Process Patents (Class 110/341)
  • Patent number: 6314894
    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: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Jakel Incorporated
    Inventor: William Stuart Gatley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6311629
    Abstract: Gasification of waste is performed in a gasifier having a gasification space (1) and a liquid rotating slag bath (2). The slag bath (2) is preferably caused to rotate by tangentially injecting gasification medium and/or at least a portion of the waste via a burner toward the surface of the slag bath. Waste with a diameter of to 5 mm is preferably introduced into gasifier (1) above the slag bath (2), while larger waste is preferably introduced directly into the slag bath. Slag is a removed, together with cracked gas accumulated during gasification through the floor of the gasifier via a slag drain having a lateral opening which protrudes above the slag bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Linde-KCA-Dresden-GmbH
    Inventors: Siegmar Marschner, Sven Halang
  • Patent number: 6279494
    Abstract: An operation control method and apparatus are provided for a melting furnace 1 having a supply opening 2 for incineration ash 6, a discharge opening 3 for molten slag 7, and a heat source 9 for applying an amount of heat to the supplied incineration ash. The method includes the steps of imaging the vicinity of the surface of molten slag 7 heated by an amount of heat transferred from the heat source with a television camera 5 to obtain an electronic image, differentiating a high-temperature region in the electronic image that is not lower than a predetermined temperature (1,300° C.) from a low-temperature region in the electronic image that is lower than the predetermined temperature, and controlling the amount of heat applied to the incineration ash from the heat source so that the size of the differentiated high-temperature region reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Jimbo, Takeshi Kikuchi, Toshirou Amemiya, Yasuyuki Gohda
  • Patent number: 6213031
    Abstract: To cool a grate having alternately fixed and movable rows (1, 1′) of grate bars (2), cooling liquid is sprayed into cavities (7), open at the bottom, of the grate bars (2) from spray tubes (10) situated in the underblast region (8) and in the process vaporizes essentially completely, so that the heat of vaporization is extracted from the grate bars (2). The angle sector (12) into which the cooling liquid is sprayed may be set in such a way that in each case only those sections of the grate bars (2) whose top sides form the free surface of the grate are sprayed. The cavities may also be closed except for a discharge opening leading into the underblast region and may be connected to a supply reservoir, in which the liquid is kept at a constant level, which is just below the discharge openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Max Künzli, John Millard, Peter Serck-Hanssen
  • Patent number: 6125774
    Abstract: A process for feeding solid industrial and special waste to combustion installations. The waste materials are separated from the combustion chamber by a lock system, are comminuted and homogenized in an inert-gas atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Coatings AG
    Inventors: Kurt Kohler, Alfred Burger, Wilhelm Dinkelborg-Lucke, Heinz Bertich, Rolf Hetzelberger, Paul Kolberg, Karl Heinz Mohlmann, Michael Walterbusch
  • Patent number: 6066771
    Abstract: A process for treating carbon-containing material contaminated with toxic elements utilises smelting of the material in a top-submerged lancing reactor. The material has its carbon content present as elemental or free carbon. Smelting is conducted so as to form, or in the presence of, a fluid slag. In the course of smelting, free-oxygen-containing gas is injected into the slag by top-submerged injection, to combust the carbon content of the material. Volatilizable toxic elements are discharged in reactor off-gas, while non-volatilizable elements are substantially fully incorporated into the slag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Ausmelt Limited
    Inventors: John M Floyd, Carl P Jeppe, Robert W Matusewicz, Kenneth R Robilliard
  • Patent number: 6058859
    Abstract: A device for supporting refractory material in a furnace environment is provided. In one embodiment, the supporting device is fabricated from individual pieces which are connected to produce a functional supporting device. The material supporting device provides an inverted channel-shaped base member structurally interengaged with a C-shaped member to provide support to material loads in an industrial setting. The C-shaped member has a pair of generally upwardly and inwardly projecting engagement flanges which provide interconnection with the base member. The base member has a pair of generally downwardly and inwardly projecting base flanges which provide support for refractory material. In another embodiment, interengagement between the C-shaped member and the base member may be further secured by conventional mechanical fastening apparatus and methods. A method of employing the above-described device and a method for using multiple supporting devices with one or more structural members are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Samuel A. Colosimo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6035791
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing and recycling CCA (copper, chrome, arsenic) treated wood chips that includes a vertical reaction chamber into which a continuous stream of wood chips is poured. Hot gases at about 400.degree. C. are introduced into the bottom of the column to heat the chips below their ignition point. The combustion gases flow upwardly through the chips to progressively cool the gases and allow them to condense in the column. The condensate is deposited upon the surface of the chips and the gases, which are now free of heavy metals, are evacuated from the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Beaumartin S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Sebastien Hery
  • Patent number: 5958252
    Abstract: A waste treatment device includes a waste holding tank for receiving waste, a solids-gas processor operably connected to the waste holding tank, an aqueous holding tank operably connected to the processor and the waste holding tank and an aqueous purification device operably connected to the aqueous holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: MicroSepTic, Inc.
    Inventor: R. C. Shades
  • Patent number: 5819672
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition for on-line treatment of furnace walls that are subject to deposition of highly reflective ash. The method involves exposing the walls to a darkening agent, or a combination of a darkening agent and a fluxing agent. The darkening agent, or the combined darkening agent and fluxing agent, may be mixed with the coal before it enters the boiler. Preferably, the appropriate walls of the boiler are treated directly with the darkening agent. A preferred embodiment involves direct application of the darkening agent to the water wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Addchem Systems
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Radway, Robert P. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5802992
    Abstract: A method for drying and heating sludge to remove pathogens and to dry the sludge into a powder form in an elongate housing having an endless chain conveyor inside. The method includes slowly urging solid material from one end of the housing to the other with the conveyor which has outwardly extending scrapers. The method further includes heating the sludge and removing moisture laden air from within the housing with a fan. The stream of solid material is sequentially split, redirected, split, and redirected again when being urged through the housing by the scrapers. The scrapers may include specialized scrapers including plows, inclined paddles, and round rods. Mixing the stream of sludge avoids cold and hot spots, and build up of sludge on a floor of the housing during the process of heating and drying the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Alar Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Alex J. Doncer
  • Patent number: 5794549
    Abstract: Information relating to combustion conditions within a fossil-fueled boiler that includes a plurality of burners adapted to produce flames combining to form a fireball is provided by acquiring data relating to the physical and temperature characteristics of the fireball with at least one imaging camera having optical and temperature measuring capabilities; receiving, storing and processing data received from the camera to provide data representative of the NO.sub.x content of the hot gases produced by the fireball; and transmitting the processed data from the processor to a monitor for display. Transmitted, processed data may include current, historical and target information relating to the physical appearance and temperature profile of the fireball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Synergistics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hudson R. Carter
  • Patent number: 5651321
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for supplying solid material such as hot carbonaceous material from a pyrolyzer or reactor to a furnace, is provided comprising providing a screw conveyor for receiving the solid carbonaceous material from the pyrolyzer or reactor preferably from above the conveyor and transporting it along its length to a vaned rotor preferably positioned on the axle of the screw conveyor preferably substantially near the end of the screw conveyor for supplying the carbonaceous material to the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Boris Siniakevith, Mark Khaskin, Daniel Goldman, Benjamin Doron, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Eli Yaffe
  • Patent number: 5623883
    Abstract: An improved kiln for the calcination of a powder comprises a directly heated rotary kiln in which at least a part of the inner circumferential wall is equipped with a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are shaped so that the powder is substantially not lifted during operation of the kiln. In a preferred embodiment the protrusions have the shape of a triangular prism and are positioned within the kiln so as to pass through the powder in the manner of a plough. Preferably the top face of the prism is an isosceles triangle in which the equal angles are greater than the angle of repose of the powder for which the kiln is designed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Tioxide Group Services Limited
    Inventors: John F. Davidson, Kevan R. Reilly
  • Patent number: 5609113
    Abstract: A particulate waste wood fuel comprising wood particles comprising less than 20% water by weight and having a particle size distribution suitable for combustion of the particulate wood fuel in a particulate fossil fuel suspension furnace. A method for making the particulate wood fuel includes shredding of waste wood and drying the shredded waste wood to obtain the desired particle size distribution and water content. A method for producing energy comprises injecting the particulate wood fuel into the combustion chamber of a particulate fuel suspension furnace separately from a particulate fossil fuel which is also injected into the combustion chamber. The particulate fossil fuel and particulate wood fuel are combusted in the combustion chamber in a gas flow through the combustion chamber to form a flame in the gas flow. The wood particles are substantially completely combusted within the combustion chamber while suspended in the gas flow and are not combusted at the furnace wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fiber Fuel International, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude J. Galipeault, Lawrence E. Staab
  • Patent number: 5606924
    Abstract: To carry out a process for regulating individual factors or all factors influencing combustion on a furnace grate, a radar device is provided primarily. This radar device serves to detect the three-dimensional distribution of the fuel mass on at least one preferred region of the grate. In addition, an infrared camera is provided for supplying information on the burn-up behavior of the fuel located on the grate. By using the measured quantities obtained from these two devices, control variables may be derived within a regulating unit for influencing the grate speed, the charging device, the amount and composition of supplied primary air, the amount and composition of supplied secondary air, the speed of the ash roller and the temperature of the air preheating device so that the furnace performance can be adapted to the steam output requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Martin GmbH fuer Umwelt- und Energietechnik
    Inventors: Johannes J. E. Martin, Franz Rampp, Joachim Horn
  • Patent number: 5542361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for feeding a reaction gas, such as oxygen or oxygen-enriched air to a flash smelting furnace through a concentrate burner, so that the gas is fed in around a pulverous material distribution channel located in the middle of the burner. Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is fed into the reaction shaft through tubular channels in several separate gas jets, and the discharge velocity of the gas jets is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Outokumpu Research Oy
    Inventors: Launo L. Lilja, Valto J. Makitalo
  • Patent number: 5516277
    Abstract: A process for burning fuel includes the following steps: burning a fuel; putting an inner shell formed in a course of soot formation into contact with other components in a combustion gas to promote a chemical reaction of the other components in the combustion gas prior to the formation of an outer shell; and at the same time, inhibiting the formation of the outer shell around the inner shell. By this process, the discharged NO.sub.x gas is reduced and the amount of discharged soot is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yanagihara, Tomoji Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 5495813
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for incinerating waste whose ease of burning may vary form batch to batch, wherein burning is conducted in a main combustion region to form combustion products containing combustibles and in a secondary combustion zone which is supplied with oxygen at a rate during a first period of time which is independent of the composition of the combustion products or resulting flue gas and at a rate during a second period of time which is determined as a function of the concentration of at least one component of the combustion products or flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: The BOC Group pcl
    Inventors: Robert D. Chapman, Paul A. Gredley
  • Patent number: 5435258
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for regenerating particles of desiccant rendered ineffective by at least one contaminant capable of being burned, the particles of desiccant are placed into a hollow container formed with a cylindrical perforated wall, the hollow container is rotated about the geometrical axis of the cylindrical wall to continuously mix the particles of desiccant, and combustion flames are applied to the underside of the cylindrical perforated wall whereby these flames are applied directly to the particles of desiccant being mixed through the perforations of the cylindrical wall to burn and thereby remove the contaminant from the particles of desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Michel Piette
  • Patent number: 5394811
    Abstract: Dried fuel is at least partly combusted, gasified or carbonized in the presence of cooled solid residue in a reactor. Hot solid residue, which is at temperatures in the range from 500.degree. to 1200.degree. C., is withdrawn from the reactor and is mixed with water-containing fuel in the receiving region of a mechanical mixer, without a supply of fluidizing gas. The mixture is transported with further mixing from the receiving region of the mixer through a mixing section of 1 to 10 meters to an outlet. A fuel-containing, substantially water-free mixture at a temperature in the range from above 100.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. is fed from the outlet of the mixer to the reactor. A mixer which comprises two intermeshing shafts, which rotate in the same sense, may be employed in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Weiss
  • Patent number: 5381742
    Abstract: The invented waste liquid evaporator includes a burner for producing a flame and a liquid injector for injecting waste liquid directly into the flame. The flame vaporizes the liquid, burns pollutants in the liquid, and produces a vapor exhaust stream. A tank catches the vapor and any waste liquid that was not vaporized. The vapor leaves the tank through a vent, after which it can be exhausted to atmosphere or condensed for recovery. Any liquid in the tank, either from condensation, waste liquid that was not vaporized, or other sources, is also heated for evaporation. The invented method includes the steps of producing a flame, injecting waste liquid directly into the flame to burn at least a part of any combustible pollutants in the waste liquid and to volatilize the waste liquid, providing a tank, catching in the tank the waste liquid and the vapor after the waste liquid is injected into the flame, and providing a vent in the tank to allow the vapor to leave the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Landa, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Linton, Richard C. Shepherd, Brian K. Fisk, Billy G. Epperson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5380342
