Residue conditioning system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for converting the residue of a carbonaceous feedstock gasification or incineration process into an inert slag and a gas having a heating value. The residue is converted by plasma heating in a refractory-lined residue conditioning chamber. The gas produced is optionally passed through a gas conditioning system for cooling and cleaning to provide a product gas that is suitable for use in downstream applications. The system also comprises a control subsystem for optimizing the conversion reaction

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 864,116, filed Nov. 2, 2006. This application also claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 911,179, filed Apr. 11, 2007. This application also claims benefit of priority from International Application Serial No. PCT / CA07 / 00792, filed May 8, 2007. The contents of all of the aforementioned applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to systems for converting waste residue materials to an inert slag, and in particular to systems for the plasma assisted conversion of residual materials to an inert slag and a gas having a heating value.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Gasification is a process that enables the conversion of carbonaceous feedstock, such as municipal...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]This invention provides a system for the conversion of residual matter of a carbonaceous feedstock gasification or incineration process into an inert slag product and a gas having a heating value. In particular, the system comprises a refractory-lined residue conditioning chamber comprising a residue inlet, a gas outlet, a slag outlet, a plasma heat source port, and a control system for monitoring operating parameters and adjusting operating conditions within the conversion system to optimize the conversion reaction. The plasma heat causes the residue to melt, and converts carbon present in the residue to a residue gas, which exits the chamber through the gas outlet, and optionally into a gas conditioning subsystem for cooling and conditioning as required for downstream considerations.

[0026]The chamber may also optionally comprise one or more inlets for introducing air (or other oxygen containing additives) into the residue conditioning chamber to control the conditioning process. The chamber may also optionally comprise one or more additive inlets for introducing additives to control the composition of the resulting slag product.

Problems solved by technology

It is becoming less desirable to dispose of waste material by incineration because of the extreme waste of fuel in the heating process and the further waste of disposing, as a residual waste, material that can be converted into a useful syngas and solid material.

The gas produced during the gasification of carbonaceous feedstock is usually very hot but may contain small amounts of unwanted compounds and requires further treatment to convert it into a useable product.

Prior systems and processes have not adequately addressed the problems that must be dealt with on a continuously changing basis.

The disposal of solid waste has become a major issue due to space limitations for landfills and the environmental issues that arise.

Waste materials such as ash and slag are typically discarded in landfills, however, there is increasing public concern about gaseous emissions from landfills and the possibility of contamination of groundwater.

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