US3779182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refuse converting method and apparatus utilizing long arc column forming plasma torches
Assignee: Plasma Energy Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-24
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed which are based on utilizing a plural number of long arc column forming plasma torches in combination with a refractory lined furnace chamber to continuously pyrolyze household and industrial refuse material fed into the chamber and convert the same to usable materials and useful forms of energy.
Inventors
- 👤 S Camacho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:11
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23G; F23G5/00; F23G5/08; F23G5/085; C; C03; C03B; C03B5/00; C03B5/005; C03B5/02; C03B5/025; C10; C10B; C10B19/00; C10B53/00; F23G2204/00; F23G2204/20; F23G2204/201; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/30; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for reducing by pyrolysis raw unsegregated refuse comprising: a. a furnace chamber; b. a refractory lined hearth in said furnace chamber; c. conveyor means adapted to introduce raw unsegregated refuse, at least a portion of which is metallic, into said furnace chamber; and d. long arc column forming plasma generator means mounted in said chamber and adapted to initiate and sustain at least one long arc column plasma having a portion thereof in electrical contact with said refuse and being adapted to reduce said refuse to gaseous and molten fluid products by utilization of the column heat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for reducing by pyrolysis raw unsegregated refuse comprising: a. a furnace chamber; b. a refractory lined hearth in said furnace chamber; c. conveyor means adapted to introduce raw unsegregated refuse, at least a portion of which is metallic, into said furnace chamber; and d. long arc column forming plasma generator means mounted in said chamber and adapted to initiate and sustain at least one long arc column plasma having a portion thereof in electrical contact with said refuse and being adapted to reduce said refuse to gaseous and molten fluid products by utilization of the column heat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including gas supply means adapted to contact and chemically react with said gaseous and molten fluid products.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including energy conversion means adapted to recover energy from said products.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said gas supply means comprises an oxidizing supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generator means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced generators and including electrical circuit means adapted to initiate a pilot arc in each said generator and enabling a main long arc column to be transferred between at least two said generators and said refuse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including groundable electrode means included in said hearth and being adapted to enable a long arc plasma column to be generated between at least one said generator and said grounded electrode.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for reducing by pyrolysis a volume of raw unsegregated refuse comprising: a. initially charging a furnace chamber with refuse materials of which a substantial portion is metallic; b. providing long plasma arc column generation means extending through at least one wall portion of said furnace chamber; c. establishing and maintaining at least one long plasma arc column between said generation means and said refuse thereby reducing by heat at least said metallic refuse portion to a molten state; d. conveying additional raw unsegregated refuse into said furnace chamber; and e. pyrolyzing all of said raw unsegregated refuse by heat from said long plasma arc column into molten and gaseous products.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for reducing by pyrolysis a volume of raw unsegregated refuse comprising: a. initially charging a furnace chamber with refuse materials of which a substantial portion is metallic; b. providing long plasma arc column generation means extending through at least one wall portion of said furnace chamber; c. establishing and maintaining at least one long plasma arc column between said generation means and said refuse thereby reducing by heat at least said metallic refuse portion to a molten state; d. conveying additional raw unsegregated refuse into said furnace chamber; and e. pyrolyzing all of said raw unsegregated refuse by heat from said long plasma arc column into molten and gaseous products.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 including chemically reacting a selected gas with said molten and gaseous products.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said gas comprises an oxidizing gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of recovering energy from said products.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |