US4896614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treatment of hazardous waste in absence of oxygen
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-09-15
•
Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2008-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Hazardous waste treatment method and apparatus are disclosed in the preferred and illustrated emboldiment. A feedstock of hazardous waste material is combusted in a plasma generator in the absence of oxygen and converted into a gaseous outflow which is collected in a reactor chamber. The gaseous outflow is cooled and separated into selected constituents which are collected in storage vessels.
Inventors
- 👤 Prabhakar Kulkarni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 07:10
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10B; C10B53/00; C10B19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of converting hazardous waste material into useful by-products, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the waste material into a plasma arc generated by a plasma gun and converting the waste material into a gaseous outflow; (b) collecting said gaseous outflow in a reactor chamber in the absence of oxygen for preventing the recombination of said gaseous outflow with oxygen; (c) directing said gaseous outflow through cooling apparatus for reducing the temperature of said gaseous outflow; (d) passing said gaseous outflow through molecular sieve apparatus permitting selected constituents of said gaseous outflow to pass through said molecular sieve apparatus; and (e) collecting said selected constituents in storage vessels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of converting hazardous waste material into useful by-products, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the waste material into a plasma arc generated by a plasma gun and converting the waste material into a gaseous outflow; (b) collecting said gaseous outflow in a reactor chamber in the absence of oxygen for preventing the recombination of said gaseous outflow with oxygen; (c) directing said gaseous outflow through cooling apparatus for reducing the temperature of said gaseous outflow; (d) passing said gaseous outflow through molecular sieve apparatus permitting selected constituents of said gaseous outflow to pass through said molecular sieve apparatus; and (e) collecting said selected constituents in storage vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of forming a vacuum of at least 10 -1 torr for removing substantially all the oxygen from the reactor chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of collecting and analyzing a sample of the gaseous outflow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of circulating water about the plasma gun for maintaining a continuous cooling bath about the plasma gun.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of monitoring temperature and pressure of the gaseous outflow.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of converting hazardous waste material into useful by-products, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the waste material into a high temperature zone of at least 1,200° F. and converting the waste material into a gaseous outflow; (b) collecting said gaseous outflow in a reactor chamber in the absence of oxygen for preventing the recombination of said gaseous outflow with oxygen; (c) directing said gaseous outflow through cooling apparatus for reducing the temperature of said gaseous outflow; (d) passing said gaseous outflow through molecular sieve apparatus permitting selected constituents of said gaseous outflow to pass through said molecular sieve apparatus; and (e) collecting said selected constituents in storage vessels.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of converting hazardous waste material into useful by-products, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the waste material into a high temperature zone of at least 1,200° F. and converting the waste material into a gaseous outflow; (b) collecting said gaseous outflow in a reactor chamber in the absence of oxygen for preventing the recombination of said gaseous outflow with oxygen; (c) directing said gaseous outflow through cooling apparatus for reducing the temperature of said gaseous outflow; (d) passing said gaseous outflow through molecular sieve apparatus permitting selected constituents of said gaseous outflow to pass through said molecular sieve apparatus; and (e) collecting said selected constituents in storage vessels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |