US3728977A

US3728977A - Household rubbish reduction system

Info

Publication number: US3728977A
Application number: US00204431A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Brannan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-03
Filing date: 1971-12-03
Publication date: 1973-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-24

Abstract

Raw rubbish incineration and compaction means comprising the serial combination of a primary furnace, a mixing chamber, and afterburner for the primary furnace and mixing chamber, along with the additional combination of a compacting chamber for compaction of incinerated raw rubbish. The primary furnace receives the raw rubbish and a burner is provided for incineration. A mixing chamber provides additional air for the discharge from the primary furnace and is arranged to discharge the additional air and primary furnace gases to the afterburner. The afterburner is arranged to completely burn any combustible contained within the gaseous mixture received from the mixing chamber. The primary furnace is provided with a grate which can be moved to discharge incinerated solids into the compacting chamber, wherein a movable wall of the compacting chamber moves into contact with the solids and crushes these solids to a predetermined pressure. Temperature control and mechanical interlock controls are provided for the system.

Description

United States Patent 191 Brannan HOUSEHOLD RUBBISH REDUCTION SYSTEM Inventor:

[76] Jack D. Brannan, 9925 Nord Road, Raw rubbish incineration and compaction means com- Minneapolis, Minn. 55431 prising the serial combination of a primary furnace, a

Dec. 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,431

mixing chamber, and afterburner for the primary furnace and mixing chamber, along with the additional combination of a compacting chamber for compaction [22] Filed:

of incinerated raw rubbish. The primary furnace receives the raw rubbish and a burner is provided for incineration A mixing chamber provides additional air for the discharge from the primary furnace and is arranged to discharge the additional air and primary furnace gases to the afterburner. The afterburner is arranged to completely burn any combustible contained within the gaseous mixture received from the mixing [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS chamber. The primary furnace is provided with a grate which can be moved to discharge incinerated solids 12/1967 into the compacting chamber, wherein a movable wall Siracusa.....

Moore,.....

of the compacting chamber moves into contact with Brewer.........

I the solids and crushes these solids to a predetermined Bogue pressure. Temperature control and mechanical interlock controls are provided for the system.

Primary ExaminerKenneth W. Sprague Attorney-Orrin M. Haugen 12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 24 I975 SLLIU 1 CF 6 FIG. 1

. INVENTOR'. JACK D. BRANNAN- BY Um 2 m ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 24 ms INVENTOR.

JACK D. BRANNAN ATTORNEY VAHTNHZU R 4 I973 sum 3 [1? 6 INVENTOR. JACK D. BRANNAN ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 24 I975 INVENTOR.

F I G 9 JACK D. BRANNAN ATTORNEY O 9 r I V I v n H t FIG.8

SHEET 8 OF 6 PATENTEDAPR 24 I975 INVENTOR.

JACK D. BRANNAN ATTORNEY HOUSEHOLD RUBBISH REDUCTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a rubbish incineration and compaction means, and more particularly to an improved rubbish incineration and compaction means including the serial combination of a primary furnace, a mixing chamber for gases delivered from the primary furnace, along with afterburner means, this combination being disposed in further combination with a compacting chamber for the compaction of incinerated raw rubbish. The disposal of rubbish has .become a major concern for environmental protection,

both from the standpoint of air pollution, and water pollution, including both surface water and subterranean water.

In the disposal of rubbish, the incomplete combustion of rubbish contributes to a build up of noxious gases in the environment including excessive quantities of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and various oxides of nitrogen. Complete combustion of rubbish reduces or eliminates the introduction of carbon monoxide, and reduces the introduction of noxious forms of other contaminating gases into the atmosphere. The disposal of raw rubbish in either surface or sub-surface disposal areas have been found to have an adverse effect upon water supplies, both standing water supplies and subterranean water supplies. The complete oxidation of raw rubbish prior to disposal will reduce substantially incidences of pollution of surface waters or subterranean waters.

The collection and disposal of household rubbish is continuing to increase in cost. It has been found that the complete incineration of household rubbish at the location of the household will decrease the costs of collection and disposal of household rubbish, and also reduce damage to the natural environment. The apparatus of the present invention provides a combined incineration and compaction apparatus which is thorough, complete, and safe in its operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a household rubbish incineration and compaction means is provided which includes, in combination, the serial combination ofa primary furnace, a mixing chamber to accept the flue from the primary furnace and add ambient air thereto, along with an afterburner for completely igniting and oxidizing the mixture received from the mixing chamber. A compacting chamber is disposed adjacent to the primary furnace for receiving incinerated rubbish from the primary furnace, and ultimately compacting rubbish so received. Both electrical and mechanical interlocks are provided to eliminate danger to the user, with these interlocks including sequencing interlocks for sequencing the operation of It is yet a further object of the present invention to I provide an improved rubbish incinerator and compaction means which is provided with a system for completely oxidizing gaseous discharge from the incineration portion of the structure, and for completely oxidizing the solids to be discharged. I

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved incineration and compaction means which is adapted to receive a variety of types of rubbish, including cellulose materials, steel and aluminum cans, glass, plastics, leather, rubber, garbage, oils, paints, varnishes and the like.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved rubbish incineration and compaction apparatus which is adapted to process a wide variety of household rubbish.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved household rubbish incinerating and compaction system which is arranged to incinerate ordinary household garbage, and wherein the incineration structure includes means for receiving wet garbage to be dried by the incineration of a previous charge of rubbish in the incinerator.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved household rubbish incineration and compaction apparatus which is capable of processing normally combustible and non-combustible rubbish.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the household rubbish incineration and compaction system of the present invention, and illustrating the normal movement of rubbish through the system, and illustrating the cooperating components of the system, along with the.

mechanical and electrical interlocks;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the structure of the present invention, and illustrating the structure with the charge door in open disposition;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, and showing the back and side walls thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and showing the apparatus with the charge door in opened disposition, and with the primary furnace grate in closed disposition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the grate illustrated in opened disposition;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are side elevational views of the structure illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, and illustrating the sequence of operation occurring as follows:-

FIG. 6 illustrates the structure with the grate in closed disposition,

FIG. 7 shows the furnace grate in opened disposition,

FIG. 8 illustrates the disposition of the compactor midway through the compacting cycle, or at a point when compaction is at least partially complete,'and

FIG. 9 illustrates the compaction wall or ram in fully closed or fully compacted disposition;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIGS. 2-5, and illustrating the articulating mechanism for the compactor, FIG. 10 illustrating the compactor in its normal disposition;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, and illustrating the compactor articulating mechanism with the compactor in closed or fully compacted disposition; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing illustrating the electrical interlock system of the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With particular attention being directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the schematic block diagram illustrated therein shows the major components, including chambers, interlocks, and the like, and may be referred to for a comprehension of the overall system. The raw rubbish incineration and compaction means generally designated 10 includes a primary furnace chamber 11 having a charging door 12 for the placing of raw rubbish within the primary furnace. Raw rubbish is deposited as indicated by arrow 13. The solid residue from the primary furnace moves through grate 15, and along arrow 16 into compacting chamber generally designated 17. Gaseous discharge from the primary furnace 11 passes through fly ash filter 18 and into mixing chamber generally designated 19. Combustion air for primary furnace 11 is supplied by combustion air blower 20, blower 20 further providing ambient air through line 21 into mixing chamber 19, wherein ambient air is mixed with gaseous discharges from the primary furnace. The gaseous discharge from mixing chamber 19 travels through conduit 22 into afterburner 23, the discharge from afterburner 23 beingmoved through stack 24 and discharged to the outside environment. Flue gas cooling blower 25 assists in controlling the temperature of gases discharged at 24. The solid residue from compactor 17 is discharged into residue chamber 26 for ultimate disposal as compacted solid rubbish.

Control panel 30 is shown provided with power from source 31, and having electrical power distribution lines 32 and 32a extending therefrom, these electrical power distribution lines controlling the function of the

blowers

20 and 25, and compactor drive, such as at 33. Fuel supply lines are shown, with heater 35 of the pri- 'mary furnace being supplied by gas flowing in conduit 36. This gas is controlled by valve'37. The mixing chamber 19 has heater 38 supplied by gas through conduit 39, controlled by valve 40. After burner 23 has a heater 41 supplied with gas from conduit 42, the flow of which is controlled by valve 43. A main heat source the righthand side of panel 30, with the flue gas temperature control being shown at 55, the afterburner heater valve control being shown at 56, the afterburner temperature control being shown at 57, the mixing chamber temperature control being shown at 58, and the mixing chamber heater valve being shown at 59.

In the event wet garbage residue is to be desiccated prior to introduction into the primary furnace, it may be placed in a receptacle provided in the mixing chamber, with this introduction of material being shown at the arrow 60.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings wherein the structure of the incinerator and compaction device of the present invention is illustrated. The primary furnace chamber is shown at 11, with the mixing chamber being shown at 19, and the atterburner section being shown generally at 23, the afterburner section being shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5. The compacting chamber is shown in FIG. 5 at 17, with the residue dump door at the base thereof being fully described hereinafter. The structure 10 includes a shell or cauling surrounding the individual components, with the charged door 12 being shown in opened disposition in each of the FIGS. 22-5. The flue discharge opening to flue 24 is shown at 71. As is indicated, door 12 is hinged to caul 70 as at 72 by means of pivot rod 73, rod 73 being secured to sheave member 74. The bottom surface of the primary furnace 11 is provided in the form of grate 15, grate 15 being shown in closed disposition in FIG. 4.

Following opening of grate l5, residue moves into compaction chamber 17 wherein it is compacted, and ultimately into discharge drawer shown best in FIG. 3 at 75. Dischargedrawer 75 is shown in opened disposition in FIG. 3.

PRIMARY FURNACE The raw charge is placed into the primary furnace 11 wherein it is burned and converted to either flue gas or inert residue. The primary furnace is fed with a gas fired flame through burner 35, as illustrated in FIG. 1, burner 35 being utilized to provide the thermal energy required to burn the rubbish placed within the primary furnace.

For most household structures, the primary furnace preferably has a volume of approximately 2.6 cubic feet. Larger volumes would be required for commercial installations. Such a volume will receive a charge of approximately 15 pounds of household rubbish, with heater 35 having a heat input of approximately 20,000 BTU per hour. Control element 510 (FIG. 1) is provided to control a maximum continuous temperature in the chamber at l,300 F. The pilot of burner 35 is preferably electrically energized in order to preclude the possibility flash-back during charging. It will be appreciated that the primary furnace is formed of refractory material and has a mechanical structure capable of withstanding flash temperatures of 2,000 F. Grate 15 provides an open area of approximately 35 square inches, with a substantially equal amount of closed area for the individual laterally spaced f ngers shown at 15a-l5. Auxiliary air is introduced into the primary furnace through opening 76, which is preferably located at an elevation above the upper surface of grate l5.

The ash discharge opening for the primary furnace 11 is provided upon pivotal rotation of grate from the disposition illustrated in FIG. 4to that illustrated in FIG. 5, with additional detail being shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This area is preferably about l54 square inches, thus being compatible with the grate structure. For most purposes, the dimensions of the upper portion of the primary furnace are l4 22 inches, and the depth of the furnace is preferably about 17 inches.

The outlet for flue gases from the primary furnace is shown in the form of fly ash filter 18, and is approximately 2X10 inches in size, filled with screen for filter purposes. Generally speaking, lO-mesh screen is adequate for most household purposes. The primary furnace chamber is formed with refractory brick, such as is shown at 78. For most purposes, a refractory lining of between 1 /2 and 2 inches is adequate, however for safety purposes, 3 inches of refractory lining may be utilized. If desired, both steel and refractory materials may be utilized, with the refractory material being in contact with the primary furnace interior.

MIXING CHAMBER The mixing chamber for a typical residential unit is preferably about 5 l0 l7 inches in size. The top 2 inches of the 10-inch side interfaces with the fly ash screen 18, while the bottom portion 80 of the wall 81 opens into afterburner chamber 23. An auxiliary heater, such as the heater 38, is disposed adjacent the upper portion of the mixing chamber 19 and for a typical residential unit, has a heat capacity of approximately 10,000 BTU/hour. Auxiliary air is introduced into the top of this chamber through a connection with blower 20, particularly as is illustrated in FIG. 3. As is indicated, this air is introduced adjacent the top of mixing chamber 19. Also, as is indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a wet garbage disposal receptacle member is disposed within the mixing chamber, this receptacle being in the form of a basket 82. This receptacle is removable and is arranged to retain wet garbage for desiccation prior to incineration. Preferably, receptacle 82 has a hook arrangement to mount on the divider wall between the primary furnace chamber 11 and mixing chamber 19.

COMBUSTION AIR A combustion air blower member 20 is provided to supply auxiliary air to both the primary furnace and the mixing chamber. Auxiliary air is supplied to the extent of approximately 200% in excess of that required for complete combustion in order to assure complete incineration of the organic products, and complete combustion of all flue gases. It has been found that a reasonable excess of air contributes to reduction of emission of noxious gases, and thereby controls or reduces air pollution. The excess air in the primary furnace, mixing chamber and afterburner assists in this regard.

In addition to the combustion air, additional air may be introduced into the stack through blower 25, thus reducing the flue gases entering the main stack to a controlable maximum of, for example, 750 F. This temperature limit is required in order to meet maximum safe temperature limits of residential chimneys. If sufficient, a barometric damper may be utilized.

AFTERBURNER The afterburner is arranged dimensionally having a size 5 l0 l7 inches for a typical residential unit. The input to the afterburner is adjacent the bottom side, wherein it communicates through opening to the mixing chamber. afterburner discharging its gases to the top discharge flue, such as is indicated at 24. Afterburner 23 is provided with an auxiliary heater 41 of approximately 20,000 BTU/hour heat input which is thermostatically controlled to a maximum continuous temperature of 1,800 F. For other installations, various other maximums may be employed provided the stack is capable of receiving materials at such temperatures.

COMPACTOR STRUCTURE A. Grate Element Attention is now directed to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 which show the operation of the Compactor element. FIG. 6 illustrates the structure with the grate 15 in closed disposition, and prior to its opening as illustrated in FIG. 7. A grate cleaner is illustrated at 90, which is in the form of interleaved finger elements for engaging the open areas disposed between the fingers comprising the grate 15. In addition, the interleaved elements forming the cleaner fill the gaps in the grate to provide a solid wall for compaction of the incinerated residue.

B. Compactor Chamber Compactor chamber 17 consists of an open chamber of approximately l0Xl 1X 14 inches in size for a typical residential unit. As indicated in FIGS. 6-9 inclusive, compaction of incinerated residue is accomplished by forces generated by a rotational ram of frontal dimensions of approximately l0 l4 inches. The ram front in the full compaction position is rotated to a substantially horizontal disposition directly under the opening formed by grate 15. In the fully retracted or normal disposition, it rests with the compacting surface disposed generally vertically, such as is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The operational sequence is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

The ram element per se consists of a compaction plate 91, along with a steel rear back-up plate 92, with the compaction plate also being preferably fabricated from steel. A segment of a cylinder, such as is shown at 93, couples the plates 91 and 92 together to form a solid envelope. The ram element is coupled to drive shaft 94, which is driven by a roll nut" and drive screw acting through a control arm and steel shaft. The drive element is shown best in FIGS. 10 and 11, and will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

The remaining side walls of the compaction compartment are also preferably fabricated from steel and are located directly below the ends of the opening to the primary furnace. The bottom of the compaction compartment, such as is shown at 95, is preferably fabricated from steel plate to withstand the forces generated by compaction plate 91. Plate 95 isolates the compaction compartment from the residue chamber 75.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 10 and 11 for a description of the operation of the compacting ram. Shaft 94 is provided with crank arm 98 which is driven by the combination of drive screw 96 and roll nut 97. Power is supplied from motor element 99, through drive pulleys 100 and 101, along with the medium of belt 102. The drive arrangement to screw 96 is preferably through a universal joint or other element to accommodate angular shifting, such as is illustrated at 103.

C. Residue Dump Door Residue dump door or bottom wall 95 is approximately 12 14 inches in size for a typical residential unit. In the closed position, it serves as the bottom surface against which the compactor ram functions. In the open position, it allows compacted residue to be dumped into the residue drawer 75. Residue dump door is manually controlled by lever 105, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

D. Residue Holding Drawer Drawer 75 forms a residue holding drawer, and extends through the front cowling of the system and functions to hold compacted residue until it can be conveniently emptied.

E. Compactor Drive With suitable gear reduction, the compactor may be driven by a high torque, V; HP reversible motor. The drive train will preferably utilize a 16:1 reduction from the motor to the compactor drive screw, with the drive screw utilizing a 0.25 inch pitch. Belt 102 is preferably a V belt.

As has been indicated, a universal joint may be employed at 103 to accommodate variations in angular disposition of drive screw 96 and its associated driving shaft 107. A thrust reaction saddle may be appropriate for such an arrangement, and may actually be preferred to certain universal joints for high torque operation.

SYSTEM INTERLOCKS System interlocks are divided into categories of thermal, electrical and mechanical, and will be discussed hereinbelow in that order.

A. Thermal Interlocks Five thermal interlocks are utilized in order to assure proper and safe functioning of the system.

1. The afterburner temperature is elevated to a level of substantially 1,400 F. prior to the primary furnace heater being ignited. This interlock is accomplished by utilizing a temperature sensor such as the sensor element 55a shown in FIG. 1, this element being disposed adjacent the discharge from afterburner chamber 23. As an alternate, a timing function can be utilized, however if this system is selected, a larger temperature tolerance may result from charge-to-charge.

2. The auxiliary heater in the afterburner chamber 23 must be thermostatically controlled to a maximum continuous afterburner temperature of l,800 F. This feature is preferably accomplished by utilizing a thermopile controlled valve on heater 41, such as is illustrated at 43, with the signal being obtained from thermopile 57a.

3. The primary furnace auxiliary heater must be thermostatically controlled to a certain maximum continuous temperature. For most residential units,

to control the action of air blower 25. The interlock may not be required if a barometric damper is utilized, or if the air blower is permitted to run continuously.

5. The primary furnace must be cooled to less than 500 F., or other tolerable level prior to the furnace dump door being opened. This is deemed important to permit operation with a variety of unskilled operators, such as housewives or the like. This function may be accomplished by a thermo sensor, or by a timing function in which the timer is permitted to introduce a time lag prior to permitting the dump door to be opened.

ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INTERLOCKS 1. Charging Door Interlock a. The furnace grate 15, which functions as dump door, is controlled by interlock 52, the interlock functioning through a cable-sheave arrangement. A quadrant of a cable sheave is mounted on both the charge door hinge pin, such as at 74, and the mounting shaft 15c for grate 15, such as is illustrated at 15d (FIG. 3). Sheave 15d is split such that part of the sheave element (15a) is free to move with cable element 15f, with the other part (15d) being driven in one direction by portion 15c. Upon pivotally opening charge door 12, the free half of the sheave 15e rotates, moving the slaved half which is, in turn, secured to the grate shaft. After rotating for of arc, thus closing the grate, a solenoid 110 having a plunger 111 mechanically engages sheave 15d and holds it in the closed position. When the charge door 12 is again closed, the free portion of the grate sheave 15a is spring-driven to the original position, thus keeping the cable interlock firm. When the grate 15 is to be opened, a signal to solenoid 110 releases plunger 111 and permits rotation of grate 15.

b. The charging door must be manually locked before the system can be turned on. Such lock elements are, of course, commercially available, the contactsof such a switch being in series with the master on-off switch.

c. The primary furnace temperature must be less than some predetermined temperature before the charge door 12 may be opened. This interlock is accomplished by a temperature sensor or by a timing function, with the actual interlock being accomplished by a solenoid engaging the mechanical latch for the charging door. Such a solenoid and plunger are shown in FIG. 2, such as at 113, with a bore being formed in charge door 12 as at 114.

2. Compactor Sequencer Interlocks a. The grate element 15 must be in the open position prior to the initiation of operation of compactor 91. This interlock can be accomplished by merely placing a normally open single pole, single throw limit switch in series with the compactor control switch and locating the switch so the slaved sheave element 15d closes thecontacts when the grate 15 is opened. Such a switch is shown in the drawings at 1 15.

b. The residue dump door must be closed prior to the opening of grate 15. This interlock is accomplished by placing a normally open single pole, single throw limit switch in series with the solenoid 110, and placing the switch so that it is closed when the dump door 95 is closed. Such a switch element is shown in FIG. 6 at 116.

c. In the event compactor face 91 jams during compaction, it is essential that it be re-cycled. This interlocking feature is accomplished by utilizing a torque limiter in the drive screw train. The actual mechanism utilized is a controlable displacement of the drive screw such as the element 117 shown in FIG. 10, element 117 including a switch arm for determining the immediate disposition of drive screw 96. In the event the mechanism fails to reach such an elevation, as predetermined by the disposition of the arm of switch 117, a limit switch connected to the reversing circuit of the compactor drive control will function. In conjunction with this interlock is the requirement that the ram must cycle a minimum of three times to assure that all of the incineration residue is compacted. This function is accomplished by the program timer, FIG. 12, which allows time for the ram to move the required distance. The final ram motion is, as indicated, in the open direction at which time the control circuit is rendered inoperative.

ELECTRICAL INTERLOCK SYSTEM Attention is now directed to FIG. 12 of the drawings wherein the electrical interlock system is shown. Attention is now directed to FIG. 12 of the drawings wherein the system aspects are illustrated. The thermal control mechanism is shown in that portion of the block 120, while the compactor interlock system is shown in that portion designated 121. The programmer sequencer, preferably in the form of a camming drum, is illustrated at 122, and is in the form of that type of sequencer drum normally commercially available. The individual components are identified in this drawing by legend, coupled with appropriate numerical designations.

Iclaim:

1. Raw rubbish incineration and compaction means comprising, in combination, the serial combination of a primary incinerator, a mixing chamber means, and afterburner means and a compacting chamber for incinerated raw rubbish:

a. primary rubbish charge receiving receptacle means, a charge door at the top thereof, first burner means for incineration of rubbish retained within said receiving receptacle, and first control means for said first burner means, a base grate means for said charge receiving receptacle means pivotally mounted along a first pivot axis;

b. mixing chamber means in communication with said primary rubbish charge receiving means, said mixing chamber means being arranged to receive gases discharged from said primary rubbish charge receiving means and to add ambient air and further incinerate said discharge gases therewithin;

c. afterburner means in communication with said mixing chamber means and having second burner means and second control means;

d. compacting chamber means disposed generally below said primary rubbish charge receiving means and said base grate means and having a movable bottom wall, three stationary side walls, and a movable side wall, said movable side wall be pivotally mounted along the base thereof, adjacent said movable bottom wall, means for pivotally rotating said side wall about said base pivot and toward said bottom wall to compact a charge of incinerated primary rubbish and means for moving said bottom wall from a normal closed disposition to an open disposition;

e. control means for said afterburner means responsive to the temperature of said afterburner means for preventing start-up of said primary burner means until a certain predetermined temperature is reached in said afterburner means;

f. an interlock means including:

1. means responsive to the disposition of said furnace dump door for preventing opening of said charging door unless said grate is in closed disposition and for preventing rotation of said compacting side wall until said grate is in open disposition;

2. means responsive to the disposition of said residual dump door for preventing opening of said grate until said residual dump door is in closed disposition;

3. means responsive to the extent of pivotal rotation of said compactor side wall for re-cycling said compactor side wall for at least one additional compacting cycle unless a predetermined .degree of pivotal rotation has occurred.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for controlling maximum and minimum temperature in said primary furnace.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for controlably adjusting maximum and minimum temperatures in said primary furnace.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for controlling maximum temperatures in said afterburner.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for controlably adjusting maximum and minimum temperatures in said mixing chamber.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for cycling said movable side wall for three compacting operations per compacting event.

7. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said mixing chamber is adapted to receive a charge of raw rubbish for desiccation therewithin.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for introducing ambient air into the discharge from said afterburner.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that cowling means are disposed outwardly of said primary furnace, mixing chamber, and afterburner means and define an annular zone therebetween, and fan means are provided for circulating ambient air in said annular zone.

10. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said grate and said compacting side wall comprise a plurality of laterally spaced fingers and wherein said compactor side wall fingers are arranged to be interleavened with said grate fingers.

Claims

1. Raw rubbish incineration and compaction means comprising, in combination, the serial combination of a primary incinerator, a mixing chamber means, and afterburner means and a compacting chamber for incinerated raw rubbish: a. primary rubbish charge receiving receptacle means, a charge door at the top thereof, first burner means for incineration of rubbish retained within said receiving receptacle, and first control means for said first burner means, a base grate means for said charge receiving receptacle means pivotally mounted along a first pivot axis; b. mixing chamber means in communication with said primary rubbish charge receiving means, said mixing chamber means being arranged to receive gases discharged from said primary rubbish charge receiving means and to add ambient air and further incinerate said discharge gases therewithin; c. afterburner means in communication with said mixing chamber means and having second burner means and second control means; d. compacting chamber means disposed generally below said primary rubbish charge receiving means and said base grate means and having a movable bottom wall, three stationary side walls, and a movable side wall, said movable side wall being pivotally mounted along the base thereof, adjacent said movable bottom wall, means for pivotally rotating said side wall about said base pivot and toward said bottom wall to compact a charge of incinerated primary rubbish and means for moving said bottom wall from a normal closed disposition to an open disposition; e. control means for said afterburner means responsive to the temperature of said afterburner means for preventing start-up of said primary burner means until a certain predetermined temperature is reached in said afterburner means; f. an interlock means including: 1. means responsive to the disposition of said furnace dump door for preventing opening of said charging door unless said grate is in closed disposition and for preventing rotation of said compacting side wall until said grate is in open disposition; 2. means responsive to the disposition of said residual dump door for preventing opening of said grate until said residual dump door is in closed disposition; 3. means responsive to the extent of pivotal rotation of said compactor side wall for re-cycling said compactor side wall for at least one additional compacting cycle unless a predetermined degree of pivotal rotation has occurred.

3. means responsive to the extent of pivotal rotation of said compactor side wall for re-cycling said compactor side wall for at least one additional compacting cycle unless a predetermined degree of pivotal rotation has occurred.

11. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that fly ash screen means are disposed between said primary rubbish charge receiving receptacle and said mixing chamber means.

12. The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that receptacle means are provided below said compacting chamber for receiving compacted residue from said compacting chamber.