SG190644A1 - Combustion material process and related apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

COMBUSTION MATERIAL PROCESS AND RELATED APPARATUSThe present invention relates to a process (1) for the combustion of materials (X), comprising the steps of: (a) inserting the preferably compacted materials (X) in a reaction chamber (3) and closing the chamber (3); (b) injecting a flow of combustible gas and a corresponding flow of a comburent gas, which are in the correct stoichiometric ratio to each other, into the reaction chamber (3), so as to activate combustion of the materials (X); (c) continuing the thermochemical reaction of the oxidizable elements, for example carbon, with the oxygen present, without introducing any more gases; (d) injecting comburent gas to feed the thermochemical reactions of the oxidizable elements present in the materials (X), until the increase in temperature stops; (e) opening a throttle valve (5) to expel the gases, while continuing to introduce comburent gas at a substantially constant pressure until all remaining carbon has been oxidized, the strongly bound oxides have been subjected to pyrolysis and the metals present have been oxidized.Fig. 2

Description

Bescription

Combustion material process and related apparates

Techuival Fight

The present iwention relates fo a process for the vombustion of materials and a reluded apparaies, suitable in particular for wanis-to-energy plants, 3 Background Ant ln many sectors the destruction of materials by combustion has for a very long tre been considered only as a method for getting dd of woovanted and bulky mous. In recent decades niodels have spread which also propose to make use of the energy generated during the combustion of such materials, The considerations iH which follow, which can be axtended to any type of materials, sbove afl relate © waste, which becavse of fis dhvsnsions, guantities and snvitonment tisk, proseldes 8 striking example of what is indicated shove,

Today the disposal of municipal solid waste iv a big problem, especially in fialy, where approximately 73% of waste produced still sods up in land siies: this 13 causes widespread pollution of the territory and high disposal sad clean-up costs, © The development of alternative waste mangement mndels ix therefore made neocssary by the wewstsinable vate of the quent sitcation, Withoot doubt, a sep fy that divection 18 represented by waste-dowenerpy (Incineration with snergy reoveryl by means of which the waste, understood 10 be a renewable energy 243 souree, ean oondribute tr the generation of energy, © Waste-losenorgy is # modern, efficient yystem which spread fron Europe © the rest of the world, Thanks to 3, the heating value of waste can be used and the beat reload by waste combination can be converted nto electricity {or Heat eriergy that can be used for district hosting), reducing the overt impact on the envirnmmnent,

A waste-toeenargy plant fn a waste incinerator able to ose the heat content of waste to gengrale heal, to hear water {or other fhaids) and Bnally to produce elentricity or convey heated water to sovironmients and sreas to be heated, Therefore, i differs from old incinerators which ondy carried out the thermal destruction of waste, without producing energy. The wee of wisteto-enargy plants seems Ro 3 fepresent a way out of the problem of overhiall landfill sites.

Incinerators ave plants mainly used for waste shsposal by a high tearperative combustion process {incinorstion} whose end products wre a geves effort, ashes sod dosts. Co

The main categories and predogtinant quantities of wastes whivh can be 26 incinerated are munisipal solid waste (MSW) and special wastes,

Special catepories can he added to these: such as sewage sladges, medical waste or chenneal industry waste,

Bofors Incineration; the sate may be treated using processes designed to sliminate non-combustible materials (olay, oid, inert tems and the wet Fattion 1% {organic material such ss food watts, agrionltral waste, ofc}. Waste treated in thin sway 1x defined refuse derived feel or more commonly coo-hales.

Operation of an incinerator may be divided into a sequence of steps, First, the waste arrives from selection plants Jocated throught the territory (ut also directly from waste collection), the combustible fraction is produced (RDF ~ refuse derived 21 Heel} and is incinerated aller biological dehrdration of the waste followsd by . separation of inert items (metals, minerals, ete) foun the conthustible faction,

Combustion takes place, during which go forced air flow 1s conveyed Bethe furnace 0 firoduce the necessary amon of oxygen, which allows the bey combustion, Keeping the temperature high {nsually close to 1008 °C 35 Prior ant incinerators have quite 5 large amount of residues (normally within a pipe of from 28% 0 35% welative to the initial total mass) This large amount of sesidies iv serious problem, since they must be suitably stored. Said operation involves high costs which reduce the prodogtivity. of the entire plant {From an seonomit viewpoint), © Hoshould also be noticed that the modmune specific energy production of prior art plants iv approgisately 200/300 KOE Such values are bw and not envugly io gus economivadly suocessiol management of the plants.

Risclosure of the invention

The main purpose of the prevent invention 8 to provide a process for the combustion of materials autiable for minimising the residues.

Within the scope of the echnical purposes, the present invention also has fw a ado to provide a process for the gombustion of materials whish has high efficiency and Jow operating zosta, 1d} The present vention has for another dim to provide a proses for the combustion of materials which fe suntable for operating saith very high temperatures, Suother aim of the present invention Iv 1 provide au appanitus sullable for the combustion of materials according to the process, having s simple structure and substantially compact diosnsions, 13 C Another adm of the present invention is to provide a proosss far the combustion of materials, having 8 maxinum specific snargy production value which ix very high compared with prior an plants.

Anather aim of the present invention is to provide a process for the combustion of materials and related sppwstis, particularly fr waste-to-sngrgy plants, which are inexpensive, simple to impleracat’producs ana safe to apply.

The present invention achipyves this purpose and aim with the present proves for the cornbastion of paledals whic consist of inserting the sultably compacted mgtetialy Bn a reaction chamber and closing the chamber indesting a How of combuatible gus and a corresponding flow of a comburent gas, which are in the correct stojehiomatric sath to cach olber, Be the reaction chamber, $0 2s to activate combustion of the nwletals; continuing the temochemise! reaction of the oxidizable elements with the oxygen present inthe materials without nbroducing any sore gases; again injecting comburent as 10 feed the Sermachemical reactions of the remaining oxidizable elements, st least until the Increase in ompenitors slops, 3g and opening u twotle valve so expel the gsses, while continuing © inroduce comphurenmt gus ab 2 substaptially constant pressure pond completion of te thermochemical reaction of the oxidizable sloments, subistiing to pyrolysis te strongly bound oxides and oxidizing the metals present.

This paerpose and this aim are also aclieved by the present apparatus, suitable 3 for inplementing the process deseribied above, io partiondar for waste<o-energy - plants, of the typ sonprising a reaction chamber, having an islet for the aero of materials, an outlet through which the gases can flow oot, and sottabde circuits for introducing resgent guses, chavactorised dn that the comburent gas oxygen sorichment faction (F) oxpressed as a percentage, the appamaius maxing

Hi aperating pressure (P), exprosasd In bars, the reaction chamber free inner volume (V), expragead in cubs metres, the mass (VM) of materials inserted in the reactor, expressed fn tons, snd the maximum operate {TT reached in af least one portion of the reaction chamber, expensed in Kelving, are Huked socording to the formula

FPVAM 2 $24 x HR {TF 314732) 13 :

Brief dessription of the drawings

Further details are more spent from the detailed description which follows of 3 preferred, non-limiting embislisent of a process or the combustion of materials wd related apparatus, pusticalarly for waste-lo-anergy plants, 24 iHusteated by way of example, bud without Hmiting the scope of the nvention, in the accompanying drawings, in which: ; Figure 1 is a block diagram of » process for the combustion of satenals aeeording 10 the inventing

Figure 2 ix a side view in cross-secting scoording to a longitudinal axis! plane, 23 of gn appacatus fr the combustion of materials, prrtinularly for wasts-to-energy plants according tothe mention

Figure 3 is an snlarged vise of a detmil of Figure

Figure 4 is 2 side view in cross-section secording 10 a transversal plane, of an apparatus, partieolarhy for wastoo~energy plants according to the invention

Detailed Description of the Pretored Embodinents of die Invention

In particule with reference 10 the accompanying drawings, the mused denotes as a whole a process for the combustion of materfals X and the nugneral 2 denotes the related apparatus, partivubiely for waste-teeenergy plants. 3 The process 1 fw the combustion of materials ¥ consists of a sequence of five steps, the fins thoes being essential,

Duning 8 first step (3), similar to that alse camied out in vooal prior an incinerators, the mately X, proferably compacted, withowt pagiadar pres fredtments, must be inasried dn a reaction chanber 3 sad the chamber’3 must be bi closed. © bn prior art incinerators, the materials Xo inserted in the resction chunber 3 srust usually be suitably practrested, sHminating wetnesy snd all pocombuntible material or materials which may produce haomful enissions during combustion {uch ay chlorinated polymers) The process | according fo the invention and the 13 elated apparatos 2 alloy work on materials X which have not been pre-treated, with the contain economic advantage of reduting wr limiting a complex and expensive aperation. Ag deseribed below, the provess 1 according to the drevention can ales be applind 10 materials X which comprise factions of none-combistible materials and other paterialy, since the operating evele is particularly sffentive, 24 During a second step (hy, a flow of combustible gas and 8 corresponding Sow of comburent gas, the two gases being in the corsa stofchiometrio ratiy to cach other, must be injected into the reaction chamber 3

The How of conthustible gas, Ba sxasaple methane, together with #8 panttvadar stoichiometrin oxygen, itiggsrs spontaneous combustion of the materials X (for example the waste) contained In the reaction chamber 3, producing, during the comthustion: reaction, carbon dioxide and water vapor, When the combustion is started, af temperatures which may vary fron approximately 108 - 150 & ground 00 ~ 650 °C depending on the type of materials X being processed, the introduction of combient gas is stopped. 36 Daring a third step {ou}, #18 nevessary 10 continue the thermochenueal reaction of the oxidizable elements (for sxsanple, the oxidation of carbon} by the oxygen present in the materials X without introducing any more gases. This means that the sodidation will continue, bring sustained exclusively by using osrbon, sad the other sxidizable elements; and the Tousely bound oxygen contained in the material in the reaction chamber 3 Said elements will produce cwbon dioxide, twining the temperature of the materia! to R00 - 800 YL, and higher :

A feurth step (di to be started when hs tnperaline increase stops, volveg injecting more eomburant gre to feed the oxidation reactions of at least part of the remaining carbo and In general of the oxtdivable clements, of least unt! the temperature again slope inevedaing, ustially al temperatures of between 1600 and 200 °C, again depending onthe materials X processed.

The oxyeen injected oxidizes part of the remaining carbon (producing carbon diomide) and other oxidizable sloments, until 2 maximum temperature (1) and 8 anima intemal pragsuse (Fare reached, In pravtics, the laaperature may wach is 2000 2200 7C and the presser 35 < 80 har. Ewbodiments ave notexcloded which niay operate with pressure and emperatore values sndside said ranges, stilt eoverad hy this patent,

Ina fifth and foal step (©), at an outlet 4 for the gases, a throtile valve S haste he opened to allow the gases to be expelled, al the same time continuing fo mivoduge 2 conned gas at 3 substantially constant pressure to complete the thermaochensical regetion af the oxidizaide elements, For sxaaple, until all of the réremining swbon fay been oxidized, the strongly brand oxides have been sulijected 10 pyrolysis and the metals present have heen oxidized (it shonld be noticed that ron and shaninium ars often found Bvousicipal waste)

Completion of tha fifth and final step {eo} and therafors of the process Tran be verified when a negative gradiant is sean in signals sent by Sunperatuny ~ essure probes which canbe installed in the reaction chamber 3.

The vadve 5 is kept open anil the end of the process §, that is to say, until the ternal pressure has reached the same value as the atmospheric pressue. 3% It must be emphasized that during the fined step fe), controlled opening of the throttle valve § iv ovsded (using u suitable control and management appaesius for maintatuing 8 predetermined presse value in the vesction chamber 3) enti the pressures in the reaction chamber 3 is equal to the atorospheric pressure.

The gases which come out of the reactions chamber 3 through the tiwotile valve 5 gee fou suitable container 6 for mbdng with cooling alr if neosssary and the fractional deposition of oxidized metals contained in them, substantially in the form of powders.

For that purposs the container § comprides al hast ong waitable compartment 7 fn witch the oxidized mesals can be deposited and which ca be inspected for their i removal

Hefors the gases come ow of the apparatus 2, they pass through & suitable device 22 for serubbing fumes (located divanstrsam of the contatier 5 along a path suitably identified for the purification of fumes), comprising 8 copper-hased catalyst 13 The copper-based catalyst 33 comprises a continuous band made of refractory steel Haoks, coated on both sides with 3 copper deposit, which passes, by sliding on sflory, from ons to the other, and vice vias of fe two compartments of a box divided into two by & partition made of refractory steel.

Oxygen is introdeced nto ove of the two compartments, and the combustion 24 fiptey bdo the other, the fumes containing molecnles of hydrogen and carbon manoxide, harold to the eovironment. Ab the temperatures present, eijual to several hundred °C, the copper In the frst compartment oxidizes, so that the copper oxide whish reaches the senond sompariment, at sald tpesdives, wacky with the hydrogen and carhon monogde, foaming walsr vapour and carbon dioxide, which 23 do not harm the environment,

The Hane senbbing devices 32 ales comprises a Vserubber™, fn witch a process of halogen gas acidification amd elimination takes place.

In this way, downstream of the fame sorubbing device 22, only sarbon dioxide somes ow, at 8 temperate substantially not higher than 80°C. 34 The apparatus 2, suilable for pnplementing the progodure 1, partinelarly suitable for installation fn waste-to-energy plants, compaiaes a reaction chamber 3 having an det § for the tosertion of materials X, an outlet 4 through which the gases

How out and suitable circuiis § fr Introducing reagent gases,

In an sppasias 3 sovending fo the invention, the comdnent pas oxygen § sorichunent faction (FL expressed @ #1 percentage, the apparshie 2 mavimum operating presse (7), expressed in bus, the reaction chamber 3 free nner volume {(¥y expressed in cuble metres, the mass (0 of nsterdals X inseried in fhe combustion chamber 3, expressed fn tons, snd He maxinuan temperature {1} reached in at bast one portion of the reaction chamber 3, exprasead in Kelvin, ave dg Hnked according to te foray

FPVAM 2 S243 107 x (TH 31473 x

In particular, the apparatis 2 comprises & sealed, hollow outer shell 10 sad an nner casing 11 which miatches the shell 16 cavity.

The casing 11 is suitably made of refractory yoateria] with thicknesses sujtable i3 for withstanding the mechanios! load supplied by the pressure inside the reaction chareher 3 and the vary high temperature to which it will be subjected.

According to an sbudiment of particular interest Sor practiced poeposes and implementation, the casing 111s made wa hollow oylindeival shape (as shown in

Figure 4} with suitable thickeess, for example around 200 om.

The cylinder has siffoning ribs, for example six nix distributed radially, so that the diameter of the cited chonmscribing the ribs is the same su the intemal dianteter of the shell 180. Intsrposed between the shell 10 and the casiog 11 there iy » space 12 having the shape of a ovhindrical ring and being vermmw, for example 100 rom thick; so that they are separate:

The sprog 12 comprises an inlet channel 13 snd an outlet chanel 14 for the passage of coutant Suid,

According 10 a possible embodiment of interedt for application of the invention, the coclant fladd 18 2 flow of stmesphedc air pumped Into the space 12 vont the veils of the shell 14 sad the casing 1 A suitable computerised control and a management station (oot Hestrated in the socompanving deawdngs) adjusts a vale pressot jo. the outlier channel 14 to goapuntee that the pressurss inside the reaction chamber 3 and in the space 12 are constantly equal,

The appuratus 2 comprises suitable sensors 13 for cherking the prossurs aud 3 the tmnpeniue {nthe reaction chamber 3,

The apparales 2 comprises suitable pozles for the mtroduction of conshustible hdd (pordds 16) and vomborent fluid {nose 17) inte the reaction chamber 3. Appropriately, said nozedes 16 and 17 introduce those Thads according 1 respective stoichiometric ratios for sdhssting and controlling combnution in the 1G mesotion chamber 3.

The outlet 4 through which the gases flow ont is intereepied by a throttle valve substantially consisting of a plug 18 shaped to match & weepective hide (9 in the nner casing 11 made of refiuctory material,

The hole 19 8 in compunination with the sesotion chamber 3. i5 The plug 1E fy forced into the hole 12 apd blocks hy means of spusher 30 with controlled, adjustable action. Dn this way, the intensity of the pusher 30 action is determined by the pressure ko be mattained {or reached) in the maction chandier 3 {snd therefore by the cmrent stop of the process 1h

Ascrnding to a possible embodiment, the shell 10 consists of 7 plurality of shell portions which can be joined together. In this way, dbvassembly of the shell portions allows extraction of the inner casing 11 made of refractory material for fa subatibstion sud niadntenance. After many successive cyeley, the refimotony material may show signe of deterioration which will prevent perfect operation of the apparatus 2. The possibility of substitution simplifies management of the apparstus 2 according to the invention compared with privy art incinerstats. “The inlet § for insertion of the materials X houses 3 Hd 21 made of refractory material, Hs shupe and dimensions mstohing those of the inlet 2. must be emphasized that ongrof the possible cotrbustibde Haidy which can be used in this apparatus 2 bsomethane {ihe possibility of using other hydrocarbons in a gassous or Hould state Is not roled out or oven other sonbastible sobstances ina solid state, which may be powdered),

In such 8 case the comburent fudd nus comprise gasents oven. Fortha purpose, {f iy possible tr introduce stmosphedy alr, mbxtures of air ereiched with

GRYgeN Or even pure oxygen depending on the intensity of the reaction io be & obtained in the reaction chamber 3. Having alicady labelled the oxygen Faction F, when F increases the dimensions of the chamber 3, and Berefore of the apparatos 2, will change fu inverse propurtion, . The mew process 1 7a discontinuous cherie] — physical process which consists of u pricy gop (4 followed by 4 subsequent steps (9, (eo), 1d) and {o) and iQ allows 2 produtormined mass of materialy X such as mumicipal solid wastes, to be rapidly brought to temperatures of between 100 °C and 2208 9C, causing their sublimation, that 3% to say, vapurisalion without passing through the Hguelaction © stage. The progess 1 iakes place fosude & reaction chamber 3, for example having a tubular shape, with a tompersturs/pressury gradient of up to 2200 50/80 bay, 13 The suitsble throttle wale § calibrated to the maxiomm pressure tnlerable, causes shrottling of the vapours as they come oul, subjecting them fo adisbalie expansion and cooling and intreducing them inlo the conmainer §, from which they will then be sent fo the beat exchangers fr the production of superheated stoarn for oblatuing energy. 3 fn the material X to be processed, the oxypen is normally present we a compoment with farge molecules (oosely bomd oxyeend and ay an oxide of elements, for example calciom and silicon Gtrongly hoond oxygen) Carboy present as ¢ Joosely bound clement. as already indiosted, during step (Bh) a flow of combustible gas, for example methane, together with its particular stotchiometric oxygen, brings the material © a teniperature of up to 600 ~ 634 #0, producing carbon dioxide and water vapour.

Dhaing the next step (0), In which gases see vot infected from the outside, the carbon, the other oxidizable elements and the loosely bound oxygen vontatned in the material produce carbon dioxide and other oxides, bringing the temperature of the 34 material up to mperatures which may reach 2200

Al this pot the step (4) fovelves Injecting comburent gas, usually containing exrygsn, which oxidizes part of the remaining carbon and other eavidizable elements, produsing sabon dioxide sad oxides, oni the achicverers of the reavhnum tomperatire T (oxpresied In Kodving) and the maximum intend prossue P, 3 sxprassed fn bars: In practicy; the fenperture may veach 200 - 2268 °C and the pressure 38 « 50 bag,

Then a step {8} i needed In which the throttle valve § iv opened and crunburent gas continues fo be introduced wnt! all remaining carbon has oxadized, the stromgly bound oxides have been subjected to pyrelysis and the metals present, for example bron and aluminium, have oxidized,

The ster of the end of step (0) and of the process | iy indinated by the negative gradient of the siguals sent by the sensors 15, for example comprising temperature ~ pressure probes. The valve 3 is kept open until the end of the process 1 that te say, will the intoronl pressure. has reached the same value ss the atmosphede ix pressure,

Starting fun step {o), the vapours introduced nto the contalver & way be mined with external 2 lo ech maxinogy temperstres compatible with the exshangsrs.

Afler introduction In the condadner § and ding passage twough the exchangers, the gradual cooling causes Fractional deposition of oxidized metals, in powdery form, witch may be collected in suttable compartments 7,

Dvwnsterany of the exchungers, ot deviee for serabbing the Genes acidifies and sliminates halogen guass, Therefore, carbon dioxide at a mperatuve Tower than 80 *C coupes out of the chimney 38 The oxygen may be ervogenic or obtained by means of “moleondn steve” available on the market, Consumption of methane and oxygen per ton of material processed are for example approxinataly 30 Nie (normal cubic matres: the unit of measirement forthe volute of gases used, in “povinal”™ conditions, that Rio sy, 8 atmosphere pressure and 8 @ temperature of § 0) for methane and 400 Nw’ for 36 CCV,

For go muterisl such a Muontoipal Solid Waste the process causes dw development of heat which ds much greater then its NHY (the Net Heating Value is the amount of hey seleased dure complete eombaation of a fuel without comsidering the evapoaation heat of the water vapour) and gaergy production gust § to ground 2.5 to ¥ times that of 8 nomad waste-to-energy plant, as well aa drastically reducing the mass of residues {8 - 10 kgf rather than 300 - 320) and therefore the need to use special landfill sites,

The process van also be applied © bwegasie matdaly defined ws incombuatible, with an increase in the npethine/onygon sto and a reduction i te combined heat and power generation,

The formula

FEV S245 W0F x (FF - 314731 T) created based on studies aad experiments can allow the sizing of apparatuses 2 fv every possible pair of values representing process tomperatursfimass of material inserted depending on the comburent ges oxygen enrichment fraction:

The valve § altos the take up of the play csused by wer on the relations material. A suitable vent the may pravent (Ff present) the buildup of pressure in the aver side the seaction chamber 3.

Therefore, ss indicated the invention achieves the preset alms. wo The invention described above may be pidified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scopes of the fnventive concept © For example, #t is possible to make an opening Din the casing 11 {a the areas slong to the valve SY which allows the gross fo flow in converdiinal heat exchangers for energy recovery ten in a conventional “serubbie™ (fume serobidng tower) for 38 dehalogenation then fo the chimney.

The reaction chamber 3 ig deliouted by the casing 11 wiih hay suitable thickness, for example 200 mm, equipped with ribs, for example six ribs {ax shown in Fiore 4), so that the diner of the circle drnomsoribing the ribs is the same as the internal diameter of the shell 10 and so that between the shell 10 and the outer 3 eylinducal part of the casing 11 there remains 2 space having the shape of a evlindrical ring which is narrow {the space 12) for onamaple 100 nun thick, so that it is separate, oven if pot in a conplaiely sealed fashion, from the chamber 3. © The Hid 21 ds equipped with & refiuctory plate anchored to 3 by ety clans aved rents on the flange with a gaz-veal elastic orobdal metal ring interposed botwaen them. The Hd 21 may be guided at the back by borfzmwsd bars, allowing a loading hopper (none possiile smbodiment) tounlosd the rady-made bale of material Xie by processed. The movement of the lid 21 may be obtained by means of « porumatic or hydeaulie pusher which inserts the bale of matedal X in the chamber 3 and guaranties a pressurised gas-asal, i The start of step (hyof the process 1 #3 pusrantecd by the lrosduction of the stoichiometric combustible gas and comburent gas by the nowsles 16, 17 and iis ignition by a sultable fpaiter © Moreover, alt details of the invention may be substituted by other techaioadly squivalent elements. 13 in the example embodiments Hiosinated, individual features, shove relative to specific examples, may be interchanged with other different features, existing in other example embodiments, © Moreover, itshould be policed that gvervthing which during the procedure for obtaining te patent was revealed to be prior wll iy not olaioed and shall be considered rmoved fom the elatrey {disclaimer

The present invendivn shall by kuplemented fn the strictest compliaace with {ows and wiles relating fo the products which form the subject mstter of the vention or related to them and, WF necessary, subject tv authorisation from the wlevant authorities, particularly with reference to regulations reparding safety, arveironmental pollution and health.

In astice the materiale used, ay well ax the shapes and dimensions, may vary depending sa requirements, withomt theretine departing from the pristestive scope of fe appended clatms.

i. A process for the combustion of materials (X), comprising at feast the steps ofl

Co ~ inverting the materials (XN) in 8 maction chomber (3) and closing the chamber {3% 3 Co . ijecting mite the chamber (3) 2 How of a combustible gas and a sorresponding How of a comburent gas in thy relative storchiometrie rai anti thecombustion of the materials is activated; the progsess {1) being characterised fn thal 3 comprises at least the step of - continuing the thermochentieal resction of the oxidizable elements present in the materials {(X) with the oxygen contained in the matenialy {X) at least unl the HCrease tn Superstars stops. + The process according to clabm 3, choracterized fn that the continuation of the thermochemical resction occurs without the introduction of gases fom the is outside,

A The process scvording to slsim Lov 2, characterised in that ff comprises the further step of! ~ again injecting a comburent gay to feed the thermochamical reaction of 2 the oxidizable elements present in the materials (XK), at least until the norease in fomporatons Stops. 4. The process sceprding to clam 3, characterised tn that it comprizes the further step of; - opening a throttle valve (8) to expel the gases from the chamber (3) while continuing to inject comburent gas to compiste the thermochemical reaction of the oxidizable clements.

Claims (1)

1. 3 The process secovding to clade 4, characterised in that spening the Seattle valve {51 and comstinuing injection of the comburent gas fake pliwe at a substantially constant press 3 8, The process secording to chun 4, chareterised in that the step of opening the throttle valve (8) continues until the pressuny inside the resction chamber (3) is equshio the monpheric pressure,

   7. The process secording io claim 4, charsolerised in that it comprises the further step off - expelling the gases into the culside eavivonment,

   &. The process sceording fo claim 7, characterised in that the gases are expelled into the outside enviromment through a fest stage of stomge in wn sosntainer (6) and 2 second stage of passing through a fume sorubbing device (22)

   8. The process aveovding to olsiin 3, charecterized in that the fume sonubbing device (22) comprises 8 copper-based catadyst (237, designed to trderget with the fumes, so 8 0 avoid the inteeduction of hediogen and carbon monoid iy madeculos Tigo the environment. 1, The process according to clan 9, chasseitrised in that carbon diode without halogenated compounds comes out of the fume serubbing device (223. 18 Ho The process according to claim 8, characterised 10 that, from storage inthe onntainee {6}, gradual cooling tauses the fractional deposition of oxidized metals wposedery form ut corrssponding collection tompartnents {7} 12 An spparates Rr the combustion of materials (X), comprising a reaction chamber (3), having au inde (8) ov the insertion of mmterials {X3, an outlet (8)

   through which the gases can flow out and circuits (8) Ry introdasing reagent gases, the apparstos (3) being chameterised in that the canbursnt gee oxygen enrichment fraction (PF) expressed as & perventage, the apparatus (3) mndnmsn operating pressure (F), expressed fn bars, the reaction chamber (3) free intemal vohime {V), expressed in cuble metres, the mass (M) of materials {X} inserted in the rexction chamber (3) expressed in tons, and the maximum fempersturs {1 reached in at least ong portion of the react chamber (33, expressed in Kebvins, are Hinked acconding tr the foranla FRYE S24 x IE {7-34.73 TD)

   13.0 The apparatus according to clabe 11, characterized tn that 8 covnprises a sealed; hollow outer shall (10) and an inner casing {11}, matching the shell {1G} cavity, made of nufdotiny material, there being a spaos {12} bterposed Bebween the shin (1 sad Sw saving (11), td, The apparals according Wo claim 13, characterised in that the space {13} comprises au indet chanel (13) and an outlier chamel {1 for the passage of coolant Had. 243 15. The apparatus according ov claim 14, charastorised in that 1 comprives sensors. (15) and respective valve units, housed fn the outlet chanel (14), desygned to check the pressure of the coolant Haid inthe space (12), for keeping # st values substantislly equal to those of the pressure (PF) ioside thy reaction chamber (33

   16. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that the chrouis (9) for introducing reagent gases comprise noses (16, 17) respectively intended 10 mgtoduce combustible fuid and comburent Suid inky the resction chamber (3), according © suitable stolchiomeitic ratios bw adjusting and controlling combustion in the reartion shumber {3}.

   17. The apparatus according fo elaim 12 or 13, charseterised In that the outlet (4) through which the pases van flow out bs intercepted by a thrtle valve (5) substantially consisting of a plug (18) shaped to match a respeotive hale {18} in the lnner castag (11) made of refractory material, the hole (19) comnunicating with the reaction chamber (3), the plug (18) being forced to Mock the hele (1% by ragans of a pusher (20) with controlled aod adjustable potion. 1& The spparstus asenrding to claim 15, charasierized in that the shell (1H) i} vonsists of a plurality of shell portions which can be competed to each other, the disassembly of the shell postions allowing extraction of the nner casing (11) made of reffactory material for its substitution and mainienanse. He The spparatus gecording to claim 13) characterised in that the inbt {8 fn is inserting the materials €X) houses @ Hd {211 made of refractory mutated baving 5 shape and dimensions matehing thoes of the infer (8). The provess and apparatus aecording to claim 1 or 12, characterised in that the combustible fluid is methane or soother gaseous fuel, EH :

   21. The process sad apparatus sccording to slain Tow 12) charsctorised in thy the combirent fukd comprises gases oRyRen.