Abstract: A waste-to-energy incineration system, in which the amount and the heat value of exhaust gas changes during operation, includes an incinerator for burning waste, a boiler in the incinerator for generating steam with exhaust heat generated by the incinerator, and a superheater for superheating steam generated in the boiler. A steam turbine is provided which is driven by steam superheated by the superheater and a generator is driven by the steam turbine. A fuel reformer is provided for reforming source fuel. A combustor burning fuel gas reformed by the fuel reformer and at least a part of exhaust gas fed from the incinerator is provided which decomposes generated dioxin in waste incineration exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method for reducing the carbon content of a combustion ash containing siliceous ash particles and carbon particles includes subjecting the combustion ash to comminution to reduce the particle size of the siliceous ash particles and the carbon particles followed by separating a portion of the carbon particles from the siliceous ash particles by subjecting the comminuted ash to a flow of gas which separates the carbon particles from the siliceous ash particles. The method preferably is performed in a unitary housing by employing autogenous grinding to effect the comminution of the particles and employing a classifying rotor to separate the comminuted portion of the carbon particles based on the density differential between the siliceous ash particles and the carbon particles. A method of making a concrete mixture employing the obtained combustion ash with reduced carbon content is also provided. An apparatus for reducing the carbon content of the combustion ash is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating ashes from the combustion of petroleum fuels by mixing the combustion ashes with water to produce a slurry; injecting either calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide into the slurry and reacting the calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide with the ammonium sulfate within the ashes to produce a slurry containing gypsum and ammonia; flowing the slurry containing gypsum and ammonia down from the top portion of packed column and air or steam up from the bottom portion of the packed column so that the air or steam strips the ammonia from the gypsum slurry; and separating the gypsum from the resulting ammonia-free slurry using a solid/liquid separator.

Abstract: Non-hazardous organic waste material is introduced into a slagging combustor where it is burned. The burning produces exhaust gases and a slag of molten, inorganic ash which is removed from the combustor. The exhaust gases are treated to cool and dry the gases and to remove a major portion of particulate matter contained therein. A portion of the treated exhaust gases is mixed with a source of concentrated oxygen in a proportion that results in mixed gases having an oxygen concentration of at least 30% by volume. The mixed gases are introduced into the combustor to support the burning of the waste material. Another portion of the treated exhaust gases is further treated to recover the carbon dioxide therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the production of heat energy from solid carbonaceous fuels is disclosed which comprises subjecting the carbonaceous fuel to substantially anaerobic pyrolysis in at least one first zone and thereafter transferring the char resulting from the pyrolysis to a second zone which is segregated from the first zone or zones. The char is subjected to gasification in the second zone by introduction of primary combustion air, optionally with steam and/or recycled exhaust gas. The off gases from the second zone and the pyrolysis gases from the first zone or zones are thereafter subjected to secondary combustion and the first zone or zones is heated by heat derived from the secondary combustion. Ash is removed from the bottom of the second zone.

Abstract: Bottom ash and flyash having high LOI is reburned in a pulverized coal furnace. The bottom ash is added to the coal supply before the coal is pulverized. Flyash is added to the pulverized coal stream for injection with the pulverized coal or is separately injected into the furnace at or slightly above the level of the coal burners in the furnace. The bottom ash and flyash is added to the coal in direct proportion of 1% to 3.5% of the coal.

Abstract: Formation of hexavalent chromium is reduced during incineration/combustion of materials containing hexavalent chromium by adding to the waste prior to or during combustion a small amount of sulfur. The sulfur can be added as elemental sulfur, as sulfur dioxide, or as high sulfur fuels or high sulfur waste.

Abstract: A controlled thermal oxidation process for solid combustible waste. The process comprises a first combustion stage wherein the waste is burned in a downward direction from top to bottom. A first, fixed air flow of predetermined volume is passed from bottom to top of the waste. A second, modulated air flow of predetermined lesser volume is passed over the waste and through the combustion flame. The process further comprises a second combustion stage wherein products of combustion from the first stage are exposed to high temperature conditions for a short period of time under 135% to 200% overall stoichiometric air conditions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion in which a combustible material is introduced into a combustion chamber and oxidant is supplied to the combustion chamber. The combustible material is burned, and forming a primary combustion zone. A mixture of flue gases and flyash having an organic content is injected into the combustion chamber downstream of the primary combustion zone to create an oxygen-deficient reburn zone, thereby lowering the temperature of combustion, reducing the NO.sub.x content of the flue gases, and reducing the potential for NO.sub.x formation in a tertiary oxidizing combustion zone disposed downstream of the oxygen-deficient reburn zone.

Abstract: In a method for processing solid residues from refuse incineration plants the slag is melted and heavy metals from the melt (16) are separated for reutilization. The slag is directly transferred from the refuse incineration plant into a first heating chamber (2) and melted there under oxidizing conditions. The melt (16) produced therefrom is transferred to a second heating chamber (3), in which the heavy metal compounds are reduced to their metallic form. Furthermore, additional finely divided residues, such as fly ash, boiler ash and filter dust, are introduced into the second heating chamber (3) via a hollow graphite electrode (19). The melt (16) is then passed on to a third heating chamber (4), in which the residual readily volatile metals are vaporized and the residual non-volatile metals are sedimented. The essentially heavy-metal-free melt is then cooled to form vitreous granules.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion of a solid carbonaceous material, for example coal, in which a mixture of the solid carbonaceous material and combustion air is injected into a combustion chamber and ignited, thereby forming a fuel-lean primary combustion zone. A gaseous fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in a region downstream of the primary combustion zone, thereby forming a fuel-lean secondary combustion zone. Temperature in the secondary combustion zone is in the range of about 1800.degree. F. to 2400.degree. F.

Abstract: A system and a process for combusting hydrocarbons to recover energy and the carbon dioxide resulting from the combustion is provided. The process utilizes a two-stage combustion process, each stage utilizing water injection and a recirculation stream to increase the efficiency of combustion to generate larger proportions of carbon dioxide. An energy recovery boiler is used to recover heat energy from the combustion product. Combustion product is then cleaned and the carbon dioxide is separated and condensed into a useable liquid carbon dioxide product.

Abstract: Combustible is comminuted and dried, and metal and noncombustible are removed from the coarsely comminuted combustible. Then, the combustible is secondarily comminuted and separated into coarse combustible and fluff which is fine combustible. The coarse combustible of the separated combustible is fed onto a fire grate (2) of a refuse incinerator (1), and burned in flat bed combustion in a primary combustion chamber (4). On the other hand, the fluff is burned in suspended combustion in a secondary combustion chamber (7) with a combustion fluff burner (5) for incinerating combustible. Thus, refuse containing much plastics which is formed into fluff can be efficiently disposed of, whereby the amount of incineration is increased as a whole.

Abstract: A combustion method and apparatus in which combustible matter, e.g., waste matter, coal, etc., is gasified to produce a combustible gas containing a sufficiently large amount of combustible component to melt ash by its own heat. A fluidized-bed furnace has an approximately circular horizontal cross-sectional configuration. A moving bed, in which a fluidized medium settles and diffuses, is formed in the central portion of the furnace, and a fluidized bed, in which the fluidized medium is actively fluidized, is formed in the peripheral portion in the furnace. The fluidized medium is turned over to the upper part of the moving bed from the upper part of the fluidized bed, thus circulating through the two beds. Combustible matter is cast into the upper part of the moving bed and gasified to form a combustible gas while circulating, together with the fluidized medium.

Abstract: The process for combustion of coal dust with combustion air in burners and for reducing the production of NO.sub.x during the combustion. Combustion air is fed to the burners in form of primary air and secondary air. The burners are supplied coal dust through the primary air in a mixture of coal dust and primary air. A primary gas is generated with combustible gaseous components from the mixture of coal dust and primary air, through pyrolysis of the coal dust in the ignition region of the burners. In the ignition region, there is lowered the mean ratio of oxygen components in the primary gas to the oxygen amount required to burn freely released combustible gaseous components of the primary gas by reducing the oxygen component in the primary gas and/or injecting the primary gas with a combustible external gas.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method (1) for reducing the amount of air toxic elements, particularly mercury (16), in concentrations down to and including trace levels, from a flyash (2) laden combustion gas stream (4). The method includes a step of combusting a fuel (14), often coal or solid waste to form flyash, and a step to concentrate the interaction of the flyash (2) in the combustion gas stream (4) for use as a sorbent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incinerating waste material and in particular, for incinerating particulate material resulting from the shredding of vehicles. The particulate material is fed to one end of a rotary drum, and is subjected in the drum to pyrolitic incineration in the absence of air, to generate combustible gases and a solid residue. The combustion gases and the residue are discharged from the drum to a discharge hood, where the solid residue is separated from the gases. The gases are then passed through a condenser to cool the gases to a temperature below 212.degree. F. to thereby condense water vapor and higher boiling point hydrocarbon gases to produce hydrocarbon liquid.

Abstract: A method of decomposing dioxin compounds, such as polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans, contained in a waste material into unharmful substances, wherein the waste material is treated with a supercritical water at a temperature higher than the critical temperature of water and a pressure higher than the critical pressure of water.

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

Abstract: A process for the treatment of solid residue from a refuse incineration plant, involving:melting the solid residue in a first heating chamber under oxidizing conditions to provide a melt;reducing any heavy metal compounds present in the melt to elemental metal in a second heating chamber; andtransferring the resulting melt to a third heating chamber;wherein any elemental metal is sedimented in each heating chamber and the sedimented elemental metal is continuously returned from two of the heating chambers to the remaining heating chamber, wherein the elemental metal is collected in at least one of the first or second heating chambers and discharged therefrom, and an apparatus for performing the process.

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

Abstract: The arrangement for treating combustion residues of a combustion installation comprises an ash discharger into which opens a fall shaft, into which the solid combustion residues fall from a furnace grate. The ash is conveyed from the ash discharger into the discharge shaft via a diagonally ascending push-out chute by a push-out ram whose operating rate is so adjusted that the ash is piled up in the fall shaft in a tower formation reaching above the liquid level. Fresh water or a chemical is introduced into the discharge shaft via an inlet. The ash discharger water present in the ash discharger and charged with fine particles is drained into a hermetically sealed settling tank via a draw-off duct. Ash discharger water, with which a chemical can be mixed via another line, is fed from the upper region of the settling tank by a pump via a return line to spray nozzles which are arranged in the upper region of the fall shaft.

Abstract: Waste gas, in particular from plants for the chemical vapor-phase deposition and for the separation and etching by plasma processes, is purified from toxic agents by a method in which partial processes of the purification, such as thermal decomposition and oxidation, sorption of solid and gaseous reaction products, hydrolysis and cooling, are combined to act in a single reaction chamber. The reaction products of the waste gas burnt in a flame are led, directly in the combustion chamber, through a space filled with a finely dispersed liquid. This liquid forms a liquid film on all parts and inside walls of the reaction chamber. In a combustion chamber with a burner, the mentioned liquid distribution is obtained by a spraying device.Effective purification from toxic agents, and little corrosion of the components of the reaction chamber are achieved, any growth of solid reaction products in the combustion chamber being avoided.

Abstract: In the process for treating slag from refuse incineration plants, the crude slag, after passing through the firing grate, is separated into at least two fractions directly and without previous quenching in a water bath. These two fractions are further processed separately, the coarse fraction being fed to a wet deslagger. For optimum separation of the two fractions, the first fraction, having a particle size preferably up to 32 mm, is separated off in a first screening stage and the screen oversize of the first screening stage is fed to the wet deslagging. The screen undersize and if appropriate the material passing through the firing grate are fed to a second screening stage to separate off the fine fraction 0 . . . 2 mm. The screen oversize of the second screening stage, if appropriate after removing metallic and inert materials, is mechanically comminuted. In an optional third screening stage (8), the fine fraction 0 . . .

Abstract: A method of treating solid residue resulting from combustion of a sulfur-containing fuel in the hearth of a boiler having a circulating fluidized bed, in which method limestone is inserted into the hearth so as to make it possible to absorb the resulting sulfur dioxide in the form of calcium sulfate CaSO.sub.4, the method further including the following steps:1) prior to being inserted into the hearth, the fuel is ground down to less than 100 microns;2) prior to being inserted into the hearth, the limestone is ground down to a grain-size centered in the range 100 microns to 150 microns, with a maximum of 1 mm;3) at the base of the hearth, the combustion residue is collected, which residue includes lime and calcium sulfate resulting from taking up the sulfur dioxide SO.sub.2 evolved by the combustion, and the residue is subjected to heat treatment in a reactor, in which both solid matter based on lime CaO, and also a gaseous mixture containing, in particular, sulfur dioxide SO.sub.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed reactor system having a gas cooler, with cooling surfaces, downstream of a first cyclone separator, the cooling surfaces are cleaned by introducing sufficient concentration of bed particles into the gas during, or just prior to, cooling, so that the particles mechanically dislodge deposits from, and thereby clean, the cooling surfaces. The particles are then removed downstream of the cooler by a second separator, and the bed particles separated by the second separator may be returned to the fluidized bed reactor at or just before the cooler to again be used to effect cooling. Cleaning may be practiced in spaced time intervals only (e.g. periodically or intermittently), or continuously.

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

Abstract: An incinerator in which halogenated organic compounds are burned in the presence of oxygen or oxygen enriched air to produce combustion products. The combustion products potentially include unreacted oxygen and halogenated organic compounds which can react with oxygen to produce halogenated furans and dioxins. The formation of the halogenated furans and dioxins is minimized by firing a burner, burning a hydrogen containing fuel at a fuel-rich stoichiometry, into the combustion products so that the fuel will react with the unreacted oxygen. This will reduce formation of the halogenated furans and dioxins. Any of the halogenated furans and dioxins that are formed are substantially eliminated by the reaction of hydrogen supplied by the fuel with the halogenated furans and dioxins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for reducing pollutant emissions associated with combustion operations, e.g., cement manufacturing. The invention further relates to the disposal of sludge, e.g., produced by waste water treatment plants, by introducing it into the combustion process. In particular, the invention provides for introducing particles of aqueous sludge into a kiln at a point in the kiln effective to reduce pollutant emissions in outlet flue gasses produced by the kiln. Optimally, the sludge is introduced at a point in which maximum NO.sub.x emission reductions can occur and maximum HCl emission reductions can occur downstream (at lower temperatures). In a specific embodiment, introduction of about 10 to about 20 tons per hour of wet sludge results in about a 15% to 30% reduction in NO.sub.x emissions in a cement kiln.

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

Abstract: A method and system for recycling a sulfur sorbent present in the combustion residue of a circulating, fluidized bed, fossil-fuel combustor is disclosed. The method can comprise the steps of, adding water to the combustion residue, classifying the combustion residue into a fuel ash portion and a hydrated sorbent portion, and returning the hydrated sorbent portion to the circulating, fluidized bed, fossil-fuel combustor.

Abstract: A method for processing electric storage batteries, particularly lithium/thionyl chloride batteries, which includes the steps of discharging the batteries, lowering the temperature of the battery components to -180.degree. C., and cutting the battery into pieces while in its cold state before further processing. The process can also include the further steps of incineration, collecting the solid, liquid and gaseous discharges from the incinerator, washing the solid and liquid discharges with water and the gaseous discharge with an alkaline solution, mixing the resultant wash streams, separating precipitates formed from the mixed stream and neutralizing the remaining solution.

Abstract: A system for protecting the material of a gas-gas heater which receives a raw flue gas for being provided to a desulfurization plant for cleaning of the flue gas comprises a path of raw flue gas having a gas temperature which is provided to the heater. A quench device communicates with the raw flue gas flow for providing a rapid cooling of the raw flue gas. A controller communicates with the flow of raw flue gas and the quench device. The controller has a variable, pre-set temperature value which is the temperature at which the material of the heater can be damaged. The controller monitors the temperature of the raw flue gas for detecting when the temperature of the raw flue gas is greater than the pre-set temperature value for activating the quench device in order to provide a rapid cooling of the raw flue gas until the gas temperature is less than the pre-set temperature value.

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

Abstract: In order to work up pyrotechnical material, I. the pyrotechnical material is burned in a controlled manner, the slag is optionally allowed to continue reacting and the crude gas formed is passed through a high-temperature region in which the gas is exposed to a temperature of at least 1200.degree. C. over a predetermined period in order to decompose organic substances still present; II. the crude gas formed during the combustion is cooled to a temperature below 400.degree. C.; III. the crude gas is purified under dry conditions by first feeding it into a preliminary separator, coarse particles being separated off, and then feeding the crude gas via fine dust filters in order to separate off finely divided solids and/or IV. the crude gas is optionally purified under wet conditions by first passing it through a rotary scrubber and then passing it via one or more absorption units and V. the purified gas is released as waste air.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of destroying explosive substances in which the explosive substances are converted to a pumpable liquid or suspension which is not detonatable but combustible and which can be burned in conventional boilers intended for energy production. The explosive substance is dissolved or suspended in a combustible liquid which contains no available oxygen or only a small amount of available oxygen, preferably fuel oil, wherein the amount of liquid present is so large as to reduce the energy content of the mixture to 1 MJ/kg or less in the absence of available atmospheric oxygen. The mixture is burned in a combustion apparatus, by delivering the mixture to the combustion apparatus via a liquid fuel burner or a burner for solid fuel/liquid fuel suspensions. The grain size of the explosive substance in suspension is selected so that each grain will be incinerated during its residence time in the flame of the burner concerned.

Abstract: An incineration process which can utilize any type of incineration means for disposing of hazardous, as well as non-hazardous, burnable waste. Such wastes include toxic combustible liquids, oil slurries, soils contaminated with dioxin, PCBs, creosote, or any other potentially toxic combustible material. In particular, the present invention relates to an incineration process which has no continuous stack discharge or pollution. This process provides an improved incineration means which conserves energy by reacting hazardous and non-hazardous waste with steam and oxygen to convert it into gaseous and/or solid fuel; cooling, compressing and recycling a portion of the fuel gas to the incinerator system to provide fuel for the incineration process, and to recover gases that can be used for production of chemicals or sold as fuel gas.

Abstract: A method and an incinerator in which halogenated organic compounds are burned in the presence of oxygen or oxygen enriched air to produce combustion products. The combustion products potentially include unreacted oxygen and halogenated organic compounds which can react with oxygen to produce halogenated furans and dioxins. The formation of the halogenated furans and dioxins is minimized by firing a burner, burning a hydrogen containing fuel at a fuel-rich stoichiometry, into the combustion products so that the fuel will react with the unreacted oxygen. This will reduce formation of the halogenated furans and dioxins. Any of the halogenated furans and dioxins that are formed are substantially eliminated by the reaction of hydrogen supplied by the fuel with the halogenated furans and dioxins.

Abstract: A method of purifying combustion gases by removing acid gases therefrom, wherein a stream of combustion gases is caused to flow in contact with a surface of an acid gas remover formed from a mixture including a calcium compound for neutralizing said acid gases, and a binder for holding together particles of the calcium compound. Also disclosed is an incinerator incorporating the acid gas remover.

Abstract: A process for reducing sulfur emissions and increasing particulate removal in the combustion of pulverized coal is presented. Pulverized sulfur-containing coal is injected along with combustion air into a combustion chamber and fired to create a combustion zone within the chamber, thereby creating gaseous sulfur and particulate emission products. The emission products are directed to an exhaust means where the particulate emission products are removed. A fuel having negligible sulfur content and a heating value higher than coal is injected in substantially the same direction as the coal and combustion air stream into a region of the combustion zone through which a majority of the of the gaseous sulfur emissions must pass to reach the exhaust means, thus increasing the temperature of the region in an amount sufficient to increase the sulfur content of the particulate emission products.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminates from industrial waste streams by thermal destruction in which contaminated waste emission gases are controllably intermixed with hydroxy gas and the mixture thus formed ignited within a combustion chamber of unique design. The temperature within the combustion chamber is maintained at no less than 3000 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve molecular disassociation of the pollutants contained within the emission gas into harmless compounds.

Abstract: In a coal-fired boiler, a heat recovery unit is located upstream of a dry electrostatic precipitator so as to reduce the temperature of exhaust gas flowing to the dry electrostatic precipitator and thus prevent reverse ionization in the electrostatic precipitator. The heat recovery unit located upstream of the dry electrostatic precipitator will in no way be corroded even if the concentration of dust is reduced in the dry electrostatic precipitator. A desulfurization unit does not require a cooling/dust removing section and eliminates the need for a wet electrostatic precipitator. The dry electrostatic precipitator includes a gas passage divided into a plurality of parallel passages and dampers operable to close the passages. This arrangement prevents dust from being dispersed as a result of hammering without charge.

Abstract: A combustion box exhaust filtration system and method which removes both particulate matter (PM) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) from the exhaust gases. Two filters in parallel are used, each alternating operation as the other regenerates. Each filter is preferred to be constructed in a conventional manner and operates at between 100 to 300 degrees Centigrade. A microprocessor controlled valve system regulates which filter is active and which is regenerating and/or inactive. PM accumulates at the active filter, with UHC condensing on the PM. Accordingly, only PM and UHC free gasses pass out the exhaust. When the active filter becomes clogged, the microprocessor switches it to inactive status, and switches the other filter to active status. Regeneration of the inactive filter is initiated by the microprocessor using a glow plug at a predetermined location in the filter, in which PM and UHC burn slowly across the entire filter.

Abstract: An improved method of reducing the amount of sulfur dioxide in combustion gases generated by the combustion of a sulfur-containing fuel in a combustion chamber. The improved method comprises introducing a sorbent composition capable of interacting with sulfur dioxide into a zone of the combustion chamber above the fuel and flame area, such that the sorbent composition is distributed throughout the combustion gases and interacts with sulfur dioxide to remove sulfur dioxide from the combustion gases in the form of a solid inorganic sulfate. The sorbent composition introduced into the combustion chamber comprises: (a) 100 parts by weight of a sorbent; and (b) about 0.25 parts to about 60 parts by weight of an enhancer, said enhancer comprising: (i) about 15% to about 75%, by weight of the enhancer, of a hydrated inorganic salt; (ii) about 25% to about 85%, by weight of the enhancer, of a clay; and (iii) 0% to about 10%, by weight of the enhancer, of a combustible liquid.

Abstract: A method of thermally oxidizing a gaseous component, e.g., including one or more volatile organic compounds, is disclosed. This method comprises passing an amount of an oxygen component, a controlled amount of a fuel component and an amount of a gaseous component to be thermally oxidized to a combustion zone to combust the oxygen component and the fuel component, to at least partially thermally oxidize the gaseous component and to form a gaseous effluent; contacting the gaseous effluent in a retention zone at conditions effective to thermally oxidize the gaseous component, and thereby form a flue gas; and controlling the amount of fuel component passed to the combustion zone based on the temperature in at least one of said combustion zone and said retention zone contacting occurs. A thermal oxidation apparatus useful for practicing the present method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Detecting the presence of PAC's in the effluent of a combustions system by detecting the presence of a high molecular weight PAC's having five or more rings. A position along the effluent stream is selected at which high molecular weight PAC's may be present. The effluent is illuminated with radiation having a wavelength absorbed by the high molecular weight PAC's in the gas phase. The fluorescence from the illuminated effluent is detected, and analyzed by comparison to the known fluorescence of high molecular weight PAC's in the gas phase to determine the presence of the PAC's in the effluent. The effluent composition may be controlled in response to the detection.

Abstract: A method of thermal disposal of sewage sludge. The sludge is dried and incinerated. The flue gases from the incineration are washed. The flue gas dust resulting from the incineration and the sludge resulting from washing of the flue gases are treated together with high temperature combustion which includes melting of solids.

Abstract: In the conventional incineration of solid waste materials, flyash present in the combustion products gas stream catalyzes the formation of toxic dioxins from chlorinated organic materials. By providing a catalyst poison, such as carbon disulphide, in association with the flyash, typically by spraying onto the solid wastes prior to incineration, the catalytic effect is decreased, resulting in decreased dioxin formation.