Waste treatment apparatus and method

Abstract

In apparatus and method for waste treatment by pyrolysis, treated waste is flushed through a grid ( 18 ) to trap recyclable material in the pyrolysis chamber ( 24 ). Pyrolysis is carried out at a temperature of from 400-700° C. and off-gases are dissolved in a solution in scrubber ( 13 ) for disposal in a water course. Water is introduced into the chamber as superheated steam via pipes ( 5 ) so as both to flush away treated material and clean the chamber. Recyclable waste is separated from non-recyclable by treating non-recyclable waste by pyrolysis, and flushing treated non-recyclable waste away through liquid exhaust ( 8 ). Apparatus is made as a modular, free-standing unit and comprises plugs for connection to an electricity supply, to a water supply, and to a sewerage system ( 16 ) and has a chamber with a volume in the range 0.01-0.5m 3 .

1 .- 81 . (canceled) 
     
     
         82 . A cyclic process for waste treatment comprising:
 introducing waste into a chamber;   heating the waste to effect pyrolysis of the waste at a temperature of from about 300° C. to about 700° C.;   introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste at a temperature of at least about 400° C.; and   flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam.   
     
     
         83 . The process of  claim 82 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C. 
     
     
         84 . The process of  claim 82 , wherein the temperature to effect pyrolysis is from about 400° C. to about 600° C. 
     
     
         85 . The process of  claim 82 , wherein the water enters the chamber and is converted to steam therein. 
     
     
         86 . The process of  claim 82 , comprising flushing the combusted waste from the chamber into the sewage system. 
     
     
         87 . A pyrolysis apparatus comprising:
 a sealable chamber including a waste treatment zone in the chamber;   a first port for introducing waste into the chamber;   an exit port for flushing treated waste from the chamber;   a heating element;   an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen to the waste treatment zone to allow gasification of waste in the waste treatment zone; and   a water supply for flushing treated waste from the waste treatment zone with water and/or steam;   
       wherein the apparatus is adapted to pyrolyse the waste at a temperature of from about 300° C. to about 700° C., followed by gasification of the waste at at least about 400° C. 
     
     
         88 . The apparatus of  claim 87 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C. 
     
     
         89 . The apparatus of  claim 87 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to operate in cycles, such that at the end of a waste treatment cycle the chamber is ready to begin a further waste treatment cycle and each cycle comprises:
 introducing waste into the chamber;   heating the waste to an elevated temperature to effect pyrolysis of the waste;   introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste; and   flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam.   
     
     
         90 . The apparatus of  claim 87 , wherein the chamber comprises an output for connection to a sewer so that the treated waste can be flushed into the sewage system. 
     
     
         91 . The apparatus of  claim 87 , further comprising:
 a gas treatment solution; and   a conduit arranged to contact gases exiting the chamber with the solution.   
     
     
         92 . A process for waste treatment comprising:
 introducing waste into a chamber;   heating the waste to an elevated temperature to effect pyrolysis of the waste;   introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste; and   flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam,   
       wherein the water enters the chamber and is converted to steam therein. 
     
     
         93 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the process is cyclic such that at the end of a waste treatment cycle the chamber is ready to begin a further waste treatment cycle. 
     
     
         94 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the temperature to effect pyrolysis is from about 300° C. to about 700° C. 
     
     
         95 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from at least about 400° C. 
     
     
         96 . The process of  claim 92 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C. 
     
     
         97 . A pyrolysis apparatus comprising:
 a sealable chamber including a waste treatment zone in the chamber;   a first port for introducing waste into the chamber;   an exit port for flushing treated waste from the chamber;   a heating element;   an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen to the waste treatment zone to allow gasification of waste in the waste treatment zone; and   a water supply for flushing treated waste from the waste treatment zone with water and/or steam.   
     
     
         98 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the temperature to effect pyrolysis is from about 300° C. to about 700° C. 
     
     
         99 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from at least about 400° C. 
     
     
         100 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the temperature to effect gasification is from about 400° C. to about 800° C. 
     
     
         101 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to operate in cycles, such that at the end of a waste treatment cycle the chamber is ready to begin a further waste treatment cycle and each cycle comprises:
 introducing waste into the chamber;   heating the waste to an elevated temperature to effect pyrolysis of the waste;   introducing oxygen into the chamber to effect gasification of the waste; and   flushing the combusted waste from the chamber with water and/or steam   
     
     
         102 . The apparatus of  claim 97 , wherein the chamber comprises an output for connection to a sewer so that the treated waste can be flushed into the sewage system.