Methods and apparatus for incinerating combustible waste material such as farm animal biomass

A method for the treatment of farm animal biomass, comprising the steps of:

• A) introducing the biomass into an inlet end of a duct having an outside surface;
• B) rotating a feed screw disposed coaxially within the duct without sufficient oxygen for supporting complete combustion to advance the biomass through the duct, the feed screw including a hollow interior;
• C) applying heat to the outside surface of the duct and passing heated air through the hollow interior of the feed screw for heating the biomass in the duct to a temperature transforming the biomass into a combustible gas and partially carbonized char;
• D) discharging the partially carbonized char to a first combustion chamber in which the partially carbonized char is combusted with oxygen and transformed into bottom-ash, and
• E) discharging the combustible gas to a second combustion chamber in which the combustible gas is combusted with oxygen.

A method for the treatment of farm animal biomass, comprising the steps of:

• A) advancing the biomass through a duct by rotating a feed screw disposed in the duct without sufficient oxygen for supporting complete combustion, the feed screw having a hollow interior;
• B) heating the biomass within the duct by passing heated air through a hollow interior of the feed screw, the biomass being heated to a temperature transforming the biomass into a combustible gas and partially carbonized char;
• and
• C) discharging the combustible gas and partially carbonized char from the duct to a combustion chamber arrangement in which the combustible gas and partially carbonized char are combusted with oxygen.

A method for the treatment of farm animal biomass comprising the steps of:

• A) advancing the biomass through a duct;
• B) heating the biomass within the duct to a temperature transforming the biomass into a combustible gas and partially carbonized char;
• and
• C) discharging the combustible gas and partially carbonized char from the duct to a combustion chamber arrangement in which the combustible gas and partially carbonized char are combusted with oxygen, the combustion chamber arrangement containing heated porous ceramic members, wherein the combustible gas is conducted through the heated porous ceramic members.