Treating Fuel Constituent Or Combustion Product Patents (Class 110/342)
  • Patent number: 7162960
    Abstract: Plume is mitigated by targeting treatment chemicals to locations in a furnace, which are connected with plume opacity. The effectiveness of targeted in furnace injection, in fuel introduction and in furnace introduction of slag and/or corrosion and/or plume control chemicals are determined, as are the effectiveness of targeted in furnace injection, in fuel introduction and in furnace introduction of combustion catalysts. Then, the effectiveness of various combinations of the above treatments are determined, and a treatment regimen employing one or more of the above treatments is selected. Preferred treatment regimens will contain at least two and preferably three of the treatments. Chemical utilization and boiler maintenance can improved as LOI carbon, slagging and/or corrosion are also controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Emellto P. Rivera, Frank J. Zuccarini
  • 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: 7128006
    Abstract: Process for rendering inert an ash originating from the incineration of municipal waste, according to which the ash is subjected successively to treatment (19) with a water-soluble phosphate (20) in the presence of water, under conditions adjusted to crystallize hydroxyapatite and/or whitlockite, and to calcination (22). Artificial pozzolana, obtained by subjecting an ash originating from the incineration of municipal waste to such an inerting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Claude Criado, Fabrice Giraud, Jean-Emmanuel Aubert, Bernard Husson
  • Patent number: 7107916
    Abstract: A method of recycling building materials is described, including the steps of introducing the building material into a cement kiln or a boiler, and combusting a combustible portion of the building material as a fuel within the kiln or boiler. The noncombustible portion of the building material is incorporated into a clinker material within the kiln or used to reduce emissions form the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Bland, David R. Jones, IV
  • Patent number: 7100521
    Abstract: A baffle employs a particular arrangement of baffle plates in a three dimensional configuration to aerodynamically separate popcorn ash particles from a flue gas flow. The baffle is attached to the rear wall of an economizer outlet flue back pass and is placed just below the economizer gas outlet. The baffle is designed to be uniquely shaped in three dimensions to redirect the large popcorn ash particles towards the deepest parts of the hoppers, which increases the fraction of the ash particles that are captured in the hoppers and decreases the potential for plugging in downstream equipment. The baffle is comprised of several triangular plates, usually three plates for every hopper. Each group of three plates is placed such that they appear to be three sides of an inverted pyramid. The open, fourth side of each of these pyramid shapes is on the side of the baffle closest to the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Anthony Michael Ryan
  • Patent number: 7094274
    Abstract: Manganese is added to a combustion fuel, combustion air, or the resulting combustion exhaust gas in order to improve the efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator in collecting the resulting fly ash. Further, manganese or other flame suppressant is added to a fuel, and/or combustion air, or combustion exhaust gas stream in order to reduce back-corona discharge that could otherwise occur in an electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Intangibles LLC
    Inventors: Allen A. Aradi, Michael W. Adams, Stephen A. Factor
  • Patent number: 7047893
    Abstract: As taught herein, an incinerator system that directly eliminates the undesirable and harmful pollution of any gases vented or exhausted to open air. The system utilizes a fuel injector system that is used to dispense gaseous or atomized fuel of almost any type and inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector system disperses the gaseous or atomized fuel within the combustion chamber. Once the gaseous or atomized fuel is in the combustion chamber, it is then ignited. A controller senses the operational parameters of the incinerator system to control fresh air, ignition and fuel supply to start the system and maintain proper operating temperatures within the incinerator system so as to optimize the combustion efficiency and energy economy of the pollution abatement incinerator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald E. Loving
  • Patent number: 7032526
    Abstract: The present invention can provide a method for combustion treatment capable of efficiently treating combustible waste, and a combustion treatment apparatus capable of realizing such a method. The present invention can further provide a method for combustion treatment capable of efficiently treating even combustible waste containing a generation source of a volatile hazardous component, and a combustion treatment apparatus capable of realizing this. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a method for combustion treatment capable of efficiently recovering and making effective use of the heat of an exhaust gas discharged during a treatment of combustible waste, and a combustion treatment apparatus capable of realizing this. The aforementioned method for combustion treatment is a method for treating combustible waste, in which the combustible waste is subjected to combustion treatment in a rotary hearth furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Masahiko Tetsumoto, Hiroshi Sugitatsu
  • Patent number: 7013817
    Abstract: A process for removal of a pollutant from a flue gas. An alkaline admixture is coated with a coating agent that improves dispersability and delays calcination of the alkaline admixture within a combustion zone and results in a coated alkaline admixture. The coated alkaline admixture is introduced to the boiler to create a reaction that removes the pollutants from the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Omni Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald H. Stowe, Jr., Ward S. Blakefield
  • Patent number: 7007616
    Abstract: An oxygen-based biomass solid fuel combustion system and method has an air separator for separating oxygen from air providing a supply of oxygen for feeding oxygen to a solid fuel combustion chamber. An airlock feeds a metered amount of solid fuel to the solid fuel combustion chamber. A burner stage having a firetube for collecting fuel gases from the solid fuel combustion chamber combusts the collected fuel gases with further oxygen from the separator and heats a boiler to generate steam. A heat utilization device (e.g. an electrical generator) may be connected to the steam boiler. Nitrogen-free diluent gases (e.g. argon and carbon dioxide) are used to control combustion process temperatures. The usable heat energy and useful byproducts are extracted from the different stages of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nathaniel Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Stan E. Abrams, Brian Culvey
  • Patent number: 6978726
    Abstract: Combustion of coal in which oxygen is injected into the coal as it emerges from burner produces ash having reduced amounts of carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisashi Kobayashi, Lawrence E. Bool, III
  • Patent number: 6971323
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste includes a vessel and AC plasma torches with a variable flame mounted with the vessel. The flames generated by the torches can be adjusted depending on the characteristics of the waste being treated. Waste can be introduced into the vessel and heated with energy from the flame. The energy can melt or vitrify the inorganic portion of the waste and gasify and dissociate the organic portion of the waste. This dissociation can destroy the hazardous or toxic constituency of the waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: PEAT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose A. Capote, Frank K. Menon, Joseph A. Rosin, Changjian Zhou
  • Patent number: 6962117
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the combustion in a furnace in which the flue gas generated by the burning in the combustion zone is fed back to the combustion zone through a recirculation path to cool the combustion zone so that the temperature is below the melting or softening point of the residual ash in the solid materials. Water is heated and vaporized by the flue gas so as to cool the flue gas. Generated water vapor is also introduced to the combustion zone to increase the burning rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Louis T. Barry
  • Patent number: 6962119
    Abstract: Process for rendering inert an ash originating from the incineration of municipal waste, according to which the ash is subjected successively to treatment (19) with a water-soluble phosphate (20) in the presence of water, under conditions adjusted to crystallize hydroxyapatite and/or whitlockite, and to calcination (22). Artificial pozzolana, obtained by subjecting an ash originating from the incineration of municipal waste to such an inerting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Claude Criado, Fabrice Giraud, Jean-Emmanuel Aubert, Bernard Husson
  • Patent number: 6959654
    Abstract: A solid fuel fed combustor method having a first chamber portion with an inlet feeding a metered amount of a solid fuel to a first burner stage having a first traveling conveyor firebelt. A metered amount of air is introduced in progressively increasing proportions along the length thereof to cause endothermic reduction of the solid fuel. The first stage feeds a second burner stage having a second traveling conveyor firebelt. Air is introduced in a progressively decreasing amount along the length of the second traveling conveyor firebelt to induce exothermic combustion and decomposition of fuel. The amount of air introduced and speed of the conveyors are controlled to minimize the quantity of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides and other pollutants. Radiative energy generated from fuel traveling on the traveling conveyor firebelts is reflected on fuel traveling on the first firebelt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Stan E. Abrams
