Solid refuse disposal process and apparatus

Patent · Tue Apr 24 04:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:6710652

Anderson, J E

This patent covers a process for disposing of refuse by thermally decomposing it in a shaft furnace and simultaneously producing a fuel or synthesis gas containing over 50% carbon monoxide and hydrogen. A gas containing at least 40% oxygen is fed into the furnace at a rate of 0.15 to 0.28 tons of oxygen per ton of refuse to create a sufficiently high thermal driving force in the hearth to melt and fluidize the non-combustible inorganic matter and to permit molten metal and slag to be tapped from the base of the furnace without causing overoxidation of the refuse. The metal and slag will solidify to an inert compact residue. The relatively small volume of gas produced from the combustible organic portion of the refuse renders it easy to clean of pollutants prior to further treatment or utilization. The process may be used in combination with an oxygen plant in an integrated system which leaves a major portion of the gas produced available for use.

• Assignee: Union Carbide Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 3729298
• OSTI ID: 6710652
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320604* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- Municipal Waste Management-- (1980-)
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PYROLYSIS
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
PYROLYTIC GASES
SOLID WASTES
SYNTHESIS GAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES