Abstract: Apparatus for reburning ash material of a previously burned primary fuel includes a reburn combustion vessel having an inlet for receiving ash material from a primary combustion unit such as a boiler or furnace and an outlet for discharging the products of combustion from the vessel produced from burning the ash material. The outlet of the ash reburn vessel is connected to the primary combustion unit at an elevated height above the firing level. A floor is provided in the ash reburn vessel for supporting a discrete bubbling bed of burning ash material and the floor includes a plurality of spaced apart openings distributed relatively uniformly over substantially all of the area of the floor. Combustion air is introduced into the reburn vessel at a relatively low velocity to provide a source of underfire combustion air for the bubbling bed.

Abstract: A ram feed waste incinerator apparatus includes a vertical waste storage cylinder positioned above a combustion chamber and contains a movable ram to force the waste to be incinerated downwardly against a transversely extending, rotatably driven bar at the top of the combustion chamber. Combustion temperature control is provided by feeding air into the combustion chamber and by rotating the bar to abrade char from the waste supported by the bar. A bed of ash is maintained within optimum levels for thermal protection of bottom of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In a power plant, for example of PFBC type, with a cooler for cooling of ashes originating in a fluidized bed, the cooler comprises a cylinder with a transport screw which transports the ashes through the cylinder. The transport screw has a tubular shaft which is transversed by cooling water. The cylinder may be air or water-cooled. At the bottom of the cylinder one or more fluidization devices are provided, which maintain the ashes in the cylinder in fluidized condition, so as to obtain good contact and effective heat transfer to cooling surfaces of the shaft and the cylinder. The fluidization also reduces the propensity of the ash to form a heat-insulating layer on the inside of the cylinder which reduces the cooling capacity.

Abstract: Mixed refuse containing organic and inorganic material forms a column-like mass within a furnace chamber. The column of material is heated by a plasma torch having a forward plasma-emitting end disposed within the lower portion of the column and surrounded by the refuse therein. The height of the stack is maintained at a preselected elevation above the forward end of the torch. Gases produced by pyrolytic conversion of organic components of the refuse are discharged through ports of the chamber. Melted metallic and other inorganic refuse forms a pool upon a hearth of the furnace chamber. The plasma torch imparts circulatory movement to the pool. An injector downstream from the torch directs steam onto material adjacent the surface of the pool. Excess molten material is drained from the pool and the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A bottom-feed, biomass material gasification system feeds fuel such as green and wet woodchips from below up through a central opening in a stationary, perforate fire table which supports the mound-like fuel bed which is formed. A plurality of ring-like air manifolds contiguously below the fire table, and surrounding the fuel supply tube are separately provided with air in a controlled manner according to the demand for the combustible gas produced, and a greater volume of air is supplied to the centralmost manifold, than to the outer manifold, or manifolds. The system includes, in addition to a primary heating chamber, a secondary heating chamber which receives the hot gases generated in the primary chamber and, via a centrifugal cyclonic action, combusts fly ash particles which may remain entrained in the gas, before passing the hot gases to the boiler burner for cumbustion.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for the combustion and/or decomposition of fuel by heat, especially of solid fuels such as peat, coal, wood, straw or garbage, comprising a fuel supply and air supply to a bar grate which is used as combustion site and cooperates with material loosening means in the form of disks, prongs or the like which extend through the grate interstices and are mounted on a support member which extends transversely to the grate bars, in which the disks are reciprocable relative to the grate bars in the direction towards the same. The material loosening disks are fitted onto support members each in the form of a support rod of substantially rectangular cross-section such that the disks are individually displaceable in the direction of the support rod.

Abstract: Incineration flyash is treated by reducing the organic chlorine compounds contained in the flyash. A cylindrical body equipped with a rotating shaft having a screw conveyor and agitating blades for conveying and agitating the flyash is filled to at least a 75 vol % charge so that contact of the flyash with oxygen is made as small as possible. The flyash is subjected to agitation and heat-treatment at 300.degree. C. or higher. The cylindrical body has a feeding port for the waste incineration flyash and a discharging port for the discharge of the treated flyash. The screw conveyor is at the introducing part and has a pitch that is successively reduced toward the agitating part for charging the flyash in the agitating part at a greater vol. % than that which occurs in the introducing part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dewatering combined ash or other combustion related products. The apparatus aspects of the invention consist of a quench bath having a curved portion containing a plunger adapted to push combustion materials contained in the quench bath up an inclined trough. A vibrator is mounted below a portion of the inclined trough located above the waterline in the quench bath. As a result, material moved up the inclined portion is subject to vibration and compaction resulting in a substantial dewatering of the combustion material. The method of the present invention provides for the steps of quenching, moving and vibrating combustion by-products to obtain a dewatered material having reduced free water run-off.

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

Abstract: An incinerating-fusing system for city refuse is disclosed. The system includes an incinerating furnace for incinerating city refuse, a fusing furnace for fusing ash from the incinerating furnace at a high-temperature hearth formed of carbon type combustible material, a communicating passage directly communicating an ash chute of the incinerating furnace with the fusing furnace, the communicating passage acting for dropping ash from the incinerating furnace and also for upwardly exhausting exhaust gas from the fusing furnace. The system further includes a dust collector disposed in an exhaust gas passage extending from the incinerating furnace and a dust conveying passage extending from inside of a high-temperature hearth of the fusing furnace so as to introduce dust from the dust collector.

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: Waste materials are efficiently and completely incinerated in a gasification unit with a minimum amount of fly ash while ensuring complete sterilization of residual materials. The gasification unit includes a refractory liner which is stepped to define primary, secondary, and tertiary combustion chambers where waste materials are completely incinerated. A fan is adapted to draw combustion air past the outer surface of the refractory liner to initially heat the combustion air while simultaneously cooling the refractory liner. The fan is further adapted to force combustion air under pressure into a preheating chamber in which the combustion air is preheated before passing into the primary and secondary combustion chambers. Turbulence in the combustion chambers, brought about through equalization of air pressure in the preheating chamber, is effected through the provision of tangential air inlets in the walls of the refractory liner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vitrifying inorganic hazardous material including heavy metals from waste containing organic and inorganic substances. The inorganic hazardous material is retained and vitrified in the slag layer of a cyclone furnace where it is converted to a nonleachable, inert form for safe disposal in conventional landfills and where, simultaneously, organic hazardous substances are completely destroyed.

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 combustion chamber for combusting a substance includes a burner and at least three successively disposed parts including a primary chamber, a secondary chamber and an ash discharge chamber. The burner is associated with and conducts a first air flow to the primary chamber. The primary chamber has an inlet for conducting a second air flow for substoichiometric combustion of a substance to be combusted at a temperature below an ash softening point and without clinker flow. The secondary chamber has an inlet for conducting a third air flow for brief, intensive, complete combustion of the substance discharged from the primary chamber with clinker flow, and the secondary chamber has walls and a material lining the walls being resistant to fluid clinker.

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

Abstract: A hearth arrangement for a furnace which melts refuses carried on the hearth arrangement comprises a plurality of hearth blocks arranged like a stair. The heart blocks are inclined stepwise in a refuse carrying direction and each hearth block has a width direction perpendicular to the refuse carrying direction. Each hearth block is divided into two block elements in the width direction of the hearth block and the two block elements are joined to each other by springs which exerts a biasing force on the block elements in the width direction of the hearth block. A clearance is formed between each two adjacent hearth blocks to tolerate heat expansion of the hearth blocks. Each block has a protuberance extending over a next hearth block located in the ash carrying direction such that the ash does not flow into the clearance between the hearth blocks.

Abstract: The slag occurring in the waste burning plant (1) is conducted from the slag exit (6) of the oven, directly into a separator (7) for coarse material and iron. There is no chilling in water. After the coarse cleaning, the slag is heated again by means of hot flue gases from the waste burning oven (1) in a preheating device (8), and then, with the feeding of additional heat, melted in a melting oven (10). Flyash is mixed with the stream of slag before the preheating device (8). The harmful substances vaporizing in the preheating and melting are condensed out of the exhaust gases and recovered. Parallel with the preheating device (8) is arranged a pyrolysis oven (9) which is also heated with a partial stream of hot flue gas from the exhaust channel (3). The pyrolysis gas is used as fuel for producing additional heat in the melting oven (10). All the remaining harmful substances not vaporized enter into harmless compounds in the molten slag or are bound, insoluble by water, in the resultant fused slag.

Abstract: A garbage burning and melting apparatus is provided and consists of a modified blast furnace to burn coal and garbage therein so that molten slag and lava by products can be extracted therefrom into a conveyor while the exhaust can be filtered to remove powdered ash therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combustion devices such as incineration furnaces and the like, and in particular, relates to combustion devices which include a combustion gas cooling device by means of which slag, combustion by-products and the like are rapidly cooled and thereby converted to nonadhering fly ash. By converting slag to nonadhering fly ash, the accumulation of slag in downstream exhaust processing equipment is diminished, and hence, the necessity of halting the operation of the combustion apparatus in order to remove the accumulated slag is eliminated, thereby improving the efficiency of operations.

Abstract: A method and system for detoxification of waste materials, comprising incineration of the waste materials followed by additional contaminant reduction steps. The waste material is separated into solid and liquid portions that are fed separately into a combustion chamber wherein they are exposed to a plasma arc torch to affect combustion, producing a gaseous emissions stream and an obsidian residue. The gaseous emissions stream passes through an emissions control unit to eliminate acid gases, metals, and particulates, producing a cleansed exhaust gas and an emissions residue. The emissions residue is passed through an electroplating unit to reclaim metals. The obsidian residue is pulverized and then treated by a chemical process, or passed through the electroplating unit, to reduce the concentration of unbound barium contained therein, producing an inert obsidian residue that is free of toxic levels of all contaminants.

Abstract: An incinerator has a furnace body whose height is 1.5-10 times the average internal diameter thereof. A combustion chamber is included which is formed by providing a plurality of air blast ports in a lower side wall and/or bank in the furnace body. A gas exhaust port is provided in the upper side of the combustion chamber and the side wall of the upper portion of the furnace body. A duct is included for leading an exhaust gas from the exhaust port to a place for making secondary use thereof.

Abstract: A furnace having an ash discharge system which collects and receives siftings falling from portions of the incinerator grate and at the same time provides for controlled emission of air for combustion of the fuel to separate sections of the grate independently. The siftings removal system includes a hopper for receiving siftings that also forms part of an air plenum for directing and controlling the flow of combustion air to the furnace. A rotating conveyor is disposed within the hopper for removing ash from the hopper. An air seal divides the hopper into separate air chambers, each of the chambers being independently supplied with a source of pressurized air. The system also includes a means to separately control the air supply to each chamber.

Abstract: An incinerator for drying then cleanly burning trash. The incinerator includes an upper rotating trash drying tumbler for receiving and drying trash and a lower rotating trash burning tumbler interconnected to the upper tumbler for receiving dried trash therefrom. The lower rotating tumbler includes a meshed screen thereabout for complete combustion of the trash therein. The heat produced from the burning trash in the lower tumbler causes the drying of trash in the upper tumbler. A rotating fire tray is situated below the lower tumbler for collecting and reburning any material falling from the lower tumbler and for retaining combustible material for igniting the dried trash in the lower tumbler. When the interior temperature of the incinerator is high enough, the trash in the lower tumbler is self-ignited and heat produced from burning material in the fire tray is no longer necessary. Air exhausted from the drying and burning of the trash is filtered before being exhausted into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for burning solid particulate fuels in a top-fed combustion system that permits the use of fuels that produce large amounts of ash and clinkers. The apparatus displaces the ash and clinkers from the grate which, if not removed, would adversely affect the heat output and efficiency of combustion. The apparatus uses a rotating reciprocating member that removes the ash and clinkers from the grate that supports the solid particulate fuel during combustion.

Abstract: Hazardous waste is formed into non-hazardous non-leaching aggregate by introducing the material to a rotary kiln where the large solids are at least partially combusted to form a primary aggregate. Gaseous combustion by-products and waste fines from the waste materials are introduced into at least one oxidizer operating at a temperature in the range of from about 1800.degree. to 2500.degree. F. Under such conditions, some of the waste fines are melted to form a slag-like material that is cooled to form the non-hazardous aggregate. The portion of the material in the oxidizer that is not melted, is cooled, neutralized and subjected to a solid gas separation. The solid is reintroduced to the oxidizer with the primary aggregate where they are either melted or entrained within the molten material and become an integral part of the non-hazardous aggregate.

Abstract: A fuel reactor particularly adopted for the efficient combustion of wood and wood-product fuels includes a core comprised of an inner fuel tube and an outer gas tube. Fuel is introduced into one end of the fuel tube and the combustion process is initiated. Perforations in the gas tube allow the combustion gas to progress down the fuel tube and combine with air in the gas tube. A high temperature is maintained on the gas tube to enhance the combustion process. In addition, high temperature-high pressure steam and air are introduced into the core to increase the reactivity rate of char products. The high temperature-high pressure steam is produced by a novel steam pump. The combustion gases are further processed through a gas dispersion chamber, including dispersion plates, and a gas expansion chamber. Heat is extracted from the combustion gases via a novel heat exchanger which includes a gas dispersion shelf, a radiating heat exchanger plate, a primary heat exchanger, and a condensing heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering chemicals from spent liquors while at the same time utilizing energy liberated during the process. The spent liquors are gasified and partially disintegrated in a reactor (1), external thermal energy independent of combustion being simultaneously supplied to the reaction zone (2) of the reactor, after which the resultant melt is separated (at 9) at substantially the temperature prevailing at combustion, the gaseous product thereby formed being quenched in a quenching and cooling zone (6), to a temperature below 950.degree. C. A product gas is thus obtained which contains substantially no sulphur impurities, an alkali product with high sulphide content and an alkali product substantially free from sulphide and having low Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 content.

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: Improved methods and apparatus for accumulating and conveying hot ash produced by an incinerator are provided. The method is comprised of the steps of continuously conducting hot ash from the incinerator to a closed oscillating housing which includes first and second compartments. The compartments are connected by an internal door for sealingly isolating the first compartment from the second compartment, and the second compartment has an ash discharge door connected thereto for sealingly isolating both the first and second compartments when the internal door therebetween is open. The oscillating housing is continuously operated in cycles whereby the ash conducted to the first compartment is accumulated therein and conveyed over the floor thereof to the second compartment, and the ash received in the second compartment is conveyed over the floor thereof and discharged therefrom without air infiltration from the housing to the incinerator taking place.

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: A method for thermal decomposition treatment of a radioactive waste uses an apparatus comprising a container for holding molten matter of a radioactive waste containing a sodium compound, a pair of electrodes contacting the molten matter, and a power source for applying voltage between the electrodes while changing the polarity thereof every several tens of seconds. In this apparatus, the molten matter can be heated in the container by Joule heat, which is evolved by electric current directly flowed through the molten matter, so that the sodium compound contained in the radioactive waste can be decomposed, vaporized and removed to recover a stabilized radioactive solid as a residue in the container.

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.

Abstract: A plant for thermal waste disposal includes a pyrolysis reactor converting waste into carbonization gas and substantially non-volatile pyrolysis residue and a discharge device connected to the pyrolysis reactor. A combustion chamber operated with an oxygen excess is connected to a carbonization gas discharge fitting of the discharge device for receiving the carbonization gas. A residue sorting device is connected to the pyrolysis residue outlet of the discharge device for sorting out coarser coarse components substantially including non-combustible ingredients such as rocks, glass shards, broken porcelain, and metal parts, from combustible finer coarse components. A transport device connected to the residue sorting device transports the finer coarse components. A grinding apparatus has an inlet side connected to the transport device and a discharge side for feeding the finer coarse components to the combustion chamber after grinding.

Abstract: A continuous flow ash lockhopper includes an ash hopper at the outlet of a high temperature, high pressure reactor vessel containing heated high pressure gas, a fluidics control chamber having an input port connected to the ash hopper's output port and an output port connected to the input port of a pressure letdown means, and a control chamber connected to a variable pressure control fluid (gas or steam) supply for regulating the pressure in the control chamber to be equal to or greater than the internal gas pressure of the reactor vessel, whereby the reactor gas is contained while ash is permitted to continuously flow from the ash hopper's output port, impelled by gravity. The fluidics control chamber may be provided with a variable port to inject control fluid at a desired velocity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the combustion of a hydrocarbonaceous material wherein an open topped trough means is provided for containing the hydrocarbonaceous material, at least one of an oxygen containing gas and a fluid fuel is introduced into a lower portion of the trough means to mix with the hydrocarbonaceous material to be combusted in the trough means, and an oxygen containing gas curtain is established around the trough means to pick up at least some combustion products rising from the open top of the trough means, circulate same around the under side of the trough means, and carry same back to the top of the trough means, whereby visible emissions are reduced and at least some particulate solids removed.

Abstract: A method of treating ash and dust from incineration plants. The ash and dush are coprocessed by mixing one or more hazardous wastes and/or metallic scraps therewith. The mixture is supplied to a smelting furnace together with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for separating metals and ashes from the residue remaining after incineration by positioning a magnetic drum between six (6) and twelve (12) inches from the conveyor transporting said residue to result in the maximum amount of reclaimed metal.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for burning combustibles, particularly garbage and coal, in such a manner as to prevent the venting of unwanted pollutants into the atmosphere and for recovering valuable resources. The combustibles are burned in a rotating inclined furnace; solids and molten metals are extracted at the discharge end of the furnace; the discharged gases are passed through a boiler for extracting heat therefrom and generating steam; the discharged gases are liquified by sequential cooling and the so-liquified products removed while preventing discharge of gases into the atmosphere; the remaining gases are passed through a second boiler for further extraction of heat and steam generation and further extraction of liquified products; and the effluent gases are passed into subsequent apparatus for removing any remaining pollutants and for the recovering of resources in accordance with Nielson U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,341.

