EP1841589A1 - Système et procédé de traitement de déchets sur une base continue - Google Patents

Système et procédé de traitement de déchets sur une base continue

Info

Publication number
EP1841589A1
EP1841589A1 EP04815720A EP04815720A EP1841589A1 EP 1841589 A1 EP1841589 A1 EP 1841589A1 EP 04815720 A EP04815720 A EP 04815720A EP 04815720 A EP04815720 A EP 04815720A EP 1841589 A1 EP1841589 A1 EP 1841589A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vessel
chamber
assembly
inlet
channel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04815720A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1841589A4 (fr
EP1841589B1 (fr
Inventor
Floyd Eugene Bouldin
Thomas Edward Cantrell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bouldin Corp
Original Assignee
Bouldin Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bouldin Corp filed Critical Bouldin Corp
Publication of EP1841589A1 publication Critical patent/EP1841589A1/fr
Publication of EP1841589A4 publication Critical patent/EP1841589A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1841589B1 publication Critical patent/EP1841589B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B9/00—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes
    • B30B9/30—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor
    • B30B9/3096—Presses specially adapted for particular purposes for baling; Compression boxes therefor the means against which, or wherein, the material is compacted being retractable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B11/00—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses
    • B30B11/02—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a ram exerting pressure on the material in a moulding space
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/05—Stirrers
    • B01F27/07—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft
    • B01F27/072—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft characterised by the disposition of the stirrers with respect to the rotating axis
    • B01F27/0723—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft characterised by the disposition of the stirrers with respect to the rotating axis oblique with respect to the rotating axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/05—Stirrers
    • B01F27/07—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft
    • B01F27/072—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft characterised by the disposition of the stirrers with respect to the rotating axis
    • B01F27/0724—Stirrers characterised by their mounting on the shaft characterised by the disposition of the stirrers with respect to the rotating axis directly mounted on the rotating axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/05—Stirrers
    • B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
    • B01F27/112—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades
    • B01F27/1121—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades pin-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/60—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a horizontal or inclined axis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to solid waste disposal, and, more particularly, to a system and method for transforming solid waste into useful products, including a reusable, treatable, or readily degradable material.
  • Solid waste disposal can generally be defined as the disposal of normally solid or semisolid materials, resulting from human and animal activities, which are useless, unwanted, or hazardous.
  • Solid waste generally comprises: garbage, including decomposable wastes from food; rubbish, including combustible decomposable wastes, such as paper, wood, and cloth, or non-combustible decomposable wastes, such as metal, glass, and ceramics; ashes, including the residue of the combustion of solid fuels; large wastes, including demolition and construction debris and trees; dead animals; sewage treatment solids, including the material retained on sewage-treatment screens, settled solids, and biomass sludge; industrial wastes, including chemicals, paints, and sand; mining wastes, including slag heaps and coal refuse piles; and agricultural wastes, including farm animal manure and crop residues.
  • landfills Today, the most common method of disposing of solid wastes in the United States is the deposition of such wastes on land or in landfills, which may account for more than ninety percent of the nation's municipal refuse. Incineration accounts for most of the remainder, while recycling and composting of solid wastes accounts for only an insignificant amount.
  • landfills refuse is spread in thin layers, each of which is compacted by heavy industrial equipment, such as bulldozers, before the next layer is spread. When about three meters of refuse has been laid down, it is covered by a thin layer of clean earth, which is also compacted. Notwithstanding their widespread use, there are a variety of problems associated with landfills.
  • suitable land must be within economic range of the source of the wastes because, typically, collection and transportation costs account for seventy-five percent of the total cost of solid waste management.
  • pollution of surface and groundwater is believed to be minimized by taking such precautions as: lining and contouring the fill; compacting and planting the cover; selecting proper soil; diverting upland drainage; and placing wastes in sites not subject to flooding or high groundwater levels, such pollution remains a concern.
  • gases are generated in landfills through anaerobic decomposition of organic solid waste. If a significant amount of methane gas is present, it may be explosive; therefore, proper venting and burning of the methane gases are oftlen necessary to eliminate or alleviate these dangerous conditions.
  • incineration is another solid waste disposal method in use today.
  • Incinerators of conventional design burn waste on moving grates in refractory- lined chambers. The combustible gases and the solids they carry are burned in secondary chambers.
  • the products of incineration include the normal primary products of combustion, including carbon dioxide and water, as well as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, gaseous pollutants, arid nongaseous products such as fly ash and unburned solid residue.
  • the incineration process is ⁇ far from ideal, introducing harmful by-products and pollutants into the atmosphere. Additionally, incineration methods are known to destroy the useful hemicellulose component of woody cellulose materials contained in solid waste.
  • a traditional hydrolyzer is typically used for processing organic material, for example, animal carcasses or parts thereof, including organic wastes generated during meat and poultry production for human consumption.
  • Traditional hydrolyzer apparatuses have various shortcomings. For example, some traditional hydrolyzers are designed to treat only a single batch of organic waste at a time. More specifically, a traditional batch hydrolyzer must be loaded with a batch while at an ambient pressure and temperature. It is then sealed, brought up to and held at an elevated pressure and temperature until the batch has been processed. Next, it is brought back down to ambient pressure and temperature, unsealed, and the processed batch of is removed. Such hydrolyzers can also become clogged while the batch is being processed, creating additional problems.
  • a traditional flow hydrolyzer is an open system in which organic waste travels from an inlet, through a vessel having somewhat of an elevated pressure and temperature, and to an outlet. In an attempt to retain pressure and temperature within the vessel, the inlet and outlet openings are relatively small, limiting the amount of organic waste that can be transferred into and out of the hydrolyzer. Additionally, because the system is open, it is difficult to reach pressures above about 50 psi, which results in slower processing.
  • the present invention meets the above-identified needs, and others, by providing an efficient system and method for transforming solid waste into useful or readily degradable material.
  • An exemplary system made in accordance with the present invention includes: an infeed assembly, which may be used to continuously transfer waste from an environment having an ambient pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an elevated pressure and/or temperature; a metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA), which makes use of elevated pressure and/or temperature to assist in processing solid waste; and an outfeed assembly, which may be used to continuously transfer the useful product from an environment having an elevated pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an ambient pressure and/or temperature.
  • the infeed assembly, MPA and outfeed assembly may be used separately or may be used together as a system for metamorphically processing solid waste on a continuous basis to create a useful material or readily degradable material.
  • One exemplary embodiment of the infeed assembly comprises: an inlet chute, for receiving waste; a pipe sleeve, held at an ambient pressure and/or temperature and containing a ram for compacting waste after it falls from the inlet chute into the pipe sleeve; a sliding gate construction, having a gate plate that may be moved between an open position and a closed position; and a chamber, which is held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature and is operationally disconnected from the pipe sleeve when the gate plate is in the closed position.
  • the ram for compacting waste after it falls into the pipe sleeve is manipulated back and forth within the pipe sleeve by a first hydraulic cylinder, which moves the ram between three distinct positions: a first position wherein the ram is fully extended blocking the flow of waste from the inlet chute to the pipe sleeve; a second position wherein the ram is fully withdrawn and flow of waste from the inlet chute to the pipe sleeve is allowed; and a third position wherein the ram is partially extended, but the flow of waste from the inlet chute to the pipe sleeve is blocked.
  • the sliding gate construction includes the gate plate, which is flanked by end plates that are secured to the pipe sleeve.
  • the gate plate is operably connected to a second hydraulic cylinder, which moves the gate plate between the open position and the closed position.
  • a second hydraulic cylinder which moves the gate plate between the open position and the closed position.
  • the chamber is held at an elevated temperature and/or pressure.
  • the chamber is surrounded by a heated casing for supplying heat to and providing insulation for the chamber.
  • the casing may be heated, for example, using steam, which may be delivered to a space defined between the chamber and the casing.
  • the chamber may be operationally connected to and may receive pressure from a vessel held at an elevated pressure, such as, for example, the metamorphic processing apparatus (MP A), which will be described below.
  • MP A metamorphic processing apparatus
  • This embodiment of the infeed assembly thus operates in the following manner.
  • the ram begins in the fully extended first position wherein the gate plate is in a closed position, and waste is introduced into the inlet chute.
  • the ram is then placed in the fully retracted second position and the waste is permitted to flow from the inlet chute into the pipe sleeve, where it combines with any waste that has previously been introduced into the pipe sleeve.
  • the ram is then placed in the partially extended third position, blocking the flow of waste into the pipe sleeve and combining with any previously introduced waste to form a plug.
  • the gate plate remains in the closed position, allowing the plug to be uniformly compressed.
  • the gate plate is raised, allowing for access to the chamber. Because the plug is compressed, as well as contained by the ram, it blocks the release of pressure and/or heat from the chamber and protects against the forceful ejection of the waste from the infeed assembly upon exposure to the elevated pressure. Next, the ram is moved into the fully extended first position, forcefully inserting the plug into the chamber. Finally, the gate plate is returned to the closed position, and the operation is repeated as desired.
  • the waste may continuously flow from the portion of the infeed assembly having an ambient pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an elevated pressure and/or temperature.
  • This continuous flow may be achieved while maintaining the elevated pressure and/or temperature within the chamber and without causing the waste to be ejected from the infeed assembly upon exposure to the elevated pressure.
  • the infeed assembly may be used as part of a system wherein the chamber may be operationally connected to and continuously feed waste to a distinct vessel held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature, such as, for example, the above mentioned metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA).
  • MPA metamorphic processing apparatus
  • the metamorphic processing apparatus metamorphically processes waste in that it effects a change of physical form, structure, or substance to the components of the waste.
  • One exemplary embodiment of the MPA comprises an inlet for receiving waste; a processing vessel; and an outlet.
  • the pressure and/or temperature within the processing vessel is elevated and may be controlled using a control assembly which uses, for example, steam to deliver pressure and heat in a manner understood by those skilled in the art.
  • the processing vessel contains a rotating spiked auger, i.e., an axle with a plurality of outwardly extending spikes.
  • the spikes are secured to the axle such that the placement of adjacent individual spikes form a helical pattern along the length of the axle. This helical pattern facilitates the movement of waste from the inlet to outlet of the MPA, while preventing clogging and promoting self-cleaning.
  • the spikes of the rotating auger urge the material in the vessel towards the outlet in an action having the ability to completely empty the vessel.
  • the outfeed assembly comprises an inlet; a compaction chamber, which may be held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature; a plunger assembly; a containment assembly; and a cutter assembly.
  • the outfeed assembly receives the processed product, for example, from an operationally connected vessel held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature, such as the MPA.
  • the received product falls through the inlet and into the compaction chamber, where it is compressed by a ram of the plunger assembly.
  • the ram is situated and cycles within the compaction chamber to compress the product.
  • the force of the ram on the waste is sufficient to produce a compressed block within a volume defined by the compaction chamber.
  • the containment assembly includes a containment cylinder, which is attached at one end to a stop plate.
  • the stop plate serves as a backstop for the ram of the plunger assembly, enabling the product interpositioned between the ram and the stop plate to form a compressed block.
  • the block cutter assembly includes a block forming section and a knife.
  • the knife includes an aperture configured to be aligned with the compaction chamber such that the block may pass through the aperture into the block forming section before being cut by the knife.
  • This embodiment of the outfeed assembly is operated in the following manner.
  • the ram is extended to a position which prevents the flow of product from the inlet into the compaction chamber and the stop plate is positioned adjacent the compaction chamber at the opening to the block forming section.
  • the ram is withdrawn to allow product to fall into the compaction chamber.
  • the ram is then extended to compress product against the stop plate. Because the plunger assembly exerts more force than the containment cylinder, the cylinder begins to be overridden by the block of product pushing against the stop plate, such that the stop plate is forced to retreat slightly into the block forming section.
  • the ram continues to be withdrawn, allowing additional product to be introduced into the compaction chamber, and thereafter extended, forcing the newly added product against the block.
  • the force of the ram against the block continues to push the stop plate further into the block forming section until the capacity of the block forming section is met, that is, the stop plate has fully retreated into the block forming section and the cylinder has been completely overridden.
  • the block cutting assembly is used to cut a portion of the block held within the block forming section, leaving a portion of the block within the chamber.
  • the cylinder of the block cutting assembly operates to extend the knife and cut the block. As the knife extends to cut. the block, the block cutting assembly moves from a position where the aperture is aligned with the chamber, to a position where the aperture is not aligned with the chamber.
  • the outfeed assembly may additionally comprise a material exit apparatus, an embodiment of which includes an ejection tube, to which the aperture becomes aligned; an expansion chamber; an exit channel; and an outlet.
  • the cylinder may operate to extend the stop plate, forcing the freshly cut block from the block forming section, into the ejection tube and associated expansion chamber.
  • the block forming section of the block cutting assembly is then realigned with the chamber ready to cooperatively execute the above-described operation.
  • the product may continuously flow from the portion of the outfeed assembly having an elevated pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an ambient pressure and/or temperature.
  • This continuous flow may be achieved while maintaining the elevated pressure and/or temperature within the compaction chamber and without causing the waste to be ejected from the outfeed assembly upon exposure to the ambient pressure.
  • the outfeed assembly may be used as part of a system wherein the compaction chamber may be operationally connected to and continuously accept waste from a distinct vessel held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature, such as, for example, the metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA).
  • MPA metamorphic processing apparatus
  • the freshly cut block When the freshly cut block is forced from the block forming section, into the ejection tube and associated expansion chamber of the material exit apparatus, it falls into the exit channel. Contained within the exit channel is a rotating auger having a helical pattern for breaking up the block and delivering it to the outlet.
  • the processed product Upon leaving the material exit apparatus, the processed product may be used for various applications, or may be subjected to further treatments before being used. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of side view of an embodiment of the metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA) of the present invention connected to an embodiment of the infeed assembly of the present invention and an embodiment of the outfeed assembly of the present invention;
  • MPA metamorphic processing apparatus
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the infeed assembly of FIG. 1, shown connected to the MPA;
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the infeed assembly of FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 4A through 4E are various operational views of the infeed assembly of FIGS. 2 .and 3, as seen from longitudinal cross-section line A-A of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 A is a top view of the MPA of FIG. 1 additionally illustrating a control assembly for manipulating temperature and/or pressure and shown connected to the chamber of the infeed assembly;
  • FIG. 5B is a cross sectional side view of the MPA of FIG. 5 A, as seen from longitudinal cross-section line B-B of FIG. 5 A;
  • FIG. 6A is an enlarged side view of a portion of the spiked auger of the MPA of FIG. 5A;
  • FIG. 6B shows the spiked auger of FIG. 6A, as seen from the transverse cross-section line C-C of FIG. 6 A;
  • FIG. 7A is a top view of the outfeed assembly of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7B is a cross sectioned side view of the outfeed assembly of FIG. 7A, as seen from longitudinal cross-section line D-D of FIG. 7A;
  • FIGS. 8A through 8H are various operational views of the outfeed assembly of FIGS. 7A and 7B;
  • FIGS. 9 A, 9C, 9E, and 9F are various operational views of the outfeed assembly of FIGS.
  • FIGS. 9B and 9D are end views of the outfeed assembly of FIGS. 7A and 7B.
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of the material exit apparatus of the outfeed assembly of FIGS. 7A and 7B, as seen from longitudinal cross-section line F-F of FIG. 7A.
  • an exemplary system 10 for processing solid waste on a continuous basis generally comprises the following: an infeed assembly 30, which may be used to continuously transfer waste from an environment having an ambient pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an elevated pressure and/or temperature; a metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA) 70, which makes use of elevated pressure and/or temperature to assist in processing waste; and an outfeed assembly 92, which may be used to continuously transfer product from an environment having an elevated pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an ambient pressure and/or temperature.
  • MPA metamorphic processing apparatus
  • waste is generally used to describe the material being transformed by the system and method of the present invention before it has been subjected to metamorphic processing
  • product is generally used to describe the material after it has been subjected to metamorphic processing.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the infeed assembly 30 will first be described. Waste may be carried to the infeed assembly 30, for example, via a conveyor 12, as depicted in FIG.
  • the infeed assembly 30 receives waste via an inlet chute 32 leading to a pipe sleeve 34.
  • the illustrated infeed assembly 30 comprises: the inlet chute 32; the pipe sleeve 34, containing a ram 40 operably connected to a first hydraulic cylinder 42 for moving the ram 40 back-and-forth within the sleeve 34; a sliding gate construction 36, which includes a gate plate 44 flanked by a pair of end plates 46a, 46b and is operably connected to a second hydraulic cylinder 48 for moving the gate plate 44 between an open position and a closed position; and a chamber 38, which is surrounded by a heated casing 50.
  • the inlet chute 32 is adapted for receiving waste 60, which typically falls from the inlet chute 32, into the pipe sleeve 34 for processing.
  • the inlet chute 32 may include a static or vibrating grate capable of prohibiting large objects from falling into the pipe sleeve 34, while allowing all other waste to fall into the pipe sleeve 34.
  • the ram 40 is manipulated back and forth within the pipe sleeve 34 by the first hydraulic cylinder 42.
  • the first hydraulic cylinder 42 moves the ram 40 into three positions, which may be described with reference to the contact made between a tenon 52, associated with the cylinder 42, and proximity switches 54a, 54b, and 54c.
  • a first position is achieved when the tenon 52 contacts a first proximity switch 54a.
  • a second position is achieved when the tenon 52 contacts a second proximity switch 54b.
  • a third position is achieved when the tenon 52 contacts a third proximity switch 54c.
  • the gate plate 44 is flanked by end plates 46a, 46b, which are secured to the pipe sleeve 34, and is operably connected to the second hydraulic cylinder 48, which moves the gate plate 44 between an open position and a closed position.
  • the gate plate 44 is in a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C, the interior of the pipe sleeve.34 is operationally disconnected from the chamber 38.
  • an aperture 56 within gate plate 44 is aligned with the pipe sleeve 34, placing the sleeve 34 and the chamber 38 in fluid communication.
  • the chamber 38 is held at an elevated temperature and/or pressure.
  • the chamber 38 is surrounded by the heated casing 50, which supplies heat to and provides insulation for the chamber 38.
  • the casing 50 may be heated, for example, using steam, which may be delivered to a space defined between the chamber 38 and the casing 50.
  • the depicted chamber 38 is operationally connected to and receives pressure from the metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA) 70, which will be described below.
  • MPA metamorphic processing apparatus
  • the ram 40 is in the fully extended first position, wherein the tenon 52 is in contact with proximity switch 54a, the gate plate 44 is in a closed position, and waste 60 is introduced into the inlet chute 32. Waste which has previously been fed through the inlet chute 32 and is being held within the pipe sleeve 34 is referred herein as a plug and is generally designated by reference numeral 62.
  • the plug 62 is referred herein as a partial plug 62a when, as shown in FIG. 4B, it does not completely fill the space within the pipe sleeve 34 defined by the gate plate 44 and the ram 40.
  • the ram 40 is shown fully in the retracted second position, with the tenon 52 in contact with the proximity switch 54b. In this position, the waste 60 is permitted to flow from the inlet chute 32 into the pipe sleeve 34 together with the partial plug 62a.
  • FIG. 4C the ram 40 is shown in a partially extended position, with the tenon 52 in contact with the proximity switch 54c. When moved into the partially extended position, the ram 40 blocks the flow of waste 60 into the pipe sleeve 34 and forms a complete plug 62 with the newly introduced waste. The gate plate 44 remains in the closed position, allowing the plug 62 to be uniformly compressed.
  • the gate plate 44 is raised, allowing for access to the chamber 38. Because the plug 62 is compressed, as well as contained by the ram 40, it blocks the release of pressure and/or heat from the chamber 38 and protects against the forceful ejection of the waste 60 from the infeed assembly 30 upon exposure to the elevated pressure.
  • the ram 40 is moved into the fully extended first position, forcefully inserting the plug 62 into the chamber 38.
  • the gate plate 44 is returned to the closed position, and the operation is repeated as desired.
  • the waste 60 once compressed into the plug 62, may continuously flow from the portion of the infeed assembly 30 having an ambient pressure and/or temperature to an environment having an elevated pressure and/or temperature. This continuous flow may be achieved while maintaining the elevated pressure and/or temperature within the chamber 38 and without causing the waste 60 to be ejected from the infeed assembly 30 upon exposure to the elevated pressure.
  • this exemplary embodiment of the infeed assembly 30 may be used as part of a system for metamorphically processing waste, which does not require the pressure and/or temperature to be lowered to ambient before infeeding a new batch of waste for processing. That is to say, the chamber 38 may be operationally connected to the metamorphic processing apparatus (MPA) 70 such that the infeed assembly 30 may be used to continuously transfer waste into the MPA 70 for metamorphic processing.
  • MPA metamorphic processing apparatus
  • the infeed assembly 30 of the present invention need not be used with the MPA 70 described. Indeed, the infeed assembly 30 may be used with a traditional hydrolyzer, a vessel held at elevated pressures and/or temperatures, or various processing apparatus, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • the exposure to elevated pressure and/or temperature in the chamber 38 prepares the waste for effective processing once it enters the MPA 70. That is to say, when waste is delivered directly to the MPA 70, a vessel having a relatively large volume, as the elevated pressure and/or heat within the MPA 70 begins to transfer to the waste, the waste has a tendency to congeal, developing a clumpy or gummy consistency, which is difficult to process and move through the MPA 70.
  • the illustrated chamber 38 has diameter and volume which is smaller than that of the MPA 70.
  • the MPA 70 metamorphically processes waste, that is to say, that it effects a change of physical form, structure, or substance to the components of the waste.
  • the illustrated MPA 70 comprises an inlet 72 for receiving waste; a processing vessel 74; and an outlet 76.
  • the pressure and temperature within the processing vessel 74 may be from about 85 psi to about 140 psi and about 200 0 F to about 400 0 F for processing waste.
  • the processing vessel 74 contains a rotating spiked auger 80, i.e., an axle or shaft 82, which is rotated by a drive motor (not shown), and a plurality of spikes 84 extending outwardly from the axle 82.
  • the axle 82 is supported at one end by a thrust bearing 86, which, when the MPA 70 is used with the infeed assembly 30, keeps the auger 80 from succumbing to the forces of the ram 40 as it forces waste into the MPA 70.
  • the trust bearing 86 absorbs the force transferred from the ram 40 (shown in FIGS. 2 through 4E) to the auger 80, thus protecting against the auger 80 being pushed through the back wall 87 of the MPA 70.
  • the axle 82 is supported at the other end by an internal bushing 88, which receives lubrication from the material being processed within the MPA 70, unlike an external bushing, which requires application of an independent lubricant.
  • the spikes 84 of the auger 80 are integral with or otherwise secured to the axle 82 by well-known methods, such as welding or fasteners. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the spikes 84 are secured to the axle 82 such that the placement of adjacent individual spikes 84 form a helical pattern along the length of the axle 82. This helical pattern facilitates the movement of material from the inlet 72 to outlet 76 of the MPA 70, while preventing clogging and promoting self-cleaning.
  • the exemplary MPA 70 additionally includes a pair of bars 90, best shown in FIG 5B, extending downwardly into the vessel 74 to assist in breaking any clumps in the material received by the MPA 70, thus allowing the spikes 84 of the auger 80 to more easily urge the material through the vessel 74.
  • the bars 90 are positioned and/or designed such that they do not impede the rotation of the auger 80.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the MPA 70 includes a pair of bars 90, it is contemplated that other embodiments may exclude or include any number of bars and that such bars are positioned and/or designed such that they do not impede the rotation of the auger.
  • the spikes 84 form an angle with the axle 82 that is less than ninety degrees. Variations may be made in the angle between the spikes 84 and the axle 82, the tightness of the helical pattern formed by the spikes 84, and the overall number of spikes 84 extending from the axle 82, depending on the properties of the material being processed by the MPA 70 and the period of time it is desired that the material remain within the MPA 70.
  • the infeed assembly 30 of the present invention may be used to continuously transfer material into a vessel held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature, e.g., when the exemplary infeed assembly 30 is associated with the exemplary MPA 70, when the gate construction 36 is in the open position, the pipe sleeve 34 is in fluid communication with the vessel 74 of the MPA 70, allowing material to flow from the infeed assembly 30 to the vessel 74.
  • the outfeed assembly 92 of the present invention may be used and will now be described.
  • the outfeed assembly 92 of the present invention may be operationally connected with the MPA 70, as depicted in FIG. 1, however, it need not be used with the MPA 70. Indeed, it may be used with a traditional hydrolyzer, a vessel held at elevated pressures and/or temperatures, or various processing apparatus, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 7A through 10 An exemplary embodiment of the outfeed assembly 92 is shown operationally connected to the MPA 70 in FIG. 1 and is further depicted in FIGS. 7A through 10.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the outfeed assembly 92 comprises an inlet 94; a compaction chamber 96, which may be held at an elevated pressure and/or temperature, the pressure and/or heat being received, for example, from an operationally connected MPA 70; a plunger assembly 98; a containment assembly 100; and a cutter assembly 102.
  • the outfeed assembly 92 receives product, for example, from the MPA 70, which may be operationally connected to the outfeed assembly 92 at the inlet 94 .
  • the received product falls through the inlet 94 and into the compaction chamber 96, where it is compressed by the plunger assembly 98.
  • the plunger assembly 98 includes a hydraulic cylinder 104 for operating the movement of a ram 106.
  • the ram 106 is situated and cycles within the compaction chamber 96 to compress the product.
  • the force of the ram 106 on the product is sufficient to produce a compressed block 107, shown in FIGS. 8A through 8H, within a volume defined by the compaction chamber 96.
  • block may be used interchangeably with terms such as plugs and pig to mean a portion of compressed product, and not as a limitation to any particular shape or configuration.
  • a stop plate 108 is a structural element of the containment assembly 100, which further includes a containment cylinder 110.
  • the cylinder 110 is attached at one end to the stop plate 108.
  • the stop plate 108 serves as a backstop for the ram 106 of the plunger assembly 98, enabling the product interpositioned between the ram 106 and the stop plate 108 to form a compressed block 107.
  • the block cutter assembly 102 includes a block forming section 112 and a hydraulic cylinder 114 for operating a knife 116.
  • the knife 116 includes an aperture 118 configured to be aligned with the compaction chamber 96 such that the block forming section 112 and the compaction chamber 96 are in fluid communication allowing the block 107 to pass through the aperture 118 into the block forming section 112 before being cut by the knife 116.
  • Wheeled carriage assemblies 120, 122 maybe provided to enable the outfeed assembly 92 to be supported and mobile. It is contemplated and will be understood by those skilled in the art that all the component assemblies described herein may be supported by carriage assemblies, such as those shown, or motorized platforms to enable portability of individual assemblies or an entire system.
  • FIG. 8 A the ram 106 is extended to a position which blocks the flow of product 109 from the inlet 94 into the compaction chamber 96 and the stop plate 108 is positioned adjacent thexompaction chamber 96 at the opening to the block forming section 112.
  • FIG. 8B the ram 106 is withdrawn to allow product 109 to fall into the compaction chamber 96.
  • FIG. 8C the ram 106 is extended to compress product 109 against the stop plate 108. Because plunger assembly 98 exerts more force than cylinder 110, cylinder 110 begins to be overridden by the block of product 107 pushing against the stop plate 108, such that the stop plate 108 is forced to retreat slightly into the block forming section 112.
  • FIG. 8D the ram 106 is shown withdrawn, allowing additional product 109 to be introduced into the compaction chamber 96.
  • FIG. 8E the ram 106 is again extended, forcing the newly added product 109 against the block 107.
  • the force of the ram 106 against the block 107 pushes stop plate 108 further into the block forming section 112.
  • the ram 106 is again withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 8F, allowing still more product 109 to be introduced into the compaction chamber 96.
  • the ram 106 is again extended, as shown in FIG. 8G, forcing the newly added product 109 against the block 107.
  • the operation of introducing product 109 into the compaction chamber 96 and forcing the newly added product 109 against the compacted block of product 107 to form a larger block of product 107 continues until the capacity of the block forming section 112 is met, that is, the stop plate 108 has fully retreated into the block forming section 112 and the cylinder 110 has been completely overridden, as shown in FIG. 8G and 9A.
  • the block cutting assembly 102 is used to cut a portion of the block 107b held within the block forming section 112, leaving a portion of the block 107a within the chamber 96.
  • the cylinder 114 of the block cutting assembly 102 operates to extend the knife 116 and cut the block 107.
  • the block cutting assembly 102 moves on the wheeled carriage assembly 122 from a position where the aperture 118 is aligned with the chamber 96, shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, to a position where the aperture 118 is not aligned with the chamber 96, shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D.
  • the outfeed assembly 92 may also include a material exit apparatus 124.
  • a material exit apparatus 124 includes an ejection tube 126, to which the aperture 118 becomes aligned; an expansion chamber 128; an exit channel 130, in fluid communication with the expansion chamber 128; and an outlet 132.
  • the cylinder 110 may operate to extend the stop plate 108, forcing the freshly cut block 107b from the block forming section 112, into the ejection tube 126 and associated expansion chamber 128.
  • the ejection tube 126 and the expansion chamber 128 may not be required if the block 107 is of low temperature and pressure; the freshly cut block 107b could simply be expelled from the block forming section 112. In either event, with reference to FIGS. 8H and 9F, the block forming section 112 of the block cutting assembly 102 is shown realigned with the chamber 96 ready to cooperatively execute the above-described operation.
  • the space defined by the ram 106, the compaction chamber 96, the block forming section 112, and the stop plate 108 is substantially consumed by the block 107.
  • FIG. 9C when the portion of the block 107b is moved to an area of ambient pressure and/or temperature, a portion of the compressed block 107a remains within the compaction chamber 96, consuming the space defined by the ram 106, the compaction chamber 96, and the knife 116, a space which remains consumed until the block forming section 112 and the stop plate 108 are realigned with the compaction chamber 96, as shown in FIG. 8H.
  • This consumption of space leading from the area of elevated pressure and/or temperature to the area of ambient pressure and/or temperature during the movement of material from the latter area to the former area substantially eliminates the escape of pressure and/or heat from the compaction chamber 96, thereby maintaining the elevated pressure and/or temperature within the compaction chamber 96 and avoiding forceful or violent ejection of the block 107 from the outfeed assembly 92 upon exposure to the ambient pressure.
  • the block 107b is forced into the ejection tube 126 and the associated expansion chamber 128 of the material exit apparatus 124, it falls into the exit channel 130.
  • a rotating auger 134 for breaking op the block 107b (shown in FIG. 9F) and delivering it to the outlet 132.
  • the auger 134 extends from a first end 136 of the channel 130 adjacent the expansion chamber 128 to a second end 138 of the channel 130.
  • the outlet 132 is positioned on the underside of the channel 130 between the first end 136 and the second end 138.
  • the helical pattern of the auger 134 winds in a first direction along the length of a first portion 140, which extends from the first end 136 of the channel 130 to the outlet 132, while the helical pattern of the auger 134 winds in a second direction along the length of a second portion 142, which extends from the second end 138 of the channel 130 to the outlet 132.
  • This helical pattern allows the rotating auger 134 to deliver processed product within the channel 130 to the outlet 132.
  • the processed product may be used for various applications, or may be subjected to further treatments before being used.
  • an exemplary system and method of the present invention may be used to transform solid waste into useful material.
  • the system 10 includes the infeed assembly 30, the MPA 70, the outfeed assembly 92, and the material exit apparatus 124; however, these discrete components of the exemplary system 10 may also be used separately to process material without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Abstract

L’invention concerne un système de traitement de déchets sur une base continue comprenant un ensemble d’alimentation, un réservoir maintenu à une pression et/ou une température non ambiantes, et un ensemble de sortie. L’ensemble d’alimentation englobe : un manchon dans lequel les déchets sont délivrés ; une porte équipée pouvant adopter une position ouverte et une position fermée ; et un coulisseau se déplaçant dans le manchon pour comprimer les déchets lorsque la porte équipée adopte la position fermée et repousser les déchets comprimés dans le réservoir, où ils sont métamorphosés, lorsque la porte équipée adopte la position ouverte. Le matériau traité passe du réservoir à l’ensemble de sortie, comprenant une chambre de compactage, un coulisseau se déplaçant à l’intérieur de la chambre de compactage, et un ensemble de découpe. Les déchets sont compactés dans la chambre de compactage par le coulisseau, découpés par l’ensemble de découpe et délivrés sous forme de bloc compacté dans un environnement à la pression et/ou la température ambiantes.
EP04815720.0A 2004-12-30 2004-12-30 Système de traitement de déchets sur une base continue Active EP1841589B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2004/043708 WO2006073380A1 (fr) 2004-12-30 2004-12-30 Système et procédé de traitement de déchets sur une base continue

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EP1841589A1 true EP1841589A1 (fr) 2007-10-10
EP1841589A4 EP1841589A4 (fr) 2012-01-11
EP1841589B1 EP1841589B1 (fr) 2014-03-19

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US9656863B2 (en) 2012-12-20 2017-05-23 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Method and apparatus for feeding municipal solid waste to a plasma gasifier reactor
CN107932959A (zh) * 2017-12-14 2018-04-20 山东金胜粮油集团有限公司 一种用于螺旋榨油机喂料器的料摆连接装置

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WO1997028910A1 (fr) * 1996-02-05 1997-08-14 Roland Prangere Dispositif pour reduire en volume les dechets non recyclables par action de la chaleur et de verins
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CA2090624A1 (fr) * 1991-04-29 1994-09-02 Clifford C. Holloway Appareil et methode de separation, de recuperation et de recyclage d'ordures menageres et de matieres analogues
WO1997028910A1 (fr) * 1996-02-05 1997-08-14 Roland Prangere Dispositif pour reduire en volume les dechets non recyclables par action de la chaleur et de verins
WO2001068152A2 (fr) * 2000-03-14 2001-09-20 Komar Industries, Inc. Systeme et procede de traitement des matieres residuelles
US20040043480A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-04 Bouldin Floyd E. Bioreactor vessel and shaft assembly
US20040043098A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-04 Bouldin Floyd E. Containment system for continuous flow hydrolyzers
US20040043097A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-04 Floyd Bouldin Apparatus for and method of transforming useful material into molded of extruded articles
JP2004313936A (ja) * 2003-04-16 2004-11-11 Ngk Insulators Ltd 高温高圧処理装置用予熱装置
WO2005092708A1 (fr) * 2004-02-27 2005-10-06 Bouldin Corp. Dispositif et procede destines a la transformation des dechets solides en produits utiles
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Also Published As

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EP1841589A4 (fr) 2012-01-11
WO2006073380A1 (fr) 2006-07-13
EP1841589B1 (fr) 2014-03-19

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