US3665871A

US3665871A - Incinerator type environmental control system

Info

Publication number: US3665871A
Application number: US46937A
Authority: US
Inventors: William H Schwartz Jr; Billy D Maxwell
Original assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL CORP
Current assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL CORP
Priority date: 1970-06-17
Filing date: 1970-06-17
Publication date: 1972-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-30

Abstract

A relatively small and compact system for cleaning and purifying products of combustion resulting from incineration of waste materials including smoke and particles suspended therein as well as gases produced thereby wherein all of the products of combustion are forced from a first burning chamber into a balanced flow system including a second burning chamber having a burner flame completely enveloping the input thereto for incinerating the smoke etc. to a substantially clean, hot exhaust gas. The extremely hot exhaust gases are fed into a temperature reduction labyrinth having several direction changes while maintaining the constant volumetric flow therethrough and finally through a scrubbing stage including a water bath, a series of water sprays and an output baffle while still maintaining the constant volumetric flow for completely removing any other products remaining in the exhaust gases thereby reducing air pollution to substantially a zero level.

Description

[451 May30, 1972 INCINERATOR TYPE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM [72] Inventors: William H. Schwartz, Jr.; Billy D. Maxwell, both of Gary, Ind.

[73] Assignee: Environmental Corporation [22] Filed: June 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 46,937

[52] U.S.Cl. ..l10/8C,ll0/18C [51] Int. Cl. ..F23g 5/12 [58] FieldoiSearch ..110/8 R,8A,8C, 18 R, 18C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,031,981 5/1962 Smauder ..110/8 3,453,976 7/1969 Burden, Jr. et al. ..110/18 3,495,555 2/1970 Boyd et a1 ..110/8 3,043,249 7/1962 Hebert et al. .110/8 X 3,051,100 8/1962 Singleton.... ....l 1018 3,082,714 3/1963 Close ....110/8 3,176,634 4/1965 Martin ....110/8 3,403,645 10/ 1968 Flowers, Jr ..110/8 X 3,489,109 l/l970 Flowers, Jr. ..110/18 Primary Examinerl(enneth W. Sprague Attomey-McDougall, Hersh & Scott ABSTRACT A relatively small and compact system for cleaning and purifying products of combustion resulting from incineration of waste materials including smoke and particles suspended therein as well as gases produced thereby wherein all of the products of combustion are forced from a first burning chamber into a balanced flow system including a second buming chamber having a burner flame completely enveloping the input thereto for incinerating the smoke etc. to a substantially clean, hot exhaust gas.

The extremely hot exhaust gases are fed into a temperature reduction labyrinth having several direction changes while maintaining the constant volumetric flow therethrough and finally through a scrubbing stage including a water bath, a series of water sprays and an output baffle while still maintaining the constant volumetric flow for completely removing any other products remaining in the exhaust gases thereby reducing air pollution to substantially a zero level.

20 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,871

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS R M WILLIAM H. SCHWARTLJR. HI 4 BILLY 0. MAXWELL ATTORNEYS Patented May 30, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV FIG 7 BLOWER PUMP BURNER INCINERATOR TYPE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to incinerator apparatus for consuming all forms of combustible refuse, trash, and garbage or other organic rubble for either domestic or commercial applications where it is necessary to eliminate the smoke or gaseous oxidation products of the incinerator to a sightless and odorless state before exit into the surrounding environment.

2. Description of the Prior Art The purification or cleaning of gaseous products of combustion to eliminate smoke and fly ash presents a serious air pollution problem which is a hazard of national scope and is receiving substantial attention not only from local and national health authorities but also from legislators. The problem, however, is not a new one since with the ever increasing urban population, air pollution threatens the very lives of urban as well as suburban inhabitants. Combined with the problem of air pollution, is the disposal of waste materials in large cities or congested areas. These waste materials must be disposed of and the ordinary method of disposal is by incineration. The following patents are noted as being typical examples of incinerators which constitutes the known prior art related to the subject invention: U.S. Pat. No. 3,043,249, .I. W. Hebert, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,100, C. N. Singleton U.S. Pat. No 3,082,714, S. Close U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,634, L. S. Martin U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,645, G. H. Flowers, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,109, G. H. Flowers, Jr.

While the above cited prior art discloses a second burning zone or an afterbumer which has for its purpose the incinerating of any gases or fly ash from the exhaust, these relatively small compact units which are particularly adapted for residential use, feed directly into a chimney or flue. While incinerators including gas scrubbing apparatus is also well known for ash removal and gas scrubbing, it is generally exclusively utilized in large complex systems since apparatus of the type referenced above has not been adapted to utilize such apparatus nor was it believed to have been necessary.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to an improved relatively small compact incinerator for both residential and commercial use which effectively removes all of the combustible products of the exhaust gases resulting from incineration so that it ultimately discharges exhaust gases into the atmosphere which is smokeless, odorless and free of fly ash. The system contemplated by the subject invention briefly comprises a first burning chamber of relatively large volume wherein waste products are incinerated. All of the products of combustion resulting from the incineration are forced into a second relatively smaller, elongated, cylindrical burning chamber located adjacent the first burning chamber which includes means for providing a flame axially therethrough such that all of the products of combustion must pass through the flame in the second burner. A mixing nozzle is affixed to the output end of the second burning chamber for providing a vortex or swirling output of exhaust gases therefrom which are then fed through a balanced flow temperature reduction means including a plurality of tortuous passages and then to a scrubbing means to an exit flue, whereby the dimensions of the power burner stage, the temperature reduction means and the scrubbing means are constrained to provide a constant volumetric flow therethrough and thereby provide a substantially pollution free exit gas into the atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the subject invention partially cut away to disclose the first burning chamber and the exit port thereof;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 22 thereof disclosing the second burning chamber including a cylindrical burner tube and a temperature reduction labyrinth;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 3-3 disclosing the scrubber apparatus following the temperature reduction labyrinth;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 4-4 further illustrating the scrubber apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram for operating the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same parts of the various views of the invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates a substantially cubical housing of refractory material and can, when desirable, also include an outer metallic casing, not shown. In the forward portion of the upper wall 12 of the housing 10, is located a charging door 14 forming an entrance into a first incinerating or burning chamber 16, of relatively large volume and describing a configuration of flat walls intersecting orthogonally. The chamber 16 is often referred to as a tire box. A grate 18 is located in the lower portion of the chamber 16 and extends completely across the chamber and is adapted to receive rubbish or waste material for burning, not shown, when placed thereon by means of the door 14. A pullout drawer 20 is located at the bottom of the first chamber 16 below the grate 18 for the reception of ashes resulting from the burning of the material placed thereon. The pullout drawer 20 is adapted to be removed from the incinerator chamber 16 through the front wall 22 of the housing 10 by applying manual force to the handle 24 attached to the drawer 20.

A first oil or gas burner 26 is mounted in the front wall 22 a short distance above the grate 18 for providing a means of igniting and incinerating the material placed on the grate 18 for disposal. The burner 26 is fed from a source, not shown, by means of the conduit 28. A forced draft for supporting combustion inside of the housing 10 is provided by an air blower 28 mounted on the exit or chimney flue 30 located at the rear portion of the top wall 12 causing an external air to be pulled into the housing 10 and through the system to be described by means of the ports 32 located on the pilot burner 26. The port openings may be fixed or variable depending upon the specific application.

In the upper right hand comer of the back wall 34 of the first burning chamber 16 is exit port 36 of substantially rectangular cross section wherein all of the smoke and gaseous products of combustion resulting from incineration of waste material placed in the burning chamber 16 is drawn thereto by means of the blower 28. The smoke etc. drawn to the port 36 passes into a small antechamber 38 which is generally rectangular in cross section as shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. A hollow cylindrical power burner tube 40 comprising a second burning chamber passes through the antechamber 38 in a substantially horizontal direction behind the wall 34 (FIG. 1). A plurality of intake openings 42 are fabricated in tube 40 only in that portion which extends into the region described by the antechamber 38. The plurality of openings 42 comprise substantially rectangular slots and inwardly directed tabs 44. A second gas or oil bumer'46 shown in FIG. 1, called a power burner, is located on the side wall 47 and is attached to the power burner tube 40 through a transition member 48. A flame when generated, is directed through the transition member 48 and into the power burner tube 40 along its central axis so that the flame substantially fills the burner tube 40 for a predetermined adjustable length. By selectively adjusting the amount of fuel fed to the power burner 46 by a control 50, for example, the flame through the power burner tube can be adjusted for any desired amount.

All of the products of combustion in the chamber 16 except the ash falling into the drawer 20 must pass through the intake openings 42 due to the suction created by the blower 28 and everything contained therein e g. smoke and unburned particles held in suspension is forced into the power burner flame. By selectively adjusting the flame in the power burner tube 40 substantially all of these unburned products are incinerated therein.

As noted above, the power burner tube 40 is shown mounted in a substantially horizontal position in the refractory material of the housing behind the back wall 34 of the burning chamber 16. Additionally the tube 40 faces the inner surface of the left side wall 52 such as shown in FIG. 2. An output nozzle 54 including a plurality of radially extending vanes 56 is mounted on the other end of the power burner tube 40 so as to provide a swirling or vortex motion for the exhaust gases emanating from the power burner tube 40. Both the nozzle 54 and the power burner tube 40 are comprised of metallic material such as stainless steel or cast iron which can easily accommodate the high temperatures provided by the power burner flame which is adapted to extend even to the output of the nozzle 54.

The swirling exhaust from the nozzle 54 is fed into a temperature reduction labyrinth of substantially constant cross section and being comprised, inter alia, of a relatively short passageway 58 extending to the wall 52. A second passageway 60 then extends vertically to the bottom wall 62 of the housing 10. A third passageway 64 extends horizontally along the bottom wall 62 and enters another vertical passageway 66 through a port 67 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Passageway 66 extends along the inner side of the right side wall 47 behind the burner tube 40. At the top of the passageway 66 a relatively short horizontal passageway 68 extends to the back wall 70 where an output port 72 is located as shown in FIG. 3.

. The dimensions of the passageways 58 through 68 are maintained substantially constant throughout so that a balanced flow is provided, that is, a constant volumetric flow is maintained. The purpose of the labyrinth is to provide a temperature reduction means for the extremely hot exhaust coming from the power burner tube 40. This is provided by discrete direction changes for the exhaust gases emanating from the nozzle 54. The present invention therefore is able to provide a temperature change at each intersection of the passageways 58 through 68. In other words, four separate temperature reduction stages are provided by the subject invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Following the exit of the exhaust gases substantially reduced in temperature at the exit port 72, they are fed into a gas scrubber stage prior to being directed to the output flue 30. The scrubbing apparatus is located at the rear portion of the housing 10 along the back wall 70 thereof. The scrubber comprises three

water spray lines

74, 76 and 78 including four spray nozzles 79 connected to each line, mounted in the upper portion of the back wall 70 between the interior wall 80 forming a portion of the passageway 68 and an output baffle plate 82 extending downwardly adjacent an exit flue 30. Additionally a water bath 84 is maintained at a predetermined level in a trough 86 beneath the lower edge of the bafile 82 and the port 72 so that the exhaust gases coming from the labyrinth at the exit port 72 is forced to pass over the surface of the water 84 beneath the nozzles 79 attached to the

lines

74, 76 and 78 and beneath the baffle 82. It should be noted that the water spray line 74 is positioned next to the wall 80 at a level of the exit port 72 while the other two

lines

76 and 78 are located along a common plane at a relatively higher level. Thus the gases reduced in temperature by the labyrinth are subjected to a cleansing process for removing any other particles which may be escaped incineration in the burner tube 40 as well as further reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases to an acceptable level. It should also be pointed out that the height of the water 84 in the trough 86 is maintained at the aforesaid predetermined level in order to again maintain a balanced gas flow through the apparatus and thus matching the air flow in the labyrinth preceding the scrubbing apparatus so that the volumetric flow is constantly maintained throughout the entire system i.e. from the port 36 of the first burner chamber 16 to the flue 30.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the scrubbing apparatus disclosed in FIG. 4 is operated as a closed system by means of the apparatus shown therein. Reference numeral 88 designates a water pump which is adapted to feed the

lines

74, 76 and 78 shown in FIG. 4 by means of the plumbing 90 extending thereto through the rear wall 70. The water pump 88 is driven by means of an electric motor 91 connected thereto by means of a mechanical coupling 92. A water feeder tank 94 is coupled into a trough 86 by means of the

plumbing

96 and 98 for maintaining the water level of the water 84 at a constant level as indicated by the level tube 100.

The apparatus thus described is comprised of four main elements: the initial burning chamber 16, the cylindrical power burner tube 40 including the power burner 46; the temperature reduction labyrinth including the rectangular

cross-sectional passages

58, 60, 64, 66 and 68; and the scrubbing apparatus including the water bath 84 maintained at a predetermined level in combination with the

water spray lines

74, 76, and 78 as well as the vertical output baffle 82.

It should be pointed out that the embodiment of the subject invention as disclosed is adapted for automatic operation by means of an electrical control of the pilot burner 26, the power burner 46 and the electric motor 91 driving the water pump 88 and the blower 28. This canbe provided by means of an on-and-off switch 102 controlled by a manually set timer 104 controlling the application of volt, single phase AC power to the apparatus as shown schematically in FIG. 7.

What has been shown and described, therefore, is a new and improved incinerator type environmental control system which is of a small and compact nature for residential use as well as commercial applications wherein the exhaust gases ultimately discharged to the atmosphere are smokeless, odorless and free of any fly ash.

Having thus described the present invention with what is at present the preferred embodiment thereof,

We claim as our invention:

1. incinerator apparatus of the type described for consuming waste material and the smoke products generated therefrom, comprising, in combination:

a. a housing including means for providing a forced draft therethrough, a first burner chamber of relatively large volume located in a first portion of said housing and an inlet opening thereto for changing said chamber with a quantity of waste material for incineration;

b. an antechamber of relatively smaller volume coupled to said first burner chamber through an exit port therein, said antechamber being adapted to receive substantially all of the smoke and exhaust gases from said incineration chamber;

0. burner means generating a flame and including a second relatively smaller burner chamber coupled to said antechamber, said second burner chamber passing through said antechamber and having a plurality of intake openings therein in the region defined by said antechamber allowing all of said smoke and exhaust gases present in said antechamber to pass therethrough into said second incineration chamber whereby said smoke and exhaust gases are forced into the flame by said forced draft, said flame extending into said second burner chamber at least past said plurality of openings;

d. temperature reduction means comprised of a plurality of passageways located adjacent said first burner chamber and coupled to said second burner chamber for receiving the exhaust from said second burner chamber and reducing the temperature thereof by a series of direction flow changes;

e. gas scrubber means located in said housing and coupled to the output of said temperature reduction means, said scrubber means including a water bath located in the bottom thereof and having a predetermined height which is held substantially constant, an output baffle, and a plurality of water sprays located above said water bath, said exhaust from said temperature reduction means being adapted to pass beneath said water sprays and over said water bath toward and beneath said output baffle, said predetermined water level being maintained substantially constant;

f. an exit flue coupled into said scrubber chamber adjacent said output baffle on the opposite side from said water sprays; and

g. means for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric gas flow from said first burner chamber to said exit flue.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for providing a forced draft comprises a blower coupled to said exit flue.

3. The invention as defined by claim 1 wherein said second burner chamber comprises an elongated hollow member adapted to channel said flame interiorally thereof, and wherein said plurality of openings additionally include an inwardly directed tab.

4. The invention as defined by claim 3 wherein the elongated member is of a tubular configuration.

5. The invention as defined by claim 4 wherein said plurality of openings are substantially rectangular openings and wherein said inwardly directed tabs are substantially rectangular.

6. The invention as defined by claim 5 where said tubular configuration is substantially circular in cross section and additionally including a nozzle attached to the output end of said member for producing a vortex flow of the exhaust gases therefrom.

7. The invention as defined by claim 1 wherein said plurality of passageways of said temperature reduction means are of substantially rectangular cross section and wherein said means is located intermediate said first burner chamber and said scrubber means.

8. The invention as defined by claim 1 wherein said first burner chamber includes a rear wall and said antechamber is located adjacent the upper portion of said rear wall and wherein said second burner chamber comprises a generally cylindrical tubular member mounted in a substantially horizontal position behind said rear wall.

9. The invention as defined by claim 8 wherein said second burner chamber additionally includes a nozzle connected to the end of said tubular member, said nozzle having a plurality of radially extending vanes for producing a vortex of the exhaust therefrom.

10. The invention as defined by claim I and additionally including second burner means extending through one wall of said housing common to said first burner chamber for incinerating said waste material placed in said first burner chamber.

11. The invention as defined by claim 10 and additionally including a grate in the lower portion of said first burner chamber and a removable ash drawer located below said grate.

12. The invention as defined by claim 11 and additionally including means for operating both burner means automatically for a predetermined time interval.

13. In an incinerator apparatus of the type described for consuming waste material and the smoke products generated therefrom, comprising, in combination:

a. a housing including means for providing a forced draft therethrough, a first burner chamber of relatively large volume located in a first portion of said housing and an inlet opening thereto for charging said chamber with a quantity of waste material for incineration;

b. an antechamber of relatively smaller volume coupled to said first burner chamber throu an exit port therein, said antechamber being adapte to receive substantially all of the smoke and exhaust gases from said incineration chamber;

c. burner means generating a flame and including a second relatively smaller burner chamber coupled to said antechamber, said second burner chamber passing through said antechamber and having a plurality of intake openings therein in the region defined by said antechamber for allowing all of said smoke and exhaust gases present in said antechamber to pass therethrough into said second incineration chamber whereby said smoke and exhaust gases are forced into the flame by said forced draft, said flame extending into said second burner chamber;

temperature reduction means comprised of a plurality of passageways coupled to said burner chamber for receiving the exhaust from said second burner chamber and reducing the temperature thereof as by a series of directional flow changes;

e. an exit flue communicating with the output of said temperature reduction means; and

f. means for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric gas flow from said first burner chamber to said exit flue.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for providing a forced draft comprises a blower coupled to said exit flue.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said second burner chamber comprises an elongated hollow member adapted to channel said flame interiorally thereof, and wherein said plurality of openings additionally include an inwardly directed tab.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the elongated member is of a tubular configuration.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said plurality of openings are substantially rectangular openings and wherein said inwardly directed tabs are substantially rectangular.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said tubular configuration is substantially circular in cross section and additionally including a nozzle attached to the output end of said member for producing a vortex flow of the exhaust gases therefrom.

19 The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first burner chamber includes a rear wall and said antechamber is located adjacent the upper portion of said rear wall and wherein said second burner chamber comprises a generally cylindrical tubular member mounted in a substantially horizontal position behind said rear wall.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 and additionally including a grate in the lower portion of said first burner chamber and a removable ash drawer located below said grate.

Claims

1. Incinerator apparatus of the type described for consuming waste material and the smoke products generated therefrom, comprising, in combination: a. a housing including means for providing a forced draft therethrough, a first burner chamber of relatively large volume located in a first portion of said housing and an inlet opening thereto for changing said chamber with a quantity of waste material for incineration; b. an antechamber of relatively smaller volume coupled to said first burner chamber through an exit port therein, said antechamber being adapted to receive substantially all of the smoke and exhaust gases from said incineration chamber; c. burner means generating a flame and including a second relatively smaller burner chamber coupled to said antechamber, said second burner chamber passing through said antechamber and having a plurality of intake openings therein in the region defined by said antechamber allowing all of said smoke and exhaust gases present in said antechamber to pass therethrough into said second incineration chamber whereby said smoke and exhaust gases are forced into the flame by said forced draft, said flame extending into said second burner chamber at least past said plurality of openings; d. temperature reduction means comprised of a plurality of passageways located adjacent said first burner chamber and coupled to said second burner chamber for receiving the exhaust from said second burner chamber and reducing the temperature thereof by a series of direction flow changes; e. gas scrubber means located in said housing and coupled to the output of said temperature reduction means, said scrubber means including a water bath located in the bottom thereof and having a predetermined height which is held substantially constant, an output baffle, and a plurality of water sprays located above said water bath, said exhaust from said temperature reduction means being adapted to pass beneath said water sprays and over said water bath toward and beneath said output baffle, said predetermined water level being maintained substantially constant; f. an exit flue coupled into said scrubber chamber adjacent said output baffle on the opposite side from said water sprays; and g. means for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric gas flow from said first burner chamber to said exit flue.

10. The invention as defined by claim 1 and additionally including second burner means extending through one wall of said housing common to said first burner chamber for incinerating said waste material placed in said first burner chamber.

13. In an incinerator apparatus of the type described for consuming waste material and the smoke products generated therefrom, comprising, in combination: a. a housing including means for providing a forced draft therethrough, a first burner chamber of relatively large volume located in a first portion of said housing and an inlet opening thereto for charging said chamber with a quantity of waste material for incineration; b. an antechamber of relatively smaller volume coupled to said first burner chamber through an exit port therein, said antechamber being adapted to receive substantially all of the smoke and exhaust gases from said incineration chamber; c. burner means generating a flame and including a second relatively smaller burner chamber coupled to said antechamber, said second burner chamber passing through said antechamber and having a plurality of intake openings therein in the region defined by said antechamber for allowing all of said smoke and exhaust gases present in said antechamber to pass therethrough into said second incineration chamber whereby said smoke and exhaust gases are forced into the flame by said forced draft, said flame extending into said second burner chamber; d. temperature reduction means comprised of a plurality of passageways coupled to said burner chamber for receiving the exhaust from said second burner chamber and reducing the temperature thereof as by a series of directional flow changes; e. an exit flue communicating with the output of said temperature reduction means; and f. means for maintaining a substantially constant volumetric gas flow from said first burner chamber to said exit flue.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said tubular configuration is substantially circular in cross section and additionally including a nozzle attached to the output end of said member for producing a vortex flow of the exhaust gases therefrom. 19 The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said first burner chamber includes a rear wall and said antechamber is located adjacent the upper portion of said rear wall and wherein said second burner chamber comprises a generally cylindrical tubular member mounted in a substantially horizontal position behind said rear wall.