    Abstract: A process is provided for burning a coal water slurry comprising providing clean coal fines of less than 100 mesh at about 50 weight % and water at about 50 weight % by co-firing the coal water slurry in a continuous stream with a separate stream of pulverized coal wherein about 80% of the total BTU output of the furnace is provided from the pulverized coal and approximately 20% of the BTU output is provided from the coal water slurry. First, a quarl in the furnace is preheated using natural gas, for example. The furnace is next fired with a fuel source of 60% pulverized coal and 40% natural gas. A coal water slurry with fines of minus 100 or smaller is subsequently gradually introduced into the furnace as the gas input is gradually decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph W. Leonard, III, Robert D. Stoessner
  • Patent number: 5359945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pellet fuel burning heating unit for burning corn or wood pellets having a balanced pressure system having a four-way split combustion intake airstream. The invention includes a combustion air blower system for providing combustion air into a firebox containing a burner under positive pressure and at the same time providing a negative pressure to remove the combustion gases from the firebox. A pressure regulator and air splitter maintains a balance between the positive and negative pressure and adjusts the air flow into the firebox and out the exhaust. The exhaust is provided through a bank of exhaust tubes running from the top of the firebox to an exhaust manifold. The blower air moves into the pressure regulator and air splitter dividing the air flow such that a portion enters the heating unit exhaust manifold to produce a negative pressure and the remaining portion enters the heating unit burner under positive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Dovetech, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrol E. Buckner, Carrol D. Buckner
  • Patent number: 5303661
    Abstract: A dry process for speedy and continuous treatment of discarded or used rubber waste is disclosed wherein discarded rubber waste is pulverized into particles of 20-40 mesh and is transmitted to an air tight vessel in which the pulverized rubber waste is indirectly preheated at a temperature between 100.degree.-200.degree. C.; and is then delivered to a fast reactor in which many additives, such as process oil, minerals, rosin and zeolite, are blended with the pulverized rubber waste. The mixture is further stirred by way of a motor to permit the process oil to effectively penetrate into the pulverized rubber waste; and is finally refined to get useful recycled rubber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventors: Chun-An Yu, Chai-I Shiao
  • Patent number: 5277135
    Abstract: In a furnace (boiler) installation where oxides of nitrogen are to be reduced to elemental nitrogen by treatment with a reactant such as a solution of urea, the desired amount of reactant (dependent on furnace specifics) is determined by comparing the fluorescent light intensity of a sample of the treating solution to the fluorescent light intensity of a calibration standard representing the desired amount of reactant concentration; in the case of non-comparison the concentration of reactant in the treating solution is altered until the intensities are substantially identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignees: Nalco Chemical Company, Nalco Fuel Tech
    Inventors: Leonard Dubin, John E. Hoots
  • Patent number: 5272833
    Abstract: An apparatus for remediating soil contaminated with combustible pollutants comprising means for initially heating the contaminated soil to a temperature sufficient to vaporize contaminants present therein, means for feeding the contaminated soil to the initial heating means, means for reheating gases created by vaporizing the contaminants, means for introducing the gases to the reheating means, means for cooling the gases, means for removing particulate matter from the gases, and means for exhausting the gases to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Asphalt Product Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic W. Prill, Robert E. Farnham
  • Patent number: 5264654
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for decontaminating contaminated soils and similar materials, the method includes (a) drying and comminuting contaminated soil and similar material in a mill through which a flow of hot gases is passed to provide a mixture of solids and gases; (b) introducing the mixture into a cyclone separator where the mixture is separated into gaseous and solid components; (c) thermally treating the solid components in a decontamination zone at a temperature effective to decontaminate at least a portion of the solid components; (d) passing the solid components after thermally treating same in step (c) into a dwell zone configured as a flow-through region; (e) thermally treating the solid components within the dwell zone at a temperature effective to decontaminate at least a portion of the solid components; (f) cooling the solid components after step (e) by transferring same into a cooling region of a cooling line; (g) thermally afterburning gaseous components from at least one of steps (b) and (c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: O&K Orenstein & Koppel AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Kreft, Franz-Josef Grothaus
  • Patent number: 5255615
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Mario Magaldi
  • Patent number: 5243922
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for generating electricity from coal comprising a vertically stacked, three-stage combustor in which a sorbent is calcined in a calciner zone of the combustor and transferred to a carbonizer zone disposed below the calciner zone, coal introduced into the carbonizer zone is carbonized, producing char and spent sorbent, both of which are transferred to a combustor zone disposed below the carbonizer zone, in which the char is combusted at a substoichemetic air-to-coal ratio, producing a fuel gas. The fuel gas is cleaned and combusted in a turbine combustor, producing a flue gas which is introduced into a gas turbine for producing electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Amirali G. Rehmat, Lev Dorfman
  • Patent number: 5235611
    Abstract: The invention is directed to improved centrifugal rotary electric furnaces which are used for the heating and or fusion of minerals, such as quartz, and other materials having a high melting point. The furnace includes a generally cylindrical furnace shell and a decreasing diameter stepped end member attached to each end of the shell which is intended to more closely conform the end of the furnace to the shape of fused ingot or melted charge formed inside the furnace, while still providing a sufficient depth of unmelted charge between the fused or melted material and the end member to insulate the end member from excessive heat and the warpage and other damage caused thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Tennessee Electro Minerals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Jones, Charles G. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 5224432
    Abstract: A method of retorting organic matter including the steps of advancing the organic matter through a chamber in the absence of oxygen, sensing the temperature in the chamber at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber, individually adjusting the heat generated by a plurality of burners along the length of the chamber in response to the temperature sensed at the locations, utilizing the generated heat to selectively raise the temperature of the organic matter at a plurality of locations along the length of the chamber so as to convert the organic matter into a plurality of byproducts, and burning at least one of the byproducts in the burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Covenant Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Isaac H. Milsap, III
  • Patent number: 5217624
    Abstract: A combination of a dehydration process for dehydrating sewage sludge by mixing a quicklime-containing material with the sludge, a cement conversion process for introducing the solids produced by the dehydration process into a cement kiln with other cement raw materials to yield cement, and a gas treatment process for introducing gases generated in the dehydration process into a cement burning process, thereby enabling conversion of the sewage sludge into cement without releasing wastes, with a reduction in fuel consumption for the cement burning, and a reduction in NOx content of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignees: Onoda Cement Co., Ltd., Onoda Chemico Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Yamane, Toru Saito, Masao Shimoda, Satoshi Kouchi
  • Patent number: 5211723
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel pumpable sewage sludge fuel and process for burning it. An aqueous slurry of sewage sludge is dewatered and dried to a solids content in the range of about 50 to 99 wt. % in a drying zone in the absence of free-oxygen containing gas but while in contact with a gaseous material selected from the group consisting of N.sub.2, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2, CO, and mixtures thereof. The dried sewage sludge is mixed with a supplementary fuel from the group consisting of solid carbonaceous fuel, liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, mixtures thereof, and optionally with water to produce a pumpable slurry fuel feedstream having a solids content in the range of about 50 to 65 wt. % and a higher heating value of at least about 6,000 Btu/lb. The slurry fuel feedstream may be burned in a partial oxidation gasifier, furnace, boiler, or incinerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Motasimur R. Khan
  • Patent number: 5196648
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deslagging a cyclone furnace in which a series of flexible hollow tubes are inserted into the combustion chamber and the explosive charges in each hollow tube are detonated sequentially. Each of the hollow tubes is biased outwardly against the accumulated slag and ash in the combustion chamber. The hollow tubes may be formed in arcs or rings in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, and spacer rings may be positioned between each ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Jet Research Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Linza J. Jones
  • Patent number: 5154128
    Abstract: The waste (a) is dried in direct heat exchange with hot exhaust gas (r) from a coal-burning plant (10) and both the gas mixture (g) produced during drying (3) and the dry material (t) produced from the waste are fed into the coal-burning plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignees: Saarbergwerke Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Scholl, Hans-Karl Petzel, Lothar Stadie
  • Patent number: 5123362
    Abstract: A flame-ionizing material formed by molding a composition comprising a magnetic substance and a substance, the specific electric resistance of which is varied under irradiation with radioactive rays, and sintering the molded body in an oxidative atmosphere, has a function of ionizing a flame when the flame is brought into contact with this flame-ionizing material, and if a magnetic field is applied to the flame, a plasma flame having a higher temperature can be formed. Accordingly, this high temperature-generating means and method are valuable in fields where a high temperature is required, for example, for an incineration of industrial wastes and decomposing matter containing a large quantity of water, and the metallurgical and ceramic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Shiro Shirakawa
    Inventor: Masaichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5115749
    Abstract: A method of attaining a uniform flow in an elongated fluidized bed furnace, used for the purpose of preventing the expansion and uniting of bubbles in the fluidized bed, and setting the fluidized bed in a uniform flow state, so as to keep the flow condition of the bubbles excellent at all times. The purpose of this method can be achieved by withdrawing a fluidized gas from an arbitrary portion of a fluidized bed (13) through a fluidization gas venting or purging means (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hidamitau Takenoshita, Hisashi Hattori, Yoichiro Hanada
  • Patent number: 5112216
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the combustion in an incineration device of noxious noncondensable gases produced in a pulp mill comprising the use of a novel injection nozzle, said nozzle comprising a tubular conduit means, an insulating inner jacket surrounding said conduit means, and an outer cooling jacket surrounding said inner jacket. Increased nozzle life is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Chemetics International Company Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor I. Tenn
  • Patent number: 5044288
    Abstract: A grate assembly consisting of a means for receiving a mass fuel and combusting the mass fuel on a surface with the addition of a combustion gas, and discharging the remaining residue. A separate means for injection of a mix gas at multiple points along the surface where combustion is occurring. The mix gas enhancing combustion by aiding in the mixing, drying and migration of the mass fuel during the combustion process. Multiple injection means for the introduction of the mix gas along the surface where combustion is occurring and a means for controlling the rate of introduction of the gas at each point. Separate treatment zones also being defined along the surface where combustion is occurring and a means for introduction of combustion gas within each zone and a means for controlling the rate of introduction of combustion gas to each zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: James L. Barlow
  • Patent number: 5029534
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extraction of heat and smoke from a fuel burn in a firebox. The design is for the firebox exhaust area to be wrapped with its own hot exhaust gases, for smoke extraction, and then, for heat extraction, have all of the outer surface of a stove, fireplace or furnace exposed to said hot exhaust gases. Such a wrap-around design burns smoke form said exhaust gases, holds a high temperature in the firebox area, for good combustion, and increases the efficiency of heat extraction by using all of the outer surface of the stove, fireplace or furnace as a high temperature heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Temperature Adjusters, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry T. Childs
  • Patent number: 5005494
    Abstract: An improved method and plasma torch incinerator or reactor in which the incinerator uses a rotating, materials-receiving drum or chamber for receiving the hot plasma of a plasma torch. By properly constructing the inner surface of the rotatable drum and by varying the speed of rotation of the drum, waste materials can be effectively spread out over the inner surface of the drum to form a relatively thin layer of waste materials which has a large surface area which can be more quickly heated to the desired high temperatures provided by the plasma torch. Moreover, the spreading out of the waste materials can cause them to be recirculated and mixed by periodically reducing the speed of rotation of the drum. The plasma of the plasma torch is not directed toward a stationary part of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Retech, Inc.
    Inventor: Max P. Schlienger
  • Patent number: 5003891
    Abstract: The known pulverized coal combustion method including the steps of separating pulverized coal mixture gas ejected from a vertical type coal grinder into thick mixture gas and thin mixture gas by a distributor, and injecting these thick and thin mixture gases, respectively, through separate burner injecting ports into a common furnace to make them burn, is improved so as to reduce both an unburnt content in the ash and a nitrogen oxide concentration in exhaust gas while maintaining an excellent ignition characteristic. The improvements reside in that an air-to-fuel ratio of the thick mixture gas is regulated to within the range of 1-2, while an air-to-fuel ratio of the thin mixture gas is regulated to within the range of 3-6, and the range of a degree of pulverization of the pulverized coal is regulated to 100 mesh residue 1.5% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shozo Kaneko, Masaaki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 4989523
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting heat from a combustible material are disclosed which include the formation of a solid material strip of the combustible material, the formation of a series of spaced holes in the material strip, and the combustion of the material strip. The method and apparatus are particularly useful when a mixture of coal, clay, and lime is used as the combustible material, and the products of the combustion then include a structurally intact, solid residual strip composed substantially only of dehydrated clay and calcium sulfate, and a fluegas substantially free of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and micro fly-ash. Because of the stable and uniform combustion characteristic, it is also suitable for the co-combustion and reduction of most toxic and solid wastes into safe, recyclable residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: General Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung C. Ling, Hsien P. Pao
  • Patent number: 4980030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the treatment of paint sludge and for reducing volatile organic compound emissions from a paint spraybooth operation, thereby obtaining a recyclable material for use in new coating products. In such an operation, uncured paint resins mixed with volatile organic compounds are sprayed onto an article to be painted and at least a portion of the overspray is mixed with water to form a waste stream containing water, uncured paint resin, volatile organic compounds and inorganic substances. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the water and liquid volatile organic compounds from the waste stream; heating the resultant sludge to volatilize the residual water and liquid volatile organic compounds and to cure the uncured paint resin; collecting the residual solids stream, and removing all of the volatilized organic compounds from the resultant stream, thereby generating a volatile organic compound-free gas effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Haden Schweitzer
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Johnson, Andrew Slater
  • Patent number: 4977840
    Abstract: Industrial, municipal, sanitary, marine, and infectious waste materials are thermally and chemically converted principally to steam, fuels and environmentally acceptable solids by dehydration, pyrolysis of the solid residue therefrom, and finally gasification of the pyrolysis char residue. In contrast to incineration processes, the products have significant market value and present no atmospheric pollution problems. Temperatures employed range up to about 3000.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: American Waste Reduction Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Summers
  • Patent number: 4969406
    Abstract: A method for the thermal decomposition of a fluid toxic substance contained in a gas comprises a cylindrical main combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber arranged thereabove. An inlet opening leads into the main combustion chamber at an angle to introduce a stream of the gas containing the toxic substance into the main combustion chamber with an angular momentum, a burner is arranged to direct a flame into the main combustion chamber above the inlet opening for subjecting the gas containing the toxic substance to combustion, and an annular gas stream retaining device is arranged above the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Franz Howorka
    Inventor: Eduard Buzetzki
  • Patent number: 4961389
    Abstract: Direct coal-fired gas turbine systems and methods for their operation are provided by this invention. The gas turbine system includes a primary zone for burning coal in the presence of compressed air to produce hot combustion gases and debris, such as molten slag. The turbine system further includes a secondary combustion zone for the lean combustion of the hot combustion gases. The operation of the system is improved by the addition of a cyclone separator for removing debris from the hot combustion gases. The cyclone separator is disposed between the primary and secondary combustion zones and is in pressurized communication with these zones. In a novel aspect of the invention, the cyclone separator includes an integrally disposed impact separator for at least separating a portion of the molten slag from the hot combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Paul W. Pillsbury
  • Patent number: 4951582
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extraction of heat and smoke from a fuel burn in a firebox. The design is for the firebox exhaust area to be wrapped with its own hot exhaust gases, for smoke extraction, and then, for heat extraction, have all of the outer surface of a stove, fireplace or furnace exposed to said hot exhaust gases. Such a wrap-around design burns smoke from said exhaust gases, holds a high temperature in the firebox area, for good combustion, and increases the efficiency of heat extraction by using all of the outer surface of the stove, fireplace or furnace as a high temperature heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Temperature Adjusters, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry T. Childs
  • Patent number: 4945841
    Abstract: A furnace and burner construction and method of burning fuel therein. The furnace housing has an end wall and side walls extending generally perpendicularly from the end wall and defining a furnace interior. One or more air supply ports open axially thereof through the end wall, and at least one fuel supply port opens axially thereof through the end wall and is spaced from the air supply port or ports. The air supply port is spaced from the side walls. When generally conical surfaces of jets of fuel and air are injected into the interior of the furnace through the air supply port or ports and the fuel supply port for carrying out burning of the fuel, recirculating currents of combustion products from the burning of the fuel are formed in the space between the jets and the side walls or between the jets themselves to lower the temperature of the burning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Company Limited
    Inventors: Ichiro Nakamachi, Kunio Yasuzawa, Tadato Miyahara, Takahiro Nagata