WO1995006505A1

WO1995006505A1 - Material cleansing device

Info

Publication number: WO1995006505A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/008982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Schlesinger; Harold Rapp
Original assignee: Fsr Patented Technologies, Ltd.
Priority date: 1993-09-01
Filing date: 1994-08-08
Publication date: 1995-03-09
Also published as: IL110717A0; AU7483694A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a material cleansing system that has a vacuum device (100), a liquid vaporization device (400); and a vapor condensing device (200) attached to the liquid vaporization device and the vacuum device. The system also includes a U-shaped trap (15) connecting the vacuum means and the vapor condensing means. Liquids in the material are withdrawn therefrom by vaporization and then eliminated from the system. The demoisturized material (33) is then also ejected from the system.

Description

Material Cleansing Device

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation in part of U.S.S.N. 08/115,921 filed on September 1, 1993 which is a continuation of PCT/US93/02412 designating the U.S. which is a continuation of U.S.S.N. 07/913,694 filed on July 14, 1992 which is a continuation in part of U.S.S.N. 07/855,979 filed on March 23, 1992 now U.S. Patent No. 5,248,394, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a recognized need to decontaminate soils, sludge and other materials. Present systems which attend to this need, look to chemical treatment, liquid presses, and replacement of materials. The present invention relies upon an energy efficient vaporization means for cleansing the contaminated materials. It borrows technology disclosed in PCT/US93/02412 and U.S.Patent No.5,248,394 both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method of cleaning contaminated materials wherein the materials are exposed to vacuum and heat to remove the liquids from the materials by turning those liquids into vapor. The invention also includes a sealed device in which the material to be cleansed is placed and wherein the heat and vacuum is applied.

The present invention also includes a system comprised of: vacuum means; liquid vaporization means; vapor condensing means attached to the liquid vaporization means and the vacuum; and a trap connecting the vacuum means and the vapor condensing means.

The foregoing system further comprises control means for controlling the vacuum means, such that the vacuum level corresponds to the latent heat of vaporization for liquid which is vaporized and brought into the vapor condensing means.

In greater detail, there is disclosed herein a material cleansing system that is sealed and is comprised of: vacuum means; a device for condensing vapor to liquid; and a contaminated material processing device connected to said device for condensing vapor to liquid, said vacuum means communicating vacuum pressure to both said device for condensing vapor to liquid and said contaminated material processing device; said contaminated material processing device having heating means such that contaminated material is placed in said processing device and there exposed to vacuum and heat to turn liquid in said contaminated material to vapor, said vapor passing to said device for condensing vapor to liquid and there becoming liquid which is directed out of said device for condensing vapor to liquid.

Further of note in the present invention, is that the heating means is activated for use only after a computer control system ensures that the vacuum level in said system corresponds to a latent heat of vaporization point which represents a set relationship with respect to the temperature of the material to be cleansed.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be broadly broken into four areas of study. These are the Vacuum Generating Section (100) , the Vapor to Liquid Area (200) , the End Collection Zone (300) , and the Material Processing Section (400) . These areas are seen in Figure 1 which figure is not drawn to scale.

In broad overview, contaminated materials are introduced into the Material Processing Section (400) . There they are subjected to mixing, heat and vacuum pressure so that the liquids therein may be vaporized. The vapor emanating from the Material Processing Section (400) is channeled into the Vapor to Liquid Area (200) where, as the name describes, the vapor is condensed into liquid in a Carnot cycle of sorts. In the meantime, the materials from which the vapor came are channeled out of the Material Processing Section (400) .

Once the vapor has been turned to liquid in the Vapor to Liquid Area (200) , it passes through a trap into the End Collection Zone (300) . The Vacuum Generating Section (100) is connected to all three of the areas (200, 300, 400) and operates therewith. Each of these areas will now be reviewed in detail.

Vacuum Generating Section (100) This section is comprised of reference numerals (1) through (9) . Many sorts of vacuum generating means may be used for this invention. In the one shown herein, two oil-filled towers (1) used to create a vacuum, are situated side by side and connected in parallel. The oil-filled towers (1) are preferably 35 to 50 feet in height and preferably 6 to 14 inches in diameter. Greater diameters are, however, within the contemplation of this invention. The oil-filled towers (1) are filled with a synthetic oil such as polyalphaolefin, or other liquid exhibiting similar physical characteristics and are preferably made of steel pipe or similar material. The materials of the towers (1) should be capable of sustaining the vacuum levels that are generated within each tower, and able to function as structural support if needed for such. More than two oil- filled towers (1) may be used. From the lower portion of each oil-filled tower (1) extends two pipes: an oil feeder pipe (OFP) and an oil drain pipe (ODP) with the oil drain pipe (ODP) situated below the oil feeder pipe (OFP) . Extending from the top of each oil-filled tower(1) are an additional two pipes, a return pipe (RP) and a vacuum pipe (9) . The oil feeder pipe (OFP) , the oil drain pipe (ODP) - and the return pipe (RP) all end in an atmospherically vented oil tank (3) situated near the bases of oil-filled towers (1) . Through these pipes, oil drains into and is pumped from vented oil tank (3) . Oil pump (2) is attached to oil feeder pipe (OFP) to facilitate the pumping of oil from vented oil tank (3) to oil-filled towers (1) . Since oil feeder pipe (OFP) attaches to both oil-filled towers (1) , it has two first ends. Each first end is connected to the lower portion of each oil-filled tower (1) by oil fill valves (4) . Oil feeder pipe (OFP) has also a second end which is the end within vented oil tank (3) . Oil pump (2) is located between the first ends and the second end of oil feeder pipe

(OFP) and above and outside of vented oil tank (3) . However, oil pump (2) could be replaced with a submersible pump situated within vented oil tank (3) .

Oil pump (2) is used to transfer the oil from the vented oil tank (3) to the oil-filled towers (1) until a level sensor within each oil tank (not shown) indicates that one of the oil-filled towers (1) is completely filled with oil. When this occurs, an automated tower vent valve (5) , located at the top of each oil-filled tower (1) and connected to return pipe (RP) , allows excess oil to flow through return pipe (RP) to vented oil tank (3) .

Below each tower oil fill valve (4) on each oil-filled tower (1) is a tower oil drain valve (8) . Tower oil drain valve (8) is connected to oil drain pipe (ODP) and enables oil to drain by means of gravity from each oil-filled tower (1) through oil drain pipe (ODP) back into vented oil tank (3) .

At the top of each oil-filled tower (1) and near tower vent valve (5) , is tower vacuum valve (6) connecting oil-filled tower (1) to vacuum piping (9) . Tower vent valve (5) , tower vacuum valve (6) , tower oil fill valve (4) , and tower oil drain valve (8) are automated control valves. They and the level sensor in each tower (1) , regulate the activity of oil- filled towers (1) such that tower oil valve (8) at the bottom of the oil-filled tower (1) opens to allow oil to drain to the vented oil tank (3) while valves (4) (5) (6) are closed. The draining of oil creates a substantial vacuum within oil-filled tower (1) which vacuum is then transmitted to the rest of the system. This is controlled by the opening of vacuum regulating valves (7) which are located in the line of vacuum piping (9) . Vacuum piping (9) extends from each tower (1) and then bifurcates into the two vacuum regulating valves (7) . In one bifurcation, vacuum piping (9) becomes vacuum line (VL) of smaller diameter which feeds directly into Material Processing Section (400) . In the other bifurcation, vacuum piping (9) maintains its diameter and extends to End Collection Zone (300) and Vapor to Liquid Area (200) .

The oil inside oil-filled towers (1) does not vaporize under the extreme vacuum conditions because the oil is at ambient temperature. Vacuum regulating valve (7) has a capillary bleed-off (not shown) to control the vacuum level transmitted through vacuum piping (9) to the rest of the system at the level specified by a computer control system associated with the system of figure 1. Such computer control systems are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore not shown in the drawings herein.

In use, oil-filled towers (1) alternately fill with oil and drain. The alternating draining and filling of oil in the towers (1) can be likened to the actions of pistons in an engine. In towers 42 to 50 feet in height, the towers may drain to approximately the 35 foot level which corresponds to the effect of one atmosphere of pressure. The alternating filling and draining action of the oil in the towers (1) results in a continuous vacuum being supplied to the system through vacuum regulating valve (7) and vacuum piping (9) . Of course, oil pump (2) is cycled on and off by the computer as required to fill oil-filled towers (1) .

As noted above. Vacuum Generating Section (100) could be replaced by other known vacuum devices.

Vapor to Liquid Area (200) Vapor to Liquid Area (200) is composed of reference numerals (15) through (21) . The parts that make up this area include an insulated condenser vessel (16) , around which, within which or within the walls of which are condensing coils (17) . The base of condenser vessel (16) opens up into an insulated U shaped trap or distillate liquid trap (15) that has one leg in communication with the inside of insulated condenser vessel (16) and the other leg joining at a right angle vacuum piping (9) . This joinder occurs beyond the point of connection of vacuum piping (9) to End Collection Zone (300) .

The topmost end of condensing coils (17) extends beyond condenser vessel (16) through vapor constriction valve (19) into heating coils (18) . The bottommost end of condensing coils, near trap (15) , extends beyond condenser vessel (16) to refrigeration device (20) . The top of refrigeration compressor (20) connects to heating coils (18) above which is air circulating means or fan (AC) . The top of condenser vessel (16) opens into an insulated duct (21) which connects into Material Processing Section (400) .

Vacuum passing through vacuum piping (9) acts on trap (15) and thus on condenser vessel (16) and insulated duct (21) . Vapor which is emitted from Material Processing Section (400) passes into insulated duct (21) and over condensing coils (17) , the latter causing the vapor to turn to liquid. As liquid, the vapor passes into trap (15) and becomes a constantly moving plug of sorts, with the vacuum acting directly on the liquid and thereby reducing the vacuum requirement of the system. The liquid within condensing coils (17) is heated by the vapor passing over these coils from insulated duct (21) . This liquid in condensing coils (17) then passes in its heated form into supplemental refrigerant heat exchanger (18) with fan or other cooling means (AC) and then into refrigeration compressor (20) .

Upon exiting refrigeration compressor (20) , the liquid in the tubing which now leads back to condensing coils (17) is cool and ready to absorb the heat from the vapor passing down from insulated duct (21) . In this way, a closed cycle of heat/coolant system is used.

The trap (15) positioning and type is important in this portion of the system. Pressure exerted by the Vacuum Generating Means (100) on the distillate or liquid in trap (15) must be such that the distillate does not simply revaporize and thereby pass into the Vacuum Generating Means (100) . By use of the U shaped trap (15) and the effect that that sort of trap has, the condensing portion of the system, that is the Vapor to Liquid Means (200) is isolated from the Vacuum Generating Means (100) . It is of note that the vapor lock between the Vacuum Generating Means (100) and the Vapor to Liquid Means (200) at trap (15) allows for a common pressure for this area, that is a pressure equal to the vacuum level which corresponds to the latent heat of evaporation point for the liquid which is being vaporized. This pressure will vary proportionally with the temperature at the Material Processing Area (400) and it is understood that this system is computer controlled to control the vacuum level in the system accordingly. There is an additional benefit to the trap (15) provided herein. That is for the purging of non- condensible vapor which may accumulate within the system. The liquid level in the trap will fluctuate and allow the purging of these non-condensible vapors in a burping sort of fashion into the vacuum.

End Collection Zone (300) End Collection Zone (300) is composed of reference numerals (10) through (14) .

Located below the joinder of vacuum piping (9) and insulated distillate liquid trap (15) are at least two insulated and closed distillate liquid collection tanks (10) . Each insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) has on its topmost portion a liquid inlet control valve (13) which connects it via a pipe to vacuum piping (9) . At the opposite, bottom end of each insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) is a collection tank drain valve (11) which connects each insulated liquid collection tank (10) to a pipe which empties the distilled liquid from insulated liquid collection tanks

(10) into a desired location. Vent and vacuum control valves

(14) are connected to the tops of insulated distillate liquid tanks (10) and in part to each other. They vent each insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) to atmosphere or seal the insulated distillate liquid collection tanks (10) within the vacuum system.

In use, the liquid from insulated distillate liquid trap (15) flows toward the two or more insulated distillate liquid collection tanks (10) due to the vacuum pressure transmitted through vacuum piping (9) . The insulated distillate liquid collection tanks (10) are exposed to the vacuum pressure in vacuum piping (9) when liquid inlet valve (13) is open and collection tank drain valve (11) and vacuum and vent control valves (14) are closed. The liquid collection tanks are at the same vacuum level as the vacuum transmitted through vacuum piping (9) . Thus with liquid inlet control valve (13) open, the distilled liquid flowing from the insulated distillate liquid trap (15) flows into the first insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) , filling it with liquid. When the first insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) is filled, liquid inlet control valve (13) for that insulated distillate liquid collection tank (lθ) closes and collection tank drain valve (11) for that insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) opens. The vent control valve at (14) for that insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) also opens at that time so that the liquid inside the insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) will drain into the potable liquid discharge piping (12) . As soon as the insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) just drained is empty of liquid, vent control valve at (14) closes, liquid inlet control valve (13) remains closed, collection tank drain valve (11) closes, and vacuum control valve at (14) opens to evacuate all air from the insulated distillate liquid collection tank (10) . Vacuum valve at (14) closes as soon as the tank is evacuated of such air, and liquid inlet control valve (13) is reopened to receive once again the distilled liquid from insulated distillate liquid trap (15) . Known sensors controlled by a computer system (both not shown) are used in End Collection Zone (300) to facilitate the appropriate opening and closing of the valves.

The insulated distillate liquid collection tanks (10) alternately drain and fill with liquid so that a continuous flow of liquid from liquid trap (15) to one of tanks (10) occurs. The insulated distillate liquid collection tanks (10) are insulated to isolate them from ambient temperatures, and the piping from the insulated distillate liquid trap (15) to the insulated distillate liquid collection tanks (10) is also insulated.

The elements described in End Collection Zone (300) could be replaced by a known rotating vane device, a peristaltic pump and tank assembly, a rotary pump and tank assembly. The only requirement is that the means selected for use as the End Collection Zone (300) must be able to remove the liquid distillate without compromising vacuum within the system.

The relationship and interconnection of vacuum generating section (100) to Water to Vapor Area (200) are of particular interest in that the manner in which Water to Vapor Area (200) operates to condense vapors and utilize trap (15) effectively stops substantially any moisture vapor migration and accumulation of such moisture in oil-filled towers (1) .

Material Processing Section (400) This section is comprised of reference numerals (22) through (38) . In broad overview, this section is comprised of insulated processing chamber (38) which defines a sealed entry way (37) and exit way (39) . Between these two areas is an interior which houses a mixing mechanism, here an auger (29) , demister means (28) , and a heating device (23) . A grinding device (35) grinds the contaminated material so that it may be fed into processing chamber (38) . Once the material has been processed in processing chamber (38) , it is channeled out through exit way (39) into a collection area or zone (33) .

In more detail, contaminated material such as soil, debris, and rocks are brought into processing chamber (38) by first passing it through a grinding device such as a motorized or hydraulic pulverizer (35) . In grinding device (35) the soil, debris, and rocks are pulverized to a proper and manageable size. This pulverized material is then fed through a chute control valve (36) attached to pulverizer (35) to conveyor belt (34) . The chute control valve (36) is operated such that it does not open until material in pulverizer (35) has been pulverized to the proper size.

In the drawings, pulverizer (35) and conveyor belt (34) are shown open and separate from each other. They may instead be constructed as surrounded by a housing to encase the material flowing from pulverizer (35) to conveyor belt (34) and thereby prevent spillage of that material. Such encasement is well known in the art.

If the contaminated material is to have liquids removed, pulverizer (35) can simply be a feed hopper which meters via a chute valve (36) the sludge fed to conveyor (34) .

Conveyor belt (34) transfers the contaminated soils or sludges to the processing chamber (38) by means of valved and walled entry way (37) . Within entry way (37) are two valves (26) and (27) , one at the top inlet portion of entry way (37) and the other at the bottom outlet area of entry way (37) . Valve (26) is the only connection between entry way (37) and the interior or boiler chamber (22) of processing chamber (38) . Thus, the closing of valve (26) acts to seal entry way (37) from interior or boiler chamber (22) .

Vacuum Line (VL) which extends from one of valves (7) passes at one point into entry way (37) between valves (26) and (27) . Its vacuum pressure is allowed to communicate with entry way (37) by means of a dual functioning valve, vacuum atmospheric vent valve (30) . Vacuum Line (VL) also connects into exit way (39) between valves (24) and (26) where the treated materials exit the processing chamber (38) . This connection also passes through a dual function valve, vacuum atmospheric vent valve (31) .

Initially, control valve (26) is closed, the vacuum portion of vacuum atmospheric vent valve (30) is closed while the atmospheric portion of that valve is open, and valve (27) is open. In this positioning, entry way (37) may be loaded with contaminated soils or sludge from conveyor (34) until it is filled to a level between 5/8 full to completely full but generally approximately 7/8 full. At that point, valve (27) closes fully, the atmospheric vent of valve (30) closes and the vacuum portion of valve (30) opens so that vacuum pressure from vacuum line (VL) may act to remove air from entry way (37) . This vacuum pressure is applied only when valves (26) and (27) are closed.

In practice, the amount of vacuum pressure desired in entry way (37) before opening valve (26) is very close to or the same as that which is present in interior or boiler chamber

(22) . When this pressure has been achieved in entry way (37) , valve (26) will open to permit the soils or sludge held in entry way (37) to drop downwards onto a feed and mixing device such as the feed auger (29) which is held in interior or boiler chamber (22) of processing chamber (38) . Auger (29) is placed so that it may receive and mix the materials coming into interior or boiler chamber (22) of processing chamber (38) as well as direct the exit of that material. In the drawing, auger (29) is seen to rest in a position generally perpendicular to the direction of entry of the material which passes through valve (26) .

Valve (27) is maintained in a fully closed position when valve (26) is open in order not to compromise the vacuum level from within interior or boiler chamber (22) of processing chamber (38) . In this regard, interior or boiler chamber (22) is vacuum pressured by its connection through insulated crossover ducting (21) which connects through condenser vessel (16) to Vacuum Generating Section (100) . Processing chamber (38) is supplied vacuum through insulated crossover ducting (21) at variable and controlled levels to 30" hg by Vacuum Generating Section (100) .

Once all of the materials in entry way (37) have passed into boiler chamber (22) , valve (26) will close, the vacuum portion of valve (30) will close and the atmospheric portion of valve (30) will open so that valve (27) may be again opened for receipt of more materials. Preferably, when entry way (37) is at atmospheric pressure, valve (27) will open to allow more materials into entry way (37) .

Situated above auger (29) and below the top of processing chamber (38) is a demister pad (28) which is cut to the cross sectional dimensions of processing chamber (38) which it crosses. Demister pad (28) is intended to retard any moisture particle carryover into crossover ducting (21) . It is vapor permeable and may be made of separation mesh or similar materials, stainless steel, PVC or other material generally impervious to corrosion. In this embodiment, demister pad (28) is comprised of a heavy enough gauge material to withstand the effects of any rocks or debris which might strike it whenever trapped or imbedded moisture exits the soils or sludges.

A heating electrode (23) extends between demister pad (28) and the top of processing chamber (38) . It acts to provide heat to specified levels within boiler (22) to facilitate turning the moisture contained within processing chamber (38) into vapor so that the vapor may pass through crossover ducting (21) to Liquid to Vapor Area (200) . Heating electrode (23) can be any number of heat sources other than electrical including hydronic hot water or steam coils, etc. since the only purpose of heating electrode (23) is to heat the interior or boiler chamber (22) to specified temperature levels which will vary with the particular fluid being separated from the contaminated soil or sludge. Although a specific location for the heating means such as heating electrode (23) has just been given, in fact, such means may be of many types and may be placed anywhere within boiler chamber or interior (22) . As an example, heating means could line the inside of boiler chamber or interior (22) .

Transfer of the contaminated soils or sludge within interior or boiler chamber (22) from the area below valve (26) to the boiler outlet area (38) , which has its entry at valve (24) , is accomplished by feed auger (29) . Feed auger (29) operates slowly in this transfer to allow moisture to be removed from the soils or sludge due to the vacuum level (reduced pressure) and heat within interior or boiler chamber (22) . The soils or sludge are continuously stirred and moved by feed auger (29) in order to fully expose that material to the heated and reduced pressure (vacuum) of interior or boiler chamber (22) . Liquid which is contained, absorbed, imbedded, mixed, etc. within the soil or sludge will thereby be caused to boil and change to vapor due to the temperature level and reduced pressure (vacuum) within interior or boiler chamber (22) . As vapor, it Will travel upwardly through demister pad (28) into crossover duct (21) . As noted above, the vacuum level in boiler (22) can be as much as 30" hg in certain cases.

Boiler outlet valve (24) is kept fully closed until a device control system indicates that the fluid has been removed from the soils or sludge in interior or boiler chamber (22) to an appropriate level. A hygrometer type control device (not shown) may be used to monitor moisture levels within interior or boiler chamber (22) . However, any number of other indicators could as well be used to determine when the soil or sludge is "adequately dry" and the majority or all of the fluids have been removed from it.

When it is indicated that the contaminated materials in interior or boiler chamber are dry enough, valve (24) will open. However, it is preferred that it does not open until the pressure between outlet valve (25) and boiler outlet valve (24) , that is exit way (39) , is close to or the same as that of interior or boiler chamber (22) . To accomplish this, outlet valve (25) and the atmospheric vent valve of vacuum atmospheric vent valve (31) must be closed. The vacuum portion of atmospheric vent valve (31) must be open. In this way, the vacuum from vacuum line (VL) which connects between valves (24) and (25) by means of vacuum atmospheric vent valve (31) is communicated to exit way (39) .

When the soils and sludges in boiler chamber (22) are dry enough, and valve (24) is allowed to open, auger (29) continues to operate, now transporting the resultant dry soil or sludge residue through valve (24) and into the area above valve (25) . That area, exit way (39) is allowed to fill to 5/8 full to full but generally to approximately 7/8 full. At that time, valve (24) will close, the vacuum portion of vacuum atmospheric vent valve (31) will close and the vent portion of vacuum atmospheric vent valve (31) opens. As the pressure in exit way (39) comes to equalize or equalizes that of atmosphere, outlet valve (25) opens to allow the dry soil or sludge residue to feed onto conveyor (32) for transfer to bin (33) . Once these materials have exited exit way (39) , valve (25) closes, the atmospheric valve portion of valve (31) closes and the vacuum pressure from line (VL) is applied through the vacuum portion of vacuum atmospheric vent valve (31) which opens to repressurize exit way (39) to that of or about that of interior or boiler chamber (22) .

The vapors travelling upwards through the demister pad (28) inside interior or boiler chamber (22) fill crossover ducting (21) and reach condenser vessel (16) where they are cooled and condensed to liquid upon the surface of cold condensing coil (17).

There are numerous means of providing for the cooling (condensing) means besides that shown herein and such other means may be used in this invention. For example, a hydronic cooling tower, a fluid cooler, or cold water from an industrial process, etc. may be used.

The operation of this system may be briefly summarized as follows. Material to be cleansed is reduced in size in a pulverizing means (35) . The pulverized material is then brought into the entry way (37) of the material processing device (38) . When this entry way (37) is at least 5/8 full, valve (27) closes, valve (30) opens and the pulverized and contaminated material is subject to a first vacuum pressure. At the point that the pressure in the entry way (37) between valves (26) and (27) equals that which is in vacuum line (VL) , valve (26) opens so that the material may pass into interior or boiler chamber (22) . Interior or boiler chamber (22) is at a vacuum pressure preferably the same as that in entry way (37) . The pulverized and contaminated material thus enters interior or boiler chamber (22) and is there exposed to vacuum and increased heat. It is mixed in boiler chamber (22) during such exposure to facilitate the liquid contained in it to turn to vapor, the vaporization of this liquid being due to the temperature and pressure conditions in interior or boiler chamber (22) . As the vapor is created, it rises and passes into ducting (21) where it is channeled over coils (17) and returned to its liquid state. As a liquid, it then passes through trap (15) into Collection Area (300) . In the meantime, the material in boiler chamber (22) is moved and mixed until it reaches a desired moisture level. When that level is reached, valve (24) opens and the material passes into exit way (39) which is at a vacuum pressure preferably the same as that in interior or boiler chamber (22) . When exit way (39) is at least 5/8 full, valve (24) closes, valve (31) opens to vent exit way to atmosphere, and valve (25) opens to allow the material in the exit way (39) to exit the sealed portion of the system.

It is preferred that with the exception of the conveyor means (34) and (32) , the pulverizer means (35) and the storage bin

(33) that the surfaces of those parts in areas (100) , (200) and (400) that are exposed to atmosphere be insulated. The Collection Area (300) may also have those parts which are exposed to atmosphere insulated with the exception of the collection area in which opening (12) rests.

From the foregoing, it will also be understood that the system with the exception of conveyor means (34) and (32) , the pulverizer means (35) , the storage bin (33) , container (3) and the collection area in which opening (12) rests are sealed from atmosphere and form a closed and interactive system.

The present invention is claimed as follows.

Claims

1. A system comprised of: vacuum means; liquid vaporization means; vapor condensing means attached to said liquid vaporization means and said vacuum means; and a trap connecting said vacuum means and said vapor condensing means.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising control means for controlling said vacuum means, such that said vacuum level corresponds to the latent heat of vaporization for liquid which is vaporized and brought into said vapor condensing means.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising heating means in said liquid vaporization means wherein the vacuum pressure from said vacuum means and said heating means act to vaporize liquid introduced into said liquid vaporization means.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising mixing and directional means in said liquid vaporization means wherein materials placed in said liquid vaporization means are mixed and moved and liquid therein evaporated therefrom.

5. A method of cleaning contaminated materials wherein the materials are exposed to vacuum and heat to remove the liquids from the materials by turning those liquids into vapor.

6. A sealed device for cleansing contaminated materials, wherein said device includes heat and vacuum means, said material being placed in said sealed device and the heat and vacuum therein evaporating the moisture from said materials.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising mixing and moving means wherein said material placed in said sealed device is mixed and moved as it is exposed to said vacuum and heat.

8. The device of claim 6 further comprising vapor condensing means such that the moisture evaporated from said material is brought into said vapor condensing means where it is recondensed into liquid and expelled from the device.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a moisture detection device, said moisture detection device measuring the moisture content in said material such that when said moisture content reaches a certain level, said material is expelled from said device.

10. A sealed material cleansing system comprised of: vacuum means; a device for condensing vapor to liquid; and a contaminated material processing device connected to said device for condensing vapor to liquid, said vacuum means communicating vacuum pressure to both said device for condensing vapor to liquid and said contaminated material processing device; said contaminated material processing device having heating means such that contaminated material is placed in said processing device and there exposed to vacuum and heat to turn liquid in said contaminated material to vapor, said vapor passing to said device for condensing vapor to liquid and there becoming liquid which is directed out of said device for condensing vapor to liquid.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a control means for said heating means and said vacuum means wherein said heating means is activated for use only after said control means ensures that the vacuum level in said system corresponds to a latent heat of vaporization point which represents a set relationship with respect to the temperature of the material to be cleansed.

SUBSΪ17UTE SHEET (ROLE 2β