WO2002088613A1

WO2002088613A1 - Method and apparatus for improving thermal economy and reducing dead weight in a tubular heating drum for heating a material to a high temperature

Info

Publication number: WO2002088613A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seppo RYYNÄNEN; Mikko Ryynänen
Original assignee: Ryynaenen Seppo; Ryynaenen Mikko
Priority date: 2001-05-02
Filing date: 2002-04-26
Publication date: 2002-11-07
Also published as: FI20010910A0; FI20010910A; FI113563B

Abstract

A novel, high-temperature heating, axially rotatable heating drum is designed to be mobile on wheels and lighter than before. Thermal economy in the apparatus is better than in the past by virtue of a mirror-like inner drum surface made of nickel-chromium-steel. The drum wall reflects rather well radiation heat back to the heating space and conducts heat much better than the traditional firebrick lining. This enables cooling by the material to be heatedwhen the material is still cold. At the same time the material is pre-heated by conduction of heat without actual energy consumption. Due to reduced weight of the drum, the speed of rotation can be substantially increased. The combustion air can be used initially as a heat insulator. Heating temperatures can be raised by virtue of the drum being refractory. As a cooling medium can also be used water, combustion air, or some other readily available cooling agent. The heated product can be separated by means of a vortex in a variety of fractions on the basis of a grain size or density. The swelled end product can be used for example for making a ceramic road or foundations. The ceramic expanded product can be useful heat insulation for a wide range of applications. Being lighter than water, the ceramic product can be designed as a floating bridge or as a floating foundation for a house. The heatingtemperature higher than before enables disposal of wastes and toxins and practical reuse of wastes. The rustproof, non-corrodible drum can be used to solve many chemical problems at different fields of technique.

Description

Method and apparatus for improving thermal economy and reducing dead weight in a tubular heating drum for heating a material to a high temperature

This invention relates to a method as set forth in claim 1 and to an apparatus as set forth in claim 14 for heating a material to a high temperature in a heating drum, the improvement being directed to upgrading thermal economy in a heating drum and bringing down the own weight of a drum in a hollow elongated tubular heating drum which is horizontal or rotatable about an inclined axis, said drum being provided at one end with a supply (A) for a material to be heated and at one or more drum ends with a discharge (B) for a thermally treated material, and with a heat source (C) for generating heat. According to the invention, this is accomplished in such a way that the rotary heating drum is manufactured from a medium-cooled, refractory nickel chromium steel for equalizing temperatures, raising temperatures, and conducting heat.

Heating a material to a high temperature in a rotary hollow horizontal or inclined drum is known as such. There are a multitude of active installations, wherein a rotary hollow tubular drum is used for heating a material to a high temperature for a wide range of applications. The subject matter carries a multitude of patents, noteworthy examples of which include the following patent publications US 4,634,634, US 4,952,147, US 4,569,659, US 4,557,688, US 4,932,863, US 4,289,479, US 4,290,750, US 4,906,183, US 4,259,062. A movable incinerator is disclosed for example in patent publications US 3,682,117, US 3,882,800, US 3,728,976, US 3,938,450 and EP 0 892 870 Bl. Application of a heat-resistant ceramic material by spraying onto the inner surface of a kiln is disclosed for example in US patent 4,224,083. Thermal insulation of a rotary kiln with a ceramic fiber layer is disclosed for example in US patent publication 4,932,863. Stirring, lifting and dropping a material to be heated through a hot gas by means of a hoisting wall is disclosed for example in US patents 5,772,327 and 4,106,114.

In this application, the term "a high temperature" refers to a temperature which is at least 200... higher than 2000°C. In this application, the term "heating a material to a high temperature" covers also the incineration of a material. In this application, the term "ceramic thermal insulation" refers to a synthetic heat insulation fusible at a temperature of about 1000...1800°C. For example, US patent publication 4,405,723 deals with a ceramic non- woven wool and manufacturing the same.

In this application, the term "a heat source" refers to a burner for the combustion of a fuel, or to an electric heater. Examples of common heat sources today include a variety of oil, coal and natural gas burners, in which the fuel generally burns in association with atmospheric oxygen. Instead of ordinary air, the heat source may also be supplied with oxygen-enriched air or even pure oxygen, which burns with the fuel to produce heat.

Bringing down the nitrogen fraction (about 78 %) of free air in combustion reduces the unnecessary and detrimental heating of nitrogen and the consumption of energy in the firing process. Nitrogen has hardly any input to the generation of heat but, instead, consumes heat. On the other hand, oxygen- rich air induces intense combustion in a burner and a rapid increase of heat, as nitrogen and argon are not there to slow down the burning operation and to consume heat.

As a result of burning with oxygen-rich air, the combustion temperatures readily rise to heights sufficient to weaken the strength of ordinary steel alloys, should no protection be provided by a ceramic layer of heat insulation. At its best, this is capable of withstanding the temperature of more than 1800°C. Due to this drawback, many thermal power stations fail to exploit the most valuable high temperatures as the steel-based materials are generally only capable of withstanding a continuous temperature of less than 1000°C. With pure oxygen the combustion temperature can be increased to about 3000°C, for example by burning acetylene. The use of a drum material more resistant to heat makes it possible to improve the thermal economy of combustion by increasing the maximum temperature for a more exhaustive exploitation of the energy content of a fuel. The use of nitrogen-rich free air in combustion results also in the drawback that, in addition to the cooling and diluting effect of nitrogen, the combustion produces environmentally harmful nitrogen compounds, so-called NOX compounds, at high temperatures.

The use of electrical heating instead of combustion heating makes it possible to completely eliminate the heating of atmospheric nitrogen. This also serves to eliminate the large amounts of waste gases produced by combustion gases, along with environmental problems and purification requirements. A problem in technology today is the resistance of a steel drum material at a high temperature. By virtue of the heating material of nickel chromium steel, the combustion in a rotary heating drum only requires the approximate amount of oxygen, which is needed for heating or burning the very material subjected to thermal treatment. The current oxygen surplus of 10...20 % shall no longer be necessarily required. The amount of gas to be heated shall be substantially reduced.

All that is needed from air in combustion is oxygen, the fraction thereof being about 21 %. The rest of atmospheric air comprises nitrogen and argon, the heating of which is futile from the viewpoint of combustion. All that this 79 % of air does is to waste energy regardless of the method of heating. Even a partial reduction of passive air fraction in a heating drum brings down substantially the energy costs of heating. This can be effected by supplying the combustion with pure supplementary oxygen or by means of electrical heating, provided that the materials have a sufficient heat resistance. Electrical heating can be set in a mobile mode for example by means of a mobile combustion engine aggregate, i.e. by means of a small mobile electric power station.

Another drawback with prior known heating methods in a rotary drum is the fact that the steel alloy drum is lined with a heavy-duty ceramic insulating layer, e.g. a brick or tile lining or a ceramic sealing compound. The insulating layer is generally masoned from square ceramic bricks joining each other longitudinally and laterally, as shown in fig. 1. The insulating layer protects a steel-frame drum from excessive heating as a result of radiation heat generated by a burner. In the available heating drums, it is an objective to prevent the transfer of heat by conduction along the drum elements in various directions. This is enhanced by making a ceramic lining through laying rectangular bricks in contact with each other. Small gaps 15 left therebetween hinder the conduction of heat along the drum in longitudinal and lateral direction. The maximum heat generated in a heat source propagates as radiation, which generally advances linearly in wave motion, even without a medium. Radiation energy re-converts to heat upon contacting a material again. In radia- tion mode, the heat can be reflected in the way of a mirror by means of a nickel chromium steel panel with a result that the heat is not absorbed into a heavy-duty ceramic blanket the way it does at present.

Regarding the actual thermal treatment, a heavy-duty ceramic thermal shield lining is totally useless, yet makes up most of the weight in the apparatus. A substantial removal of the ceramic lining is crucial in terms of reducing the weight. Particularly, when dealing with mobile high-temperature heating methods and equipment, it is beneficial to cut down the own weight. This reduces costs of transport and improves mobility of the equipment even to hard-to-access sites. The size of a rotary heating apparatus is also more eas- ily reduced, i.e. made more convenient for road travel in the midst of other traffic.

In the novel kiln solution, the objective is not to prevent the conduction of heat in general, but, on the contrary, the objective is quite surprisingly to enhance the propagation of heat by conduction along a continuous lengthy drum pipe in longitudinal direction. The conduction of heat lengthwise of the drum results in the cooling of hot drum sections from colder drum sections along the drum. Thus, the drum itself functions as a heat carrier by conduct- ing it between the hot and cold drum sections as temperature differences tend to equalize. The thermal conductivity of chromium and nickel is superior to the corresponding value of steel. The proportion of chromium and nickel in the novel feed stock for a drum is significant. The fireproof nickel chromium steel material is capable of withstanding the required thermal stresses.

Surprisingly, the novel drum solution is generally not provided with expensive and heavy thermal blankets at all, since those are not necessary. Thermal insulation for a drum can be readily implemented with an intermediate air layer, ventilated in a drum structure as shown in figs. 7, 8, 10, 11 and 14. The traditional ceramic wool layer is naturally available, whenever necessary and appropriate.

The powerful radiation heat generated by a burner or some other heat source heats up all surfaces encountered thereby. In available heating drums, a major fraction of radiation heat is absorbed and conducted irrevocably through ceramic lining blankets to other structures, and thereby to waste as far as the actual heating effort is concerned. The only exploitable fraction of radiation heat is the one that comes into contact with a material to be heated, for example a particle floating in a combustion gas. Most of the energy misses the material presently targeted for heating. On the other hand, the more or less smooth drum surface of nickel chromium steel functions like a mirror and effectively reflects radiation heat from a kiln wall back into the kiln and the material to be heated. The arcuately bent nickel chromium steel panel along the drum surface functions as a curved mirror, the reflections of radiation heat from a burner focusing in the proximity of the centre axis of a drum, with a major concentration of heat being focused therein. Thus, this will occur in the middle of a drum, not along the fringes, from where it could be conducted anywhere instead of a material to be heated. The nickel chromium steel drum may function the same way as a traditional heating drum, but without a ceramic lining blanket and its weight.

The own weight of a rotary metal heating drum is currently heavy, if it is made of heavy-duty steel having a density which is about 7.85 kg/dm³. The weight of a rotary tubular heating drum becomes really heavy due to the combined effect of a steel structure and a ceramic lining. The structure must be dimensioned in view of a major own weight and dynamic stresses caused thereby. Because of a brittle and heavy ceramic heat protection, the rotational speed of a kiln must currently be kept low, e.g. 2...7 revolutions per minute. The major industrial mass-production kilns have inner diameters which are most often about 1.0...4.5 meters, but smaller and larger kilns are available as well. The available steel drums have material thicknesses which are generally 10...50 mm as far as steel is concerned, which results in a major own weight for the structure, even without a brick or tile lining.

Surprisingly, according to the invention, the use of an expensive fireproof nickel chromium steel panel to construct a heating drum without heavy ceramic linings results in a substantial reduction of the heating drum's own weight in the structure. By virtue of a reflective and heat resistant drum ma- terial, the heat can be returned back to the material to be heated. At the same time, the temperature of a rotary drum kiln can be raised by virtue of the fireproof or refractory material which is also corrosion resistant and rustproof. The drum walls no longer absorb heat unlike traditionally employed ceramic coatings. The weight of a thermal protection layer is completely eliminated or substantially reduced. The weight of a ceramic brick thermal blanket constitutes currently up to more than a half of the weight of an entire kiln. A kiln made of nickel chromium steel plate is essentially lighter. Thermal resistance is more or less the same, but the reflective effect is positive in the novel rotary kiln solution with regard to thermal economy. Provided with medium-cooling, a kiln made of nickel chromium steel plate is thermally more resistant and more beneficial in terms of thermal economy than a traditional rotary heating kiln.

Consequently, in a rotary heating drum of nickel chromium steel, it is possible to increase rotational speed even considerably as the weight is reduced substantially. As a brittle lining can be completely excluded, it is possible to avoid for example vibration-specific limitations caused by a breakdown of the lining. By virtue of a higher rotational drum speed, the mixing of a material to be heated in the drum will be more effective in terms of thermal economy, and its heating rate will be faster than before. Thus, the heating proc- ess becomes more effective as particles to be heated come more easily to contact with heat rays. It is also possible that the cold feed stock be used as an effective cooling agent for the drum, by virtue of a high rotational speed. The mixing or cooling effect of a cold feed stock can be intensified in the early stages of the process, for example by means of ribs positioned in the drum.

The most simple approach is to construct the novel heating drum by using nothing but medium-cooled nickel chromium steel without a ceramic lining. If desired, it is possible at the same time to raise heating temperatures in a material or in combustion generally, for example by using oxygen-rich supply air. Alternatively or concurrently, it is possible to reduce losses, which result from heating nitrogen passing through the drum, by reducing the amount of through-going passive nitrogen.

