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Title:
CLEAN BURNING INCINERATOR AND METHOD OF USING
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1997/024557
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention provides an incinerator apparatus (2), comprising: a primary chamber (4); a secondary chamber (6), wherein said chamber is juxtaposed next to the primary chamber and is connected to said primary chamber by a transfer cavity (8) which allows the gas products to flow from the primary chamber (4) to the secondary chamber (6); wherein both chambers contain blowers (20) causing the air to tightly spin along the circumference and across the length of the chambers thus extending the dwell time of the gas products by maximizing the number of revolutions the air must travel prior to exiting the primary and secondary chambers (4, 6); a controller (18) that further extends the dwell time of the gas products in the chambers by impeding the flow of gases between the two chambers by regulating the relative air pressures of the two chambers; and a hopper (12) comprised of an inner and an outer door that is controlled to prevent both the inner and outer door from being opened simultaneously and the loading of waste into the primary chamber (4) until all waste is incinerated in said primary chamber (4).

Inventors:
GREENMAN ARNOLD L (US)
GANIERE DONALD E (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US1996/007828
Publication Date:
July 10, 1997
Filing Date:
May 28, 1996
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
GREENMAN ARNOLD L (US)
GANIERE DONALD E (US)
International Classes:
F23G5/16; F23G5/32; F23G5/50; (IPC1-7): F23G5/00
Foreign References:
US5445087A1995-08-29
US5099769A1992-03-31
US4398477A1983-08-16
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Claims:
. An incinerator apparatus, comprising: a primary chamber; a secondary chamber, wherein said chamber is juxtaposed next to the primary chamber and is connected to said primary chamber by a transfer cavity which allows the gas products to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber; wherein both chambers contain blowers causing the air to tightly spin along the circumference and across the length of the chambers thus extending the dwell time of the gas products by maximizing the number of revolutions the air must travel prior to exiting the primary and secondary chambers; a controller that further extends the dwell time of the gas products in the chambers by impeding the flow of gases between the two chambers by regulating the relative air pressures of the two chambers; and a hopper comprised of an inner and an outer door that is controlled to prevent both the inner and outer door from being opened simultaneously and to prevent the loading of waste into the primary chamber until all waste is incinerated in said primary chamber.2. The incinerator apparatus of claim
1. 1 , wherein said primary and secondary chambers have a shape selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape and an oval shape The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said primary and secondary chambers contain sensors that enable the controller to measure the temperature and air pressure of both chambers.
2. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said primary and secondary chambers are oriented horizontally.
3. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or both of said chambers are oriented vertically.
4. The incinerator apparatus of claim 5, wherein when the primary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity extends from the upper portion of the primary chamber.
5. The incinerator apparatus of claim 5, wherein when the secondary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity terminates at the lower extremity of the secondary chamber.
6. An incinerator apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow of gases from the primary to the secondary chamber is impeded prior to solid waste incineration in the primary chamber, said gas flow controlled via the regulation of the relative air pressures of the two chambers such that the air pressure in the secondary chamber is greater than the air pressure in the primary chamber until all solid waste is incinerated in the primary chamber.
7. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the relative air pressures of the two chambers are regulated such that the air pressure in the primary chamber is greater than the air pressure in the secondary chamber when the solid waste is fully inceinerated in the primary chamber causing the gases to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.
8. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a regulated stack, wherein the relative air pressures of the secondary chamber is controlled by impeding the flow of gases exiting the secondary chamber to the stack.
9. The incinerator apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flow of gases from the secondary chamber to the regulated stack is achieved by regulating the relative air pressures of the secondary chamber and the regulated stack such that the air pressure in the secondary chamber is greater than the air pressure of the regulated stack.
10. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air pressure in the primary chamber is decreased by insertion of waste material in the primary chamber, or decrease of air temperature, or increase in air flow velocity, or a combination thereof.
11. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the air pressure in the secondary chamber is decreased by decreasing the air temperature, or increasing air flow velocity, or a combination thereof.
12. The incinerator apparatus of claim 10, wherein the air pressure in any of the chambers or regulated stack is increased via the increase of temperature, decrease air flow velocity, or a combination thereof.
13. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said inner and outer doors are independently controlled.
14. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said hopper doors are controlled such that if sensor readings indicate that the air pressure or temperature of the primary chamber is too low, the inner or outer doors doors remain locked.
15. The incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer doors are controlled such that if sensor readings indicate that one of the doors is open the other will remain locked.
Description:
CLEAN BURNING INCINERATOR AND METHOD OF USING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to waste disposal and more particularly to a novel waste disposal apparatus employing a means of extending the dwell time of incineration yielding a clean burn.

Description of Related Art

The disposal of waste and in particular the disposal of medical waste is an increasing problem due to the shortage of land available for waste sites and the risk of diseases being transmitted to individuals exposed to such waste sites. Incineration is an attractive means of eliminating these problems. However, a clean burn needs to be implemented such that unburned gases are not released to the environment.

A number of United States patents have issued which describe the use of incineration for the destruction of waste products. U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,512 shows a primary chamber, a secondary chamber and an ash discharge chamber. A spin in the material and residue of the substoichiometric combustion is generated which improves the separation of flue gas and flue ash. However, this generated spin facilitates an upward and rapid escape of the gas products towards the exhaust outlet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,468 describes a medical waste incinerator with primary and secondary incinerator chambers. The secondary chamber has a baffle to direct flow to provide a longer burn path. Since, the secondary incinerator is located on top of the primary incinerator, the means to lengthen the secondary burn is stymied due to the upward flow of warm air. In addition, when the door to the incinerator chamber is opened for loading, the exhaust will escape to the environment and may harm operating personnel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,340 discloses a method of subjecting the waste to an array of nozzles to produce plumes of an electrically generated high temperature plasma. This approach does not facilitate rapid incineration of large volumes of waste, since the waste is destroyed in steps or bites. Attempting to increase the size of bites to

be incinerated, increases the duty cycle of the nozzles, thereby decreasing their reliability. It will also decrease the efficiency of the system for achieving total destruction of waste. If the door is opened for loading, exhaust will escape to the environment and may harm operating personnel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,938 presents a mobile type of medical refuse incinerating vehicle which requires the main burner to be injected with oil or water for regulating the temperature of the inside of the furnace. U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,969 describes a method of non-thermal destruction of hazardous waste material using an electrode-less inductively coupled RF plasma torch. This method requires a number of different chambers and additional utilities such as cooling water for the electrodeless AF plasma torch chamber. Thus there is a need in the art for an improved waste disposal method that achieves a secondary burn of sufficient duration such that a clean burn is achieved.

There is another need in the art for an improved waste disposal method that achieves a controllable secondary burn. There is another need for an apparatus that can achieve a clean burn yet incinerate large volumes of waste in a timely and efficient fashion.

There is another need in the art for an incineration apparatus that does not require the need of additional substances such as oil and water for cooling the incineration chambers.

There is another need in the art for an incineration apparatus that consists of less parts, thereby being more reliable.

There is another need in the art for an incineration apparatus which ensures that the loading of waste can be conducted safely and without prematurely releasing exhaust to the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an incinerator that provides a secondary burn of sufficient duration to result in a clean burn.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an incinerator that has a controllable and variable secondary burn.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an incinerator that can achieve a clean burn yet incinerate large volumes of waste in a timely fashion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an incinerator that does not require the need of additional substances such as oil and water for cooling the incineration chambers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an incineration apparatus that consists of less parts thereby being more reliable. It is a further object of this invention to provide an incineration apparatus that allows that loading of waste can be conducted safely and without premature release of exhaust into the environment.

Thus, in accordance with the aforementioned objects, the present invention provides an incineration apparatus comprised of two chambers, with a primary chamber juxtaposed next to a secondary chamber. A controllable double door loading system and control of the relative air pressure of the two chambers, results in a safe and clean burn. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an incineration apparatus with a primary chamber juxtoposed next to a secondary chamber with both chambers being of cylindrical shape, but oriented vertically. The manner of loading waste, the type of components and their respective function is the same as of the first embodiment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an incinerator apparatus, comprising: a primary chamber; a secondary chamber, wherein said chamber is juxtaposed next to the primary chamber and is connected to said primary chamber by a transfer cavity which allows the gas products to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber; wherein both chambers contain blowers causing the air to tightly spin along the circumference and across the length of the chambers thus extending the dwell time of the gas products by maximizing the number of revolutions the air must travel prior to exiting the primary and secondary chambers; a controller that further extends the dwell time of the gas products in the chambers by impeding the flow of gases between the two chambers by regulating the relative air pressures of the two chambers; and a hopper comprised of an inner and an outer door that

is controlled to prevent both the inner and outer door from being opened simultaneously and to prevent the loading of waste into the primary chamber until all waste is incinerated in said primary chamber. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of incinerating waste in the incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , comprising the steps of: a) loading waste in the hopper with the external door open and the inner door closed; b) introducing waste into the primary chamber via the hopper with the inner door open and the external door closed; c) regulating the air pressure in the chambers while the waste in the primary chamber is being incinerated thereby impeding the flow of gas products from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber and to cause the gas products to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber via the transfer cavity after the waste in the primary chamber is incinerated; and d) creating a tight spin of air flow within the primary and secondary chambers so as to achieve a dwell time of sufficient duration to allow a clean burn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of the internal components of the apparatus and displays the direction and flow path of the gas products from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber via the transfer cavity; after which the gas products exit through the stack.

Figure 2 is a side view of the incinerator which does not display the sensors, stack and hopper. The circular flow of air along the circumference of the primary and secondary chambers is further illustrated.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate how the waste is loaded in the primary chamber and how the relative air pressure of the primary and secondary chambers vary per stage of burn. The chamber containing the V symbol indicates that said chamber has the greater air pressure; while the chamber containing the '-' symbol, is the chamber being of lower air pressure for a particular stage of burn. The arrow located in the transfer cavity for Figures 4 and 5, illustrates how the air tends to flow from the chamber of higher air pressure towards the chamber of lower air pressure. Figure 6 is a vertical cross section of the internal components of the second embodiment of this invention. The two chambers are of cyclindrical shape, oriented vertically, and juxtaposed next to one another. Due to the similarity of the components and their respective functions to the components and the respective functions to the first embodiment, the blower boxes and sensors are not displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As used herein, the term "primary chamber" refers to the chamber wherein the waste is introduced and incinerated, thereby being reduced to ash and gas products.

As used herein, the term, "secondary chamber" refers to the chamber that receives the remaining gas products from the primary chamber and subjects these gases to an additional burn.

As used herein, the term, "secondary burn" refers to the incineration that takes place in the secondary chamber, i.e., the incineration of the gas products that have flowed from the primary chamber via the transfer cavity.

As used herein, the term, "clean burn" refers to subjecting the gas products in the secondary chamber to a dwell time that will exceed three seconds.

As used herein, the term, "transfer cavity" refers to an opening or outlet of variable length shared by the primary and secondary chambers, that allows the gas products to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.

As used herein, the term, "blower box" refers to a fixture that contains a blower, i.e., a fan, mixing valve and gas nozzle. When

using other sources of heat other than gas, a blower box may denote only a blower.

As used herein, the term, "dwell time" refers to the duration of time the gas products are subjected to the burn within the secondary chamber.

As used herein, the term, "tight spin" denotes the near circular path of the air within the chamber which resembles a tightly compressed spiral.

The present invention is directed to an incinerator apparatus, comprising: a primary chamber; a secondary chamber, wherein said chamber is juxtaposed next to the primary chamber and is connected to said primary chamber by a transfer cavity which allows the gas products to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber; wherein both chambers contain blowers causing the air to tightly spin along the circumference and across the length of the chambers thus extending the dwell time of the gas products by maximizing the number of revolutions the air must travel prior to exiting the primary and secondary chambers; a controller that further extends the dwell time of the gas products in the chambers by impeding the flow of gases between the two chambers by regulating the relative air pressures of the two chambers; and a hopper comprised of an inner and an outer door that is controlled to prevent both the inner and outer door from being opened simultaneously and to prevent the loading of waste into the primary chamber until all waste is incinerated in said primary chamber. Preferably, the secondary chamber is cylindrical and the air flows in a tight swirl across the entire length of the chamber. The purpose of this being to create a long path of travel. It is the desired purpose to minimize any form of turbulence so that the swirl will extend throughout the chamber in as tight a spin as possible.

Generally, the primary chamber of the incinerator apparatus of the present invention has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, spherical, circular and oval shape. Moreover, the primary and secondary chambers of the incinerator apparatus may generally comprise a blower, heat source, and sensors. Preferably, the sensors are either a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor. Preferably, the blower is oriented to allow air to travel in a tight spin along the circumference of the chamber so as to increase the path the air must travel prior to exiting the chamber. In one

embodiment, the cylindrical chamber has a blower pointed such that the air travels along the circumference of the cyclinder and not along the flat side of the cylindrical chamber. In another embodiment, the primary chamber is cylindrical and is oriented horizontally or vertically. When the primary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity extends from the upper portion of the primary chamber.

In the incinerator apparatus of the present invention, the secondary chamber generally has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, spherical, circular and oval shape. When the secondary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity terminates at the lower portion of the secondary chamber.

The incinerator apparatus of the present invention has a double door loading system. This double door loading system prevents both doors from being opened simultaneously or from loading the waste in the primary chamber until the waste in said chamber is incinerated.

Preferably, in the incinerator apparatus of the present invention, the primary and secondary chambers contain sensors that enable the controller to measure the temperature and air pressure of both chambers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary and secondary chambers are oriented horizontally. In another embodiment, one or both of said chambers are oriented vertically. Preferably, when the primary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity extends from the upper portion of the primary chamber. When the secondary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity terminates at the lower extremity of the secondary chamber.

It is specifically contemplated that in the incinerator apparatus of the present invention, the flow of gases from the primary to the secondary chamber is impeded prior to solid waste incineration in the primary chamber, and the gas flow is controlled via the regulation of the relative air pressures of the two chambers such that the air pressure in the secondary chamber is greater than the air pressure in the primary chamber until all solid waste is incinerated in the primary chamber. It is also preferable that the relative air pressures of the two chambers are regulated such that the air pressure in the primary chamber is greater than the air pressure in the secondary chamber when the solid waste is fully incinerated in

the primary chamber causing the gases to flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.

In one embodiment of the incinerator apparatus, the air pressure in the primary chamber is decreased by insertion of waste material in the primary chamber, or decrease of air temperature, or increase in air flow velocity, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the air pressure in the secondary chamber may be decreased by decreasing the air temperature, or increasing air flow velocity, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention, the incinerator apparatus of the present invention further comprises a regulated stack, wherein the relative air pressures of the secondary chamber is controlled by impeding the flow of gases exiting the secondary chamber to the stack. In such an embodiment, the flow of gases from the secondary chamber to the regulated stack is achieved by regulating the relative air pressures of the secondary chamber and the regulated stack such that the air pressure in the secondary chamber is greater than the air pressure of the regulated stack. The air pressure in any of the chambers or regulated stack is increased via the increase of temperature, decrease air flow velocity, or a combination thereof.

In the incinerator apparatus of the present invention, the inner and outer doors are generally independently controlled. Further, the hopper doors are controlled such that if sensor readings indicate that the air pressure or temperature of the primary chamber is too low, the inner or outer doors doors remain locked. Also, the inner and outer doors may be controlled such that if sensor readings indicate that one of the doors is open the other will remain locked.

The present invention is also directed to a method of incinerating waste in the incinerator apparatus of claim 1 , comprising the steps of: a) loading waste in the hopper with the external door open and the inner door closed; b) introducing waste into the primary chamber via the hopper with the inner door open and the external door closed; c) regulating the air pressure in the chambers while the waste in the primary chamber is being incinerated so as to impede the flow of gas products from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber and to cause the gas products to flow from the primary

chamber to the secondary chamber via the transfer cavity after the waste in the primary chamber is incinerated; and d) creating a tight spin of air flow within the primary and secondary chambers so as to achieve a dwell time of sufficient duration to allow a clean burn.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, waste is introduced into the primary chamber and air pressure is regulated by increasing the air pressure in the secondary chamber or by decreasing the air pressure in the primary chamber. The air pressure in the primary chamber is decreased by varying the heat source or blowers or by allowing the temperature to be lowered naturally by the introduction of waste into the primary chamber.

In another embodiment of the method of the present invention, the dwell time may be extended by adding a mixing valve to a stack causing the air pressure within the secondary chamber to be less than the air pressure within the stack thereby impeding the flow of exhaust via the stack to the environment.

Within the present invention which may be used, inter alia, to incinerate medical waste, there is a swirl that causes the material and gases to move in a tight spin across the entire length of a cylindrical chamber. A water jacket is not required since the dwell time can be extended and thereby reduce the temperature that is required within the chamber. The dwell time in the primary chamber is extended via two techniques: ( 1) a tight spin is applied across the entire length of the chamber (which increases the length of the path of travel), and (2) the flow of gases is impeded until the air pressure in the primary chamber is greater than the air pressure in the secondary chamber.

With the present invention, the flow of material is restrained until all solid material is incinerated. This is achieved in the following manner: First, the air pressure in the primary chamber is maintained at a pressure that is less than the air pressure of the secondary chamber. The higher air pressure of the secondary chamber acts as a barrier preventing the flow of gases to the secondary chamber. Once all solid and ash is incinerated, the air pressure in the primary chamber is made to be greater than the air pressure of the secondary chamber. This causes the gases to then flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.

to

There are different ways a person with ordinary skill in this art would recognize that one could achieve proper relative air pressures at the proper stage of burn. For example, in one method the air pressure in the secondary chamber is kept constant through out the incineration process and only the air pressure of the primary chamber is varied. There are different means of achieving this method. For example, the air flow velocity of both the primary and secondary chambers can be kept the same and constant. One determines what the temperature (air pressure) of the primary chamber will be when the solids and ash are fully incinerated. The temperature (air pressure) in the primary chamber is lowest when the solid is introduced and gradually increases as more of the waste is incinerated. The temperature (air pressure) of the secondary chamber is kept at a level that is slightly below the highest temperature (air pressure) value for the primary chamber. Therefore, nothing will flow from the primary chamber until all solid and ash is incinerated. In another method, the air pressure in the secondary chamber is decreased when the ash and solid is fully incinerated in the primary chamber. With such an approach both the air pressures in the primary and secondary chambers are varied.

There are various acceptable methods of increasing and decreasing air pressures. For example, one can vary the air pressures of the two chambers by varying velocity of air flow while keeping the temperature of the two chambers constant or by varying the temperature of the two chambers in combination with varying the degree of air flow. The air pressure of the chambers is raised via raising the temperature, or by lowering the velocity of the air flow, or a combination of both.

The present invention can be designed such that the burn in the secondary chamber can be extended even further than would be accomplished by utilizing the approach of creating a longer path of travel alone (i.e., the tight spin). The approach is almost exactly the same as was described above, when the flow of gases from the primary chamber was impeded due to the greater air pressure in the secondary chamber. The only difference is that one would add a stack functioning as a third chamber; where a heat source and amount of swirl in the stack, act as a barrier to prevent the flow of gases from the secondary chamber to the stack, until desired. Similar to what was described above the air pressures can be varied in several ways (i.e.,

via through control of temperature velocity of air flow or a combination thereof).

The purpose of the door system of the present invention is to provide an interlock to prevent the escape of fumes and to prevent the loading of waste into the primary chamber until the solid waste has been fully incinerated. Premature loading of the primary chamber will decrease the efficiency of the system and lower the temperature to unacceptable levels.

With the invention, sensors are used to provide the controller information as to when allowing the opening of either the inner or outer door. The type of sensors to be used are not unique and can be acquired today from a number of different sources. In addition, there are a number of different ways in which the doors can be locked such as using locking mechanisms or magnetic devices. It is the manner in which they are applied that is unique with this invention. A controller reads the values of the pressure or temperature in the primary chamber. If the air pressure value in the primary chamber indicates that the waste has not been fully incinerated, the controller commands the outer or inner door or both to remain locked or to initiate locking. These same sensors may also be used to provide the controller with data as to which chamber is of higher air pressure. With this approach, sensors will indicate to the controller when the inner or outer door is open. The controller or interlock system will prevent the simultaneous opening of both doors for any duration of time. This approach is not dependent on the size or type of furnace and waste.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, incinerator 2 is comprised of a primary chamber 4, and secondary chamber 6 of cylindrical shape. Generally, the chambers will be cylindrical in shape to facilitate ease of manufacture; although the shape may be spherical, round or oval. This form of shape facilitates the spin of the gas products along the circumference of the chambers with minimal turbulence.

Extending from the primary chamber 4 to the secondary chamber 6, is a transfer cavity 8. The transfer cavity may be a pipe or formed by adjoining the flanges 10 of the two different chambers while aligning their respective holes. A hopper 12 is attached to the primary chamber 4 and consists of an external door 14 and inner door 16. The hopper can be attached to the top of the primary chamber or any side exclusive of the side containing the transfer

cavity 8. The hopper may be of variable shape, as long as the waste will fall or roll downwards towards the inner door 16. Thermal or pressure sensors 18 and a controller, ensure that the two doors, 1 4 and 16, cannot be opened simultaneously; and enable the controller to monitor the relative air pressure of the two chambers Within both chambers are blower boxes 20, which may consist of a nozzle, blower and mixer valve. When using other heat sources the blower box may just contain a blower. Attached to the secondary chamber 6 is a stack 22 that allows the gas products to escape to the environment. The mixing valve 24 is optional and is used to increase the temperature which in turn raises the air pressure in the stack 22 if a longer dwell time in the secondary chamber 6 is desired.

Thermal or pressure sensors 1 8 may be used to determine the proper opening and closing of the mixing valve for the purpose of raising or lowering of the temperature. There is no limit for the number of sensors used, since additional sensors may be used to cross check the sensor readings. This design does not limit the application of or combination of other forms of incineration whether it be induction (electrical), radio frequency, plasma arc, or microwave since by varying the temperature and velocity of the spin, the air pressure can be varied.

Such that the intent and design of the incineration apparatus is well understood the operation for the prefered embodiment is described. The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various aspects and embodiments of the present invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion.

The air pressure in both chambers is controlled by achieving the proper combination of temperature and velocity of air flow. For the sake of simplifying the operation and convenience, the following description of operation demonstrates the proper variation of air pressure per stage by only varying the air temperature. However, this does not preclude one from applying other means of operation which will be readily recognizable by those people having ordinary skill in this art, such as varying the air pressure with air flow alone or combining the variation of air flow with the variation of air temperature.

Referring to Figures 3 through 5, the incinerator consists of a primary chamber 4 juxtaposed next to a secondary chamber 6

with both chambers being of cylindrical shape, and connected by a transfer cavity. Bagged or boxed waste is first placed in the hopper 12 which contains an internal 16 and external 14 door. With the opening of the internal door 16, the waste is introduced in the primary chamber 4. It is important to the workings of the incinerator apparatus that the internal door 16 remain closed while the external door is open; and that the external door 14 remain closed while the inner door 16 is open. This manner of operation provides protection to operating personnel and prevents exhaust from prematurely escaping to the environment.

It is also important to the workings of the incinerator apparatus that the loading of the primary chamber 4 with new waste be prevented until the waste is completely incinerated in the primary chamber 4 . Premature loading of new waste will lower the temperature to undesired levels, thereby lowering the efficency of the system and causing premature release of the exhaust to the environment. This may be implemented by preventing the inner 1 or external door 14 from opening until the temperature or air pressure in the primary chamber has exceeded a certain threshold, or until a certain amount of time has elapsed from when the waste was first introduced in the primary chamber 4.

It is important to the workings of the incinerator apparatus, when utilizing chambers of cylindrical shape, that the blowers be pointed such that the air flows along the circumference of the chambers in a tight spin, such that there be minimal turbulence. If the air spins along the side containing the transfer cavity outlet 8 , i.e., the flat side, a significant amount of turbuence is generated. It is also this generated spin, that creates a longer travel path of the gas and particulates, such that the dwell time is extended. In addition, the generated spin of air prevents waste from remaining in the lower extremities of the chamber.

As noted in Figure 4, it is important to the workings of the incinerator apparatus that the pressure in the primary chamber 4 be less than the pressure in the secondary chamber 6 until all solid waste is incinerated. The higher air pressure in the secondary chamber 6 , causes the air to flow from the secondary chamber 6 , to the primary chamber 4, thereby impeding the flow of gas products and particulate matter from the primary chamber 4.

The manner of control may be to vary the air pressure of the primary chamber 4 and to maintain the air pressure of the secondary chamber 6 relatively constant. For this manner of control the proper air pressure in the primary chamber 4 per stage of burn may be achieved via manipulation of the heat source and blowers; or by presetting the temperature of the primary chamber 4 such that it is higher than the temperature of the secondary chamber 6 when the primary chamber 4 is devoid of waste. As material is introduced into the chamber, the temperature will be lowered naturally, without the need to manipulate the heat source or velocity of air flow.

This does not preclude one from varying the air pressure in the secondary chamber to impede premature flow of gas products from the primary chamber, though such a mode of operation is more complicated to achieve. It is also important to the workings of the incinerator apparatus, that once the solid waste is completely incinerated that the air pressure in the primary chamber 4 be greater than the air pressure of the secondary chamber 6. As the solid waste continues to burn, the temperature in the primary chamber 4 gradually increases. Once the solid waste has been totally incinerated, the temperature increases to the point that the air pressure in the primary chamber 4 is now greater than the secondary chamber 6. One may also increase the air pressure in the primary chamber 4 via manipulation of the heat source and air flow; or via the lowering of the air pressure of the secondary chamber 6. As illustrated in Figure 5, the gas products will then flow from the primary chamber 4 , through the transfer cavity 8 to the secondary chamber 6.

It is thus important to the workings of the incinerator apparatus that the proper combination of the air pressures of the primary and secondary chambers be selected per stage of burn.

The manner in which the air flows and the means of maintaining the proper air pressure in the secondary chamber 6 is the same as was described with the primary chamber 4. The air then flows from the secondary chamber 6 to the environment through the stack 22. The dwell time of the secondary burn should be sufficient, however, this dwell time can be significantly increased via the addition of a mixing valve 24 being placed inside the stack 22. This will cause the air pressure within the stack 22 to be greater than the air pressure of the secondary chamber 6 , thereby preventing air

from flowing to the stack 22 until the temperature within the stack is decreased.

Refering to Figure 6 illustrating another embodiment of the present invention conprising a primary chamber 4 , juxtaposed next to a secondary chamber 6 , with both chambers being of cylindrical shape, but standing vertically.

The manner in which the secondary burn is extended, is similar to the first embodiment of the invention, since the length of burn is extended via the spin of the air flow; and the control of the relative air pressures of the primary and secondary chambers. This configuration differs in the direction of which the air flows within the two chambers, which is upwards.

More pressure will be required in this configuration to prevent the gas products from prematurely flowing to the secondary chamber and to the environment. In addition, more components will be required due to the lengthened transfer cavity. However, with the chambers oriented vertically, one minimizes the required amount of floor space that the incineration apparatus occupies.

In Figure 6, the transfer cavity 8 is illustrated as originating from the top of the primary chamber, from where it extends to the top of the secondary chamber 6. From the top of the secondary chamber 6, it extends downwards internal to the chamber, where it terminates at the chambers lower portion.

The transfer cavity may be of a number of different configurations whether it extends to a greater extent external to the secondary chamber or it be of a different point of origination from the primary chamber and termination within the secondary chamber. The objective of the transfer cavity is to provide a pathway for the gas products to exit via the upper portion of the primary chamber and then to be released in the lower portion of the secondary chamber. A long path of travel for the gas products has then been created within the two chambers, thereby ensuring a clean burn.

After reviewing the two above mentioned embodiments, it will be self evident that one of the chambers may be oriented horizontally with the other being oriented vertically. If the primary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity will originate from the upper portion. If the secondary chamber is oriented vertically, the transfer cavity will terminate at the lower portion of the secondary chamber. For such a configuration, no additional

description is required since its operation and equipment description is the same as has been described for the two above mentioned embodiments.

In this invention, since the burn is extended via the juxtaposition of the chambers, the extended path of air travel created by the tight spin of air, and the control of relative air pressure between the two chambers, a wide range of dwell time is possible. In addition, a longer dwell time enables one to lower the temperature extremes. Therefore, there is no need for applying other substances such as oil and water that is needed in prior art apraratuses to cool the walls of the chamber.

It is thus a principal object of this invention to provide for the total and safe destruction of waste in a more efficient and effective manner than has been heretofore possible. Any patents or publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The present examples along with the methods, procedures, or apparatuses described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: