WO1993017759A1 - Material processing - Google Patents
Material processing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1993017759A1 WO1993017759A1 PCT/AU1993/000089 AU9300089W WO9317759A1 WO 1993017759 A1 WO1993017759 A1 WO 1993017759A1 AU 9300089 W AU9300089 W AU 9300089W WO 9317759 A1 WO9317759 A1 WO 9317759A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- process according
- pyrolyser
- plasma
- stream
- tube
- Prior art date
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 130
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 title description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 51
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 48
- 238000010791 quenching Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000000197 pyrolysis Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000000171 quenching effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 231100000167 toxic agent Toxicity 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 39
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010891 electric arc Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 229910052756 noble gas Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 abstract description 14
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 abstract description 13
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 abstract description 10
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 9
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 9
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 7
- 238000005215 recombination Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000006798 recombination Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 150000002013 dioxins Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical group [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 150000001722 carbon compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010494 dissociation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005593 dissociations Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003440 toxic substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010891 toxic waste Substances 0.000 description 3
- VGVRPFIJEJYOFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol Chemical class OC1=C(Cl)C=C(Cl)C(Cl)=C1Cl VGVRPFIJEJYOFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011143 downstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002240 furans Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004071 soot Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000000889 atomisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000711 cancerogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000315 carcinogenic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003795 desorption Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003673 groundwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 231100000419 toxicity Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000001988 toxicity Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D3/00—Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances
- A62D3/40—Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances by heating to effect chemical change, e.g. pyrolysis
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D1/00—Fire-extinguishing compositions; Use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires
- A62D1/0028—Liquid extinguishing substances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D3/00—Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances
- A62D3/10—Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances by subjecting to electric or wave energy or particle or ionizing radiation
- A62D3/19—Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances by subjecting to electric or wave energy or particle or ionizing radiation to plasma
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
- C10B19/00—Heating of coke ovens by electrical means
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
- C10B39/00—Cooling or quenching coke
- C10B39/04—Wet quenching
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
- C10B53/00—Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D2101/00—Harmful chemical substances made harmless, or less harmful, by effecting chemical change
- A62D2101/20—Organic substances
- A62D2101/22—Organic substances containing halogen
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D2101/00—Harmful chemical substances made harmless, or less harmful, by effecting chemical change
- A62D2101/20—Organic substances
- A62D2101/28—Organic substances containing oxygen, sulfur, selenium or tellurium, i.e. chalcogen
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D2203/00—Aspects of processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless, or less harmful, by effecting chemical change in the substances
- A62D2203/04—Combined processes involving two or more non-distinct steps covered by groups A62D3/10 - A62D3/40
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
- A62D2203/00—Aspects of processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless, or less harmful, by effecting chemical change in the substances
- A62D2203/10—Apparatus specially adapted for treating harmful chemical agents; Details thereof
Definitions
- This invention relates to material processing such as the destruction of toxic waste matter, and is concerned with both a process and apparatus. It will be convenient to hereinafter particularly describe the invention with reference to the example application to destruction of waste matter.
- This invention relates particularly but not exclusively to treatment of waste products resulting from chemical treatment, chemical conversion and the like.
- These products often contain highly toxic directly physiologically active or carcinogenic substances.
- such products can include per- or poly- chlorinated and per- or polyfluorinated aliphatic or aromatic substances such as chlorophenols, dioxins and furans. In addition to their toxicity, these compounds often exhibit high chemical and thermal resistance.
- Waste matter destruction is becoming a problem of great magnitude throughout the world.
- Two methods of removing contaminated material have become established, namely land fill and high temperature combustion techniques.
- the toxic matter In the land fill technique, which generally only applies to solids, the toxic matter is not destroyed, but is simply stored in dumps. At best the dumps are designed to prevent contamination of ground water by waste matter deposited therein. This technique is not suited to some areas, for example, areas in which there is an ongoing danger of leakage, seepage or the like.
- the high temperature combustion technique the generally attainable temperatures, for example up to 1500 C, are insufficient to destroy all the toxic substances. The most thermally stable harmful substances are thus delivered into the atmosphere. Further the combustion process can promote the formation of additional dioxins and furans which are then also delivered into the atmosphere.
- a process for material processing according to the invention is characterised in that a body of material is introduced into a pyrolyser and is subjected to high temperature for a period of time sufficient to achieve substantially complete pyrolysis, after which the material leaves the pyrolyser and is then subjected to rapid quenching.
- the quenched material is subjected to an environment in which residual toxic compounds are adsorbed on a solid carrier substance so as to be thereby capable of separation from the main body of the material.
- the solid carrier substance referred to above is particulate carbon, and it is further preferred that the carbon is formed by the treatment of the waste material in the pyrolyser.
- the material to be treated may be in the form of a liquid which is atomised on introduction to the pyrolyser.
- the material may be in a particulate solid form or in the form of a gas.
- the pyrolyser includes a high energy electrothermal plasma into which the atomised material is injected so as to result in dissociation of the molecules of which the material is composed. The speed at which such dissociation occurs is governed, at least in part, by the temperature of the plasma. It is further preferred that the material emerges from the plasma arc as a stream which passes through a hot zone within which the temperature of the material is maintained at a sufficiently high level to encourage continuation of the pyrolysis which is commenced within the plasma.
- Residence time within the hot zone may be determined as appropriate to increase the probability that there is complete dissociation of all molecules within the material stream.
- the material stream is cooled by being subjected to rapid quenching in a cooling zone after leaving the hot zone, and the speed of quenching is preferably such as to prevent, or at least minimise, recombination of the dissociated ions.
- Residual toxic compounds which are separated from the material stream by absorption on particulate carbon as previously described may be destroyed by subjecting the particulate carbon to appropriate further treatment.
- the aforementioned hot zone is defined by a tube (hereinafter called the flight tube) through which the material stream travels between the plasma arc and the cooling zone.
- the material stream preferably enters that tube immediately upon emerging from the plasma arc.
- the dimensions and construction of the flight tube can have an influence on the efficiency of the process as hereinafter discussed.
- the pyrolysis of material such as waste material may result in production of carbon particles as soot or activated carbon, and those particles could influence downstream processing of the material.
- the particles could block or partially block the flight tube. This will especially be the case where the material to be treated comprises mainly hydrocarbons.
- the material comprises mainly oxygen containing organic compounds, there may not be a problem with excessive carbon particles.
- oxygen is introduced into the plasma so as to react with carbon particles as may be formed, and thereby produce gaseous carbon compounds with the concomitant evolution of heat.
- Such addition of oxygen may therefore lower the level of solid carbon within the material stream so as to more easily facilitate downstream processing of that material for example, facilitate passage of the material stream through the flight tube.
- the liberated heat assists in maintaining the temperature of the material stream suitably high as it passes through the flight tube to resist recombination to form toxic compounds.
- the need to convert solid carbon to gaseous carbon compounds by addition of oxygen to the process material may be eliminated, or at least reduced, by the dilution of the material to be processed in an inert carrier liquid which passes through the apparatus without affecting the reaction dynamics.
- the carrier liquid will have the effect of lowering the percentage by weight of carbon particles in the stream issuing from the plasma.
- the amount of inert carrier liquid added will be controlled to reduce the percentage by weight of carbon particles to a level that avoids blockages of equipment without the addition of any oxygen.
- the level of carbon particles in the material stream issuing from the flight tube may be such as to cause blocking or partially blocking at the cooling zone and/or at some other part of the apparatus following the cooling zone, and that may occur notwithstanding the introduction of oxygen into the plasma as described above.
- further oxygen is added to the stream issuing from the flight tube so as to react with the carbon particles and lower the level of particles within the material stream.
- the reaction of the oxygen with the carbon is exothermic which assists in maintaining the temperature of the material stream suitably high until actual quenching of the stream takes place.
- the high temperatures tend to resist recombination of ions to form toxic compounds. It is preferred that a sharp temperature gradient be effectively provided at the cooling zone.
- the cooled material may be exposed to an alkaline environment for encouraging the adsorption of any acidic residual toxic compounds on the carrier substance, for example carbon particles.
- toxic compounds which escape pyrolysis, or which are formed by recombination following pyrolysis can be isolated on the carbon particles, and those particles may be separated from the remainder of the processed material by any suitable means. By way of example, that separation may be achieved through filtration.
- the separated carbon particles, with toxic compounds adsorbed thereon, may be subjected to further treatment to decompose the toxic compounds.
- the particles may be subjected to further treatment which leads to the toxic compounds being desorbed into a liquid which is then recirculated through the process.
- the carbon particles may be disposed of by landfill.
- the procedure adopted in any circumstance will generally depend on the level of toxic compounds on the carbon particles.
- material treatment apparatus including, a pyrolyser comprising means for generating a plasma arc and means for containing plasma beyond the region of said arc, means for introducing material into said pyrolyser as a fine spray and/or as a gas, said material introducing means being located at or adjacent the region of said arc, said pyrolyser having a material exit end, and quenching means located at or adjacent said exit end.
- Figure 1 is a flow diagram representing one form of the process according to the invention.
- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view through one form of pyrolyser for use in a process as represented by Figure 1.
- Figure 3 is a semi-diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one form of flight tube suitable for use in the apparatus shown by Figure 2.
- Figure 4 is a semi-daigrammatic cross-sectional view of another form of flight tube suitable for use in the apparatus of Figure 2.
- Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- the line 1 represents the path of the material to be treated as it is introduced into the pyrolyser 2.
- the material may be introduced into the pyrolyser 2 in any suitable form, but it is preferred that it be in the form of a fine spray of liquid and/or solid particles, or a gas, or a combination of such a fine spray and a gas. It is further preferred that the material be injected into the pyrolyser 2 under pressure.
- the stream of liquid may be atomised at or immediately preceding the point of injection into the pyrolyser 2 , and any suitable nozzle or other means may be used for that purpose.
- the liquid droplets resulting from the atomisation have a diameter of 100 microns or less.
- the liquid droplets need to be sufficiently small to enable complete pyrolysis. If they are too large, the surface of the droplets may merely char under the conditions existing within the pyrolyser 2.
- each of those particles is preferably of a suitably small size for the reason given above.
- a particle size of 100 microns or less will generally be satisfactory.
- the pyrolyser 2 includes means 3 for generating a plasma arc 4 so as to enable production of a high energy electrothermal plasma.
- the pyrolyser 2 also includes a hot zone 6 immediately following the arc generating means
- the plasma gas 7 is argon or an argon mixture as that produces an inert plasma atmosphere in which the pyrolysis takes place.
- the arc generating means 3 may, for example, be a plasma torch the same as or similar to that disclosed by PCT Patent Application
- the temperature within the plasma may typically be in the region 10,000°C to 15,000°C.
- other types of plasma such as a steam plasma may also be used.
- the direction in which the material to be treated is introduced into the plasma arc 4 may be selected according to preference or circumstances.
- the direction may be generally parallel to the line of the arc 4, or generally transverse thereto, but the later is usually preferred.
- the region of the pyrolyser 2 at which the material to be treated is introduced into the plasma is maintained at a suitably high temperature, for example, a temperature of 1,000°C or preferably higher.
- the material may be injected directly into the core of the plasma arc 4, or at least close to the downstream attachment 8 of the arc 4. If direct injection is not possible, the surfaces of the torch 3 in the region of material introduction may be heated to maintain a temperature of a suitably high level.
- FIG 2 provides a clearer indication of the preferred location of the point 9 at which material to be treated is introduced into the pyrolyser 2.
- the particular torch 3 which is shown in Figure 2 , and which forms part of the pyrolyser 2, includes a cathode 10 and two anodes 11 and 12 separated by a bank 13 of spacers.
- the anode 11 functions as a start-up anode for initiating the arc 4, and once generated the arc 4 is then extended so that its downstream attachment 8 is at the anode 12.
- Other forms of torches could be adopted.
- material to be treated is injected into the torch passage 14 at or adjacent the location of the arc attachment 8.
- the direction of that injection is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the passage 14 as that facilitates injection into the core of the arc 4.
- the molecules which make-up the injected material are caused to dissociate under the influence of the high temperatures prevailing within the plasma, and the material thereby undergoes pyrolysis, or at least substantial pyrolysis.
- the material emerges from the plasma arc 4 as a stream 5 which is directed into and through the hot zone 6.
- the stream of material 5 is primarily a gas having associated therewith particles of solid carbon in the form of soot.
- the hot zone 6 is formed by an elongate hollow tube which will be hereinafter referred to as the flight tube.
- the tube 6 in effect forms an extension or continuation of the torch passage 14, and the dimensions of the tube 6 will be selected to suit particular requirements and circumstances.
- the tube 6 It is a basic function of the tube 6 to provide containment of the material stream 5 in an environment which promotes continuation of the pyrolysis process. That is, it may happen that pyrolysis of the material is not completed within the torch 3, and the function of the tube 6 is to provide an extension of the environment within which pyrolysis takes place. In particular, the tube 6 extends the residence time of the material within an appropriate high temperature environment and thereby optimises the possibility that complete pyrolysis will be achieved.
- the flight tube is slender and has a diameter to length ratio of about 2 in 25.
