Pollution control apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for separating suspended solids from a stream of gas, and for evaporating water, comprising, in combination: a vertically disposed tower made up of a lowermost, central, and uppermost section; said lowermost section having a combustion chamber and a steam generating boiler therein; a first, second, and third reservoir, each said reservoir being defined by an outer wall which encloses an inner wall with said outer and inner walls having a lower edge portion connected together and an upper edge portion spaced apart from one another so as to form a water containing chamber therebetween, said inner wall being upwardly and inwardly sloped with the upper edge portion thereof terminating in a gas and steam outlet; said first reservoir being disposed above said boiler with the inside peripheral wall surface of the reservoir forming at least part of a first separation chamber, said separation chamber being in communication with said combustion chamber and said boiler outlet; said central section being comprised of at least one said second reservoir, with the lower edge portion of said second reservoir being disposed below and spaced between the upper edge portion of said inner and outer walls of said first reservoir so as to form an annular washer therebetween; the inside peripheral wall surface of the said second reservoir cooperating with the central section to form a second separation chamber therebetween; said uppermost section being comprised of said third reservoir, with the lower edge portion of said third reservoir beinG spaced apart from the upper edge portion of said outer wall so as to form a gas outline means therebetween; the inside peripheral wall surface of the said third reservoir cooperating with the central section to form a third separation chamber therebetween; a tent-like structure having an apex at the top and a lower peripheral edge portion, said lower edge portion being affixed to and spaced between and located below the upper peripheral edge portion of the inner and outer walls forming the third reservoir; water feed means at said apex for enabling water to flow into said third reservoir and about the outer wall surface of said upper and central sections forming a water curtain across said outlet means, and into said first reservoir; means for maintaining the water level within the boiler at a predetermined height; and means for removing water and solids from the lower extremity of said boiler and said first, second, and third reservoir, whereby: flue gases are scrubbed by steam and water as they flow from said combustion chamber, through said first separation chamber, through said annular washers and curtain.