# US 5,370,066 A · Method for making solid waste material environmentally safe using heat

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- Number: US 5,370,066 A
- Document ID: US5370066A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/148,034
- Filed: 1993-11-03
- Granted: 1994-12-06
- Earliest claimed: 1992-07-02
- Assignees: Phoenix Environmental, Ltd.
- Inventors: Jason Workman; Peter DellaValle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5370066A

## CPC

- B09B 3/40: involving thermal treatment, e.g. evaporation (processes using mineral binders involving a melting or softening step B09B3/29; involving radiation B09B3/50)
- B01J 19/121: {Coherent waves, e.g. laser beams (lasers per se H01S3/00)}
- B03C 3/017: Combinations of electrostatic separation with other processes, not otherwise provided for
- B09B 3/50: involving radiation, e.g. electro-magnetic waves
- C03B 5/005: {of glass-forming waste materials (disposal or transformation of solid waste in general B09B; treatment of radioactive waste G21F9/00)}
- C03B 5/025: {by arc discharge or plasma heating}
- F23G 5/006: {General arrangement of incineration plant, e.g. flow sheets}
- F23G 5/085: {High-temperature heating means, e.g. plasma, for partly melting the waste}
- F23G 5/16: in a separate combustion chamber
- F23J 15/006: {Layout of treatment plant}
- F23J 15/04: using washing fluids {(scrubbers for removing solids only F23J15/022)}
- F23L 7/007: {Supplying oxygen or oxygen-enriched air}
- F23G 2202/20: to temperatures melting waste
- F23G 2203/70: Modular furnace
- F23G 2204/201: Plasma
- F23G 2204/202: Laser
- F23G 2209/30: Solid combustion residues, e.g. bottom or flyash
- F23G 2900/7011: Incinerating PCB-materials
- F23J 2217/101: Baghouse type
- F23L 2900/07007: using specific ranges of oxygen percentage
- Y02E 20/34: Indirect CO2mitigation, i.e. by acting on non CO2directly related matters of the process, e.g. pre-heating or heat recovery
- B09B: DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B)
- C03B: MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- F23G: CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
- F23J: REMOVAL OR TREATMENT OF COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OR COMBUSTION RESIDUES; FLUES (combustion apparatus for consuming smoke or fumes, e.g. exhaust gases, F23G7/06)
- F23L: SUPPLYING AIR OR NON-COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS OR GASES TO COMBUSTION APPARATUS IN GENERAL ({air-supply arrangements for fluent fuels F23C;} firebridges with means for feeding air or steam F23M3/04; baffles or shields with air supply passages F23M9/04); VALVES OR DAMPERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CONTROLLING AIR SUPPLY OR DRAUGHT IN COMBUSTION APPARATUS {(dampers and throat restrictors for open fire-places F24; air inlet valves for open fire fronts F24)}; INDUCING DRAUGHT IN COMBUSTION APPARATUS; TOPS FOR CHIMNEYS OR VENTILATING SHAFTS; TERMINALS FOR FLUES
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Harmful constituents are removed from solid hazardous waste material by heating the waste in the presence of a continuous flow of oxygen until the waste material becomes an agitated molten aggregate and generates effluvia. The effluvia is conducted through a high temperature zone to destroy organic and other harmful constituents. The effluvia is further processed to achieve acceptable environmental quality. The effluvia processing includes a dual reburn/heat exchanger compartment. The generated molten aggregate is thoroughly mixed and hardens into a ceramic-like aggregate which is environmentally safe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for removing harmful constituents from solid waste material, comprising the steps of:
(a) feeding continuously a particulate mix of the solid waste material into a reaction chamber having three zones;
(b) heating the mix in a first zone of the reaction chamber in the presence of a continuous flow of oxygen introduced through a rotating and retractable assembly until the solid waste material becomes an agitated molten aggregate and generates an effluvia containing particulate matter;
(c) conducting the effluvia into a second zone of the reaction chamber wherein the temperature of the second zone is high enough to destroy substantially all organic material in the effluvia;
(d) conducting an excess of molten aggregate from the first zone to a third zone of the reaction chamber where the molten aggregate is thoroughly mixed;
(e) conducting the effluvia from the second zone of the reaction chamber; and
(f) treating the effluvia to remove pollutants and achieve acceptable environmental release quality.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 wherein the particulate mix of step (a) includes a non-combustible material and a combustible excitation material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The process according to claim 2 wherein the non-combustible solid waste material is incinerator ash.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 wherein the solid waste material is steel waste.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
(g) draining the molten aggregate from the third zone to a collection area; and
(h) cooling the molten aggregate to form a ceramic-like material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The process of claim 5 wherein the ceramic-like material comprises iron oxide spinels of magnetite and hematite.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature in the second zone of the reaction chamber is in excess of 1500.degree. F.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 further comprising introducing compressed air through lances to provide mixing in the first and third zones.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 wherein the step of treating the effluvia further comprises:
(f)(1) passing the effluvia through a reburn compartment of a dual compartment chamber to destroy substantially all of the remaining organic material;
(f)(2) passing the effluvia through a heat exchanger compartment of the dual compartment chamber to start rapid cooling of effluent and separate out particulates;
(f)(3) passing the effluvia through a water cooled pipe to further the cooling process and allow precipitating fans to collect particulates;
(f)(4) passing the effluvia through a water bath to quench the effluvia;
(f)(5) passing the effluvia through carbon filters; and
(f)(6) passing the effluvia through filters to remove particulates;
(f)(7) exhausting the treated effluvia into the atmosphere.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The process according to claim 9 wherein the temperature in the reburn compartment of the dual compartment chamber is about 1200.degree. F.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The process according to claim 9 wherein the temperature of the effluvia is reduced in the heat exchanger compartment by at least 400.degree. F. in less than four seconds.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The process according to claim 1 wherein the continuous flow of oxygen is about 350 ft.sup.3 /hr to about 700 ft.sup.3 /hr.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The process according to claim 8 wherein liquid waste material containing polychlorinated biphenyl compounds is introduced into the molten aggregate present in the first zone of the reaction chamber through at least one compressed air lance.