US5010829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treatment of hazardous waste in absence of oxygen
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-01-29
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2010-01-29
Abstract
Abstract Hazardous waste treatment method and apparatus are disclosed in the preferred and illustrated embodiment. A feedstock of solid or liquid hazardous waste material is combusted in a plasma generator in the absence of oxygen and converted into non-hazardous components which are collected in a reactor chamber. The non-hazardous components are further converted into a gaseous outflow which is cooled and separated into selected constituents which are collected in storage vessels.
Inventors
- 👤 Prabhakar Kulkarni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:09
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10B; C10B53/00; C10B53/07; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of converting solid hazardous waste material into useful by-products, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the solid waste material into a first high temperature zone generated by at least one plasma gun and converting the waste material into a mixture of carbon black, gases and metallic non-converted material; (b) collecting said mixture in a first reactor chamber in the absence of oxygen for preventing the recombination of said mixture with oxygen; (c) discharging the carbon black and metallic nonconverted material into a magnetic separator for separating the metallic material from the carbon black and collecting said metallic material for subsequent use; (d) directing said carbon black through a second high temperature zone into a second reactor chamber for further separation and conversion of hazardous constituents into non-hazardous gases; (e) directing the gases from said first and second reactor chambers through cooling apparatus for reducing the temperature of said gases; (f) passing said gases through molecular sieve apparatus permitting selected constituents of said gases to pass through said molecular sieve apparatus; and (f) collecting said selected constituents in storage vessels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of converting solid hazardous waste material into useful by-products, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the solid waste material into a first high temperature zone generated by at least one plasma gun and converting the waste material into a mixture of carbon black, gases and metallic non-converted material; (b) collecting said mixture in a first reactor chamber in the absence of oxygen for preventing the recombination of said mixture with oxygen; (c) discharging the carbon black and metallic nonconverted material into a magnetic separator for separating the metallic material from the carbon black and collecting said metallic material for subsequent use; (d) directing said carbon black through a second high temperature zone into a second reactor chamber for further separation and conversion of hazardous constituents into non-hazardous gases; (e) directing the gases from said first and second reactor chambers through cooling apparatus for reducing the temperature of said gases; (f) passing said gases through molecular sieve apparatus permitting selected constituents of said gases to pass through said molecular sieve apparatus; and (f) collecting said selected constituents in storage vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of forming a vacuum of at least 10 -1 torr for removing substantially all the oxygen from the reactor chambers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of collecting and analyzing a sample of the gases exiting said first reactor chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of circulating water about the plasma gun for maintaining a continuous cooling bath about the plasma gun.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said carbon black is removed from said second reactor chamber and stored for subsequent use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gases from said first reactor chamber are combined with said carbon black and directed through said second temperature zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first temperature zone is created by a plurality of plasma guns connected in series.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first temperature zone is created by a plurality of plasma guns spaced about a plenum.
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) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |