Environment International, VoL 20, No. 1, pp. I-IX, 1994 Copyright© 1994 Elsevier Scieaaee Ltd Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 0160-4120/94 $6.00 + .00
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NEW PATENTS This section contains abstracts and, where appropriate, illustrations of recently issued United States patents and published patent application filed from over 30 countries under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This information was obtained from recent additions to the PATSEARCH *>online database in accordance with interest profiles developed by the Editors. Further information about online patent searching can be obtained from Research on Demand, Inc., 2421 Fourth Street, Ste. C., Berkeley, CA 94710, U.S.A. [Tel. 510-841 1145; Fax 510-841 6311].
34298 METHOD FOR WASTE DISPOSAL Gregory Gitman, Boris Khudenko assigned to American Combustion Inc The invention relates to an afterburner apparatus and an incineration system and methods of waste destruction in primary incineration combustion means and afterburner means which both preferably utilize at least two different oxidizing gases. By varying the ratio of said oxidizing gases, the amount of total oxygen and nitrogen delivered in either means can be dynamically adjusted in accordance with the process requirements. Varying the flows of at least two oxydizing gases and auxiliary fuel in both the primary incinerator and afterburner makes it possible to operate the system under fluctuating waste loading conditions, by controlling temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and heat available for the process as a function of said ratio.
5207176 HAZARDOUS WASTE INCINERATOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM Robert Morhard, Peter J Astrauskas, Michael E Weber, Irving H Tyler, Donald R Beltz, Mark Zaugg, Stanley E Hill, Charles J Trom, Johnny R Isbell, Thomas E Berty assigned to ICI Explosives USA Inc A hazardous waste incinerator (100) includes a rotary kiln (120) with a helical flight (250) within. The kiln (120) is fed hazardous waste by either a continuous feed system (164) or a positive feed system (162). The kiln (120) is corn-
prised of six retort sections (202, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210). The combusted waste is separated into ash and recoverable metals. The air flow is counter to the flow of waste through the kiln (120), with exhaust gases vented from the kiln entrance. Fugitive emissions are also contained by shrouds (164, 166) and containment building (160). These exhaust gases pass through the secondary combustor (130) to ensure destruction of any principle organic hazardous constituents. The exhaust gases are then treated in a spray dryer (140) to cool it and neutralize any acidic components. A baghouse (150) then removes any remaining particulate matter before the exhaust exits the stack (156). The control system includes a program-controlled processor unit (400) connected by an optical/electrical interface (402) to an optical data highway loop (404). All parametric sensors of each subsystem is connected to the data loop (404).
5207869 EVAPORATIVE REDUCTION OF WASTE LIQUID H David Harmoning, Guy Marhhesseault assigned to Clivus Multrum Inc A liquid waste reduction system uses an evaporator having two packed columns. A reservoir of the evaporator has three level sensor which monitor the fluid level in the reservoir. An input pump delivers waste liquid to the reservoir. When the fluid level has exceeded a low level, a control unit powers an output pump which pumps liquid from the base of the reservoir to an external storage unit. A distributor pump pumps liquid from the reservoir to the top of the packed columns. A blower forces air upward through the packing material to evaporate water from the liquid. When the fluid level has exceeded a high