Pollution control system

Claim 2

A pollution control system for a pollution source located in proximity to mountainous terrain, said system comprising: a smokestack erected on top of said mountainous terrain at a substantially higher elevation than said pollution source; tunnel means connecting to the bottom end of said smokestack through at least a portion of said mountainous terrain; and conduit means connecting said tunnel means to said pollution source so as to direct a gaseous pollution stream from the pollution source through the tunnel means to the smokestack; and washer means located in a portion of said tunnel means for scrubbing pollutants from said gaseous pollution stream passing through said tunnel means.

Claim 3

The pollution control system defined in claim 1 wherein the tunnel means further comprise means for increasing the upward velocity of the pollution stream toward the smokestack.

Claim 4

The pollution control system defined in claim 2 wherein said means for increasing velocity comprise a blower means.

Claim 5

The pollution control system defined in claim 3 wherein the means for increasing upward velocity further comprise a heating means.

Claim 6

The pollution control system defined in claim 4 wherein said blower means and said heating means are located in at least a portion of said tunnel means.

Claim 7

The pollution control system defined in claim 1 further comprising facing means for the entrance of said tunnel means, said facing means receiving said conduit means in sealing relationship so as to prevent said gaseous pollution stream from escaping from the entrance to said tunnel means.

Claim 8

A pollution control system for a pollution source located adjacent to a mountainous terrain, the system comprising: a smokestack located at a substantially elevated position on top of the adjacent mountainous terrain; tunnel means connecting to the bottom end of said smokestack through at least a portion of said mountainous terrain; conduit means interconnecting the pollution source to said tunnel means; washer means located in a portion of said tunnel means for scrubbing pollutants from the gaseous pollution stream passing through the tunnel means; means for impelling the remaining gaseous pollution stream through the tunnel means to the smokestack; and facing means for the entrance of said tunnel means, said facing means receiving said conduit means in sealing relationship so as to prevent said gaseous pollution stream from escaping from the entrance to said tunnel means.

Claim 9

A pollution control system for a pollution source located adjacent to a mountainous terrain, the system comprising: a smokestack located at a substantially elevated position on top of the adjacent mountainous terrain; tunnel means connecting to the bottom end of said smokestack through at least a portion of said mountainous terrain; conduit means interconnecting the pollution source to said tunnel means; washer means located in a portion of said tunnel means for scrubbing pollutants from the gaseous pollution stream passing through the tunnel means; means for impelling the remaining gaseous pollution stream through the tunnel means to the smokestack; and facing means for the entrance of said tunnel means, said facing means receiving said conduit means in sealing relationship so as to prevent said gaseous pollution stream from escaping from the entrance to said tunnel means.

Claim 10

The pollution control system defined in claim 7 wherein said means for impelling said pollution stream comprise a heater, the heater heating the gaseous pollution stream thereby lowering the density of the pollution stream.

Claim 11

The pollution control system defined in claim 8 wherein heat energy for the heater is supplied by steam from a boiler, the boiler exhaust being diverted directly into the conduit means.

Claim 12

The pollution control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said impelling means further comprise a blower.

Claim 13

The pollution control system defined in claim 7 wherein at least a portion of said tunnel means are essentially horizontally situated.

Claim 14

The pollution control system as defined in claim 11 wherein said washer means are located in said horizontal portion of said tunnel means.

Claim 15

The pollution control system as defined in claim 11 wherein said impelling means are located in said horizontal portion of said tunnel means.

Claim 16

The pollution control system as defined in claim 7 wherein said washer means comprise: a washer having a plurality of spray nozzles; an inlet water line attached to said washer; a basin disposed beneath said washer so as to catch the water sprayed therefrom; a waste water line attached to said basin; two settling tanks connected through a first three-way valve to said waste water line; and a second three-way valve connecting said inlet water line to said settling tanks.

Claim 17

A pollution control system for a pollution source located in proximity to mountainous terrain, said system comprising: a smokestack erected on top of said mountainous terrain at a substantially higher elevation than said pollution source; a tunnel formed through at least a portion of said mountainous terrain, said tunnel connecting at one end thereof to the bottom end of said smokestack, at least a portion of said tunnel having an essentially horizontal orientation; a conduit connected at one end to the entrance of said tunnel and connected at the other end to said pollution source so as to direct a gaseous pollution stream from said pollution source through said conduit to said tunnel; facing means disposed at the entrance of said tunnel, said facing means receiving said conduit in sealing relationship so as to prevent said gaseous pollution stream from escaping from the entrance to said tunnel; a washer situated in the horizontal portion of said tunnel, the washer having a plurality of spray nozzles; an inlet water line attached to said washer; a basin disposed beneath said washer so as to catch the water sprayed therefrom; a waste water line attached to said basin; two settling tanks connected through a first three-way valve to said waste water line; a second three-way valve connecting said inlet water line to said settling tanks; a blower situated in the horizontal portion of said tunnel, said blower improving the flow of said gaseous pollution stream through said tunnel; and a heater situated in said tunnel, said heater further improving the flow of said gaseous pollution stream through said tunnel.

Claim 18

A pollution control system for a pollution source located in proximity to mountainous terrain, said system comprising: a smokestack erected on top of said mountainous terrain at a substantially higher elevation than said pollution source; a tunnel formed through at least a portion of said mountainous terrain, said tunnel connecting at one end thereof to the bottom end of said smokestack, at least a portion of said tunnel having an essentially horizontal orientation; a conduit connected at one end to the entrance of said tunnel and connected at the other end to said pollution source so as to direct a gaseous pollution stream from said pollution source through said conduit to said tunnel; facing means disposed at the entrance of said tunnel, said facing means receiving said conduit in sealing relationship so as to prevent said gaseous pollution stream from escaping from the entrance to said tunnel; a washer situated in the horizontal portion of said tunnel, the washer having a plurality of spray nozzles; an inlet water line attached to said washer; a basin disposed beneath said washer so as to catch the water sprayed therefrom; a waste water line attached to said basin; two settling tanks connected through a first three-way valve to said waste water line; a second three-way valve connecting said inlet water line to said settling tanks; a blower situated in the horizontal portion of said tunnel, said blower improving the flow of said gaseous pollution stream through said tunnel; and a heater situated in said tunnel, said heater further improving the flow of said gaseous pollution stream through said tunnel.