker, transferring the tanker with the ash to a storage site, and discharging the dry ash through a mixing pump onto the storage site while adding sufficient water to hydrate anhydrous calcium sulfate and resultant lime in the ash and provide about 7-25 percent by weight excess water in the ash.

Abstract: A refuse incinerator includes an installation with two covered hoppers connected at their lower ends by a movable plate to a combustion chamber. A series of plates have been placed in the combustion chamber and have a cadenced movement for moving and oxygenating refuse being incinerated. Cars are located beside the chamber, into which cars the refuse eventually falls. The refuse is later sorted. A boiler is heated by combustion gases, and a series of tanks and containers filter the combustion gases before their release to the outside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a petroleum polymer product treatment apparatus capable of reducing the thermal energy, which is required to heat the material to be treated, to the smallest possible quantity, effectively utilizing the residue obtained, keeping the heating temperature distribution uniform and setting the heating temperature to a predetermined level, and facilitating this kind of treatment operation while maintaining the safety of a petroleum reduction reproducing operation.This apparatus is provided with a thermal decomposition unit 50 having a heating furnace 1, an indirect heating means 3 installed in the interior of the heating furnace 1, and a sealed container 4 removably set in the indirect heating means 3; and a residue combustion unit 60 having a combustion furnace 20 adapted to hold the residue 27 left over in the sealed container 4 and burn the same, a means 23 for supplying the air to the combustion furnace 20, and an ignition means 24 for igniting an ignition material 25.

Abstract: A fluidized bed combustion system (10) particularly suited for use to effect the incineration, i.e., combustion, therewith of wood waste/sludge mixtures that have high moisture and ash content which makes them difficult to burn. The fluidized bed combustion system (10) includes a fluidized bed combustor (12) embodying a fluidized bed (24) composed of bed solids. Air is injected into the fluidized bed (24) through an air distributor (28) to establish a first controlled fluidizing velocity zone and a second controlled fluidizing velocity zone therewithin. Material (42b) is introduced into the fluidized bed combustor (12) above the second controlled fluidizing velocity zone. Bed solids are projected from the first controlled fluidizing velocity zone to the second controlled fluidizing velocity zone whereupon the bed solids rain down upon the material (42b) and effect a covering thereof. The material (42b) is then dried and thereafter combusted.

Abstract: A renovated incinerator is essentially composed of a furnace, a circulation means, and an exhausting means. The circulating means picks up any particle which is unburned or not burned thoroughly and delivered to the furnace for continuous burning until all waste material become ashes which are collected and forming asbestos. A circular water tank is integrally formed surrounding the furnace to utilize steam from boiling water in the tank to generate power.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus includes a casing having a pyrolysis chamber for receiving and pyrolyzing feed materials therein into a gaseous material and solid ash residue, a mass of refractory material contained in the casing upon a bottom thereof, being spaced below a top and extending between opposite sides thereof, and including an inclined upper surface defining the bottom of the pyrolysis chamber and having a lower terminal edge being spaced from one of the opposite sides of the casing for defining a solid ash residue collection region therein, and a pusher mechanism disposed in the pyrolysis chamber for engaging and moving feed materials down the inclined upper surface of the refractory mass toward the lower terminal edge thereof.

Abstract: Waste material is incinerated by a partial combustion in a furnace on step grates and the heated combusted product is supplied in a rotary kiln in which the waste is liquified. Solid waste material passing through the grate is collected with ash products, separated from flue gases, including boiler ash, fly ash and residue from flue gas cleaning. The collected products are returned to the inlet of the rotary kiln where these products are introduced along with he combusted waste. In this manner, the slag, boiler ash, flue ash and other harmful residual products from the combustion process are fused into the liquified waste to form a glass-like mass from which salts and heavy metal cannot be leached out.

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: Method for producing hot drying gas by a burning flowable biological refuse in an incinerator which comprises a vertical cyclone furnace. Fuel together with primary combustion air is tangentially injected into the vertical cyclone furnace, and secondary combustion air and tertiary combustion air are injected into a throat. A cooled rotating ash scrapper is provided in the bottom of the vertical cyclone furnace and waste gas is conducted through the throat to a secondary combustion chamber in which an incineration of residuals takes place and from which a drying gas is removed. A combustion retarding gas is injected into the hottest area of the vertical cyclone furnace so that a sintering and the formation of slag is avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the exhaust gases of a combustion process, the exhaust gases comprising in part condensable or solidifiable particulate matter and residual hazardous organic compounds and emanating from the combustion process at a first temperature, by heating a portion of the exhaust gases using a heating means within a bypass means to a second temperature higher than the first temperature, maintaining the heated exhaust gases within the bypass means at the second temperature for a time sufficient to render the desired poriton of the residual hazardous organic compounds harmless, and then cooling the heated exhaust gases using a quench means within the bypass means to a third temperature lower than the first temperature in a period of time short enough to prevent the condensable or solidifiable particulate matter from condensing or solidifying on and adhering to the bypass means.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus includes a casing having a top and bottom and a plurality of sides defining a pyrolysis chamber for receiving and pyrolyzing feed materials therein into fluid materials and a mass of refractory material disposed upon the bottom of the casing and spaced below the top thereof and extending between its sides. The refractory mass includes an upper surface defining a bottom of the pyrolysis chamber and having an end spaced from a first one of the casing sides to define an ash residue collection cavity therebetween. The apparatus also includes a pusher mechanism mounted to and extending through a second one of the casing sides opposite from the first one side. The pusher mechanism is operable to engage and transport residue of materials received on the upper surface of said refractory mass and being pyrolyzed in the chamber across the upper surface of the refractory mass toward the collection cavity.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus includes a casing having a top and bottom and a plurality of sides defining a pyrolysis chamber for receiving and pyrolyzing feed materials therein into fluid materials and a mass of refractory material disposed upon the bottom of the casing and spaced below the top thereof and extending between its sides. The refractory mass includes an upper surface defining a bottom of the pyrolysis chamber and having an end spaced from a first one of the casing sides to define an ash residue collection cavity therebetween. The apparatus also includes a system of tunnels defined within the refractory mass being spaced below the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: An ash melting furnace for heating and melting ashes by a burner. The furnace body is formed with a preheating chamber and a melting chamber. Of the bottom wall of the melting chamber (12), the portion closer to the charging port is convex in transverse cross section, while the portion closer to the discharging port is concave in transverse cross section.

Abstract: A waste material combustion apparatus for disposing of an assortment of waste material like garbage, sludge and burnable trash in which the ash produced as a result of combustion of that assorted material is collected and transported to a bag house where the ash solids are separated, the air is released to atmosphere, and the separated ash residue is collected as a product of the combustion.

Abstract: A system for discharging ash comprises a hopper provided with a system of hydraulically activated valves having the function of separating the hopper environment from the extractor environment, thereby creating an accumulation store inside the hopper which allows brief shutdowns for any required maintenance in the downstream extractor and the plant, and which prevents the direct falling of large lumps of agglomerated ash onto the belt and also, in the case of a multifuel boiler, avoids radiation to the extraction belt when gas or oil is used as fuel. Downstream of the area of ash discharge from the extractor a system of crushing, cooling, transport and storage of the ash is also provided.

Abstract: Bottom ash arising from solid waste combustion has lead (Pb) sufficient quantity to sometimes fail the EPA TCLP test. Addition of water-soluble phosphate, especially phosphoric acid, increases the immobilization of lead (Pb) so as to make such residues in compliance with the toxicity tests over a substantially broader pH range, particularly with respect to the more stringent TCLP extraction test. The bottom ash may be wet or dry when contracted with the water-soluble phosphate. The contacting is preferably preformed in an enclosed environment to avoid bottom ash contact with or exposure to the ambient atmospheres prior to treatment.

Abstract: System and method for low temperature treatment of organic wastes containing potentially toxic concentrations of metals is described which comprises forming the waste material into pellets of preselected size, mixing the pellets with inert material, incrementally heating the mixture in air from about 200.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. in order to oxidize the pellets to the corresponding ash containing the metals, collecting the ash, and combining the ash with inert material and binder to form a solidified compact for disposal.

Abstract: Waste is incinerated in a rotary furnace which discharges slag and exhaust gas connected to an afterburning chamber. The slag is discharged from the afterburning chamber directly into a glass melting furnace while the exhaust gas is removed to scrubbers which remove residues which are then fed to the glass melting furnace. Cullet and other glass forming materials are also added to the furnace in order to form a vitrified product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the viscosity of slag contained in a rotary incinerating kiln by detecting the position at which the slag exits the outlet of the kiln, thereby determining changes in the viscosity of the slag. If the viscosity deviates from a predetermined range of values, appropriate additives are supplied to the slag for bringing the viscosity back to within the range of the predetermined values. There is also disclosed a method and apparatus for measuring viscosity as "angular" viscosity.

