US3376833A

US3376833A - Refuse incinerator

Info

Publication number: US3376833A
Application number: US602311A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul A Mutchler
Original assignee: American Air Filter Co Inc
Current assignee: MILL AND MINE SERVICES Inc A CORP OF; American Air Filter Co Inc
Priority date: 1966-12-16
Filing date: 1966-12-16
Publication date: 1968-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-04-09

Description

United States Patent O 3,376,833 REFUSE HNCINERATUR Paul A. Mutchler, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to American Air Filter Company, Inc, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 602,311

' 7 Claims. (Cl. 110-14) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention provides means for burning damp refuse, for example sewage, by separating the liquid and solid portions of the refuse, drying .at least a part of the solids, burning the dried solids, evaporating at least a part of the liquid and burning the combustible components of the gases to be emitted from the incinerator.

Background of the invention Some previous means for disposing of damp refuse have been designed to separate the liquid and solid portions, process the solid portion and separately dispose of the liquid without further processing. Some such previous apparatus has provided means for the incineration of refuse where the solid portions are dried and subsequently burned while liquids are merely drained ofi for subsequent disposal. In other previous apparatus the liquids have been evaporated as the solids are burned but no provision has been made for controlling the odors emitted from such apparatus and it has been noted that such previous apparatus has been expensive and extremely cumbersome.

Some previous refuse incinerators have been of lightweight construction to be easily moved from one location to another but such portable incinerators have not provided means for complete combustion of refuse or for the elimination of objectionable odors resulting from the combustion of the damp refuse.

Summary the invention It has been recognized that the present invention provides a straightforward, inexpensive refuse incinerator for complete combustion of damp refuse and for elimination of objectionable odors emitted from previous refuse incinerator arrangements.

Moreover, it has been recognized that the present invention provides a lightweight incinerator arrangement for disposal of damp refuse which is light enough to be easily adapted to be mounted on standard vehicles for movement from one location to another and still provide for disposal of sewage without emission of objectionable odors.

Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure'set forth hereinafter.

More particularly, the present invention provides a method for incinerating damp refuse including: separating liquid and solid portions of the refuse, drying the solid porton and burning the combustible components of the dried solids; passing gases emitted from the combustion of the dried solids over the liquid separated from the damp refuse to evaporate the liquid; and burning combustible components of the gases passed over the liquid.

The present invention further provides an incinerator arrangement including: rotatably mounted drum means having spaced perforations in the circumferential surface thereof to drain liquid from the drum means; means to supply damp refuse to the rotatably mounted drum means; collector means cooperatively disposed relative to the drum means to collect liquid emitted through the perforations in said drum means; heat source means to direct 3,376,833 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 means; baffie means to direct at least a portion of gases emitted from the drum means over the liquid collector means to evaporate liquids collected in the collector means; and combustor means disposed in cooperative relation with the collector means to cooperatively direct flame and heat into the stream of gas passed over the collector means to burn combustible components of the gases.

It will be realized by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made in the arrangement, form or method of the refuse incinerator disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Brief description of the drawings Referring now to the drawings which show one example of an incinerator in accordance with the present invention:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, in section, of an example of an incinerator provided by the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view taken along a plane passing through line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view taken along a plane pass ing through line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view taken along a plane passing through line 4-4 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 5 discloses an alternate drum arrangement to be used in the .apparatus of FIGURE 1.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGURE 1 is an example of a refuse incinerator in accordance with the present invention and includes, generally, a rotatable drum 1 to receive damp refuse disposed in cooperative spaced relation in a casing 9. The circumferential wall of drum 1 has perforations 2 to emit free liquid separated from the damp refuse charged to drum 1 so the relatively solid portions of the refuse are retained in drum 1. A collecting pan 3 is cooperatively disposed beneath drum 1 to receive the liquid which drains from refuse charged to drum 1. Primary flow of gas through the incinerator is shown by the arrows, and first combustor 4 is provided to direct heat into drum 1 to dry the solids and burn at least a portion of the dried solids. A second combustor 7 is provided above drum 1 so as to be downstream of collector pan 3 in the gas flow system to advantageously complete the burning of combustible components in the gases and vapors before emission of such gases and vapors from. the incinerator through outlet 8.

