US4838183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for incinerating heterogeneous materials
Assignee: LEON INDUSTRIES Inc
•
Filing: 1988-02-11
•
Granted: 1989-06-13
•
Expires: 2008-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for burning waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition comprising means defining a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging waste refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, means disposed within the combustion chamber for agitating waste refuse charged therein, means for sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from the burning waste refuse disposed on the agitating means, between spaced points along the path of flow of the emanating combustion gases, and means responsive to variations of the sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential for adjusting the operation of the agitating means.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Tsaveras
- 👤 Matthew J. Gaskin
- 👤 John T. Maidhof
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:23
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23G; F23G5/00; F23G5/44; F23G5/46; F23G5/002; F23G5/50; F23G2206/00; F23G2206/20; F23G2206/203; F23G2207/00; F23G2207/10; F23G2207/101; F23G2207/103; F23G2207/20; F23G2207/30; F23G2900/00; F23G2900/55; F23G2900/55006; F23G2900/55008; F23G2900/55009; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for burning waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition comprising: means defining a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging waste refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, means disposed within said combustion chamber for agitating waste refuse charged therein, means for sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said agitating means, between spaced points along the path of flow of said emanating combustion gases, and means responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential for adjusting the operation of said agitating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for burning waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition comprising: means defining a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging waste refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, means disposed within said combustion chamber for agitating waste refuse charged therein, means for sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said agitating means, between spaced points along the path of flow of said emanating combustion gases, and means responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential for adjusting the operation of said agitating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes first means for sensing temperature at a point subjected to radiant and convective thermal energy, and second means for sensing temperature at a point subjected to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said temperature sensing means comprise thermocouples.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes first temperature sensing means disposed in said combustion chamber and second temperature sensing means disposed in said combustion chamber outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said temperature sensing means comprise thermocouples.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of said sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting a higher temperature of said predetermined temperature differential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of said sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting a higher temperature of said predetermined temperature differential and said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for supplying air to said combustion chamber, means for sensing the oxygen content of combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed oxygen content relative to a preselected oxygen content for adjusting said air supplying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for supplying overfire and underfire air to said agitating means, means for sensing the temperature of said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed combustion chamber temperatures relative to a preselected combustion chamber temperature for adjusting said overfire and underfire supplying means to alter the rate of overfire and underfire air supplied to said agitating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said oxygen content sensing means includes an oxygen sensor disposed downstream of said combustion chamber outlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said air supplying means includes a variable output blower.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said overfire and underfire air supplying means includes a flow proportioning valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waste refuse agitating means comprises a stoker.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said stoker includes an upper section of reciprocable grates adapted to receive raw waste refuse through said combustion chamber inlet, an intermediate section of reciprocable grates adapted to receive dried waste refuse from said upper grate section, and a lower section of reciprocable grates adapted to receive burned refuse from said intermediate grate section, and said means for adjusting the operation of said agitating means includes means for adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the grates of said grate sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes first means for sensing temperature at a point subjected to radiant and convective thermal energy, and second means for sensing temperature at a second point subjected to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes first temperature sensing means disposed in said combustion chamber and second temperature sensing means disposed in said combustion chamber outlet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of said sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of said sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the grates of said upper grate section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including means for sensing energy recovery output, and means responsive to variations of said sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential, said preselected temperature differential, and the speed of reciprocation of the grates of said upper grate section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including means for supplying air to said combustion chamber, means for sensing the oxygen content of combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed oxygen content relative to a preselected oxygen content for adjusting said air supplying means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including means for supplying overfire and underfire air to said intermediate grate section of said stoker, means for sensing the temperature of said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed combustion chamber temperatures relative to a preselected combustion chamber temperature for adjusting said overfire and underfire supplying means to alter the rate of overfire and underfire air supplied to said intermediate grate section of said stoker.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said oxygen content sensing means includes an oxygen sensor disposed downstream of said combustion chamber outlet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said air supplying means includes a variable output blower.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said overfire and underfire air supply means includes a flow proportioning valve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including a steam generating boiler disposed in heat exchange relation with said combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes a first temperature sensing means disposed at a point subjected to radiant and convective thermal energy, and second temperature sensing means disposed at a point subjected to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said first temperature sensing means is disposed in said combustion chamber and said second temperature sensing means is disposed in an inlet of said boiler.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steam outflow rate relative to a preselected steam outflow rate for adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steamed outflow rate relative to a preselected steam outflow rate for adjusting said preselected steam outflow rate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steam outflow rate relative to a preselected steam outflow rate for adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential and said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 including means for supplying air to said combustion chamber, means for sensing the oxygen content of combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed oxygen content relative to a preselected oxygen content for adjusting said air supplying means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 including means for supplying overfire and underfire air to said agitating means, means for sensing the temperature of said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed combustion chamber temperature relative to a preselected combustion chamber temperature for adjusting said overfire and underfire supplying means to alter the ratio of overfire and underfire air supplied to said agitating means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said waste refuse agitating means comprises a stoker.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
87 words
An apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said stoker includes an upper section of reciprocable grates adapted to receive raw waste refuse through said combustion chamber inlet, an intermediate section of reciprocable grates adapted to receive dried waste refuse from said upper grate section, and a lower section of reciprocable grates adapted to receive burned refuse from said intermediate grate section, and said means for adjusting the operation of said agitating means includes means for adjusting the speed of reciprocation of selected ones of said grate sections.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes first means for sensing temperature at a point subjected to radiant and convective thermal energy, and second means for sensing temperature at a second point subjected to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said temperature differential sensing means includes first temperature sensing means disposed in said combustion chamber and second temperature sensing means disposed in an inlet of said boiler.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steam outflow rate relative to a preselected steam outflow rate for adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steam outflow rate relative to a preselected energy recovery output for adjusting said preselected temperature differential.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steam outflow rate relative to a preselected steam outflow rate for adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the grates of said upper grate section.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 including means for sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and means responsive to variations of said sensed steam outflow rate relative to a preselected steam outflow rate for adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential, said preselected temperature differential, and the speed of reciprocation of the grates of said upper section.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus according to claim 36 including means for supplying overfire and underfire air to said intermediate grate section of said stoker, means for sensing the temperature of said combustion chamber, and means responsive to variations of sensed combustion chamber temperature relative to a preselected combustion chamber temperature for adjusting said overfire and underfire supply means to alter the ratio of overfire and underfire air supplied PG,35 to said intermediate grate section of said stoker.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of controlling the operation of an apparatus for burning raw waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition, including a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, and means disposed within the combustion chamber for receiving refuse to be burned thereon from said combustion chamber inlet comprising: sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said agitating means, between spaced points along the path of flow of said combustion gases, and adjusting said agitating means responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of controlling the operation of an apparatus for burning raw waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition, including a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, and means disposed within the combustion chamber for receiving refuse to be burned thereon from said combustion chamber inlet comprising: sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said agitating means, between spaced points along the path of flow of said combustion gases, and adjusting said agitating means responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 44 including sensing said temperature differential between a first point subjected to radiant and convective thermal energy and a second point subjected to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 44 in which combustion and combustion outlet temperatures are sensed.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 44 including sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, and adjusting said preselected temperature differential responsive to variations of sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 44 including sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, and adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential responsive to variation of sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 44 including sensing the oxygen content of combusting gases emanating from said combustion chamber, and adjusting the supply of air to said combustion chamber responsive to variations of sensed oxygen content relative to a preselected oxygen content.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 44 including sensing combustion chamber temperatures and adjusting the ratio of overfire and underfire air supplied to said combustion chamber responsive to variations of said sensed combustion chamber temperature and a preselected combustion chamber temperature.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of controlling the operation of an apparatus for burning raw waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition, including a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, and a stoker disposed within said combustion chamber for receiving refuse to be burned from said combustion chamber inlet, having an upper section of reciprocable grates, an intermediate section of reciprocable grates and a lower section of reciprocable grates, comprising sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said stoker, between spaced points along the path of flow of said combustion gases, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the intermediate section of said stoker responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of controlling the operation of an apparatus for burning raw waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition, including a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, and a stoker disposed within said combustion chamber for receiving refuse to be burned from said combustion chamber inlet, having an upper section of reciprocable grates, an intermediate section of reciprocable grates and a lower section of reciprocable grates, comprising sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said stoker, between spaced points along the path of flow of said combustion gases, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the intermediate section of said stoker responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 51 including sensing said temperature differential between a first point subjected to radiant and convective thermal energy and a second point subjected to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 51 in which combustion chamber and combustion chamber outlet temperatures are sensed.