Process Patents (Class 110/341)
  • Patent number: 7468170
    Abstract: Sorbent compositions for coal contain nitrogenous components that reduce the level of mercury and/or sulfur emitted into the atmosphere upon combustion. The sorbent compositions are added directly to the fuel before combustion; directly into the fireball during combustion; are added to the fuel before combustion and into the flue gas post combustion zone; or are added completely into the flue gas post combustion zone, preferably where the flue gas temperature is at least 500° C. The sorbent compositions comprise a source of nitrate ions, a source of nitrite ions, or a combination of nitrate and nitrite sources. The sorbents are added as solids or as solutions in water. In various embodiments, the sorbent compositions further comprise a source of halogen such as bromide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas C Comrie
  • Patent number: 7458325
    Abstract: A high throughput process and apparatus for thermal remediation of bio-solids, e.g., bio-sludge from wastewater treatment plants, has a dryer with a high capacity heat source to volatilize and combust the compounds contained in a first lot of bio-solids. The thermally treated bio-solids are discharged and cooled. Hot gases and fines formed are drawn into a second dryer where a second lot of bio-solids are used to cool the hot gases/fines mixture. An exhaust cooling recirculating unit is used to further cool the gas/fines mixture and separate courser fines before entering the bag house. Additional separation of the fines from gases is achieved in a baghouse or other suitable device for separating fine particles from gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Bio-Solids Remediation Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Hopper, Trudy J. Hopper
  • Publication number: 20080271656
    Abstract: This invention relates to an industrial furnace roof filler element to allow replacement of a failed heat source during operation. The filler element can include a lower portion, a module, an aperture, a protuberance, a bore and/or a heat source. This invention also relates to a method of operation for an industrial furnace wherein a failed heat source is replaced during operation of the industrial furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Fred Lindeman, Stephen Coates, William R. Materna, Timothy Park
  • Patent number: 7444947
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for feeding a mixture comprising a burnable solid and water to a combustion furnace or gasification reactor, comprising heating the mixture with a heater to convert at least a part of the water in the mixture into a form of steam and feeding the whole mixture to a combustion furnace or gasification reactor, wherein the whole mixture is transferred between an inlet of the heater and the combustion furnace or gasification reactor by a pump, characterized in that a discharge pressure at the pump is higher than an inner pressure in the combustion furnace or gasification reactor at least by 1.5 MPa and not higher than 22.12 MPa, and that a flow rate of said mixture with at least a part of the water being in a form of steam is from 6 to 50 m/s in a pipe in the heater and in a pipe between an outlet of the heater and an inlet of the combustion furnace or gasification reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Yukuo Katayama
  • Patent number: 7438004
    Abstract: A method includes containing a high-temperature alkali salt containing environment using a refractory containment liner containing MgAl2O4 spinel. A method, includes forming a refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel having an exterior chill zone defined by substantially columnar crystallization and an interior zone defined by substantially equiaxed crystallization; and removing at least a portion of the exterior chill zone from the refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel by scalping the refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel to define at least one outer surface having an area of substantially equiaxed crystallization. A product of manufacture includes a refractory brick containing MgAl2O4 spinel including an interior zone defined by substantially equiaxed crystallization; and at least one outer surface having an area of substantially equiaxed crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Roberta A. Peascoe-Meisner, James R. Keiser, James G. Hemrick, Camden R. Hubbard, J. Peter Gorog, Amul Gupta
  • Patent number: 7435400
    Abstract: A method for increasing the nitrogen oxide emissions by either removing or modifying fuel rich nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction processes thereby improving combustion efficiencies especially with low volatile low sulfur coals, and remove unburned carbon, reduce sulfur dioxide and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while using post-primary combustion urea or ammonia injection with or without a reburn fuel NOx reducing process to restore NOx to regulated emission levels. Furthermore, adding lime or limestone to the urea or ammonia solution to further reduce SO2 and to increase the concentration of the carbon free fly ash to cementitious concentrations. Furthermore, by proper number and disposition of the injectors in the post combustion zone and by further water diluting the mixture, this NOx reduction process is effective at substantially higher gas temperatures than conventional Selective Non-Catalytic NOx Reduction and with no ammonia slip. This method significantly increases the profitability of power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Bert Zauderer
  • Publication number: 20080190335
    Abstract: A simplified variable orifice for a conduit furnishing a stream of particulate coal to a burner for a turbine in an electrical utility plant. Two plates are installed across the conduit, one of them being fixed and the other being variable in angular position relative to the first. A lockable mechanism is provided externally of the conduit to manually adjust the degree of blocking and to indicate the position of the movable plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Wark E. Rickey
  • Publication number: 20080149011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the thermochemical conversion of a fuel, comprising the following steps: a) provision of a fluidised-bed reactor with a central first combustion zone (1) and a second combustion zone (7) that is separated from the first by flow conduction means (2, 15), the first combustion zone (1) being provided with a supply opening (16) for supplying fuel and a unit (3), which lies opposite the supply opening (16) on the floor (B) of the fluidised bed reactor, for deviating a stream of fuel into the second combustion zone (7); b) feeding of fuel through the supply opening (16), so that a stream of fuel forms that is directed towards the floor (B); c) deviation of the stream of fuel on the floor (B) into the second combustion zone (7), so that the stream of fuel is guided in an essentially opposite direction; and d) additional deviation of the stream of fuel in the vicinity of the supply opening (16), causing the stream of fuel to be returned to the first combustion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Applikations- Und Technikzentrum
    Inventors: Peter Quicker, Gerold Dimaczek, Frank Fojtik
  • Publication number: 20080110380
    Abstract: A furnace comprising a housing defining a combustion chamber therein, a burner in the housing, the burner comprising a body defining a burning zone, a fuel feeder in communication with the burning zone adapted to feed a renewable fuel source therein, an air supplier in fluid flow communication with the burning zone for supplying oxygen for fuel combustion, a cooling jacket integrated in the body and cooling the burning zone independently of the air supplier, the burner being operable to release hot combustion gases into the combustion chamber, and a heat exchanger in the housing capturing heat from the hot combustion gases and transferring the heat to another medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Francois Gauthier, Dominique Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7322301
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing sewerage sludge and other organic based feedstocks, in an energy efficient manner that minimizes or eliminates unwanted byproducts, including pathogens, and generates useful environmentally safe products. The sewage sludge or other feedstocks are partially dried before being input to a gasifier operating under partial pyrolytic conditions with a small amount of oxygen or air present to produce fuel in the form of synthesis gas, bio-oil fuel, and char. A small percentage of the fuel may be used to maintain the operation of the feedstock drying process after it is started and a small amount of the synthesis gas produced in the gasifier reacts with the small amount of oxygen present with the feedstock to maintain the pyrolysis temperature in the gasifier in order to make the system economically viable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Wayne Childs
  • Patent number: 7320288
    Abstract: A steam-generating combustion system includes an oxygen enriched gas provided as at least part of an oxidant stream. A combustion chamber receives and combusts a fuel in the oxidant stream and generate steam. The combustion chamber generates flue gas having a flue gas volume which is smaller than a volume of flue gas generated by the combustion chamber when operated with air as the oxidant stream. A flue gas pollutant control system receives the flue gas from the combustion chamber and reduces at least one of particulate matter, SOx, NOx, and mercury. The reduction in flue gas volume allows the implementation of much smaller pollutant control equipment, since the size of the pollutant control units is mainly based on the volume or mass flow rate of flue gas to be treated. Moreover, the system including oxygen-enriched gas in the oxidant will lead to concentrated levels of the pollutants in the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Scott Macadam, Erwin Penfornis, Fabienne Chatel-Pelage
  • Patent number: 7305924
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering biomass fuel to a structure through an external wall of the structure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hopper disposed within a delivery vehicle. The hopper includes an inlet disposed on its top surface to receive biomass fuel and an outlet located proximate the bottom of the hopper to release the fuel by opening a gate valve. A delivery hose is connected to the hopper outlet at one end and is sealably connectable at its other end to an externally accessible coupling disposed on an external wall of the structure to which fuel is to be delivered. The coupling is connected on the interior side of the external wall to a delivery pipe that connects to a fuel bin for storing the biomass fuel. Sensors within the bin can signal the operator when the level of fuel within the bin reaches a preselected level, allowing the operator to stop delivery when the bin is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Step Saver, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J Steffl, Joel W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 7293511
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of particulate organic waste material, the apparatus comprising: a hopper means having flow control means for controlling flow rate of the waste material; a pyrolysis unit having (i) a heating means for heating the material, and (ii) a means in the form of a cascade of vanes for controlling rate of flow therethrough; means for removing gaseous products generated in the pyrolysis unit, the gaseous products being recycled; and residual treated waste material collection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hudol Limited
    Inventors: Robert Marshall Prigmore, Brian Davies, Colin Cook
  • Patent number: 7266866
    Abstract: A memorial for deceased humans or animals in which the cremated residue or ash is blended or mixed with particulate glass, the mixture being heated to form a liquid pool of glass with the cremation residue or ash dispersed, infused and/or absorbed therein, the molten glass and ash being removed from the heat source after a suitable time period and transferred to a mold in the shape of the memorial, the mold allowed to cool until the memorial sets, the memorial then removed from the mold and reheated in an annealing oven at a suitable temperature for a suitable time so as to eliminate possible cracking and scoring, the memorial once removed from the annealing oven can be further cut, polished, faceted, engraved or the like. The initial mixture of particulate glass and cremation residue and ash can be further combined with a coloring agent if so desired before heating or before transfer to the memorial mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventors: Harold C. Vogel, Gregory W. Young, Tracy M. Crapser
  • Patent number: 7188571
    Abstract: A method for the processing of carbon-containing polymeric material, the method comprising the steps of: Introducing the carbon-containing polymeric material into the retort of a retort assembly which includes a retort disposed at least partially within the combustion chamber, the retort containing an inert heat-transfer medium and an agitation means, wherein the agitation means is adapted to agitate the inert heat transfer medium and the carbon containing polymeric material, the combustion chamber having heating means to indirectly heat the rotatable retort; Heating the carbon-containing polymeric material and the inert heat transfer medium to cause such to at least partially decompose; Discharging processed carbon-containing polymeric material from the retort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tox Free Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Sergio Nusimovich
  • Patent number: 7182028
    Abstract: A system for the pyrolization of waste has a combustion chamber with a fuel inlet and a hot gas outlet, a pyrolization chamber separated from the combustion chamber, and a conveyor means positioned within the pyrolization chamber for moving waste from the waste inlet through the pyrolization chamber. The pyrolization chamber is connected to the hot gas outlet of the combustion chamber. The pyrolization chamber has a waste inlet and pyrolized waste outlet. A plurality of radiant tubes are positioned within the pyrolization chamber adjacent to the conveyor so as to heat the waste on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Warren E. White
  • Patent number: 7156027
    Abstract: An object to be treated such as soil, burned fly ashes, or the like containing organic halides is introduced to a hermetically sealable thermal decomposition furnace 310 and heated under reduced pressure. Emitted gases of the object to be treated are treated so that the generation and recomposition of dioxins are supressed. A heated residue of the object to be treated is cooled after being purged with a purge gas which is organic halide-free and has no organic halide generating capacity. Thus, the concentration of organic halides remaining in the heated residue can be held to an extremely low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Houei Syoukai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokoyama, Tooru Kodama, Yasuo Mishima, Katuo Takamiya
  • Patent number: 7140309
    Abstract: A method and system for clean burning organic or synthetic material, particularly vulcanized rubber, where fuel is ignited and the heat and smoke by-product is maximized by controlling the amount of oxygen available to the fire. The smoke by-product in an afterburner is reacted with steam, producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the products may be collected and stored. The extreme heat in the afterburner reduces the amount of pollutants and toxins in the air. Excess heat generated by burning the fuel may be used to power an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: New Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Max D. Behunin
  • Patent number: 7063026
    Abstract: A waste carbonizing and energy utilizing system comprises a carbonizer, a gasifying fusion furnace, and a power generation plant for utilizing heat energy. The carbonizer 20 carbonizes waste to generate charcoal. The gasifying fusion furnace incinerates the charcoal, and then the heat generated by the incineration of the charcoal is used for operation of the power generation plant. Exhaust heat from the power generation plant is recycled to the carbonizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Masao Kanai
  • Patent number: 7047892
    Abstract: A method for removing foreign material such as paints and coatings from workpieces using a mobile furnace. The workpieces are flash heated so that only the surface is heated to remove the coatings without heating the core of the workpieces. Deformation of the workpiece and degradation of the thermal treatment of the workpiece material is thereby avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: John Bruce Smith
  • Patent number: 7044069
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed toward a pyrolytic waste treatment system having multiple pyrolysis chambers. It is contemplated that the system is adapted to heat at least one pyrolysis chamber independently of at least one other pyrolysis chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: International Environmental Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron Cole, Raul de la Torres, Toby L. Cole, Dan Watts
  • Patent number: 7032525
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of converting waste materials into combustible vapor and char utilizing an energy efficient pyrolytic processing oven that eliminates the complex mechanisms usually associated with these systems for heating and transporting the waste material through the oven. The oven of this system has a unique configuration that permits the pyrolized material to free fall through the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Jerry M. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 7028624
    Abstract: Method of treatment of domestic waste. A reaction space is provided, into which the waste to be treated is fed at a controlled rate. The waste is concurrently compacted to form a stopper preventing leakage of gases from the reaction space. An oxygen-containing gas is fed to the reaction space, in order to affect the combustion of the waste and produce gases and solid material. The gas is filtered through the solid material, causing the gases to react with the solid material, whereby to produce fuel gases and ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: T.G.E. Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: Yakov Tsinman, Jean-Claude Ohayon
  • Patent number: 7028625
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for introducing one or more unblocking materials into solid fuel conditioning equipment at predetermined locations and intervals to prevent the occurrence of, or to treat the existence of at least one solid fuel blockage within the equipment, wherein introduction of the one or more unblocking materials is based on or triggered by an assessment of whether there is an actual or impending partial or complete blockage of solid fuel within the conditioning equipment, and wherein such assessment is made by measuring pressure within the solid fuel conditioning equipment and then comparing the measurement(s) against a baseline pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Riley Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny Lee Tomac
  • Patent number: 7028623
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of organic matter, comprises the steps of preliminary microwave irradiation in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere to give a black ash-like residue, followed by combustion of the residue to give a white ash. Hence the emissions of carcinogens such as dioxins are substantially reduced as are heavy metals such as Mercury and Cadimum. The apparatus (11) comprises a single chamber (12) in which both steps of the process are performed. The apparatus (11) also comprises means for generating nitrogen- or oxygen-depleted air as well as scrubbers (2), filters, condensers and the like for treating the gaseous products (carbon dioxide and steam) of the process. The apparatus (11) may be of a portable and modular nature—and may optionally include a cremulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Frederick Pearson
  • Patent number: 7025006
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial and/or household waste treatment method and to an industrial and/or household waste treatment installation (1). According to the invention, the method is characterised in that it consists of, in particular, the loading of the waste into numerous pierced containers (20), thermolysis of the waste in the containers (20) being conveyed into a pyrolysis oven (12); emptying of the containers (20) into a separation tank (18) in order to separate the products formed by the thermolysis; and treatment of the separated products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick Jeulin
  • Patent number: 7021223
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for injecting gasification medium into particle-loaded gasification spaces of fixed-bed, fluidized-bed or entrained-bed gasifiers by means of gasification-medium nozzles, wherein the supply portion the isorate of the gasification medium in the gasification-medium nozzle does not fall below a minimum value, and in the adjoining acceleration portion the gasification medium is constantly accelerated and upon exit from the nozzle orifice is concentrated in a focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Sekundarrohstoff-Verwertungszentrum Schwarzw Pumpe GmbH, Envirotherm GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Meyer, Reinhard Skoddow, Osman Turna
  • Patent number: 7017500
