Thermal plasma conversion of local soils into construction materials
OwnerLouis J. Circeo, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plasma arc torch heat based apparatus and method converts a quantity of particulate soil having a first set of engineering properties into a selected number of smaller quantities each having improved engineering properties differing from the first set of engineering properties and makes practical utilization of the smaller quantities for applications in which the first set of engineering properties were not suited. The apparatus includes a rotatable kiln which is positionable at an angle to horizontal such that soil is received in an upper end and discharged at a lower end thereof. The kiln is heated to a controlled temperature based on the properties of the soil before treatment and the desired improved properties after treatment to meet application requirements.
Claims10
A method of converting a quantity of weak soil being unsuitable for use as a foundation material into a plurality of smaller quantities of soil each differing from said quantity of weak soil by being suitable as a foundation material, comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining a first quantity of weak soil being unsuitable for use as a foundation material;
- (b) separating a second quantity of weak soil from said first quantity of weak soil;
- (c) disintegrating said second quantity of weak soil to ensure a loose particulate condition thereof,
- (d) moving said second quantity of weak soil while in a loose particulate condition through an angularly positionable, internally heated, rotating drum for a selected residence time to cause said second quantity of weak soil to be heated and thus achieve a first degree of strength so as to be suitable as a foundation material;
- (e) separating a third quantity of weak soil from said first quantity of weak soil;
- (f) disintegrating said third quantity of weak soil to ensure a loose particulate condition thereof;
- and
- (g) moving said third quantity of weak soil while in a loose particulate condition through said angularly positionable, internally heated, rotating drum for a selected time to cause said third quantity of weak soil to achieve a second degree of strength that is different than the first degree of strength achieved by said second quantity of soil and to be suitable as a foundation material.
Apparatus for processing a quantity of weak untreated soil unsuitable for use as a foundation material into a plurality of smaller quantities of soil each differing from said quantity of weak soil by being suitable as a foundation material, comprising:
- (a) a cylindrical rotating kiln mounted on a trailer carriage, said rotating kiln having an outside wall mounted and encircled by a series of peripheral rims;
- (b) a cylinder having an open internal chamber is mounted within said outside wall;
- (c) a series of agitating fins are integral with said cylinder inner wall;
- (d) an entry feeder hopper for containing untreated soil is supported at an untreated soil entrance into the kiln, said feeder hopper including an entry clod breaker located near a base of said feeder hopper for breaking up large pieces of untreated soil and a trough having walls that confine said untreated soil until reaching said discharge end of said rotating kiln;
- (e) a series of drive rollers are mounted in a roller housing for rotation on said trailer carriage;
- said series of drive rollers are positioned for engagement with each of said series of peripheral rims;
- (f) drive means coupled to said series of drive rollers for driving said series of drive rollers thereby transmitting rotary motion to each of said series of peripheral rims and said rotating kiln;
- (g) speed control means coupled to each of said series of drive rollers for adjusting and controlling the rotational speed of said rotating kiln;
- (h) a series of jacks are mounted on said trailer carriage on a bottom wall of said roller housing;
- (i) angle control means coupled to each of said series of jacks for adjusting and controlling the angle of said rotating kiln to a desired angle from a horizontal position;
- a plasma arc torch for use in supplying heat is mounted at a treated soil discharge end of said rotating kiln;
- (k) utility means coupled to said plasma arc torch for adjusting and controlling temperatures within said rotating kiln;
- (l) a discharge hopper positioned on said trailer carriage near said treated soil discharge end of said rotating kiln, said discharge hopper having an exit clod breaker for breaking up fused clods of treated soil;
- and
- (m) a side discharge system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.