US4402274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contamined sludge
Assignee: American Toxic Disposal Partners
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Filing: 1982-03-08
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2002-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge involves heating the sludge, using hot turbulent gas at a temperature in the range of 850° to 2,500° F. with a sludge residence time of about 0.5 to 2 seconds, to separate the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge. The particulates are subsequently removed from a PCB entraining gas stream and the PCB's are then burned in a multifuel burner. Pressurized air, fluidized PCB's, and a gaseous fuel are injected into the burning chamber at spaced points along the length of the flame in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the flame to very completely consume the fuel and PCB's.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Meenan
- 👤 George D. Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:10
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23G; F23G7/00; F23G7/14; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F11/00; C02F11/004; C02F11/12; C02F11/13; F23G5/00; F23G5/02; F23G7/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S588/00; Y10S588/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge comprising the steps of: heating the sludge by exposure to hot gas at a temperature of from 850° to 2,500° F. thereby driving the water and the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge; forming a fluidized stream of the fine particulates and gaseously entrained PCB material; and burning the PCB material by transversely injecting the PCB material into a burner flame at spaced points along the length of the flame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge comprising the steps of: heating the sludge by exposure to hot gas at a temperature of from 850° to 2,500° F. thereby driving the water and the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge; forming a fluidized stream of the fine particulates and gaseously entrained PCB material; and burning the PCB material by transversely injecting the PCB material into a burner flame at spaced points along the length of the flame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of mixing the PCB material with fossil fuel during burning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 including the steps of adding combustible fuel gas and air at spaced points along the length of the burner flame in a direction generally transverse to the flame length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The metod of claim 1 wherein said heating step involves heating the sludge to a temperature of between 1400° and 2000° F. for a period of from 0.5 to 2 seconds.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge comprising: drying means for separating the polychlorinated biphenyls and water from the sludge, said drying means including means for exposing the sludge to a hot gas stream; and a burner for burning a mixture of the gaseously entrained PCB's and a fossel fuel, said burner including means for injecting air transversely into the burner flame at spaced points along its length.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge comprising: drying means for separating the polychlorinated biphenyls and water from the sludge, said drying means including means for exposing the sludge to a hot gas stream; and a burner for burning a mixture of the gaseously entrained PCB's and a fossel fuel, said burner including means for injecting air transversely into the burner flame at spaced points along its length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the injected air is oxygen enriched air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including means for moving a portion of the hot flue gases from the burner into the drying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including means for injecting fuel gas at spaced points along the length of the burner flame in a direction transverse thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said burner includes means for circulating a heat recovery liquid in said burner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said burner includes means for injecting said gaseously entrained PCB's transversely into said burner flame at spaced points along its length.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge comprising the steps of: heating the sludge by exposure to hot gas at a temperature of from 850° to 2,500° F. thereby driving the water and the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge; forming a fluidized stream of the fine particulates and gaseously entrained PCB material; and separating the gaseously entrained PCB material from the fine particulates.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for treating polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated sludge comprising the steps of: heating the sludge by exposure to hot gas at a temperature of from 850° to 2,500° F. thereby driving the water and the polychlorinated biphenyls from the sludge; forming a fluidized stream of the fine particulates and gaseously entrained PCB material; and separating the gaseously entrained PCB material from the fine particulates.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |