Process for processing inorganic matter containing residue

Abstract

A process and system provide for processing inorganic matter-containing residue in a thermal decomposition process. The process and system are effective for reducing pressures which can occur during processing of inorganic matter-containing residue. A process for processing inorganic matter-containing residue in a thermal decomposition process includes conveying inorganic matter containing residue from a thermal decomposition unit to a burn-out section and conveying the inorganic matter containing residue from the burn-out section through a transition section to an ash sump. The inorganic matter containing residue is cooled to remove about 10% or more of heat in the inorganic matter containing residue before reaching the ash sump. The process further includes contacting the inorganic matter containing residue with a cooling medium in the gas sump and venting gaseous material generated back to the thermal decomposition unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for processing inorganic matter-containing residue in a thermal decomposition process, the process comprising:
 conveying inorganic matter containing residue from a thermal decomposition unit to a burn-out section;   conveying the inorganic matter containing residue from the burn-out section through a transition section to an ash sump, wherein organic matter containing residue is cooled to remove about 10% or more of heat in the inorganic matter containing residue before reaching the ash sump;   contacting the inorganic matter containing residue with a cooling medium in the ash sump, wherein a gaseous material is generated; and   venting the gaseous material back to the thermal decomposition unit.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the burn-out section is effective for reducing an amount of carbon in the inorganic matter containing residue. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein inorganic matter containing residue is conveyed through the transition section with an ash ram. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the inorganic matter containing residue is cooled by spraying a cooling medium onto the inorganic matter containing residue in the transition section. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4  wherein the cooling medium is water. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 3  where the ash ram is moved at a rate effective for allowing inorganic matter containing residue to cool to about 2700° F. or less. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the ash ram is moved for about 2 to about 5 seconds and then paused for about 8 to about 15 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the gaseous material includes steam. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8  wherein a ratio of an amount of steam vented back to the thermal decomposition unit to steam added to the thermal decomposition unit from other sources is about 0.6 to 1 or less. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8  wherein a ratio of ash generated to steam generated is about 2:1 to about 6:1. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein a ratio of ash generated to cooling medium applied is about 2:1 to about 10:1. 
     
     
         12 . A process for reducing pressure in a thermal decomposition unit, the process comprising:
 conveying inorganic matter containing residue from a thermal decomposition unit through a transition section into an ash sump, wherein inorganic matter containing residue being conveyed through the transition section is contacted with a cooling medium and conveyed through the transition section at a rate effective for removing about 10% or more heat in the inorganic matter containing residue before reaching the ash sump; and   venting a gaseous material from the ash sump to the thermal decomposition unit,   wherein the process is effective for maintaining a pressure in the ash sump of about 15 inches gauge or less of water pressure.   
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  wherein inorganic matter containing residue is conveyed through the transition section with an ash ram. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  where the ash ram is moved at a rate effective for allowing inorganic matter containing residue to cool to about 2700° F. or less. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the ash ram is moved for about 2 to about 5 seconds and then paused for about 8 to about 15 seconds. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the cooling medium is water. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the ash sump includes a cooling medium. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the cooling medium is water. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the gaseous material includes steam. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein a ratio of an amount of steam vented back to the thermal decomposition unit to steam added to the thermal decomposition unit from other sources is about 0.6 to 1 or less. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 19  wherein a ratio of ash generated to steam generated is about 2:1 to about 6:1. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 12  wherein a ratio of ash generated to cooling medium applied is about 2:1 to about 10:1. 
     
     
         23 . A system for reducing pressure in a thermal decomposition unit, the system comprising:
 a burnout section configured to receive inorganic matter containing residue;   an ash ram effective moving inorganic matter containing residue from a burnout section through a transition section and into an ash sump;   a cooling medium sprayer configured to apply cooling medium to inorganic matter containing residue in the transition section; and   a vent line effective for venting a gaseous material back to the thermal decomposition unit.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the burnout section includes one or more addition points for addition of steam and oxygen in amounts effective for reducing an amount of carbon in the inorganic matter containing residue. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the ash ram is moved at a rate effective for allowing inorganic matter containing residue to cool to about 2700° F. or less. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the ash ram is moved for about 2 to about 5 seconds and then paused for about 8 to about 15 seconds. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the cooling medium is water. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 23  wherein the ash sump includes a cooling medium. 
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 28  wherein the cooling medium is water. 
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 23  wherein the gaseous material includes steam. 
     
     
         31 . The process of  claim 30  wherein a ratio of an amount of steam vented back to the thermal decomposition unit to steam added to the thermal decomposition unit from other sources is about 0.6 to 1 or less. 
     
     
         32 . The process of  claim 30  wherein a ratio of ash generated to steam generated is about 2:1 to about 6:1. 
     
     
         33 . The process of  claim 23  wherein a ratio of ash generated to cooling medium applied is about 2:1 to about 10:1.