More particularly, in the example of the incinerator shown in the figures, drum 1 is disposed in a generally horizontal position in a casing 9 where casing 9 includes end walls 9a, 9b,

side walls

90, 9d, a top wall 9e, and a bottom 9 Casing 9 further includes a partial divider and drum support wall 11 extending upwardly from bottom 9 normal to and between side walls and 9d to define a chamber 12 between itself and end wall 9b. A second divider and support wall 14 is inset from end wall 9a and extends fully from top 9e to bottom 9 of casing 9 to define a second chamber 35 between itself and end wall 9a.

Drum 1 is advantageously rotatably mounted in casing 9 where end 6 of drum 9, including an opening 6a, is vertically supported by cooperatively disposed rotatable bearings 12 fixed to the upper edge of divider wall 11. Opposite end 17 of drum 1 is rotatably supported in roller bearings 36 cooperatively fixed around opening 14a in divider wall 14. It will be noted that the upper edge of divider 11 and opening 14a of divider 14 are in aligned 3 relation so

roller bearings

10 and 36 are in fixed aligned relation to cooperatively support drum 1 in a generally horizontal rotatable position.

Second end 17 of drum 1 advantageously extends through divider 14 and includes a peripheral ring gear 3? adapted to mesh with a cooperative drive gear 16 (FIGURE 3). Gear 16 is driven, for example by means of motor 19 drivingly connected to drive gear 16 by means of a drive chain 18, to rotate ring gear 37 and drum 1 at selected speeds.

End 9!; of easing 9 includes an inlet 21 advantageously located in adjacent generally aligned relation with t pening 6a of rotatable drum 1 and is provided for loading refuse into drum 1.

A shelf 24 of selected width extends from wall 9b to divider 11 in aligned relation with opening 6a of drum 1 and is provided (FIGURES l and 2) over chamber 12 to facilitate transfer of refuse from inlet port 21 to opening 6a of drum 1. It will be further noted, as hereinafter described, that shelf 24 forms the bottom portion of a chamber 5. A door 22 is provided to cover opening 21 and can be hinged at the bottom, for example by hinge means 23, so door 22 opens from the top to bottom to rovide a shelf for resting container means before charging refuse to drum 1. A cooperative lock means 23a, for example a threaded bolt, can be provided to hold door 22 closed during operation of the incinerator. r A cooperative baffle broadly designated by numeral 13 is provided to direct flow of gas through casing 9 and can be disposed within casing 9 in a generally horizontal position extending generally from front wall 9b toward divider 14. Bafiie 13 can include selectively disposed

panels

13a, 13b, 13c and 13d where horizontal panel 130 abuts wall 9b and vertical walls 13d are positioned to abut shelf 24, wall 911, and panel 13a to form a semi-enclosed chamber to receive gases emitted from opening 6a of drum 1 and through which refuse is charged to opening 6a of drum 1. Vertical panel 13a extends transverse the longitudinal axis of casing 9 between panels 13d to prevent the passage of gas longitudinally through casing 9 from chamber 5 and includes an opening (not shown) which is adapted to fit closely around end 6 of drum 1 to restrict passage of gas between panel 13a and end 6 of drum 1. Chamber 5 includes an outlet 27, defined generally between panel 13a and divider 11 (FIGURE 1) for emission of gases from chamber 5 in a selected direction as hereinafter described.

Panels 13b of baflie 13 extend generally longitudinally in a substantially horizontal plane through the casing 9 and from wall 9c and 9d to each side of rotating drum 1, respectively, so the portion of chamber 9 between divider walls 11 and 14 includes two

chambers

38 and 39.

Bafiie 13 can, advantageously, terminate just short of divider 14 to form gas flow passage 28 for passage of gas between

chambers

38 and 39.

Pan 3 can be of selected width, length, and depth to fit under rotatable drum 1 to receive liquid and other substances emitted through perforations 2 of drum 1. Pan 3 can be removably mounted in casing 9, for ex- :ample by means of toggle mechanism 31, to be easily removed from casing 9 for cleaning and a door 32 can be provided in side 90 of casing 9 to facilitate removal -of pan 3.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, damp solids remaining in drum 1 after separation of free liquid are first dried and then the combustible components of the refuse are burned. Heat source means, for example a fuel burning combustor 4, can be provided to be inserted in opening 17a of end 17 of drum 1 to direct heat and flame into the rotating drum for drying and burning the solids. A second combustor 7 can advantageously be disposed to heat a portion of the drum and simultaneously provide an additional combustion opening source for consumption of combustible products carried by gases emitted from drum 1. It is desirable to assure complete combustion of objectionable odor which would otherwise be undesirably emitted from the incinerator. In the example of an incinerator in accordance with the present invention as shown in the example of the figures, second combustor '7 extends through divider 14 and is directed into chamber 39 of easing 9 to advantageously direct flame in the direction of flow of the gases so the combustible components of the gases are consumed.

Combustors 4 and 7 can, for example, burn liquid fuel, and a cooperative fuel pump 34 can be provided to supply fuel to the combustors at a selected rate by means of conduits 34a. Combustion air can be supplied to combustors 4 and 7 by means of a combustion air fan 37 where drum drive motor 19, fuel pump 34 and combustion air fan 37 can be housed in chamber 37.

Means can be provided to eliminate fly ash from the gases and vapors emitted from incinerator 9 and in the example of the figures, bafiles 40 are disposed in outlet 8 to direct fly ash to fly ash pit 12 formed between divider wall 11 and end wall 9b.

In operation of the incinerator apparatus as shown in the example of the figures, damp refuse, for example sewage, is charged to drum 1 through opening 21 of easing 9. Drum 1 is rotated to turn such damp refuse over and over so free liquid contained in the refuse drains through perforations 2 to be collected in pan 3. Combustor 4 is provided to direct flame and heat through rotating drum 1 to first dry the solids and secondly to burn the dried solids so the gaseous and vaporous products of combustion are emitted from drum 1 through opening 611 to be received in chamber 5.

Combustion products flow from chamber 5 through 27 to be directed over the liquid contained in an 3 to evaporate the liquid and carry the resulting vapor to chamber 39 through openings 28 of bafiie 13b. It is to be noted that battle 13b severely restricts the flow of gas between panel 13b and rotating drum 1 so most of the gas passes through chamber 38 and over pan 3 before entering chamber 39.

Advantageously, combustor 7 directs flame and heat through chamber 39 to heat a portion of drum 1 which is not exposed to the refuse held in drum 1 and the unexposed portion is easily heated to a high temperature. The portion of drum 1 so heated by combustor 7 is then in turn rotated to a position to be directly contacted by the refuse to facilitate drying the damp refuse.

It is recognized that some gaseous products from the drying and combustion which occurs in drum 1 are emitted through perforations 2 of drum 1 and pass directly into chamber 39 without passing through chamber 38. As hercinbefore noted, gas which is emitted from opening 6a of drum 1 passes over collector 3 and through chamber 38 and into chamber 39. All of the gas admitted to chamber 39 from chamber 38, through perforations 2 or otherwise, is subjected to flame and heat from combustor 7 to eliminate combustible materials carried by the gas stream before emission from outlet 8 and to prevent emission of objectionable odors from the incinerator.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been recognized that final combustion of gas and vapor before emission from the incinerator consumes the remaining unreacted products to eliminate odors and noxious gases which would otherwise be emitted from stack 8 and superheats water vapors to prevent condensation in the vicinity of the incinerator.

As the refuse collected in drum 1 is burned, the ash and unburned substances pass through perforations 2 of drum 1 to be collected in pan 3 while fly ash is collected in chamber 12. Periodic removal of ash and other unburned materials requires little efiort. Thus it will be realized that the present invention provides an incinerator which is straightforward and efiicient in operation and which requires little or no maintenance.

It will be recognized that within the scope of the present invention other liquid collecting arrangements can be devised, for example as shown in FIGURE 5, perforated drum 1 can be enclosed in a solid drum 1a so an annular chamber 41 is formed therebetween. In such an arrangement pan 3 can be eliminated from the apparatus because drum 1a provides the liquid collector means and liquid drain through the perforations to be collected in the annular chamber. Drum 1a can be rotated with drum 1 to agitate liquid collected in the annular chamber to evaporate the liquid on the heated surface of drum 1. Also, combustion air can be passed through chamber 41 and heated gases and flames can be emitted to chamber 41 through perforations 2 of drum 1.

The invention claimed is:

1. A damp refuse incinerator arrangement including: rotatably mounted drum means having spaced perforations in the circumferential wall thereof for emission of liquid from said drum means; means to rotate said drum at a selected speed; means to supply damp refuse to said rotatably mounted drum means; collector means cooperatively disposed relative to said drum means to collect liquid draining through said perforations in said drum means; heat source means to direct heat into said rotating drum to remove moisture from said damp refuse and burn a portion of the said refuse; vent means for emission of gases from said drum means; means cooperatively disposed so a portion of said gases emitted from said drum means are directed over said liquid collector means to evaporate liquid collected in said collector means; and heat source means disposed to direct flame and heat into said stream of gas passing over said collector meansto burn combustible components of said gas.

2. The arrangement of claim '1 wherein said drum is rotated about a generally horizontal axis and said collector means is disposed beneath said drum means to receive liquid emitted through said perforations in said drum means and solid products of combustion generated in said drum means which pass through said perforations in said drum means.

3. The incinerator arrangement of claim 1 wherein said collector means include solid surface drum means having a diameter greater than the diameter of said perforated drum means wherein said solid surface drum means is disposed in axially aligned relation with said perforated drum means to provide an annular chamber therebetween for collection of liquid emitted from said perforated drum means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drum means includes a first end having a generally axially aligned opening and the other end includes said vent means for emission of gas from said drum means; and first heat source means disposed in said opening in said first end to direct heat into said rotatable means.

5. A method of incinerating damp refuse comprising: separating free liquid and solid portions of said refuse; draining said liquid into collector means; heating said solid portions of said refuse to dry said solids; burning at least a portion of said dried solids; directing gases resulting from said drying and burning of said solid portions over said collector means to evaporate said liquid drained from said refuse; and burning combustible components of said gas stream passed over said collector means.

6. A damp refuse incinerator arrangement including: an outer casing having a refuse inlet, an ash removal outlet, and a gas outlet; a rotatably mounted drum disposed in said casing in generally horizontal relation; said rotatable drum having perforations in the wall thereof to drain liquid from said drum means and an axially aligned opening in each end of said drum means wherein said drum means is disposed in said casing so said refuse inlet of said casing and said opening in one end of said drum means are in cooperative aligned relation; collector pan means cooperatively disposed beneath said rotatable drum means to collect liquid drained through said perforations in said drum means; first combustor means disposed in said opening in the second end of said rotatable drum means disposed to direct heat and flame into said drum means toward said first opening in said drum means to remove moisture from said damp refuse and burn a portion of said refuse; baffie means extending generally horizontally through said casing to direct gas emitted from said opening in said first end of said rotatable drum means over liquid collected in said pan means to evaporate a portion of said liquid; and second combustor means disposed in cooperative relation with said collector means and said gas outlet means to direct flame and heat into said stream of gas passed over said collector means to burn combustible components of said gas stream.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second combustor is advantageously disposed downstream from said collector to direct heat and flame into said stream of gas in the direction of flow of gas and direct heat and flame toward a selected portion of said rotating drum to heat said selected portion of said drum.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 481,147 8/1892 Parke 110-9 911,375 2/1909 Burwell 11014 X 1,101,129 6/1914 Kitchen 11015 1,491,894 4/1924 Atkinson 110-14 X 2,903,709 9/1959 Blankenship et al. 110-9 X JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.