Method of operating a long direct-fired inclined counterflow rotary kiln for the thermal treatment of material and counterflow rotary kiln adapted for same, whereby material to be treated is introduced into the kiln at the inlet end and treated material is evacuated from the kiln at the outlet end, whereby a main combustion zone extends inside the kiln over a distance of ¼ to ⅓ of the internal length L.sub.int of the kiln, whereby a supplementary combustion zone in which supplementary combustion takes place with an oxygen-rich oxidant extends inside the kiln over a distance from the inlet end of at most ¼ of the internal length L.sub.int, and whereby no combustion takes place in a heat exchange zone located between the main combustion zone and the supplementary combustion zone.

A method is provided for thermally converting non-radioactive combustible wastes to a substantially non-hazardous, non-leachable, sintered particulate carbon-less ash by-product in a kiln having a plurality of reaction zones. The kiln including first and second ends and a body provided between the first and second ends that defines a cavity having a refractory lining that provides resistance to heat conduction. A processor and flow rate controllers are provided that control a flow rate through the body of waste that enters at the first end of the kiln and the flow rate of oxidant gas that enters at the second end of the kiln, the second end being opposite to the first end. The body may be positioned substantially horizontal and may include a length-to-diameter ratio and a resistance to heat conduction that provides a temperature gradient within the cavity to forms separate reaction zones during operation.

Method of operating a long direct-fired inclined counterflow rotary kiln for the thermal treatment of material and counterflow rotary kiln adapted for same, whereby material to be treated is introduced into the kiln at the inlet end and treated material is evacuated from the kiln at the outlet end, whereby a main combustion zone extends inside the kiln over a distance of to of the internal length L.sub.int of the kiln, whereby a supplementary combustion zone in which supplementary combustion takes place with an oxygen-rich oxidant extends inside the kiln over a distance from the inlet end of at most of the internal length L.sub.int, and whereby no combustion takes place in a heat exchange zone located between the main combustion zone and the supplementary combustion zone.

The present invention relates to reaction equipment for the treatment of organic and/or inorganic waste of refineries or petrochemical plants comprising: a drying and pyrolysis device (4) which rotates around its longitudinal, tilted rotation axis (A), a gasification device (6) which rotates around its longitudinal, horizontal rotation axis (B), a combustion device (14) comprising a burner (13) having a longitudinal horizontal axis (C), at least one settling chamber (15) for the collection of intermediate solid residues and the accumulation of intermediate gaseous reaction products, at least one outlet duct of the gaseous end-products (16), at least one outlet duct of the solid end-products (7), and at least one inlet duct of the feedstock (2) said combustion device (14), drying and pyrolysis device (4), gasification device (6) are physically separated and positioned on three different levels, the longitudinal rotation axis (A) of the drying and pyrolysis device (4) is tilted with respect to both the longitudinal rotation axis (B) of the gasification device (6) and also with respect to the longitudinal axis (C) of the combustion device (14), the longitudinal rotation axis (B) of the gasification device (6) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (C) of the combustion device (14), the combustion device (14) is in fluid communication with the drying and pyrolysis device (4), the drying and pyrolysis device (4) comprises, in its interior, a first indirect heat exchange device (3) in which the combustion fumes coming from the combustion device (14) flow, at least one settling chamber (15) in fluid communication with said drying and pyrolysis device (4) and with said gasification device (6) and with said combustion device (14), conveying means (5) are positioned in the settling chamber (15) and put the drying and pyrolysis device (4) in fluid communication with the gasification device, it comprises a second heat exchange device (12) in fluid communication with the first indirect heat exchange device (3) and the combustion device (14), it comprises means for the suction of the intermediate gaseous reaction products, said means being positioned in the settling chamber (15).

This invention provides a system and method for efficiently and completely combusting oil in mixture with particulate solids. A furnace (kiln) having a feed nozzle with a lead screw drives the mixture from a feed hopper. This nozzle includes forced-air jets/ports at its tip providing makeup air and allowing atomization of the mixture. The nozzle thereby directs the mixture into a rotating combustion chamber that is tilted downwardly from the front toward a solid waste outlet port at the rear. Uncombusted fuel and air backflow to an upper, secondary chamber near the primary chamber front, and are completely combusted at a high temperature. Gasses exit a flue that can include a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger can be operatively connected to a heating device or other mechanism that converts the heat into usable energy. The nozzle can include a cone with axially tilted air ports about its perimeter.

A method is provided for thermally converting non-radioactive combustible wastes to a substantially non-hazardous, non-leachable, sintered particulate carbon-less ash by-product in a kiln having a plurality of reaction zones. The kiln including first and second ends and a body provided between the first and second ends that defines a cavity having a refractory lining that provides resistance to heat conduction. A processor and flow rate controllers are provided that control a flow rate through the body of waste that enters at the first end of the kiln and the flow rate of oxidant gas that enters at the second end of the kiln, the second end being opposite to the first end. The body may be positioned substantially horizontal and may include a length-to-diameter ratio and a resistance to heat conduction that provides a temperature gradient within the cavity to forms separate reaction zones during operation.

The present invention provides a method of generating combustible gas from organic feedstock, such as the organic components of municipal waste, and a reactor therefor. The feedstock is processed through a plurality of reaction zones within the reactor, wherein the environment of each of the zones facilitates physical or chemical reactions that work to transform the organic feedstock into one or more combustible gases that can be burned for energy production.