A solid fuel skewer suspension burning system for a kiln, comprises a skewer rod and a solid fuel loading system. The skewer rod has a first end and a length that extends longitudinally. The solid fuel loading system includes a fuel centering and staging area that receives fuel from a conveyor system, and a fuel loading area that receives fuel from the fuel centering and staging area. The solid fuel is inserted upon the skewer rod at the fuel loading area. The solid fuel loading system also includes a first clamp, an airlock and a plow. The first clamp holds the skewer rod and defines a first position between the first clamp and a free end of the skewer rod. The airlock is spaced from the first clamp and has a first airlock gate and a second airlock gate. The plow reciprocates substantially longitudinally in cooperation with the skewer rod to advance fuel along at least a portion of the length of the skewer rod.

A grate block including a block body formed as a cast part with a rear end and a front end that lies opposite the rear end in the conveying direction. The block body includes an upper wall which forms an outer rear bearing surface, running at least in part parallel to a longitudinal axis of the block body, for the waste that is to be treated, wherein the bearing surface defines a substantially horizontal plane. The block body further includes a raised nose arranged in the region of front end, which nose has an outer front bearing surface with a middle part that rises in the manner of a ramp in the conveying direction. The raised nose includes, following the outer front bearing surface, an apex and, after the apex in the conveying direction, a declining end portion with a discharge surface that drops away in a substantially arcuate manner.

A grate block including a block body formed as a cast part with a rear end and a front end that lies opposite the rear end in the conveying direction. The block body includes an upper wall which forms an outer rear bearing surface, running at least in part parallel to a longitudinal axis of the block body, for the waste that is to be treated, wherein the bearing surface defines a substantially horizontal plane. The block body further includes a raised nose arranged in the region of front end, which nose has an outer front bearing surface with a middle part that rises in the manner of a ramp in the conveying direction. The raised nose includes, following the outer front bearing surface, an apex and, after the apex in the conveying direction, a declining end portion with a discharge surface that drops away in a substantially arcuate manner.

A combustion kiln system, comprising: a pre-heating chamber which is supplied with waste product; and a combustion chamber which receives the waste product from the pre-heating chamber and in which the waste product is incinerated; wherein the pre-heating chamber heats the waste product to remove moisture from the waste product prior to transfer to the combustion chamber.

A combustion kiln system, comprising: a pre-heating chamber which is supplied with waste product; and a combustion chamber which receives the waste product from the pre-heating chamber and in which the waste product is incinerated; wherein the pre-heating chamber heats the waste product to remove moisture from the waste product prior to transfer to the combustion chamber.

A combustion kiln system, comprising: a pre-heating chamber which is supplied with waste product; and a combustion chamber which receives the waste product from the pre-heating chamber and in which the waste product is incinerated; wherein the pre-heating chamber heats the waste product to remove moisture from the waste product prior to transfer to the combustion chamber.

A churning and stoking ram for a furnace is disclosed. The churning and stoking ram includes a frame disposed externally of the furnace, where the stoking ram is mounted on the frame. The stoking ram is positionable relative to the furnace between an external position and an internal position, and is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the stoking ram. The stoking ram further includes a churning device positionable relative to the stoking ram between a retracted position and an extended position, a first actuator mounted on the frame to position the stoking ram between the external and internal positions, a second actuator to position the churning device between the retracted and extended positions, and a third actuator to rotate the stoking ram and the churning device associated therewith.

A method of producing a gas from a combustible material is provided. The method comprises the steps of loading the combustible material into a containment structure and sealing it therein. An oxidant is fed into the sealed containment structure with a controlled flow rate and a controlled rate of movement such that the combustible material is partly converted, thereby leaving behind thermally affected layers of combustible material after the injection point has passed through the material. At least some of the combustible material is converted into molten slag and or char that accumulates as the bottom-most thermally affected layer and subsequently cools and solidifies. The method is characterised in that it further includes the step of discharging solid slag and or char in the bottom-most thermally affected layer from under material that remains in the containment structure to remove solid slag and or char from the containment structure.