Patent · US Expired

Reconfigurable waste treatment system

US6267931A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
21References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 3, 1994
Grant dateJul 31, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 3, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/87249
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A reconfigurable waste treatment system having one or more waste treatment units such as scrubbers, absorption units, and thermal destruction units, is provided for treating waste supplied to the treatment system from one or more waste sources. The treatment units are selectively connected between an output and an input of a distribution manifold. Each input may be selectively connected to a desired output to achieve a desired configuration of treatment units. A venturi vacuum pump and an inert gas supply are used to assist the evacuation of waste from the waste source. The inert gas can also be used to charge the system as a whole or selected treatment devices, when not in use, to prevent the accumulation of moisture therein. A flow/pressure regulator prevents the system from being overloaded. Holding vessels are provided for collecting waste to allow staged treatment and/or sampling. The system is enclosed in a containment chamber to prevent insufficiently treated waste from escaping into the environment. The chamber is provided with airtight hatches for entry and with a vent stack to exhaust sufficiently treated waste to the exterior of the chamber. The system may be operated re…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.