The disclosure relates to a method for opening up electrochemical energy storage devices in connection with a subsequent recovery of valuable materials contained therein as secondary raw materials, in which method the energy storage devices are opened up by means of a thermal treatment system to remove the electrolytes and reactive substances, before the thermally treated material is subjected to processing, whereby secondary raw materials in the thermally treated material are separated from one another. The thermal treatment is performed in an indirectly heated furnace 2 under atmospheric pressure conditions or a slight overpressure relative to the ambient pressure of up to 20 mbar in a reducing atmosphere, and influence is exerted on the course of the thermal treatment process via the reducing atmosphere, as a control variable. Furthermore, a thermal treatment system is described for removing electrolytes and reactive substances in electrochemical energy storage devices and consequently for pyrolytic opening.

Methods and systems for oxidizing gas are provided. An example regenerative oxidizer is provided that includes a combustion chamber to heat gas present in the combustion chamber. The regenerative oxidizer also includes a first heat exchange media bed and a second heat exchange media bed, each in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The regenerative oxidizer also includes a rotary valve disposed at least partially between the first heat exchange media bed and the second heat exchange media bed. The rotary valve may alternate the flow of gas between a first and a second airflow direction. The first heat exchange media bed, the rotary valve, and the second heat exchange media bed are arranged with respect to each other such that the gas pathway between the first heat exchange media bed and the rotary valve and between the second heat exchange media bed and the rotary valve is non-linear.

A plant complex for pig iron production may include a furnace and a furnace gas conduit system for a furnace gas quantity stream that comprises nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The plant complex may also include a hydrogen source, an H.sub.2 gas conduit system for a hydrogen-containing gas quantity stream emitted from the hydrogen source, a mixing apparatus for establishing a mixed gas formed from the furnace gas stream and the hydrogen-containing gas quantity stream. The mixing apparatus may be connected to the furnace gas conduit system and to the H.sub.2 gas conduit system. The mixed gas established may have a stoichiometric mixing quotient formed from a dividend with a difference value between molar amounts of hydrogen as minuend and carbon dioxide as subtrahend and of a divisor with a sum value of molar amounts of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The plant complex may also include a mixed gas conduit system and a chemical plant connected to the mixed gas conduit system.

To provide a pyrolysis apparatus capable of pyrolyzing an object to be treated without releasing exhaust gas to the atmosphere. This pyrolysis apparatus includes: a treatment furnace having a pyrolysis section where an object to be treated is subjected to pyrolysis on a grate; a purification water tank retaining water and having a gas pool formed in an upper part thereof; a primary purification tank connected to the upper part of the purification water tank, in which water is jetted toward exhaust gas flowing in from an upper part of the treatment furnace through a gas flue; a piping through which gas is taken up from the gas pool of the purification water tank and returned to the primary purification tank; a secondary purification tank connected to the upper part of the purification water tank, in which water is jetted toward the gas taken up from the gas pool of the purification water tank; and a return piping through which the gas having passed the secondary purification tank is fed into the treatment furnace.

A cement manufacturing plant can include at least one emission abatement mechanism. In some embodiments, the emission abatement mechanism can utilize a plurality of pulsed gases passed through a reactor to treat a solid particulate material passed through the reactor. The pulsed reactant gas can be pulsed through the reactor so that the pulsed gas passes from a middle portion of the reactor to a first end of the reactor at which the solid particulates can be fed into the reactor. In some embodiments, the reactant gas can be output from the first end to a down corner or other reactant gas conduit for transport to a treatment device.

A method for the recovery of zinc from zinc containing materials using a smelting apparatus for smelting a metalliferous feed material, wherein the smelting apparatus includes a smelting vessel, a smelt cyclone mounted on the smelting vessel and in connection with the inside of the smelting vessel and an off-gas duct connected to the smelt cyclone, and wherein the method includes the steps of: injecting the feed material with a carrier gas into the smelt cyclone, injecting an oxygen containing gas into the smelt cyclone, injecting coal with a carrier gas into the smelting vessel, injecting an oxygen containing gas into the smelting vessel, optionally injecting fluxes with a carrier gas into the smelting vessel, wherein the zinc containing materials are injected into the smelt cyclone and/or into the smelting vessel.

In a method for reducing the NOx emissions of a rotary kiln of a clinker production plant, fuel supplied through a burner of the rotary kiln is burned along with primary air fed through the burner, wherein the primary air has a lower oxygen content and the primary air has an oxygen content reduced relative to that of the ambient air and a temperature increased relative to that of the ambient air, and the primary air is obtained by mixing ambient air with exhaust gas from the rotary kiln or from a heat exchanger connected to the rotary kiln and used for preheating raw meal. The primary air is further obtained by mixing with hot air, in particular waste air from a clinker cooler.

An electrically controlled valve which can be operated using a programable controller. A cooperating pair of the electrically controlled valves can be used in a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO). The electrically controlled valve has two seats, and a blade which can move between a first position contacting the first seat and a second position contacting the second seat. The blade is moved by an actuator which is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD). A control computer continuously monitors the operation of both valves and halts operation of the system upon detecting a fault (error). The motion of the blade is programmed such that force of impact on the seat is reduced. Once the blade is seated, a brake is engaged which maintains the stationary position while utilizing relatively low power.

A hood for a taphole and a tapping spout in a submerged arc furnace in the production of silicon. The hood has at least two suction ducts which are placed asymmetrically on either side of the hood, and is useful in a process for the production of silicon in a submerged arc furnace, wherein liquid silicon and refining gas escape from a taphole of a crucible, wherein the liquid silicon flows on a tapping spout into a ladle, wherein the refining gas is sucked in a hood which has at least two suction ducts which are placed on either side of the hood.

Apparatus and methods for debinding articles. The apparatus and methods may transform binder from furnace exhaust before the exhaust is discharged to the atmosphere. The apparatus may include a furnace retort and a reactor. The furnace retort may be configured to: exclude ambient air; and receive a carrier gas. The reactor may be configured to: receive from the retort (a) the carrier gas and (b) material removed in the retort from the article; and combust, at a temperature no greater than 750 C., the material. The material may be decomposed binder. The material may be hydrocarbon from binder that is pyrolyzed in the retort. The carrier gas may include gas that is nonflammable gas.