WASTE TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD
In apparatus and method for waste treatment by pyrolysis, treated waste is flushed through a grid ( 18 ) to trap recyclable material in the pyrolysis chamber ( 24 ). Pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of from 400-700° C. and off-gases are dissolved in a solution in scrubber ( 13 ) for disposal in a water course. Water is introduced into the chamber as superheated steam via pipes ( 5 ) so as both to flush away treated material and clean the chamber. Recyclable waste is separated from non-recyclable by treating non-recyclable waste by pyrolysis, and flushing treated non-recyclable waste away through liquid exhaust ( 8 ). Apparatus is made as a modular, free-standing unit and comprises plugs for connection to an electricity supply, to a water supply, and to a sewerage system ( 16 ) and has a chamber with a volume in the range 0.01-0.5m 3 .
1 .- 81 . (canceled)
82 . A cyclic process for waste treatment comprising:
introducing waste into a chamber;
heating the waste to effect pyrolysis of the waste at a temperature of from about 300° C. to about 700° C.;
introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste at a temperature of at least about 400° C.; and
flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam.
83 . The process of claim 82 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C.
84 . The process of claim 82 , wherein the temperature to effect pyrolysis is from about 400° C. to about 600° C.
85 . The process of claim 82 , wherein the water enters the chamber and is converted to steam therein.
86 . The process of claim 82 , comprising flushing the combusted waste from the chamber into the sewage system.
87 . A pyrolysis apparatus comprising:
a sealable chamber including a waste treatment zone in the chamber;
a first port for introducing waste into the chamber;
an exit port for flushing treated waste from the chamber;
a heating element;
an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen to the waste treatment zone to allow gasification of waste in the waste treatment zone; and
a water supply for flushing treated waste from the waste treatment zone with water and/or steam;
wherein the apparatus is adapted to pyrolyse the waste at a temperature of from about 300° C. to about 700° C., followed by gasification of the waste at at least about 400° C.
88 . The apparatus of claim 87 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C.
89 . The apparatus of claim 87 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to operate in cycles, such that at the end of a waste treatment cycle the chamber is ready to begin a further waste treatment cycle and each cycle comprises:
introducing waste into the chamber;
heating the waste to an elevated temperature to effect pyrolysis of the waste;
introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste; and
flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam.
90 . The apparatus of claim 87 , wherein the chamber comprises an output for connection to a sewer so that the treated waste can be flushed into the sewage system.
91 . The apparatus of claim 87 , further comprising:
a gas treatment solution; and
a conduit arranged to contact gases exiting the chamber with the solution.
92 . A process for waste treatment comprising:
introducing waste into a chamber;
heating the waste to an elevated temperature to effect pyrolysis of the waste;
introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste; and
flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam,
wherein the water enters the chamber and is converted to steam therein.
93 . The process of claim 92 , wherein the process is cyclic such that at the end of a waste treatment cycle the chamber is ready to begin a further waste treatment cycle.
94 . The process of claim 92 , wherein the temperature to effect pyrolysis is from about 300° C. to about 700° C.
95 . The process of claim 92 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from at least about 400° C.
96 . The process of claim 92 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C.
97 . A pyrolysis apparatus comprising:
a sealable chamber including a waste treatment zone in the chamber;
a first port for introducing waste into the chamber;
an exit port for flushing treated waste from the chamber;
a heating element;
an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen to the waste treatment zone to allow gasification of waste in the waste treatment zone; and
a water supply for flushing treated waste from the waste treatment zone with water and/or steam.
98 . The apparatus of claim 97 , wherein the temperature to effect pyrolysis is from about 300° C. to about 700° C.
99 . The apparatus of claim 97 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from at least about 400° C.
100 . The apparatus of claim 97 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C.
101 . The apparatus of claim 97 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to operate in cycles, such that at the end of a waste treatment cycle the chamber is ready to begin a further waste treatment cycle and each cycle comprises:
introducing waste into the chamber;
heating the waste to an elevated temperature to effect pyrolysis of the waste;
introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste; and
flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam
102 . The apparatus of claim 97 , wherein the chamber comprises an output for connection to a sewer so that the treated waste can be flushed into the sewage system.