Abstract: Heavy metals and compounds thereof and other toxic materials in industrial wastes, sludges, soils, incinerated ashes and the like are fixed and stabilized in a char residue, obtained by critical region pyrolyzing techniques and appropriate proportions of carbonaceous materials intimately mixed with the sludge, to encapsulate the heavy metals with carbon bonded thereto which effectively detoxifies the residue and renders it immune to any substantial leaching out or later exposure to the toxic metals, such that the same is environmentally safe for such uses as landfill and the like.

Abstract: A pollution-free waste reclamation furnace which is comprised of a forced air burn chamber for burning presorted combustible non-petroleum derivative waste. A petroleum derivative waste cooking ring-like chamber, which is at least partially surrounded by the burn chamber, has an oil bath therein for receiving and cooking petroleum derivative waste wherein the waste is heated until it melts and dissolves within the oil to form sweet crude. A solid waste cage operably moves through the oil in the ring chamber to collect undissolved non-petroleum derivative solid waste to thereby remove such undissolved solid waste from the cooking ring chamber. An exhaust stack is provided having a spiraling exhaust gas tunnel wrapped therearound wherein the tunnel is in flow communication with the burn chamber where exhaust gases rise and pass therethrough. A plurality of steam jets are within the tunnel along with a plurality of openings permitting communication between the tunnel and the inside of the stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for completely burning waste products such as petroleum oil, plastics and rubber where combustion air is mixed with the incinerating waste products from above an inner chamber housing the burning waste products. All fuels can be burned with this method and apparatus.

Abstract: An incineration system utilizes a circular cross-section pyrolysis chamber in which waste materials are gasified. A flat cast iron hearth serves as the floor of the pyrolysis chamber and has a number of small holes which are raised above the general hearth level by a number of nipples. The bolted front head of the chamber has a vertically movable front door. When raised, the hinged door assembly may be opened by unscrewing a pair of locking mechanisms which seal the door to a vertically movable frame. Ash removal may be accomplished by partially raising the entire structure, rather than opening the door. The ash ram is rectangular, covers a substantial area of the chamber floor when extended, and utilizes a unique cable and cylinder ram moving system. An air plenum above the chamber also acts as a platform, allowing inspection and maintenance to take place on top of the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling ash. A tank is filled with water and has the lower end thereof located at a substantial angle from horizontal. The tank is positioned beneath an incinerator to receive ash therefrom. An ash wheel having sectors defined by upright paddle elements has a portion thereof received beneath the water into which the ash falls and a portion thereof which extends over one edge of the tank. As the wheel rotates, ash is swept over the edge of the tank and onto a conveyor for disposal.

Abstract: A system for discharging and cooling hot ash from a coal combustion unit, such as a coal combustor or an associated filter, where the hot ash at a temperature in excess of 700.degree. C. and at superatmospheric pressure is charged to a jacketed, cooled screw conveyor and passed therethrough in contact with a countercurrent flow of a purge gas. The ash is cooled in the screw conveyor to a temperature of below 320.degree. C. and dischaged to a collection hopper, under pressure, while the purge gas and gases evolved from the hot ash are returned to the combustion unit.

Abstract: An improved solids incineration process and system are provided of the type wherein the solids are combusted and the resulting combustion gases are separated from combustion ash, the ash is quenched and neutralized with a quench liquid, heat is removed from the combustion gases and the combustion gases contacted with a scrubber liquid in a wet scrubber to remove fly ash therefrom. By the present invention, the spent scrubber liquid from the wet scrubber is utilized as at least a portion of the ash quench liquid.

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: The present invention is a dry ash handling system which creates a vertical ash pile in an ash hopper that allows continued combustion of unburned embers. The ash height allows embers to be completely burned before leaving the bottom of the hopper. The hopper includes an air layer injection system which forces air up through the hot ash from below the top of the ash pile, increasing burn-out efficiency. The air rising through the hot ash returns residual heat to the combustion process increasing combustion efficiency, while cooling the ash to a safe handling temperature. The air capturing the residual heat is replaced with cool fresh air, enhancing cooling and preventing dust from escaping. The sides of the hopper are sloped causing the ash to be mixed as it travels to the bottom, preventing air channels from forming.

Abstract: A furnace has a solid fuel hopper above a combustion chamber, an ash outlet below said combustion chamber, a combustion gas outlet at or below the level of the combustion chamber, and an auger in an ash chamber below the ash opening to regulate the size of an ash pile below the combustion chamber and hence control the escape of ash or fuel or non-combustibles through the ash opening. This enables the combustion gas outlet to be covered by hot coals within the combustion chamber so that any combustion gas from the combustion chamber or any pre-combustion zone must pass through a filter of hot coals before reaching the combustion gas outlet.