US3757686A

US3757686A - Incinerator

Info

Publication number: US3757686A
Application number: US00218926A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Ali; R Shields
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1972-01-19
Filing date: 1972-01-19
Publication date: 1973-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-11
Also published as: FR2168416B1; JPS4948170A; DE2301983A1; FR2168416A1; GB1384474A

Abstract

An incinerator for burning waste material having a horizontally extending combustion chamber comprising spaced end walls and side wall, through which a mixture of waste material and air is vortically moved and burned. The incinerator combustion chamber includes a tangentially directed inlet means adjacent one end wall for the feeding thereto of a mixture of waste material and air under fluid pressure. Adjacent to the opposite end wall, an exhaust flue is positioned concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber to vent gases, and also adjacent to the end wall opposite the inlet means is an outlet means extending tangentially from the chamber periphery for the discharge of solid material. Means are provided for introducing cooling air from a secondary source into the inlet means provided for the feeding of a mixture of waste material and air, and also for introducing cooling air from a secondary source into the outlet means provided for the discharge of solid material. Control means, including solenoid valves, are also provided to regulate the introduction of cooling air to either or both of the inlet means and outlet means and to provide cooling air during preheating of the incinerator to operating temperatures and/or upon a deficiency of the air introduced mixed with the solid waste material or upon a deficiency of air at the outlet means such as might result upon failure of equipment to supply adequate quantities of air.

Description

United States Eaten 1451 Sept. 11, 1973 Ali et al.

[54] XNCINERATOR [75] Inventors: Syed Aejaz Ali, Shelbyville; Robert Loren Shields, Rushville, both of Ind.

[73] Assignee: General Electric Company, New

' York, NY.

[22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 218,926

Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Attorney-Raymond G. Simkins [57] ABSTRACT An incinerator for burning waste material having a horizontally extending combustion chamber comprising spaced end walls and side wall, through which a mixture of waste material and air is vortically moved and burned. The incinerator combustion chamber includes a tangentially directed inlet means adjacent one end wall for the feeding thereto of a mixture of waste material and air under fluid pressure. Adjacent to the opposite end wall, an exhaust flue is positioned concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber to vent gases, and also adjacent to the end wall opposite the inlet means is an outlet means extending tangentially from the chamber periphery for the discharge of solid material. Means are provided for introducing cooling air from a secondary source into the inlet means provided for the feeding of a mixture of waste material and air, and also for introducing cooling air from a secondary source into the outlet means provided for the discharge of solid material. Control means, including solenoid valves, are also provided to regulate the introduction of cooling air to either or both of the inlet means and outlet means and to provide cooling air during preheating of the incinerator to operating temperatures and/or upon a deficiency of the air introduced mixed with the solid waste material or upon a deficiency of air at the outlet means such as might result upon failure of equipment to supply adequate quantities of air.

27 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3,757,686

3 Sheets-Sheet 1'5 2 EJ WI FIG 5 INCHNERATOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Certain features disclosed in this application are disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,577,940 issued May 11, 1971 to Robert J. Hasselbring and Robert L. Shields, and also in Application Ser. No. 103,536, filed Jan. 4, 1971, by Norman R. Dilbelius and William L. Zabriskie now US. Pat. No. 3,658,017, in Application Ser. No. 159,251, filed on July 2, 1971, by Robert J. Hasselbring and Robert L. Shields, and in Application Serial No. (Docket 41D-1l72) by Robert L. Shields, filed concurrently herewith, said patents and applications all being assigned to the assignee of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to incinerators and has particular relation to industrial and municipal type incinerators for burning waste material, and comprises improvements therein, in particular to incinerators of the type disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,940 and the related applications.

2. Descriptionof the Prior Art Conventional industrial and municipal type incinerators ordinarily include one or more combustion chambers having drying grates with a flue for discharging to atmosphere the gaseous products of combustion and waste material in the chambers. Depending upon the efficiency of a particular incinerator design varying amounts of noxious gas and ash are discharged through the flue to atmosphere. Prior incinerator designs in general have been incapable of effecting good combustion of waste materials such that the products of the resulting incomplete combustion consists of a large quantity of noxious gases and ash which are discharged to the surrounding atmosphere in the form of dense acrid smoke.

In an effort to comply with regulatory air pollution codes, more recent incinerator designs have provided for cleaning the gaseous products of combustion prior to their discharge to atmosphere. Such flue gas cleaning apparatus is usually of costly and bulky construction and in some cases has not operated to clean the flue gases sufficiently to comply with the regulatory codes. One known flue gas cleaning apparatus includes means for conducting the gaseous products of combustion through water sprays so that the suspended ashes and other particulate matter are entrained in the water which is then collected and conveyed to a suitable clarification system. This type of flue gas cleaning apparatus is expensive and complex and contributes not only to the high cost and massive structure of prior art incinerators but also adds to water pollution. Further, the very high temperatures within the chambers necessary to effect good combustion results in very hot flue gases which may result in inefficient operation of the flue gas cleaning apparatus and resulting undesirable pollution of the surrounding atmosphere. The provision of flue gas cleaning apparatus thus imposes a limitation upon the temperature within the combustion chamber which contributes to the poor combustion realized by certain prior art designs.

It is necessary, of course, that provision be made for collecting and disposing of non-combustible material.

One known apparatus for accomplishing this function comprises a conveyor disposed beneath the combustion chamber for receiving such material and for conveying same from the combustion chambers to a suitable disposition area. Such conveying apparatus is also very costly and in addition, occupies considerable space which further contributes to the high cost and massive structure of prior art incinerators.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary objective of this invention to provide a novel and improved incinerator capable of effecting substantially complete combustion of waste material and wherein essentially solid-free flue gases are exhausted to the atmosphere to minimize air and water pollution.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel and improved incinerator of such character which avoids the use of costly and complex flue gas cleaning apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel and improved vortex incinerator of the foregoing character wherein non-combustible material is discharged from the combustion chamber during the burning process by action of the vortex without the use of costly and bulky handling and conveying apparatus.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel and improved vortex incinerator'of the foregoing character wherein cooling means are provided for the combustion chamber inlet and outlet access means which are operative during preheating of the incinerator up to operating temperatures and/or upon insufficient cooling effects of air introduced with the waste material and/or of outlet cooling air, thereby preventing fire, reducing downtime, and prolonging equipment life, among other improvements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out the invention in one preferred form, an incinerator is provided which includes a combustion chamber having spaced end walls and a side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between the end walls. The chamber is preferably disposed in operative position with its central longitudinal axis extending horizontally or substantially horizontally. Inlet means are provided adjacent one end wall for introducing waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber for establishing a vortical movement of the waste material and air toward the other end wall, and provision is made for igniting the waste material during its vortical movement along the length of the combustion chamber. Secondary air is preferably introduced into the combustion chamber substantially tangentially to the side wall at a plurality of regions which are spaced substantially along the entire length of the combustion chamber and which are generally aligned along a horizontal axis thereof. Means comprising ducts are pro vided to bleed relatively cool secondary air from a source thereof and introduce such cooling air derived from a secondary source into the inlet access means provided for feeding waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber, and/or for introducing such cooling air derived from a secondary source into the outlet access means provided for discharging residual combustible materials and non-combustible materials from said combustion chamber. Secondary air is introduced at predetermined times and in a controlled manner into the inlet access means and/or the outlet access means to cool these components, in particular during the preheat or warm-up period of raising the temperature of the incinerator combustion chamber to operating conditions, during which period primary air along with the waste material may not be fed into the combustion chamber. Furthermore, the control means are effective to apply secondary cooling air to either or both of the combustion chamber inlet means or outlet means upon failure of the mechanism providing primary air to the inlet or of the means providing cooling air to the outlet means.

The controlled introduction of cooling air according to the precepts and means of this invention prevents the occurrence of fires within the access conduits by providing a cooling fluid barrier therein excluding entry of flame and hot gases, and in turn stops the spread of fires through the access conduits to other components such as the waste material shredder or even back to the supply of waste material to be inciner ated. Further, this invention minimizes downtime for repair and prolongs the life of equipment by inhibiting the entrance into the access conduits and resultant contact of very hot and corrosive combustion gases during such critical periods when the supply of cooling air may be insufficient such as in preheating or upon a malfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in top elevation of the incinerator illustrating the combustion chamber with the secondary air supply means associated therewith, and showing the cooling air ducts for bleeding secondary air and introducing same into the inlet and/or outlet access means;

FIG. 2 is a partial view in top elevation of a portion of the combustion chamber showing in detail a feature of the invention in relation to the inlet means and burner means;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an incinerator system ebodying the invention showing in particular the arrangement and function of the cooling means of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a schematic showing of a portion of the incinerator system of FIG. 3 illustrating a modification in the combustion chamber outlet sys tem; and

FIG. 5 is an additional partial view of another schematic showing of a portion of the incinerator system of FIG. 3 also illustrating still a further modification in the combustion chamber outlet system.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 an incinerator embodying the invention and comprising, in general: a size-reduction unit for chopping up the waste material; inlet access means for feeding the waste material and primary air into a combustion chamber for establishing a vortical movement of the waste material; means for igniting the waste material during its vortical movement; exhaust flue means for venting gaseous products of combustion; and outlet access means for discharging non-combustible materials from the combustion chamber; and, a separator for separating the gaseous and solid material discharged by the outlet means. The incinerator system preferably also includes additional means for introducing secondary air into the combustion chamber. The incinerator of the present invention is particularly suited for disposing of solid industrial and municipal waste material such as, for example, paper, peanut hulls, cardboard cartons, wood scrap, garbage, foliage,-bottles, cans, and combustible floor sweepings. However, the incinerator is also capable of disposing of liquid waste material such as oils, paint sludges and plating tank residue.

More specifically, the incinerator system as schematically shown in FIG. 3 includes a size-reduction unit 10 designed to shred and chop the waste material into pieces small enough to be efficiently conveyed to and burned in the combustion chamber. If the waste material to be disposed of is already of an acceptable size such as sawdust, then the size-reduction unit 10 is not required. The size-reduction unit 10 may be of any suitable construction and includes a hopper 12 having an open end 14 into which the waste material is fed for size-reduction by a shredding and chopping mechanism (not shown) operated by a motor (not shown). After being reduced in size, the waste material is drawn into a pneumatic conveying system including a blower 16 operated by a motor (not shown) which entrains the size-reduced material in a primary air stream then transports it through an inlet access conduit 20 which opens into combustion chamber 22 through an intake access port 18 in its wall.

The combustion chamber 22 may be of any suitable configuration and is preferably cylindrical including a pair of spaced

end walls

24 and 26 connected by an annular side wall 28. Chamber 22 is preferably disposed when in operative position so that its central longitudinal axis which extends between the

end walls

24 and 26 is horizontal, or substantially horizontal. If desired, the end wall 26 of the chamber 22 may include an access door to permit access to the interior of the chamber 22. In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated, typically the side wall 28 of the chamber 22 comprises an outer casing formed of a suitable material such as low carbon steel, and the casing is lined with one or more layers of suitable material such as fire brick. The innermost layer of fire brick is designed to exhibit good resistance to abrasion whereas the outer layer is designed to have good heat insulating qualities, or to transfer the heat to a remote location. The

end walls

24 and 26 of the chamber may be similarly formed of an outer layer of low carbon steel with inner layers of fire brick. In the embodiment illustrated, the inlet conduit 20 enters the chamber 22 preferably tangentially of the side wall 28 and preferably near the top of the chamber 22 adjacent the front or first end wall 26 as viewed in FIG. 1. In certain installations it may be desirable to have the inlet conduit 20 enter chamber 22 at a region which is substantially midway between the

end walls

24 and 26.

Continuous feeding of a mixture of waste material and primary air into the chamber 22 from the inlet conduit 20 tangentially to the side wall 28 establishes a swirling vortical flow of the waste material which travels from adjacent the first end wall 26 toward the second and opposite end wall 24 in a swirling clockwise direction as viewed from the end wall 26 in FIG. 3. It is understood, of course, the inlet conduit 20 may be disposed to enter the chamber 22 at the lower side thereof instead of at the upper side in which event the direction of the vortex would be reversed from the clockwise direction to a counterclockwise direction.

To ignite the waste material entering chamber 22, a suitable burner 30 is disposed near the end wall 26 of the chamber 22 adjacent to the inlet conduit to fire in a direction tangentially to the chamber side wall 28, preferably adjacent the top. Under conditions wherein a mixture of waste material and primary air is continuously fed into the chamber 22 during the incinerating operation, the burner normally can be turned off after a warm-up period sufficient to reach an efiective ignition temperature for the waste material. The burner 30 is supplied with fluid fuel from any suitable source (not shown), through pipe 32 provided with control valve 34, and combustion air is most conveniently supplied from a secondary air source such asfan or blower by means of a combustion air supply pipe 38 diverting air from a manifold 42. Combustion burner igniting means may comprise a pilot light, spark plug, or the like conventional means.

The combustion burner 30 can be a commercially available unit, such as a MAXON burner, for example an EB-3, 4, or -5, depending upon the size and capacity desired.

Under normal operating conditions wherein a mixture of shredded waste material and primary air is continuously fed into the combustion chamber but dependent somewhat upon the nature and moisture content of the waste material, the burner can be turned off upon heating the chamber to effective ignition and burning temperatures whereupon the waste material and primary air thereafter sustain combustion. Apt operating temperatures for the combustion chamber comprise between about l,200 to 2200F. Thus, a typical operating procedure would be to initially fire the burner alone for a sufficient period to preheat the combustion chamber up to its intended operating temperature of, for example, about l,600F., whereupon the feeding of the shredded waste material and primary air under pressure into the combustion chamber is initiated and combustion thereof incited by the thus provided high temperatures within the combustion chamber. Thereafter, the combustion may be self-sustaining without the need for added impetus provided by a separate source of fuel, but again depending upon the nature or heat content of the waste material fuel and its moisture content. However, if or when needed to maintain or regain combustion conditions because of the nature of the waste materials, or for whatever reason, the burner can simply be continuously fired to maintain combustion or reactivated to return to effective combustion temperatures. In some cases, such as burning sewage sludge which normally contains a relatively high moisture content, it may be feasible or even necessary to continuously fire the burner to maintain effective combustion. Automatic means such as a temperature sensor within the combustion chamber can be provided to govern the firing of the ignition burner in response to the chamber temperature.

To enhance combustion of the waste material and to supplement the energy of its vortical flow in a predetermined and controlled manner along substantially the entire length of the combustion chamber, it is highly preferred to provide for introducing controlled quantities of high velocity. secondary air into the combustion chamber 22 during the burning process. This secondary air is desirably applied-at spaced regions throughout the length of the chamber. To this end, the motordriven fan or blower 40 is disposed to introduce secondary air into the elongated manifold 42 suitably supported externally of the chamber and extending along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber. Also, the manifold 42 is lo cated preferably near the bottom and at the right side of the combustion chamber 22. The secondary air is injected in a direction substantially tangentially into the combustion chamber 22 through a plurality of substantially spaced openings 44 in the side wall 28 and at regions located downstream of the area of feeding the mixture of primary air and waste material. In a preferred embodiment, the openings are provided along the entire length of the chamber and are four in number. Additionally, the tangential injection of the sec.- ondary air into the chamber is provided by means of controllable conduits 46v extending between manifold 42 and the openings 44 in the bottom portion of the side wall 28 of the combustion chamber. Ifdesired, means (not shown) may be provided for preheating the secondary air which is introduced into the chamber 22 through the opening 44 by means of the fan 40, manifold 42 and conduits 46. With the described arrangement the combustible waste material is substantially completely burned while in suspension moving in a free swirling vortex with the heavier solid waste fragments and non-combustible material travelling in a swirling vortical path along the inner surface of the furnace combustion chamber and migrating toward the second end wall 24. The solid material is forced toward the inner surface of the combustion chamber by the tangential component of velocity of the swirling vortex whereas the radially inward component of velocity creates high relative velocity between the air and burning material which greatly accelerates the combustion rate.

Additionally, in the described preferred arrangement, the tangential injection of the secondary air through the opening 44 and at spaced points along the chamber has the beneficial effect of periodically contributing to and supplementing the vortex energy in the combustion chamber. Thus, compensation is provided for any losses in vortex energy or for effectively sustaining the swirling vortex as the waste material progresses vortically along the length of the combustion chamber.

The periodic or spaced tangential injection of secondary air and the resultant sustenance of the vortex impetus along the entire length of the combustion chamber enhances efficiency of the waste burning process. Also, it reduces any tendency of combustion material particles such as fly ash to drop out of the vortex and settle on the bottom of the chamber which if permitted to occur can present substantial difficulties in effecting removal of such particles from the chamber and can require longer shutdown times for chamber cleaning purposes. Also, it can adversely affect exhaust emissions. I

For the purpose of predeterminedly controlling the secondary air generally and individually at each of the particular regions of injection into the chamber, adjustable control means (not shown) may be provided between the blower 40 and the manifold 42 and in each of the conduits 46 extending between the manifold 42 and the combustion chamber.