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing the overall and/or distribution of fuel weight disposed on the top surface of the grate of a grate-fired device and adjusting the fuel infeed as a function of the flow rate of steam generated by the boiler. A plurality of weight sensors are disposed remote from the grate at selected locations associated with the support for the grate and which provide signals which are convertible to useful representations of the overall weight and/or the distribution of fuel weight over the top surface of the grate in real time and independent of the forward movement of the grate and associated changes in the weight of the fuel on the grate at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 7013816
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for carbonizing large pieces of solid fuels, preferably bio fuels and is particularly suitable for gasifying large bales of grain straw and hay, which have not been comminuted. It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method, with which whole bales and other large pieces of gasifiable material can be broken down under controlled conditions with little thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Christian Herlt
  • Patent number: 6988453
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed toward a pyrolytic waste treatment system comprising an outlet adapted to channel a composition out of a pyrolysis chamber. A mechanism is used for cleaning the outlet during operation of the pyrolytic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: International Environmental Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Cameron Cole, Raul de la Tores, Toby L. Cole, Dan Watts
  • Patent number: 6978725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for treating biogenic residues, particularly sludges, preferably in the area of a clarification plant. Biogenic residues with a variable dry substance are subjected to aerobic drying until an energy-independent thermal treatment can be carried out. During the drying process, evaporated water is discharged in an odor-free condition without releasing freely volatile components, the dried sludge is intermediately stored a number of times and then utilized in preferably a number of successive thermal treatment steps. The two-stage cleaning of the stream of waste gas includes a dust collection unit and an adsorption unit. The waste heat is recycled through a heat exchanger to generate heat and electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tecon Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Michael Ramharter, Harald Bayer
  • Patent number: 6941879
    Abstract: A process and gas generator is disclosed for generating by dry distillation of solids and gasification of solids, a fuel gas substantially free of condensable dry distillation volatiles which would interfere with the intended use of the gas, e.g. for powering an internal combustion engine. To achieve this, solids beds in distinct dry distillation and gasification zones are maintained under conditions favouring thermal cracking of condensable (tar) volatiles in the hot regions of both zones. For optimal control of these conditions these zones are physically separated by internals within a single reactor vessel and optionally by performing part of the dry distillation (pyrolysis) in a separate reactor vessel, in which case pyrolysis volatiles are fed in counter-current to the dry distillation bed, withdrawn from the top thereof and fed into and through the embers bed of the gasification zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Foretop Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Helmut Hahn, Kirsten Braeker, Heinrich Mosch, Heinz Gustav Mallek
  • Patent number: 6941878
    Abstract: A melter for the vitrification of waste, and method of using the melter, in the form of a disposal canister, wherein the melter is capable of filling multiple disposal canisters of waste and subsequently of being filled with vitrified waste and disposed of in like manner to that of a disposal canister. In the method of the invention, while waste is loaded into the melter, it is melted and then allowed to flow out of the melter and into a disposal container. The filled disposal container is then removed and and replaced with an empty disposal container. This is repeated until a fixed number of disposal containers are filled. Then, the melter is filled with vitrified waste and disposed of in the same manner as for a disposal canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Radioactive Isolation Consortium, LLC
    Inventors: James R Powell, Morris Reich
  • Patent number: 6928937
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the control of a cleaning system for a boiler which incorporates factors related to the overall operation and efficiency of the boiler. Current values of plant data parameters associated with the boiler furnace are compared with respective setpoint values. The process then determines if the furnace is to be cleaned based on this comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Diamond Power International, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel H. Booher
  • Patent number: 6895874
    Abstract: A furnace blower housing has a two-piece exhaust transition, one piece of which is an integral extension of the blower housing, that transitions a rectangular cross section outlet of the blower housing to a circular cross section outlet of the exhaust transition that is adapted to be attached to a circular exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Jakel Incorporated
    Inventor: William Stuart Gatley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6892655
    Abstract: A drum transport device is disclosed which includes a plate, a first and a second pair of connected and vertically spaced horizontal bars a pair on opposite sides of the row of drums. Each bar has an end which is connected to the plate. The device includes middle horizontal bars, a first between the first pair of horizontal bars and a second between the second pair. The middle horizontal bars move in unison with one another and to move relative to the first and second pair bars. The device also includes a plurality of vertically oriented hinge doors, pivotably connected to the horizontal bars. Tie rods are pivotably connected to both the hinge doors and a corresponding middle horizontal bar, such that when a middle bar is moved relative the pairs of horizontal bars, the hinge doors swing to a position substantially parallel to or substantially parallel to the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Continental Cement Company, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Nunemacher
  • Patent number: 6887389
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mixing sewage sludge with spent water-softener lime in a ratio of approximately 10:1 on a wet basis. The mixture is introduced to a rotary pre-dryer kiln and a rotary combuster kiln to kill pathogens. An ash by-product and gases are thereby produced. The ash by-product can be disposed of at much less cost or can be incorporated in a variety of applications such as an aggregate substitute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Wendell Judd
  • Patent number: 6883442
    Abstract: A process for the production of a gaseous fuel from a waste material and/or a premium fuel, which process comprises: i) providing a processing chamber having therein a plurality of outwardly radiating inclined vanes at a base thereof, an inlet and an outlet; ii) introducing a waste material and/or a premium fuel into the chamber through the inlet; iii) generating an upward flow of a heating fluid through the vanes at the base of the chamber, whereby the waste material and/or the premium fuel circulate about an axis of the chamber in a compact turbulent band and is gasified and/or pyrolysed to produce a gaseous fuel stream, which gaseous fuel stream exits the chamber through the outlet; and iv) feeding at least a portion of the gaseous fuel stream back into the chamber through an entry point adjacent the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Mortimer Technology Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Alexander Groszek, Christopher Edward Dodson, Cornelis Wilhelmus Notebaart, Hubertus Petrus Maria Oudenhoven
  • Patent number: 6863004
    Abstract: The invention provides processes and systems for generating heat from a carbon-containing material or converting a carbon-containing material to a combustible gaseous fuel, comprising (a) pyrolysing the material in a reactor to produce a carbon-enriched solid and a first gaseous product, (b) burning at least part of the first gaseous product and/or a second gaseous product obtained by reacting the carbon-enriched solid with water vapour to generate heat, and (c) returning combustion products from the burning step to the reactor and/or removing part of the first gaseous product and/or the second gaseous product as a combustible fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: World Oasis Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Denis A. Randall
  • Patent number: 6848373
    Abstract: In a method of measuring heat flux and corrosion in a furnace, pairs of thermocouples are attached to the back side of the furnace wall. One thermocouple of each pair is attached to a tube and the second thermocouple is attached to a web connected to that tube. A temperature differential is determined for each pair at selected time intervals. A decrease in the difference between temperature differentials indicates slag on the furnace wall has melted indicating corrosion can be occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Breen Energy Solutions
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Robert A. Schrecengost
  • Patent number: 6840184
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating and utilizing waste materials and mixtures thereof in multiple steps resulting in a high-yield utilization particularly of organic components of the waste for generating kinetically useful energy. The waste materials are sorted by classes, principally between organic and non-organic, e.g. metallic and ceramic, substances. The organic substances are briquetted and gasified, the produced gas being utilized for the direct and indirect generation of electricity and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Claus Eberhardt, Bernd Ruediger Kipper, Ulrich Stegmann, Jochen Zingelmann
  • Publication number: 20040261672
    Abstract: A method for the processing of carbon-containing polymeric material, the method comprising the steps of: Introducing the carbon-containing polymeric material into the retort of a retort assembly which includes a retort disposed at least partially within the combustion chamber, the retort containing an inert heat-transfer medium and an agitation means, wherein the agitation means is adapted to agitate the inert heat transfer medium and the carbon containing polymeric material, the combustion chamber having heating means to indirectly heat the rotatable retort; Heating the carbon-containing polymeric material and the inert heat transfer medium to cause such to at least partially decompose; Discharging processed carbon-containing polymeric material from the retort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Sergio Nusimovich
  • Patent number: 6832564
    Abstract: A method of operating a multiple hearth furnace with a plurality of vertically aligned hearth floors includes feeding a first material onto the uppermost hearth floor and moving it over the hearth floor before it falls through a drop hole onto the next lower hearth floor. The first material is processed in this way from hearth floor to hearth floor to the lowermost hearth floor. A second material is fed onto one of the hearth floors to be mixed into the first material. This second material is moved separately from the first material in a separate annular zone of the hearth floor onto which it is fed before it is mixed into the first material, providing an efficient thermal preconditioning of the second material prior to mixing it with the first material without requiring any supplemental equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Hutmacher, Pascal Ferretti, Steve Arendt, Emile Lonardi
  • Publication number: 20040250741
    Abstract: The invention relates to arc-heating plasma reactors for simultaneous making of refractory, metal and non-metal material melt and sublimates having a high degree of a melt viscosity and can be used in cement, chemical industries and metallurgy. The aim of the present invention is to provide the increase of a performance of a furnace lining, the serviceability, a furnace capacity, a finished product quality, the decrease of a power supply, making and separation of associated binding agents, non-ferrous metals in the form of melts and sublimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jury Aleksandrovich Burlov, Ivan Jurievich Burlov, Alexandr Jrievich Burlov
  • Patent number: 6830001
    Abstract: A batch type pyrolysis furnace is described for the removal of organic contaminants from various metal parts with superior heating efficiency. The described pyrolysis furnace employs a modified gas burner construction providing combined radiant and convection heating to carry out the pyrolysis cycle in shorter heat-up and cool-down time periods accompanied by fuel savings. A novel furnace apparatus and method for its operation to achieve these benefits is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Armature Coil Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Rogert F. Heran, Robert A. Koptis
  • Publication number: 20040237859
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for processing residual waste and other organically contaminated waste substances, and a residual waste processing plant, wherein a waste substance containing organic constituents is heated to the boiling temperature range of water in a reactor under vacuum, so that membranes of water-containing cell structures are destroyed, and the organically highly contaminated cell water may be discharged, together with the exhaust vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Rudolf Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20040231574
    Abstract: An apparatus 1 for disposal of wastes comprises a measuring hopper 2 for measuring a charging amount of a waste to be disposed such as domestic wastes, industrial wastes or the like or a charging amount of a solid fuel such as coke, coal or the like, a charging hopper 3 for charging the waste and the solid fuel respectively measured with the measuring hopper 2, a melting furnace 4 for melting the waste charged from the charging hopper 3 at a high temperature to conduct detoxification thereof, and a charging damper 5 arranged between the charging hopper 3 and the melting furnace 4 and having a multistage sluice valve system 9 capable of charging the waste and the solid fuel charged in the charging hopper 3 into the melting furnace 4 without outflowing of a furnace gas to exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Shouichi Kume
  • Patent number: 6802269
    Abstract: Methods for improving the strength of alumina refractory materials are disclosed. The method involves exposing the alumina material to a halogen gas. The treated materials can be used in furnaces for producing fused silica optical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert S. Pavlik, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040168621
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial and/or household waste treatment method and to an industrial and/or household waste treatment installation (1). According to the invention, the method is characterised in that it consists of, in particular, the loading of the waste into numerous pierced containers (20), thermolysis of the waste in the containers (20) being conveyed into a pyrolysis oven (12); emptying of the containers (20) into a separation tank (18) in order to separate the products formed by the thermolysis; and treatment of the separated products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Jeulin
  • Publication number: 20040159270
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the control of a cleaning system for a boiler which incorporates factors related to the overall operation and efficiency of the boiler. Current values of plant data parameters associated with the boiler furnace are compared with respective setpoint values. The process then determines if the furnace is to be cleaned based on this comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Joel H. Booher