- the length of the tube may be selected so as to achieve a suitable residence time of the processed material within the tube and any suitable diameter to length ratio may be adopted. The nature of the toxic compounds within the material to be treated will -9- influence the determination of an appropriate residence time within the tube 6.
- the temperature of the stream 5 entering the tube 6 may be above 3,500 C and the temperature of the stream exiting the tube 6 may be 1,200°C, or thereabouts.
- the fluid flow boundary layer of the material stream which contacts the surrounding surface of the tube 6 will tend to cool because of ' that contact.
- the tube 6 may be designed in such a way as to enable control of the boundary layer so that it is kept as thin as possible.
- it is desirable that the temperature of the material stream is substantially consistent throughout that stream as it emerges from the exit end 15 of the pyrolyser 2.
- Figure 3 The inner surface of the flight tube 6 shown in Figure 3 is provided with a series of lips 16 which tend to deflect the boundary layer of the material stream 5 back towards the axial center of that stream.
- the resulting turbulence inhibits the formation of a distinct cool boundary layer, and there is continual mixing of the boundary layer with the inner relatively hot body of the material stream such that a substantially consistent temperature is maintained across the width of the stream.
- Figure 4 illustrates another approach in which the tube 6 has a lining 17 which is capable of withstanding high temperatures, and particularly temperatures above 1,000°C.
- the lining 17 may be composed of a ceramic material. If desired, such an arrangement may be modified by introducing an external source of heat to the lining 17 at an appropriate location, such as adjacent to the exit end 15 of the pyrolyser 2.
- the body 18 of the tube 6 which surrounds the lining 17 may be cooled by water (for example) entering at the inlet 19 and exiting at the outlet 20. Similar cooling may be desirable in other forms of the tube 6, including that shown in Figure 3.
- the material stream 5 issuing from the torch 3 will contain carbon particles.
- a stream of oxygen may be fed into the pyrolyser 2 for converting some of the carbon particles to gaseous carbon compounds.
- the oxygen is fed into the torch 3 at a location 21 adjacent the point 9 at which the material to be treated is introduced.
- Other arrangements are clearly possible.
- the tube 6 may include a graphite lining.
- it may be important to control the stream of oxygen entering at 21, so as to maintain an oxygen deficient atmosphere within the tube 6.
- the ratio of oxygen to carbon may be maintained at 30% below stoichiometric levels. If such an atmosphere is not maintained some oxygen may react with the carbon of the tube lining, thereby eating away the lining.
- the material stream 5 passing out of the exit end 15 of the pyrolyser 2 is subjected to quenching in a cooling zone 22.
- the material is then, and/or subsequently, subjected to an environment as hereinafter described in which residual toxic organic compounds are adsorbed on a particulate carrier.
- the carrier substance may be provided by the unreacted carbon particles remaining within the material stream 5.
- the level of carbon particles in the material stream 5 passing out of the exit end 15 may, for example, be 1% by weight, or greater. Such a level of carbon may cause clogging or blocking of components of the processing apparatus which follow the pyrolyser 2.
- the carbon content of the material stream entering the cooling zone 22 is in the order of 0.5% by weight.
- the introduction of the further oxygen stream 23 may have another effect. That is, the heat generated by the reaction of that oxygen with carbon may assist in maintaining the material stream 5 at a suitably high temperature right up until actual quenching takes place.
- the temperature of the material stream 5 just prior to quenching be at least 1,500 C, and it is preferred that the temperature be in order of 1,800°C to 2,000°C.
- the higher temperatures resist recombination of dissociated ions to form toxic compounds, for example dioxins.
- the cooling zone 22 includes a bank of sprays 24 arranged to produce a cool barrier 25 through which the material stream 5 must pass. That is, the stream 5 is confined to a passage 26 which is completely filled at the location of the sprays 24 by the barrier 25.
- the arrangement is such that quenching of the material stream is complete, and that as a result there is a very sudden sharp drop in the temperature of the material.
- the passage 26 is formed as an extension of the passage through the tube 6.
- the cooled material issuing from the cooling zone 22 may be passed into and through a scrubber 27 as shown.
- the pH of the scrubber 27 will generally be alkaline for removing acidic compounds from the material received.
- the carbon particles within that material may be dispersed within a body 28 of the alkaline scrubber liquor so that acidic organic compounds are encouraged to be adsorbed on the carbon particles.
- the optimum process parameters such as pH and temperature of the scrubber, liquor which are required to achieve maximum toxic organic compound adsorption, may be determined by routine experimentation.
- the scrubber liquor is a sodium hydroxide solution, but other types of liquor may be used.
- the same liquor may be used in the quench sprays 24 and the scrubber sprays 29.
- a pump 30 may operate to draw liquor from the liquor body 28 to feed the sprays 24 and 29.
- the line 31 in Figure 1 represents the supply of liquor to the scrubber 27, and the line 32 represents the withdrawal of spent liquor from the scrubber 27.
- the carbon particles may be separated from the scrubber liquor by means of a simple filtration process, which is indicated in Figure 1 by the block 33. That filtration may be carried out on a continuous basis or on a batch basis.
- the toxic organic compounds adsorbed on the carbon particles may be separated from the carbon particles by a desorption process which is represented by the block 34 in Figure 1. That is, the adsorption process effected in the scrubber 27 is reversed.
- the compounds are typically desorbed in water which can be recycled through the process as part of the material input 1.
- the scrubber 27 has a rectangular configuration and is substantially larger than the tube which forms the cooling zone 22.
- a plurality of scrubber sprays 29 are located in the operatively upper region of the scrubber 27 for directing scrubber liquor as a fine spray or mist. The direction of that spray or mist is preferably downwards.
- the apparatus may include an explosion vent 35 as shown in Figure 5, to vent the system in the event of the build-up of an explosive gaseous mixture. This is an important safety feature to reduce the danger of explosion.
- the explosion vent is of known form and construction.
- the vent 35 is located adjacent the scrubber 27.
- the material which has remained in the gaseous form and which has not been scrubbed from the gas in the scrubber 27, may be passed to atmosphere by way of a stack 36 shown in Figure 5.
- the stack 36 may, for example, include a number of stack sprays 37 which operate to remove any remaining traces of gaseous compounds having an affinity for an aqueous alkaline environment.
- the stack sprays 37 are supplied with liquor by way of the pump 30.
- the pyrolyser 2 specifically, and the entire apparatus more generally, forms a very compact unit which lends itself to on-site use.
- the apparatus can be integrated into an existing process so that there is no nett production of toxic waste. This is a major advantage as the transportation of toxic substances is hazardous.
- a unique characteristic of the process described is the deliberate retention of particulate carbon within the stream of material and the control of the process conditions such that the carbon particles act as a carrier substance for toxic organic compounds which have survived the pyrolysis phase of the process. That is, the organic compounds which survived the processing steps preceding the quenching process, are effectively captured by attachment or adsorption on the carbon particles. The surviving organic compounds are thereby captured in a manner which facilitates convenient disposal or alternatively subsequent processing as considered appropriate, depending on the level of toxic organic compounds. That is contrary to the accepted practice of inhibiting carbon formation in existing toxic compound destruction processes.
- a process according to the invention is useful for the effective destruction of a wide variety of toxic products, including chlorophenols and dioxins. The process is robust and safe.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
- Chemical Or Physical Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
- Gasification And Melting Of Waste (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
- Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE69329189T DE69329189T2 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-03-04 | FABRIC TREATMENT |
AU36230/93A AU669158B2 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-03-04 | Material processing |
EP93905105A EP0629138B1 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-03-04 | Material processing |
ES93905105T ES2149199T3 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-03-04 | MATERIALS PROCESSING. |
AT93905105T ATE195261T1 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-03-04 | FABRIC TREATMENT |
US08/633,556 US5866753A (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1996-04-17 | Material processing |
GR20000402490T GR3034802T3 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 2000-11-09 | Material processing. |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPL1188 | 1992-03-04 | ||
AUPL118892 | 1992-03-04 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1993017759A1 true WO1993017759A1 (en) | 1993-09-16 |
Family
ID=3776019
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU1993/000089 WO1993017759A1 (en) | 1992-03-04 | 1993-03-04 | Material processing |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0629138B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1036635C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE195261T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69329189T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2149199T3 (en) |
GR (1) | GR3034802T3 (en) |
PT (1) | PT629138E (en) |
WO (1) | WO1993017759A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO1997044096A1 (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1997-11-27 | State Of Israel Atomic Energy Commission Soreq Nuclear Research Center | Plasma incineration method |
DE19722649A1 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1998-12-03 | Buck Chem Tech Werke | Weapons disposal method using separated modular plant |
WO2000013785A1 (en) * | 1998-09-02 | 2000-03-16 | Jacobus Swanepoel | Treatment of solid carbonaceous material |
US6193934B1 (en) * | 1998-09-22 | 2001-02-27 | Beltran, Inc. | Corona-induced chemical scrubber for the control of NOx emissions |
WO2006117355A1 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2006-11-09 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Method and system for producing synthesis gas |
WO2007125047A1 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-08 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Gasification reactor and its use |
WO2007125046A1 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-08 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Gasification system and its use |
ITPI20080072A1 (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2010-02-07 | Reco 2 S R L | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING GAS |
US8490635B2 (en) | 2008-09-01 | 2013-07-23 | Shell Oil Company | Self cleaning nozzle arrangement |
US8960651B2 (en) | 2008-12-04 | 2015-02-24 | Shell Oil Company | Vessel for cooling syngas |
US9051522B2 (en) | 2006-12-01 | 2015-06-09 | Shell Oil Company | Gasification reactor |
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FR2858570B1 (en) * | 2003-08-04 | 2006-11-17 | Gerard Poulleau | PROCESS FOR THE THERMOLYSIS AND / OR DRYING OF ORGANIC WASTE USING A BALL OVEN |
CA2536344C (en) * | 2003-08-21 | 2009-04-07 | International Environmental Solutions Corporation | Chamber support for pyrolytic waste treatment system |
CA2753043A1 (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2012-09-18 | Pyrogenesis Canada Inc. | Steam plasma arc hydrolysis of ozone depleting substances |
CN102284172B (en) * | 2011-06-08 | 2013-04-24 | 深圳市迈科瑞环境科技有限公司 | Method and equipment for treating solid waste containing semi-volatile organic contaminant |
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1993
- 1993-03-04 DE DE69329189T patent/DE69329189T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-04 WO PCT/AU1993/000089 patent/WO1993017759A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-03-04 ES ES93905105T patent/ES2149199T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-04 CN CN93103682A patent/CN1036635C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-03-04 EP EP93905105A patent/EP0629138B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-03-04 PT PT93905105T patent/PT629138E/en unknown
- 1993-03-04 AT AT93905105T patent/ATE195261T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2000
- 2000-11-09 GR GR20000402490T patent/GR3034802T3/en unknown
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US6222153B1 (en) | 1996-05-20 | 2001-04-24 | State Of Israel Atomic Energy Commission Soreq Nuclear Research Center | Pulsed-plasma incineration method |
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WO2000013785A1 (en) * | 1998-09-02 | 2000-03-16 | Jacobus Swanepoel | Treatment of solid carbonaceous material |
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US8685119B2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2014-04-01 | Shell Oil Company | Method and system for producing synthesis gas, gasification reactor, and gasification system |
WO2006117355A1 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2006-11-09 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Method and system for producing synthesis gas |
WO2007125047A1 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-08 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Gasification reactor and its use |
RU2441900C2 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2012-02-10 | Шелл Интернэшнл Рисерч Маатсхаппий Б.В. | Gasification device and its application |
WO2007125046A1 (en) * | 2006-05-01 | 2007-11-08 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Gasification system and its use |
US9051522B2 (en) | 2006-12-01 | 2015-06-09 | Shell Oil Company | Gasification reactor |
ITPI20080072A1 (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2010-02-07 | Reco 2 S R L | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING GAS |
WO2010015405A1 (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2010-02-11 | Re.Co 2 Srl | Gas cleaning method and apparatus |
CN102137705A (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2011-07-27 | Re.Co2公司 | Gas cleaning method and apparatus |
US8490635B2 (en) | 2008-09-01 | 2013-07-23 | Shell Oil Company | Self cleaning nozzle arrangement |
US9261307B2 (en) | 2008-09-01 | 2016-02-16 | Shell Oil Company | Self cleaning nozzle arrangement |
US8960651B2 (en) | 2008-12-04 | 2015-02-24 | Shell Oil Company | Vessel for cooling syngas |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0629138A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 |
CN1036635C (en) | 1997-12-10 |
PT629138E (en) | 2001-01-31 |
CN1081923A (en) | 1994-02-16 |
GR3034802T3 (en) | 2001-02-28 |
DE69329189D1 (en) | 2000-09-14 |
ES2149199T3 (en) | 2000-11-01 |
DE69329189T2 (en) | 2001-01-25 |
ATE195261T1 (en) | 2000-08-15 |
EP0629138B1 (en) | 2000-08-09 |
EP0629138A4 (en) | 1995-01-04 |
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