US5280757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Municipal solid waste disposal process
Assignee: RESORPTION CANADA Ltd
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Filing: 1992-08-13
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2012-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A plasma arc torch is used as an independent heat source in an enclosed reactor vessel to gasify municipal solid waste and produce a medium quality gas and an inert monolithic slag having substantially lower toxic element leachability. The gas has lower levels of metals and semi-volatile organic compounds, particularly dioxins and furans. Other materials may also be gasified, for example, coal, wood and peat.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Carter
- 👤 Andreas Tsangaris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:39
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B7/00; C01B7/19; C01B7/191; C03; C03B; C03B5/00; C03B5/005; C03B5/02; C03B5/025; C03C; C03C1/00; C03C1/002; C04; C04B; C04B18/00; C04B18/02; C04B18/023; C04B18/026; C04B32/00; C04B32/005; C10; C10B; C10B19/00; C10B53/00; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J3/02; C10J3/06; C10J3/10; C10K; C10K1/00; C10K1/02; C10K1/026; C10K1/08; C10K1/10; C10K1/101; F; F23; F23G; F23G5/00; F23G5/08; F23G5/085; C10J2200/00; C10J2200/12; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/0946; C10J2300/12; C10J2300/123; C10J2300/1238; C10J2300/16; C10J2300/1625; C10J2300/1628; C10J2300/1631; F23G2204/00; F23G2204/20; F23G2204/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A process for gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) and other carbon based solids, comprising the steps of: (i) igniting a plasma arc torch inside a refractory lined reactor vessel; (ii) preheating said reactor vessel walls to substantially 1100 C or more; and (iii) feeding said MSW into said reactor vessel while minimizing entry of air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) and other carbon based solids, comprising the steps of: (i) igniting a plasma arc torch inside a refractory lined reactor vessel; (ii) preheating said reactor vessel walls to substantially 1100 C or more; and (iii) feeding said MSW into said reactor vessel while minimizing entry of air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for gasification of a mixture of municipal solid waster (MSW) and other carbon based solids, comprising the steps of: (i) igniting a plasma arc torch and creating a vertical heating zone inside a refractory lined reactor vessel; (ii) preheating said reactor vessel walls to substantially 1100° celsius or more; and (iii) feeding said MSW directly into a side portion of said vertical heating zone in said reactor vessel, while minimizing entry of air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for gasification of a mixture of municipal solid waster (MSW) and other carbon based solids, comprising the steps of: (i) igniting a plasma arc torch and creating a vertical heating zone inside a refractory lined reactor vessel; (ii) preheating said reactor vessel walls to substantially 1100° celsius or more; and (iii) feeding said MSW directly into a side portion of said vertical heating zone in said reactor vessel, while minimizing entry of air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process for gasification of MSW as defined in claim 2, wherein said MSW remains in said vertical heating zone to cause moisture in said MSW to react with said carbon-based solids and to substantially remove said carbon-based solids from said mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process for gasification of MSW as defined in claim 3, wherein said MSW is fed into said reactor vessel by means of a horizontal hydraulic feeder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process for gasification of MSW as defined in claim 3, wherein product gas is extracted from said reactor vessel at a location which is spaced from the side of said reactor vessel through which MSW is fed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process for gasification of MSW as defined in claim 5, wherein said MSW is pyrolyzed to form gas and monolithic liquid slag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process for gasification of MSW as defined in claim 6, wherein said gas which is formed by pyrolysis is exhausted from said gas reactor vessel by means of a cyclone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process for gasification of MSW as defined in claim 7, wherein said monolithic liquid slag is a silicate mass, which, when cooled, encapsulates any metal compounds and metals which were present in said MSW.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |