Vertech Treatment Systems, Inc.

Other

Waste Treatment Patents En Research N.v.

Hermann W Peterscheck

William L Schwoyer

Joseph E Zeigler

Mark T Atwood

Leonard A Kaufmann

Dean R Sillerud

Frank Carlson

Dean Sillerud

Larry S Jaycox

A process is disclosed for co-processing spent nitric acid wash water with organic or biological wastes under wet oxidation conditions whereby the nitrogen content of the waste and the chemical oxygen demand and the nitrogen content of the nitric acid wash water and of the organic or biological wastes are significantly reduced. The nitric acid wash water is the waste stream generated by descaling wet oxidation reactors used for the treatment of organic or biological wastes, especially municipal wastes. The process of this invention can be carried out in conventional above ground equipment or in a subterranean, down-hole reactor having a vertical configuration which utilizes gravitational forces to provide a high pressure reaction environment. The nitric acid wash water and organic wastes are reacted with an oxidant at a temperature greater than 150.degree. C. and a pressure suffient to keep water in the liquid state. The nitric acid wash water is mixed with the organic waste or is introduced through the oxidant (preferably gaseous oxygen) inlet in such a manner that gas with water vapor and the remaining acid provides a liquid film so there are essentially no 'dry spots' in the oxidant inlet lines.

Method for co-processing organic wastes and spent nitric acid wash water

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for collecting and liquefying off-gases, particularly carbon dioxide, generated by a wet oxidation of organic matter and for the on sight gasification of liquid oxygen for use as an oxidant in the wet oxidation reaction. Through a series of separation and pressurization operations, high pressure off-gases are introduced into a heat exchanger at substantially the same time as liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen and compressed off-gases are in heat exchange relation in the heat exchanger but are isolated from one another. Heat is transferred from the compressed off-gases to the liquid oxygen whereby the off-gases are liquified and the liquid oxygen is gasified. The liquified off-gases may then be stored in appropriate storage units. The gaseous oxygen is used as the oxidant for the wet oxidation reaction. In another aspect, odor-producing compounds are removed from the off-gases by a condensation process wherein the odor-producing compounds are separated from the off-gases by condensation. In still another aspect, these odor-producing compounds are removed from the off-gases after liquifaction by a chemical operation which chemically strips the odor-producing compounds from the liquified off-gases.

Method for wet oxidation treatment

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for collecting and liquefying off-gases, particularly carbon dioxide, generated by a wet oxidation of organic matter and for the on sight gasification of liquid oxygen for use as an oxidant in the wet oxidation reaction. Through a series of separation and pressurization operations, high pressure off-gases are introduced into a heat exchanger at substantially the same time as liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen and compressed off-gases are in heat exchange relation in the heat exchanger but are isolated from one another. Heat is transferred from the compressed off-gases to the liquid oxygen whereby the off-gases are liquified and the liquid oxygen is gasified. The liquified off-gases may then be stored in appropriate storage units. The gaseous oxygen is used as the oxidant for the wet oxidation reaction. In another aspect, odor-producing compounds are removed from the off-gases by a condensation process wherein the odor-producing compounds are separated from the off-gases by condensation. In still another aspect, these odor-producing compounds are removed from the off-gases after liquefaction by a chemical stripping operation which chemically strips the odor-producing compounds from the liquefied off-gases.

Method and apparatus for the production and liquefaction of gases

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a reaction apparatus having an externalized heat exchange mechanism by which heat may be added to or withdrawn from a reactant mixture. In one aspect, the present invention includes a cased well which extends approximately 5000 feet vertically into the earth in which at least one reaction vessel is suspended from a support plate at substantially ground level surface. The reaction vessel comprises an outer closed-end tube in which an inner open-end tube is disposed in a concentric manner to define an annulus which is in flow communication with the bore of the inner tube. Substantially parallel to the reaction vessel and also suspended from the ground level support plate, is a conduit which extends into the chamber defined by the well-casing. In the method of the present invention, a mixture of reactants, preferably diluted municipal waste, is injected into the annulus of the reaction vessel to form a hydrostatic column which exerts substantial fluid pressure at a reaction zone in the lower part of the reaction vessel. A heat-transfer medium, such as oil, is heated to an elevated temperature and then flowed through the conduit into the chamber where the hot heat-transfer medium envelopes the reaction vessel. Heat is transferred from the heat-transfer medium to the reactant mixture through the wall of the outer closed-end tube. In the case of an exothermic reaction, when the temperature of the reactants reaches a selected level, the reaction process gives off heat which is withdrawn by the heat exchange medium. As the reactants form reaction products, the reaction products are flowed from the annulus through the bore of the inner tube back up to ground surface level.

Asymmetric heat-exchange reaction apparatus for effecting chemical

A method of treating organic waste is provided which includes separating the liquid portion of the waste from the solid portion prior to reacting said solid portion in an accelerated wet oxidation reaction. The method includes using an internally-derived ash from the wet oxidation reaction to weight the organic waste, thereby increasing the rate at which the liquid phase can be separated from the solid phase. By first removing the liquid portion of the waste, the oxygen demand of the waste to be processed by wet oxidation is substantially lowered. Ammonia is removed from the liquid portion of the waste in a de-ammoniating step which is followed by biological decomposition to form a liquid stream having a greatly reduced oxygen demand. In one embodiment, the method includes further treating the liquid stream to substantially remove salts and using the resulting deionized stream as a diluent to dilute the solid portion of the waste prior to wet oxidation. The present invention also provides a method of treating organic waste which includes reacting said waste in accelerated wet oxidation reaction apparatus to produce a low-volume sterile ash, a liquid effluent portion and a mixture of reaction off gases. The liquid effluent portion is de-ammoniated then decomposed biologically to form a liquid stream having a greatly reduced oxygen demand. The liquid stream is then desalinated and used as a diluent to dilute the organic waste prior to its introduction into the wet oxidation reaction apparatus.

Process for the treatment of waste

A process for effecting chemical reactions, including wet oxidation reactions, in a deep well or down-hole reactor preferably providing a crosscurrent flow in a nested tube configuration wherein the influent fluid is in heat transfer relation with the effluent fluid. The disclosed process includes flowing an influent fluid including the reactants downwardly through a downcomer pipe which extends below ground in a subterranean opening or well casing forming a hydrostatic column of fluid, which defines a predetermined pressure, with the reactants at a temperature sufficient to initiate and maintain the desired chemical reaction. The method then includes flowing the effluent fluid upwardly through an upcomer pipe to ground level, preferably in heat transfer relation with the downflowing influent fluid. The method of this invention includes boiling the effluent fluid in the upcomer pipe, thereby reducing the hydrostatic fluid pressure in the upcomer and increasing the mass flow rate. The boiling of the effluent in the upcomer pipe may be initiated periodically at predetermined timed intervals to reduce pump pressure and increase the mass flow rate through the apparatus or the boiling of the effluent may be maintained to substantially eliminate pump pressure following initiation of an exothermic reaction in the reaction zone defined at the lower extent of a deep well reaction apparatus.

Process for effecting chemical reactions

A method of removing scale from the surfaces of a fluid treatment apparatus by directing a base solution and an acid solution through the fluid treatment apparatus. The fluid treatment apparatus cleaned by the method of the present invention is a vertical tube wet oxidation treatment apparatus in which an aqueous slurry of organic materials is oxidized in a tube which extends deep into the surface of the earth. Water rinses are performed between the steps of circulating the aqueous base solution, circulating the aqueous acid solution, and operating the fluid treatment apparatus. The water used for separating the sequential steps is preferably buffered water. The aqueous acid solution is preferably a mineral acid and most preferably nitric acid. The aqueous base solution is preferably potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The method also contemplates a sectional wash of the apparatus by directing a base or acid solution partially into the apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Longmont, CO, United States of America

Hermann W Peterscheck