Waste treatment apparatus and method

#The present invention relates to waste treatment apparatus and method, in particular apparatus and method for treatment of waste from a range of sources, including commercial premises and domestic and multi-occupancy residences.

#Pyrolysis for the disposal of domestic (sanitary) waste is known from WO 00/20801. Small pyrolysis units are installed on ships for processing minor quantities of sanitary waste. These units use a multi-step process, requiring a vacuum pump to evacuate air before beginning pyrolysis and to actively evacuate residue from the unit following waste treatment. In addition to only processing small amounts of homologous sanitary waste the units are situated in close proximity to the user, often within a toilet cubicle.

#Large scale industrial pyrolysis of waste is known from inter alia, US 2004/0168621, EP 0724008, EP 692677, EP 0505278, and EP 0610120. Industrial size pyrolysis plants require waste to be transported to them. They operate continuously at high temperatures and due to instantaneous exposure to these high temperatures and the types of waste that are processed, these plants tend to produce large quantities of noxious gases, including dioxins. These off gases are typically passed to a combustion chamber. Exhaust gases from this chamber are then optionally subjected to additional processing before release to the atmosphere, or may be diverted to supply heat within the unit.

#The invention is now illustrated in the following specific embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a pyrolysis apparatus; and

#FIG. 2 shows schematic isometric view of the apparatus.

#Referring to the drawings, a pyrolysis apparatus has the following features:—

#1. Storage Chute 2. Loading Door Mechanism 3. Loading Door 4. Lid 5. Air/water tubes 6. Heating Plates 7. Access Drawer 8. Chamber Exhaust (liquid) 9. Gas Exhaust Control Valve 10. Gas Cooling Radiator 11. Liquid Bleed Valve 12. Liquid Exhaust Control Valve 13. Wet Scrubber 14. Filtration System 15. Filtration Return-Protection Valve 16. Exit to Foul Water 17. Cage 18. Mesh 19. Treatment zone 20. Hinges 21. Exit Port for Liquid 22. Exit Port for Gas 23. Access Door to Cage 24. Chamber 25. Sealing Plate Loading Sensor (not shown) Seals (not shown) Lid Cooler (not shown) Insulation for chamber (not shown) Water Jacket on Chamber (not shown) Air Compressor (not shown) Air tank (not shown) Water Pump (not shown) Water Header Tank (not shown) Gas Flare (not shown) Main Components: Heating Chamber

#The chamber (24) is manufactured from stainless steel (Austenitic Chromium-Nickel Steel) grade 316. Other materials, e.g. titanium, can be used. The weld material used in fabrication retains the corrosion resistant properties of the main body of the chamber. The chamber is resilient to the frequent heating/cooling cycles, and the material requires a heat treatment and finishing process within its manufacture.