  • Patent number: 6904850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative treatment system with a large capacity of 4,000 kg to 32,000 kg /per 8 hours up to 24 hours, and an animal incinerator is of the largest capacity all over the world at the present time. The present invention, comprising assemblable and movable devices that can be moved to any location needed, provides special functions: as carcasses be fed and dismembered automatically and continuously before incinerating, solids and liquids thereof being separated automatically, wherein the liquids can be reused after being evaporated and cooled, the solids be conveyed into the combustion chamber for incinerating, and combustible materials be kept moving, stirring and burning automatically in the furnace. The incinerator is equipped with scrubbers, shifters and a conveyor in the chamber having an automatic ash withdrawal. All systems described above conform to legal environmental regulations and fully meet environmental requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventors: Ting-Ting Chang, Yu-Ting Chang, Hsiu-Ting Chang
  • 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: 6883444
    Abstract: Processes and systems are provided that include introducing ammonia liberated from organic waste to a coal burner in a coal burning power plant, preferably for NOx removal at the power plant. The ammonia is preferably either ammonia liberated upon drying a mixture of organic waste and coal combustion by-products or ammonia liberated when organic waste is mixed with coal combustion by-products and one or more alkaline additives. Also provided are processes and systems of fueling a coal burner of a power plant with coal and either a dried mixture of organic waste and coal combustion by-products, or a mixture of organic waste, coal combustion by-products and one or more alkaline additives. The present invention is further directed to mixtures of either organic waste and coal combustion by-products, or mixtures of organic waste, coal combustion by-products and alkaline additives made by the processes of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: N-Viro International Corporation
    Inventors: Terry J. Logan, Ervin L. Faulmann
  • Patent number: 6877446
    Abstract: Process for incinerating refuse derived fuels to obtain fuel gas therefrom by thermal cracking, comprising the following steps: subjecting the material to deaeration; advancing a bed of material within a vacuum environment insulated from the outside (thermal cracking chamber) and in which a temperature of between 400 DEG C. and 600 DEG C. is maintained by the countercurrent flow of hot gases which lap the material; feeding the material which has passed through the thermal cracking chamber to a reactor in order to be subjected to a temperature of between 1200 DEG C. and 1800 DEG C.; in proximity ot the entry end of said thermal cracking chamber, drawing off the gases generated by the thermal cracking together with the gases which have lapped the bed of material, in order to maintain the thermal cracking chamber under vacuum; feeding the drawn-off gases to the discharge conduit for the gases generated in the reactor; purifying and filtering the gases obtained in this manner for their use as fuel gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: RE.D.E. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Clementino Cabrini
  • Patent number: 6871604
    Abstract: Solid combustible waste materials are converted into highly efficient fuel by subjecting such materials to size reduction in suitable size-reducing equipment. The last piece of the equipment is a mill which pulverizes the waste materials into fine particles having a high surface to mass ratio and forming a highly efficient fuel when these particles are directly injected into a combustion reactor operating at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignees: Pyrogenesis, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Theodora Alexakis, Jon Williams Cofield, Platon Manoliadis, Eugene Ellis Nolting, Peter George Tsantrizos, Roy V. Richard
  • 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: 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: 20040261673
    Abstract: A fossil-fuel-fired system, which includes an emissions-control-agent dispenser, a furnace, an emissions monitor and, optionally, a controller, is disclosed. The emissions-control-agent dispenser provides a prescribed amount of organic-emissions-control agent, such as, for example, an opacity-control agent to the fossil-fuel-fired system. The furnace includes an exhaust communicating with the atmosphere. The emissions monitor is capable of measuring at least one property of the flue-gas communicated through the exhaust to the atmosphere. For example, when an organic-emissions-control agent is an opacity-control agent, the emissions monitor has the capability of at least measuring opacity. When included, the controller communicates with at least the emissions-control-agent dispenser and the emissions monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Gary W. Allen, John T. Joyce
  • Publication number: 20040255830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative treatment system with a large capacity of 4,000 kg to 32,000 kg /per 8 hours up to 24 hours, and an animal incinerator is of the largest capacity all over the world at the present time. The present invention, comprising assemblable and movable devices that can be moved to any location needed, provides special functions: as carcasses be fed and dismembered automatically and continuously before incinerating, solids and liquids thereof being separated automatically, wherein the liquids can be reused after being evaporated and cooled, the solids be conveyed into the combustion chamber for incinerating, and combustible materials be kept moving, stirring and burning automatically in the furnace. The incinerator is equipped with scrubbers, shifters and a conveyor in the chamber having an automatic ash withdrawal. All systems described above conform to legal environmental regulations and fully meet environmental requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Ting-Ting Chang, Yu-Ting Chang, Hsiu-Ting Chang
  • Patent number: 6832565
    Abstract: A gasifier system and process comprises a pulse combustion device in communication with a fluid channel for producing a gas stream having heat or fuel value. The pulse combustion device is operated under sub-stoichiometric conditions such that combustion and steam reforming both occur in the fluid channel. The pulse combustion device also produces a pulsating combustion product stream and an acoustic pressure wave. The acoustic pressure wave serves to cause agglomeration of particles contained within the combustion stream for easy removal. In one embodiment, a sulfur capturing agent is injected into the fluid channel for not only removing sulfur from the combustion product stream but for also facilitating particle agglomeration. Ultimately, a gas stream containing hydrogen is produced that may be used in various processes, such as in the production of electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Manufacturing & Technology Conversion, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Momtaz N. Mansour
  • Publication number: 20040237860
    Abstract: To provide a supplying apparatus for supplying a combustible material capable of enhancing the sealing effects of a supplying system for supplying a combustible material, such as combustible wastes, to a fluidized-bed chamber, stably supplying a combustible material having an undefined shape, and reducing cost for installation; and further to provide a facility for gasifying a combustible material using the supplying apparatus for supplying a combustible material; and further to provide a method of gasifying combustible materials
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Norihisa Miyoshi, Tatsuya Hasegawa, Katsutoshi Naruse, Yasuhiro Sawada, Koh Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6820564
    Abstract: One or more auxiliary plasma torches are provided to a waste processing plant at strategic locations within the chamber and directed towards the waste column. When a bridge forms within the chamber the auxiliary plasma torches may be operated such as to provide an additional heat source where needed, quickly heating the organic solids, which thus pass through the bituminsation and charcoal formation stages quickly. The additional heat source may be in the neighborhood of the bridge, but may also be near the bottom end of the chamber, in which case the additional temperature at the bottom of the chamber effectively moves the combustion and gasification zones for the charcoal to a higher part of the chamber, altering the temperature profile. The heat source also enables the inorganic wastes to be heated rapidly to pass beyond the melting stage relatively quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: E.E.R. Environmental Energy Resources Ltd.
    Inventors: Valeri G. Gnedenko, Alexandre L. Souris, David Pegaz
  • Publication number: 20040221778
    Abstract: A system for disposing of municipal solid waste provides commercially-available equipment that is modified to initially remove identifiable unwanted components from the waste, and then chop the waste into small pieces of a size suitable for handling, separation and combustion. The moisture content of the waste is reduced in a closed system by passing dry air through the waste in a confined space to absorb moisture and produce moist air, which is then dehumidified via refrigeration equipment. The dehumidified air is recycled through the waste repeatedly through the closed system until the water content has reached the predetermined amount. The waste is stored in a bunker for later use or is immediately combusted in a two-step process by first gasifying the dried waste to produce combustible syngas and then immediately or later combusting the gas in a gas turbine or other engine to produce electricity that is partly used to power the process and partly sold commercially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Richard B. Pallett, Warren Hyland
  • Patent number: 6807916
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pyrolyzing waste materials are described. The method utilizes waste heat from a cement kiln and the pyrolysis system includes at least a feed inerting section and a pyrolysis chamber. The method includes feeding drums of waste into the feed inerting section, replacing oxygen in the feed inerting section with carbon dioxide recovered from the cement kiln, and transporting the drums of waste through the pyrolysis chamber. The waste is pyrolyzed in the pyrolysis chamber with exhaust gasses from the cement kiln and a fuel gas created by the pyrolysis is routed to provide heat to the cement kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Cement Company, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Nunemacher
  • Publication number: 20040206280
    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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Yakov Tsinman, Jean-Claude Ohayon
  • Publication number: 20040200394
