US5207176A — Hazardous waste incinerator and control system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

An incinerator for use in destroying hazardous waste, said destruction producing exhaust gases and destroyed waste, comprising: (a) a kiln with a waste entrance, a waste exit, an air entrance and an air exit; (b) means to heat said kiln; (c) means to feed waste into the waste entrance; (d) means to withdraw destroyed waste from the waste exit; (e) pollution control means in communication with said air exit; and (f) means to pull combustion air through the kiln and the pollution control means; and (g) primary, secondary, and tertiary means to contain fugitive exhaust gases from the kiln.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 99 words

An incinerator for use in destroying hazardous waste, said destruction producing exhaust gases and destroyed waste, comprising: (a) a kiln with a waste entrance, a waste exit, an air entrance and an air exit; (b) means to heat said kiln; (c) means to feed waste into the waste entrance; (d) means to withdraw destroyed waste from the waste exit; (e) pollution control means in communication with said air exit; and (f) means to pull combustion air through the kiln and the pollution control means; and (g) primary, secondary, and tertiary means to contain fugitive exhaust gases from the kiln.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 50 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said kiln comprises: (a) a cylindrical structure with an ingress and egress with a helical flight therebetween; (b) a feed assembly dynamically sealed over the ingress of the cylindrical structure; and (c) a discharge assembly dynamically sealed over the egress of the cylindrical structure.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said kiln revolves around its longitudinal axis.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said means to feed waste comprises a positive feed system.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said means to feed waste comprises a continuous feed system.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said means to withdraw destroyed waste comprises a discharge conveyor system.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said means to pull combustion air comprises at least one induced draft fan in communication with such kiln air exit.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said means to heat said kiln comprises a burner assembly in communication with said kiln air entrance.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

The incinerator of claim 1 wherein said pollution control means is located in series along a combustion air path and comprises: (a) a secondary combustor adjacent said kiln; (b) a spray dryer adjacent said secondary combustor; (c) a baghouse adjacent said spray dryer; and (d) a stack.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 195 words

An incinerator for use in destroying hazardous waste, said destruction producing exhaust gases and destroyed waste, comprising: (a) a rotary kiln with a helical flight therein, said helical flight defining a waste path and a combustion air path, said rotary kiln located within a containment building with at least one blast wall; (b) a feed assembly removably placed over the ingress to the waste path; (c) a discharge assembly removably placed over the egress to the waste path; (d) means to feed waste into said feed assembly attached to said feed assembly; (e) means to withdraw destroyed wastes from said discharge assembly attached to said discharge assembly; (f) means to pull combustion air through the combustion air path in the rotary kiln thereby entraining exhaust gases, said means to pull combustion air further pulling the combustion air and entrained exhaust gases through pollution control means; (g) burner means attached to said rotary kiln to heat said combustion air; (h) means to contain fugitive exhaust gases and reintroduce said fugitive exhaust within said combustion air path; (i) means to control the rate at which waste is fed to the feed assembly; and (j) pollution control means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 195 words

An incinerator for use in destroying hazardous waste, said destruction producing exhaust gases and destroyed waste, comprising: (a) a rotary kiln with a helical flight therein, said helical flight defining a waste path and a combustion air path, said rotary kiln located within a containment building with at least one blast wall; (b) a feed assembly removably placed over the ingress to the waste path; (c) a discharge assembly removably placed over the egress to the waste path; (d) means to feed waste into said feed assembly attached to said feed assembly; (e) means to withdraw destroyed wastes from said discharge assembly attached to said discharge assembly; (f) means to pull combustion air through the combustion air path in the rotary kiln thereby entraining exhaust gases, said means to pull combustion air further pulling the combustion air and entrained exhaust gases through pollution control means; (g) burner means attached to said rotary kiln to heat said combustion air; (h) means to contain fugitive exhaust gases and reintroduce said fugitive exhaust within said combustion air path; (i) means to control the rate at which waste is fed to the feed assembly; and (j) pollution control means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said rotary kiln comprises: (a) a generally cylindrical structure mounted on three pair of trunion assemblies spaced along the length of the cylindrical structure; (b) a variable speed drive motor connected to at least two pair of trunion assemblies; and (c) a charge plate removably attached to the end of the cylindrical structure which defines the ingress of the waste path.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 110 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said feed assembly comprises: (a) a frame defining an enclosed structure; (b) a horizontal trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a first orifice in said structure to a third orifice in said structure; (c) an angled trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a second orifice above said first orifice to the third orifice; (d) an exhaust port in said structure; (e) first means to removably block said first orifice; (f) second means to removably block said second orifice; and (g) third means to removably block the feed path between said horizontal trough and said third orifice.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

The incinerator of claim 12 wherein said feed assembly further comprises a feed chute attached to said frame such that the chute narrows toward the second orifice.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 68 words

The incinerator of claim 12 wherein said first and second means to removably block comprises: (a) a first and second door slidably mounted to said frame such that the sliding path of said doors respectively allows coverage of the first and second orifices; (b) a pneumatic actuator attached between said frame and said first door; and (c) a pneumatic actuator attached between said frame and said second door.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

The incinerator of claim 12 wherein said third means to removably block comprises: (a) a third door slidably mounted beneath said angled trough such that the sliding path of said third door allows coverage of the distal end of the horizontal trough; and (b) a pneumatic actuator attached between said chute and said third door.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

The incinerator of claim 12 wherein said third orifice is dimensioned to compliment the ingress to the waste path within the rotary kiln.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 67 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said discharge assembly comprises: (a) a frame defining a generally cylindrical structure with a combustion air ingress, a combustion air egress, and destroyed waste egress; (b) a door pivotally attached to said frame such that said door removably covers said destroyed waste egress; and (c) means to position said structure adjacent the egress of the waste path of the rotary kiln.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 31 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said discharge assembly is further comprised of a frame with a combustion air egress dimensioned to compliment the waste path egress of said rotary kiln.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 16 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to feed waste is a continuous feed system.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 62 words

The incinerator of claim 19 wherein said continuous feed system further comprises: (a) a loading conveyor on which hazardous waste is placed; (b) a primary waste feed conveyor which is positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the loading conveyor; and (c) a kiln charge conveyor which is positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the primary waste feed conveyor.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

The incinerator of claim 20 wherein said loading conveyor is equipped with an integrated belt scale.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The incinerator of claim 20 wherein said loading conveyor is substantially horizontal.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The incinerator of claim 20 wherein said primary waste feed conveyor is angled such that its distal end is elevated above its proximal end.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The incinerator of claim 20 wherein said primary waste feed conveyor transports waste through an opening in the blast wall.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The incinerator of claim 20 wherein said kiln charge conveyor is substantially horizontal.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

The incinerator of claim 19 wherein said continuous feed system is comprised of three conveyors which are neither horizontally nor vertically in-line with each other.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 16 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to feed waste is a positive feed system.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 91 words

The incinerator of claim 27 wherein said positive feed system comprises: (a) a weighing conveyor for accepting the hazardous waste packaged in a consumable box; (b) a pacing conveyor positioned to accept said box from said weighing conveyor; (c) an input conveyor positioned to accept said box from said pacing conveyor; (d) a transfer conveyor positioned to accept said box from said input conveyor to transport said box to a position in front of said feed assembly; and (e) a feed ram positioned to push said box into said feed assembly.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

The incinerator of claim 28 wherein said positive feed system further comprises a safety enclosure positioned to accept a box from said transfer conveyor.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The incinerator of claim 28 wherein said input conveyor transports the box through an opening in the blast wall.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 16 words

The incinerator of claim 28 wherein said transfer conveyor is substantially perpendicular to said input conveyor.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 100 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to withdraw destroyed waste from said discharge assembly comprises: (a) a discharge conveyor positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge assembly; (b) a shaker grate positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge conveyor, said shaker grate capable of separating the waste into an ash component and a scrap metal component, each component deposited on separate conveyor means; (c) ash collection means positioned to accept ash component from the ash component conveyor means; and (d) scrap metal collection means positioned to accept scrap metal component from the scrap metal conveyor means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to pull combustion air comprises at least one induction draft fan.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to pull combustion air comprises two induction draft fans each capable of pulling the total required combustion air.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 74 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to contain exhaust gases comprises: (a) a first shroud over the interface of the kiln and the feed assembly; (b) a second shroud over the interface of the kiln and the discharge assembly; and (c) a primary combustion air blower connected to said first and second shrouds by duct means, said blower drawing gases collected in said shrouds and circulating said gases into said rotary kiln.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 59 words

The incinerator of claim 35 wherein either said first or second shroud comprises: (a) an upper semi-circular structure; (b) a lower semi-circular structure; (c) cap means to connect said upper and lower semi-circular structures; (d) a tab plate extending from the inner circumferential surface of each semi-circular structure; and (e) an exhaust port extending from said upper semi-circular structure.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 36 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to contain exhaust gases further comprises a secondary combustion blower attached to said containment building by duct means to draw any exhaust gases from within said containment building.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 44 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said means to control feed rate comprises: (a) at least one program-controlled processor unit; (b) an optical data highway loop; and (c) an optical/electrical interface connecting said at least one program-controlled processor unit to said data highway loop.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 81 words

The incinerator of claim 10 wherein said pollution control means treats said combustion air with exhaust gases entrained therein by allowing said gases to pass through a series of elements, each element connected by suitable duct work, said pollution control means comprising: (a) a secondary combustor; (b) a spray dryer to cool and neutralize said flue gas; (c) a baghouse to remove particulate matter entrained in said flue gas; and (d) a stack to disperse said flue gas into the atmosphere.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 358 words

An incinerator for use in destroying hazardous waste, said destruction producing exhaust gases and destroyed waste, comprising: (a) a rotary kiln with a helical flight cast therein, said helical flight defining a waste path with an ingress and an egress and a combustion air path with an air ingress and an air egress for travel of combustion air through the rotary kiln, said rotary kiln located within a containment building; (b) means to heat said combustion air prior to its entrance into said air ingress of said rotary kiln; (c) a feed assembly removably placed over the ingress to the waste path; (d) a discharge assembly removably placed over the egress of the waste path; (e) a continuous feed system attached to said feed assembly; (f) a positive feed system attached to said feed assembly; (g) a waste discharge system attached to said discharge assembly; (h) a first shroud surrounding the interface between the feed assembly and the ingress to the waste path; (i) a second shroud surrounding the interface between said discharge assembly and the egress of the waste path; (j) a primary combustion air blower connected via duct means to both the first and second shrouds; (k) a secondary combustion blower connected via duct means to said containment building; (l) a secondary combustor with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said rotary kiln air egress; (m) a spray dryer with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said secondary combustor egress; (n) a baghouse with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said spray dryer egress; (o) a stack with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said baghouse egress; (p) a pair of induction fans placed between said baghouse and stack within said duct means between said stack and said baghouse, said induction fans capable of pulling the combustion air through said rotary kiln through said combustion air path; and (q) means to control the rate at which waste is fed to the rotary kiln in response to exhaust gas emissions from the stack.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 358 words

