Plasma gasification and vitrification of ashes
US5958264A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/50
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention discloses a method and an apparatus for gasification and vitrification of ashes, such as produced in a hog-fuel fired boiler, by means of a plasma arc. The ashes are introduced into a shaft furnace where two or three tiltable electrodes are located. The plasma arc is ignited between these electrodes which are then tilted from a horizontal to an essentially vertical position whereby the arc is lengthened and then broken into separate arcs, one between each electrode and the slag accumulated at the bottom of the furnace. This plasma arc helps to burn off the organics in the ashes, producing combustion gases that can be used as a source of energy for the boiler, and to keep the slag in molten state, which allows its periodic removal through a tap hole.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.