    Abstract: To enable a burnpot for a corn burning stove to be continuously operated, the burnpot has an openable bottom with at least a first and second position, one of said at least fist and second positions being substantially closed to enable a body of combustible fuel to burn on its upper surface, the other of said at least first and second positions providing an opening, burnpot side wall portions and a top of said burnpot being shaped so as to permit a solid clinker to drop out of the opening in the openable bottom when the openable bottom is in its second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Even Temp, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Lee Krumrei
  • Publication number: 20040184974
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating, fly ash having an unacceptably high concentration of carbon, with ozone produced in situ by corona discharge. This method will allow high carbon-content fly ash to be used with air entrainment agents as an additive to cement. The corona discharge can be produced in the exhaust pipe with a venturi of various combustion systems. The device of this invention can be used in conjunction with a triboelectric carbon-fly ash separation system or in a conventional combustion system. The corona discharge is produced off of sharp-tipped metal devices. A venturi is used in the exhaust pipe in the exhaust pipe in conjunction with the sharp-tipped metal devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ralph F. Altman, Sam Rosen
  • Patent number: 6792881
    Abstract: A method according to the present invention for reducing the creation of dioxins during the burning of a biomass containing a contaminant, wherein the contaminant is solvated or neutralized in the presence of a corresponding solvent, includes the steps of prior to the burning or reacting (herein collectively referred to as burning) of the biomass, conveying the biomass and the solvent into a biomass washing means, washing the biomass in the solvent in the washing means, and once at least a portion of the contaminant has been washed from the biomass, conveying the biomass from the washing means and into a biomass burner, and conveying the solvent from the washing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Peter W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6767163
    Abstract: A plasma process and equipment for eliminating toxic or hazardous organic compounds from different materials, particularly petroleum and oil contaminated soils. The process and equipment can also be used to remove the hydrocarbons contained in the sludge formed at the bottom of petroleum storage tanks. The process utilizes a plasma system for providing the necessary energy to the contaminated soil or sludge for the hydrocarbons to volatilize, keeping the temperature inside the reactor between 400 and 900° C. The volatilized compounds after leaving the reactor are collected in condensers, where the hydrocarbons can be recovered, in the form of a liquid hydrocarbon (oil). The contaminated material is continuously fed into the reactor from one end, while the clean material is removed from the other end of the reactor. The atmosphere inside the reactor is maintained neutral or reducing in order to prevent the oxidation of the hydrocarbons. Minimum amounts of off gases are generated in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: TSL-Engenharia, Manutencao E. Preservacao Ambiental Ltda.
    Inventor: Fernando Carvalho Almeida
  • Patent number: 6745707
    Abstract: A method of disposing of combustible materials. The method includes the steps of: providing a heating space; providing a first source to generate heat to a first predetermined level at a first location in the heating space sufficient to reconstitute the combustible materials to a molten slag at the first location and so that heat generated by the first source elevates the temperature at a second location within the heating space to a second predetermined heat level that is below the predetermined heat level and high enough to cause combustion of the combustible materials; directing combustible materials to the second location at which the combustible materials are combusted to produce ash; and causing the ash to be directed to the first location to be reconstituted as molten slag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignees: Tokyo Electric Power Company of Tokyo, Tokyo Densetsu Services Co. of Japan, Prometron Technics Corporation of Tokyo
    Inventors: Ichiro Suzuki, Shinichi Nakazawa, Kenji Katagiri, Hitoshi Kumata, Hirokuni Matsuda, Tokuyoshi Kawai, Shuji Tada
  • Patent number: 6745706
    Abstract: A system for disposing of municipal solid waste 10) provides commercially-available equipment that is modified to initially remove identifiable unwanted components from the waste (12), and then chop the waste into small pieces (16) of a size suitable for handling and combustion. The moisture content of the waste is reduced in a closed system (20) by passing dry air through the waste in a confined space (30) to absorb moisture and produce moist air, which is then dehumidified via refrigeration equipment (34). The dehumidified air is recycled (30, 40) through the waste repeatedly through the closed system (20) until the water content has reached the predetermined amount. The waste is stored in a bunker (41) for later burning, or is immediately burned in a furnace (24) to produce heat that is used to produce steam (50), which drives a generator (26) to produce electricity (52) that is partly used to power the process and partly sold commercially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Richard B. Pallett
  • Patent number: 6729248
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to additives for coal-fired furnaces, particularly furnaces using a layer of slag to capture coal particles for combustion. The additive(s) include iron, mineralizer(s), handling aid(s), flow aid(s), and/or abrasive material(s). The iron and mineralizers can lower the melting temperature of ash in low-iron, high alkali coals, leading to improved furnace performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Allen Johnson, John Wurster, John Philip Comer
  • Publication number: 20040060488
    Abstract: Solid combustible waste materials are converted into highly efficient fuel by subjecting such materials to size reduction in suitable size-reducing equipment. The last piece of the equipment is a mill which pulverizes the waste materials into fine particles having a high surface to mass ratio and forming a highly efficient fuel when these particles are directly injected into a combustion reactor operating at high temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Theodora Alexakis, Jon William Cofield, Platon Manoliadis, Eugene Ellis Nolting, Peter George Tsantrizos
  • Publication number: 20040055518
    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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Nunemacher
  • Publication number: 20040055519
    Abstract: Process for rendering inert an ash originating from the incineration of municipal waste, according to which the ash is subjected successively to treatment (19) with a water-soluble phosphate (20) in the presence of water, under conditions adjusted to crystallize hydroxyapatite and/or whitlockite, and to calcination (22). Artificial pozzolana, obtained by subjecting an ash originating from the incineration of municipal waste to such an inerting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Claude Craido, Fabrice Giraud, Jean-Emmanuel Aubert, Bernard Husson
  • Publication number: 20040055517
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pyrolyzing waste materials are described. The method utilizes waste heat from a cement kiln and the pyrolysis system includes at least a feed inerting section and a pyrolysis chamber. The method includes feeding drums of waste into the feed inerting section, replacing oxygen in the feed inerting section with carbon dioxide recovered from the cement kiln, and transporting the drums of waste through the pyrolysis chamber. The waste is pyrolyzed in the pyrolysis chamber with exhaust gasses from the cement kiln and a fuel gas created by the pyrolysis is routed to provide heat to the cement kiln.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Nunemacher
  • Publication number: 20040045489
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the slagging and fouling of the surfaces of the waterwalls, firebox, superheater, and reheater of the furnace of a coal-fired steam boiler. The process reduces the firebox exit temperature to below the specific ash melting temperature by injecting the following, either alone or in combination, into ports located in the upper section of the firebox: recirculated flue gas from downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, atomized water, or a sorbent water slurry. All of these materials have a lower temperature than the main flue gas or require additional heat for evaporation. Mixing these materials with the main flue gas from the furnace will not affect the coal combustion process, yet will reduce the temperature of any fly ash particles in the main flue gas to below the specific ash fusion temperature, and thus, prevent slagging and fouling within the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Aptech Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry W. Rettig, T. Steven I. Torbov
  • Patent number: 6701855
    Abstract: A process for the pyrolysis of waste materials, particularly medical waste, is provided. In the pyrolysis process, waste material is placed in a sealed container. The sealed container is placed in a load chamber and the waste material is subjected to pyrolysis. The process generates pyrolysis gases containing volatile organic compounds which are fed to an oxidation chamber containing tangential and radial air inlet ports. The pyrolysis gases are combusted and hot gases are produced in the oxidation chamber. In the operation, at least a portion of the generated heat and hot gases is fed to the load chamber which holds the pyrolysis container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Global Environmental Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter David Barba
  • Patent number: 6694900
    Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention reduce NOx emissions in combustion systems, e.g., power plants, boilers, furnaces, incinerators, engines, and any combinations thereof. The inventive process decreases NOx emissions from stationary combustion sources and provides improved utilization of low-grade biomass and other waste fuels without slagging and fouling problems. The invention reduces NOx emissions while utilizing gasified fuels, including biomass and low-grade waste fuels, by gasifying solid fuels and injecting produced gas into a reburning zone of, for example, a boiler at relatively low temperatures and in relatively small amounts. By feeding the gas directly into a reburning zone, the need for gas cleaning is eliminated or substantially reduced as tars are burned in the flame and alkali species may be present at much lower levels than is the case with direct combustion applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vitali Lissianski, George Rizeq, Vladimir Zamansky
