Inventors:
John M. Wunderley - McKeesport PA
International Classification:
F23M 506
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for converting refuse to thermal energy, metal, and slag devoid of particulate matter. The refuse is injected into an ignition chamber to ignite readily burnable material. The unburnable material is past to a primary chamber wherein it is exposed to a molten metal bath and to pure oxygen to reduce the unburnable material to metal and slag. Water in the refuse reacts with carbon to produce hydrogen gas. This gas is passed to a secondary chamber wherein the hydrogen is burnt, resulting in an increase in temperature to above 3000. degree. F. and producing water. Because of this high temperature the water disassociates into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen burns repeatedly and forms water and hydrogen in rapid succession generating thermal energy devoid of particulate material. The method and apparatus are also suitable for burning coal instead of refuse.