Earth melter and method of disposing of feed materials
An apparatus, and method of operating the apparatus is described, wherein a feed material is converted into a glassified condition for subsequent use or disposal. The apparatus is particularly useful for disposal of hazardous or noxious waste materials which are otherwise either difficult or expensive to dispose of. The apparatus is preferably constructed by excavating a melt zone in a quantity of soil or rock, and lining the melt zone with a back fill material if refractory properties are needed. The feed material is fed into the melt zone and, preferably, combusted to an ash, whereupon the heat of combustion is used to melt the ash to a molten condition. Electrodes may be used to maintain the molten feed material in a molten condition, and to maintain homogeneity of the molten materials. 3 figs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- Assignee:
- Battelle Memorial Inst., Richland, WA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5354355; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-024886
- OSTI ID:
- 7187224
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION HEAT
DESIGN
ENERGY
ENTHALPY
EXCAVATION
FURNACES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HEAT
LINING PROCESSES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
OXIDATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REACTION HEAT
SOILS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
VITRIFICATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT