NZ270757A - Refuse incinerator with two parallel reburn units with blowers for injecting oxygen containing gas - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. international No. 270757 PCT/ TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates: 12.10.1990 Complete Specification Filed: 12.10.1990 Classification^) F23G5/16.05; F23C1/00; F23H3/00; F23H17/00; F23J1/00 Publication date: 24 October 1997 Journal No.: 1421 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Incinerator improvements Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: JOHN NICHOLAS BASIC, United states citizen of 21W161 Hill Avenue, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137, United States of America 270757 tfhitor *• pro»sio*» of Regulator! 23 (1) the ...

SfNoiftcaitfM lM» /A 0">; ^,r.f.a\39b^ 7 .: / NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 Divided out of New Zealand Patent Specification No. 235675 filed 12 October 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INCINERATOR IMPROVEMENTS I, JOHN NICHOLAS BASIC SR, a US citizen, of 21W161 HiU Avenue, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137, United States of America hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- 27 0 7 5 7 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Some aspects of this invention have been claimed in the parent New Zealand Patent specification No. 235675 and in divisional Patent Specification No. 314563.

N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SFP 1997 RECEIVED 27075 BACKGROUND John N. Basic, Sr., in his 0. S. Patents 4,438,705 issued on March 27, 1984, and 4,516,510 issued on Hay 14, 1985, both entitled "Incinerator With Two Reburn Stages and, Optionally, Heat Recovery", provided an incinerator system and techniques that very significantly advanced the art of incinerating refuse. The disclosures provided equipment and methods for taking waste of vastly different descriptions, heat contents, and wetness and, within one type of equipment, incinerating then in an environmentally acceptable manner. These disclbsures merit a careful understanding and are incorporated by reference.

Not only do Basic's two patents provide a complete incinerator system for burning refuse in bulk or-hydrocarbon liquids, they also provide equipment and techniques for incinerating hydrocarbon-containing fumes from sources which may produce them. Again, they accomplish this result without substantial deleterious effect upon the environment. 27075 Naturally, in a system as complex as that shown by Basic in his two patents, a consideration of the various, components by a creative mind can suggest and lead to Improvements and further developments that can improve the efficiency of the system. Thus, for example, Basic's 0. S. Patent 4,475,469, issued on October 9, 1984, discloses, in conjunction with the above two patents, an improved hearth floor which moves under the influence of impulses to urge the burning debris along from the inlet of the main chamber to the ash outlet. This pulsating hearth developed by Basic represents a significant improvement on the major advances disclosed in hiB two incinerator patentB referenced above.

Austrian patent 317,401 to Bent Faurholdt, published on August 26, 1974, introduces air into a reburn tunnel through a pipe placed on the middle of that tunnel itself. However, Faurholdt suggests no use for his pipe other than introducing the air into the tunnel. Furthermore, introducing the air through perforations in the pipe results in a *T* configuration for the velocity components of the gases. This may even result in the air thus introduce resisting the flew of gases through the reburn tunnel.

Accordingly, the present invention provides additional improvements to an incinerator system that will increase its efficiency. At the same time, the system will have the ability to reach operating temperatures prior to the introduction to refuse and with the expenditure of only minimal amounts of auxiliary fuel. Additionally, in general, the 270 757 developments provide greater ease in the utilization of an incinerator system.

SUMMARY In a first aspect the invention consists in an incinerator system for bulk refuse and hydrocarbon-containing liquids having: (1) a main combustion chamber with: (a) a first inlet opening for the introduction of solid bulk refuse; and (b) a first outlet opening for the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from said main chamber; and (2) a reburn unit with: (a) a second inlet opening, coupled to and in fluid communication with said first outlet opening; (b) a second outlet opening for the egress of I the gaseous products of combustion from • Bald reburn unit; (c) burner means, coupled to said reburn unit, for burning a fuel in said reburn unit; and (d) oxygenating means, coupled to said reburn unit, for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said reburn unit, wherein: (A) said reburn unit includes first and Becond separate reburn sections; (B) said first outlet opening has first and second N.Z. PA" -5- iv.PATENT OFFiCF (followed by page 5a ) - 3 SEP 1997 RECEIVED 270 757 outlet ports each for permitting the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from said main combustion chamber; (C) said second inlet opening has first and second inlet ports, coupled to and ;Ln fluid communication with, respectively, said first and second outlet ports, said first and second inlet ports opening into said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (D) said second outlet opening includes third and fourth outlet ports from said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (E) said burner means includes first and second burner sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for bumping a fuel in said first and second reburn sections, respectively, and (F) said oxygenating means includes first and second oxygenating sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for introducing an ojcygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

In a second aspect the invention consists in a fume burning system for improving the environmental quality of a gaseous fluid emanating from the output of a source and containing combustible hydrocarbons comprising a reburn unit with: (1) an inlet opening, coupled to and in fluid communication with said output; (2) an outlet opening for the egress of the gaseouB products of combustion from said reburn unit; (3) burner means, coupled to said reburn unit, for burning a fuel in said reburn unit; and -5 a- (followed by page -5b-) N.Z. PATENT Or - 3 SflP 199 270 757 (4) oxygenating means, coupled to said reburn unit, for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said reburn unit, wherein: i (A) said reburn unit includes first and second separate reburn sections; (B) said inlet opening has first and second inlet ports, coupled to and In fluid communication with said output, said first and second inlet ports opening into said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (C) said outlet opening includes first and second outlet ports from said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (D) said burner means includes first and second burner sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for burning a fuel in said first and second reburn sections, respectively; and (E) said oxygenating means includes first and second oxygenating sections, coupled to said first arid second reburn sections, respectively, for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

In a third aspect the invention consists in a method of incinerating refuse which comprises: (A) placing bulk refuse through a first inlet opening into a main incinerator chamber; (B) burning Baid bulk refuse to produce gaseous combustion products; (C) passing the gaseous combustion products out of said main combustion chamber through a first -5b- (followed by page -5c-) M *7 p.srrr- r:r-Pf> 270757 outlet opening and directly into a reburn unit via (a) a second inlet opening of a first reburn section of the reburn unit and (b) a third inlet opening of a second reburn section of the reburn unit; (D) burning a fuel in said first and second reburn sections; (B) introducing an amount of an oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections; (F) passing the gaseous combustion products out of said first and second reburn sections through second and third outlet openings respectively.

In a fourth aspect die invention consists in a method of burning fumes emanating from the output of a source comprising: (A) passing said fumes from said output directly into a first inlet opening of a first rebum section of a reburn unit and a second inlet opening of a second reburn section of the reburn unit; sections; (C) introducing an amount of an oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections; and (D) passing the gaseous combustion products out of said first and second reburn sections through first and second outlet openings, respectively.

(B) burning a fuel in said first and second reburn fs'.Z. PATENT OFFICE (followed by page -5d-) -5c- - 3 SEP 1997 RECEIVED 27 0 7 5 7 Typically, a fume burning system improves the environmental quality of a gaseous fluid emanating from the output of some source. That source will contain combustible hydrocarbons. The fume burning system should include a reburn unit having an inlet opening coupled to and in fluid communication with the output of the source of the fluid. The reburn unit also includes an outlet opening for the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from it. Additionally, it should have a burner, coupled to the unit, which burns the fuel inside of the reburn unit. This has the purpose of maintaining the temperature at a level that insures the complete burning of the combustible hydrocarbons. To further permit the burning, the reburn unit includes oxygenating means coupled to it. This component introduces an oxygen-containing gas into th? reburn unit to support combustion.

One improvement of this type of a fume burner involves splitting the reburn unit itself into first and Becond reburn sections. Basically, they each represent a twin of the other and either can accomplish the functions without the other operating at all.

To permit the use of two separate reburn sections, the inlet opening to the reburn unit includes first and second inlet ports coupled to and in fluid communication N.2. FATijf\' -5d- -3 SEP 2707 with the output of the hydrocarbon source. The first and second inlet ports open into the first and second reburn sections respectively.

Similarly, the outlet opening Includes first and second outlet ports. These represent the outlets for the first and second reburn sections, respectively.

Further, the burner and the oxygenating means each includes, first and second sections. The first section for these two components couples to the first reburn section while the second section of these components couples to the second reburn section. In each of the two reburn sections, the burner section and the oxygenating means performs their functions of burning a fuel and introducing the oxy.gen-containing gas.

As an entirely separate improvement, the reburn unit whether or not composed of two sections, may include an excitor placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to the reburn unit. The excitor, as a minimal purpose, in effect reduces the cross-sectional area through which the oxygen-containing gas must travel to reach the combustible hydrocarbons. Furthermore, it provides a reflective surface which will permit the heat either entering or generated within the reburn unit to reach the gaseous molecules to further encourage complete combustion.

Within the reburn unit, the majority of the length of the excitor, in passing from the reburn*s inlet to the reburn's outlet, should remain out of contact with wall of 270/ the reburn unit. The excitor has the purpose of reducing the crosb-sectional area on planeB transverse to the path passing from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the reburn unit.

The excitor, in this configuration, may serve to introduce the oxygen-containing gas into the reburn unit. It does so witti nozzles, in fluid communication:with the oxygenating mechanism and having an arrangement on the surface of the excitor. The nozzles introduce the air into the space between the inner surface of the reburn unit and the excitor and doeB so at a nonperpendicular angle to the direction of the path from the inlet to the outlet of the excitor. By thus avoiding the "T" configuration, the air entering the reburn unit through the nozzles will aid the turbulence of the gas without retarding or blocking its progress.

However, the excitor need not introduce the air or other oxygen-containing gas into the reburn unit to have an important and useful function. It may remain passively within the reburn unit to reflect the heat generated or introduced there. This will maintain the gases at an elevated temperature in which they will undergo their efficient and thorough combustion. To accomplish this, the surface of the excitor facing the Interior of the reburn should have a composition of a heat and corrosion resistant material. This precludes its destruction at the temperatures and in the gaseous environments at which the reburn unit operates. 2707 Stated alternately, the excitor should not absorb and pass the heat from the reburn unit into its interior. Rather* it should have a relatively low thermal conductivity to effectuate the reflection of the heat from its surface back into the gases undergoing combustion. As a convenient limit, the surface of the excitor facing the interior of the reburn should have a composition of a material with a thermal conductivity constant k less than about 60_Btu. in. where k is defined by k « si hr. ft.2 °F AT where q is the heat conductivity in Btu/Hr. through a surface of thickness 1 in inches, area A in square feet, and temperature T in degree F.

Whether with or without twin reburn sections or an excitor, a fume burner, when having a low input of gaseous fluid, may operate more efficiently when it permits a lower throughput of gaBeB. To accomplish this objective, the fume burner may include.a choking device coupled to its outlet opening to selectively reduce the cross-sectional area of this outlet opening. This will retain the gaseB within the reburn unit for a sufficient period of time to accomplish full combustion even though it has a minimal input. This may also find use upon the initial commencement of operation of the unit after it has cooled down and before Introducing refuse. The unit can then reach operating temperature where it avoids environmental pollution. Reversing the damping effect and permitting the return unit's outlet opening to revert to its full size then allows the system's normal 270757 operation.

Rather than merely operating as fume burners, the components given above may form part of an integrated incinerator system. In this instance, in addition to the reburn unit with whatever improvements of those given above it may incorporate, the incinerator system will also include a main combustion chamber having an inlet for the introduction of solid bulk refuse. An outlet opening from the main chamber permits the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from there. The outlet opening from the main combustion chamber then couples to and displays fluid communication with the inlet opening of the reburn unit.

The method of burning fumes utilizing twin reburn tunnels involves passing the fumes from an output of a source directly into the inlet openings of first and second reburn sections. To maintain a desired temperature, the process will generally require burning a fuel in these two reburn sections. In order to promote the combustion of the gases, an oxygen-containing gas must be introduced into the reburn sections. Lastly, the gaseous combustion products within the reburn sections pass out through outlet openings.

To effectuate combustion with an excitor does not necessitate, of course, twin reburn sections. Rather, the fumes emanating from the output of a source pass into the inlet opening of a reburn unit. While there, they pass around an excitor placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to the reburn unit. The majority of the length of the 27075 excitor, passing from the reburn's inlet to its outlet, remains out of contact with the wall of the reburn unit.

To maintain the proper temperature, typically a fuel undergoes burning within the reburn unit. Then, a* before, an oxygen-containing gas must enter the reburn unit to achieve combustion of the hydrocarbons. The oxygen-contain-ing gas enters the space between the inner surface of the reburn and the excitor at a nonperpendicular angle relative to the direction of the flow of the gas in that space. Finally, the gaseous combustion products pass out of the reburn unit.

As an alternate aspect, the burning of fumes proceeds in a reburn unit as generally indicated above. The combustion of fuel in that unit maintains the desired temperature. Introducing the oxygen-containing gas permits the combustion of the fumes as required. The area of the outlet opening through which the gaseous combustion products pass out of the reburn unit may be selectively reduced in order to maintain the temperature in the unit at the desired level with the addition of minimal or no auxiliary fuel.

The burning of refuse according to these developments delineated above requires, in addition to the procedures discussed above for fume burning, the placing of refuse through an inlet opening into a main incinerator chamber. There, the bulk refuse burns to produce gaseous combustion products. These combustion products pass out of the main combustion chamber through an outlet opening and directly 27075? into an inlet opening of the reburn unit.

An improved burning may result for particular types of refuse where the main incinerator chamber haB a grate device located above the floor of the main chamber in close proximity to the inlet opening. The grating device should hold the refuse for a limited period of time after its introduction through the inlet opening. Subsequently, the grate device allowB the refuse to drop through, while continuing to burn, to the floor of the main chamber.

The use of an auxiliary grate of this fashion may prove propitious for various types of refuse including material having a large content of moisture or with a large amount of high Btu combustibles. In the former instance, the retention of the refuse for a brief period of time on the grate allows it to dry before it drops to the chamber floor. Otherwise, maintaining the fire in the desired condition might prove more difficult.

With the high Btu refuse, maintaining it on the grate allows a portion of it to volitalize.and begin to burn at relatively high temperatures. When the remainder drops through the grate, it has a lower temperature and thus would have leBB of a propensity to induce slagging on the chamber floor.

The method of burning refuse to obtain this advantage involves placing it through an inlet opening into an enclosed main chamber of an incinerator system and, specifically, onto a grate located within the main chamber. 27075 A fire-resistant floor sits below the grate. The process continues with the partial burning of the refuse while on the grate.

While the refuse continues to burn, it is then placed, generally through dropping, onto the chamber's floor. Finally,, the burning of the refuse continues while it Bits on the floor.

Often, the burning of the refuse in the incinerator produces ashes dumped into a pit filled with water. The water, in fact, provides a seal between the environment on the inside of the incinerator and that of the room on the outside. These aBhes must undergo removal frotu time to time to avcid filling the pit.

An improved device for removing the ashes from the pit includes first an elongated track having its first end located in proximity to the pit. The second end lies further away and at a higher level than the first end.

A scooping device moves along the track and displays first and-second configurations. . In. the first configuration, it holds onto the ashes while, in the second, it releases whatever ashes it may be holding.

An elevator moves the scoop device along the track until it reaches a first position near the first end in the pit. In this position, the scoop itself sits in the water in the pit.

The elevator can then move the scoop to a second position near the other end of the track. At this location, 27075 the 6coop sitB entirely out of the water of the pit.

Lastly, a control device coupleB to the scoop. The controller moves the Bcoop, when at the first location inside the pit, from the second to the first of the configurations. This allows the scoop to actually grab onto ashes and other debris within the pit.

When at the second, or elevated, position, the controller causes the scoop to move from the first to the second configurations. As a result, the scoop releases the asheB it may hav« held, typically, the ashes will then fall into a bin or truck.

The removal of the ashes or other debris from the pit commences by moving the scoop downward along the track until it reaches the first end located in proximity to the pit. The downward movement of the scoop then stops.

The 8coop then changes its configuration so that it may retain the debris in the pit. While remaining in the configuration to retain the debris, the scoop moves upward along the track and out of the pit. While out of the pit, the scoop changes from the first to the second configuration in which it drops the ashes at an appropriate location.

BRIB7 DESCRIPTION FIGURE 1 gives a perspective view of an incinerator system installation.

FIGURE 2 presents a top plan view of a reburn unit having two separate reburn tunnels with each tunnel having two seperate reburn stages. 270 V FIGURE 3 provides a side elevational view of the reburn unit shown in FIGURE 2 and also shows further stages for processing the exaust gases.

FIGURE 4 gives a cross-sectional view of the twin reburn tunnels of FIGURE 3 along the line 4-4.

FIGURE 5 provides a close-up view, partially in section, of the damper that can serve to close off either or even both of the twin reburn tunnels of Figures 1 to 4.

FIGURE 6 shows the outlet openings of the twin reburn tunnels and the choke dampers which can partially close each of the outlet openings.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a damper that can serve to close off the inlet opening to either the twin reburn tunnels or partially block the outlet openings.

FIGURE 8 gives a cross-sectional view of a reburn tunnel having an excitor inside where air enters through both the reburn unit's wall and the excitor*s wall.

FIGURE 9 provides a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a reburn tunnel having an excitor inside in which air enters the reburn tunnel through nozzles placed only on the excitor.

FIGURE 10 gives a cross-sectional view along the line 10-10 of the reburn tunnel shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURES 11 to 15 provide diagramatic cross-sectional views of reburn tunnels with excitors showing, in particular, different techniques for increasing the cross-sectional areas of the reburn tunnels in going from the inlet opening 27075 to the outlet opening.

FIGURE 16 gives an isometric view, partially in section, of an incinerator main chamber having a grate in the vicinity of the inlet opening to the chamber but located above the chamber's floor.

FIGURE 17 diBplayB an end view, in cross section, of the incinerator chamber of FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 18 provides a side elevational view of a scoop mechanism for removing ashes from the output pit of an Incinerator system.

FIGURE 19 gives a side elevational view of an ash scoop used in the mechanism of FIGURE 18.

FIGURE 20 displays a top plan of the scoop of FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 gives an end elevational view along the line 21-21 of the track guide of the scoop of FIGURE 20.

FIGURE 22 illustrates a side elevational view of yet a further alternate ash removal mechanism.

FIGURE 23 provides an enlarged view of the chute mechanism shown in FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 24 gives a side elevational view of an alternate ash removal scoop for use in the mechanisms shown in Figures 18, 22, and 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGURE 1 shows an incinerator system generally at 30. Bulk refuse or hydrocarbon-containing liquids enters the incinerator 30 through the loader 31 and enters the main 27075? chamber 32. During most of its stay in the incinerator 30, 1 solid refuse remains upon the pulsating hearth floors -33 and 34. Upon the completion of combustion, the remaining ash falls into the pit 35 where the removal mechanism designated generally at 36 lifts it and places it in the truck 37. ^he door 38 permits access to the interior of the main chamber 32 for the usual maintenance.

The gases produced by the combustioi within the main chamber pass through the dual reburn tunnels 41 and 42 and through the further treating, recirculation, and heat removal stages 43. They eventually leave through the stack 44.

Heat recovered from the incinerator system 30 may pass into the pipe 45.

In FIGURES 2 and 3, the reburn tunnels i and 42 include the respective first reburn stages 51 and 52 and respective second reburn stages 53 and 54. The burners 55 and 56 at the beginning of the first stages 51 and 52 maintain the temperatures in the tunnels 41 and 42 at the desired levels for proper operation. .They also bring the reburn temperatures up to the proper levels at the each commencement of operation. In fact, environmental regulations often require that the incinerator achieve its operating temperatures prior to the introduction of the first amount of refuse whatsoever after a shut-down. The burners 55 and 56 assist in this task.

The blowers 57 and 58 provide air to the first stages 51 and 52 for combustion and the blowers 59 and 60 perform 27075? the same function for the second stages 53 and 54. The gases from the second stages 53 and 54 pass through the outlets 63 and 64.

As observed, the second reburn Btages 53 and 54 have greater cross-sectional areas than the first reburn stages 51 and 52 of the tunnels 41 and 42, respectively. This allows the second reburn stages 53 and 54 to accommodate the greater volumes of gaBes resulting from the introduction of air and from the combuBtion of volitalized hydrocarbons within the tunnels 41 and 42. This represents one method of increasing the volume of the reburn tunnels from their inlets to the outlets. Other techniques accomplishing the same objective receive discussion below with reference to Figures 11 to 15.

After leaving the second stages 53 and 54, the gases then pass to the subsequent treating section 43 and mentioned above.

As Been in Figures 4 and 5, the gases from the main chamber 32 pass through the outlet openings 67 and 68 which also form the inlet openings to the reburn units 41 and 42, respectively. The dampers 69 and 70, when in the positions shown in FIGURES 3 to 5, cover the opening 67 and 68, respectively, and close them off. In operation, of course, at least one of the dampers 69 and 70 will remain open.

When the main chamber 32 has sufficient combustible material inside, both will open and allow the gases to pass through to the reburn tunnels 41 and 42« 27075 To accomplish their motion, the dampers 69 and 70' include the axial extensions 71 and 72. The lever arms 75 and 76 then connect ridgedly to the extensions 71 and 72. The rods 77 and 78 connect the lever arms 75 and 76 to the pistons 79 and 80 which attach ridgedly at their other endB to the brackets 81 and 82. The extension of the pistons 79 and 80 in Figures 3 to 5, especially the last, will induce the rotation of the lever arm 76 and its counterpart not shown about the center of the axis 72 to result in the opening of the dampers 69 and 70.

The counterweights 83 and 84 rotationally coupled to the other ends of the lever arms 75 and 76. They counterbalance the weight of the dampers 69 and 70 and facilitate their controlled motion.

A significant part of the weight of the dampers 69 and 70 results from their having a covering of the refractory 86 as shown in FIGURE 5. This, of course, provides protection against the high temperatures and corrosiveness of the gases passing around them.

To help further protect the damper 69 and 70, they include air channels as discussed below with reference to FIGURE 7. The passage of air through the dampers 69 and 70 keepB them at a low enough temperature to prevent their destruction.

Similarly, the dampers 91 and 92 cover the outlet opening 63 and 64 of the reburn tunnels 41 and 42, respectively. As shown in FIGURE 6, however, the dampers 91 2707 and 92, even when in the closed position as shown there, only cover up to about a maximum of about 60 percent of the outlet opening 63 and 64. When closed, they retain the gases within the reburn tunnels 41 and 42 for a longer time to assure their complete combustion. typically such retention becomes desirable when the tunnels 41 and 42, and often, the main chamber 32, operate upon substantially less than the maximum amount of refuse or combustion gases than the system can handle.

The dampers 91 and 92 operate independently of each other depending upon the conditions in the respective reburn tunnelB 41 and 42. They may, for example, submit to the control of temperature sensors placed within their respective tunnels. A lowering temperature may indicate the need to close the appropriate damper to retain the heat within the respective tunnel. Alternately, when the incinerator ByBtem produces ateam, the damper control may measure the steam pressure produced by the syBtem. A declining Bteam pressure may indicate a smaller quantity of heat within the system. This would provide an indication that either or both of the dampers 91 and 92 should close at least to some extent.

The dampers 91 and 92 in FIGURE 6 not only have the totally open or totally closed positions. They may also occupy intermediary locations to effectively block the outputs 63 and 64 by an amount less than the maximum closure that the dampers can achieve. 27075 The movement of the damper 91 appears in FIGURE 6 under the action of the lever arm 93 connected to the piston 94 which effectuates the desired movement between opening and closing* The cable 95 attaches to the damper 91, passes over the pully 97 and connects to the weight 99 to counterbalance the weight of the damper 91. Only the cable 96, the pully 98, and the weight 100 appear in FIGURE 6 for the tunnel 42» The choke dampers 91 and 92 serve to retain the gas within the reburn tunnels 41 and 42 for a greater period of time. In other words, it slows down the passage of the gas through these chambers. To achieve the desired combustion, the gas speed should typically not exceed about 55 feet per second. To assure proper combustion, the gas should move no faster than about 46 feet per second.

The dampers 91 and 92, as shown, take the form of rectangular blocks that pivot to open and cloBe. Alternately, as square blocks, they may slide sideways into the position where they partially close the outlet openings 63 and 64. They reopen them by sliding sidewaysin the opposite direction. In fact, they may even slide through an opening in the exterior wall of the Incinerator system for this purpose.

As a further alternate, the choke dampers at the ends of the reburn tunnels 41 and 42 may take the form of butterfly valves. This would give them either a round or rectangular configuration located within the outlets of the reburn 27075 units. They would then pivot about their centers to partially close or open the reburn*8 outlets. In the latter configuration, they would remain within the opening but present their edgeB of minimal area to avoid substantial interference with the passage of the gases.

FIGURE 7 shows a typical damper, for example, the closure 70 to the outlet opening 68 to the second reburn tunnel 42 seen in FIGURE 5. In FIGURE 7, a supply of air passes through the damper 70 to keep itB temperature from rising to a point where it could suffer serious damage from the heated environment from which it operates. As seen from FIGURE 5, the ends of the axial extensions 72 sit on the outside of the tunnel 42.

The extensions 72 have hollow interiors which permits the passage of gas through them. To provide the cool gas, the flexible tube 104 connects to the nearer axial extension 74 to provide a source of cool gas. The cool gas travels through the interior of extension 72 into the axis 106 and out the opening 108 into the chamber 110. It then follows a path created by the dividers 112 and indicated by the arrows 114. Eventually it reaches the opening 116 in the axis 106 where it passes out through the other axial extension 72 and in it to the flexible tube 118.

FIGURE JtZ shows a reburn tunnel generally at 123 which may serve as either of the sections 51 or 53 of the reburn tunnel 41 or the sections 52 and 54 of the reburn tunnel 42. The tunnel 123 sits generally on the supports 27075 124 and 125. The outer skin 126 surrounds the tunnel 123 and forms the plenum 127 in conjunction with the wall 128. The blower 129 places air in the plenum 127 under pressure. From there, the air may pass through the nozzles 130 which take it into the interior 131 of the reburn tunnel 123. The refractory 132 covers the interior wall 128 and the nozzles 13 0 to protect them from the heat and the corrosive environment of the interior 131 of the tunnel 123. Additionally, the air within the plenum 127 may pass through the support 133 and into the excitor 134 located in the tunnel's interior 131. From there it passes through the nozzles 135 and into the interior 131 where it helps support combustion.

The support 133 itself includes the inner wall 138 generally having a metalic composition. The refractory 139 surrounds the wall 138 to protect it from the tunnel's environment. Conveniently, the support 133 may have a rec-tangu.7 ar cross section on planes parallel to the surface on which the tunnel sits. This will provide it with maximum cross-sectional area for the amount of the interference in the gas flow in the tunnel that it creates.

Similarly, the excitor 134 protects its inner metal wall 142 from corrosion and heat damage with the refractory covering 143. The nozzles 135 pass through the refractory 143.

As seen in FIGURE 8, air leaving the nozzles 135 does so with a tangential component of velocity, in other words, the nozzles 135 make an angle with the radii from the center 2707 5 of the excitor 134. Forty five degrees represents a desirable angle.

The gas emanating from the nozzles 135 with the tangential component of velocity follows the path generally shown by the arrows 144. This tangential movement of the air causes it to efficiently and effectively mix with the combustible gases contained in the tunnel's interior 131. Further, the nozzles 135 as well as the outer nozzles 130, will generally introduce the air with an axial component of velocity. In other words, the nozzles point downstream. The velocity of the gases leaving the nozzles may in fact make a 45 degree relative to the axial, or downstream, direction.

Additionally, the nozzles 13 5 may appear on the excitor 134 in rows in passing from the inlet to the outlet. To further assist the creation of the desired turbulence within the interior 131, the nozzles may have a staggered configuration from row to row to provide a more even air supply and turbulence.

The construction shown in FIGURE 8 may undergo modifications for different purposes. Thus, plugging the nozzles 130 will result in all of the air from the plenum 127 passing around the wall 128, through the support 133, into the excitor 134, and out of the nozzles 135 into the tunnel's interior 131. This appears to have a beneficial effect in creating the turbulence necessary for combustion.

Additionally, placing a barrier at the location 145 27075 between the outer wall 126 and the plenum wall 128 will cause the air from the blowei: 129 to pass around substantially all of the plenum 127 before it reaches the inlet 146 to the support 133. This will have the effect of cooling the wall 128 with the air prior to its introduction into the interior 131. Furthermore, warming the air helps maintain the temperature inside the tunnel 123 at the necessary levelb for combuBtion.

Alternately, the excitor 134 may have no nozzles on it whatsoever. In this eventuality, all the air entering the tunnel's interior 131 will pass through the nozzles 130 on the reburn unit 123 itself. Nonetheless, the excitor must Btill have some air passing through it from one support to the other. This provides a cooling effect to prevent the heat within the reburn tunnel 123 from destroying the excitor 134.

Kith or without nozzles, the excitor 134 serves additional purposes. The heat created within the interior 131 of the tunnel 123 itself helps to support the combustion of the gases inside. The heat near the middle of the interior 131 will pass into the refractory surface 143 of the excitor 134. Prom there it will radiate back into the interior 131 where it will help excite combustion.

To provide the reradiation of heat absorbed, the wall of the excitor 134 should permit very little of the heat to pa'js through. Thus, it Bhould have a low thermal conductivity constant kr generally less than about 60. Preferably, 2707 the conductivity constant k, as defined above, will not exceed about 24.

Furthermore, the air entering the interior 131 must create turbulence in order to accomplish combustion. The excitor 134 reduces the maximum dimension of the space in the interior of the tunnel 123. Thus, air entering the interior 131 has a much shorter distance to travel to reach the combustible gasses. Thus it can more effectively create the required turbulence for combustion because of the presence of the excitor 134.

Desirably, the space between the outer surface of the refractory 143 of the excitor 134 and the inner surface of the refractory 132 covering the outer wall 128 should remain constant all around the excitor 134. This permits the most efficient mixing and turbulence of the oxygen introduced into the tunnel's interior 131. In the case of a circular reburn tunnel as shown in FIGURE 8, this would result in the interior 131 assuming an annular configuration.

In the case of an incinerator. syBtem with a single reburn tunnel, a single excitor would obviously suffice. For a system having twin reburn tunnels as shown in FIGURES 1 to 6, either or both of the tunnels may include an excitor. The latter, of course, represents the most desired configuration.

FIGURE 9 shows generally a portion of a reburn tunnel 153 which may, in fact, represent part of either of the reburn tunnels 41 or 42. The outer wall 154 includes the 27075 refractory covering 155 but no nozzles passing through it. Rather, all of the air entering the interior 156 of the tunnel 153 passes through the nozzles 157 on the excitor 158* That air, as before, enters the excitor 158 through its supports 159 and 160 and, eventually from the plenum 161. As seen in FIGURE 10, the blower 162 provides the air under pressure which eventually passes through the nozzles 157 into the interior 156.

As before, the nozzles 157 introduce the air with an axial component of velocity. Stated in other words, the air is introduced at least partially in the direction from the inlet of the reburn section 153 to the outlet, or in the direction from the first support 159 towards the second support 160. As in FIGURE 9, that angle generally amounts to about 45 degrees.

Furthermore, as shown in both FIGURES 9 and 10, the nozzles impart a tangential as well as a radial component of velocity to the air passing through them. Again, the nozzles will introduce the air at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the radial direction. Thus, half of the non-axial velocity of the gases will move them outward and the other half moves them around the interior 156. The result appears in FIGURE 10 where the arrows 166 show the general vorticity to the direction of movement of the air.

The plenum 161 does not extend the entire circumference of the reburn tunnel 153. Rather, it only goes from the blower 162 to the support 159. The outer wall 167, 2707? along with the wall 154 attached to the refractory 155/ creates the plenum 161. FIGURE 11 gives a diagram of a section of a reburn tunnel having the outer wall 180, the refractory 181 and the two excitor sections 182 and 183* The arrow indicates the direction of the gas movement as in FIGURES 12 to 15. The excitors 182 and 183 have the same, constant cross-sectional area. However, the cross-sectional area of the interior 184 increases in the direction of the gas movement because the refractory wall 181 slopes outward. This permits the reburn section to accommodate the increasing amounts of air introduced either through the wall 181 or the excitors 182 and 183. In FIGURE 11, the cross-sectional area of the interior 184 increases gradually because of the gradual slope of the refractory wall.

In FIGURE 12 appears another reburn section. It too has the outer wall 190 and 191, the refractory 192 and 193, and the excitor sections 194 and 195. As shown there, the interior 196 experiences a sharp, discontinuous increase at the juncture 197. This may, for example, represent the juncture between two separate reburn stages as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 and discussed above.

FIGURE 13 again shows a reburn section hnv'rg the outer wall 200 and 201, refractory sections 202 and 203 and excitor sections 204 and 205. There, the interior volume 206 increases gradually at the juncture 207 between the two sections. However, the sloping wall at the juncture 207 results in less adding another undesired turbulence than the 2707 very sharp discontinuity 197 shown in FIGURE 12.

Another reburn section appears in FIGURE 14. and in-. eludes the outer wall 210, the refractory 211 f and the excitor sections 212 and 213. The smaller cross-sectional area of the excitor 213 as compared to the excitor 214 results in an increase in the cross-sectional area 214 of the interior as the gas travels from the excitor 212 to the excitor 213.

Finally, FIGURE 15 shows the reburn section with the walls 220 and 221 and the excitor sections 222 and 223. The conic shape of the excitor sections 222 and 223 results in a gradual increase of the volume of the gas as it passes across them in the interior 224.

The initial combustion of the refuse, of course, takes place in the main chamber 32 as seen in Figures 16 and 17. The screw feeders 230 may assist in the introduction of particulate refuse such as rice hulls. More typically, bulk refuse enters through the opening 231 in the forewall 232. In any event, the bulk refuse entering the incinerator 32 sits upon the grate generally at 234. It will rest there briefly to permit combustion to commence.

If the refuse has a high moisture content, it may undergo drying whilie it rests upon the grate 234 to permit its more facile subsequent burning. If, upon enterring, it immediately sat upon the hearth 33, it would experience greater difficulty in drying in order to undergo subsequent combustion. 2707;; Alternately, a very high Btu content material such as plastics may burn at very high temperatures. If this occurred on the floor 33, the uneven heating could cause slagging of the floor itself.

Thus, the refuse sits upon the grate 234, for a limited period of time. However, the majority of the fixed hydrocarbons within the material should remain unburned when the refuse slips through or off the grate 234 and onto the floor 33. The volatile hydrocarbon content may well have, by this time, already entered the gas stream.

As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the grate 234, to permit the refuse to fall to the floor 33, will include the holes 235 passing through it. The size of the openings of the holes 235 generally lies in the range of 12 to 18 inches This permits most types of refuse to fall through to the floor prior to the burning of the majority of the fixed hydrocarbons.

The grate 234, of course, exists in the heated and corrosive environment of the main chamber 32. Thus, it should generally have i?ome mechanism for cooling it to prevent its destruction by heat or corrosion. To effectuate this result, the grate 234 includes the hollow longitudinal pipes 236 and 237 and the cross pipes 23 8. The pipe 236 has the couplings 239 and 240 while the pipe 237 includes the couplings 241 and 242. This permits the passage through it of a fluid which will effectuate the cooling of the grate 234. The fluid thus introduced may take the form of air, 27071:7 water, steam, or oil.

Additionally, the pipes 236 to 23 8 of the grate 23 4 will have a refractory coating to provide further heat protection* Lastly, a wear surface composed typically of face hardened refractory will help protect the grate 234 from abrasion due to the refuse placed upon it.

The floor 33 may assume a number of forms. A particular and advanced type of pulsed hearth floor appears in Basic's 0. S. Patent 4,475,469 mentioned above. Other types of floors may work also, displaying various degrees of desirability.

Thus, for example, the floor 33 may simply be form of a stationary hearth. Some form of a ram or other pusher would then typically move the refuse along until it burned into ashes which would then fall into an appropriate collector. Often, however, the floor will experience some form of movement to assist the burning refuse in traveling from the inlet to the outlet of the main chamber 32.

The floor 33 may often constitute a hearth, whether moving or stationary. Experience indicates that the former represents the preferred technique. The pulsating hearth, whether in the configuration shown in Basic's patent or otherwise has proved most efficient. In Basic's patent, the hearth experiences arcuate movement, in pulses, in the direction from the inlet 231 toward the outlet. It moves more rapidly in the former direction than the latter in order to toss the refuse along almost in a snow-shovel type • 2 70 7"" 7 movement.

The hearth floor 33 shown in FIGURE 16 has a shape that haB proved beneficial in the burning of many types of refuse. Here, the floor inclines from the inlet 232 to the outlet ash pit 244. This slight lean built into the upper floor 33 and the lower floor 34 assists the refuse in moving in response to any motion experienced by the floors.

Additionally, the floors 33 and 34 include the ridges 246 and 247, respectively, on their upper surfaces. This helps channel and shuffle the refuse sitting there to aid in its combustion. The jets 248 on the upper floor 33 and 249 on the lower floor 34 provide under-fire air to aBBist combustion to the burning refuse.

As shown in FI6DRE 17, the nozzles 249, aB do the nozzles 248 of the upper floor 33, the lower floor 34, incline downwards as they introduce the air into the main chamber 32. This downward angle on the nozzles 249 and 248 helps prevent the entrance of particles of refuse into them which could result in their clogging.

The amount of air introduced through the nozzles 248 and 249 may vary depending upon the conditions within the incinerator system in general in the main chamber 32 in particular. Thus, ae discussed above, the system may contain insufficient refuse to operate at or near capacity. Introducing in this case lesB air through theBe jetB, may assist the entire incinerator system to reach or remain at its proper operating temperature. 270757 Instead of the hearth floors 33 and 34, the main chamber 32 could Include a grate floor underneath the grate 234. The refuse would fall from the upper grate to the lower grate and then undergo its full combustion. This lower grate may then either remain stationary or experience some type of movement to transfer the burning refuse in the direction of the ash pit 244.

This may work in conjunction with utilization of the choke dampers 91 and 92. One method of accomplishing the reduction of the air in the main chamber would simply involve turning off the air introduced in the second pulsating hearth floor 34.

The main chamber 32 includes the membrane sidewalls 253 and 254 which appear diagramatically in FIGURES 16 AND 17. In these walls, the water passes through the lower inlet pipes 255 and 256. Frew there it passes through the tubules 257 and 258 of the membrane walls 253 and 254 to the header pipe 259. From there it may travel elsewhere to provide useful energy in the form of steam for electricity, heating, or other purposes.

As discussed above, the main chamber may not have sufficient refuse to support the heat throughout the incinerator system. In this eventuality, the amount of heat taken out through the header 259 may suffer a reduction in order to leave sufficient heat within the main chamber and reburn tunnels to maintain the temperatures required for clean and efficient burning. ■ 27077 7 t The ash pit 244 of the main chamber 32 includes the screw feeders 263 and 264. These remove asheB from the pit 244. However, as with other ash removal systems such as the chain drag system, the moving components of the screw feeders 263 and 264 sit under the water and in the ash pit where any repair proves difficult. A significantly improved type of ash removal system appears in FIGURES 18 to 25.

The ash pit 35 appears at the bottom of FIGURE 18. TVpic&llyr will contain water 271 and the ashes 272 at the bottom. The water 271, of course, provides a seal between the interior of the main combustion chamber and the room atmosphere.

Naturally, from time to time the ashes 272 must undergo removed from the pit 35. To accomplish this objective, the scoop mechanism shown generally at 273 descends along the track 277 until the scoop 278, in the configuration shown in solid lines in FIGURE 18, enters the water 271 and digs into the ash heap 272. It then reverts to its carrying configuration shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 18 while remaining at the bottom of the pit 272. This allows the scoop 278 to capture a portion of the ashes 272.

The 8coop mechanism 273 then rises along the track 277. Desirably, it will stop shortly after lifting the scoop 27 8 itself out of the water 271. The water entrained with the ashes 272 will then have an opportunity to drain through the openings 281 in the bottom of the scoop 278. The back of the track 277 forms a trough 27 8 which will 270 guide the dripping water back into the pit 35.

When the mechanism 273 has returned to its elevated position aB shown in FIGURE 18, the scoop 278 moves from its holding configuration shown in dashed lines to its release configuration shown in Bolid lineB. The ashes then fall from the scoop 278 through the opening 282 in the trough 278 and into the truck 37 or other container. The Bide guards 283 keep the ashes from splattering outside of the truck 37.

The scoop mechanism 273 moves upward and downward under the influence of the cable 284. At one end, the cable 284 attaches to a typical winch which winds up and releases the cable 284 depending upon the winch's controls. In turn, the cable 284 passes over the pully 285 and attaches to the scoop mechanism 273. When the winch unwinds the cable 284, the latter passes over the pulley 285 and allows the scoop mechanism 273 to descend into the pit 35. When the winch winds up the cable 284, it pulls on the scoop mechanism 273 dragging it out of the water and up the track 277.

The scoop mechanism, or trolley, 273 appears in greater detail in FIGDRES 19 and 20. The trolley 273 first consists of the rigid frame formed by the runner bars 288 and 289, and the front crossbar 290 and the rear crossbar 291 rigidly adhered to the runner bars 288 and 289. The front wheels 292 and 293 and the rear wheels 294 and 295 ride inside of the track 277 as shown in FIGURE 21. Further, the horizontal guide wheels 296 and 297 press against the tracks 277 from the outside of the rear wheels 270'/ 294 and 295, respectively. This assures proper alignment of the trolley 273 on the track 277.

The arrangement of the guide wheels 296 and 297 has a further advantage in considering the use of the trolley 273 in removing ashes from the pit 35. Specifically, the rear wheels 294 and 295 riding inside of the track member* 277 and the guide wheels 296 and 297 pressing against the side of the track members 277 largely orient the scoop mechanism 273 on the track 277. When the cable 284 allows the scoop 278 to descend into the pit 35, only the front end of the trolley 273 actually enters the water 271. The rear of the trolley 273, including the wheels 294 to 297, remain at all times outside of the water 271.

Thus, the wheels which must make intimate and proper contact with the track 277 to primarily orient the trolley 273 remain out of the water which could cause it to corrode or become impeded by debris within the water.

Keeping the rear of the trolley 273 out of the water has further advantages with regards to controlling the configuration of the scoop 278. The scoop 278 includes the ridgedly attached flange 301 to which the rod 302 pivotally connects at the juncture 303. The other end of the rod 302 connects to a piston contained within the cylinder 306. The piston 306 in turn pivotall ' connects to the flanges 307 and 308 on the rear crossbar 291.

When the pressure within the cylinder 306 forces itB piston to move outward, it extends the bar 302 to the right 27075 i in FIGURES 19 and 20. This in turn causes the flange 301 to move downward. As a consequence, the scoop 278 moves around its rotating couplings 309 and 310 to the side bars 288 and 289. This causes the scoop 278 to move from the position shown in solid in FIGURES 18 and 19 to that shown by the dashed lines.

Conversely, when the pressure within the cylinder retracts the piston, the bar 302 moves to the left of FIGURES 19 and 20 and pulls the connection 303 with the flange 301 in that same direction. This in turn causes the flange 301 and the scoop 278 to rotate in the clockwise direction from the position shown in phantom FIGURE 19 to that shown in solid lines. This moves the scoop from the releasing configuration to the holding configuration where it will retain ashes. This motion takes place, of course, with the scoop 278 in the pit 35 so that it may grab onto a portion of the ashes 272.

During the latter, or grabbing, type of motion, the scoop 278 may contact^ a solid object in the pit 35. This happens since the incinerator system 30 accepts bulk refuse without presorting. A common item that may find its way into the pit 35 is a muffler or other solid discard. Desirably, the cylinder 306 should not attempt to force the movement of the scoop 278 any further. Thus, in this intermediate configuration, the scoop 278 will remain in contact with the solid object.

As the trolley 273 then moves up the track 277, it 27075', will drag the solid object with it. At its top position, the scoop 278 will again move to its release position and drop the muffler or other solid item into the truck 37. The use of pneumatic controls for the cylinder 306 will provide it with this cushioning or flexibility to allow it to remove such solid objectB without damage to itself or the track 277.

As further assistance, the controls may actually reduce the pressure within the cylinder 306 once the scoop 278 contacts the solid object within the pit 35. This provides additional assurance that the solid object will not damage any component of the ash removal system.

The fluid for controlling the cylinder 306 passes through the hoses 315 and 316 which in turn wrap around the reel 317. As the trolley 273 moves up and down the track 277, the reel 317 releases and recaptures the midportions 319 and 320 of the hoses to keep them out of the way of the trolley 273.

Again, with the trolley 273 in its lowest position where the scoop 278 enters the pit 35, the cylinder 306 and the reel 317 remain out of the water. They thus avoid the deleterious effects of the water, the ashes, and the chemicals contained in both of them. Furthermore, the winch operating the cable 284, as appears from FIGURE 18, will always remain out of the water.

FIGURE 22 shows the track mechanism generally at 325, but with a slightly different chute mechanism for delivering rmiTniiiiHi iini iibim ■Bwiwrnin m TWjPf™""""' - . 27075 the ashes into the truck 37. The track 277 and the trolley 273 remain virtually the same as.before.

However, the track 325 includes the rotating chute guide 326 which aBBumes the configuration shown in FIGURE 22 with the trolley 273 near the top of the track. Then the scoop 278 moves from its retaining to itB releasing configuration. When this occurs and the ashes drop from the scoopr the chute guide 326 directd the aBhes to the truck 37. After the ashes have entered the truck 37, the chute guide 326 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIGURE 22 so that its shovel 327 forms a portion of the trough 328.

The mechanism for controlling the rotating chute guide 326 appears more dearly in FIGURE 23 which shows the opposite side of the track 325 from that seen in FIGURE 22. As seen there, the operation of the rotating track portion 327 of the chute 326 results from the influence of the cylinder 330. When the cylinder 33 0 forces out its piston, the latter connects to the lever arm 331 rigidly attached to the rotating track portion 327. In that instance, the lever arm 331 will take the position shown in phantom and the track portion 327 will connect with the remaining of the chute 328.

When the piston 330 contracts, it pulls the lever arm 331 to the right to the position shown in FIGURE 23 resulting in the track portion 327 rotating clockwise. This causes the debris from the scoop 27 8 to fall through to the 270 truck 37* An alternate type of scoop mechanism appearing generally at 337 in FIGDRB 24. It utilizes the same trolly as in FIGURES 19 and 20* Thus, it includes the same runner bars 288 and 289 with the crossbars 290 and 291. It moves along the track in the same manner as described previously utilizing the wheels 292 to 297.

This trolley employs, instead of the scoop 278 shown in the prior figures, the bucket 33 8 which has the holes 339 for water to pass through. The bucket 33 8 has a rotational coupling at the juncture 292 and the flange 340 which controls its configuration. The flange 340 in turn connects to the lever arm 341 which attaches to the usual bar 302. In turn, the bar 302 connects to a piston within the hydraulic cylinder 344. The cylinder 339, in turn, has a pivotal coupling to the flange 340 which must be added to the trolley 273 as of FIGURES 19 and 20.

To assure the proper movement of the bar 302 and the lever arm 341, the bar 302, at its juncture 303, also couples to the lever arm 346. The latter pivotally couples to the flange 347 attached by the braces 348 to the crossbar 290. The lever arm 346 thus assures the correct rotational motion of the juncture 303 and, concomitantly, the scooping movement of the bucket 33 8.

In operation, the extension of the rod 302 by the cylinder 3 44 will cause the bucket 33 8 to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIGURE 24. In this configuration, it 270"' will not hold debris. The trolley 333 then descends into the water with the bucket 338 travelling between the track 277 and the trough 328.

When the bucket 338 reaches the bottom of the pit 35/ the cylinder 344 retracts the bar 302. Dnder the influence of the lever arms .341 and 346, this causes the bucket 338 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 24. In effect, this induces the bucket, when in the pit, to move forward to scoop up ashes.

The trolley 337 then moves up the track 277. Then the cylinder extends the rod 302, and the bucket rotates in the clockwise direction of FIGURE 24 and dumps its contents.

The use of the bucket 33 8 would appear warranted in situations producing heavy ash or debris such as gravel undergoing decontamination in the incinerator system. The stronger, hydraulic cylinder 344 would give the bucket 338 additional force to dig out the contents of the pit 35.

In comparison, the back hoe scoop 27 8 shown in FIGURES 19 and 20 would appear more desirable for the usual municipal waste. There the scoop 278 may have to stop its motion in the forward direction when contacting a solid object l'like a muffler or a bicycle. The pneumatic cylinder 3 06 haB a greater cushioning to permit the scoop 278 to stop its motion when it makes the contact and yet not destroy either the cylinder 306 or the scoop 27 8. Furthermore, the valving for the cylinder 306 may reduce the pressure Bhould the scoop 278 contact such a solid object. This 2707 helps avoid destruction in many of the components * of the trolley 273 or the track 277.

Switching between the scoop 278 and the bucket 33 8 requires only minimal effort. Naturally, to carry the latter, the trolley should Include the brackets 345 and 347. Otherwise, switching between the two mechanisms simply involves exchanging the cylinders 306 and 344 and the scoop 278 with the bucket 338. Additionally, the bucket 33 8 requires the lever arms 341 and 346 while the scoop 278 does not use any such lever arm. Thus, the ash removal system may employ either type of scoop depending upon the refuse placed into the incinerator.

Claims (7)

27 0 757 WHAT J/-^ CLAIM IS j

1. An incinerator system for bulk refuse and hydrocarbon-containing liquids having: (1) a main combustion chamber with: (a) a firBt inlet opening for the introduction of solid bulk refuse; and (b) a first outlet opening for the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from said main chamber; and (2) a reburn unit with: (a) a second inlet opening, coupled to and in fluid communication with said first outlet opening; (b) a second outlet opening for the egress of l the gaseous products of combustion from said reburn unit; (c) burner means, coupled to said reburn unit, for burning a fuel in 'said reburn unit; and (d) oxygenating means, coupled to said reburn unit, for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said reburn unit, wherein: (A) said reburn unit includes first and second separate reburn sections; (B) said first outlet opening has first and second N.z. 27 0 757 i outlet ports each for permitting the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from said main combustion chamber; (C) said second inlet opening has first and second inlet ports, coupled to and in fluid communication with, respectively, said first and second outlet ports, said first and second inlet ports opening into said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (D) said second outlet opening includes third and fourth outlet ports from said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (E) said burner means includes first and second burner sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for bumping a fuel in said first and second reburn sections, respectively, and (P) said oxygenating means includes first and second oxygenating sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for introducing an oiygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

2. The system of Claim 1 further including damper means, coupled between said second outlet port and said second inlet port, for selectively preventing the passage of a fluid from said second outlet port to said second inlet port. | k!7 *70 757

3. The system of Claim 2 wherein said first reburn section includes first and second stages and said second reburn section includes third and fourth stages with said first and third stages including said first and second inlet ports, respectively, and said third and fourth stages include said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively, and said first oxygenating section includes first and second oxygenating stages for introducing said oxygem containing gas into said first and second reburn stages, respectively, and said second oxygenating section includes third and fourth oxygenating stages for introducing oxygen into said third and fourth reburn stages, respectively, and further including first, second, third, and fourth sensing means for determining the temperatures in said first, second, third, and fourth reburn Btages, respectively, and first, second, third, and fourth control means, coupled between said first second, third, and fourth sensing means and said first, second, third, and fourth oaygenating stages, respectively, for controlling the amount of said oxygen containing gas introduced into said first, second, third, and fourth reburn stages, respectively, in response to the temperatures determined by said first, second, third, and fourth sensing means.

4. The system of Claim 3 wherein said damper means is a first damper means and further Including second damper means, coupled between said first inlet port for f..;\ r- • ■ • •• ;• -T - 44 - - 3 SEP 1.997 27 0 7 57 selectively preventing the passage of a fluid from said first outlet port to said first inlet port.

5. The system of Claim 4 wherein said main combustion chamber further includes heat removal means for absorbing a portion of the heat energy produced in said main chamber and transporting it to a location away from said main chamber.

6. The system of Claim 2 further including choking means, coupled to said third outlet port for selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said third outlet port.

7. The system of Claim 6 wherein said oxygenating means iB a first oxygenating means and further including (a) second oxygenating means for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said main chamber and (b) reducing means, coupled to said second oxygenating means and to said damper means, for, when said damper means prevents the passage of a fluid from said second outlet port to said second inlet port, reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said main chamber.

8. The system of Claim 6 wherein said first reburn section includes first and second stages and said second reburn section includes third and fourth stages with said first and third stages including said first and second inlet ports, respectively, and said second and f< - 45 - t/,-1 270757 include said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively, and said first oxygenating section includes first and second oxygenating stages for introducing Baid oxygen containing gas into Baid first and second reburn stages, respectively, and said second oxygenating section includes third and fourth oxygenating stages for Introducing oxygen into said third and fourth reburn stages, respectively; and further Including first, second, third, and fourth sensing means for determining the temperatures in said first, second, third, and fourth reburn stages, respectively, and first, second, third, and fourth control means, coupled between said first second, third, and fourth sensing means and said first, second, third, and fourth osygenating stages, respectively, for controlling the amount of said oxygen containing gas introduced into said first, second, third, and fourth reburn stages, respectively, in response to the temperatures determined by said first, second, third, and fourth sensing means.

9. The system of Claim 8 wherein said choking means is located at the end of Baid recond reburn stage.

10. The system of Claim 6 further including (a) sensing means, coupled to said Incinerator system, for determining a condition within said incinerator system and (b) choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said choking means, for, in response to the condition determined by said sensing means, controlling the amount of N.Z. PATENT OFFICE " 46 " - 3 SFP 1997 270757 cross-sectional area of said third outlet port closed off by said choking means.

11. The system of Claim 10 wherein said sensing means is a temperature sensing means coupled to said first and second reburn sections for determining a temperature in said first and second reburn sections, respectively, and choking control means, coupled to said first and second reburn sections and to said choking means, for, when the temperature sensed by said temperature sensing means falls below a predetermined level, causing said choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said third and outlet port.

12. The system of Claim 10 further including steam producing means, coupled to said incinerator system, for utilizing the heat of said system to convert water to steam, and wherein said sensing means is a pressure sensing means coupled to said steam producing means for determining the pressure of steam produced by said steam producing means, and said choking control meaiis couples to said steam sensing means and to said choking means for, when the steam pressure determined by said steam sensing means falls below a predetermined level, reducing the cross-sectional areas of said third and outlet openings respectively.

13. The system of Claim 10 wherein said choking means reduces the size of said third outlet port by blocking off one side of said third outlet port, respective..y - 47 - 'tJXPATEi-lT OrFi - 3 SEP 1997 270 757

14. The system of Claim 10 wherein said choking means is a butterfly choice damper.

15. The isystem of Claim 10 wherein said choking means can reduce the cross-sectional area of said third outlet port up to 60 percent of the area of said third outlet port.

16. The system of Claim 10 wherein said choking means is a first choking means and further including second choking means, coupled to said fourth outlet port, for selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said fourth outlet port.

17. The system of Claim 16 wherein said choking control means is a first choking control means and further including second choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said second choking means, for, in response to a condition determined by said sensing means, causing said second choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said fourth outlet port.

18. The system of Claim 2 further including fiiBt and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the length of said first and second excitor meanB, in passing from said first and second inlet ports to Baid third and fourth outlet ports, respec- N.Z. PATENT OFFICE " 48 " - 3 SFP 1997 270757 tively, being out of contact with the wall of said first and second reburn sections, for reducing the crosB-sectional areas of said first and reburn sections on a plain transverse to the paths passing from said first and second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet portb, respectively.

19. The system of Claim 18 further including nozzles arranged on said first and second excitor means and in fluid communication with said first and second oxygenating sections respectively, and wherein said first and second oxygenating sections couple to said first and second excitor means, respectively, and introduces said oxygenating-con-taining gas into said first and reburn sections through said nozzles.

20. The system of Claim 19 wherein said first and second oxygenating sections Include first and second plenums located on the exterior of said first and second reburn sections, respectively, and said first and second oxygenating sections passes said oxygen-containing gas through said first and second plenums.prior to passing it into said first and second reburn sections through said nozzles on said first and second excitor means, respectively.

21. The system of Claim 19 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce Baid oxygen-containing gas at a non perpendicular angle relative to said paths from said first and or,'-ic= - 49 - | ~ 3 SEP 1997 -1 22 0 7 57 I v second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively.

22. The system of Claim 21 further including nozzles located on the walls of said first and second reburn sections in fluid communication with said first and second osygenating sections and wherein said first and second oxygenating sections introduce said oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections through said nozzles located on said first and second excitor means and through said nozzleB located on said walls of said first and second reburn sections.

23. The system of Claim 22 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce said ojygen-containing gas with both a tangential and a radial component of velocity relative to Baid paths from said first and second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively.

24. The system of Claim 19 wherein said first and second oxygenating sections introduce said oxygen-containing gas only through said nozzles on said excitor meanB.

25. The system of Claim 18 wherein the respective distances between said first and second excitor means and the walls of said first and second reburn sections, respectively, at particular locations along the length of said first and Becond excitor means, are substantially equl- N.Z. PATEMT OFF-; CE - 50 - - 3 SrP 1.997 27 0 7 *7 distant around said first and second excitor means, respectively.

26. The system of Claim 25 wherein the space between said first and second excitor means and said first and Becond reburn sections, respectively, are substantially annular.

27. The system of Claim 25 wherein the spaces between said first and second excitor means and said first and second reburn sections near said first and second inlet ports are less than near said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively.

28. The system of Claim 6 further including first and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the length of said first and second excitor means, in passing from said first and second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively, being out of contact with the walls of said first and second reburn sections, for reducing the cross-sectional areas of said first and reburn sections on plains transverse to the paths passing from said first and second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively.

29. The system of Claim 2 8 further including (a) sensing means/ coupled to said incinerator system, for determining a condition within said incinerator system and (b) - 51 - N.Z. PATENT 0'".~: - 3 SEP 1997 270757 choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to Baid choking means for, in response to the condition determined by said sensing means, controlling the amount of cross-sectional area of said third outlet port closed off by said choking means.

30. The system of Claim 29 wherein said choking means is a first choking means and said choking control means is a first choking control means and further including second choking means, coupled to said fourth outlet port, and second choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said second choking means, for, in response to a condition determined by said sensing means, causing said second choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said fourth outlet port.

31. The system of Claim 30 further including nozzles arranged on said first and second excitor means and in fluid communication with said first and second oxygenating sections respectively, and wherein said first and second oxygenating sections couple to said first and second excitor means, respectively, and introduces said oxygenating-con-taining gas into said first and reburn sections through said nozzles.

32. The system ' of Claim 31 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce said oxygen-containing gas at a non-perpendicular angle relative tc said paths from said first and second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet ports, N.Z. PATENT OFFiCE " 52 " - 3 SEP 1997 27 0 7 57 respectively.

33. The system of Claim 32 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce Baid oxygen-containing gas with both a tangential and a radial component of velocity relative to said paths from said first and second inlet ports to said third and fourth outlet port3r respectively.

34. The system of Claim 33 wherein the space between Baid first and second excitor means and said first and second reburn sections near said first and second inlet ports is less than near said third and fourth outlet ports, respectively.

35. The system of Claim 34 wherein further including control means, coupled to said and first and second damper means, for causing said first and second damper means to substantially close said first and second outlet ports, respectively. THERE ARE NO CLAIMS NUMBERED 36 - 56. - 53 - N.Z. PATENT OFF! - 3 SEP 1997 22 0 757

57. The system of Claim 1 further comprising choking means, coupled to said second outlet opening, for selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening.

58. The system of Claim 57 wherein said ojrp— genating means is a first oxygenating means and further including second oxygenating means for introducing an oxygen—containing gas into Baid main chamber and reducing means, coupled to said second oxygenating means and to said choking means for, when said choking means reduces 'the cross-*sectional area of said second outlet opening, reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said main chamber.

59. The system of Claim 58 wherein each section of said reburn unit includes first and second stages with each said first stage including a respective inlet port of said second inlet opening, and each said second stage including a respective outlet port of said second outlet opening, and each section of said first oxygenating means includes first and second oxygenating stages for introducing the said oxygen containing gas into said first and second reburn stages respectively, of said first and second reburn sections respectively^ and further including first and second sensing means for determining the temperatures in each said first and second reburn stages, respectively, and first and second control means, coupled between said first and second sensing means and said first and second oxygenating stages for controlling the amount of said oxygen containing gas introduced into each said first and second reburn stages, respectively, in response to the temperatures determined by said first and second sensing means. N.Z. PAThNT Or I iC - 3 SEP 1597 2.7 OT

60. The system of Claim 59 wherein said choking means is located at the end of each said second reburn stage.

61. The system of Claim 57 further including (a) sensing means, coupled to said incinerator system, for determining a condition within said incinerator system and (b) choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said choking means for, in response to the condition determined by said sensing means, controlling the amount the crosB—sectional area of said second outlet opening is reduced by said choking means.

62. The system of Claim 61 wherein said sensing means is a temperature sensing means, coupled to said reburn unit, and said choking control means, when the temperature sensed by said temperature sensing means falls below a predetermined level, causes said choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening.

63. The system of Claim 61 further Including steam producing means coupled to said incinerator system for utilizing the heat of said system to convert vater to steam, and wherein said sensing means is a pressure sensing means, coupled to said steam producing means, for determining the pressure of steam produced by said steam producing means, and said choking control means, when the steam pressure determined by said steam sensing means falls below a pre- N.Z. PATENT QF'fi -55- i - 3 SFP W7 270757 determined level, causes said choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said outlet opening.

64. The system of Claim 61 wherein said choking means reduces the size of said second outlet opening by blocking off one side of said second outlet opening.

65. The system of Claim 61 wherein said choking means is a butterfly choke damper. 66* The system of Claim 61 further including (A) excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said reburn unit, the majority of the length of said excitor means, in passing from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening, being out of contact with the wall of said reburn unit, for reducing the cross-sectional area of said reburn unit on a plane transverse to the path passing from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening and (B) a plurality of nozzle means, coupled to, in fluid communication with, and forming part of said oxygenating means, said nozzle means being connected to and arranged on the surface of said excitor means and being for introducing said oxygen-containing gas into the space between the inner surface of Baid reburn unit and Baid excitor means at a nonperpendicular angle to said path.

67. The system of Claim 66 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said excitor me&ns introduce said oaygen-containing gas with both a tangential and a radial I N.Z. PATENT -56- I -3 SEP 270757 component of velocity relative to said path from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening.

68. The system of Claim 67 further including nozzles located on the wall of said reburn unit in fluid communication with said oaygenating means and wherein said oxygenating means introduces said oxygen-containing gas into said reburn unit through said nozzles located on said excitor means and through said nozzles located on the walls of said reburn unit.

69. The system of Claim 67 wherein said oxygenating means introduces said oxygen-containing gas only through said nozzles on said excitor means.

70. The system of Claim 67 wherein the distance between said excitor means and the wall of said reburn unit at a particular location along the length of said excitor means is substantially equidistant around said excitor means. 71* The system of Claim 70 wherein the space between said excitor means and said reburn unit is substantially annular.

72. The system of Claim 70 wherein said excitor means includes a plenum in fluid communication with said oxygenating means and nozzles on the surface of said excitor means in fluid communication with said plenum , and said oxygenating means introduces said oxy- N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -57- - 3 SEP 1997 27 0 7 5 7 I genating-containing gas into said reburn unit through said nozzles.

73. The system of Claim 72 wherein said plenum is a first plenum, Baid oxygenating means including a second plenum located on the exterior of said reburn unit, and said oxygenating means passes Baid oxygen-containing gas through said second plenum prior to passing it into said reburn unit through said nozzles on said excitor means.

74. The system of Claim 72 wherein the space between said excitor means and the wall of said reburn unit near said second inlet opening is less than near said second outlet opening.

75. The system of Claim 74 wherein said space between said excitor means and said wall of said reburn unit has at least one sharp increase along said path.

76. The system of Claim 74 wherein said space between said excitor means and said wall of said reburn unit increases gradually along at least a -portion of said path from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening.

77. The system of Claim 72 including (a) a first support connected between said excitor means near said second inlet opening and said wall of said reburn unit and (b) a second support connected between said excitor means near N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -58- - 3 SF? 1997 27 0 7 5 7 said second outlet opening and said wall of said reburn unit, said first and second supports holding said excitor means within said reburn unit and having hollow interiors in fluid communication with said plenum in said excitor means substantially rectangular cross-section on planes parallel to said path from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening, and wherein said oxygenating means introduces said ojgrgen-containing gas to said plenum in said excitor means through said first and second supports.

78. The system of Claim 67 wherein the surface of said excitor means facing said interior is composed of a heat and corrosion resistant material.

79. The system of Claim 78 wherein the surface of said excitor means facing said interior of said reburn unit is composed of a material having a thermal conductivity constant k less than about «o Btu. in. where k is defined by k « jjl hr. ft.2 #F AT where g is the heat conductivity in Btu/hr. through a surface of thickness in inches, area A-in square feet, and temperature T in °F.

80. The system of Claim 79 wherein the fluid within said reburn unit has a component of velocity in the direction of said path from said outlet opening to said second outlet opening of not greater than about 46 feet per second. N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -59- - 3 SEP 1997 270757

81. The system of Claim 67 wherein the surface of said excitor means facing said interior of said reburn unit is composed of a material having a thermal conductivity constant k less than about so Btu. in. where k is defined by k ■ al hr. ft. 2 °P AT where q is the heat conductivity in Btu/hr. through a surface of thickness 1 in inches, area A in square feet, and temperature T in °F*

82. The system of Claim 81 wherein the fluid within said reburn unit has a component of velocity in the directions of said path from said outlet opening to said second outlet opening of not greater them about 46 feet per second.

83. The 'system of Claim 66 wherein said choking means can reduce the cross-sectional area of said second outlet openings up to 60 percent of the area of said second outlet opening.

84. The system of Claim 61 wherein said second choking can reduce the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening up to 60 percent of the area of said second outlet opening. THERE ARE NO IjAIMS NUMBERED 85 - 105.

106. A fume burning system for improving the en vironmental quality of a gaseous fluid emanating from the output of a source and containing combustible hydrocarbons comprising a reburn unit with: N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -60- | - 3 1997 ^7 07 57 (1) (2) (3) (4) an inlet opening, coupled to and in fluid communication with said output; an outlet opening for the egress of the gaseous products of combustion from said reburn unit; burner means, coupled to said reburn unit, for burning a fuel in said reburn unit; and oxygenating means, coupled to said reburn unit, for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into .AWH said reburn unit, wherein: (A) said reburn unit includes first and second separate reburn sections; (B) said inlet opening has first and second inlet with said output, said first and second inlet ports opening into said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (C) said outlet opening includes first and second outlet ports from said first and second reburn sections, respectively; (D) said burner means includes first and second burner sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for burning a fuel in said first and second reburn sections, respectively; and (B) said oxygenating means includes first and second oxygenating sections, coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, for introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

107. The system of Claim 106 further including damper means, coupled between said output and said second inlet port, for selectively preventing the passage of a fluid from said output to said second inlet port. . ports, coupled to and in fluid communication N.Z. PATENT OFFICE 62 - 3 SEP 1997 270757 108* The system of Claim 107 wherein said first reburn section includes first and second stages and said second reburn section includes third and fourth stages with said first and third stages including said first and second inlet ports, respectively, and said third and fourth stages including said first and Becond outlet ports, respectively, and said first oxygenating section includes first and second oxygenating stages for introducing said oxygen containing gas into said first and second reburn stages, respectively, und said second oxygenating section Including third and fourth oxygenating stages for introducing oxygen into said third and fourth reburn stages, respectively and further including first, second, third, and fourth sensing means for determining the temperatures and said first, second, third, and fourth reburn stages, respectively, and first, second, third and fourth control means, coupled between said first, second, third, and fourth sensing means and said first, second, third, and fourth o^genating stages, respectively, for controlling the amount of said oxygen containing gas introduced into said first, second, third, and fourth reburn stages, respectively, in response to the temperatures determined by said first, second, third, and fourth sensing means.

109. The system of Claim 108 wherein said damper means is a first damper means and further including second damper means, coupled between said output and first inlet port for select VZ7 PATENT OFFICE N.Z. b 63 - 3 SEP 1997 27 0 7 57 preventing the passage of a fluid from said output to said first inlet port.

110. The system of Claim 107 further including choking means, coupled to said first outlet port, for selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said first outlet port.

111. The system of Claim 110 wherein said first reburn section includes first and second stages and said second reburn section includes third and fourth stages with said first and third stages including said first and second inlet ports, respectively, and said second and fourth stages include said first and second outlet ports, respectively, and said first oxygenating section includes first and second oxygenating stages for introducing said oxygen containing gas into said first and second reburn stages, respectiv ly, and said second oxygenating section includes third and fourth oxygenating stages for introducing oxygen into said third and fourth reburn stages, respectively, and further including first, second, third, and fourth sensing means for determining the temperatures in said first, second,' third, and fourth reburn stages, respectively, and first, second, third, and fourth control means, coupled between said first second, third, and fourth sensing means and said first, second, third, and fourth oxygenating stages for controlling the amount of said oxygen containing gas introduced into said first, second, third, and fourth reburn stages, respec- N.Z. PATENT OFFiCE " s" ~ -3 SEP 1997 2.7 07 57 tively, in response to the temperatures determined by said first, second, third, and fourth sensing means.

112. The system of Claim 111 wherein said choking means is located at the end of said second reburn stage. 113* The system of Claim 110 further Including (a) sensing means, coupled to said system, for determining a condition within said system and (b) choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said choking means for, in response to the condition determined by said sensing means, controlling the amount of cross-sectional area of said first outlet port closed off by said choking means.

114. The system of Claim 113 wherein said sensing means is a temperature sensing means coupled to said first and second reburn sections, for determining a temperature in said first and second reburn sections, respectively, and choking control means, coupled to said first and second reburn sections and to said choking means, for, when the temperature sensed by said temperature sensing means falls below a predetermined level, causing said choking means to reduce the cross-sectional areas of said first outlet port.

115. The system of Claim 113 further including steam producing means, coupled to said system, for utilizing the heat of said system to convert water to steam, wherein said sensory means is a pressure sensing means coupled to N.Z. PATENT OFFICE " 6 5 " -3 SEP 1S97 270^57 said steam producing means for determining the pressure of steam produced by said steam producing means, and said choking control means couples to said steam sensing means, and to Baid first and second choking means for, when the steam pressure determined by said steam sensing means falls below a predetermined level, reducing the cross-sectional areas of said second and first outlet openings respectively.

116. The system of Claim 113 wherein said choking means reduces the size of said first outlet port by blocking off one side of said first outlet port.

117. The system of Claim 113 wherein said choking means is a butterfly choke damper.

118. The system of Claim 113 wherein said choking means can reduce the cross-sectional area of said second second and first outlet port up to 60 percent of the area of said first outlet port.

119. The system of Claim 113 wherein said choking means is a first choking means and further including second choking means, coupled to said second outlet port, for selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said Becond outlet port.

120. The system . of Claim 119 wherein said choking control means is a first choking control means and further Including second choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said second choking means, for, in -66- N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SFP 1997 2.7 0? response to a condition determined by said sensing means, causing said second choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said second outlet port.

121. The system of Claim 107 further including first and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the length of said first and second excitor means, in passing from Baid firBt and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively, being out of contact with the wall of said first and second reburn sections, for reducing the cross-sectional areas of said first and reburn sections on planes transverse to the paths passing from said first and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

122. The system of Claim 121 further including nozzles arranged on said first and second excitor means and in fluid communication with said firBt and second oxygenating sections respectively and wherein said first and second oxygenating sections couples to said first and second excitor means, respectively, and introduces said oxygenating-containing gas into said firBt and reburn sections through said nozzleB arranged on said first and second excitor means, respectively.

123. The system of Claim 122 wherein said first and second oxygenating sections include first and second N 7. P.-aTENT OFFICE - 67 - -3 SEP 1997 n o7 5 3 plenums located on the exterior of said first and second reburn sections, respectively, and said oxygenating means passes said oxygen-containing gas through said first and second plenums prior to passing it into said first and second reburn sections through said nozzles on said first and second excitor means, respectively.

124. The system of Claim 122 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce said oxygen-containing gas at a nonperpen-dicular angle relative to said paths from said first and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

125. The system ©f Claim 124 further including nozzles located on the walls of said first and second reburn sections in fluid communication with said first and second oxygenating sections and wherein said firBt and second oxygenating sections introduce said oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections through said nozzles located on said first and second excitor means and through said nozzles located on the walls of said first and second reburn sections.

126. The system of Claim 125 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce said oxygen-containing gas with both a tangential and a radial component of velocity relative to said paths from said first and second inlet ports to said first - 6 8 - (next page is page 70) N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 270757 and second outlet ports, respectively.

127. The system of Claim 121 wherein said first and second oxygenating sections introduces said oxygen-containing gas only through said nozzles on said excitor means.

128. The sy_stem of Claim 121 wherein the respective distances between said first and second excitor means and the walls of said first and second reburn sections, respectively, at particular locations along the length of said first and second excitor means, are substantially equidistant around Baid first and second excitor means, respectively.

129. The system - 0f claim 128 wherein the space between said first and second excitor means and said first and second reburn sections, respectively, are substantially annular.

130. The system of Claim 128 wherein the Bpaces between said first and second excitor means and said first and second reburn sections near said first and second inlet ports are less than near said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

131. The system of Claim 110 further including first and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, re- 70 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - -3 SEP 1997 .27 0 75? spectively, the majority of the length of said first and second excitor means, in passing from said first and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively, being out of contact with the walls of said first and second reburn sections, for reducing the cross-sectional areas of said first and reburn sections on plains transverse to the paths passing from said first and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

132. The system of Claim 131 further including (a) sensing means, coupled to said system for determining a condition within said system, and (b) choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said choking meanB for, in response to the condition determined fay said sensing means, controlling the amount of cross-Bectional area of said first outlet port dOBed off by Baid choking means.

133. The system of Claim 121 wherein said choking means is a first choking means and said choking control means is a first choking control means and further including second choking means, coupled to said fourth outlet port, and second choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said second choking means, for, in response to a condition determined by said sensing means, causing said second choking means to reduce the cross- sectional area of Baid second outlet port.

134. The system of Claim 133 further including nozzles arranged on said first and second excitor means and in fluid communication with said first and second oxygenating sections respectively and wherein said first and second 71" - N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1flQ7 270757 oxygenating sections couples to said first and second excitor means, respectively, and introduces said oxygenating-containing gas into said first and reburn sections . through said nozzles arranged on said first and second excitor means, respectively.

135. The system . of Claim 134 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce said oxygen-containing gas at a nonperpen-dicular angle relative to said paths from said first and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

136. The system of Claim 135 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said first and second excitor means introduce said oxygen-containing gas with both a tangential and a radial component of velocity relative to said paths from said first and second inlet ports to said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

137. The system of Claim 136 wherein the spaces between said first and second excitor means and said first and second reburn sections near said first and second inlet ports is less than near said first and second outlet ports, respectively.

138. The si stem of Claim 137 further including control means, coupled to said and first and second damper means for causing said first and second damper means to 72 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 substantially cloBe said first and spectively.

160. The system of Claim 106 coupled to said outlet opening, for cross-sectional area of said outlet 270757 second inlet ports, re- furthcr comprising choking means, selectively reducing the opening.

161. The system of Claim 160 wherein said choking means can selectively reduce the cross-sectional area of said outlet opening to 60 percent of the maximum cross-sectional area of said outlet opening.

162. The system of Claim 161 wherein said choking means is located at the end of said reburn unit.

163. The system of Claim 16 0 further including (a) sensing means, coupled to said system, for determining a condition within said system and (b) choking control means, coupled to said sensing means and to said choking means for, in response to the condition determined by said sensing means, controlling the amount of the cross-sectional area of said outlet opening closed reduced by said choking means. - 73 N-Z- PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 270 75 7

164. The system of Claim 163 wherein said sensing means is a temperature sensing means, coupled to said reburn unit, and said choking control means, when the temperature sensed by said temperature sensing means falls below a predetermined level, causes said choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said outlet opening.

165. The system of Claim 163 further including steam producing means coupled to said system for utilizing the heat of said system to convert water to steam, and wherein said sensing means is a pressure sensing means, coupled to said steam producing means, for determining the pressure of steam produced by said steam producing means, and said choking control means, when the steam pressure determined by said steam sensing means falls below a predetermined level, causes said choking means to reduce the cross-sectional area of said outlet opening.

166. The 'system of Claim 163 wherein said choking means reduces the size of said second outlet opening by blocking off one side of said second outlet opening.

167. The Jsystem of Claim 163 wherein said choking means is a butterfly choke damper.

168. The system of Claim 163 further including (A) excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 74 - -3 SEP 19.97 27 0 75/ to said reburn unit, the majority of the length of said excitor means, in passing from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening, being out of contact with the wall of said reburn unit, for reducing the cross-sectional area of said reburn unit on a plane transverse to the path passing from said inlet opening to said outlet opening and (B) a plurality of no2zle means, coupled to, in fluid communication^ with, and forming part of said oxygenating means, said nozzle means being connected to and arranged on the surface of said excitor means and being for introducing said oxygen-containing gas into the space between the inner surface of said reburn unit and said excitor means at a nonper-pendicular angle to said path.

169. The system ©f Claim 168 wherein at least a portion of said nozzles on said excitor means introduce said oxygen-containing gas with both a tangential and a radial component of velocity relative to said path from said inlet opening to said outlet opening.

170. The system of Claim 169 further including nozzles located on the wall of said reburn unit in fluid communication with said oxygenating means and wherein said oxygenating means introduces said oxygen-containing gas into said reburn unit through said nozzles located on said excitor means and through said nozzles located on the walls of said reburn unit.

171. The system . of Claim 16 9 wherein said oxygen N.Z. PATENT OFFiCE 75 - 3 SEP 1997 27 07 5 7 ating means introduces said oxygen-containing gas only through Baid nozzles on said excitor means.

172. The system of Claim 169 wherein the distance between said excitor means and the wall of said reburn unit at a particular location along the length of said excitor means is substantially equidistant around said excitor means.

173. The system of Claim 172 wherein the space between said excitor means and said reburn unit is substantially annular.

174. The system of Claim 172 wherein said excitor means includes a plenum in fluid communication with said oxygenating means and nozzles on the surface of said excitor means in fluid communication with said plenum,and Baid oxygenating means Introduces said oxygenating-containing gas into said reburn unit through said nozzles.

175. The system : of Claim 174 wherein said plenum is a first plenum, and said oxygenating means includes a second plenum located on the exterior of said reburn unit and said oxygenating means passes said oxygen-containing gas through said second plenum prior to passing it into said reburn unit through said nozzles on said excitor means.

176. The system of Claim 174 wherein the space between said excitor means and the wall of said reburn unit N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - * - - 3 SEP m 27 07 5 7 near said inlet opening is less than near said outlet opening.

177. The system of Claim 176 wherein said space between said excitor means and said wall of said reburn unit has at least one sharp increase along said path.

178. The system of Claim 176 wherein said space between said excitor means and said wall of said reburn unit increases gradually along at least a portion of said path from said inlet opening to said outlet opening.

179. The system of Claim 174 including (a) a first support connected between said excitor means near said inlet opening and said wall of said reburn unit and (b) a second support connected between said excitor means near said outlet opening and said wall of said reburn unit, said first and second supports holding said excitor means and being within said reburn unit and having hollow interiors in fluid communication with said plenum in said excitor means substantially rectangular cross-section on planes parallel to said path from said inlet opening to said outlet opening, and wherein said oxygenating means introduces said oxygen-containing gas to said plenum in said excitor means through said first and second supports.

180. The .system of Claim 169 wherein the surface of said excitor means facing said interior is composed of a heat and corrosion resistant material. N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -77 - -3 SEP 1997 27 07 57

181. The system of Claim 180 wherein the surface of said excitor means facing said interior of said reburn unit is composed of a material having a thermal conductivity constant k less than about . 60 Btu._in. where k is defined by k ■ al hr. ft.2 °P AT where g is the heat conductivity in Btu/hr. through a surface of thickness in inches, area A in square feet, and temperature T in °F.

182. The system of Claim 181 wherein the fluid within said reburn unit has a component of velocity in the direction of said path from said inlet opening to said outlet opening of not greater than about 46 feet per second.

183. The system of Claim 169 wherein the surface of said excitor means facing said interior of said reburn unit is composed of a material having a thermal conductivity constant k less than about 60 Btu. in. where k is defined by ,k « SiX hr. ft.2 °P AT where q is the heat conductivity in Btu/hr. through a surface of thickness 1 in inches, area A in square feet, and temperature T in °F.

184. The system of Claim 183 wherein the fluid within said reburn unit has a component of velocity in the direction of said path from said outlet opening to said second outlet opening of not greater than about 46 feet per 78 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1917 2.7 07 5 7 second.

185. The system of Claim 168 wherein said choking means can reduce the cross-sectional area of said outlet opening up to 60 percent of the area of said outlet opening.

186. The system of Claim 163 wherein said choking means can reduce the cross-sectional area of said second opening up to 60 percent of the area of said outlet opening. t • » THERE ARE NO CLAIMS NUMBERED 187 - 207.

208. A method of incinerating refuse which comprises: (A) placing bulk refuse through a first inlet opening into a main incinerator chamber; (B) burning said bulk refuse to produce gaseous combustion products; (C) passing the gaseous combustion products out of said main combustion chamber through a first outlet opening and directly into a reburn unit via (a) a second inlet opening of a first reburn section of the reburn unit and (b) a third inlet opening of a second reburn section of the reburn unit; (O) burning a fuel in said first and second reburn sections; (E) introducing an amount of am oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections; (F) passing the gaseous combustion products out of 79 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 £70767 said first and second reburn sections through second and third outlet openings respectively.

209. The method of Claim 208 further Including closing off one of said reburn sections.

210. The method of Claim 209 wherein said first reburn section is composed of first and Becond reburn stages and said second reburn section is composed of third and fourth reburn stages with said first and third reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third inlet openings and said second and fourth reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third outlet openings And further including measuring firBt and second temperatures within or near proximity to the Interiors of said first and third reburn stages, respectively, burning greater amounts of said fuel in said first and third reburn chambers when said first and second temperatures are below first and second predetermined set points, respectively, and lesser amountB when said first and second temperatures are above said first and second set points, respectively, measuring third and fourth temperatures within or near proximity to the interior of Baid first and third reburn stages, increasing the amounts of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into Baid first and third reburn stages when said third and fourth temperatures are above third and fourth predetermined set points, respectively, and lesser amounts of said oxygen-containing gas when said third and fourth temperatures are below said third and 80 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 27 07 5 7 fourth set points, respectively, measuring fifth and sixth temperatures within or in near proximity to the interiors of said second and fourth reburn stages, and introducing a greater amount of said oxygen-containing gas into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are above fifth and sixth set points, respectively, and reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are below said fifth and sixth predetermined set points, respectively.

211. The method of Claim 210 further including sensing a condition within said first or second reburn sections and, in response to said condition sensed, opening or closing said third inlet opening.

212. The method of Claim 211 further including removing heat-energy from said main chamber and transporting it in a form useful to another location.

213. The method of Claim 209 further including closing off at least a portion of said third outlet opening.

214. The method of Claim 213 further including introducing an oxygen-containing gas into said main chamber, sensing a condition in the incinerator system composed of said main chamber and said first and second reburn sections, and changing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into Bald main chamber dependent upor; 81 said N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 270757 condition sensed determined in said system.

215. The method of Claim 213 wherein said first reburn section is composed of first and second reburn stages and said second reburn section is composed of third and fourth reburn stages with said first and third reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third inlet openings and said second and fourth reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third outlet openings and further including measuring first and second temperatures within or near proximity to the interiors of said first and third reburn stages, respectively, burning greater amounts of said fuel in said first and third reburn stages when said first and second temperatures are below first and second predetermined set points, respectively, and lesser amounts when said first and second temperatures are above said first and second set points, respectively, measuring third and fourth temperatures within or near proximity to the interior of said first and third reburn stages, increasing the amounts of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said first and third reburn stages when said third and fourth temperatures are above third and fourth predetermined set points, respectively, and lesser amounts of said oxygen-containing gas when said third and fourth temperatures are below said third and fourth set points, respectively, measuring fifth and sixth temperatures within or in near proximity to the interiors of said second and fourth reburn stages, and introducing a 82 N.2. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 i 27 0 7 57 greater amount of said oxygen-containing gas into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are above fifth and sixth set points, respectively, and reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said second and fourth reburn stages \ when said fifth and sixth temperatures are below said fifth and sixth predetermined set points, respectively.

216. The method of Claim 215 further including reducing the cross-sectional area of said third outlet opening. 217* The method of Claim 213 further including sensing a . condition in the system comprising said main chamber and said first and second reburn sections and, in response to said condition sensed in said system, changing the amount of the cross-sectional area of said third outlet opening closed off.

218. The method of Claim 217 wherein said condition determined in said system is the temperature of said first and Becond reburn sections and, once said temperature falls below a predetermined value, said third inlet opening is closed and, once said temperature raises above said predetermined value, said third inlet opening is opened.

219. The method of Claim 217 including closing off at least about 60 percent of at least one of said Becond or said third outlet openings. N.Z. PATENT OFFICE 83 - - - 3 SEP 1997 27 ft? 5^

220. The method of Claim 217 further including closing off at least a portion of both said second and said third outlet openings.

221. The method of Claim 209 wherein said fumes, after being passed into said second and third Inlet openings of said first and second reburn sections, are passed around, respectively, first and Becond excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the lengths of said first and second excitor means, in passing from said second and third inlet openings to said second and third outlet openings, respectively, being out of contact with the walls of said first and second reburn sections, respectively. 222* The method of Claim 221 wherein Baid oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said first and second reburn sections through said first and second excitor means, respectively.