An incinerator for use in destroying hazardous waste, said destruction producing exhaust gases and destroyed waste, comprising: (a) a rotary kiln with a helical flight cast therein, said helical flight defining a waste path with an ingress and an egress and a combustion air path with an air ingress and an air egress for travel of combustion air through the rotary kiln, said rotary kiln located within a containment building; (b) means to heat said combustion air prior to its entrance into said air ingress of said rotary kiln; (c) a feed assembly removably placed over the ingress to the waste path; (d) a discharge assembly removably placed over the egress of the waste path; (e) a continuous feed system attached to said feed assembly; (f) a positive feed system attached to said feed assembly; (g) a waste discharge system attached to said discharge assembly; (h) a first shroud surrounding the interface between the feed assembly and the ingress to the waste path; (i) a second shroud surrounding the interface between said discharge assembly and the egress of the waste path; (j) a primary combustion air blower connected via duct means to both the first and second shrouds; (k) a secondary combustion blower connected via duct means to said containment building; (l) a secondary combustor with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said rotary kiln air egress; (m) a spray dryer with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said secondary combustor egress; (n) a baghouse with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said spray dryer egress; (o) a stack with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said baghouse egress; (p) a pair of induction fans placed between said baghouse and stack within said duct means between said stack and said baghouse, said induction fans capable of pulling the combustion air through said rotary kiln through said combustion air path; and (q) means to control the rate at which waste is fed to the rotary kiln in response to exhaust gas emissions from the stack.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 79 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said rotary kiln with a helical flight cast within comprises: (a) four central retort sections, each removably attached to its adjacent section; (b) a first end retort sections removably attached to the proximal end of the assembled central retort sections; (c) a second end retort section removably attached to the distal end of the assembled central retort sections; and (d) gasket means between the attachment surfaces of each attached pair of retort sections.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 26 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said rotary kiln is mounted on three pair of trunion assemblies evenly spaced along the length of said rotary kiln.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 21 words

The incinerator of claim 42 wherein at least two pair of trunion assemblies are driven by a variable speed drive motor.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 18 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said means to heat said combustion air comprises a natural gas burner.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 140 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said feed assembly comprises: (a) a frame defining an enclosed structure; (b) a horizontal trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a first orifice in said structure to a third orifice in said structure; (c) an angled trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a second orifice above said first orifice to the third orifice; (d) an exhaust port in said structure; (e) first means to removably block said first orifice; (f) second means to removably block said second orifice; (g) third means to removably block the feed path between said horizontal trough and said third orifice; (h) a pair of removable doors leading to the interior of said structure; and (i) a feed chute attached to said frame such that the chute narrows toward the second orifice.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 68 words

The incinerator of claim 45 wherein said first and second means to removably block comprises: (a) a first and second door slidably mounted to said frame such that the sliding path of said doors respectively allows coverage of the first and second orifices; (b) a pneumatic actuator attached between said frame and said first door; and (c) a pneumatic actuator attached between said frame and said second door.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 55 words

The incinerator of claim 45 wherein said third means to removably block comprises: (a) a third door slidably mounted beneath said angled trough such that the sliding path of said third door allows coverage of the distal end of the horizontal trough; and (b) a pneumatic actuator attached between said chute and said third door.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 89 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said discharge assembly comprises: (a) a frame defining a generally cylindrical structure with a combustion air ingress, a combustion air egress, and a destroyed waste egress; (b) a door pivotally attached to said frame such that said door removably covers said destroyed waste egress; (c) means to position said structure adjacent the egress of the waste path of the rotary kiln; and (d) burner tile lining an inner portion of said cylindrical structure between said combustion air ingress and said combustion air egress.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 89 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said continuous feed system comprises: (a) a substantially horizontal loading conveyor on which hazardous waste is placed; (b) an integrated belt scale attached to said loading conveyor; (c) a primary waste feed conveyor positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the loading conveyor, and transporting said waste through an opening in said blast wall; and (d) a kiln charge conveyor positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the primary waste feed conveyor, said kiln charge conveyor leading to the feed assembly.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 25 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said continuous feed system is comprised of three conveyors which are neither horizontally nor vertically inclined with each other.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 117 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said positive feed system comprises: (a) a weighing conveyor for accepting the hazardous waste packaged in a consumable box; (b) a pacing conveyor positioned to accept said box from said weighing conveyor; (c) an input conveyor positioned to accept said box from said pacing conveyor; (d) a transfer conveyor positioned to accept said box from said input conveyor to transport said box to a position in front of said feed assembly; (e) a feed ram positioned to push said box into said feed assembly; (f) a safety enclosure positioned to accept a box from said transfer conveyor; and (g) a retractable feed fence between said safety enclosure and said transfer conveyor.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 94 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said waste discharge system comprises: (a) a discharge conveyor positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge assembly; (b) a shaker grate positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge conveyor, said shaker grate capable of separating the waste into an ash component and a scrap metal component, each component deposited on separate conveyor means; (c) ash collection means positioned to accept ash component from the ash component conveyor means; and (d) scrap metal collection means positioned to accept scrap metal component from the scrap metal conveyor means.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 59 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein either said first or second shroud comprises: (a) an upper semi-circular structure; (b) a lower semi-circular structure; (c) cap means to connect said upper and lower semi-circular structures; (d) a tab plate extending from the inner circumferential surface of each semi-circular structure; and (e) an exhaust port extending from said upper semi-circular structure.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 25 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said primary combustion air blower circulates flue gas collected in the first and second shrouds to the rotary kiln.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 21 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said secondary combustion circulates flue gas collected in said containment building to the secondary combustor.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 59 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said secondary combustor comprises: (a) a combustion chamber sized to allow at least four seconds of flue gas residence time at a temperature of 2200° F.; (b) an injector nozzle for burner fuel adjacent said flue gas ingress; and (c) a ceramic fiber module lining attached to the walls of the combustion chamber.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 39 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said spray dryer comprises: (a) a mixing chamber; (b) at least one injection nozzle for said chamber attached to a soda ash solution; and (c) means to remove precipitate from the mixing chamber.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 34 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said baghouse comprises: (a) a structure with three internal modules; (b) at least twenty bags within each module; and (c) means to remove collected dust from said structure.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 19 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said stack is a vertical cylindrical structure between 180 and 250 feet tall.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 18 words

The incinerator of claim 40 wherein said pair of induction fans are sized to individually pull 13,400 acfm.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 125 words

A rotary kiln for use in a hazardous waste incinerator comprising: (a) four central retort sections, each removably attached to its adjacent section; (b) a first end retort sections removably attached to the proximal end of the assembled central retort sections; (c) a second end retort section removably attached to the distal end of the assembled central retort sections; and (d) gasket means between the attachment surfaces of each attached pair of retort sections; (e) a first, second, and third pair of trunion assemblies evenly spaced along the length of said six retort section assembly; (f) a variable speed drive motor attached to the first pair of trunions; and (g) a drive shaft connecting said first pair of trunions to the second pair of trunions.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 125 words

A rotary kiln for use in a hazardous waste incinerator comprising: (a) four central retort sections, each removably attached to its adjacent section; (b) a first end retort sections removably attached to the proximal end of the assembled central retort sections; (c) a second end retort section removably attached to the distal end of the assembled central retort sections; and (d) gasket means between the attachment surfaces of each attached pair of retort sections; (e) a first, second, and third pair of trunion assemblies evenly spaced along the length of said six retort section assembly; (f) a variable speed drive motor attached to the first pair of trunions; and (g) a drive shaft connecting said first pair of trunions to the second pair of trunions.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 150 words

A feed assembly for use with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said feed assembly comprising: (a) a frame defining an enclosed structure; (b) a horizontal trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a first orifice in said structure to a third orifice in said structure; (c) an angled trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a second orifice above said first orifice to the third orifice; (d) an exhaust port in said structure; (e) first means to removably block said first orifice; (f) second means to removably block said second orifice; (g) third means to removably block the feed path between said horizontal trough and said third orifice; (h) a pair of removable doors leading to the interior of said structure; and (i) a feed chute attached to said frame such that the chute narrows toward the second orifice.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 150 words

A feed assembly for use with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said feed assembly comprising: (a) a frame defining an enclosed structure; (b) a horizontal trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a first orifice in said structure to a third orifice in said structure; (c) an angled trough defining a feed path within said structure leading from a second orifice above said first orifice to the third orifice; (d) an exhaust port in said structure; (e) first means to removably block said first orifice; (f) second means to removably block said second orifice; (g) third means to removably block the feed path between said horizontal trough and said third orifice; (h) a pair of removable doors leading to the interior of said structure; and (i) a feed chute attached to said frame such that the chute narrows toward the second orifice.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 96 words

A discharge assembly for use with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said discharge assembly comprising: (a) a frame defining a generally cylindrical structure with a combustion air ingress, a combustion air egress, and destroyed waste egress; (b) a door pivotally attached to said frame such that said door removably covers said destroyed waste egress; (c) means to position said structure adjacent the egress of the waste path of the rotary kiln; and (d) burner tile lining an inner portion of said cylindrical structure between said air ingress and said air egress.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 96 words

A discharge assembly for use with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said discharge assembly comprising: (a) a frame defining a generally cylindrical structure with a combustion air ingress, a combustion air egress, and destroyed waste egress; (b) a door pivotally attached to said frame such that said door removably covers said destroyed waste egress; (c) means to position said structure adjacent the egress of the waste path of the rotary kiln; and (d) burner tile lining an inner portion of said cylindrical structure between said air ingress and said air egress.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 113 words

A continuous feed system for use in conveying hazardous waste through a blast wall to a feed assembly associated with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said continuous feed system comprising: (a) a substantially horizontal loading conveyor on which hazardous waste is placed; (b) an integrated belt scale attached to said loading conveyor; (c) a primary waste feed conveyor positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the loading conveyor, and transporting said waste through an opening in said blast wall; and (d) a kiln charge conveyor positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the primary waste feed conveyor, said kiln charge conveyor leading to the feed assembly.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 113 words

A continuous feed system for use in conveying hazardous waste through a blast wall to a feed assembly associated with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said continuous feed system comprising: (a) a substantially horizontal loading conveyor on which hazardous waste is placed; (b) an integrated belt scale attached to said loading conveyor; (c) a primary waste feed conveyor positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the loading conveyor, and transporting said waste through an opening in said blast wall; and (d) a kiln charge conveyor positioned to accept waste conveyed to it by the primary waste feed conveyor, said kiln charge conveyor leading to the feed assembly.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 137 words

A positive feed system for use in conveying hazardous waste to a feed assembly associated with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said positive feed system comprising: (a) a weighing conveyor for accepting the hazardous waste packaged in a consumable box; (b) a pacing conveyor positioned to accept said box from said weighing conveyor; (c) an input conveyor positioned to accept said box from said pacing conveyor; (d) a transfer conveyor positioned to accept said box from said input conveyor to transport said box to a position in front of said feed assembly; (e) a feed ram positioned to push said box into said feed assembly; (f) a safety enclosure positioned to accept a box from said transfer conveyor; and (g) a feed retractable fence between said safety enclosure and said transfer conveyor.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 137 words

A positive feed system for use in conveying hazardous waste to a feed assembly associated with a rotary kiln as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said positive feed system comprising: (a) a weighing conveyor for accepting the hazardous waste packaged in a consumable box; (b) a pacing conveyor positioned to accept said box from said weighing conveyor; (c) an input conveyor positioned to accept said box from said pacing conveyor; (d) a transfer conveyor positioned to accept said box from said input conveyor to transport said box to a position in front of said feed assembly; (e) a feed ram positioned to push said box into said feed assembly; (f) a safety enclosure positioned to accept a box from said transfer conveyor; and (g) a feed retractable fence between said safety enclosure and said transfer conveyor.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 176 words

A discharge handling system for use in conveying destroyed waste from a discharge assembly associated with a rotary kiln and through a blast wall as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said discharge handling system comprising: (a) a discharge conveyor extending through an opening in the blast wall and positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge assembly; (b) an enclosure attached to the blast wall and positioned over the part of said discharge conveyor outside of the blast wall so that air can be drawn underneath said enclosure, across said discharge conveyor and through the opening in the blast wall; (c) a shaker grate outside the blast wall and positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge conveyor, said shaker grate capable of separating the waste into an ash component and a scrap metal component, each component deposited on separate conveyor means; (d) ash collection means positioned to accept ash component from the ash component conveyor means; and (e) scrap metal collection means positioned to accept scrap metal component from the scrap metal conveyor means.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 176 words

A discharge handling system for use in conveying destroyed waste from a discharge assembly associated with a rotary kiln and through a blast wall as part of a hazardous waste incinerator, said discharge handling system comprising: (a) a discharge conveyor extending through an opening in the blast wall and positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge assembly; (b) an enclosure attached to the blast wall and positioned over the part of said discharge conveyor outside of the blast wall so that air can be drawn underneath said enclosure, across said discharge conveyor and through the opening in the blast wall; (c) a shaker grate outside the blast wall and positioned to accept destroyed waste from said discharge conveyor, said shaker grate capable of separating the waste into an ash component and a scrap metal component, each component deposited on separate conveyor means; (d) ash collection means positioned to accept ash component from the ash component conveyor means; and (e) scrap metal collection means positioned to accept scrap metal component from the scrap metal conveyor means.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 176 words

An air pollution control system for use in treating a flue gas stream exhausting from a rotary kiln with a combustion air egress, said air pollution control system comprising: (a) a secondary combustor with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said rotary kiln combustion air egress; (b) a spray dryer with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said secondary combustor egress; (c) a baghouse with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said spray dryer egress; (d) a stack with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said baghouse egress; (e) a pair of induction fans placed between said baghouse and stack within the combustion air path defined by said duct means, said induction fans capable of pulling air through said rotary kiln and through said combustion air path; and (f) means to control the rate at which waste is fed to the rotary kiln in response to exhaust gas emissions from the stack.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 176 words

An air pollution control system for use in treating a flue gas stream exhausting from a rotary kiln with a combustion air egress, said air pollution control system comprising: (a) a secondary combustor with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said rotary kiln combustion air egress; (b) a spray dryer with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said secondary combustor egress; (c) a baghouse with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said spray dryer egress; (d) a stack with an ingress and an egress, said ingress connected via duct means to said baghouse egress; (e) a pair of induction fans placed between said baghouse and stack within the combustion air path defined by said duct means, said induction fans capable of pulling air through said rotary kiln and through said combustion air path; and (f) means to control the rate at which waste is fed to the rotary kiln in response to exhaust gas emissions from the stack.

Claim 78

Independent Claim 98 words

A method of treating exhaust gases containing acidic components created by the combustion of hazardous waste within a hazardous waste incinerator comprising: a) raising the temperature of said exhaust gases to between 1200° to 2200° F. in a secondary combustor; b) quenching the exhaust gases with a soda ash solution in a spray dryer; c) converting the acidic components of the exhaust gas to sodium salts with the soda ash solution in the spray dryer; d) filtering particulate matter from the exhaust gases in a baghouse; and e) dispersing said exhaust gases into the atmosphere through a stack.

Claim 79

Independent Claim 98 words

A method of treating exhaust gases containing acidic components created by the combustion of hazardous waste within a hazardous waste incinerator comprising: a) raising the temperature of said exhaust gases to between 1200° to 2200° F. in a secondary combustor; b) quenching the exhaust gases with a soda ash solution in a spray dryer; c) converting the acidic components of the exhaust gas to sodium salts with the soda ash solution in the spray dryer; d) filtering particulate matter from the exhaust gases in a baghouse; and e) dispersing said exhaust gases into the atmosphere through a stack.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of treating exhaust gases of claim 68 wherein the said step of raising the temperature of the exhaust gases is accomplished under turbulent conditions.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of treating exhaust gases of claim 68 wherein the step of raising the temperature of the exhaust gases takes place over a residence time of up to four seconds.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of treating exhaust gases of claim 68 wherein the step of quenching the exhaust gases comprises: a) neutralizing the acidic components of said exhaust gases, thereby creating a sodium salt; b) evaporating the liquid portion of the soda ash solution; and c) precipitating sodium salt created by the neutralizing step.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of treating exhaust gases of claim 68 wherein the step of filtering particulate matter from the exhaust gases comprises passing the exhaust gases through a series of filter bags.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of treating exhaust gases of claim 68 wherein the step of dispersing said exhaust gases comprises pulling said gases into the stack with at least one induction fan.

Claim 85

Independent Claim 62 words

A method of containing fugitive emissions from a hazardous waste incinerator during waste incinerator, said incinerator comprising a rotary kiln, the ends of which are covered by shrouds, said kiln and shrouds located within a containment building, comprising: a) maintaining said rotary kiln under negative pressure; b) maintaining said shrouds under negative pressure; and c) maintaining said containment building under negative pressure.

Claim 86

Independent Claim 62 words

A method of containing fugitive emissions from a hazardous waste incinerator during waste incinerator, said incinerator comprising a rotary kiln, the ends of which are covered by shrouds, said kiln and shrouds located within a containment building, comprising: a) maintaining said rotary kiln under negative pressure; b) maintaining said shrouds under negative pressure; and c) maintaining said containment building under negative pressure.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of containing fugitive emissions of claim 74 wherein said step of maintaining said rotary kiln under negative pressure comprises pulling 3500 to 400 cubic feet of air per minute through said rotary kiln.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of containing fugitive emissions of claim 74 wherein said step of maintaining said shrouds under negative pressure comprises pulling between 900 and 1300 cubic feet of air per minute through each kiln.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of containing fugitive emissions of claim 74 wherein said step of maintaining said containment building under negative pressure comprises maintaining the interior of said building at -0.1 to -1.0 inch of water column.

Claim 90

Independent Claim 105 words

A method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of a hazardous waste incinerator comprises: a) placing waste onto a weighing conveyor; b) transferring said waste from said weighing conveyor to a pacing conveyor; c) transporting said waste on said pacing conveyor; d) transferring said waste from said pacing conveyor to an input conveyor; e) transporting said waste on said input conveyor; f) transferring said waste from said input conveyor to a transfer conveyor; g) transporting said waste on said transfer conveyor to a position in front of said rotary kiln; and h) injecting said waste into said rotary kiln with a feed ram.

Claim 91

Independent Claim 105 words

A method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of a hazardous waste incinerator comprises: a) placing waste onto a weighing conveyor; b) transferring said waste from said weighing conveyor to a pacing conveyor; c) transporting said waste on said pacing conveyor; d) transferring said waste from said pacing conveyor to an input conveyor; e) transporting said waste on said input conveyor; f) transferring said waste from said input conveyor to a transfer conveyor; g) transporting said waste on said transfer conveyor to a position in front of said rotary kiln; and h) injecting said waste into said rotary kiln with a feed ram.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 83 words

The method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of claim 78 wherein the step of placing waste onto a weighing conveyor comprises; a) putting an amount of waste into a consumable box; b) putting said consumable box of waste onto said weighing conveyor; c) weighing said box with a belt scale attached to said weighing conveyor; d) comparing said weight with a predetermined value; and e) activating said weighing conveyor to transport said consumable box of waste to said pacing conveyor.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 56 words

The method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of claim 78 wherein the step of transporting said waste from on said pacing conveyor: a) holding a first box in a ready position with a box holding device; and b) releasing a second box held by the box holding device transported to said input conveyor.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 70 words

The method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of claim 78 wherein said step of transporting said waste on said input conveyor comprises: a) opening a shield door over an opening in a blast wall surrounding said rotary kiln, said input conveyor passing through said opening; b) activating said conveyor to transfer the consumable box through the opening in the blast wall; and c) closing said shield door.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of claim 78 wherein said step of transporting said waste on said transfer conveyor comprises: a) activating said transfer conveyor; b) retracting a feed fence from a position above said transfer conveyor; and c) deactivating said transfer conveyor when the waste on said conveyor is in a position in front of said rotary kiln.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of positively feeding waste into a rotary kiln of claim 82 wherein said step of transporting said waste on said transfer conveyor further comprises: d) bypassing step c) when the incinerator is in an upset condition; and e) transporting said waste into a safety enclosure situated adjacent the end of the transfer conveyor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-05-03	1996-11-02	1997-05-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-05-03	2000-11-02	2001-05-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-05-03	2004-11-02	2005-05-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Hazardous waste incinerator and control system

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