# US 8,771,586 B2 · Gas barrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,586 B2 - Document ID: US8771586B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/383,069 - Filed: 2010-07-09 - Published: 2012-05-17 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-07-10 - Applicants: Fanli Meng - Inventors: Fanli Meng - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771586B2 ## CPC - F23G 5/20: having rotating or oscillating drums - F23G 5/0276: {using direct heating} - F23G 5/16: in a separate combustion chamber - F23G 7/001: {for sludges or waste products from water treatment installations (F23G5/008 takes precedence)} - F23G 7/003: {for used articles} - F23G 7/10: of field or garden waste {or biomasses} - F23G 2201/303: Burning pyrogases - F23G 2203/209: with variable inclination of rotation axis - F23G 2203/212: Sealing arrangements between rotary and stationary parts - F23G: CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION ## Abstract An apparatus for processing material such as organically coated waste and organic materials including biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rotatable and tiltable furnace (1) having a body portion (15), a single material entry point (11) and a tapered portion (13) between the entry point and the body. The furnace has a closure through which material can be introduced to the furnace (1) when open and in which the interior of the furnace is isolated from the external environment when closed. A director at or adjacent the entry point (11) directs gases inwardly of the furnace so as to provide a barrier of gas adjacent the opening to inhibit the entrance of oxygen containing atmospheric gas when the closure is in its open position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for processing organically coated waste, organic materials, biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, comprising: a rotatable and tiltable furnace having a body portion comprising an interior and a exterior, a single material entry point having a closure movable between an open position in which material can be introduced to the furnace and a closed position in which the interior of the furnace is isolated from the external environment; and a tapered portion between said entry point and said body portion of the furnace; means for rotating the furnace about its longitudinal axis; means for tilting the furnace; and at least one director at or adjacent said entry point configured to direct gases in a direction inwardly of said furnace such that a barrier of gas is provided adjacent said opening to inhibit the entrance of oxygen containing atmospheric gas, when said closure is in its open position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an oxidizer configured to at least partially oxidize volatile organic compounds (VOC) in gases released by processing of said material; and a passage for conducting said gases from said furnace to said oxidizer; wherein said gases comprise oxygen and carbon monoxide; and wherein said passage is sealed to said furnace and said oxidizer thereby to prevent ingress of external air. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the oxidizer comprises a multi-fuel burner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: a gas analyzer configured to monitor a level of oxygen and carbon monoxide in the gas in said passage and to provide a signal representative of each level. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a controller configured to control a temperature within the furnace and the oxidizer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to control the oxygen level in the furnace between 2% and 12% by weight. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to control the oxygen level in the oxidizer between 2% and 12% by weight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to control the temperature in the oxidizer at a level below 2400° F. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a controller wherein: the furnace has a plurality of sensors for monitoring selected parameters of the furnace and generating signals representative thereof; the controller configured to control the operation of at least one of the furnace and the oxidizer in dependence on the signals; and the controller is configured to control a temperature of the rotary furnace to a level below a melting temperature of metal scrap and at a temperature sufficient to gasify organics in the waste or metal scrap. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to control the temperature of the rotary furnace to a level below 1400° F. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a passage configured to conduct hot gases from said oxidizer to said furnace thereby to assist heating of material in said furnace. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one director comprises a conduit extending circumferentially around an inner wall of said furnace. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a charger configured for charging said material into said furnace.