Granular bed process for thermally treating solid waste in a flame

Abstract

The process is conducted in an incinerator installation comprising i) a generally vertical, cylindrical riser pipe, ii) a vertically extending annular chamber surrounding the riser pipe and containing a fluidized bed of granular inert material, and iii) a burner for producing an upwardly extending flame in the lower portion of the riser pipe. Granular solid waste is supplied at a constant flow rate to the bed, directly or through the burner. Granular solid waste and bed material is transferred from the lower portion of the annular chamber to the lower portion of the riser pipe directly in the flame. The flame burns the granular solid waste, heats the inside of the riser pipe to a temperature greater than or equal to 900.degree. C., and produces flue gas that pneumatically transports the granular solid waste and bed material upwardly from the lower portion to the upper end of the riser pipe at a speed of 3-15 m/s to create a high turbulence thereby increasing absorption of heat by the granular solid waste and oxidation of the organic components of the granular solid waste. The granular solid waste and bed material is discharged in the annular chamber through the upper end of the riser pipe, treated granular solid waste is collected from the fluidized bed to maintain the height of granular solid waste and bed material substantially constant, and flue gas is evacuated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.