Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OP THB INVENTION
The present invention relates g~nerslly to high
temperature incineration systems and is more particularly
concerned with a new and improved rotary incineration system
utilizing the flow of hot gases to dry unincinerated waste
material.
Incineration systems have been efficiently utilized
her~tofore for the disposal of waste materials such as garbage
and the like. In recent years, howeYer, new chemicals and
materials haYe been developed which are extremely durable, some
of which may also be toxic3 and if not properly processed, may
present potential health and 0nvironmental hazards~
Conventional incineration systems are no~ able to effectively
incinerate theçe materials and~other waste materials which
contain moisture.
S~ate of the ar~ incineration systems include rotary
kilns employing a waste tumbling principle. In these s~stems,
a rotary kiln or cumbustion chamber of generally cylindrical
configuration has one end which contains suitable apparatus for
bo~h feeding the waste material and igniting the waste
material. This design dictates that the hot flue gases
generated fro~ the burning waste materials flow in a direction
away from the waste material inlet, concurrently with the
burning mass, towards the opposite end of the chamber. Such an
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incineration system configuration ;s shown in United States
Patent No. 3 9 861,335 issued to the applicant of this
application.
Other previous efforts have been directed to the
efficient disposal of waste materials, such as Vnited States
Patent No. 3,357,382 to S. Matteini entitled "Solid Trash
Drying and Incinerating Furnace". The 3,357~382 patent is
illustrative of multiple rotary chamber incineration units
which present installation problems do to their si~e and
complexity. The design also does not allow for an incineration
unit o this type to be adapted for portable usea such as truck
mounting or the like. Moreover, the Matteini patent is typical
of the group of incinerator ~hat do not show or even suggest a
secondary combustion means for trea~ment of ~he incineration
by~products to ensure complete incineration of waste product.
Moreover~ the dura~le nature of the man-made materials
requires special and creatiYe equipment design to effectively
incinerate and dispose of these wastes~ It has been reco~nized
that high temperature incineration is an effective method tQ
eliminate the potential hazards associated with the durable
materials.
Accordingly, it is the principle objec~ of the present
inventivn to provide a new an improved incineration system
having a construction that efficiently directs the flow of hot
incineration gascs in a direotion opposite to the flow of the
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waste materials within a single rotary incineration chamber to
effectively dry the wastematerial to be incinerated and enable
appropriate treatment of incineration by-products to ensure
complete combustion thereof.
According to the invention there is provided in an incin-
erator unit, an incineration chamber supported between first
and second stationary end chambers, said incineration chamber
having a main portion and a neck portion, said neck portion
communicating with first end chamber to form an inlet opening
into said incineration chamber, feed means for delivering
waste material into said incineration chamber extending through
said first end chamber -to a first end of said incineration
chamber; said incineration chamber being mounted for rotation
for imparting tumbling movement to waste material fed into
said incineration chamber, a burner for directing flame into
said incineration chamber mounted on said ~econd end chamber
and fixed in position at a second end of said incineration
chamber; said second end chamber providing a discharge recep-
tacle into which incinerated material will discharge from said
second end of said incineration chamber, and a grate means
mounted over said discharge receptacle of said second end
chamber, and at least one member connected to and extending
outward from said incineration chamber for rotation therewith
and being engageable with waste materials collected on said
grate means to thereby break up and assist in the separation
of waste material, whereby said incineration unit enables said
waste material fed into said incineration chamher at said
first end thereof to be dried by flow of gas from said second
end as said waste material progresses toward said second end.
A better understanding of the objects, advantages, feat-
ures, properties and relations of the invention will be ob-
tained from the following detailed description and accompany-
9592-31
5~
u ~
ing drawings which set forth certain illustrative e~bodiments
and are indicative of the various ways in which the principles
of the invention are ~mployed.
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A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS
In the drawings:
FI~. 1 is a perspectiYe view of a self-contained
incinerator unit embodying the features of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the
incinerator of ~IG. 1, partially broken away and partially in
section;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, par~ially broken
away, of the feed end of the incinerator unit of FI~. l;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational, three dimensional Vi8W
of the fe~d end of the incinerator unit of FIG. lp partly
broken away;
FIG. 5 is a sectional Yiew of a modified embodiment of
the combustion system of FI~. l, illustrating the waste
separator arrangement;
~ IGo 6 is an end v;ew of the incinerator unit
illustrating the different embodiment of the waste separator
arr~ngement.
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DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODI~,~ENT
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail
wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout
the several figures, it will be noted that the preferred
configuration of the self-contained incinerator unit 10 of tha
present invention consists essentially of an incineration
chamber 12, shown as having a main portion 100 of constant
diameter and cylindrical cross sectional interior
configuration, extend;ng from a neck and inlet portion 101 at
first end 11 towards its second end 13; inlet portion 101 of
smaller diameter than main portion 100. Two stationary end
chambers 104 and 105 are located at opposite ends of rotary
incineration chamber 12. Pirst stationary end chamber 104
forms a waste ingress 31 and a gas conduit 16 which
interconnects a secondary co~bustion chamber and primary
incineration chamber 12. Second stationary end chamber 105
forms a waste material recepta~le, generally indicate-d by the
numeral 90~ for containing waste products. Inlet portion 101
of incineration chamber 12 communicates with feed ingress 31
thereby allowing waste material to be feed directly into
incineration chamber 12. The incineration chamber 12 is
mounted for rotation about an axis with an appropriately
configured base structure 20~ Second stationary end chamber
105 includes an end wall 28 which closes second end of
incinerator and mounts the ;gnition burner 34. The ignition
burner 34 extends into the primary chamber 12 and is supported
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at an angle~ approximately 15 degrees from ~he horizontal. In
~his manner, the 1ame projecting from the burner 34 is in
position to initiate the incineration action on the waste
material added to the combustion zone.
The secondary chamber 14 is mounted be~ween first end
chamber 104 and support beam 70 extending axîally above the
incineration chamber 12 and along the length thereof. To
ensure that complete combustion of all materials, including
durable materials such as plastics and toxins occurs, the
secondary combustion chamber 14 must be operated at extremely
high temperaturs, over 2200 degrees fahrenheit, and must
provide means for retaining the waste material incineration
part;cles and gases for an appropriate time. To accomplish
this goal) an afterburner 19 is preferrably mounted adj~cent
first end of inciner~tion chamber 12 so as to inject a flame
into secondary chamber 14. Afterburner 19 may be a specially
designed spinning or vortex 1ame type which imparts a cyclon;c
or spiral gas flow within the secondary chamber 14. The spiral
or cyclonic gas flow directs the combustion gases through the
total volume of secondary combustion chamber thereby retaining
the gases within secondary chamber a sufficient time to assume
complete combustion thereof. AdditionallyD the spinning or
vortex flame burner provides` for complete mixing of the exhaust
gases from the primary rombustion chamber and eliminates the
possibility o blow back therein to ensure trouble free
operation of the incinerator. Secondary combustion chamber 14
communicates with an exhaust port 18 for discharge of efficient
into a conventional gaseous pollution abatement system ~not
shown3 to ensure proper treatment o incineratîon by-products.
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The incineration chamber 12 is also provided with ~
pair of axially spaced guidetracks 106 which travel along the
supporting and guiding rollers 21 mounted on suitable supports
50 secured to a base 20. The support rollers 21 and t~acks 106
are located on opposite ends of chamber 12 and maintain th~
chamber in an appropriate position for rotation about the
longitudianal axis of the cylindrical in~erior walls thereof.
Suitable drive mea~s such as a motor 36 are mounted at the base
20 of incinerator unit and communicate with convention gears 42
for imparting rotation to incineration chamber 12. In this
connection, it should be noted that the exterior surface of
chamber 12 may be of any suitable con~igurationp although the
cylindrical configuration illustrated is preferr-ed.
As stated above, incineration chamber 12 may be
mounted on a horizontal axis, but in a preferred embodimen~,
chamber 12 is mounted at a slight downhill angle from first end
11 to second end 13. The angl~ of i~clination may be between a
range of 0-5 to enhance the passage of waste material and the
degree of mixing during. operation.
At the outside end wall 111 of first end chamber 104
an inlet or feed mechanism 30 for solid waste materials is
moun~ed and communicates with the interior of incineration
chamber 12 ~hrough opening 24 for feeding sol;d was~e material
thereto f~r incineration. Additionally, por~s such as at 112
and 1139 are located ;n end wall 111 for delivery of liquid
waste materials or to provide a viewing perspective into
i~terior of incineration chamber 12.
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Another important feature of the invention is the
arrangement and interconnecti.ng feature of feed mechanism 30 to
primary chamber 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, 3 and 4, and a
feed surface 32 extends the width of first end chamber 104 and
communicates with reduced diameter section 101 of incineration
chamber 12 to form a rigid ingress into interior of
incineration chamber 12. The inciner~tion gas conduit 16,
formed by the feed surface 32 and the surrounding walls of
first chamber 104, extends upward from the feed surface 32 and
com~unicates with secondary combustion chamber 14. The
interconnection of narrowed diameter section 101 of
incineration chamber 12 and first stationary chamber 104
provides a mechanism for minimizing the escape of hot gases and
particles as they travel from incineration chamber 12 to
secondary combustion chamber 14, FI~. 4 illustrates the first
end arra~gement of feed surface 32, conduit 16 and chambers 12
and 104 with end wall 111 of first end chamber 104 removed to
better illustrate the interrelation o the structural
components. A small compartment 115 is formed in the lower
section. of first end chamber 104 for collection of particles
with cleanout openings 112 provided for removal thereof~
The flow of combusion gases in the incineration
chamber 12 from dischar~e or second end 13 towards feed or
first end 11 results in the second end being maintained at a
lower temperature than that of the first end 11 or combustion
zone. Moreover~ the position of the feed means 30 opposite the
ignition burner 34 allows for the incineration to be more
effectively controlled by reducing the quantity of air supply
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entering the ignition zone. The effect of having the discharge
orifice at the low temperature second end of incineration
chamber 12, enables remov~l of incineration waste products
throu~h door 5B without substantially effecting the
incineration temperature.
As the waste materi-al moves slowly in the direction ~f
ignition burner 34, it is in continuous contact with the hot
gases present and is heated and dried, as it en~ers first end
chamber 104 and moves along surface 32 into reduced diameter
portion 101. From the reduced diameter portion 101 ~he
material descends slowly toward burner flame and is ignited
thereby. As best seen in FIG. S and 6, the incinerator 10 is
designed so that second end 13 of ;ncineration chamber 12 is
open ended and protrudes into second stationary end chamber 105
defining a discharge opening provided ~ith a fixed grate like
structure, designated generally by numeral 107. Grate
structure 107 permits the granulated ash to fall from the
second end 11 of incineration chamber 12 into a suitable ash
collection bin 108 located therebeneath. However, the ashes
also ~.ave a tendencey to bridge the gr~te, and thereby restrict
the grate structure 107. Larger pieces of waste material and
unincinerated waste ~aterial, such as metals or the like, will
also remain on grate structure 107. Removal means are provided
which enable the removal of these larger and un-incinerated
materials. At least one pivotally mounted member 106, having a
plurality of fingers or a rake-like extensions~ may be
operably connected to end portion of chamber 12. As chamber 12
rotates, the rake~ e member 106 engages material collected on
grate structure 107 breaking lar~er pieces and sheeping
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unbreakable and clumped materials off of grate structure 107
and into a second receptacle 109 within lower portion of
housing 28 adjacent to bin 108. A door 58 in the end of wall
28 provides access to bins 108 and 109. Any suitable automatic
residue removal devices may also be adap~ed for use with the
incineration system.
An adjustable shroud or baffle member 71 is moun~ed on ~
exterior interconnecting surfaces of incineration chamber 12
and second end chamber 105. Baffle member is preferably formed
from two separate interconnecting units which are adjustably
moun~ed to reg~late the amount of air which is allowed into
incineration chamber 12, thereby to assist in the con~rolling
of the temperature within incineration chamber 12.
Thus as can be seen, the incinerator system of the
present invention provides optimum reductiGn in cost assooiated
with incinerating toxic, durable waste material or with drying
any wet or liquid waste material coupled with design simplicity
and economy of operation while assuring clean, pollution-free
exhaust from the system. As will be appreciated, the system
may include suitable automatic or semi-automatic controls or
may be controlled manually by a single operator. The operator
need simply charge the waste through the charging door or
automatic feed mechanism 30 and the rotating inciner~ting
action will proceed automatically without operator
participation. Suitable sensors (not shown~ may indicate when
the incinerator is ready for recharging and or ash collection.
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As will be appreciated, the walls of the combustion zones are
lined with high temperature refractatory material sutiable to
vperation within the temperatures to which the incinertor is
subjected, such as temperatures up to 3000F.
Additionally, it should be noted that the incinerator
unit of this invention may be mounted on a motor truck chassis
so tha~ the incinerator unit may be transported to locations
where special incinerations problems are encountered. The
incinerator unit of this invention is suitable for movement to
waste disposal sites thereby eliminating the hazards and
expense connected with the handling, transporting and storing
of waste materials. While the basic arrangement of operational
components is modified to accomodate the truck mounting, the
inventive features remove the same.
As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art~
various modifications, adaptations and variations of the
foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing
from the teachings of this invention.
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