To exhaust gaseous products of combustion from the combustion chamber 22 to the atmosphere, a flue 50 is provided having an open and opening into the chamber in the region of the-second end wall 24 and substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the chamber 22. As best shown in FIG. 3, the flue 50 includes a hollow cylinder or flue pipe 52 of any suitable material extending through and suitably mounted in an opening in the end wall 24.

Outlet means is provided for discharging from the combustion chamber 22 during the burning process, any non-combustible materials or other solids such as incompletely burned waste. For this purpose, the preferred embodiment includes a discharge access port 58 in the combustion chamber wall in a region downstream from the point of feeding the waste material and located in the region generally adjacent second end wall 24 for receiving and discharging from the chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material which is entrained in the outer region of the swirling vortex. In the illustrated embodiment, the access port 58 communicates with an outlet conduit 60 extending through the side wall 28 and substantially tangentially thereto and substantially horizontal at the bottom of the combustion chamber. The outlet conduit 60 leads to a suitable separator and disposal means described hereinafter. In the described arrangement, the access port 58 is in the path of the non-combustible material or residual combustible material which during operation of this incinerator is at the outer region of the swirling vortex and which has migrated to the region adjacent the end wall 24, and the action of the vortex causes'such material to enter the access port 58 for discharge from the combustion chamber 22. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the outlet conduit 60 extends horizontally adjacent to the bottom of the chamber 22. As also seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the discharge access port 58 provided in the side wall 28 Is located substantially opposite and in substantially the same horizontal plane as one of the secondary air openings 44. This relative positioning of the discharge access port 58 and one of the secondary air openings 44 results in the injected secondary air from that opening being effective in assisting in the direction of fly ash and other waste materials through the discharge access port 58. It is to be understood tthat although a single outlet conduit is illustrated, a plurality of such conduits can be provided if desired.

Most, if not all of any solids such as non-combustible or residual combustible material will enter the outlet conduit 60 as it initially approaches the end wall 24. However, in the event that such material does not enter the outlet conduit 60 when it initially approaches the end wall 24, this material becomes entrained in the stream of hot gases which normally flows along the surface of the end wall 24 toward the open end 54 of the exhaust flue 50 where a low pressure area exists. If the open end of the exhaust flue 54 were flush with the end wall, a considerable portion of this solid material would enter the exhaust flue 50 thus necessitating provision of flue gas cleaning apparatus to avoid pollution of the surrounding atmosphere with particulate matter. To reduce the amount of such solid material which exits from the combustion chamber 22 through the exhaust flue 50, the flue pipe 52 is extended into the combustion chamber 22 so that the inner open end 54 of the flue pipe 52 is spaced axially inwardly from the end wall 24 as shown in FIG. 3. With this arrangement, the solid material which does not enter the outlet conduit 60 through discharge access port 58 tends to move from adjacent the end wall 24 along the outside diameter of the exhaust flue pipe 52 toward its open inner end. Such movement increases the time of residence of the material in the combustion chamber 22 thus resulting in more complete combustion and reduction in the amount of this material which enters the flue 50 as compared to the amount entering the flue if its opening were flush with the end wall 24.

To still further reduce the amount of solid material entering flue 50, a baffle 56 is positioned adjacent the open inner end 54 of the exhaust flue pipe 52 to divert outwardly toward the surface of the combustion chamber 22 any non-combustible material which moves from adjacent the end wall 24 toward the open end of the flue pipe 52. The arrangement is such that the solid material which engages the baffle 56 is thereby deflected in a direction so that the material so diverted once again becomes entrained in the swirling vortex for further burning and movement toward the end wall24 for discharge through the access port 58 and outlet conduit 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the baffle 56 preferably comprises a plate of suitable high temperature resistant material in the form of a ring suitably releasable secured to the flue pipe 52 adjacent its open end. Additionally, this arrangement disposes the inner end of the flue pipe 52 and the baffle 56 adjacent the region of the vortex which can be influenced by the secondary air injected through the opening disposed for cooperation with the discharge port 58. This arrangement, together with the adjustability of the secondary air, affords the operator the opportunity to adjust the secondary air injected at this region in a manner to predeterminedly influence the energy condition of the vortex in the region of the flue pipe opening. Thus, one can adjust to a degree the pressure conditions in the region of the baffle 56 for thereby influencing flow paths.

A separator 62 is provided for separating the gases from any solid material discharged through the outlet conduit 60 and for dropping the discharged solid material into a suitable container 64. The separator 62 is preferably a commercially available cyclone or inertia type separator wherein material discharged through the outlet conduit 60 is introduced tangentially into the separator 62 with the result that the solid material drops out the open end of the separator into the container 64. Such solid material constitutes ashes and other particulate matter formed in the combustion process and also non-combustible material which can be disposed of in any suitable manner. The hot gases separated out by the separator 62 are introduced into the exhaust flue 50 through pipe 66. While most of the non-combustible material is delivered to the separator 62, a small portion of such material may settle in the bottom of chamber 22. The deposition of any material along the chamber bottom is minimized in the manner described above by the effects of the injection of secondary air at multiple regions along the waste flow path. However, to the extent any such settlement of material occurs in the chamber, it can be periodically removed from the chamber in any suitable manner as through an access door (not shown).

To deter the entry of flame and hot combustion gases which tend to propagate fires and accelerate structural deterioration within the inlet and

outlet access conduits

20 and 60 respectively, particularly during the preheat or warm-up period when the ignition burner is being tired and the primary air along with waste material is not being fed into the combustion chamber through the inlet conduit pursuant to normal incineration operation, cooling air is introduced into either or both of said access conduits. The cool air resists entry into the access means and offsets the aggressive effects of flames or the very hot and corrosive combustion gas products emitted from the ignition burner. Moreover, this invention also includes safety means to activate the means for applying cooling air to said access conduits should there by a malfunction of the equipment which could result in overheating or render the access conduits exposed to invasion by the deleterious gaseous combustion products. According to one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, an air duct 70 is provided to supply cooling air to the inlet conduit 20. Cooling air for this function may be derived from any appropriate external source, but most suitable in the apparatus shown, from the secondary air supply provided by blower 40 either from manifold 42 or burner combustion air supply pipe 38. As shown, duct 70 is connected with the combustion air supply pipe 38 and inlet conduit whereby relatively cool secondary air may be bled from the burner supply and introduced into inlet conduit 20. Of course duct 70 could communicate directly with the secondary air manifold 42, or for that matter with any other source of cooling air. The cooling air not only serves to lower the temperatures within and about the inlet conduit, but also provides a fluid barrier inhibiting the contact and entry of the hot and corrosive combustion gases or flames.

Further, a similar cooling air duct can be provided to supply cooling air to the outlet conduit 60. This is achieved in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 by connecting the source of secondary air provided by fan or blower 40 through duct 80 with the outlet conduit 60 as shown, whereby cooling air can be bled from the secondary source system, or any other apt source of relatively cool air, and directed into the outlet access conduit 60. Thus the outlet is both cooled and insulated by the cool air against contact or entry of flame or hot aggressive gases.

Although either of the foregoing access conduit cooling means or systems can be employed separately, preferably both are applied during preheating when typically only the burner 30 is operating to raise the temperature level within the combustion chamber to operational condition with the result that the flame and hot and corrosive combustion gases emanating from the burner tend to enter the inlet and outlet access conduits and many spread fires through the system aside from their deleterious effects upon the equipment. Moreover, either system can be activated to respond to a malfunction. Thus, potential fires and/or excessive deterioration to these components and accelerated wear due to the aggressive hot gases during the preheat operation or during any malfunctioning period when the inlet and outlet conduits are not self cooling can be deterred by the cooling air provided by this invention.

To regulate the application of cooling air,

ducts

70 and 80 are respectively provided with

valves

72 and 82, such as solenoid valves. Valve 72 in duct 70 is arranged to introduce cooling air into the inlet access conduit 20, and is preferably operated by a suitable control means illustrated as 74 which can be arranged to function in response to the operation of blower 16 whereby the control means 74 is activated when blower 16 is not yet in operation during the initial heating up or during breakdown thereof, in turn activating valve 72 in the duct 70 to bleed cooling air from the secondary source ill such as fan 40 and introduce such cooling air under pressure into inlet conduit 20. Also valve 82 in cooling air duct 80 can be provided with automatic control means 84 to regulate the application of cooling air to outlet conduit 60 during the preliminary heat up period or other apt conditions such as a malfunction.

Also within the scope and content of this invention is the inclusion of a master control system operating the means for introducing cooling air to the access conduits, each in relation and proper sequence with the operation of other components or the functions of the invention, such as the ignition burner 30, primary air and waste material feel blower 16, and/or secondary air supply blower 40, and the like. The control system can be designed to govern and regulate such components according to a predetermined program or adjustment depending upon time and/or temperature conditions, or upon the respective performance of individual components of the overall system.

For instance, a system control unit, shown as 90, is operatively connected with a temperature sensor 92, such as a thermocouple, to respond to temperature conditions within the combustion chamber 22, and also with blowers l6 and 40, fuel supply valve 34, and cooling air control means 74 and 34. As such, the system control can be programmed to activate the ignition burner 30 by operating fuel valve 34 and starting blower 40 to provide combustion air to preheat the combustion chamber until a predetermined incinerating temperature is reached as indicated by sensor 92. During this preheating period system control unit 90 activates cooling

air valves

72 and 82, through their respective control means 74 and 84, to bleed cool air from connections from blower 40 through ducts and and introduces such cooling air into the inlet and

outlet access conduits

20 and 60 respectively. Upon attaining the predetermined incinerating temperature in chamber 22, system control unit activates blower 16 which commences feeding primary air and waste material to the hot chamber 22 whereupon its ignition takes place. At the same time, unit 90 terminates the flow of cooling air bled through

ducts

70 and 80 into inlet and outlet access conduits 2t) and 60 respectively, by regulating

valves

72 and 82 through

control units

74 and 84. Also system control unit 90 shuts off ignition burner 30 at a predetermined time through operation of fuel valve 34.

Moreover, at .any time during operation of the incinerator, system control unit 90 can be programmed to reactivate the introduction of cooling air to either or both of the access conduits upon failure or malfunction of components. For example, upon the failure of blower 16, unit 94) would activate valve 72 through control 74 to introduce cooling air through bleed duct 70 into inlet conduit 20 to offset for the loss of primary air.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprise partial views of the schematic diagram of FIG. 3 illustrating variations of the invention whereby auxiliary cooling systems are provided associated with the outlet conduit 60 to supply tertiary air from a third source to minimize the deteriorating effects of the very hot and corrosive combustion gases and solids discharged therethrough. As shown in FIG. 4, a preferred arrangement comprises the outlet conduit 60 having a concentrically surrounding larger conduit 94 annularly spaced therefrom to provide an encircling area for cooling air to reduce the temperature of the outlet. A fan or blower 96 supplies tertiary cooling air under pressure through connection 98 to the encircling cooling air conduit 94. The outlet conduit 60 is terminated a short distance from the combustion chamber and the hot discharge therefrom feeds into the larger surrounding conduit 94 intermediate the encircling body of cooling air which insulates the conduit 94 from the corrosive hot gases, and dilutes and cools such gases thereby diminishing their deleterious effects upon the equipment. Conduit 94 is connected with the solid separator 62 and conducts the diluted and cooler discharge thereto.

A further modification of the solid separation system is shown in FIG. and according to this invention comprises providing larger surrounding conduit 94 with a branch conduit 100 opening to the atmosphere. An exhaust fan or blower 102 is positioned downstream of the solid separator 62 in gas return pipe 66 to draw both the hot combustion gases from the combustion chamber and tertiary cool ambient air from the atmosphere and combine the cooler atmospheric air with the hot combustion gases for the same purpose as in the foregoing described modification. That is, to dilute the concentration of corrosive and hot combustion gases and cool the same to minimize the deteriorating effect upon the outlet conduit and the solid separating system, etc.

In these latter embodiments, control valve 82, such as a solenoid, in cooling air duct 80 is preferably operated through a suitable control means illustrated as 84 which is programmed to function during preheating and/or in response to the operation of the fan or

blower

96 or 102 whereby during the initial heat up period, or upon failure of the fan or

blower

96 or 102, control means 84 opens valve 82 in cooling air duct 80 to provide cooling air to the outlet conduit 60.

Additionally, the variations illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above can be integrated into the control system previously disclosed and shown in FIG. 3 whereby master control unit 90 is in operative communication with fan or

blower

96 or 102, respectively, and control means 84 regulating valve 82 in cooling air duct 80. Thus fan or

blower

96 or 102 are operated during preheating if desired, or in lieu thereof cooling air is provided through duct 80 during preheating as determined by unit 90. Moreover, unit 90 can activate the introduction of cooling air through duct 80 by valve 82 through control means 84 upon a malfunction of fan or

blower

96 or 102 or an insufficiency of cooling air at the location of the outlet conduit 60.

A typical design of an incinerator constructed according to this invention includes a combustion chamber having an internal length of 8 feet and an internal diameter of 4% feet. The flue 50 has an inner diameter of 2 feet and extends into the chamber a distance of about 16 inches from the inner surface of the end wall 24. The baffle plate 56 has a diameter of approximately 35 inches. Also, the outlet conduit 60 has an inner diameter of 4 inches. An incinerator of such design generally is capable of disposing of solid waste having up to 20 percent moisture content and normally percent ash content with a heat value of about 5,000 BTUs per pound at a rate of 3,000 pounds per hour to effect close to 98 percent destruction of combustible material. It presently appears that such an incinerator design permits particulate matter to the atmosphere of not greater than 0.2 grains per standard dry cubic foot of flue gas. The foregoing results are generally obtainable with combustion chamber temperatures of between l,200 and 2,200F.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications are possible and it is desired to cover all modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. And notwithstanding that the means of this invention are specifically directed to and concerned with a vortex-type incinerator, one skilled in the art could apply the means to other types of incinerators or waste consuming furnaces.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An incinerator for burning waste materials, comprising in combination:

a. a combustion chamber having spaced end walls and a side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls;

b. a first port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent one end thereof communicating with an inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentiallyv to said side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste material toward the other of said end walls;

0. means for igniting said waste material during its vortical movement;

d. an exhaust flue adjacent the other end wall of said combustion chamber positioned concentric with the combustion chambers longitudinal axis and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber;

e. a second port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent the other end thereof and communicating with an outlet conduit for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material; and,

means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conduits communicating with the said ports in said combustion chamber wall.

2. The incinerator as defined in claim 1, having means for controllably adding secondary air into said combustion chamber and including means for both producing said secondary air and serving as said external source of cooling air.

3. The incinerator as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conduits communicating with the said ports in the combustion chamber wall, comprises an air duct connecting the said means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the inlet conduit communicating with the port in the combustion chamber wall for feeding waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber.

4. The incinerator as defined in claim 2, wherein the said means for igniting the waste material during its vortical movement comprises a combustion burner having a source of combustion air supplied by the said means for producing secondary air through a combustion air conduit connecting said means producing the secondary air with the burner.

5. The incinerator as defined in claim 4, wherein the means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conduits communicating with the said ports in the combustion chamber wall comprises an air duct connecting the said means for providing secondary air through the combustion air conduit with the inlet conduit communicating with the first port in the combustion chamber wall for feeding waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber.

s. The incinerator as defined in claim 5, wherein the said air duct for introducing the cooling air into the inlet conduit communicating with the first port in the combustion chamber wall for feeding waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber, is provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough into the inlet conduit.

7. The incinerator as defined in claim 6, wherein the means for regulating the flow of cooling air through the duct for introducing cooling air into the inlet conduit comprises a valve and control means operating in response to a source of the primary air fed into the combustion chamber with the waste material through the inlet conduit whereby said valve is operated to permit cooling air to be controllably introduced into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first port.

8. The incinerator as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conduits communicating with said ports in the combustion chamber wall, comprises an air duct connecting said means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the outlet conduit communicating with the second port in the combustion chamber wall for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material.

9. The incinerator as defined in claim 8, wherein the said outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber is provided with means for supplying tertiary air to said outlet conduit for cooling same.

10. The incinerator as defined in claim 9, wherein the said air duct for introducing the cooling air to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, is provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said outlet conduit.

11. The incinerator as defined in claim 10, wherein the said means for regulating the flow of cooling air through the duct for introducing cooling air, to the outlet conduit comprises a valve and control means operating in response to a source of the tertiary air supplied to the outlet conduit whereby said valve is operated to permit cooling air to be controllably applied to the outlet conduit connected with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall when the source of tertiary air is not functioning.

12. The incinerator as defined in claim 9, wherein the means for supplying tertiary air to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, comprises a fan supplying air about the said outlet conduit.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12, wherein the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall is surrounded in spaced annular relation by a larger concentric conduit which communicates with the fan supplying tertiary air whereby the tertiary air cools the said outlet conduit.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein the duct for introducing cooling air from an external source to the outlet conduit connected with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, connects the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the larger concentric conduit which surrounds the said outlet conduit in a spaced annular relation.

15. The incinerator as defined in claim 14, wherein said duct for introducing cooling air from an external source to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, is provided with a valve for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said outlet conduit and said valve is provided with control means operating in response to the fan means for supplying tertiary air to said larger concentric conduit about the said outlet conduit in spaced annular relation whereby said valve is opened to permit cooling air to be applied about the outlet conduit when the fan supplying tertiary air is not functioning.

16. The incinerator as defined in claim 9, wherein the means for supplying tertiary air to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, comprises a fan drawing ambient air to the said outlet conduit.

17. The incinerator as defined in claim 16, wherein the means for supplying tertiary air to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, comprises a branched conduit opening to the atmosphere located intermediate the said second port in the combustion chamber wall and the said fan whereby ambient air is drawn by the fan from the surrounding atmosphere into and through said branched conduit to the said outlet conduit.

18. The incinerator as defined in claim 17, wherein the duct for introducing cooling air from an external source to the said outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall, is provided with a valve for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the outlet conduit and said valve is provided for supplying tertiary air to the outlet conduit whereby said valve is operated to permit cooling air to be applied to the outlet conduit connected with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall when the fan drawing tertiary ambient air into said outlet conduit is not functioning.

19. An incinerator for burning waste materials, comprising in combination:

a. a cylindrical combustion chamber having space opposed first and second end walls and an annular side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls, said chamber being disposed such that its central axis extends substantially horizontally;

b. a first port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its first end wall communicating with an inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said annular side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste materials toward the second end wall;

c. combustion burner means for igniting said waste material during its vortical movement;

d. an exhaust flue adjacent the second end wall of the combustion chamber positioned concentric with the longitudinal axis of said combustion chamber and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber;

e. a second port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its second end wall communicating with an outlet conduit for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material;

f. means for adding secondary air to said combustion chamber substantially tangentially to the said combustion chamber annular side wall including means for producing said secondary'air;

g. means for introducing cooling air into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its first end for feeding waste material and primary air, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the said inlet conduit for. feeding waste material and primary air into the corpbg stion chamber; and,

h. means for introducing cooling air into the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its second end for discharging residual combustible material and non-combustible material, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the said outlet conduit for discharging from the combustion chamber residual combustible material and noncombustible material.

20. The incinerator of claim 19, wherein the said air ducts for introducing cooling air into the said inlet conduit and the said outlet conduit are each provided with valves for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said inlet conduit and the said outlet conduit, and each of said valves is provided with independent control means, the control means operating the valve in the air duct introducing cooling air into the said inlet conduit operating in response to the source of primary air whereby said valve is operated to permit cooling air to be introduced into the inlet conduit when the source of primary air is not functioning, and the control means operating the valve in the air duct introducing cooling air to the outlet conduit operating in response to a source of tertiary air supplied to the outlet conduit whereby said valve is operated to permit cooling air to be introduced to the outlet conduit when the source of tertiary air is not functioning.

21. An incinerator system for burning waste material, comprising in combination:

a. a cylindrical combustion chamber have spaced opposed first and second end walls and an annular side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls, said chamber being disposed such that its central axis extends substantially horizontally;

b. a first access port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its first end wall communicating with an inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said annular side wall for establishing a vertical movement of said waste material toward the second end wall;

c. combustion burner means for preheating the combustion chamber and igniting said waste material during its vertical movement including a pipe to supply fluid fuel to the burner from a source provided with means for regulating the flow of fluid fuel to the burner;

e. a second access port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its second end wall communicating with an outlet conduit for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material;

f. means for adding secondary air to said combustion chamber substantially tangentially to the said combustion chamber annular side wall, including means for providing said secondary air; I

g. means for introducing cooling air into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port .in ,the combustion chamber wall adjacent its first end for feeding waste material and primary air, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air to the combustion chamber with said inlet conduit, said air duct being provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said inlet access conduit;

h. means for introducing cooling to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second access port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its second end for discharging residual combustible and noncombustible material, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with said outlet conduit, said air duct being provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said outlet access conduit; and,

i. system control means for adjustably controlling the time period of firing the combustion burner ignition means and preheating the incinerator combustion chamber, for adjustably controlling the feeding of waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber, and for adjustably controlling the flow of cooling air from said means for providing secondary air to at least one of the said conduits communicating with the said access ports in the combustion chamber wall.

22. The incinerator system as defined in claim 2], wherein the system control means includes temperature sensor means in the combustion chamber to govern the regulation of the firing of the combustion burner ignition means.

23. The incinerator system as defined in claim 21, wherein the system control means permits cooling air to be controllably introduced into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port through the cooling air duct during the period of preheating of the incinerator combustion chamber by firing the combustion burner ignition means.

24. The incinerator system as defined in claim 2] including means for supplying primary air with said waste material to the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port in the combustion chamber wall and said system control means permits cooling air to be controllably introduced into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port through the cooling air duct when the means for supplying primary air to said inlet conduit is not functioning.

25. The incinerator system as defined in claim 21, wherein the system control means permits cooling air to be controllably applied to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second access port through the cooling air duct during the period of preheating of the incinerator combustion chamber by firing the combus-' tion burner ignition means.

26. The incinerator system as defined in claim 21 including means for supplying tertiary air to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second access port in the combustion chamber wall and said system control means permits cooling air to be controllably applied to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second access port through the cooling air duct when the means for supplying tertiary air to the said outlet conduit is not functioning.

27. An incinerator for burning waste materials, comprising in combination:

b. a first port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent one end thereof communicating with an inlet conduit entering the chamber substantially tangentially to its side wall for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste material toward the other of said end walls;

c. means for igniting said waste material during its vortical movement;

(1. an exhaust flue adjacent the other end wall of said combustion chamber positioned concentric with the combustion chambers longitudinal axis and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber to exhaust gaseous products of combustion;

e. a second port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent the other end thereof and communicating with an outlet conduit extending from the chamber substantially tangentially to its side wall for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material; and

f. means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conducits communicating with the said ports in said combustion chamber wall.

Claims

1. An incinerator for burning waste materials, comprising in combination: a. a combustion chamber having spaced end walls and a side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls; b. a first port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent one end thereof communicating with an inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste material toward the other of said end walls; c. means for igniting said waste material during its vortical movement; d. an exhaust flue adjacent the other end wall of said combustion chamber positioned concentric with the combustion chamber''s longitudinal axis and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber; e. a second port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent the other end thereof and communicating with an outlet conduit for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material; and, f. means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conduits communicating with the said ports in said combustion chamber wall.

6. The incinerator as defined in claim 5, wherein the said air duct for introducing the cooling air into the inlet conduit communicating with the first port in the combustion chamber wall for feeding waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber, is provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough into the inlet conduit.

19. An incinerator for burning waste materials, comprising in combination: a. a cylindrical combustion chamber having space opposed first and second end walls and an annular side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls, said chamber being disposed such that its central axis extends substantially horizontally; b. a first port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its first end wall communicating with an inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said annular side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste materials toward the second end wall; c. combustion burner means for igniting said waste material during its vortical movement; d. an exhaust flue adjacent the second end wall of the combustion chamber positioned concentric with the longitudinal axis of said combustion chamber and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber; e. a second port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its second end wall communicating with an outlet conduit for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material; f. means for adding secondary air to said combustion chamber substantially tangentially to the said combustion chamber annular side wall including means for producing said secondary air; g. means for introducing cooling air into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its first end for feeding waste material and primary air, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the said inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber; and, h. means for introducing cooling air into the outlet conduit communicating with the said second port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its second end for discharging residual combustible material and non-combustible material, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with the said outlet conduit for discharging from the combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material.

21. An incinerator system for burning waste material, comprising in combination: a. a cylindrical combustion chamber have spaced opposed first and second end walls and an annular side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls, said chamber being disposed such that its central axis extends substantially horizontally; b. a first access port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its first end wall communicating with an inlet conduit for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said annular side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste material toward the second end wall; c. combustion burner means for preheating the combustion chamber and igniting said waste material during its vortical movement including a pipe to supply fluid fuel to the burner from a source provided with means for regulating the flow of fluid fuel to the burner; d. an exhaust flue adjacent the second end wall of the combustion chamber positioned concentric with the longitudinal axis of said combustion chamber and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber; e. a second access port in the said combustion chamber annular side wall adjacent to its second end wall communicating with an outlet conduit for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material; f. means for adding secondary air to said combustion chamber substantially tangentially to the said combustion chamber annular side wall, including means for providing said secondary air; g. means for introducing cooling air into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its first end for feeding waste material and primary air, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air to the combustion chamber with said inlet conduit, said air duct being provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said inlet access conduit; h. means for introducing cooling to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second access port in the combustion chamber wall adjacent its second end for discharging residual combustible and non-combustible material, comprising an air duct connecting the means for adding secondary air into the combustion chamber with said outlet conduit, said air duct being provided with means for regulating the flow of cooling air therethrough to the said outlet access conduit; and, i. system control means for adjustably controlling the time period of firing the combustion burner ignition means and preheating the incinerator combustion chamber, for adjustably controlling the feeding of waste material and primary air into the combustion chamber, and for adjustably controlling the flow of cooling air from said means for providing secondary air to at least one of the said conduits communicating with the said access ports in the combustion chamber wall.

22. The incinerator system as defined in claim 21, wherein the system control means includes temperature sensor means in the combustion chamber to govern the regulation of the firing of the combustion burner ignition means.

24. The incinerator system as defined in claim 21 including means for supplying primary air with said waste material to the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port in the combustion chamber wall and said system control means permits cooling air to be contRollably introduced into the inlet conduit communicating with the said first access port through the cooling air duct when the means for supplying primary air to said inlet conduit is not functioning.

25. The incinerator system as defined in claim 21, wherein the system control means permits cooling air to be controllably applied to the outlet conduit communicating with the said second access port through the cooling air duct during the period of preheating of the incinerator combustion chamber by firing the combustion burner ignition means.

27. An incinerator for burning waste materials, comprising in combination: a. a combustion chamber having spaced end walls and a side wall with its central longitudinal axis extending between said end walls; b. a first port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent one end thereof communicating with an inlet conduit entering the chamber substantially tangentially to its side wall for feeding waste material and primary air into said combustion chamber tangentially to said side wall for establishing a vortical movement of said waste material toward the other of said end walls; c. means for igniting said waste material during its vortical movement; d. an exhaust flue adjacent the other end wall of said combustion chamber positioned concentric with the combustion chamber''s longitudinal axis and having an open end opening into said combustion chamber to exhaust gaseous products of combustion; e. a second port in the said combustion chamber wall adjacent the other end thereof and communicating with an outlet conduit extending from the chamber substantially tangentially to its side wall for discharging from said combustion chamber residual combustible material and non-combustible material; and f. means for introducing cooling air from an external source to at least one of the said conducits communicating with the said ports in said combustion chamber wall.