Treatment of carbonaceous material
OwnerFrederick Pearsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for the treatment of organic matter, comprises the steps of preliminary microwave irradiation in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere to give a black ash-like residue, followed by combustion of the residue to give a white ash. Hence the emissions of carcinogens such as dioxins are substantially reduced as are heavy metals such as Mercury and Cadimum. The apparatus (11) comprises a single chamber (12) in which both steps of the process are performed. The apparatus (11) also comprises means for generating nitrogen- or oxygen-depleted air as well as scrubbers (2), filters, condensers and the like for treating the gaseous products (carbon dioxide and steam) of the process. The apparatus (11) may be of a portable and modular nature—and may optionally include a cremulator.
Claims35
A process for the treatment of carbonaceous material comprising the steps of
- i) introducing the material, into a chamber having closure means,
- ii) extracting or displacing oxygen from the chamber so as to provide a substantially oxygen-depleted atmosphere,
- iii) effecting a preliminary treatment of the material by irradiating with electromagnetic radiation of sufficient power and for a sufficient period to cause substantial degradation of the carbonaceous material to an ash-like residue;
- iv) thereafter, introducing oxygen and air and at least one combustible gas into the said chamber, and
- v) igniting said at least one combustible gas whereby to cause combustion and reduce the residue from the irradiation step to a fine ash.
Apparatus for the treatment of carbonaceous material comprising a housing defining at least one chamber and having an opening for introducing the material into the said at least one chamber together with closure means for closing the said at least one chamber, the housing also comprising means for extracting or displacing oxygen from the said at least one chamber so as to provide a substantially oxygen-depleted atmosphere in the said at least one chamber, means for irradiating the material in the said at least one chamber with electromagnetic radiation of sufficient power and for a sufficient time so as to cause degradation of the said material to a residue, means for thereafter admitting oxygen or air and at least one combustible gas into the presence of said residue, and means for ignition of the said combustible gas within the said at least one chamber so as to cause substantial combustion and reduce the residue from the irradiation step to a fine ash.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.