GB2044421A - Combustion of waste materials - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for providing total combustion of burnable waste materials comprises a housing (2) mounted upon wheels, the housing forming a firebox (4) having upper and lower combustion chambers (6, 5 respectively) therein, a pair of feed chutes (23, 24) for feeding the combustion chambers, respectively, closure means (8) pivotally connected to the housing (2) and providing for coverage of the feed chutes (23, 24) and entrance into the combustion chambers (5, 6). A flue (3) is connected to the housing (2), above the combustion chambers (5, 6), and extends partially into the upper or secondary combustion chamber (6). An exhaust stack may be provided to fit on the flue (3), the stack including a series of cylindrical sections of different diametric sizes, with the sections of greater diameter partially lapping and extending above the sections of smaller diameter therebelow, and a truncated shaped section connected upon the uppermost cylindrical section. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Combustion of waste materials FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an incinerating apparatus, and more specifically pertains to an incinerating apparatus that has utility for providing energy conversion and does so with significantly reduced pollution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For the past decade considerable emphasis has been placed upon the environmental aspects of our society, and most prominent has been the reduction in the amount of industrial and residbntial pollutants that are emitted into our atmosphere.

Many, if not most of the incinerating, burning, and cooking units that readily give off their gases of combustion to the atmosphere have not been designed to satisfactorily control or prevent air pollution.

As an example, the various styles of portable cooking units, generally identified as barbecuing devices, and such as shown in United States No. 3,991,666, comprise a rather complex pit and oven combination which readily burns charcoal or other combustible materials under an open grate, thereby emitting polluting gases and smoke directly into the surrounding atmosphere. United States patent No.3,602,161, discloses an incinerator for trash or other waste material which includes a lower trash-receiving chamber, and an upper smoke incinerating chamber, both for the purpose of providing for extra burning of deposited waste material, but the upper chamber provides for direct discharge of smoke uninhibitively out of an integral stack and to the atmosphere, all without any supplemental treatment or means to provide reduced contamination from such discharge.One of the most notorious of pollutants is the smoke given off by the burning of various elastomeric and polymeric materials, such as rubber and plastics. United States patent No. 3,572,265, recognizes this problem, and provides some means for remedying the same through the use of multipie burners for initially heating and gasifying such solid waste, and with a further attempt to reduce the carried pollutants in the fumes by causing an after burning of the fumes within the emitting stack. Baffling means have been tried for reducing pollutants, and as can be seen in United States patent No. 3,334,598, an oil fired household garbage incinerator incorporating breather ports for the purpose of assuring prompt discharge of gases and fumes from the incinerator, at least during initial garbage ignition.

The foregoing incinerators have been helpful in providing some reduction in the quantity of pollutants admitted to the atmosphere, over the type of incinerating devices which were earlier devised, such as shown in the United States patent No. 2,127,328, but, by and large, these more contemporary incinerators are more concerned with providing means for reduction of solid waste material, on a more bulk scale, and are not generally concerned with the amount of pollutants that may be generated therefrom, once the discarding of the solid waste has been effected, as through incineration.

Various other incinerators of the foregoing types are shown in United States patent Nos.

3,412,697; 3,044,421; 2,882,842; 2,956,526; 3,089,440; 3,610,179; 3,215,101;and 3,248,178.

These are all examples of the known extent of the development of the state of the art with respect to this particular field of technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, provides: an energy converting apparatus which combines the feature solid waste incineration, substantially reduced pollutant discharge, and energy conversion by way of steam pressure or provision of a heat source, as for use in cooking or heating, all embodied within a single structure; means for providing total combustion of a burnable solid waste material and an after burning of its generated gases of combustion in an effort to significantly reduce if not eliminate the polluting characteristics normally carried by smoke or other discharge into the atmosphere; the use of dual combustion chambers for inducing forced burning at significantly elevated temperatures of solid waste material for attaining complete combustion;; an incinerating apparatus that may incorporate boiler tubes for providing a supplemental means for generating of usable energy; a solid waste incinerating apparatus which can give off a significant amount of tapable heat energy that may be used for heating purposes, such as for a living enclosure, or even for use-for cooking, or other heat consuming purposes; a novel exhaust stack for an incinerating apparatus that assures the full exposure of the heated flue gases to an abundant quantity of oxygen to assure complete combustion and elimination of the polluting aspects of smoke before its discharge to the atmosphere; for purifying the exhaust from an incinerating apparatus so that smoke discharge will be clear, and free from any soot and the usual unspent hydrocarbóns that normally furnish the deleterious polluting aspects to this type of smoke exhaust;; an incinerating apparatus having supplemental beneficial aspects as a secondary energy source that is easy to use, compact in structure, and low in cost to manufacture; an incinerating apparatus having the foregoing advantages)and which is readily portable for ease of mobility around the property.

This invention contemplates the formation of a housing, preferably wheel mounted to enhance its portability, with its housing being segregated into a pair of combustion chambers, one above the other, the first chamber comprising a primary combustion chamber, and into which most of the solid waste hydrocarbon material, and wood, leaves, etc., will be inserted, and having the secondary combustion chamber arranged directly thereabove and into which additional quantities of combustible material will be inserted so as to provide for secondary burning not only for eliminating its waste, but to provide for an afterburning of the flue gases and before they are discharged from the apparatus stack.As is well known, various types of trash may give off slight gases in the category of methane, ethane, or ethylene, and when the trash is burned, in addition to its evoived gas, are combusted into carbon dioxide and moisture or water vapor. In the concept of eliminating pollution, particularly from flue gases and smoke, it is desirable that the end product generated from the same will be a pure carbon dioxide and water.

But achieving this has not been, in the past, a primary goal, and since the incipiency of the various clean air laws, as previously explained, to attain a more pure or clearer flue gas, or more specifically, a smokeless trash destruction by combustion, such has just not been an easy feat to attain.

The current invention recognized the foregoing problems, provides a particularly styled incinerating device which seeks to attain a high temperature of heat, during its operation, maintain the same for some period of time, so that all of the flue gases generated within the apparatus, and before the same are exhausted, will be subjected to these elevated temperatures, fully oxidized, and completely combusted, thereby eliminating the conveyance of any of the entrained hydrocarbons, which are usually the deleterious particies forming the smoke, before they are conveyed for discharge to the atmosphere.

Secondary benefits derived from the current invention, structured as previously explained, include means for utilization of the solid waste or burnable cellulostic material, as for example, for generating of a heat source, which can be tapped for heating of the residence, or other building, and likewise furnish energy for cooking, or even for industrial uses. Thus, other national resources or energy that are very apparently becoming in short supply, such as gas or electricity, can be conserved.Thus, an invention of this type, as distinct from the earlier type of incinerating devices made available, and as previously explained, can provide a form of solution to the elimination of solid combustible waste, while simultaneously offering, at least on the residential or smaii industrial scale, a means for conserving energy by attaining its supply from this alternative source, and do so with little formed pollution.

It is essential that the current invention maintain a high degree of temperature within its apparatus, so that as previously explained, full combustion will take place and incompiete combustion eliminated, which is usually caused from lower temperatures generated within certain types of earlier incinerating devices. It is this incomplete combustion that allows for the various hydrocarbons to become entrained within the flue gas exhaust, and be harmfully discharged into the atmosphere. To attain such elevated heat, the current invention does incorporate the dual combustion chambers, one above the other, and each of which chamber has associated therewith a feed chute that can provide for a batch or continuous flow of combustbile waste material into its respective chambers.The continuous supply of combustible hydrocarbon material into these chambers maintains a continuous burn, and the development of significant heat therein during functioning. The invention further comprehends the use of even forced burning in order to maintain the elevated heat desired, since it has been found, through experimentation, that most of the carbonaceous components within flue gases can be fully burned at a temperature above 1 500 degrees F. An example of forced burning may include the use of one or more compressed gas burners, such as propane, or the like, which may discharge its flame directly into the primary and/or secondary combustion chambers for stimulating a continuous heavy flame within said chambers in order to insure full combustion. Furthermore the flue of the apparatus, that which communicates with the secondary and upper combustion chamber, may extend slightly downwardly therein so as to provide a momentary retention of the heated gases within the upper chamber and provide for their continuous exposure to the high heat generated within the combustion chambers before they are discharged from the stack to the atmosphere.

Through usage of this invention, and with the use of various temperatures and chemical detecting devices the temperature and component profile of this current apparatus provided the following results: Operating Time: 15 20 30 35 40 45 50 60 67 69 72 82 Fuel Input: (Cumulative) (Ibs.) 10 20 30 Temperatures: (bF) Stack Outlet: 600 670 Stack Center: Firebox Top: (Exterior) 295 333 415 420 465 395 500 505 Combustion Chamber: 1675 (Lower) Gas Measurements: Percent CO2 8.0 Percent 0 2 20.8 As can be seen, the temperatures within the main combustion chambers of this invention, and more specifically in the region of the lower combustion chamber, after an incremental time of apparatus operation, sustains a temperature in excess of this 1 6000 0., which is a rather hot heat for any incinerating type of apparatus, and thereby provides for the full combustion of all of the solid waste material fed into both the primary and secondary combustion chambers, in addition to providing for full combustion of any remaining hydrocarbons that may be entrained within the flue gases of combustion before they escape around the downwardly depending flue for conveyance to the atmosphere.Tests have Indicated that the temperature within the various combustion chambers have even exceeded 2000OF. and maintained at that temperature, in order to attain the complete combustion desired from this invention.

Various other attributes of this invention include the locating of the apparatus within a specially designed enclosure, one that may be vented, but yet provided with sufficient coverage so as to prevent the entrance of any elements therein. Thus, at that instance where the device may be used for generating steam pressure, it can be fully operated even during inclement weather, so as to furnish that type of supplemental energy source continuously, and without obstruction. The uniquely designed stack of this invention incorporates means for the continuous feeding of oxygen to the discharging flue gases, so that even a final slight combustion may take place upon exposure of the added oxygen to the heated gases, so as to eliminate, fully, the deleterious hydrocarbonaceous aspects of smoke before it reaches the atmosphere.During testing, this invention, when properly operating, and burning waste material, discharges flue gases that are clear to vision, thereby complying with local ordinances against the discharge of any smoke from residential burning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an incinerating and energy converting apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the incinerating apparatus shown in Figure 1, and further disclosing, in hidden line, its internally arranged operative components; Figure 3 is a plan view of the incinerating apparatus; Figure 4 is a front view of the incinerating apparatus; Figure 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 and showing primary and secondary combustion chambers; Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus disclosing the feed chutes leading towards their respective combustion chambers, taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 2;; Figure 7 is a complete side view of the apparatus, also showing its integral stack mounted upon the apparatus flue; Figure 8 is a top view of the exhaust stack; Figure 9 is a bottom view of the exhaust stack, taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a modification of the apparatus wherein its flue gases are conveyed by means of a directed blower through a boiler for generation of steam; Figure 11 is a modification of the apparatus showing the arrangement of the boiler tubes within its combustion chambers for generation of supplemental energy; and; Figure 1 2 provides a perspective view of a specially designed enclosure for housing the incinerating and energy converting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 of the drawings shows an incinerating and energy converting apparatus 1. As can also be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the apparatus includes a housing 2 having a flue 3 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the housing, with the housing 2 having a fire box 4 provided therein and in which the fires of combustion occur during usage of the apparatus. The housing firebox 4 is formed into two compartments, comprising the primary and secondary combustion chambers 5 and 6, respectively, and in which the burning of the combustible hydrocarbon waste materials occurs. Pivotally mounted proximate its upper end, as at 7, is a closure means 8, and which rests upon a lower base 9, being held thereto by means of a locking mechanism 10.

Extending downwardly from the housing 2, and the base 9, is a compartment 11 , which may be used for storage of other instruments, or even kindling, having access thereto through the door 1 2.

Extending from either side of the storage compartment 11 are the standards 13, which cooperate for holding an axle 14 for mounting of the rear wheels 1 5. Projecting downwardly at the frontal end of the apparatus, and beneath the base 9, is a frame member 1 6 that is useful for pivotally mounting of the directional wheel 1 7, as shown. Connecting with the yoik 1 87 of the wheel 1 7 is a tow bar 1 9, having a handle 20 located at its forwardmost end, and which is useful for providing the means for pulling of the apparatus, in addition to giving the direction of movement to the front wheel 17, and therefore, the entire apparatus.As can be seen, the yolk 1 8 has a shaft 21 extending upwardly therefrom, and which is bearing mounted within the frame member 1 6. The two bar also furnishes a brake 42 that can be pressed against the tire 1 7 for curtailing movement.

As previously commented, the firebox 4 is segregated into a pair of upper and lower, secondary and primary combustion chambers, respectively, and which chambers are separated by means of the grate 22. Thus, any waste material for burning deposited within the primary combustion chamber 5, when ignited, will direct its flame upwardly through the grill 22 and furnish a burning of similar material deposited within the secondary combustion chamber 6. To attain deposition of waste combustible material into firebox there is provided a chute means associated with each of the combustion chambers.

An upper chute means 23 is useful for feeding combustible material into the secondary combustion chamber 6, while a lower chute means 24 facilitates the delivery of the combustible material into the primary combustion chamber 5. It may also be commented that in order to insure the adequate build up of heat, and retention of the same, within the fire box that insulation, such as refractory material, as in the category of DB No. 1 firebrick, as at 25, is provided for surrounding the said firebox, and therein insure an adequate build up of heat within the same.And, this firebrick insulation is surrounded by the housing 2, which may be formed of a sheet metal material of sufficient thickness to provide structural rigidity to the said housing, withstand deterioration, particularly that which may be caused by continuous exposure to heat and some moisture, but at the same time, being sufficiently thin so as to reduce the weight of the entire apparatus.

Provided below the lower chute 24, and in the base 9, may be located structural means useful for supporting a compressed gas burner, such as the propane burner 26, and which directs its nozzle 27 into the lower combustion chamber 5 for ejection of a flame into the same. This particular burner is optional in the device, since it has been found, through experimentation, that the degrees of heat built up in both the primary and as a result the secondary combustion chambers of this invention are adequate for furnishing that heat found necessary for attaining full combustion of all of the hydrocarbon aspects of the waste materials being burned.Also located within this base 9, and more specifically formed through its frontal panel 28, is a vented opening 29 that allows for entrance of air into the vicinity of the firebox, so as to provide for the access of oxygen for feeding of the fires of combustion therein for sustaining the operations of this invention.

It can be seen that the flue 3 of the housing, may extend partially downwardly into the secondary combustion chamber 6, as can be seen at 30, and this is useful for providing for some accumulation of heat at the upper regions of the secondary combustion chamber so that sufficient hotness is maintained at that location, and which stimulates the complete burning of all of the waste materials, in addition to preventing the entrainment and exhausting of any of the carbonaceous elements that may be exhausted by the stack of this apparatus. In referring to also Figures 7 through 9 of the drawings, mounted upon the flue 3 is the exhaust stack 31 of this invention. This exhaust stack includes a series of cylindrical sections as at 32 and 33, with the section 32 being of greater diameter than the flue 3, but of lesser diameter than the outer concentrically aranged stack section 33. These sections are all secured together by means of a bracing, as at 34, and a series of baffles, as at 35 and 36, may be partially arranged across each of the stack sections so as to provide some cascading of the flue gases of exhaustion as they rise upwardly through the stack for emission into the atmosphere. In any event, because of the different diametric sizes of these various stack sections, and their partial overlapping in their shown vertical arrangement, sufficient clearance is provided, as at 37 and 38, for allowing the reentrance of air, and more specifically oxygen, into the stack for insuring complete combustion of the flue gases as they rise out of the apparatus.A truncated shaped stack section 39 is held by bracing 40 to the larger stack section 33, arranged therebelow, and with the truncated stack section having a reduced diameter opening, as at 41, so as to provide for a channelling of the exhaust gases out of a smaller or confined area when discharged into the atmosphere. As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, various bracings, as previously explained at 34, are useful for securing these various stack sections, including the upper truncated stack section, by means of its bracing 40, together, and in combination providing for their mounting upon the top of the apparatus flue 3.

Since this invention does comprehend various energy conversion means, furnishing supplemental usage for the apparatus, by referring to Figure 10, it can be seen that the apparatus 1 may be used in combination with a boiler 2 for providing a generation of steam, and which steam may be used for various heating or pressure usage, as for turning of a turbine, when used in the generation of electricity.

As can be seen, the upper stack portion 43 functions as a hood upon the other stack section 31, as previously analyzed, and which hood 43 communicates with the ductwork 44 for channelling the flue gases through the boiler, and wherein they may heat any fluid contained within the boiler tubes (not shown) for use in the generation of steam or the like. A low pressure fan or blower 45 may be used for attracting the flue gases through the hood 43, and the duct 44, to the vicinity of the boiler, and then exhaust the flue gases out of its port 46, for venting them to the atmosphere.

As can be seen in Figure 11, the boiler 48 may simply dispose its tubes 49 in heat exchanging relationship through the various combustion chambers within the firebox 50, wherein the heated combustion gases may be used for creating high pressure steam, in the boiler, for other uses, as for example, in the generation of electricity, to provide heat, to run air conditioning or heating systems, or the like, as previously explained. In this particular example, the spent gases of the combustion, which will have been rendered sufficiently clear of any hydrocarbons by means of the primary and secondary combustion that takes place within the firebox 50, will be vented to the atmosphere through the stack 51.

Figure 12 discloses an enclosure 52 that may be used for housing of the apparatus 1, so that the apparatus may be continuously fired for indefinite durations and freed from exposure to increment or cold weather conditions. The enclosure includes a series of walls 53 and 54, resting upon a bottom frame 55, and which bottom frame may include various leveling shims, as at 56, for allowing installation of the enclosure even on rough terrain. Each of the wali panels 53 and 54 include a series of pivotally opening vent panels 57, useful for being opened so as to provide for this supplying of air, and oxygen, to the interior of the enclosure for feeding the fires of combustion taken place within the incinerating apparatus 1.The upper roof of the enclosure 52 may be slanted, as shown at 58, with the ridge of the roof incorporating one or more roof vents 59, which may be pivoted open, as can be seen schematically within the drawing, so as to provide for ready egress of the spent flue gases out of the enclosure. A cupola section, as at 60, is held by a series of supports 61, upwardly from a roof vent 59, so as to allow for the exhausting of the gases of combustion from the enclosure, while preventing the entrance of any rain, snow, or other elements into the interior of the enclosure during its usage.

It has been found during experimentation with this apparatus that the various upper surfaces of the apparatus, such as the upper surface 62 of the housing 2, or the upper surface 63 of the closure member, or even the upper feed chute 23, are sufficiently heated during the usage of this apparatus so as to support the cooking of any items or foods resting thereupon, thereby allowing this device to have ready usage, as for recreational purposes, when located at, for example, a clubhouse, or the like. Thus, this particular invention has ready application for a variety of purposes and, as its name implies, provides for not only elimination of waste materials, but while said waste materials are being combusted, the device may be used for energy conversion purposes, for providing heat, steam for generation purposes, or even for common cooking, as at a vacation cottage, or the like.

Claims (31)

1. An apparatus for fully burning waste combustible materials with reduced dissemination of pollutant fumes, comprising a housing, the housing incorporating a firebox, the firebox being segregated into two chambers, one of the chambers being an upper disposed secondary combustion chamber, a grate member separating the chambers, a flue connected to and providing for gas discharge from the chambers, access means providing entrance into both of the chambers for deposition of waste combustible material therein, wherein upon ignition of said combustible arranged in the chambers, the burning in the secondary chamber acts to provide a complete forced combustion of any hydrocarbonaceous materials entrained within the agressing flue gases.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a feed chute associated with each of the access means into the combustion chambers, the feed chutes extending forwardly of the housing and being disposed for facilitating the deposition of waste materials into each of the primary and second combustion chambers during operation of the apparatus.

3. An apparatus according to either preceding claim, wherein said secondary combustion chamber is structurally arranged directly above the primary combustion chamber.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the combustion chambers are lined with insulation.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said insulation comprises firebrick.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is portable.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a series of wheels support the portable apparatus.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one of the wheels comprises a directional wheel and is capable of turning for providing unlinear movement to the apparatus.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 and including bar means operatively connected with the directional wheel to provide means for turning of the wheel during apparatus movement.

1 0. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said flue extends downwardly into the secondary combustion chamber.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an exhaust stack is provided upon said flue, the stack providing for intermixing of the said flue gases with oxygen to ensure complete combustion before emission of the gases into the atmosphere.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said stack includes a series of cylindrical sections, each section being of different diameter, the said sections being partially concentrically arranged and having the greater diametric sections partially lapping and extending above a section of lesser diameter.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 and including a truncated stack section connecting upon the uppermost cylindrical section of the stack and for exhausting the gases of combustion from an upper reduced sized aperture thereof.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1 3 and including brace means structurally securing the cylindrical and truncated stack sections together.

15. An apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14, including baffle means structurally securing within the cylindrical sections and providing a circuitous path for flow of the exiting flue gases.

1 6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including boiler means, said boiler means including a series of tubes, said boiler tubes extending through at least one of said primary and secondary combustion chambers, and said boiler when operative having a supply of fluid therein for generating pressure from the heat prevailing in the said combustion chambers.

1 7. An apparatus according to claim 11 or any of claims 12 to 1 6 as appendant thereto, including a hood provided over the stack, a duct communicating with said hood, a boiler, said boiler having a series of tubes, the boiler tube being exposed within the said duct, a blower connecting with the duct and when operative drawing the heated flue gases through the duct and across the boiler tubes for generating a pressure therein.

1 8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, and including an enclosure for the said apparatus, said enclosure having at least one vent opening therethrough, an exhaust outlet provided through the upper region of the enclosure, and said apparatus being disposed therein and when operating exhausting its gases of combustion through the enclosure outlet.

1 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 8, including closure means for the said exhaust outlet, said closure means being pivotal between opened and closed positions, and when opened the exhaust outlet allowing for escape of the gases of combustion from the operating apparatus and the enclosure.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1 8 or 19, including a cupola covering said exhaust outlet to allow for the exhausting of gases while preventing the entrance of the elements into the said enclosure.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including an air intake provided through the frontal end of the apparatus for feeding oxygen to the combustion chambers.

22. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a closure member for the apparatus, said closure member being pivotally connected to the apparatus and capable of preventing access into the combustion chambers during apparatus operation.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said closure member is elongate and when shut provides for coverage of the feed chutes of the apparatus.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22 or 23 and including a base member supporting the said closure member, said base member at its frontal end including an air intake for feeding oxygen to the combustion chambers during apparatus operation.

25. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including guard means surrounding the apparatus to regard the inadvertent contact with the housing firebox.

26. An apparatus according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 25 as appendent thereto, wherein there are a pair of feed chutes for the apparatus, one of each chute being connected to a respective combustion chamber, and thereby providing means for guiding the deposition of combustible materials into the primary and secondary combustion chambers.

27. An apparatus according to claim 4 or any of claims 5 to 26 as appendent thereto, and including storage space provided beneath the insulated housing, and access means provided upon said storage space.

28. A process of providing primary and secondary combustion of waste combustible material within an incinerating apparatus while providing for the exhausting of reduced polluting gases therefrom, comprising introducing a combustible material into a primary combustion chamber and igniting the same, introducing a waste material into a secondary combustion chamber arranged above the primary chamber to induce its burning and a secondary combusting of the gases generated from the burning of said combustible materials within the primary and secondary combustion chambers for providing after-burning of the gases of combustion, and thereafter exhausting the generated nonpolluting flue gases from the apparatus.

29. A process according to claim 28, including feeding additional combustible material into the combustion chambers to sustain a temperature above 1 500 degrees F., and thereby maintaining a heated environment within the said apparatus to sustain secondary combustion and issuance of nonpolluting flue gases of combustion from the said apparatus.

30. An apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

31. A process according to claim 28, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.