223. The method of Claim 222 wherein said oxygen-containing gas, before being introduced into said first and second excitor means, is passed around the exterior of said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

224. The method of Claim 222 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said firBt and second reburn sections at an angle that is nonperpendicular to the path from said second and third inlet openings to said 84 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 270757 second and third outlet openings, respectively.

225. The method of Claim 224 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is Introduced into said first and second reburn sections with a nonzero tangential component of velocity relative to said paths in said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

226. The method of Claim 213 wherein said fumes, after being passed into said second and third inlet openings of said first and second reburn sections, are passed around, respectively, first and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the length of said first and second excitor means, in passing from said second and third Baid inlet openings to said second and third outlet openings, respectively, being out of contact with the walls of said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

227. The method of Claim 226 further including sensing a condition in the system comprising said main chamber and said first and second reburn sections and, in response to said condition determined in said system, changing the amount of the cross-sectional area of said third outlet opening closed off.

228. The method of Claim 227 wherein said oxygen- containing gas is introduced into said first and 85 second N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 RCPCH/r.-. 27 07 5 7 reburn sections through first and second excitor* meanB placed in the interior of said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

229. The method of Claim 228 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said first and second reburn sections at an angle that is nonperpendicular to the path from said second and third inlet openings to said second and third outlet openings, respectively. 23 0. The method of Claim 229 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said first and second reburn sections with a nonzero tangential component of velocity relative to said paths in said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

231. The method of Claim 230 further including sensing a condition within said first or second reburn units and, in response to Baid condition sensed, opening or closing said third inlet opening. THERE ARE NO CLAIMS NUMBERED 232 - 237. -86- N.2. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 RECEIVL..' 21 ^

238. The method of Claim 208 comprising the further step of selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening and/or said third outlet opening.

239. The method of Claim 238 further including introducing an oxygeh-containing gas into said main chamber, sensing a condition in the incinerator system composed of said main chamber and said first and second reburn sections, and changing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said main chamber dependent upon said condition sensed in said system.

240. The method of Claim 239 wherein each said reburn section of said reburn unit is composed of first and second reburn stages with each said first reburn stage being adjacent to a respective one of said second and third inlet openings and each said second reburn stage being adjacent to a respective one of said second and third outlet openings and further including measuring a first temperature within or near proximity to the interior of one or each said first reburn stage, burning a greater amount of said fuel in said one or each first reburn stage when said first temperature is below a first predetermined set point and a less amount when said first temperature is above said first set point, measuring a second temperature within or near proximity to the interior of said one or each first reburn stage, increasing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said one or each first reburn stage, when said second temperature is above a second predetermined set point and a lesser amount of said N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -87- - 3 SEP 1997 2707 57 oxygen-containing gas when said temperature is below said second predetermined set point, measuring a third tempera-ture within or in near proximity to the interior of one or each second reburn stage; and introducing a greater amount of said oxygen-containing gas into said one or each second reburn stage when said third temperature is above a third predetermined set point and reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said one or each second reburn stage when said third temperature is below said third set point.

241. x'he method of Claim 240 further including reducing the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening and/or said third outlet opening.

242. The method of Claim 241 further including sensing a condition in the system comprising said main chamber and said reburn unit and, in response to said condition determined with said system, changing the amount of the cross- sectional area of said second outlet opening and/or said third outlet opening closed off.

243. The method of Claim 242 wherein said oxygen- containing gas is introduced into said reburn unit at an angle that is nonperpendicular to the path frcin said second inlet opening to said second oatlet opening/ and/or to the path from said third inlet opening to said third outlet opening.

244. The method of Claim 243 wherein said oxygen- containing gas is introduced into said reburn unit with a nonzero tangential component of velocity relative to said path in said reburn unit. -88- N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 recjv'.: 270 7 57. I i/,45. The method of Claim 244 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into Baid reburn unit through an excitor means placed in the interior of said reburn unit.

246. The method of Claim 245 wherein said oxygen-containing gas, before being introduced into said excitor means, is passed around the exterior of said reburn unit.

247. The method of Claim 243 including closing off at least about 60 percent of said second outlet opening and/or said third outlet opening.

248. The method of Claim 242 Including closing off at least about 60 percent of said second outlet opening and/or said third outlet opening.

249. A method of burning fumes emanating from the output of a source comprising: passing said fumes from said output directly into a first inlet opening of a first rebum section of a reburn unit and a second inlet opening of a second reburn section of the reburn unit; (B) burning a fuel in said first and second reburn sections; (C) introducing an amount of an oxygen-containing gas into said first and second reburn sections; and (D) passing the gaseous combustion products out of said first and second reburn sections through first and second outlet openings, respectively. N.Z. PATENT OFFICE ~89~ - 3 SEP 19P7 *7 07 5?

250. The method of Claim 249 further including closing off one of said reburn sections. 251* The method of Claim 250 wherein said first reburn section is composed of first and second reburn stages and said Becon' reburn section is composed of third and fourth reburn stages with said first and third reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third inlet openings and said second and fourth reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third outlet openings and further including measuring first and second temperatures within or near proximity to the interiors of said first and third reburn stages, respectively, burning greater amounts of said fuel in said first and third reburn chambers when said first and second temperatures ace below first and second predetermined set points, respectively, and lesser amounts when said first and second temperatures are above said first and second set points, respectively, measuring third and fourth temperatures within or near proximity to the interior of said first and third reburn stages, increasing'the amounts of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said first and third reburn stages when said third and fourth temperatures are above third and fourth predetermined set points, respectively, and lesser amounts of said oxygen-containing gas when said third and fourth temperatures are below said third and fourth set points, respectively, measuring fifth and sixth temperatures within or in near proximity to the interiors of -90- N.Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 & Hi *1A said second and fourth reburn stages, and introducing a greater amount of said oxygen-containing gas into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are above fifth and sixth set points, respectively, and reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are below said fifth and 8i,tth predetermined set points, respectively.

252. The method of Claim 251 further including sensing a condition within said first or second reburn sections and, in response to Bald condition sensed opening or closing said second inlet opening.

253. The method of Claim 250 further including closing off at least a portion of said second outlet opening.

254. The method of Claim 253 wherein said first reburn section is composed of first and second reburn stages and said second reburn section is composed of third and fourth reburn stages with said firBt and third reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third inlet openings and said second and fourth reburn stages being adjacent to said second and third outlet openings and further including measuring first and Becond temperatures within or near proximity to the interiors of said first and third reburn stages, respectively, burning greater amounts of said fuel in said fi^rst and third reburn stages when said first and second temperatures are below first and second predetermined—set N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -91- - 3 SEP Wff n b1 ^ points, respectively, and lesser amounts when said first and second temperatures are above said first and second set points, respectively, measuring third and fourth temperatures within or near proximity to the interior of said first and third reburn stages, increasing the amounts of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said first and third reburn stages when said third and fourth temperatures are above third and fourth predetermined Bet points, respectively, and lesser amounts of said oxygen-containing gas when said third and fourth temperatures are below said third and fourth set points, respectively, measuring fifth and sixth temperatures within or in near proximity to the interiors of said second and fourth reburn stages, and introducing a greater amount of said oxygen-containing gas into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are above fifth and sixth set points, respectively, and reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said second and fourth reburn stages when said fifth and sixth temperatures are below said fifth and sixth predetermined set points, respectively.

255. The method of Claim 254 further including reducing the crosB-Bectional area of said second outlet opening.

256. The method of Claim 255 further including sensing a condition in the system comprising said said first and second reburn sections and, in response to said ,_c -92- 27 0 '57 sensed in said system, changing the amount of the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening closed off.

257. The method of Claim 256 wherein said condition determined in said system is the temperature of said first and second reburn sections and, once said temperature falls below a predetermined value, said second inlet opening is closed and, once said temperature raises above said predetermined value said second inlet opening is opened.

258. The method of Claim 256 including closing off at least about 60 percent of at least one of said first or said second outlet openings.

259. The method of Claim 256 further including closing off at least a portion of both said first and second outlet openings.

260. The method of Claim 249 wherein, said fumes, after being passed into said first and second inlet openings of said first and second reburn sections, are passed around, respectively, first and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to said first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the length of said first and second excitor means, in passing from said first and second said inlet openings to said first and second Becond outlet openings, respectively, being out of contact with the walls of said first and second reburn sections, N ?. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SEP 1997 respectively. -93- ri r— /-v i-1 * * — — 27 0? 57

261. The method of Claim 260 wherein said oxygen-containing gas iB introduced into said first and second reburn sections through said first and second excitor means, respectively.

262. The method of Claim 261 wherein said oxygen-containing gas, before being introduced into said first and second excitor means, is passed around the exterior cf said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

263. The method of Claim 261 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said first and second reburn sections at an angle that is nonperpendicular to the path from said firBt and second inlet openings to said first and second outlet openings, respectively. 264* The method of Claim 263 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said first and second reburn sections with a nonzero tangential component of velocity relative to said paths in said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

265. The method of Claim 250 wherein said fumen after being passed into said first and second inlet openings of said first and second reburn sections, are passed around, respectively, first and second excitor means placed within, surrounded by, and coupled to Baid first and second reburn sections, respectively, the majority of the length of said f> vr->,:7 OFFICE I ~ -94- - 3 SEP 1997 II o 7 5 7 first and second excitor means, in passing from said first and second said inlet openings to said first and second outlet openings, respectively, being out of contact with the walls of said first and second reburn sections, respectively.

266. The method of Claim 265 further including sensing a condition in the system comprising said first and second reburn units and, in response to said condition Bensed in said system, changing the amount of the cross-sectional area of said second outlet opening closed off.

267. The method Claim 266 wherein said oxygen-contain-ing gas is introduced into said first and second reburn sections through said first and second excitor means, respectively. THERE ARE NO CLAIMS NUMBERED 268 - 273.

274. The method of Claim 249 comprising the further step of selectively reducing the cross-sectional area of said first outlet opening and/or said second outlet opening.

275. The method of Claim 274 wherein each said reburn section of said reburn unit is composed of first and second reburn stages with each said first reburn stage being adjacent to a respective one of said first and second inlet openings and each second reburn stage being adjacent to a respective one of first and second outlet openings and further including measuring a first temperature within or near proximity to the interior of one or each said first reburn stage, burning a greater amount of said fuel in said one or each first reburn stage when said first temperature is below a first predetermined set point and a less amount when said first temperature is above said first set point, measuring a second temperature within or -95- ipar proximity to N-Z. PATENT OFFICE - 3 SFP 1007 the interior of said one or each first reburn stage, increasing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said one or each first reburn stage when said second temperature is above a second predetermined set point and a lesser amount of said oxygen-containing gas when said temperature is below said second predetermined set point, measuring a third temperature within or in near proximity to the interior of said one or each second reburn stage, and introducing a greater amount of said oxfgenr*containing gas into said one or each second reburn stage when said third temperature is above a third predetermined set point and reducing the amount of said oxygen-containing gas introduced into said one or each second reburn stage when said third temperature is below said third set point.

276. The method of Claim 275 further including reducing the cross-sectional area of said first outlet opening and/or said second outlet opening.

277. The method of Claim 276 further including sensing a condition in said reburn unit and, in response to said condition determined with said unit, changing the amount of the cross-sectional area of said first outlet opening and/or said second outlet opening closed off.

278. The method of Claim 277 wherein said oxygen- containing gas is introduced into said reburn unit at an angle that is nonperpendicular to the path from said first inlet opening to said first outlet opening and/or to the path from said second inlet opening to said second outlet opening. -96- f\: 7. P-VTT-JT OFFICE - s scp 1997 RSCelVFD 270757

279. The method of Claim 278 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said reburn unit with a nonzero tangential component of velocity relative to Baid path in said reburn unit.

280. The method of Claim 279 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is introduced into said reburn unit through an excitor means placed in the interior of said reburn unit.

281. The method of Claim 280 wherein said oxygen-containing gas, before being introduced into said excitor meansr is passed around the exterior of said reburn unit.

282. The method of Claim 278 including closing off at least about 60 percent of said first outlet opening and/or said second outlet opening.

283. The method of Claim 277 including closing off at least about 60 percent of said first ' outlet opening and/or said second outlet opening. -97- N.Z. PATENT OFFICF - 3 SEP 1997 47 0 7 57

284. An incinerator system substantially as herein described with reference to ony embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

285. A fume burning system substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiff^nt shown in the accompanying drawings.

286. A method as claimed in claim 208 or claim 238 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.

287. A method a3 claimed in claim 249 or claim 274 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. END OF CLAIMS -98-