Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for thermally and pneumatically treating granular solids to remove organic and inorganic materials therefrom comprising: a reactor vessel capable of confining a freeboard zone, a dilute phase zone and a dense phase zone fluidized bed of said solids upon a bed support plate, said reactor vessel having a removal means for removing oxidizing/fluidizing gas entraining said organic and inorganic materials from said freeboard zone; granular solids feed means capable of supplying said granular solids to be treated to said dilute phase zone; heat means capable of maintaining said dense phase at about 1000° to about 2000° F. for thermal oxidation of said organic materials;
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for thermally and pneumatically treating granular solids to remove organic and inorganic materials therefrom comprising: a reactor vessel capable of confining a freeboard zone, a dilute phase zone and a dense phase zone fluidized bed of said solids upon a bed support plate, said reactor vessel having a removal means for removing oxidizing/fluidizing gas entraining said organic and inorganic materials from said freeboard zone; granular solids feed means capable of supplying said granular solids to be treated to said dilute phase zone; heat means capable of maintaining said dense phase at about 1000° to about 2000° F. for thermal oxidation of said organic materials;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
a contiguous pneumatic physical impaction flow conduit having an open upper end in communication with said dense phase zone fluidized bed and an opposite lower end in communication with a product granular solids withdrawal means, said flow conduit having baffle means directing said product granular solids to at least one nozzle and means for introducing pressurized oxidizing/fluidizing gas to said nozzle, each said nozzle being directed toward an impaction target for separation of said inorganic materials; and means for introducing and distributing oxidizing/fluidizing gas in quantities sufficient for conduct of said thermal oxidation and for maintenance of said fluidized bed in fluidized condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
a contiguous pneumatic physical impaction flow conduit having an open upper end in communication with said dense phase zone fluidized bed and an opposite lower end in communication with a product granular solids withdrawal means, said flow conduit having baffle means directing said product granular solids to at least one nozzle and means for introducing pressurized oxidizing/fluidizing gas to said nozzle, each said nozzle being directed toward an impaction target for separation of said inorganic materials; and means for introducing and distributing oxidizing/fluidizing gas in quantities sufficient for conduct of said thermal oxidation and for maintenance of said fluidized bed in fluidized condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contiguous pneumatic physical impaction and heat recovery zone comprises 1 to about 8 said nozzles arranged in series.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contiguous pneumatic physical impaction and heat recovery zone comprises 2 to about 6 said nozzles arranged in series.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a Venturi conduit in communication at its upper end with said dense phase fluidized bed and at its lower end with the upper end of said pneumatic physical impaction flow conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bed support plate slopes downwardly towards the upper end of said pneumatic physical impaction flow conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for maintenance of said fluidized bed in fluidized condition comprises means for providing superficial gas velocity in said dense phase of about 1 to about 3 feet per second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for introducing pressurized oxidizing/fluidizing gas to each said nozzle comprises means for regulating said gas to all of said nozzles to less than about two-thirds the total said gas passing through said bed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for introducing and distributing oxidizing/fluidizing gas comprises means for said gas introduction to each said nozzle and to the lower portion of said reactor vessel below said fluidized bed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for introducing and distributing oxidizing/fluidizing gas comprises means for said gas introduction to each said nozzle and to the lower portion of said reactor vessel below said fluidized bed.