By Heating To Effect Chemical Change. E.g., Pyrolysis (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 588/321)
  • Patent number: 7867318
    Abstract: Process of treating filter dust (3) of the type produced in aluminium recycling processes in a recycling system for recycling the metal (1) of salt slag recycling (2), including at least a pyrolysis step (31) in which the filter dust (30) enter a rotating auger where it is heated to a temperature of not less than 500° C. and not more than 600° C.; and in which the organic and toxic substances breakdown in this heating and part of the carbon and other combustibles burn in the controlled presence of air, this air being mixed with the dust by the movement of the rotating auger (310); in which organic materials are oxidized due to the oxygen provided; and in which the solid result of the pyrolysis step (31) is added to the general salt slag recycling process (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Befesa Aluminio Bilbao S.L.
    Inventors: Carlos Ruiz De Veye, Ignacio Alfaro Abreu, Juan Carlos Mugica Iraola, Patricio Aguirre Mujica, Rodolfo Solozabal Echevarria, Jorge Juan Aragon Puy, Eduardo Arenales Gomez
  • Patent number: 7799113
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of an inert covalently bonded material selected from silicon carbide (SiC), silicon oxides (SiOn, n=1-2), silicon nitride (e.g. Si3N4), silicon boride (e.g. SiB6), boron nitride (e.g. BN) and mixtures thereof as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Tekran Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Frank H. Schaedlich, Daniel R. Schneeberger, Glenn A. Norton
  • Patent number: 7790944
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus useful for the separation of hazardous and non-hazardous organic and inorganic constituents from various matrices. A method of separating such constituents is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: IR Systems International
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. O'Ham
  • Patent number: 7789999
    Abstract: Described is a thermal decomposition treatment system and method of using the thermal decomposition treatment system wherein flammable waste is inputted into a trash burner which is shielded from air or gas and the waste is thermally decomposed and carbonized. The thermal decomposition treatment chamber includes a plurality of heating tubes wherein the flammable waste is inputted into the chambers while hot air is passed through the heating tubes which indirectly heats the flammable waste in an anaerobic environment the resulting gases are purified, recovered and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Jong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7772452
    Abstract: A process for recovery of the silica present in the separators located between the elements of lead-acid batteries characterized in that it comprises the following operations: a) washing the heavy plastics to remove the lead compounds and other foreign bodies, b) separating the plastics from the washing solution, c) lead recovery and regeneration of the washing solution, d) rinsing of the plastics, e) drying of the plastics, f) separation of the granular plastics from the thin plastics (polyethylene with silica filler, PVC, fabrics) by drawing them up in a flow of air making use of the shape effect, g) separation of the PVC and fabrics from the polyethylene with silica filler through fragmentation, h) pyrolysis of the polyethylene with silica filler, i) cracking of the pyrolysis gases and vapours in order to reduce their molecular weight and render them more suitable for handling and combustion to provide the heat necessary for pyrolysis, j) oxidation of the pyrolysis residue to remove carbonaceous residues a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Millbrook Lead Recycling Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Giovanni Modica
  • Publication number: 20100168498
    Abstract: Apparatus, process and article for treating an aqueous solution containing a chemical contaminant. The process includes contacting an aqueous solution containing a chemical contaminant with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a solution depleted of chemical contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from a cerium carbonate, cerium oxalate and/or a cerium salt. The aggregate composition can include more than 10.01% by weight of the insoluble rare earth-containing compound, and in a particular embodiment consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally a binder and/or flow aid. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include removing or detoxifying chemical contaminants in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Richard D. Witham
  • Publication number: 20100076245
    Abstract: A pyromatic system is used as a recovery system and is constructed to make the porylysis of used tires and other materials economically viable. The heart of the pyromatic system is a special stainless steel alloy reaction chamber which is mounted in a furnace box. The stainless steel alloy is known as Inconel. The reaction chamber is constructed of three tubular sections having flanges thereon. The flanges are finished to such close tolerances that no gasket are needed when the flanges are bolted together. The gaskets could not withstand the heat generated in the furnace box. Only the centrally located tubular sections is located in the furnace box. There is an auger rotating within the tubular reaction chamber to transport the shredded material there through while undergoing a pyrolisis. The auger is of the discontinuous type by heaving a multiple of cleats located in a helical pattern around a central shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 7677185
    Abstract: The invention is a system and method for neutralizing fluid chemical waste products that result from a chemical production process and are collected from the production line. The invention comprises a pyrolysis/reaction chamber into which the fluid chemical waste is pumped through an atomizer. The jet of small droplets of liquid waste that is formed by the atomizer effectively contacts the plasma stream created by a plasma torch. When the droplets contact the plasma stream the molecules of the waste from which the droplets are composed are dissociated into atoms and/or ions. These atoms and ions move out of the immediate region of the plasma stream and recombine to form a mixture of product gases which exits the chamber. The product gases then enter a post-pyrolysis subsystem, which is designed to neutralize and/or collect the components comprising the mixture of product gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: E.S.T. Ecological Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Yuri Simon
  • Publication number: 20100048976
    Abstract: An asbestos detoxification method comprising a step B1 of impregnating an existing asbestos layer with an asbestos melting agent and detaching the existing asbestos layer; a step B2 of pulverizing the existing asbestos layer; a step B3 of loading the pulverized material obtained in step B2 into a melting furnace; a step B4 of heating a resin subsidiary material used in the disposal of the asbestos layer to vaporize the resin portion thereof and further converting the vaporized resin portion into plastic oil; a step B5 of combusting either or both of the plastic oil obtained in step B4 and a fuel; and a step B6 of heating and melting the pulverized material that is in the melting furnace with the use of the heat obtained in step B5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: STREET DESIGN CORP.
    Inventor: Kajiro Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20100041937
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for safely disposing of medicines. The apparatus includes a container assembly and a bag. The container assembly includes a container member capable of storing the medicines, and a lid extending from a top portion of the container member. The bag includes a pair of gloves capable of being worn by a user for allowing hygienic handling of the medicines, one or more funnels capable of being configured in one or more openings of the lid for allowing receiving of the medicines and storing of the medicines in the container member, a first receptacle having a bittering agent capable of denaturing the stored medicines, a second receptacle having a coloring agent capable of providing a characteristic color to the denatured medicines and a third receptacle having a thickening agent capable of converting the denatured medicines into a partially solid disposable mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Faustino Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20100010286
    Abstract: A disposal device for collecting bags for bodily fluids has a receptacle for receiving at least one collecting bag containing bodily fluid, a comminution unit (2) for comminuting the collecting bag, a fluid collecting basin (5) for receiving the bodily fluid, a particle collecting container (8) for receiving the comminuted collecting bag, and at least one decontamination unit (7) for the decontamination of the collecting bag and the bodily fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Olle Larsson, Michael Larsson, Lukas Christen
  • Patent number: 7642394
    Abstract: Systems and methods for recycling waste and reclaiming beneficial and useful compositions such as organic solvents comprises a shredder, operating in an inerted or anaerobic atmosphere, which shreds the waste into smaller pieces that are fed into and indirectly heated in an anaerobic desorption unit so as to vaporize at least one organic compound associated with the waste. A vacuum means is used to transfer the organic compound vapors from the desorption unit to a water quench condensing unit that operates to produce a mixed organic compound liquid stream. The liquid organic compound and water stream is then processed in an oil and water separator. The water is separated and can be reused in the system for quenching gas vapors or inerting the desorption unit. The water-free mixed organic compound liquid stream is then fed into a multi-stage packed distillation column separating organic compound according to boiling points to produce products such as organic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Pollution Control Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Carle, Kevin P. Prunsky
  • Patent number: 7611576
    Abstract: A municipal or like refuse is crushing, mixing with crushed limestone, dry up in two stages—by hot air and by part of solid products of pyrolysis which other part goes on washing out and filtration. Pyrolysis is carried out in two stages—due to heat of the specified part of solid products of pyrolysis and simultaneous neutralization of allocated hydrogen chloride by limestone with reception of calcium chloride, and then due to heat of final chimney gases of the combustion chamber, where in three stages the washed solid products of pyrolysis preliminary drained by a part of combustion chamber slag are burnt together with liquid and gaseous products of pyrolysis. Gas allocated at pyrolysis condense and divide on organic, which is liquid fuel and water phases. Air after a dryer moves to blowing away of light organic substances from the specified water phase, is heated up due to heat of slag and moves in combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Yuriy Rabiner
  • Publication number: 20090234173
    Abstract: A system and a method of decomposing organic waste are provided. The system decomposes organic waste in a decomposition chamber without use of enzymes, additives, or microorganisms. In one embodiment, the system decomposes organic waste within 24 hours and deodorizes the odor of decomposing organic waste during decomposition process. The system provides sufficient heat and operating conditions to evaporate moisture from the organic waste without burning the organic waste. The byproduct of the organic waste after decomposition process by the system is substantially homogeneous material that is reduced in volume compared to the organic waste. In one embodiment, the system reuses or recycles water and heat used in the system for different processes in the system. The system includes a blower that provides flow of the moisture inside the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Myeong Yurl Lee
  • Publication number: 20090221866
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for producing products results in solid waste and organic waste disposed in an air stream. The organic waste is subject to oxidation by a thermal oxidizer receiving the air stream from the manufacturing apparatus for oxidizing the organic waste. The thermal oxidizer includes a clean air outlet for venting the oxidized air stream to the atmosphere. A gasifier receives solid waste from the manufacturing apparatus for gasifying the solid waste and producing synthetic gas. The synthetic gas is introduced to the thermal oxidizer for providing additional thermal energy to the thermal oxidizer reducing the amount of fossil fuel required to provide thermal energy to the thermal oxidizer that is necessary for oxidizing the organic waste disposed in said air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Stone, Steven William Blocki
  • Publication number: 20090145000
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for purifying contaminated soil, which restores soil contaminated by a variety of pollutants to the condition before the contamination, and which itself provides the driving source required for the purification. The system includes: a dryer which dries contaminated soil, separates waste gas generated during the drying from the contaminated soil, and discharges the waste gas; a pyrolysis apparatus which indirectly heats the dried contaminated soil in a hermetic condition to divide the contaminated soil into purified soil and pyrolysis gas, and separately discharges the purified soil and the pyrolysis gas; a transfer fan for forcibly transferring the discharged pyrolysis gas; a burner for oxidizing the waste gas discharged from the dryer and the pyrolysis gas forcibly transferred by the transfer fan, to heat the pyrolysis apparatus; and a cooling facility for directly spraying cooling water on the discharged purified soil to cool the purified soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Sang Ahn HA, Hyuk Mok CHOI
  • Patent number: 7534926
    Abstract: Methods are provided for remediating contaminated soil. The methods may include collecting contaminated soil at a plurality of treatment sites. The contaminated soil at one or more of the plurality of treatment sites may be at least partially contained. Vapors produced from heating soil at one site may be used to heat contaminated soil at another site. A fluid directed to a portion of heated contaminated soil may accelerate heat transfer through the site of contaminated soil or through another site of contaminated soil. A method may include heating contaminated soil from more than one site at substantially the same time. Heating contaminated soil from more than one site at substantially the same time may include in situ and ex situ treatment at a common location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: George L. Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar
  • Publication number: 20090118566
    Abstract: A process and equipment that accelerates the rate at which asbestos is converted into non-asbestos minerals during the process of mineralogical conversion, the process consisting of new methods and equipment for handling the asbestos that promotes absorption of mineralizing agents, increases the heat transfer properties of the asbestos, increases the overall efficiency of the process, and shortens the period of time required for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ARI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Dale M. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20090112045
    Abstract: A vibratory system for asbestos treatment includes a trough with a heat-resistant liner, an opening, and a discharge end. The system also includes a transportation sub-system including a frame that may be coupled to the trough, as well as a vibration generator and resilient members coupled to the frame. Further, the system includes a heating sub-system including a furnace that may be disposed across the opening. A method for asbestos treatment includes disposing the asbestos in the trough, disposing the furnace across the opening, heating the asbestos in the trough to render the asbestos inert, vibrating the trough to move the inert asbestos along the trough to the discharge end, and collecting the inert asbestos from the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL KINEMATICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oscar L. Mathis, JR., Ronald Fruit, Yong Wei
  • Patent number: 7518029
    Abstract: A process for the complete destruction of gelled sulphur mustard (SM), comprising the steps of: (a) dissolving gelled sulphur mustard (SM) in organic solvent such as 2-chloroethanol, methanol, methyl cellosolve or mixtures of these to obtain a clear mixture, (b) incinerating the clear gelled sulphur mustard solvent mixture obtained from step (a); (c) dissolving residual gelled SM obtained from step (c) into non-toxic products; (d) chemically converting dissolved SM obtained from step (c) into non-toxic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Defence Research & Development Organisation
    Inventors: Krishnamurthy Sekhar, Ramesh Chandra Malhotra, Balwant Singh Batra, Kumaran Ganesan
  • Patent number: 7501550
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing seeds comprises heating the seeds to substantially 95° C. or higher and maintaining same at that temperature for substantially 30 minutes. Preferably a combination of steam and microwaves is used to maintain the temperature. Dampening the seeds with steam and water at the start of the process helps the microwaves work more efficiently in maintaining temperature. The method further comprises treating the seeds with ozone which functions both to sterilize seeds as well as to sterilize pathogenic organisms and to degrade residual herbicides, pesticides and like chemicals that may be present in a seed sample. An auger conveyor (7) carries the seed through the process. Temperature sensors (13) monitor the temperature of the seeds and control the speed of the auger so that the seeds are maintained at substantially 95° C. for substantially 30 minutes prior to exiting the output end of the auger conveyor (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Klaptchuk
  • Publication number: 20090005630
    Abstract: A treatment method includes heating a treatment target object under reduced pressure in a hermetic zone to vaporize a component of the treatment target object, and opening a hermetic door and inserting a tube from a side of a treatment system for the vaporized component adjoining the hermetic zone with the hermetic door therebetween such that the tube shields the hermetic door from the hermetic zone to introduce the component vaporized from the treatment target object to the treatment system side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HOEI SHOKAI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshiaki YOKOYAMA, Toru Kodama, Yasuo Mishima, Katuo Takamiya, Tsuyoshi Abe, Hitoshi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7461834
    Abstract: A waste liquid treatment system includes a heat retaining/storage tank section adapted to store waste liquid, retaining the temperature thereof, an atomization chamber section capable of gasifying waste liquid by atomization and/or thermal vaporization, a heating/decomposition chamber section whose internal temperature is held in a thermal decomposition temperature range good for thermally decomposing harmful chemical substances contained in the mist and/or vapor gas of waste liquid when the mist and/or vapor gas of waste liquid passes through the inside thereof, a rapid cooling section for rapidly cooling decomposed exhaust gas and a vacuum pump section for drawing mist and/or vapor gas of waste liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Limited Private Company Hoshimoto
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Keiji Hokari, Tamotsu Hoshino, Yoshihiro Kyotani
  • Publication number: 20080119682
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes solid waste forms and methods of processing waste. In one particular implementation, the invention provides a method of processing waste that may be particularly suitable for processing hazardous waste. In this method, a waste component is combined with an aluminum oxide and an acidic phosphate component in a slurry. A molar ratio of aluminum to phosphorus in the slurry is greater than one. Water in the slurry may be evaporated while mixing the slurry at a temperature of about 140-200° C. The mixed slurry may be allowed to cure into a solid waste form. This solid waste form includes an anhydrous aluminum phosphate with at least a residual portion of the waste component bound therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Arun Wagh, Martin D. Maloney
  • Patent number: 7211708
    Abstract: A chemical-reaction inducing means is provided in an exhaust line connecting a processing space for subjecting a substrate or a film to plasma processing to an exhaust means, and at least either an unreacted gas or byproduct exhausted from the processing space are caused to chemically react without allowing plasma in the processing space to reach the chemical-reaction inducing means, thereby improving the processing ability of the chemical-reaction inducing means to process the unreacted gas or byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Shishido, Shotaro Okabe, Masahiro Kanai, Yuzo Koda, Yasuyoshi Takai, Tadashi Hori, Koichiro Moriyama, Hidetoshi Tsuzuki, Hiroyuki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7108767
    Abstract: Useful byproducts are recovered through the pyrolytic processing of biomass material such as vegetation, paper, or worn tires. The process is conducted in a sealed enclosure under vacuum or other controlled atmosphere. The biomass material is ablated and burned by crunching between counter-rotating rollers whose inner walls have been exposed to a highly heated fluid. The biomass material is preheated by injecting into the feeding duct super-heated: dry steam. A condenser within the enclosure reduces resulting vapors into oils that can be drained from the enclosure pan. Solid combustion residue is abstracted from the enclosure by an Archimedes screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Vincent H. Noto
  • Patent number: 7034198
    Abstract: A conventional method of pyrolytically decomposing plastic to make low-molecular compounds is poor in efficiency of use of energy due to high heating temperatures (at least 600° C. and 800° C. at maximum). The invention provides that a functional powder is heated to a predetermined temperature and pieces of plastic to be disposed are caused to be contacted with the heated powder, the functional powder including a powder which does in an aqueous solution state show alkalinity, and a photo-catalyst effect powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Osada Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideharu Osada, Tatsutoshi Shimabara
  • Patent number: 7019190
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for energy efficient remediation of soil contaminated with hydrocarbons, including desorbing the hydrocarbon contaminants from a bed of the soil by thermal desorption in a treated desorption chamber (20) and thereafter combusting the contaminants in a thermal oxidiser (30). The combustion air for the desorption chamber and the thermal oxidiser, and the desorbed contaminants prior to admission to said thermal oxidiser, are preheated by heat exchange (40) with offgases from the thermal oxidiser. The offgases are then rapidly quenched at below 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Innova Soil Technology PTY LTD
    Inventors: John Anthony Lucas, Louis James Wibberley
  • Patent number: 6962562
    Abstract: Process for rendering inert a sludge (1) comprising heavy metals and organic matter, according to which phosphoric acid (2) is added to the sludge and the latter is subjected to calcination (6). A hydraulic binder (9) is mixed with the product of the calcination (7) and mixed with water (8). The resulting mixture (11) is subjected to setting and curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Guy Depelsenaire, René Derie