US 2018) cu») United States 49356, 2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2018/0149356 Al Arava et (54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WASTE COMBUSTION (71) Applicant: Worvester Polytechnic Institute, Worvester, MA (US) (72) Inventors: Shivaprasad Arava, Worcester, MA (US); Kemal S. Arsava, Worcester, MA, (US); AUS. Rangwala, Worcester. MA. (US); Hayri Sezer. Worcester, MA, (US); Apoory Walawalkar, Worcester, MA (US): Vasudevan Raghavan, ‘Mads (IN) (21) Appl. Now 187828,514 (22) Filed: Nov. 29, 2017 Related U.S. Application Data (60) Provisional application No, 62/427,990, filed on Now. 30, 2016, Publication Classification (1) nec. F236 705 F236 00 (2006.01) (2005.01) (43) Pub. Date: May 31, 2018 (62) US.CL CPC F236 75 (2013.01); F236 S008 (2013.01), F230 2207101 2013.01), F236 2208/12 (2013.01); F23G 2206/203 (201301): F23N 2041/18 (201301) 6 A toxie wast incinerator is capable of enlaneed combustion ‘of hazardous waste (oil contaminated sand, human waste ‘garbage et.) utilizing immersed non-combustible and ther ‘mally conductive objects for increasing heat Feedback from the flames to the unburned fuel, while ar inlets are used t0 optimize the air entrainment rate to enhance the burning elcieney. The burning rate of a fluidic mass such as @ sand-oi! mixture is enhanced using immersed conductive ‘objects (copper rods) which enable rapid heat-up of the flame exposed t the upper sure of the rod and transmits fat back into the sand. Consequent conduction of heat t0 ‘the porous media through the lower portion ofthe immersed rood significantly increases vaporization and therefore the burning rate. Incineration may’ be performed on a tsi, exigent basis as with hazardous waste and ol spills, ot as part of a permanent fixture for receiving an ongoing waste ) ABSTRACT 100Patent Application Publication May 31,2018 Sheet 1 of 2. US 2018/0149356 AlPatent Application Publication May 31,2018 Sheet 2 of 2. US 2018/0149356 AL Fig. 3 AugMLR = 0.038 g/s ° 7 [50 58 Sm. Ten 90 ato: saOR 400 420 Time (s} Fig. 4US 2018/0149356 AI METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WASTE, ‘COMBUSTION RELATED APPLICATIONS: {0001} This aptcation claims the Bentt under 35 USC §119(e) of US. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/427 590 filed Nov. 30, 2016 ented “IMMERSED CONDUC. ‘TIVE OBJECTS FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE COMBUS- “TION.” incorporated herein by reference in entirety BACKGROUND 10002] Hazardous waste handling has become increas- ingly scrutinized a longstanding industrial practices and materials are called into question, Incineration has gained popularity as an altemative to dumping. Toxic waste incin- eration has focused on incinemtors with onflammable Immersed objects and cleaning of contaminated. porous media, However, existing bumer designs (industial and power plant boilers and waste incinerators) rogue costly ‘and mechenically troublesome injection nozzles or other means to disperse (“atomize”) the fuel x0 it can be pre heated and vaporized or pyrolyzed prior to actual eombus- tion in an airstream, Further, in existing bums, most ofthe heat transferred from the flame is lost othe environment via ‘convection and gas radiation losses. Only a small faction of this heat goes back to the fel, which sustains vaporization ‘of the fuel snd consequently combustion, Duc to this 2800, the average burning fate of Waste vaporization is quite low. SUMMARY, 10003] A toxic waste incinerator is capable of enhanced ‘combustion of hazardous waste (oi! contaminated sand, human waste, garbage, ete) utilizing immersed non-com- bustibleand thermally conductive objects for inereasing heat feedback from the Hames to the unburned fie, while aie inlets are used t0 optimize the sir entrainment rate t0 ‘enhance the burning efcieney. The buming rate ofa fhidie ‘mass sch asa snd mixture is enhanced using immersed ‘conductive object (copper rods) which enable rapid heat-up ‘of the flame exposed to the upper surface of Uke rod and transmits heat back into the sand, Conseqvent conduction of heat to the porous media through the lower portion of the ‘immersed rod significantly inereases vaporization and there- Tore the burning rate. Incineration may be performed on @ transient, exigent basis as with hazardous waste and oil spills, of a part of a permanent fixtire for receiving aa ‘ongoing waste stream. 10008) Configurations horein are based, in par, on the ‘observation that combustion of waste materials isan elec tive and inexpensive process for tedcing or eliminating the waste, Combustion revues the waste materials toa gaseous form where it can be vented to the atmosphere. Unfort nately, conventional approaches to waste combustion ser from the shortcoming that incomplete or inefiient com bustion can result from failure to attain suliciently high ‘combustion temperatures. Lower temperature combustion increases pollution as combusted gases carry away solid paricles and partially combusted gases. Accordingly, con- figurations herein substantially overcome the above described shortcomings by conducting heat throwghout 8 fuidie mass for effecting a higher temperature combusia May 31, 2018 to completely bum waste into Jess harmful gases without ‘causing solids and partially combusted polutants to become aisbome, [0008] In a particular configuration, a method for expe- iting combustion af toxie wast, spills, and mixes of toxic and benign substances includes aggregating a Hic mast of at least partially combustible materials, and inserting a thermally conductive media partially into the Mudie mass. ‘The fluidic mass may result from a spill of liquid onto particle solids, as in sand or soil, or a spillemulsion of ‘mixed Iguids, such as water and oil. Heat or combustive pean apply an ignition source tothe Mudie mass such that the thermally conductive media absorbs heat from the com- bustion. The thermally conductive media is an elongated tube or rod adapted for redirveting and conducting heat into the Muidic mass into which it i inserted, and may be a copper eylinder ora copper tabs having ir inlets to facilitate ‘thermal transfer and oxygen supply. [0006] A fuidic mass including solids and iguids has a ‘network of thermally conductive rods or tubes inserted into the mass for conducting heat of combustion through the ‘uidie moss, Heat of eombustion on a surface or oxygen rich farea ofa waste mass trvels through the conductive ods to heat the waste mass fora higher temperature combustion t0 snore thoroughly evaporate the waste, Incomplete and loser ‘temperature combustion that causes smoldering and incom- plete combustion is avoided by redirecting the heat of ‘combustion through the rods to: uncombusted waste. The ‘Muidic mass includes Tiguid entrenched solid waste, i. Jhuman trash and hazardous wast spills such a oil impey fated soil and sind, A combustion apparatus aadior site involves inserting the rods through the Muidie waste, and igniting the waste to commence combustion, The heating ‘rom the rods draws the liquid upwards via capillary action, ‘nd addtional air may be Forced through the rods to tate oxygen availability [0007] In further detail, configurations Derein depict ‘method for expaiting combustion, including aguregating a ‘uidie mass of at least partially combustible materials, and inserting a thermally conductive media partially into the ‘Mudie moss. The fue mass i any comingled arrangement of solid waste interspersed with liquid components, and preferable having a porosity to facilitate heat anc gaseous {ronsfer. An ignition source is applied to the fluidic ma sth that the thermally conductive mexia absorbs heat fro the combustion for transferring thermal enengy through the thermally conductive media to unignited portions of the ‘ide mass 0008} ‘The methox! may be demonstrated ina eorrspond- ing apparatus, such as a Waste incinerator apparatus, includ- ‘ng thermally conductive media defined by at least one elongated thermally conductive rod adapted for insertion into @ idie mass of waste materials. The thermally con- ductive rod has a widthidiameter and depth for conducting heat along a length to a subsurface rogion ofthe fidic mass The ignition source commences combustion of the fui ‘mass, such thatthe thermally conductive media absorbs heat {rom the combustion for transferring thermal energy trough the thermally eondctive media to unignited portions ofthe ‘vidie mass. In effect, the thermally conductive. media redisets heat downwards into the subsurface fuidie mass {or aiding combustion by inereased temperature, lowered viscosity” and capillay action for dnwing the liquid upwardsUS 2018/0149356 AI BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10009] The foregoing and other objects, fetures and ‘advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the ‘invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in Which Tike reference characters refer 1o the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not nec- cessarly to scale emphasis instead being placed upon illus testing the principles of the invention [0010] FIG. 1isa context view of a combustion oF bura apparatus according to configurations herein: [0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a hazardous waste incin- ‘erator according to the approach of FIG. I [0012] "FIG. 3 shows an incineration apparatus asin FIG. 2 having panicular sized conduction rods; and [0013] "FIG. 4isa graph of combustion effectiveness Incinerator of FIG. 3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION 10014} Configurations below depiet an example of ther- rally conductive rds inserted into Hue mass of eo mingled liquid and solid waste. The waste may be an ‘accidental spill of liguid, toxic waste onto a natural oF ‘organic sand or soil, or may be a direct stream of trash, rubbish andlor septic matter that necessarily results from human inbabitation, Conventional oil spills are typically handled with mechanical measures such a8 shovels, booms ind skimmers to sepregate the contaminated area, with ‘chemical and biological methods that degrade and di trite the petroleum content, Conventional waste disposal, ia ‘developing regions, are often handled by alshoe usd make- shif burnings that fail to approach an optimal bum tem- perature, resting in a smoky, smoldering exkavst plume of Solids and contaminants [0015] FIG. 1 isa context view of a combustion oF bura apparatus according to configurations herein. Referring to FIG. 1, in q burn environment 100, a fic mass 110 inchides waste materils for combustion and elimination. The waste materials may be transient, as in a hazardous ‘waste or ol spill, or an ongoing stream, such as residential trash or hums septic Waste, A waste source agaregates the fTuidie mass 110 of at feast partially combustible material, Jno which is inserted a thermally conductive media 150. ‘The thermally conductive media, in an example configura tion, may be an elongated rod adapted for insertion into & mixture of liquid waste and solid, such as an oil spill. The thermally conductive mesia 150 is inserted such that an inserted portion 150” achieves » predetermined depth, over Which thermal conduction is achieved [0016] Following insenon of the rods, an ignition source 120 is applied to the Mudie mass 110, causing ignition, flames, and a plume of resultant evaporative gases 130 ‘ypieal of combustion. The thermally’ conduetive media absorbs heat from the combustion for transferring thermal ‘energy through the thermally conductive media 150, 150't0 "ignited portions ofthe lide mass 110. By increasing the haat at the lower, submerged levels ofthe ude mass 110 fined by the inserted portion ISI, the heat conducted by’ the insered portion 180” increases temperatures for com bustion below the conductive member 180 disposed in the ‘open flames above. The inserted rods therefore prvi heat transfer for increasing a temperature of the combustible figuid in the Muidic mass. Transfer of heat reduces the May 31, 2018 viscosity ofthe combustible liquid for upward transport via capillary ation, bringing the liguid inthe Mudie mass 110 where it ean be more completely combusted by the higher temperature [0017] FIG, 2 is a schematic of a hazardous waste incine erator according tothe approach of FIG. 1 Inthe incinerator 200 of FIG. 2, the thermally conductive media 180s defined bby a nowork of elongated tubes 250 adapted for redirecting and condueting heat into the fuidie mass 110 into which it js inserted. In the example configuration showin, te thermal conductive media isa copper cylinder having a bore there through for conveying air and oxygen 210 to the combos: tion, FIG. 2 shows the thermally conductive media 150 as a copper tube having air inlets 282 to allow the air andlor ‘oxygen supply 210 to inflate the fluidic media 110, [0018] In operation, the ininerator 200 defines an int ‘erator body 202 having a supply conveyor 204 und sn egress conveyor 206. The supply comveyor 204 introduces the Tuidie mass 110 into the incinerator body, and ideally ‘maintains the Mudie mass 110 at a working level 111 During incineration, the combusting, fuidie mass 110 evatiates downward, a portions are given off a evaporated ‘gases 130 aad exhaust. A working depth 220 of the incin- trator body 202, defined by the distance from the working level 11 to the egress conveyor 206, allows time for heat transferred through the rds to completely of near com pletely incinerate the Muidie mass 110, Remaining uncom: busted materials exit on the egress conveyor 206, at sub- stantially reduced volume and weight relative to the supply. [0019] The incinerator 200 ia stavionary’fixture amenable to a regular stream of human waste and rubbish, In devel- ‘oping regions where an infrastrcture of tash disposal isnot yel established, localized incinerators 200 are an attractive Sltemative to multiple smaller bums because the ad-hoe ‘methods used for individualized bums may not achieve a stificent temperature. Rather, local burns tend to achieve only a smoldering burn which generates a “smoky” plume {epicting incomplete combustion. [0020] The stream of waste may any suitable ggglomera- tion of human generated excess, resulting from food prepa- ration and disposal, packoging, and similar household excess ‘ypically handled by trash collection ia more industrialized areas. In regions of unestablished plumbing and septic Processing, incineration provides an outlet for these wastes as well. A porosity in the waste is beneficial for aeflow and capillary low, The Buidie mass 110 may comprise contami ated porous media including flammable toxie waste. Gen- enlly, the Muidic mass 110 includes a Tiguid component responsive to vaporization, such thatthe liquid component is Aispersed throughout solid components inthe fuidic mass. Fhuidie mass 110 therefore refers to any’ agglomeration of various waste for which disposal is sought [021] FIG. 3 shows an incineration apparatus asin PIG: 2 having particular sized conduction rods. Referring 10 FIGS. 1-3 the thermally conductive medium 150 is appl cable to ransient contexts, suc a8 oi and hazmat spill, and ‘xed installations for Ianing a recurring stream of waste, as depicted by the incinerator 200 of FIG. 2. The thermally ‘oncctive medium 150 may also be employed by a disper sion of rods over a spill are. In such a toxie or hazmat spill response, the fluidic mass may be petroleum entrenched sand or soil, or may include an emulsion of flammable and ‘non-flammable liguds, sch as an oil spill in sea water. The beat transfered by the thermally conductive medium,US 2018/0149356 AI ‘either Scenario, enhances heat to bring combustible material to the temperature of combustion, 10022] FIG. 3 shows an example of a mixture 300 of sand tnd crade oil emulsion having a depth of 2 cm ina test pan ‘310. Thermocouples are placed in the test pant 310 (0 ‘essure the temperature variations, The thermally conduc- tive media 150 js defined by a highly conductive eopper rod 350 of cm height und Lem diameter immersed atthe center ‘of fe! mixture 300 in the pan 310. 10023] FIG. 4s. graph of combustion effectiveness in the incinerator of FIG. 3. Refering to FIG. 4, a comparison raph 400 of bum effetiveness is shown based on a con- version rate of mass to vapor and expelled burn prodicts. A mass los axis 410 shows a quantity of the combusted mass that is converted or vaporized into less harmful gases and matter, based on burning duration shown on time axis 420. A baseline 430 shows the rate of a standing quantity of & sandioil mixture (fue), and an immersed rod (cylinder) result 432 depicts performance with an inserted copper rod a in FIG, 3, As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the immersed ‘linder heats the fuel mixture an assists in reaching the required ignition temperature forthe fel in lesser time, Fuel ‘with the immersed cylinder achieves ignition with Rames around 540 s and burns the fuel. In eontast, in the baseline ‘ase, fuel exposed to heat ux is evaporated without igi tion. Comparing both the eases, the average mass loss rate ‘ofthe fuel mixture with immersed eylinder 482 (0038 ps) js higher compared with the baseline case 430 (0.024 gs). Therefore, the immersed cylinder case is 58% more eficient and takes Tess time in cleaning the contaminants than baseline case [0024] A particular practical implementation of the dis- ‘closed sppbach includes combustion of toxie waste spills, tnd mixed toxic/henign aggregations includes aggregating & fuidie mass of atleast partially combustible materials, and inserting a thermally conductive media partially ino the fluidic mss. The fluidic mass may result from a spill of liquid onto particle solids, as in sand or soil, or a spill ‘emulsion of mixed liquids, such as water and cil, Heat of ‘combustive means apply an ignition source to the fluidic ‘mass sue thatthe thermally conductive media absorbs heat from the combustion. The thermally conductive media is an ‘elongated tube adapted for redieciing and condveting heat tothe Buidic mass into which i is inserted. and may be # ‘copper cylinder ora copper tube having arinlets to faiitate thermal transfer and oxygen supply 10025] In another implementation, an incinerator as in FIG. 2is deployable at multiple locations in densely pop- Jated areas for residential waste. Such an ineinerator may take the form ofa shipping container or similar construction adapted to truck transport, having an approximate sizeof 40° Jong, 8 wide and about 86" in height, Tatial implemen- tation in military contexts is also a beneficial deployment, [0026] | While de system and methods defined herein have been poricularly shown and deseribed with references to ‘embovliments thereof it will he understood by those skilled fin the art tat variows changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the jnvention encompassed by the appended claims. ‘What is claimed is: 1. A method for expediting combustion, comprising: aggregating a uidic mass ofa least pata combustible ‘materials, May 31, 2018 the Mi inserting thermally conuetive media is ‘mass and applying an ignition souree to the fuidie mass such that the thermally conduetive media absorbs heat from the ‘combustion for transfering themal energy through the ‘themally conductive mesa 1 unignited portions ofthe Suid mass, 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermally conduc- sive media is an elongated rod adapted for insertion into a mixture of liguidl waste and solids, ‘3. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermally conduc- tive media isan elongated tube adapted for redirecting and conducting heat into the Auidic mass into which it is inserted. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the Duidie mass is «| contaminated porous media including Mummable toxic waste 3, The method of claim 4 wherein the fidie mass is petroleum entrenched sind. 6. The method of ek includes an emulsion of liquids 7. The method of elaim 3 wherein the thermal conduetive media is a copper cylinder having a hore therethrough for conveying oxygen to the combustion 8. The method of claim 3 sherein the thermally conduc- tive media isa copper tube having air inlets 9. The method of claim 2 wherein the inserted rods provide heat transfer for inereesing a temperstre of the combustible liquid, heat tansfer reducing the viscosity of the combustible liguid for upward trasport via capillary action, 10, The method of claim 1 wherein faidic mass includes a Tiquid component responsive to vaporization, the liquid ‘component dispersed throughout solid components in the Adie mass 11. A waste incinerator apparatus, comprising: thermally conductive media defined by’at least one clon- ‘gad thermally conductive rod adapted for insertion into'a Buidie mass of waste materials, the thermally ‘conductive rod having, a width andl depth for conduct- ing heat along a length to a subsurface region of the fluidic mass; and fan jgnition souree for commencing combustion of the uidie mass, the combustion such that the thermally ‘conductive media absorbs heat frm the combustion for ‘wansferring thermal energy through the thermally con- ductive media io unignited portions ofthe fluidic mass 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the thermally conductive media is an elongated tube adapted for redirect. ing and conducting heat ino the Nuidic mass into which i is insereed, 13, The appara ofelsim 11 wherein the fluidic mass is contaminated porous media including flammable toxic 14, The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the Mudie mas petroleum entrenched sand. 15, The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the Buidic mass includes an emulsion of flammable and non-flammable liquids 16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the thermal eon- ductive media is a copper cylinder having a hore there through for conveying oxygen to the combustion,US 2018/0149356 AI 17, The spparats of claim 11 wher the inserted rods provide heat tamfer for increasing a temperature of the ombusible gud, heat transfer reducing the viscosity of the combusible liquid for upward transport via capillany ‘tion 18 The appar of chim 11 fier comprising an incor bo apie Yo maintain the Tidie mass at & ‘working lovely the themally cndhetive media extending From the working level thonah a depth miintaine by the incinctor bo the thermally condictive mess opel for transferring thermal energy fom combustion st the ‘vorking level along the depth 1D. The appaats of clam 18 fanhor comprising a suply conveyer fr minting he Mie mins at he ‘werking level in the incinerator body and an egress conveyor for temsporing combs materials from the incinerator boy. May 31, 2018