# US 5,126,020 A · Detoxification apparatus and method for toxic waste using an energy beam and electrolysis

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- Number: US 5,126,020 A
- Document ID: US5126020A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/549,486
- Filed: 1990-07-06
- Granted: 1992-06-30
- Earliest claimed: 1988-06-27
- Inventors: Robert G. Dames
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5126020A

## CPC

- C02F 1/46: by electrochemical methods
- B01J 19/121: {Coherent waves, e.g. laser beams (lasers per se H01S3/00)}
- C02F 1/30: by irradiation
- C02F 11/004: {Sludge detoxification}
- F23G 5/085: {High-temperature heating means, e.g. plasma, for partly melting the waste}
- C02F 1/461: by electrolysis
- C02F 2101/363: {PCB's; PCP's}
- F23G 2204/202: Laser
- Y10S 588/90: Apparatus
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- F23G: CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

Detoxification apparatus for disposing of toxic waste material by incineration includes a closed reactive vessel (3) having an inlet (5) and an outlet (7). Waste material is introduced into the vessel in a fluid state and a laser (19) or other energy beam produces a high energy beam within the vessel. The waste material passes through the beam and the beam energy creates very high temperatures within the material that incinerates or ionizes the toxic waste. The detoxified material is electrolyzed and removed from the vessel for further processing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detoxifying toxic organic waste material by a two step process, the method comprising in a desired order: a first step of subjecting the material to an energy beam by producing an energy beam within a vessel and directing the waste material through the beam, and a second step of electrolyzing said material; and thereafter a step of discharging the detoxified material from the vessel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electrolyzing said material is after the step of subjecting the material to an energy beam, the step of electrolyzing comprising condensing particles as a liquid and electrolyzing the condensed liquid waste material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the step of subjecting the material to an energy beam includes directing a liquid waste material through the beam as a mist of particles.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the electrolyzing step includes a step of drawing a portion of the waste material through a porous electrode.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein at least a part of the waste material is moved by intermittently applied vacuum.

### Claim 6

Detoxification apparatus for safely disposing of toxic organic waste material by a two step process including treatment with an energy beam and electrolysis, the apparatus comprising: a closed reactive vessel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; means for introducing the waste material into the vessel through the inlet; means for producing an energy beam within the vessel, means for exposing the waste material to the beam with the beam energy breaking down the waste material; electrolysis means for electrolyzing the waste material; and egress means for removing detoxified material from the vessel outlet.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waste material is a liquid and wherein the apparatus includes nozzle means for introducing the waste material into the beam as a mist.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 including means for first introducing the waste material into the energy beam and for thereafter introducing the material treated by the energy beam into the electrolysis means.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 including means for first introducing the waste material into the electrolysis means and thereafter introducing fractions of the electrolyzed waste material into the beam.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrolysis means comprises a hollow, porous electrode.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the electrolysis means includes an inlet and an outlet said porous electrode being interposed between the inlet and outlet, whereby a portion of the electrolyzed waste material passes through the porous electrode.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the electrode is made of carbon particles.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for introducing the waste material comprises a conveyor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waste material is a liquid and wherein the apparatus includes intermittently operated vacuum means for moving the waste material through at least a part of the apparatus.