Thermal treatment device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermal treatment device comprising a primary chamber ( 204 ) for receiving waste material ( 230 ) to be combusted, the primary chamber having a hearth ( 207 ), a transport system ( 206 ) arranged for transportation of waste material across the hearth, a mixing chamber ( 220 ) in fluid communication with the primary chamber ( 204 ); a secondary chamber ( 208 ) in fluid communication with the mixing chamber ( 220 ), and material introducing means ( 229 ) for introducing waste material ( 230 ) into the primary chamber, wherein the material introducing means ( 229 ) comprises a valve ( 202 ) for controlling air flow there-through.

1 . A thermal treatment device comprising:
 a primary chamber for receiving waste material to be combusted, the primary chamber having a hearth;   a transport system arranged for transportation of waste material across the hearth;   a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the primary chamber;   a secondary chamber in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; and   material introducing means for introducing waste material into the primary chamber;
 wherein the material introducing means comprises a valve for controlling air flow there-through. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the primary chamber includes a ceiling having a minimum height no less than 6 cm for every square meter of hearth. 
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber includes an opening, allowing fluid to enter from an external source. 
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the external source of fluid is supplied by a secondary air fan. 
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the secondary air fan houses a variable speed motor that is controlled by one or more feedback loops. 
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermal treatment device includes a warm-up burner and wherein the warm-up burner is positioned such that its output is below the primary chamber. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the warm-up burner is recessed from an inside wall of the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device includes an ash hopper and wherein the ash hopper includes a cooling jacket placed around its distal end to cool the ash. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the ash hopper includes a vacuum fan to maintain a negative pressure in the ash hopper, with respect to the primary chamber. 
     
     
         21 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device includes an air valve positioned on an outer side wall of the primary chamber. 
     
     
         22 . A device as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the air valve is controlled using a temperature feedback loop. 
     
     
         23 . A device as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the air valve can be at least substantially closed. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a draft fan. 
     
     
         27 . A device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the draft fan has a variable speed motor. 
     
     
         28 . A device as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the variable speed motor is controlled by one or more draft monitoring sensors. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A thermal treatment device comprising:
 a primary chamber for receiving waste material to be volatilized, the primary chamber having a hearth;   a transport system arranged for transportation of waste material across the hearth;   a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the primary chamber;   a secondary chamber in fluid communication with the mixing chamber;   
       material introducing means for introducing waste material into the primary chamber; and
 a warm-up burner having a substantially horizontally orientated output orifice. 
 
     
     
         32 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the warm-up burner is positioned such that its output is below the primary chamber. 
     
     
         33 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the warm-up burner is orientated such that the flame projection from the warm-up burner is directed at the secondary chamber. 
     
     
         34 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the warm-up burner is recessed from an inside wall of the apparatus. 
     
     
         35 . A device as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the warm-up burner has an isolation valve. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of combusting waste material in an thermal treatment device having primary, mixing and secondary chambers, the method comprising the steps of:
 introducing waste material via a material introducing means into the primary chamber;   moving the waste material across a hearth of the primary chamber;   directing fume from the waste material to a secondary chamber via a mixing chamber; and   directing an output from a warm-up burner towards the second chamber, the warm-up burner having an output orifice which directs said output substantially horizontally.   
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled)