WO2000073702A1

WO2000073702A1 - Method for incinerating a body and incinerator therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2000073702A1
Application number: PCT/FR2000/001415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Leclerc
Original assignee: Michel Leclerc
Priority date: 1999-05-27
Filing date: 2000-05-25
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: FR2794223A1; KR20010072083A; CN1318142A; ID28357A; JP2003500629A; FR2794223B1; EP1101065A1; AU4931000A; CA2338165A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for incinerating a body and an incinerator for implementing said method. The method comprises a step which consists in placing the body in the combustion chamber (2) of an incinerator (1), without preheating, and a step which consists in generating a flame (19, 20) under pressure at high temperature towards the combustion chamber, and a step for the combustion of the body by carbonising or evaporating the body surface molecules by contact with the flame exhibiting a temperature ranging between 2000 and 4000 °C.

Description

Method of incinerating a body and incinerator allowing the implementation of said method

The invention relates to a method of incinerating a body and an incinerator allowing the implementation of said method. The invention relates more particularly to an incinerator constituting a crematorium furnace for the cremation of coffins.

It is known in the prior art crematory ovens for the incineration of coffins. Cremation is obtained by the combustion of a gas. To obtain sufficiently high temperatures, of the order of 900 ° C., this combustion is carried out with oxygen from the air. This type of oven generally requires preheating, and the cremation lasts approximately one and a half hours.

A first object of the invention is to propose a rapid and efficient incineration process. This object is achieved by the fact that the process of cremation of a body

(3) is characterized in that it comprises the following stages:

- placement of the body in the combustion chamber of an incinerator, without preheating,

- creation of a flame under pressure at high temperature towards the combustion chamber,

- combustion of the body by carbonization or evaporation of the surface molecules of the body, in contact with the flame having a temperature between 2000 ° and 4000 ° C.

Further developments of the invention are described in dependent claims 2 to 9.

Another object of the invention is to propose an incinerator allowing the implementation of the incineration process.

In a first variant, this object is achieved by the fact that the incinerator according to the invention, comprising a combustion chamber receiving the body to be incinerated, is characterized in that it comprises at least one propellant propellant, in solid or pulverulent form, the flame or flames of which are directed towards the body to be incinerated in the combustion chamber, allowing the combustion of the body in contact with the flame. In a second variant, this object is achieved by the fact that the incinerator comprising a combustion chamber receiving the body to be incinerated, is characterized in that it comprises at least one burner of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen , whose flame or flames are oriented towards the body to be incinerated in the combustion chamber, allowing the combustion of the body in contact with the flame, each burner comprising an electrical ignition means.

Further developments of the invention are described in dependent claims 12 to 21.

The invention, with its characteristics and advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows, schematically, a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of an incinerator according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the incinerator illustrated in Figure 1 along a transverse plane (AA ');

- Figure 3 shows the incinerator illustrated in Figure 1, in operation.

According to Figures 1 and 2, the incinerator (1) according to the invention comprises a combustion chamber (2) for receiving the body (3) to be burned. The incinerator according to the invention can constitute a crematorium furnace for the cremation of coffins. The incinerator according to the invention can be used for the incineration of all types of organic bodies or objects to be burned. For example, the combustion chamber (3) is formed of three concentric tunnels (4, 5, 6), a first (6) and a second (5) tunnels perforated and placed in a third tunnel (4), called exterior, ensuring the sealing of the incinerator. The body to be burned is placed in the first perforated tunnel (6). The tunnels are closed and assembled at their ends by two side walls (7, 8) or plates. The body (3) to be burned rests, for example, on a support grid (9), disposed inside the first perforated tunnel (6).

The tunnels (4, 5, 6) are for example of cylindrical shape. For example, the first and second perforated tunnels are made of steel cylinders 10 millimeters thick, and the outer tunnel is made of a cylinder 2 millimeters thick. In order to avoid any projection of molecules, the perforations (11) of the first tunnel and the perforations (10) of the second tunnel can be staggered, so that a perforation of the second perforated tunnel is not opposite -vis a perforation of the first perforated tunnel. In a first alternative embodiment, the incinerator (1) comprises at least one propellant propellant (12a, 12b). The propellant used in the invention consists of any substance or mixture of solid substances capable of releasing a large amount of energy and a large volume of gas at high temperature, in a chemical reaction in which dioxygen does not intervene. Thus, several propellant compositions can be used, such as for example graphite propellant. The propellant (12a) comprises a storage enclosure (13a) making it possible to receive a quantity of solid propellant (14a), for example with non-abrasive molecules. The end (15) of the storage enclosure (14a) is connected to the combustion chamber (2) of the incinerator by a nozzle (16), for example of conical shape. An ignition means (17a, 17b) is disposed in front of the propellant block (14a), for example in the storage enclosure, near the connection between the nozzle (16a) and said enclosure, to allow the triggering of combustion of the propellant. The ignition means (17a) can consist of a mini rocket, which is triggered electrically. The propellant (14a), which is a fast burning product, releases a significant amount of hot gases in the form of a flame. The use of a propellant propellant makes it possible to instantly obtain a flame between 2000 and 3000 ° C, for example of the order of 2500 ° C, as well as a high pressure in the incinerator. For example, the pressure in the combustion chamber (2) of the incinerator is between 20 and 40 bars, for example of the order of 30 bars, depending on the length of the flame. For a longitudinal pressure of 30 bars, the lateral pressure is of the order of 1.5 bars. The body (3) to be incinerated is placed at a determined distance from the origin of the flame so that it is placed at the places where the flame has the highest temperatures.

In a second alternative embodiment (not shown), the propellant propellants are replaced by burners allowing the controlled combustion of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. Each burner notably comprises a device for injecting pressure into the incinerator chamber (1) of the gas mixture and electrical ignition means, for example of the piezoelectric type, to ignite the mixture as soon as it is introduced into the combustion chamber . The burners are supplied by storage means comprising containers under hydrogen pressure and containers under oxygen pressure. The injection device also includes a mixer so that the respective proportions of hydrogen and oxygen in the mixture allow the creation, at the outlet of each burner, of a flame at high temperature and under high pressure. According to the invention, the proportions are chosen to obtain a flame temperature between 3500 and 4000 ° C. As an example, the proportions are defined to obtain a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

The combustion of the body is done by carbonization or evaporation of the surface molecules of the body, in contact with the flame. The products of combustion of the body burn very quickly by sublimation or evaporation. If the body has water, it is directly evaporated. In the case of cremation, the combustion of the body takes place by evaporation of the water molecules from the surface of the body and by carbonization of the surface molecules of the body in contact with the flame, the products resulting from carbonization being transformed under the effect of high temperature by sublimation or evaporation.

The incinerator according to the invention comprises a means for evacuating the vapors and products of combustion of the body. These evacuation means can be constituted by one or more pipes (21) connected to openings (22) present on the external tunnel (4). The combustion gases, produced inside the first perforated tunnel (6), pass through the perforations (10, 11) and can then be evacuated to the outside by the pipe (21).

According to the two alternative embodiments, one or more propellant propellants or gas burners can be used simultaneously. The relative arrangement of the propellants or burners can be determined to reduce the blast effects. By way of example, the incinerator according to the invention comprises two propellants (12a, 12b), respectively two burners, arranged, for example in facing relation and generating concentric flames. Each propellant, respectively burner, is assembled to a side wall (7, 8) of the incinerator, the nozzle (16a) of the propellant (12a), respectively the injection device of the burner, being arranged opposite. an opening (18) present on the side wall (7), centered, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the first perforated tube (6), the shape of which is adapted to that of the nozzle. According to FIG. 3, in which the body and the grid are not shown, the flames (19, 20), generated by the combustion of the propellant or of the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, can have complementary shapes to allow a reduction of blast effects in the combustion chamber and efficient combustion of body surface molecules. For example, a first propellant (12a), respectively burner, generates a flame (19), known as a female flame in the shape of a corolla or of a tube hollowed out in its center. The second propellant (12b), respectively burner, generates a flame (20), called male, in the form of a dart, which is placed inside the first flame (19). The shape of the nozzles (16a, 16b) determines the shape of the flames (19, 20). The first flame (19) has, for example, a diameter of 60 centimeters and the second flame (20) has a diameter of 50 centimeters. This configuration of the flames allows efficient combustion of the body. Indeed, projections of molecules or a partial combustion of these can take place under the effect of the first flame. These projections or partially degraded molecules are then burned or transformed by the second flame which surrounds the first. The configuration of the two flames thus makes it possible to avoid the phenomena of projection and partial combustion of the molecules. The nozzle of a propellant, respectively the burner injection device, can also be shaped to form two or more flames. In addition, the two flames described above can also be obtained by means of a single propellant respectively burner, using a particular nozzle, respectively an injection device. The storage enclosure (13a) and the nozzle (16a) of a thruster

(12a), respectively the injection device of a burner, can be included or formed in a block (22) of solid material, such as a concrete block, the nozzle, respectively the injection device, leading to a face, called front, of the block (22) of concrete. The concrete block is pivotally assembled by complementary anchoring means (23) present on the front face of the block and on the external surface of the side wall (7). The propellant, respectively the burner, pivotally mounted on the side wall (7) thus allows access to the interior of the incinerator's combustion chamber in order to load the body or clean the combustion chamber. combustion. The end of the storage enclosure, opposite the nozzle, opens onto the rear face of the concrete block (22) to allow the installation in the enclosure of a determined quantity of propellant (14a). When the propellant is loaded, the end of the storage enclosure is then closed in a leaktight manner by means (24) of closure.

The incinerator, according to the invention, may include means allowing the injection of cold air into the combustion chamber at the end of each combustion, in order to obtain a cold incinerator for the following combustion cycle. The incinerator according to the invention has many advantages over traditionally used incinerators. The combustion of the propellant, which does not use oxygen, does not generate gases harmful to the environment, these gases being destroyed in the incinerator by high heat. Only hydrogen, coming from combustion, can be released outside the incinerator by the means of evacuation.

The combustion of the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen only generates water which is immediately vaporized due to the heat. In addition, this combustion does not consume the oxygen in the air since the oxygen necessary for the reaction is supplied by the storage means. Thus, no atmospheric pollution is generated by the combustion of the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

The cremation of a body according to the invention is carried out cold. Indeed, unlike incinerators or crematorium ovens of the prior art, the incinerator according to the invention does not require preheating of the oven. Indeed, the body being consumed directly in contact with the flame or flames at high temperature, a rise in temperature of the oven is not necessary.

A cremation using an incinerator according to the invention takes place very quickly. For a body weighing less than 100 kilograms, the duration of the cremation is less than one minute. Cremation generates very little amount of ash, the charring bones can be easily ground. In addition, the cremation of a body of 100 kilograms requires only a small amount of propellant, of the order of 20 kilograms. The use of a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is less costly and the supply of the storage means can be carried out by a device for the electrolysis of water. In addition, handling hydrogen and oxygen containers is less dangerous than propellant blocks. Thus, the incineration process according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - placing the body in the combustion chamber (2) of an incinerator (1), without preheating,

- creation of a flame (19, 20) under pressure at high temperature towards the combustion chamber,

- combustion of the body by carbonization or evaporation of the surface molecules of the body in contact with the flame having a temperature between 2000 ° and 4000 ° C.

In another embodiment, the step of creating the flame comprises igniting at least one block of solid or pulverulent propellant

(14a, 14b), consisting of one or more solid substances whose combustion takes place without oxygen, generating a volume of gas under pressure at high temperature between 2000 and 3000 ° C

In another embodiment, the step of creating the flame comprises the injection then the ignition, by at least one burner, of a gaseous mixture of oxygen and hydrogen in a proportion making it possible to obtain the flame under pressure at a temperature between 3500 and

4000 ° C.

In another embodiment, the pressure exerted by the flame on the body to be incinerated is between 20 and 40 bars in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, the method comprises the simultaneous ignition of at least two propellant blocks (14a, 14b) arranged opposite and having flames complementary to each other.

In another embodiment, the method comprises the simultaneous ignition of at least two burners of the mixture of oxygen and hydrogen arranged opposite and having flames complementary to each other.

In another embodiment, for a body of the order of 100 kilograms, the duration of the combustion of the body is of the order of a minute. In another embodiment, the method comprises a step of cooling the combustion chamber when the combustion of the body is finished.

In another embodiment, the cooling step is carried out by injecting cold air. Similarly, the incinerator according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one propellant (12a, 12b) with propellant, in solid or pulverulent form, the flame or flames of which are oriented towards the body to be incinerated in the combustion chamber, allowing the combustion of the body in contact with the flame (1 9, 20). In another embodiment, the incinerator (1) comprises at least one burner of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, the flame or flames of which are directed towards the body to be incinerated in the combustion chamber, allowing the combustion of the body in contact with the flame (19, 20), each burner comprising an electric ignition means. In another embodiment, the propellant propellant (12a) comprises a storage enclosure (13a), making it possible to receive a solid propellant block (14a), connected to the combustion chamber of the incinerator by a nozzle ( 16a), and an electrical ignition means (17a) disposed between the nozzle and the propellant block to initiate combustion of the propellant. In another embodiment, the incinerator (1) comprises at least two propellants (12a, 12b) or two burners arranged opposite, each propellant generating a flame (19, 20) having forms complementary to it. one of the other. In another embodiment, a first propellant (16a) or burner generates a flame (19) in the form of a corolla into which penetrates the flame (20), in the form of a dart, generated by the second propellant (16b) or burner.

In another embodiment, the incinerator (1) comprises means (21) for discharging the vapors and combustion products.

In another embodiment, the combustion chamber of the incinerator comprises at least one perforated tunnel (6), in which is disposed a grid (9) support on which the body is disposed, placed in an external tunnel (4) sealing the incinerator, and two side walls (7, 8) making it possible to close and assemble the tunnels by their ends, at least one propellant with propellant or at least one burner of a mixture of oxygen and of hydrogen being disposed opposite an opening (18) present on a side wall.

In another embodiment, the discharge means (21) consist of one or more pipes connected to openings present on the external tunnel.

In another embodiment, the incinerator (1) comprises two perforated tunnels, the perforations of the two tunnels being staggered. In another embodiment, the incinerator (1) comprises means for cooling the combustion chamber by injecting cold air.

In another embodiment, the storage enclosure (13a) and the nozzle (16a) of a propellant (12a) are included or formed in a block (22) of solid material, the nozzle opening on a front face of the block (22), by which the propellant is assembled to the combustion chamber, by anchoring means (23).

In another embodiment, the propellant or the burner is pivotally mounted on the combustion chamber in order to allow access to the combustion chamber.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration but may be modified in the field defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of incinerating a body (3) characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - placing the body in the combustion chamber (2) of an incinerator (1), without preheating,

2. A method of incinerating a body according to claim 1, characterized in that the flame creation step comprises igniting at least one block of solid or pulverulent propellant (14a, 14b), consisting of '' one or more solid substances whose combustion takes place without oxygen, generating a volume of gas under pressure at high temperature between 2000 and 3000 ° C

3. A method of incinerating a body according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of creation of the flame comprises the injection then the ignition, by at least one burner, of a gaseous mixture of oxygen. and hydrogen in a proportion allowing the flame to be obtained under pressure at a temperature between 3500 and 4000 ° C.

4. A method of incinerating a body according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pressure exerted by the flame on the body to be incinerated is between 20 and 40 bars in the longitudinal direction.

5. A method of incinerating a body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises the simultaneous ignition of at least two propellant blocks (14a, 14b) arranged opposite and having flames complementary to each other.

6 A method of incinerating a body according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that it comprises the simultaneous ignition of at least two burners of the hydrogen oxygen mixture arranged opposite and having complementary flames l one of the other.

7. A method of incinerating a body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for a body of the order of 100 kilograms, the duration of combustion to the combustion of the body is of the order of the minute.

8. A method of incinerating a body according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of cooling the combustion chamber when the combustion of the body is finished.

9. A method of incinerating a body according to claim 5, characterized in that the cooling step is carried out by injection of cold air.

10. Incinerator (1) comprising a combustion chamber (2) receiving the body (3) to be incinerated, characterized in that it comprises at least one propellant propellant (12a, 12b), in solid or pulverulent form, the or the flames are oriented towards the body to be incinerated in the combustion chamber, allowing the combustion of the body in contact with the flame (19, 20).

11 Incinerator (1) comprising a combustion chamber (2) receiving the body (3) to be incinerated, characterized in that it comprises at least one burner of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, including the flame or flames are oriented towards the body to be incinerated in the combustion chamber, allowing combustion of the body in contact with the flame (19, 20), each burner comprising an electric ignition means.

12. Incinerator according to claim 10, characterized in that the propellant propellant (12a) comprises an enclosure (13a) for storing a block of solid propellant (14a), connected to the combustion chamber of the incinerator by a nozzle (16a), and a means (17a) electric ignition arranged between the nozzle and the propellant block to initiate combustion of the propellant.

13. Incinerator according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that it comprises at least two propellants (12a, 12b) or two burners arranged opposite, each propellant generating a flame (19, 20) having complementary shapes from each other.

14. Incinerator according to claim 13, characterized in that a first propellant (16a) or burner generates a flame (19) in the form of a corolla into which penetrates the flame (20), in the form of a dart, generated by the second propellant (16b) or burner.

15. Incinerator according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a means (21) for discharging the vapors and combustion products.

16. Incinerator according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the combustion chamber of the incinerator comprises at least one perforated tunnel (6), in which is disposed a grid (9) support on which the body, placed in an external tunnel (4) ensuring the sealing of the incinerator, and two side walls (7, 8) making it possible to close and assemble the tunnels by their ends, at least one propellant with propellant or at least a burner of a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen being disposed opposite an opening (18) present on a side wall.

17. Incinerator according to claim 16, characterized in that the evacuation means (21) consist of one or more pipes connected to openings present on the external tunnel.

18. Incinerator according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it comprises two perforated tunnels, the perforations of the two tunnels being arranged in staggered rows.

19. Incinerator according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that it comprises means for cooling the combustion chamber by injecting cold air.

20. Incinerator according to one of claims 10 and 12 to 19, characterized in that the storage enclosure (13a) and the nozzle (16a) of a propellant (12a) are included or formed in a block (22) solid material, the nozzle opening on a front face of the block (22), by which the propellant is assembled to the combustion chamber, by anchoring means (23).

21. Incinerator according to one of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the propellant or the burner is pivotally mounted on the combustion chamber in order to allow access to the combustion chamber.