Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying and pulverizing coal which is to be used as a powdered fuel in the manufacture of cement. Air which has been heated in the cooling step of the cement making process is passed through a tertiary air conduit for delivery to a calcining step of the cement making process, and at least a part of the dust-laden air from the grinding step is introduced into the tertiary air conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of coal dust includes a connection between a pulverizing mill's exhaust gas output port and a transition region between a preheater region and a calcination region of a related calcination installation which uses the coal dust as a fuel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for firing a kiln as well as a method for producing cement clinker in which pulverized coal is initially entrained in an airflow of about 2% of the theoretical amount of air needed to combust the coal and transport it to a burner. Supplemental primary air heated sufficiently to vaporize volatiles in the coal is mixed with the coal flow in a burner, discharged into the kiln and hence ignited. Secondary combustion air heated to between 800.degree. F. to 1650.degree. F. and more is added in the kiln to effect the substantially complete combustion of the pulverized coal in the kiln.

Abstract: A continuous grain drying and conditioning apparatus of a type including a burner and blower, or a multiplicity of burners and blowers, surrounded by a plenum chamber, air pervious grain holding walls positioned outwardly with respect to the plenum chamber is characterized by having a plenum divider which is selectively adjustable in position to divide the grain holding walls into a heating section and a cooling section. A multiplicity of grain turning apparatus of full and partial width of the grain column is disposed in the grain column for separating the grain mass into two or more separate divisions and then turning the cooler-wetter grain inwardly as it moves downwardly and turning the hotter-dryer grain outwardly as it moves downwardly in the grain column. Grain is constantly removed from the bottom of the apparatus at a rate governed by the average temperature of the air exiting the grain at a point adjacent the position of the plenum divider and a point closer to the input of the grain.

Abstract: A process for the heat-treatment of fine-grained material which is preheated in a cyclone preheater, deacidified by additional fuel in a precalcination zone, and subsequently calcined to completion in a revolving tubular kiln. The gas temperature in the cyclone preheater and the material temperature after passage through the precalcination zone are measured, the difference between these temperatures is determined and, when the temperature difference reaches a maximum or minimum value, regulation of the fuel supply to the precalcination zone is switched to manual operation. In this way, the amount of fuel is rapidly adapted to the particular circumstances prevailing in the event of disturbances.

Abstract: A cement clinker is produced by utilizing a combustible waste material as a fuel for preheating or calcining a cement material, by using an apparatus comprising a cement material feeder, a preheater or calcinator, a rotary kiln, cooler and means for flowing an exhaust gas from the rotary kiln to the preheater or calcinator, which apparatus is characterized by a heat-decomposer which is located between the preheater or calcinator and the rotary kiln and in which a combustible material is heat decomposed with an exhaust gas from the rotary kiln and resultant combustible gas is burnt in the preheater or calcinator.

Abstract: Coking of liquid fuel supplied through a fuel lance in a calcining furnace is prevented by surrounding a fuel tube in the fuel lance with a tubular jacket forming an annular gap between the jacket and the fuel tube for supplying a cooling medium through the lance. The jacket may be additionally provided with insulation which can be protected from damage caused by downwardly traveling bulk material by the additional provision of a protective tube.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the heat treatment of fine-grained material, particularly raw material for the manufacture of cement wherein the material is pre-heated, calcined, sintered, and then cooled, the sintering of the substantially calcined material according to the present invention being carried out in the form of an airborne suspension.

Abstract: A calcining installation of improved thermal efficiency comprises a long rotary tubular kiln having an upstream inlet, a downstream outlet and an air inlet at the downstream end. A burner is positioned in the upstream half of the kiln, the upstream part of the kiln constituting a calcining zone and the downstream kiln part constituting a cooling zone for the calcined material. A cyclone separator for separating dust from the kiln flue gases has an inlet and a dust outlet, and an additional cyclone separator has an inlet, a gas outlet and a material outlet connected to the upstream end of the kiln. A pipe connects the gas outlet of the additional cyclone separator to the inlet of the cyclone separator, the pipe having a vertical portion and an inlet for the raw material in the lower part of the vertical portion.

Abstract: A method for heating powder material comprising the steps of allowing hot gas from a plurality of hot gas sources separate from each other to flow separately through a plurality of hot gas passages which include a plurality of dust collectors and ducts for connection between said dust collectors, separately charging raw material to be heated through the each duct leading to the dust collector located in the uppermost part of said respective hot gas passages, then uniting the charged powder material, then alternately wandering the united powder material from one hot gas passage to the other hot gas passage, thereby the united powder material is heated by heat exchanging with the respective hot gas streams, and finally discharging the heated powder material through the duct located below the lowermost dust collector.

Abstract: Calcination of one of the volatile compounds is brought about in a first contacting column, in which the material is driven and put into suspension by an oxidizing gas stream, while being brought therein to a sufficiently high temperature, and the gaseous products desorbed in this first column are re-adsorbed by cooling in a second contacting column.This process applies principally to the regeneration of particles of alumina which have absorbed tars and compounds containing fluorine.

Abstract: Roller grate apparatus for simultaneously transporting and transferring heat to or from a bed of material particles has elongated cylindrical parallel horizontal rollers rotatably driven in the same direction; filler bars disposed in the nip between adjacent rollers and together with the rollers forming a generally flat surface with constantly moving portions which continually tumble the material particles and urge them thereacross in a direction transverse to the roller axes; gas passage apertures in the rollers which permit a heat transfer gas stream to pass through the rollers; a heat transfer chamber spanning the rollers; and a fan for blowing a heat transfer gas stream through the chamber and the material bed being transported by the rollers.

Abstract: A process for the heat-treatment of fine-grained material using a multistage cyclone preheater and a revolving tubular kiln, additional fuel being introduced into a stage of the preheater which is selected according to the grain size, reactivity, moisture content, and incombustible constituent content of the fuel so that most of the fuel is almost completely burnt in the lowermost stage of the preheater. In this way, it is possible to obtain a high degree of calcination of the material before it enters the revolving tubular kiln with low preparation costs.

Abstract: A process for the calcining of limestone or hydrated lime by thermal treatment thereof with hot gases in a rotary kiln through which the kiln atmosphere and the charge are countercurrently passed, which kiln is fed with solid carbonaceous fuel, is described. The invention resides in introducing an oxygen-containing gas into a horizontal region across the rotary kiln defined by a point along the length of the kiln where ignitable particles of said solid fuel first appear and a second point along the length of said rotary kiln which is spaced from the charging end of said kiln not more than 50% of the length thereof. The oxygen-containing gases are injected through nozzle blocks in said rotary kiln, and oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the free space of said kiln.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the heat treatment of fine-grained material, particularly for the production of cement, wherein the material is preheated in a preheater, further heated in a precalcination zone using additional fuel, calcined to completion in a rotary kiln, and cooled in a cooler, the preheated material being introduced into a cooling air stream run off from the cooler and the resulting mixture of gas and solids being introduced from the side into a gas pipe which connects the rotary kiln to the preheater and through which the kiln exhaust gases flow in the upward direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kiln of a compact upright configuration which is constructed so as to successively preheat, heat, and then cool aggregate in a continuous operation while avoiding wasteful loss of heat from the walls of the kiln or in the effluent gases. In the apparatus of this invention there is provided an upright hollow housing having an air inlet opening in a lower portion thereof and an air outlet opening in an upper portion thereof. A fan is communicatively connected to the housing for causing outside air to enter the air inlet opening and flow upwardly through the housing. A fuel burner is provided in the housing for combusting a fuel and thereby heating the air flowing upwardly within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for continuously treating a flowing gas with a liquid to remove unwanted materials from the gas. Packing elements are directed downwardly along a predetermined zigzag path of travel, with the packing elements being maintained in the form of a relatively thin layer. A liquid is directed onto the layer of packing elements while a flowing gas is directed upwardly along a sinuous path of travel repeatedly passing back and forth through the downwardly moving layer of packing elements successively from opposite sides thereof. The packing elements are discharged from the lower end of the path of travel while clean packing elements are directed into the upper end to replace those which are discharged. The discharged packing elements are cleaned and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: Relatively coarse aggregate is preheated to a relatively high temperature prior to introduction into a rotary kiln by directing the aggregate downwardly along a predetermined path of travel while maintaining the aggregate in the form of a relatively thin layer and while directing the waste heated gases from the kiln upwardly along a predetermined sinuous path of travel repeatedly passing laterally back and forth through the downwardly moving layer of aggregate from opposite sides thereof to thus provide highly effective contact of the gas with the aggregate, and while supplementally heating the waste heated gases so as to preheat the aggregate to a higher degree.

Abstract: Relatively coarse aggregate is preheated continuously and in a highly effective manner by directing the aggregate downwardly along a predetermined path of travel while maintaining the aggregate in the form of a relatively thin layer and while directing a flowing heated gas upwardly along a predetermined sinuous path of travel repeatedly passing laterally back and forth through the downwardly moving layer of aggregate from opposite sides thereof to thus provide highly effective contact of the gas with the aggregate. The thin layer of aggregate is guided downwardly along a passageway formed by a pair of gas permeable retaining walls which extend generally vertically in opposing spaced relation to one another. The retaining walls are of a nonlinear zigzag configuration so arranged as to direct the thin layer of aggregate along a sinuous path of travel in the course of its downward movement along the elongate passageway.

Abstract: Wood pulp is dried by contacting it with heated air and subjecting the air and pulp to turbulence in a dryer comprising relatively contrarotating members which intermesh on rotation so that dried wood pulp fibres are suspended in the air issuing from the dryer. The heated air is produced by heating air in a burner to a temperature of from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C. by burning a fuel in the air.The dried wood pulp fibres are separated from the air and a portion of the air thus separated is recycled to the burner. The air admitted to the burner comprises fresh air and recycled air, the proportion of fresh air being such that the heated air contacting the pulp has an oxygen content of less than 10 percent by volume. The use of recycled air reduces the risk of fire when drying the wood pulp.

Abstract: Coking coal is preheated and dried by passing hot carrier gas into a generally vertical flash drying pipe, then passing comminuted coal into the same pipe, the carrier gas being blown with a flow speed to move the coal upwards in the pipe and passing at about the midpoint of the pipe a mixture of hot combustion gases and additional hot recycle gas branched off from the other hot waste gas line into the pipe so as to cause further heating and moving of the coal, the further heating being carried out in a uniform and gentle manner. At the end of the pipe the coal and carrier gas are separated and the coal is recovered while the waste gas are recycled into a blower and therefrom into the vertical flash drying pipe with a branch leading part of the recycle gas into a mixing chamber with the combustion gases so as to lower the temperature of the combustion gases when the same are passed into the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for transferring heat between two gases having different temperatures through the intermediary of a solid heat-carrier, which process may be possibly applied to the treatment of a raw cement. In said process a powderous or granular solid material is employed as the solid heat-carrier, the gases circulating in two different cascades comprising batteries of cyclones and said heat-carrier is used to recover at least a part of the heat carried along by the hot fumes issuing from a clinkerization furnace.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the thermal treatment of pulverulent material in which the material is preheated and finely calcined in a calcination zone, the improvement involving pre-calcining the pulverulent material in a highly turbulent gaseous stream containing combustible fuel in a pre-calcination zone prior to final calcination.

Abstract: A continuous grain drying and conditioning apparatus of a type including a burner and blower, or a multiplicity of burners and blowers, surrounded by a plenum chamber, air pervious grain holding walls positioned outwardly with respect to the plenum chamber is characterized by having a plenum divider which is selectively adjustable in position to divide the grain holding walls into a heating section and a cooling section. A multiplicity of grain turning apparatus of full and partial width of the grain column is disposed in the grain column for separating the grain mass into two or more separate divisions and then turning the cooler-wetter grain inwardly as it moves downwardly and turning the hotter-dryer grain outwardly as it moves downwardly in the grain column. Grain is constantly removed from the bottom of the apparatus at a rate governed by the average temperature of the air exiting the grain at a point adjacent the position of the plenum divider and a point closer to the input of the grain.

Abstract: Carbonate-containing sinterable material, e.g. for cement clinker, is calcined in a rotary kiln and then cooled in a grate cooler. The material is subjected to preheating in a suspension preheater and then to precalcination in an upright precalcining installation. The fuel for the latter is introduced through nozzles into a substantially oxygen-free crude power exhaust gas suspension and after turbulent mixing of the fuel with this suspension a stoichiometric quantity of combustion air is introduced so that a flameless combustion occurs in the turbulent mixture. Thereafter the solids enter the rotary kiln for the final calcination.

Abstract: A method of preparing and delivering coal to a coking plant, comprises, conveying the coal to the plant on a moving conveyor while an inert combustion gas is directed over the coal being conveyed. The combustion gas is generated by burning a fuel with air to produce a substantially inert combustion gas which is passed over the coal during its conveying and, thereafter, passed through a cooler for removing the moisture which has been picked up from the coal by the gas. The heating and predrying inert gases are advantageously generated by the direct combustion of air and fuel which are passed through flash dryer tubes and one or more separate separator systems and then delivered into a conveyor pipeline through which the coal is conveyed. A portion of the gases which are generated are also directed with a return gas to a filter for removal of any coal therefrom and to a cooler for removing the moisture picked up from the coal and then back into the stream for delivery to the conveyor for the coal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft-type countercurrent heat exchanger in which the uppermost part of the shaft is formed by a turbulence chamber which communicates with the underlying countercurrent chamber of the shaft through a central material outlet and several gas pipes opening tangentially into the turbulence chamber, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for preheating a coarse fraction and a more fine limestone fraction in a shaft preheater including a first central vertical inlet for receiving the coarse fraction which forms a descending core in a vertical preheating chamber, and a second vertical inlet receiving the finer fraction annularly around the core, directing a first upper gas feed radially into the fractions with the gas first penetrating the outer finer fraction and then the inner fraction, and directing a second heating gas flow at a lower level into the core to bring the core up to the temperature of the outer layer, with the gases being received from a rotary kiln, and mixing the fractions and directing them to the rotary kiln from the lower end of the preheating chamber.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the drying and preheating of coking coal is described, in which a coarser grain fraction of the starting coal is separated out at least at one location in a flight stream tube through which the coal and a heat carrier gas are fed, and in which this larger grain fraction is subsequently reintroduced into the main stream containing only the finer grain fraction of the coal and the predominant portion of the heat carrier gas. The method and the apparatus through which the method may be carried out allow for a single-step process for both drying and preheating of the coal, make it possible to substantially reduce the length of the flight stream tube necessary, and increase the uniformity of the degree of pretreatment of the variously-sized fractions of the starting material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized bed operations wherein the fluidized bed includes an upper fluidized zone and a lower fluidized zone, with each of the upper and lower fluidized zones equipped with agitating means therein. Positioned intermediate the upper and lower fluidized zones are a plurality of tubular zones. Substantially parallel to the fluidized zones is a discharge leg positioned to receive fluidized solids from the lower fluidized zone in which the fluidized solids are fluidized in the leg at a level substantially equal to the level of fluidized solids in the upper zone whereby a portion of the solids can be removed from a repositionable discharge means in the discharge leg. The process involved in this invention utilizes a fluidized system for starch drying wherein the moisture content of the starch supplied to the fluidized bed is controlled to a level not exceeding 27% whereby the fluidized bed can be operated at higher temperatures without damaging the starch.

Abstract: Preheat gas is recycled to a booster heater that communicates with the preheat chamber with excess gas being directed to a quench chamber. From the quench chamber gas passes to a dust separator with the cleansed gas being utilized in low- and high-temperature drying chambers. The system is modified so as to have a mixing vessel ahead of the quench chamber in which lime dust is introduced to scrub the gas passing through prior to the gas being quenched. The gas is cleansed and utilized in a drying chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of coaldust for use with a preheater and a cement calcination apparatus. Exhaust gas from the preheater is mixed with a source of coal and input to a pulverizing mill. The output of the pulverizing mill passes through an air current separator and a cyclone separator. The output of the air-current-separator, a stream of coal gravel, is supplied as a fuel at a calcination point in the calcination apparatus. The exhaust output from the separator provides an input to the cyclone separator which separates coaldust from the gas. The exhaust from the cyclone separator is in part fed-back to a calcination point in the calcination apparatus and is also a part of the stream of gravel. The entire process is closed so that no burnable coaldust is lost to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A closed loop system which includes (1) a drum mixer, (2) a heat source separate from the drum mixer for producing a heated gas, (3) intake and exhaust ducts which channel, respectively, the gas produced by the heat source to the intake end of the drum mixer, and the gas at the discharge end of the drum mixer back to one intake of the heat source, and (4) a fan for maintaining the flow of gas in the system. The gas produced by the heat source is between 700.degree. F. and 2000.degree. F. when it enters the drum mixer at its intake end from the intake duct. Graded aggregates and a bituminous binder are fed into the drum mixer at its intake end. The graded aggregates are mixed with the bituminous binder, in the presence of the heated gas, by rotational action of the drum mixer. The resulting bituminous paving mixture is discharged at the discharge end of the drum mixer, along with exhaust gas, a portion of which is channeled back to one intake of the heat source by the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a cement kiln plant in which impurities in the form of alkalis are present in vapor form in the hot dust laden gases generated in the kiln. According to the method, a portion of the hot dust laden kiln gases are directed upwardly through a first riser pipe which communicates with the kiln exit gas opening and thereafter the dust particles are separated from the gases and directed to the bottom portion of a second riser pipe having its lower end open to the atmosphere. Relatively cold atmospheric air is directed upwardly through the second riser pipe so as to contact the kiln dust particles separated from the by-passed kiln gases of the first riser pipe thus permitting the kiln dust particles to be cooled by the cold air while causing the air to be heated and providing its further use e.g. in a preheater.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heat treatment of comminuted raw material of the type used, for example, for the production of cement in which the material is preheated in a preheater by means of hot exhaust gases from a kiln, the material is separately calcined for the deacidification of a portion of the calcium carbonate present and is subsequently burnt to completion in the kiln. The specific improvement of the present invention involves utilizing undispersed coarse pieces of fuel for the separate calcination and conducting the separate calcination at the material inlet end to the kiln.

Abstract: A method and device for sintering materials and, in particular, limestone gravel, of very different granular size in the granular range of 5 to 50 mm, in a rotary shaft kiln with a shaft preheater and shaft cooler, are provided wherein the sintering charge of the original gravels are crushed into two or more granular fractions and are fed in a low band width to the furnace system periodically and alternately, and wherein the process gases flow through the filling or charge layers of the sintering materials. The filling layers are automatically changed in the shaft preheater and the shaft cooler in their thickness, so that the flow through resistance thereof remains constant.

Abstract: A single step process for removing moisture from low rank coal using in-situ generated thermal energy by passing the wet low rank coal at room temperature into a moving bed of hot coal at a temperature in the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. at a rate to maintain partial combustion of the coal at atmospheric pressure, and in the presence of a gas at atmospheric pressure containing from about 5% to about 20% by volume of oxygen, the heat generated by the combustion being absorbed by the wet coal being fed to the system and being effective for drying the coal to the desired level, and separating the dried coal from the combustion zone, whereby the dry coal obtained is highly resistant to spontaneous combustion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a countercurrent combustion method and apparatus for the production of calcined lime in a furnace which contains, in sequence, at least one preheating zone, combustion zone, and a cooling zone. The entire combustion air is passed through the cooling zone thereby to preheat the same. A portion of the thus preheated air is withdrawn from the furnace and heated in a recuperation zone which may be within or outside the vertical shaft furnace but is located between the preheating zone and the combustion zone. In the recuperation zone, the air is heated to approximately the deacidification temperature and then is supplied to the combustion zone.

Abstract: A novel process for the drying of resinous materials is disclosed which comprises superheating a solution of the resinous material and spraying the superheated solution through one or more venturi shaped nozzles at high pressure in order to provide resultant material in the form of discrete particles having a lowered moisture content. A novel design for a venturi nozzle which may be advantageously employed in carrying out the drying process of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of fine grained materials including a calcining furnace, a plurality of cyclone separators arranged in series, with exhaust means delivering exhaust gases from the calcining furnace to one of the cyclone separators, with at least the first two of the plurality of cyclone separators being at substantially the same vertical height. Supplemental combustion means consisting of a fuel injection means and a combustion air injection means are included in the path of the exhaust gases passing from the furnace through the plurality of cyclone separators to render the system more efficient and to reduce the size of the components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an industrial furnace system for treng materials is disclosed, characterized in that the heat which is applied to the material to be treated is partially derived from the combustion of a mixture of waste fuel and water such as sewage slurry. Waste heat generated at the outer surface of the furnace and waste heat generated from the cooling of the treated material is further applied to the slurry to partially dry the waste fuel prior to and during the combustion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for chip drying and cleaning of ferrous or non-ferrous metals comprising a vertical cylinder with tangentially mounted burners therein. A material feeding device is positioned above the high velocity hot gases of the burners so that a cyclonic action cleans or dries the material within the cylinder.

Abstract: A process for de-contaminating drilling cuttings and/or drilling mud, contaminated with a hydrocarbon oil, comprising the step of heating the cuttings and/or mud so as to burn off the contaminant whereby the cuttings may be disposed of without environmental spoilage and the mud recycled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the utilization of waste substances containing combustible components and showing fluctuations in their composition and properties and to a device for carrying out the process.The improvement comprises effecting the volatilization, decomposition and incomplete combustion of the waste substances in a first process step which is immediately followed by a second process step in which formed pyrolysis gases are burned in a heating device for burning starting materials for building materials or inorganic binders.

Abstract: Coal is passed in a two-stage process through a drying and heating zone. The coal coming from the drying zone is separated from the heat carrier gas which is then passed into the atmosphere after going through an electrodust separator. The dried coal is delivered into the heating zone. The hot gas for the heating zone is furnished by a combustion device. The exhaust gas from the heating zone is separated from the heated coal which is recovered while the exhaust gas is passed back into the drying zone. Part of the hot combustion gas coming from the combustion chamber is branched off and passed into the exhaust gas coming out of the drying zone either directly behind the drying zone or behind the separator for separating the dried coal from the exhaust gas. The temperature of the exhaust gas from the drying zone is thus prevented from sinking below the sulfuric acid dewpoint or water vapor dewpoint which might result in corrosive damage to the apparatus, particularly to the electrodust separator.

Abstract: Coal is dried by passing it successively to two tubular flow-through circulation heating elements together with a heat carrier gas, withdrawing the partially dried coal emanating from the first heating element and passing it into the inlet end of the second heating element and recovering the substantially dry coal from the gas and coal mass emanating from the second heating element, the hot vapors received from the outlet end of the first heating element being recirculated after mixing them with fresh combustion gases into the second heating element and the heat carrier gas emanating from the second heating element after separation of the coal therefrom being passed after mixing with fresh combustion gases into the first heating element.

Abstract: Agglomerates are fired in a sintering apparatus of the type, in which the agglomerates during transport on a travelling grate in zones along said grate are pre-dried with substantially pure warm air passing upwardly through the grate and finally dried and heated with hot process gas passing downwardly through the grate, and in which the hot process gas is generated by combusting fuel while using, as secondary air of combustion, air previously used to cool fired agglomerates. In order to reduce the quantity of gas contaminated during the firing process there is maintained in a sealing zone located between the pre-drying and final-drying zones and mechanically shielded thereagainst, by supplying air above the grate and removing air by suction from beneath the grate, pressures which are substantially equal to the pressure above the grate and the pressure beneath the grate respectively in the adjacent final-drying zone.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus and process for drying and/or heating materials. This invention was designed for use in the production of charcoal from wood feed material; however, it can be used to heat and/or dry many types of materials. Feed material is disposed in a reactor, wherein there is provided a first array of input channels extending through said feed material, through which hot gases are introduced into said feed material, and a second array of output channels extending through said feed material to collect and exit those hot gases and any gases or vapors derived from the heating and/or drying of the feed material.

Abstract: Systems for the comminution, drying and dry feed of coal for combustion in fluid bed calciners, incinerators, or other combustion systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and novel method and apparatus for reacting nongaseous material with a gaseous reactant comprising introducing a first stream containing a nongaseous material into a reaction zone; simultaneously introducing a second stream containing a gaseous reactant into the reaction zone such that the gaseous reactant immediately contacts and reacts with the first stream thereby producing a gaseous product; forming a spiralling vortex within the reaction zone to cause substantial separation of gases, including the gaseous product, from the nongaseous material; forming and removing a third stream from the reaction zone containing the gaseous product which is substantially free of the nongaseous material before a major portion of the gaseous product can react with the nongaseous material; and forming and removing a fourth stream containing the nongaseous material from the reaction zone.