Abstract: A refuse-burning apparatus having a main combustion-housing with an interior in which refuse is placed and burned, which main combustion-housing has a plurality of substantially-upright walls, a top wall, and a lower meshed screen. One side wall has an entrance through which refuse may enter into the interior of the housing, which entrance is selectively opened and closed. A loader for loading refuse into the interior of the housing is operatively associated with the entrance, so that refuse may be inserted into the interior when the entrance is opened up. A ventilator supplies air to the interior. An after-burner is mounted to the top wall of the main housing for achieving secondary burning of the refuse, which after-burner has a main frame, at least one burner mounted to the main frame, and exhaust for directing the products of combustion from the main frame to the ambient surroundings. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom meshed screen is periodically vibrated to loosen any ash lodged therein.

Abstract: A hazardous waste incinerator (100) includes a rotary kiln (120) with a helical flight (250) within. The kiln (120) is fed hazardous waste by either a continuous feed system (164) or a positive feed system (162). The kiln (120) is comprised of six retort sections (202, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210). The combusted waste is separated into ash and recoverable metals. The air flow is counter to the flow of waste through the kiln (120), with exhaust gases vented from the kiln entrance. Fugitive emissions are also contained by shrouds (164, 166) and containment building (160). These exhaust gases pass through the secondary combustor (130) to ensure destruction of any principle organic hazardous constituents. The exhaust gases are then treated in a spray dryer (140) to cool it and neutralize any acidic components. A baghouse (150) then removes any remaining particulate matter before the exhaust exits the stack (156).

Abstract: The incinerator comprises a furnace (1) having a waste charging zone (2), an air insufflation intake (5), a smoke release outlet (8) and a discharge zone (10) for ash and unburnt material. The discharge zone (6) for ash and unburnt material communicates with the receiving hopper (10) of a bath equipped with an electroburner (12) intended to maintain the bath in the molten state.

Abstract: For melting an inorganic fiber which is mixed with an organic substance, the inorganic fiber material and organic substance are heated in a furnace to a temperature sufficient for the organic material to combust, and sufficient oxygen enriched gas to fed to the furnace that the combustion of the organic substance produces sufficient heat to melt the inorganic material. The oxygen enriched gas is preferably oxygen enriched air having an oxygen content of at least 40% by volume. It should be fed in sufficient quantity to heat material having an adiabatic temperature of at least 850.degree. C., and preferably 1200.degree. C. which permits the melted inorganic material to freely flow out of the furnace. The oxygen enriched gas is preferably fed to a location adjacent a boundary layer between the melted material and unmelted material on the top thereof.

Abstract: For melting an inorganic fiber which is mixed with an organic substance, the inorganic fiber material and organic substance are heated in a furnace to a temperature sufficient for the organic material to combust, and sufficient oxygen enriched gas is fed to the furnace that the combustion of the organic substance produces sufficient heat to melt the inorganic material. The oxygen enriched gas is preferably oxygen enriched air having an oxygen content of at least 40% by volume. It should be fed in sufficient quantity to heat material having an adiabatic temperature of at least 850.degree. C., and preferably 1200.degree. C. which permits the melted inorganic material to freely flow out of the furnace. The oxygen enriched gas is preferably fed to a location adjacent a boundary layer between the melted material and unmelted material on the top thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power plant with combustion of a fuel at a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure in a fluidized bed (18) of particulate material, a so-called PFBC power plant. A combustor (12) is enclosed within a pressure vessel (10) and surrounded by compressed combustion air. Ash chambers (44) in the lower part of the combustor (12) are enclosed in one or more spaces (50) with walls (52, 53) which are suitably designed as plane, water-cooled panel walls. The ash chambers (44) are designed with uncooled walls (62). Pressure equalizing openings (64) are provided in the ash chamber walls (62), which openings equalize any pressure differences which may arise between the ash chambers (44) and the surrounding space (50). The walls (52, 53) which form the space surrounding the ash chambers absorb the pressure difference between the ash chambers (44) and the space (32) between the combustor (12) and the pressure vessel (10).

Abstract: Provided is a process to continuously dry remove ash from the bottom of steam boilers by discharging the ash on a high temperature resistant conveyer which is enclosed in a tight sealed envelope. Also is provided an apparatus for accomplishing this which has a steel conveyer belt constructed to withstand high temperatures and enclosed in a sealed steel box connected to the bottom of the boiler so that the conveyer continuously receives and discharges ash from the boiler.