Method for treating solid waste based on a gradient composed of two distinct thermal sources

Abstract

A process and system for the treatment of solid waste based on a temperature gradient generated by two distinct thermal sources, notably of a sequenced technological assembly, is able to process solid waste of any class, which operates through a reactor (1) having two chambers (2 and 3), each having a thermal source (4 and 5), where a thermal gradient is generated, followed by a heat exchanger (6) where gases are abruptly cooled and taken to a neutralizing tank (7), for then being directed to an activated charcoal filter (8), due to the action of a blower (9), before finally entering a burner (10) that works under electrical discharges, passing through a catalytic converter (11) and chimney (12) where it is extravasated into the completely inert atmosphere.

Claims

1. A process for the treatment of solid waste provided to a processing system, said processing system comprising a reactor (1) configured to operate at a negative pressure, and having first and second chambers (2 and 3) namely a pyrolysis chamber (2) and a fusion chamber (3) for ash and inert material, respectively, said reactor (1) configured to achieve a temperature gradient of between 900 C. to 1600 C. between said first and second chambers (2, 3), said temperature gradient provided by first and second power controlled thermal sources (4 and 5), said first power controlled thermal source (4) coupled to said pyrolysis chamber (2) and serving as a controlled thermal source for said pyrolysis chamber (2), and said second power controlled thermal source (5) coupled to said fusion chamber (3) and serving as a controlled thermal source for said fusion chamber (3), said process for the treatment of said solid waste provided to said processing system comprising: initiating the treatment of solid waste by said processing system, said step of initiating the treatment of solid waste comprising providing the solid waste to the pyrolysis chamber (2) of said primary reactor (1) in substantial absence of air; subjecting said solid waste to be treated in said pyrolysis chamber (2) to a first temperature established by said first power controlled thermal source (4), said solid waste treated in said pyrolysis chamber (2) at a first temperature undergoing pyrolysis which causes formation of a quantity of gases and ash; establishing a temperature gradient in said primary reactor (1) by establishing a second temperature utilizing said second power controlled thermal source (5) in said fusion chamber (3); removing said quantity of gases from the pyrolysis chamber (2) utilizing a suction device (18); directing said removed gases to a heat exchanger (6); cooling said removed gases utilizing a water circulating via a pump (19) and utilizing air at an external environmental temperature with the aid of a radiator (20); wherein said heat exchanger (6) is configured to condensing oil and water from said removed gases utilizing said heat exchanger (6); directing said condensed oil and water by gravity to a tank (21); injecting said cooled and removed gases into an alkaline water containing tank (7), said alkaline water recirculated constantly with the aid of a pump (22) and filter (23) assembly and cooled in a radiator (24); removing effluent gases from the alkaline water containing tank (7) utilizing a blower (9); directing said effluent gases removed from said alkaline water containing tank (7) through an activated charcoal filter (8); directing said effluent gases from said activated charcoal filter (8) to a combustor (10) having an electrical discharge generator, said electrical discharge generator configured for oxidizing fuel gases contained in said effluent gases; and after said fuel gases contained in said effluent gases are oxidized in said combustor (10), directing remaining effluent gases from said combustor (10) to a catalytic converter (11), said catalytic configured to ensure maximum reduction of NOx, CO and other gases being released to atmosphere through a chimney (12).

2. The process for the treatment of solid waste according to claim 1, further including the step of discharging a first liquefaction product of said treatment of solid waste through an opening (14) in the fusion chamber (3) of the reactor (1); collecting said discharged liquefaction product in a first crucible (15); and cooling and vitrifying said discharged first liquefaction product.

3. The process for the treatment of solid waste according to claim 2, further including the step of liquefying ferrous metals in the solid waste; collecting said liquefied ferrous metals at a bottom region of the reactor (1) as a second liquefaction product of said treatment of solid waste; and discharging said second liquefaction product through a bottom opening (16) in the fusion chamber (3) of the reactor (1) to a second crucible (17).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic flowchart of the process for the treatment of solid waste based on gradient comprising two thermal sources in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(3) The PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTE BASED ON GRADIENT COMPOSED OF TWO DISTINCT THERMAL SOURCES, object of this patent of invention application, refers to a sequenced technological assembly capable of processing solid waste of any class, which operates by means of a reactor (1) having two chambers (2 and 3), each having a heat source (4 and 5), where a thermal gradient is generated, followed by a heat exchanger (6) where the gases are abruptly cooled and taken to a neutralizing tank (7), for then being directed to an activated charcoal filter (8) due to the action of a blower (9), for finally entering a burner (10) which works under electrical discharges, passing through a catalytic converter (11) and chimney (12) where it is filtered out to the completely inert atmosphere.

(4) More particularly, the process claimed herein according to the FIGURE flow chart consists in the principle of use of a thermal gradient. In the primary chamber (2), after the feeding of the residue through the door (13), the material to be processed is directed to the center of the reactor (1), wherein in the primary chamber (2) it is subjected to the effect of a moderate radiation, having maximum temperature of 1200 C., being able to operate at 900 C., as a function of the residue being processed and the electric energy savings. In this way, the solid residue at 1200 C. in substantial absence of air, undergoes pyrolysis with formation of small quantity of gases, and the ash generated in this step is directed by gravity to the second chamber (3).

(5) Chamber (2) is assisted by a heat source (4) capable to generate heat in the range of 900 C. to 1200 C., therefore having calculated power, which optimizes and ensures the complete pyrolysis of non-inert waste, resulting in the formation of ash, gas and heated inert materials. In the fusion chamber (3), also assisted by the heat source (5), ash and inert materials coming from the primary chamber (1) are liquefied at temperatures in the range of 1400 C.-1600 C., having automatically controlled power, wherein the heat source (5) is adjusted on as a function of the material being processed. The liquefaction product is leaked through an opening (14) in the reactor (1), collected in a crucible (15), cooled and vitrified. This by-product has inert properties regarding toxicity. Having presence of ferrous metals in the garbage, such as nickel, chromium, iron and others, they it also be liquefied and, due to its greater density, a second phase of liquefied material will form at the bottom of the reactor (1), which will be leaked to the crucible (17) through the bottom opening (16).

(6) In turn, the gases resulting from pyrolysis are sucked by a sucker (18), which causes the reactor (1) to work at negative pressure and are directed to a heat exchanger (6) where they suffer sudden cooling by water circulating via pump (19) and cooled by air in external environment with the aid of radiator (20). In the heat exchanger (6), there is condensation of oil and water, which are carried by gravity to a tank (21). Once cooled, these gases are injected into an alkaline water tank (7) concentrated with sodium hydroxide for greater cooling, Ph neutralization and treatment.

(7) The water in this tank (7) is constantly recirculated with the aid of a pump (22) and filter (23) assembly for then being cooled in the radiator (24) and returned to the tank (7) itself. On the other hand, the effluent gases of tank (7) are sucked by blower (9) to an activated charcoal filter (8), which promotes the complete reduction of particulate matter and complex molecules and molecules that harmful to the environment, such as dioxins and furans.

(8) Upon passing through the activated charcoal filter (8), they are sent to a combustor (10) where the fuel gases are oxidized. The combustor (10) has an electrical discharge generator to assist in the combustion, ensuring complete burning of such gases in the presence of atmospheric air. Finally, after burned, the gases pass through a catalytic converter (11) which ensures maximum reduction of NOx, CO and other gases, being released to the atmosphere through a chimney (12).

(9) Optionally, for cost-effective reasons, the process can happen without the fusion of inert ashes and solid, so that the heat source (5) is not engaged. In this case, ash and inert products will be byproducts of the process.

(10) Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.