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 51 including sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, and adjusting said preselected temperature differential responsive to variations of sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 51 including sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, and adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential responsive to variations of sensed energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 51 including sensing the oxygen content of combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber, and adjusting the supply of air to said combustion chamber responsive to variations of sensed oxygen content relative to a preselected oxygen content.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 51 including sensing combustion chamber temperature, and adjusting the ratio of overfire and underfire air supplied to the intermediate section of said stoker responsive to variations of said sensed combustion chamber temperature and a preselected combustion chamber temperature.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 51 including sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the grates of said upper section of said stoker responsive to variations of said second energy recovery output relative to a preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of controlling the operation of an energy recovery system utilizing raw waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition as a fuel and including a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, a stoker disposed within said combustion chamber for receiving refuse to be burned from said combustion chamber inlet having an upper section of reciprocable grates, an intermediate section of reciprocable grates and a lower section of reciprocable grates, and a steam generating boiler disposed in heat exchange relation to combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber comprising sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said stoker, between spaced points along the path of flow of said combustion gases, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the intermediate section of said stoker responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of controlling the operation of an energy recovery system utilizing raw waste refuse having a heterogeneous composition as a fuel and including a combustion chamber having an inlet for charging refuse therein and an outlet for discharging combustion gases therefrom, a stoker disposed within said combustion chamber for receiving refuse to be burned from said combustion chamber inlet having an upper section of reciprocable grates, an intermediate section of reciprocable grates and a lower section of reciprocable grates, and a steam generating boiler disposed in heat exchange relation to combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber comprising sensing the temperature differential of combustion gases emanating from burning waste refuse disposed on said stoker, between spaced points along the path of flow of said combustion gases, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the intermediate section of said stoker responsive to variations of said sensed temperature differential relative to a preselected temperature differential.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing said temperature differential between a first point subject to radiant and convective thermal energy and a second point subject to substantially convective thermal energy.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 59 in which combustion chamber and combustion chamber outlet temperatures are sensed.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing the steam outflow rate of the boiler, and adjusting said preselected temperature differential responsive to variations of sensed steam outflow rates relative to a preselected steam outflow rate.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and adjusting a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential responsive to variations of sensed steam outflow rates relative to a preselected steam outflow rate.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the upper section of said stoker responsive to variations of sensed steam outflow rates relative to a preselected steam outflow rate.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing the steam outflow rate of said boiler, and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the upper section of said stoker, said preselected temperature differential and a higher temperature of said preselected temperature differential responsive to variations of sensed steam outflow rates relative to said preselected steam outflow rate.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 65 in which the adjustments are made in the sequence of adjusting the higher temperature of the predetermined temperature differential, adjusting the predetermined temperature differential and adjusting the speed of reciprocation of the grate in the upper section of the stoker.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing the oxygen content of combustion gases emanating from said combustion chamber, and adjusting the supply of air to said combustion chamber responsive to variations of sensed oxygen content relative to a preselected oxygen content.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 59 including sensing combustion chamber temperature, and adjusting the ratio of overfire and underfire supplied to the intermediate section of said stoker responsive to variations of said sensed combustion chamber temperature and a preselected combustion chamber temperature.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 44 including sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, determining whether the sensed energy recovery output is at a preselected energy recovery output, determining whether the sensed energy recovery output is approaching the preselected energy recovery output, and adjusting a higher temperature of the preselected temperature differential responsive to the sensed energy recovery output approaching the preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 69 including adjusting the higher temperature of the preselected temperature differential, the preselected temperature differential and the input of refuse fed into the combustion chamber responsive to the sensed energy recovery output not approaching the preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 70 in which the adjustments are made in the sequence of adjusting the higher temperature of the preselected temperature differential, adjusting the preselected temperature differential and adjusting the feed input.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for sensing the energy recovery output of the apparatus, means for determining whether the sensed energy recovery output is at a preselected energy output, means for determining whether the sensed energy recovery output is approaching the preselected energy recovery output, and adjusting a higher temperature of the preselected temperature differential responsive to the sensed energy recovery output approaching the preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 72 including means for adjusting the higher temperature of the preselected temperature differential, the preselected temperature differential and the input of refuse fed into the combustion chamber responsive to the sensed energy recovery output not approaching the preselected energy recovery output.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 73 wherein said adjusting means is operable to make adjustments in the sequence of adjusting the higher temperature of the selected temperature differential, adjusting the preselected temperature differential and adjusting the feed rate.
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) | 1992-06-12 | 1992-12-12 | 1993-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-12 | 1996-12-12 | 1997-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-12 | 2000-12-12 | 2001-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |