Solid waste compression loading and waste treatment apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention includes an apparatus, system, waste treatment facility and method of autoclave loading and treatment that involves (a) receiving solid waste at a solid waste treatment facility; (b) compressing the waste into a plurality of compressed bales, the compressed bales bound by a binding material adapted to melt at a temperature at which an autoclave operates or otherwise break upon the operation of the autoclave; (c) loading the compressed bales into an autoclave; and (d) operating the autoclave so as to melt or break the binding material to allow the compressed bales of solid waste to be decompressed and treated in the autoclave.

1 . A system for loading solid waste into an autoclave at a solid waste treatment facility and treating said waste, said system comprising:
 i. an autoclave;   ii. a baling apparatus adapted to compress said waste into a plurality of compressed bales, said bales bound by a material adapted to melt at a temperature at which said autoclave operates; and   iii. a conveyor adapted to load said bales of said waste into said autoclave.   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said conveyor additionally comprises a conveyor belt and a mechanical forcing arrangement for rapidly and positively charging said bales into said autoclave. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said autoclave is disposed at an angle to the horizontal so as to assist in the loading of said bales. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said autoclave is rotated during loading so as to assist in the loading of said bales. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said conveyor has a loading end and a discharge end, and additionally comprising a barrier disposed between said conveyor loading end and said conveyor discharge end, said conveyor extending through said barrier. 
   
   
       6 . A solid waste treatment facility for storing solid waste containing a system for loading solid waste into an autoclave at a solid waste treatment facility and treating said waste, said system comprising:
 a. a building containing a system for loading solid waste into an autoclave for treatment, said system comprising:
 i. an autoclave; 
 ii. a baling apparatus adapted to compress said waste into a plurality of compressed bales, said bales bound by a material adapted to melt at a temperature at which said autoclave operates; 
 iii. a conveyor adapted to load said bales of said waste into said autoclave; and 
 iv. said building containing a storage area for containing a plurality of compressed bales while said autoclave is operating. 
   
   
   
       7 . A solid waste treatment facility according to  claim 6  wherein said building comprises a tipping floor area for receipt of solid waste from trucks. 
   
   
       8 . A solid waste treatment facility according to  claim 6  wherein said building comprises a storage area for said compressed bales. 
   
   
       9 . A solid waste treatment facility according to  claim 6  wherein said building comprises a tipping floor area for receipt of solid waste from trucks, a barrier between said tipping floor and said autoclave, said conveyor extending from said tipping floor through said barrier to said autoclave. 
   
   
       10 . A system for loading solid waste into an autoclave at a solid waste treatment facility and treating said waste, said system comprising:
 i. an autoclave; and   ii. a conveyor adapted to load said bales of said waste into said autoclave, said conveyor holding a plurality of compressed bales, said bales bound by a material adapted to melt at a temperature at which said autoclave operates.