If there is an excessive amount of heat conducting through the wall of a nickel chromium steel drum, the condition can be improved with extra heat insulations. These may comprise for example one or more ventilated intermediate air layers in the drum or a highly heat-resistant ceramic wool. However, the best thermal insulation is a vacuum or a void, which does not conduct heat. The drum can be constructed from two or more decks for provid- ing therebetween a thermally insulating vacuum or air space. The void spaces can be provided with cooling, e.g. by means of a water, vapour or air flow.

The double- or multi-decker kiln constructed from nickel chromium steel plate can be manufactured by using panels bent to a corrugated form. Corrugation can be performed by cold or hot rolling or by bending. On both sides of the zigzag-bent panel remains a space for an air or gas flow, as shown in principle in figs. 10 and 11. The heat travels by conduction along the inclined sections of a nickel chromium steel panel over a long distance at a slow rate, i.e. the cooling occurs gradually over the entire heating drum. Even on top of the nickel chromium steel layer, the extra ceramic layers improve the heat insulation and thermal stability of a drum, but increase the weight at the same time. At extremely high temperatures, it may be necessary to use even ceramic layers as a supplement to air and water cooling in thermal insulation.

Effective cooling in a drum is created by blowing air into the interspace of the drum, which is mixed with water in liquid form. Its vaporization reduces heat in the air gap and, thus, the overall drum temperature. The resulting water vapour binds a lot of thermal energy from the drum. As a material, the cooled nickel chromium steel drum allows higher firing temperatures than before to be used in a kiln.

Chemical reactions become generally faster at high temperatures as a result of the novel method. Even supertoxic substances are generally destroyed at a temperature of about 1000 degrees provided that a residence time in the kiln is sufficiently long, for example 1...2 seconds. The atmospheric emission of harmful combustion gases can be eliminated, for example by a scrubber treatment. Discharge gases can be treated at a high temperature, for exam- pie by means of lime sludge. Thus, the components of a discharge gas are forced to deal with reactive calcium oxide to react and bond therewith. The discharge gas scrubber may use also other chemicals for creating a desired reaction or reaching a desired degree of purity. This way, most of the hazardous wastes can be removed from discharge gases and solid thermally treated masses. Handling, disposal, conversion of wastes, and especially practical exploitation of wastes, constitutes an important object of the invention.

The monitoring of kiln discharge gases can be effected by providing a con- tinuous-action gas analyzer, which is able to record even automatically the quality and acceptability of a discharge gas. Likewise, solid or liquid thermally treated masses can be recorded automatically for the quality of a product and its acceptability, without expensive single measurements. This is a way of securing the safety of a heat treatment operation in terms of environment.

The water vapour produced in cooling, regarding its pressure and energy, can be exploited for preheating a material or, if desired, for the production of energy, for example in a steam turbine. If desired, the neat hot water vapour may also be discharged into the nature if there is no desire to exploit its en- ergy or to build large-scale pipe systems. In order to preserve the strength of a fireproof nickel chromium steel panel at a high temperature, the medium- cooling capability is preferable. The cooling medium may be, for example, the actual material to be thermally treated in a cold condition preceding the heating process. Air, water or some other readily available cooling agent may also function as a cooling medium.

The air used in cooling can be passed to a heat exchanger, wherein the energy can be reclaimed for a further process or other practical application. The handling of large hot and expanded quantities of air is slightly inconvenient. Consequently, the cooling air can also be discharged straight out in a heated condition and perhaps with some water vapour content.

The new invention enables the achievement of a variety of goals by designing a heating drum in a variety of ways. The simplest design is a cylindrical tubular drum, wherein a material to be heated is delivered at one end (A) and discharged from the opposite or the same end (B 1). Its burner can produce a flame advancing in the direction of a linearly progressing axis of rotation 13. Thus, a heat source (C) can be located on the centre axis, and the discharge of exhaust gases on the same axis at the opposite end of a cylindrical combustion chamber.

The burning flame may also be spinning as a spiral cyclone flame, the fuel and combustion air being set in a swirling motion the way of a cyclone. If fuel and combustion air are fed onto the outer periphery in an essentially tangential manner, for example by means of supply vanes to form a vortex, the combustion chamber shall develop a burning outer vortex. It advances spirally in axial direction towards the other end of a vortex chamber as a free outer vortex. Upon contact with a conical or flat end wall, the free vortex loses some of its speed in response to surface friction. Heavier particles are trapped in a laminar flow passing along the cone or cover surface and end up in a central discharge for heavy particles. If the vortex-reflecting end is conical in shape, the surface flow of a vortex, along with larger or heavier particles, ends up in the cone apex and a discharge B 2 therein. Lighter particles deflect in axial direction from the cone towards a central pipe, from which the lightest particles are passed to a dis- charge B 3. Thus, by providing one end of a vortex chamber or a combustion chamber with a cone, the fire vortex can be reflected in the cone for a smaller-radius inner vortex, which advances in the axial direction opposite to the larger outer vortex, as shown in principle in fig. 9.

A free inner vortex 52 has a smaller radius of gyration and a higher absolute speed than the larger radius has in an outer vortex 51. These result in a powerful centrifugal force for the inner vortex, which is capable of slinging even a comparatively small particle to the outer periphery. The cone-fitted vortex chamber is capable of grading the particles of a heating vortex in two orders of size and lightness. Migration of light particles to the cone apex and a discharge present therein can be assisted by aspirating some of the supply air from the cone apex to the discharge of particles. Thus, a cone-fitted cyclone can be operated as a particle separator, wherein the separated particles are graded in two size classes. The separated particles can be isolated from a gas, for example by means of a multi-cyclone or a fabric filter. An outermost rotating drum 1 collects on its surface the largest particles of all, also for a separate discharge B 1 therefor.

As a final result, the vortex chamber and the drum yield a total of three dif- ferent fractions of heated particles, which differ from each other in terms of the grain size and density thereof. Indirectly, the yield comprises products of varying chemical properties for a variety of applications.

Thus, a cone-fitted heating chamber can be operated as a vortex chamber in a cyclone separator. It is capable of sorting light and heavy particles from each other with its high centrifugal force and speed in both vortices. The an- gle of taper and the supply rate can be varied for operating the combustion or heating chamber also as a grader for particles of varying masses and sizes in various size classes. The rotary combustion drum 1 travels at its own rate regardless of vortices under the control of its own drive mechanism at a de- sired speed and in a desired direction.

Hence, the invention is concerned not only with a heat treatment apparatus for a material but also a grading and processing facility for a multitude of applications. Instead of a single product generally obtained from thermal treatment, the new plant or facility yields a number of different products. This is a major benefit, especially in the exploitation of fine-grained materials and practical use of wastes.

Electrical frequency transformers and reversers can be used for quickly changing the speed and rotating direction of a heating drum as required by each given condition. The rotational speed and direction can be changed for moving a material in the drum in a number of ways. The products may also differ from each other in terms of chemical properties thereof, not just by grain size. These can also be monitored by means of continuous-action ana- lyzers, the same way as the composition of a supply material. The walls of a rotary drum can be provided with transparent windows for monitoring, controlling and adjusting the process. The process monitoring can be assisted by using video cameras in addition to recording measuring sensors.

Chemical actions can be created in a heat treatment drum by supplying the kiln with active additives. One such additive could be for example limestone or calcium carbonate. It breaks down at a temperature of about 825...850 degrees into calcium oxide and carbon oxide. As for these, calcium oxide is highly reactive with other substances. In the heat of the kiln, it may smelt the surface of other particles. The kiln temperature can be measured electronically by means of continuous recording gauges. For example, in the process of making light expanded clay aggregate from silt soil or silty clay, the largest coarse particles or silt particles end up in the surface of a pellet as a result of a higher melting temperature. Figure 15 visualizes this phenomenon. Thus, the surface layer of a pellet of expanded clay aggregate contains plenty of silica crystals or quartz, which is generally hard to melt. Calcium oxide or calcium carbonate may form eutectic mixtures with other melt oxides, whereby the melting point of hard-to-melt compositions becomes lower and melting occurs even at a relatively low tempera- ture. Figure 16 visualizes the melting or fusion of a vitreous strong bond on the surface of pellets and between pellets from a medium coarse material, for example silt with a grain size of about 2...60 micrometers, at a high temperature for producing a block-shaped expanded product.

The invention can find a wide range of applications e.g. in the production of light expanded clay aggregate and at the same time in practical use of wastes. Oil seeped into clay ground constitutes a readily available feed stock for the production of expanded clay aggregate, which is currently produced by mixing fuel oil with neat clay for promoting expansion. This is naturally very costly, as expensive fuel is used for a sort of secondary purpose. According to the invention, the same result can be achieved by mixing the clay feed stock with vegetable oil discarded from food industry. It expands pellets the same way as fuel oil, while taking care of one waste disposal problem. Because of a high heating temperature of the invention, no harmful combus- tion gases shall develop. Likewise, according to the invention, the firing can be performed by using actual waste oil, as discharge gases will be clean after a scrubber treatment and solid components will be encapsulated for a final disposal site or bonded chemically to other substances.

In many instances, sewage sludge is regarded as a hazardous waste in the absence of sufficiently reliable treatment methods. According to the inven- tion, the result can be controlled by means of recording devices. The inventive mobile facility or apparatus can be provided with most of the features present in a hazardous waste disposal plant.

Calcium oxide alone is effective in melting pulp at a temperature of over 1040 centigrades. In response to the melting effect of calcium oxide and a temperature higher than before, the pellets develop a vitreous surface. In a cold condition, this type of expanded clay aggregate grain has a high compression strength as a result of a spherical shape and a vitreous shell. Hence, the invention enables the production of a valuable building material at a high temperature, which combines the lightness of expanded clay aggregate and a high compression strength. Thus, it is easy to produce for example a new builder or aggregate for concrete, the traditional aggregate in concrete being replaced by artificial cement stone reinforced with a vitreous coating. In this case, the expanded porous core element functions as a heat insulation in concrete, not as a cold bridge like ordinary aggregate. Thus, for example new buildings can be constructed without cold concrete floors and concrete walls, and the entire structure becomes lighter.

When the inventive kiln is further supplied with calcium carbonate, and temperature is kept high, the result will be a partial fusion or melting of the surface into a vitreous shell throughout the pellet stock contained in the kiln. It provides the stock with a high cold strength, a sort of reinforcement. The amount and temperature of lime or calcium carbonate can be increased and regulated for enhanced melting and a more effective bonding of pellets. Calcium oxide can be used for co-melting a miscellaneous material or for "gluing" the grains together for a concrete-like stock. Thus, the inventive kiln can be operated for using clay, silt and sand to make a product, which is similar to a concrete structure but without expensive cement. The vitreous surface coating can be made by fusing silicon compounds to the surface of bodies in a desired fashion. Thus, if desired, the products can be provided with a dense vitreous surface, which is not pervious to water. If the core portion of a product stock comprises a porous light material, it is possible to create a floating pontoon.

A dense vitreous surface can also be made on pellets by means of postheat- ing with a separate burner. Reheating the surface of a hot stock from inside is simple as the core portion remains to be hot as a result of kiln heating. Once outside a kiln, the expanded pellets can be set in a desired shape and size regardless of the kiln. The required burner can be a rather compact, even movable afterburner, for example a blow torch or some other burner, preventing the cooling and setting of a heated material. If necessary, the afterburner can be supplied with a fluxing agent, for example calcium oxide. This enables the fabrication of even large-scale lightweight blocks, for example for bridges, road beds, building foundations, floating airfields, and the like structures. Such large-scale structures are preferably constructed directly in the final location thereof, and the cooling and setting is not allowed to occur until in such a location.

Fine-grained material is available from almost anywhere for use as a feed stock in a heating drum of the invention. For example, clay is carried in abundance by all streams and rivers. A suction pump is a convenient means for picking up material, for example from the bottom of a sea lane. This is followed by allowing the sludge to dry for a couple of days in the sunshine. Excess water is preferably evaporated away before putting it in a kiln. Kiln drying is indeed possible, but the evaporation of water requires a great deal of heating energy. Drying can be effected at a faster rate as a thin layer on top of a filter the same way as sludge is dried on top of a wire in a paper mill. After setting, the stock is passed through a refiner into a heating kiln for the production of a final material. If necessary, the kiln is supplied with ex- pansion or fusion promoters or refuse, for example iron oxide, calcium carbonate refuse, fly ash, deinked paper pulp stock, etc. If, for example, the invention is applied to making a road bed from lighter- than-water stock finished with a vitreous coating, the result will be floating road structures or pontoon bridges. These are valuable in many flooded areas, where road connections are cut off from time to time. This applies also to houses which can be made buoyant on water in these areas in the event of a flood, as the heated stock has a volume weight which is less than that of water. In general, such pontoon solutions are expensive, but this invention enables manufacturing thereof at a reasonable cost.

A porous light expanded product can be created, if the amount of particles finer than 0.002 mm or 2 micrometers in feed stock is no less than 10...20 % of the total supply of feed stock to the entire kiln. This enables the reutiliza- tion of a wide range of even fine-grained waste materials and expansion of the same, for example to function as a heat insulation or an expander in a wide range of applications. The use of coarser mineral grains (grain size in excess of 0.1 mm) by fusing or melting the same for a further vitreous shell on the surface provides yet a further improvement of strength in the material.

The fused or melted silica strands function in stock the way of a reinforcement as members cold-resistant to tensile stress in stock. In this respect, reference can be made to traditional glass bottle, which is hard to break by pulling. Thus, the stock has plenty of tensile strength. An amorphous vitreous material can be broken, such as glass, by hitting it hard, but this is not a concern in many applications. The lightness and thermal insulation capacity of stock is a highly valuable quality, which results quite economically from natural materials or wastes.

Woven glass fabrics also comprise a vitreous material, yet are highly resis- tant in most applications. Hot ceramic stock can be tapped directly from a heating kiln on top of a woven glass fabric for giving the material a great deal of tensile strength. The hot material falling from the kiln onto a woven glass fabric fuses together with the fabric. The resulting composite is highly resistant by virtue of the high tensile strength of glass filaments. The extremely thin fiberglass filaments are also to a certain degree resistant to bending. This enables the reutilization of large amounts of currently useless discarded fiberglass. In light of the above, it is naturally possible to construct new tensile structures from hot pellets and fiberglass.

The fine-grained feed stock to be used in a heating process can be brought to a final application or product manufacturing site even in advance for drying and setting the same. One example of such feed stock is bottom sludge produced in the process of dredging harbours and sea lanes, which in itself is totally useless. All types of wastes from cities and ships in bottom sediment require a high temperature heating treatment for destroying the contami- nants. Sludge can be generally used for making light expanded clay aggregate, which is a valuable lightweight and insulating building material in many urban areas.

According to the invention, the fusion can be readily accomplished with a small amount of fine-grained material having a particle size of less than 2 micrometers. Thus, for example, sand corns can be "glued" together for example for an "asphalt road", without bitumen or cement. Likewise, the invention can be used for building a road on top of arctic permafrost without major transports of stock or high costs. The use of additives for expanding the resulting block provides a protective thermal insulation against permafrost in the foundations of houses and roads. In many cases, transportation of a small amount of fine-grained material is more economical than displacement of some other material. Hence, many faraway roads, e.g. in deserts or arctic conditions, become economically viable. Vitreous quartz or silicate stock can also be used for making capsules for encapsulating and immobilizing toxins, heavy metals, as well as other undesirable materials. Hence, the invention can also be used for implementing, for example, a final disposal of wastes by chemically bonding the waste to other substances.

One current type of waste with no use is a fiberglass mat. Laying expanded clay pellets in hot condition thereupon results in a fusion which produces a stable composite structure for many applications. Fiberglass provides the structure with essential tensile strength.

By means of the invention, the material to be treated at a high temperature can be provided as a product which is solid and petrous in cold condition, or as a light material which is porous and thermally insulating in cold condition, or as an intermediate of the same, by regulating temperature in the kiln. Most mineral materials are useful as a feed stock, for example clay, ash, silt, sand, excavation waste, sewage, industrial waste, residual soil, contaminated soil, fly ash, moraine, etc. Fine-grained materials are readily fusible in the heat of the kiln, particularly by virtue of the reflective capabilities and heat resistance of the new kiln material.

An expanded heated product can be created from natural clay at a temperature of about 1150 centigrades in a traditional heating or firing kiln. Consequently, particles lose the crystal water thereof and expand as gases dis- charge into the stock. Ordinary clay expands at this temperature without additives in a traditional kiln. In a novel heating drum of the invention, even a much lower temperature will be sufficient in terms of achieving expansion, with a proper material composition at the wall temperature as low as 600...800 degrees in the drum. If expansion is not sufficient, it can be en- hanced by adding readily decomposing oxides to the raw stock. One example of such is iron oxide, which is a waste of metal industry. It is better known as rust. Iron oxide loses its oxygen atom for oxygen gas, which expands the stock. On the other hand, the residual metallic iron bonds to a mineral material, for example clay. Even a small addition of iron oxide leads to the expansion of nearly all types of stock in a kiln. Also other oxides result in similar phenomena and expansion of stock.

A high surface strength is achieved by sintering or surface-melting the product at a high temperature heat of about 1000...2000 centigrades. In the novel kiln assembly, the sintering can be effected at a slightly lower tem- perature.

In order to avoid excessively quick hardening or setting, it is preferred that the inventive kiln be mobile and the product be deposited in its final location immediately after leaving the kiln, for example in the process of building a road or a field. Thus, the stock making apparatus is preferably moving as the material cools quickly and sets after a heating process. Consequently, the moulding time must be kept short.

Recovery of heat from the product can be effected for example by means of cooling beds. The oversized product pieces formed in a kiln must be broken in the kiln to smaller pieces by dropping the big pieces from a high level onto a cutting rib present on the kiln floor, while the kiln is in operation. Figure 20 illustrates a cross-section of refractory hoisting bars placed in the kiln. The oversized pieces are hoisted up with these as the drum is rotating, and dropped down in the kiln for breaking the same upon hitting the floor.

Consequently, the capacities of a firing kiln can be increased by means of lifting bars even substantially without having to worry about an engaging ring, a so-called cam ring, developing in the kiln. There, light pellets melt over the surfaces thereof and stick together for actually quite sizable blocks, disturbing the operation of a traditional kiln. Product pellets can be cooled easily, for example by blasting abundant air into the pellet stock or pulp by means of an air cooler. The releasing hot air or vapour can be exploited, for example in a material preheating process. A heat exchanger can be used for extracting the heat from the spent hot gas for some other application. The spent gas can be replaced with a fresh gas, which can function as a fresh cooling agent. A discharge gas cooled with a heat exchanger takes much less space than a hot exhaust gas. Thus, for example, less extensive exhaust manifolds will be sufficient.

Heat propagates effectively by conduction longitudinally along a drum assembly. For example, in a nickel chromium steel firing kiln for cement clinker the most powerful radiation heat produces a temperature of about 1500°C in a cement kiln stock, in general. In such intense heat, the minerals melt to produce Portland cement clinker. The cold raw stock material to be thermally treated can be passed into the processing drum at the other end for medium-cooling the excess heat of the hot end.

The cooling medium may comprise for example an actual heating-bound material in cold condition, water, air, or a cold powdered product. Due to the high thermal conductivity of nickel chromium steel, the temperature differences tend to equalize rapidly in the drum. In this case, the cooling medium comprises a cold raw stock material. It assists in keeping a nickel chromium steel panel at a temperature sufficiently low in view of maintaining the strength of a drum material at a sufficiently high level.

The most powerful radiation heat performs in the drum a desired heating function, yet at the same time preheats the raw stock by means of heat conduction occurring along the drum. Thus, it is preferred that the drum be constructed as an integral thermally conductive metal structure for promoting heat conduction. The hottest spot of radiation heat in the drum will be cooled while, at the same time, the cold raw stock will be preheated else- where in the drum. The transfer of heat can be accomplished by conduction only, without actual losses. Nickel chromium steel plate is capable of withstanding such required temperatures and temperature differences, especially in cooled condition. Nickel chromium steel plate is a stainless material, which eliminates corrosion problems and allows chemically demanding operations.

Heat conduction in the lengthwise direction of a heating drum can be enhanced by means of lengthwise ribs made from nickel chromium steel, which during the rotary motion function at the same time as lifters and kickers for a material to be heated to disengage the material particles from the drum surface for heating the same in radiation heat.

The production of artificial cement stones, cement, and light expanded clay aggregate involves typical bulk products, the production of which requires a great deal of energy in the way of thermal treatment. Other typical heat treatment applications include reconditioning of contaminated soils and refuse disposal, which require a high temperature and chemical resistance. In industrial processes a heat treatment can be used for the reutilization of materials. This type of application is for example a lime sludge reburning kiln used by pulp industry. The association of materials for new compounds or the breakdown for separate components chemically requires also a heat treatment, often at a high temperature. Potential applications include a majority of modem industrial sectors.

The nickel chromium steel panel used as a feed stock in the invention is manufactured generally from a refractory metal alloy, which generally contains chromium in the amount of 16...28 % and nickel in the amount of 8...24 %, sometimes nickel as much as 30...99 %. In addition, the alloy normally contains some carbon, generally less than 0.2 %, some silicon, gen- erally less than 2.5 %, some manganese, generally less than 2.5 %, as well as, in addition to iron, traces of other substances, e.g. molybdenum, vanadium, copper, cobolt, titanium and aluminium. The feed stock metal is weldable for an easier manufacturing process.

The accompanying figures are only intended to serve as examples and to demonstrate an implementation of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional piece of a traditional steel-constructed heating drum 16, which is lined with ceramic wedge-shaped bricks or tiles 17 in abutment with each other. The bricks are intended for protecting the steel-frame drum from powerful radiation heat. The structure is heavy and awkward to build. In view of temperature changes, there is a small gap 15 between the bricks.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section for one cylindrical heating drum 1 of the invention, which is medium-cooled and manufactured from nickel chromium steel. In this case, the range of maximum radiation heat applied to the nickel chromium steel drum, commencing from a burner 6 mounted on a wall 2, is depicted by a range illustrated in dash lines according to reference numeral 7. As the powerful radiation heat comes into contact with the drum 1 of nickel chromium steel, the heat reflects partially back to the drum and to a material to be heated. Some of the radiation heat is conducted through the nickel chromium steel coating, as demonstrated in principle by arrows 8 in figure 2. The maximum radiation heat applied to the drum lies roughly within the range depicted by the arrows, wherefrom the heat commences to con- duct through the drum and lengthwise, as shown by an arrow 10, towards the cold end of the drum where the heat comes into contact with the drum- entering material 11 to be heated. In cold state, the material 11 to be heated may function as a principal cooling medium for the entire drum 1 after entering the drum from a supply chute 12. Above and alongside the supply chute 12 can be fitted a permanent thermal protection wall 2 for conserving heat in the kiln. Regarding the supply and discharge of material to and from the kiln, the bottom edge is only provided with small openings A and Bl. From the hottest spot of the drum the heat is partially conducted also in the direction of an arrow 9. Outside the nickel chromium steel cylinder can be mounted yet another cylindrical metal drum 4 made of a light material, e.g. alumin- ium. A cavity 3 remaining therebetween may function as an air space, which does not conduct heat. The intermediate space can also be filled with a ceramic wool, but this increases the amount of a heat conductive medium. The wool prevents movements of air, but those can be avoided by other means, as well. Figure 2 also illustrates a reheater 37 for heated material, which heats a thermally treated material for improved plasticity.

In this case, thermal insulation is enhanced by a heat insulation cavity 3, which is a void interspace in the drum. A blast of cooling air can be delivered therein, or the air can be sprayed with a water jet which, upon vaporization, absorbs heat and has a cooling effect on the drum. Regarding its necessity, quality, length and thickness of insulation, the additional heat insulation is determined as the case may be. Generally, the extra-drum heat insulation may comprise a ceramic wool, having a thickness which is for example 5...30 cm, which ventilates with free air or the wool is held at a negative pressure by means of a vacuum pump for improving its thermal insulation capacity. The heat insulation can be topped with a light protective blanket, e.g. an aluminium sheet.

The nickel chromium steel drum can be cylindrical. As shown in fig. 2, the drum 1 can be made of nickel chromium steel over the entire length of a heating drum or the expensive drum section of nickel chromium steel may only cover the area of maximum radiation heat. In view of saving expensive nickel chromium steel, the cooler sections of a heating drum can be made of some other metal, for example ordinary steel. The joining of a cylindrical nickel chromium steel drum section and a cylindrical extension can be effected for example by welding or a heat conductive flange connection. The expensive nickel chromium steel drum section can be flanked on either side or just one side by a cylindrical drum extension made of some other metal, e.g. ordinary steel. The inbound feed stock 11 to be heated comprises a cool medium material and flows for example along the chute 12 into the drum at one end thereof, using its mass for a cooling effect on the entire drum structure. The material to be heated advances within the drum towards the other end, which is provided with the end wall 2, if necessary, with no end wall at all. After heating, the heat treated material discharges, for example from the other end of the drum over the rim. The thermally treated material dis- charged from the drum continues to be hot and, thus, it is preferable that the thermal energy contained therein be recovered for example by means of a heat exchanger in a conventional manner. The recovered thermal energy can be used, for example, for preheating combustion air, or for preheating a material to be heated, or for producing electrical energy.

The burner 6 does not generally rotate along with the drum, being mounted outside the drum. The burner-delivered flame may advance into a combustion chamber linearly in axial direction or it can be set spirally in a spinning motion the way of a cyclone, as shown in principle in fig. 9.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section along a line I-I in fig. 2. If necessary, the heat insulation 3 or the cavity can also be covered on the outside with a protective blanket 4 in fig. 2. The illustrated structure appears to be thick, yet it is lightweight if the insulation 3 comprises a ceramic wool. The void interspace in the drum constitutes an effective thermal insulation. Consequently, the drum's rotational speed can be increased as desired.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section for a nickel chromium steel drum of the invention, which is provided with wear-resistant ribs 23 for disengaging a material from the surface of a drum 1. The rib kicks the material for example in the direction of an arrow 24, especially when the drum is rotating at a high speed. The ribs 23 may be hollow, as shown in the figure, or provided with heat conductors, for example of nickel chromium steel, extending lengthwise of the drum. The ribs may have unequal inclinations on opposite sides thereof. Thus, a reversal of the drum's rotating direction can be used for varying the force of a kicking action.

Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section for a nickel chromium steel drum of the invention at extremely high temperature ranges. The section of a nickel chromium steel drum 1 subjected to maximum thermal stress can be pro- tected by a ceramic or some other type of shield coating 25. This coating can be applied, for example, by spraying the same onto a highly heat-resistant reinforcing mesh.

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section for a heating drum of the invention fitted with a cone 28, which can concurrently function as a grader and a separator for a thermally treated material. Supply air and a fuel 31 enter under the guidance of blades 30 in a substantially tangential manner into a cylindrical vortex chamber, resulting first in an outer vortex. A small-radius inner vortex reflecting from the cone contains the very lightest particles and gases urging to enter a central pipe 21. Because of a hot flow, the central pipe 21 must be subjected to effective cooling or manufactured from a ceramic material or an expensive special metal. The supply of feed stock applies cooling to the cone 28 from outside, provided that the feed stock is cold. In this case, the cone is connected to the heating drum by way of flow pipes. Flow pipes 26 provide a passage for cooling air or water between the drum and the cone 28. As a drum 1 is rotating, deflectors 33 rotate along with the drum and charge a material into the drum in the direction of an arrow. The cone 28 is provided with an air gap for isolating heat from metal over the very smallest and hottest central area. The thin pipes 26 transmit the cooling from drum to cone. An arrow 18 represents an inlet for a cooling medium, for example air or water, and an arrow 19 represents a discharge for the same. An arrow 31 represents a general direction of flow for the supply vortex in axial direction. During the rotary motion, the baffle 33 may deflect a supply material 32 to be heated into the cylindrical combustion or cyclone drum 1. A coating 20 may comprise a light-material manufactured flow pipe around the drum 1 for a cooling agent, e.g. water or air. By using several coating blankets 20 and a cooling agent flowing therebetween, such as air and/or possibly a water jet which vaporizes to water vapour, the coating blankets can be gradually cooled in such a way that the outermost coating has a temperature as low as below 100°C. By virtue of cooling the drum 1 and its inner surface reflecting thermal rays the way of a mirror, the heating and cooling can be balanced in such a way that the heating drum and the hottest spot of a heating chamber defined thereby have a temperature difference which is in excess of 300°C, preferably in excess of 400°C. The hottest spot of a heating chamber has a temperature which is typically in excess of 1000°C and the hottest spot in a metal-frame heating drum has a temperature which is less than 700°C, preferably about 550°C - 650°C.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section along a line IV-IV in fig. 6. The feeding blades 30 can be adjusted to a desired angle of deflection for a desired vortex in the drum. The pitch angle can be adjustable according to the material or capacity. The ignition of a fuel is effected by means of a continuous spark ignition immediately downstream of the blades 30. The central pipe 21 can be coated, or cooled for example with water for in order to withstand intense heat. Against the drum 1 can be provided an interspace for preventing the drum from heating. The drum 1 can be thermally insulated with air cavities, which are created on either side of zigzag folded panels.

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section along a line V-V in fig. 6. Fine material is collected from the cone 28 in an opening 34 at the cone end by a free vortex. The fine material can be passed to a further treatment for example to a mul- ticyclone or fabric filter for separating particles from gas completely. Fig. 9 shows a principle, regarding a double vortex in a cone-fitted vortex chamber. A tangential feed 53 develops first a larger-radius outer vortex 51. As a result of friction caused by the cone, the vortex dies away and deflects for a small-radius inner vortex 52 directed towards the central pipe. The fin- est-grained material discharges through B3 after receiving a major centrifugal treatment. A slightly coarser fraction discharges through the cone apex by way of an outlet B2.

Fig. 10 shows a heat insulation, which is implemented by bending nickel chromium steel panel 35 inside a drum 20 in a zigzag pattern for providing voids 18 and 19 for the passage of a cooling agent. The bent panel 35 is only welded to the drum 20 at a single point in each section for allowing thermal movements.

Fig. 11 shows a double-decker zigzag panel assembly, which results in a large number of thermally insulating voids and heat has a long conduction distance in the metal structure. Thus, the propagation of heat in the structure becomes more difficult. The voids 18 and 19 can be sprayed with water in liquid form, which upon vaporization absorbs heat from the drum, or with cold air for cooling the drum 1. The structural strength can be enhanced by means of an intermediate drum 36.

Fig. 12 shows a side view of a heating apparatus of the invention movable on wheels 57, which can be used for spreading a hot material directly at a construction site, for example for a road bed 44. The bed or foundation can be made strong or light with additives, as required. Mouldability of the stock 44 can be improved, as necessary, by means of a small auxiliary heating device, for example a blowtorch type of extra heater (not shown in the figure). An element 41 represents a feed hopper for a material to be heated, and an element 42 represents a multicyclone, a fabric filter, or a receiver for fine fraction. Fig. 13 shows a side view of a mobile apparatus of the invention as parked at waterfront. If desired, the material can be deposited after heating and cooling on water, for example as a pontoon, a bridge, or a floating raft 45, which can be part of a large floating airfield, for example. The material to be heated can be preheated for promoting expansion and improving buoyancy in a separate drum 55.

Fig. 14 shows the guidance of cooling air between two drums 1 and 20 along ducts 18 and 19. The passage of air can be designed such that the system functions for cooling the drum the way of a heat exchanger for obtaining also hot air for an intended application. The purpose of baffles 35 is to increase the conduction distance of heat by means of an inclined structure.

Fig. 15 shows a principle, regarding the disposition of pellet stock particles occurring in a kiln during exothermal foam production. Larger particles 39 do not melt easily, thus ending up in the surface of a pellet. In the middle of a grain is deposited a porous and light fraction 40, which consists of a finer material. On the outside is deposited a vitreous layer 39 from a sintering process, whose creation and fusion is promoted calcium oxide in a kiln.

Fig. 16 shows pellets of fig. 15 fused and cemented together at a high temperature. The element may have a high strength by virtue of a vitreous fraction 40, although the weight is reasonably low.

Fig. 17 shows a section of a road structure made in accordance with the invention, wherein on top of porous and light bottom layers 48 is distributed a stronger surface layer 47 and an asphalt 46.

Fig. 18 shows a partial cross-section for a heating drum of the invention, wherein lengthwise, high-temperature resistant lifting bars 49, located at varying distances from a heating drum 1 and intended for agglomerated pel- let blocks 50 accumulated in a kiln, are capable of picking up cemented blocks 50 of varying sizes and lifting the same against the drum as the latter rotates upwards. As the kiln rotates, the pellet block falls down from a high level and is crushed to pieces upon hitting a hard foundation in the kiln. Thus, the operation of a kiln may continue in a normal manner, even though the kiln temperature has been increased according to the invention, thus increasing the risk of creating pellet blocks. The bars are secured at the ends thereof to separate rings.

Fig. 19 shows a raft or platform floating on water and implemented according to the invention, wherein an expanded material 48, by virtue of its lightness, keeps the raft floating. A strong material 47 is capable of withstanding traffic loads.

Fig. 20 shows a floating structure raised from water on stilts or pillars 56, which allows the passage of water traffic below the structure.

Claims

1. A method for heating a material to a high temperature in a heating drum, comprising a hollow elongated tubular heating drum rotatable about a hori- zontal or inclined axis and being provided at one end with a supply (A) for a material to be heated and at one or more drum ends with a discharge (B) for a thermally treated material, and with a heat source (C) for generating heat, characterized in that the heating drum manufactured from refractory nickel chromium steel or plated with a nickel chromium steel alloy is cooled with a medium and/or with a material to be heated as the latter is sliding or rolling along a metal surface of the heating drum, while the metal-frame heating drum, which defines a heating chamber, is used for equalizing temperatures, raising temperatures, and conducting heat.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that heating of a material to a high temperature in a heating drum is intensified by reflecting heat rays by means of a nickel chromium steel panel the way of a mirror.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that heating of a ma- terial to a high temperature in a heating drum is intensified by firing in oxygen-enriched air or by an electrical heater.

4. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-3, characterized in that a fuel is sprayed into the heating drum from behind air-vortex generating deflector blades (30) and ignited immediately downstream of the blades (30), said heating drum developing a burning vortex.

5. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-4, characterized in that heating of a material to a high temperature is effected in a burning-vortex cyclone separator for separating or sorting a thermally treated material in a variety of grades.

6. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-5, characterized in that heat insulation or cooling of the drum is implemented by means of a drum wall constructed with two or more panel decks, between which is a gap for a gas, water, steam or air for cooling the drum or for preheating the combustion air.

7. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the metal-frame heating drum functions as a heat transfer element lengthwise of the drum for preheating the material to be heated and for cooling of the drum.

8. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-7, characterized in that a heating drum lighter than a steel-frame, brick-lined is maneuvered on wheels during a heating process or between heating processes.

9. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-8, characterized in that heating is performed by the rustproof non-corrodible drum and also chemically in demanding chemical conditions.

10. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the heat resistance of a cooled nickel chromium steel lining is utilized to enable thermal insulation more effective than at present outside the drum, the structure still remaining light.

11. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-10, characterized in that heating and cooling of a heating drum is balanced in such a manner that the heating drum and the hottest spot in a heating chamber defined thereby have a temperature difference which is in excess of 300°C, preferably in excess of 400°C.

12. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-11, characterized in that the hottest spot in a heating chamber has a temperature of more than 1000°C, and the hottest spot in a metal-frame heating drum has a temperature of less than 700°C, preferably about 550-650°C.

13. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-12, characterized in that calcium oxide or calcium carbonate is added as a fluxing agent into a hot heating drum to form eutectic mixtures with other melt oxides to reduce melting temperature.

14. An apparatus for heating a material to a high temperature in a heating drum, comprising a hollow elongated tubular heating drum rotatable about a horizontal or inclined axis and being provided at one end with a supply (A) for a material to be heated and at one or more drum ends with a discharge (B) for a thermally treated material, and with a heat source (C) for generating heat, characterized in that the rotary heating drum, which defines a heating chamber, is manufactured from refractory nickel chromium steel or plated over its inner surface with a nickel chromium steel alloy, whereby the metal-frame heating drum, which defines a heating chamber, functions for equalizing temperatures, raising temperatures, and conducting heat, and that the heating drum is adapted to be cooled with a medium and/or with a material to be heated in the heating drum.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, characterized in that heating of a material to a high temperature in a heating drum is intensified by means of a curved nickel chromium steel panel reflecting heat rays the way of a mirror, which constitutes at least a part of the inner heating drum surface over a hot section of the drum.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that heating of a material to a high temperature is adapted to occur in a burning-vortex cyclone separator for separating or sorting a thermally treated material in a variety of grades.

17. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 14-16, character- ized in that heat insulation or cooling of the drum is implemented by means of two or more panel decks, between which is a gap for a gas or air.

18. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 14-17, characterized in that the heating drum functions as a heat transfer element length- wise of the drum.

19. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 14-18, characterized in that a heating drum lighter than a steel-frame, brick-lined drum is designed to be movable on wheels.

20. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 14-19, characterized in that the drum wall constituted by a cooled nickel chromium steel lining is thermally insulated from outside the drum.

21. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 14-20, characterized in that the principal drum material comprises another metal plated with a nickel chromium steel alloy.

22. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 14-21, character- ized in that the apparatus is designed sufficiently light to enable raising the drum rotational speed to the rate of 10...100 revolutions per minute.

23. Application of a method as set forth in any of claims 1-13 or an apparatus as set forth in any of claims 14-22, characterized in that a drum manu- factured from nickel chromium steel is used for any of the following: for manufacturing of light expanded clay aggregate for producing a light and fast foundation of conglomerated pellets adhered or sticked together, for practical use of wastes, as a lime sludge rebuming kiln or in cement making, for reconditioning of contaminated soils, for disposal of environmentally hazardous materials or for encapsulating the same.

24. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-13, characterized in that the products and discharges are monitored by means of continuous recording analyzers.

25. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-13, characterized in that oil- polluted soil is used as a feed stock for light aggregate, or as a source of energy.