  • Publication number: 20040025763
    Abstract: There is provided a method of incinerating a waste material to process incineration residues produced in a gasification furnace easily with existing equipment. A combustible gas generated when a waste material A is dry-distilled in a gasification furnace 1 is introduced into a combustion furnace 3 and combusted therein. The combustible gas is generated in the gasification furnace 1 in order to keep the temperature in the combustion furnace 3 at a temperature capable of melting incineration residues. The incineration residues are charged into the combustion furnace 3 while the combustible gas is being combusted therein, and melted into a melted material B that is discharged from an outlet 3 of the combustion furnace 3 into a receptacle 33 in which the melted material B is solidified. Air supplied to an air jacket 6 and oxygen supplied to the gasification furnace 1 and the combustion furnace 3 are heated by a heat exchange with waste gases from the combustion furnace 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Masamoto Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6688106
    Abstract: A waste-to-energy incineration system, in which the amount and heat value of exhaust gas largely changes in long and short periods, comprises an incinerator for burning waste, a boiler in the incinerator for generating steam with exhaust heat generated by the incinerator, a superheater for superheating steam generated in the boiler, a steam turbine driven by steam superheated by the superheater, a generator driven by the steam turbine, a fuel reformer for reforming source fuel, and a combustor burning fuel gas reformed by the fuel reformer and at least a part of exhaust gas led from the incinerator which is able to stably decompose generated dioxin in waste incineration exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okusawa, Kazuhito Koyama, Masahiko Yamagishi, Shigeo Hatamiya, Taiko Ajiro, Megumi Sunou, Yukio Ishigaki, Kenji Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20040016377
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to additives for coal-fired furnaces, particularly furnaces using a layer of slag to capture coal particles for combustion. The additive(s) include iron, mineralizer(s), handling aid(s), flow aid(s), and/or abrasive material(s). The iron and mineralizers can lower the melting temperature of ash in low-iron, high alkali coals, leading to improved furnace performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Oil Sands Underground Mining, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Allen Johnson, John Wurster, John Philip Comer
  • Patent number: 6666154
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating organic waste, which include determining the ignition threshold temperature for the organic waste and at least one mineral by-product, selecting a ratio of organic waste:mineral by-product(s) based on the determined ignition threshold temperature, combining the mineral by-product(s) with the organic waste, so as to arrive at a mixture having the selected ratio of organic waste:mineral by-product(s); and drying the mixture of organic waste and mineral by-product(s) to produce organic waste solids. The treatment methods of the present invention are methods of stabilizing the treated organic waste so as to control the tendency of the organic waste to ignite. Also provided are organic waste solids formed by the methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: N-Viro International Corporation
    Inventors: Terry J. Logan, Ervin L. Faulmann
  • Patent number: 6662735
    Abstract: A reactor for gasifying and/or melting feed materials, the reactor including a charging section with a feed opening, through which the feed materials are charged to the reactor from above and a pyrolysis section which has an expanded cross section and is located below the charging section so that a discharge cone of the feed material can form. Gas supply devices, open into the pyrolysis section substantially at a level of the expanded cross section and through which hot gases can be fed to the discharge cone. A melting and superheating section is located below the pyrolysis section and has a narrowing cross section. Upper injection devices are arranged so that an energy-rich medium is supplyable to the melting and superheating section immediately below a level of the narrowing section. A reduction section is located below the melting and superheating section. The reduction section has gas exhaust devices through which excess gases are exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Maschinen- und Stahlbau GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhardt Tischer, Frank Wuchert
  • Patent number: 6660052
    Abstract: A method for blowing synthetic resins as a fuel into a furnace comprising: processing synthetic resins consisting essentially of film shaped synthetic resins by melting or semi-melting the synthetic resins by heat to produce granular synthetic resins having a bulk density of at least 0.3 and angle of repose of up to 40 degrees; pneumatically feeding the granular synthetic resins from the processing; and blowing the pneumatically fed granular synthetic resins into a furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Nakamura, Iwao Okochi, Mitsuhiro Fujii, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Minoru Asanuma