Waste Conversion Technology, Inc.

Chem Pro

Scott A Santora

James F Albus

A process for vitrifying waste material containing environmentally hazardous metals or metal compounds includes drying a waste material using a flash dryer, where the drying is carried out at a temperature low enough to prevent volatilization of hazardous metals and metal compounds contained in the waste material. Preferably, more than about 95% of the water is removed form the waste material. The dried waste material is transferred from the flash dryer into a melting vessel, melted, collected and cooled to form a vitrified mass of waste material. Gases produced during the process of the invention are filtered, treated, and released into the atmosphere.

Process and apparatus for vitrification of hazardous waste materials

Improved clarity in treated wastewater is achieved by adding a flocculating agent following screening by fine mesh screening means, preferably a centrifugal screen separator. The effectiveness of the separator is improved, in turn, by preceding it in the direction of liquid flow by a corrugated plate interceptor to remove greases and oils. Preferably, fine mesh screening is carried out by two separate screening devices, one being a high liquid volume centrifugal screen strainer, and the other being a mechanically self-cleaned low liquid volume device. Wastewater is delivered to a thickener, preferably a corrugated plate separator, the thickened product being delivered to the low liquid volume device, and the supernatant being delivered to the centrifugal screen strainer. The corrugated plate interceptor not only acts as a thickener, but also eliminates grease and oil, which would interfere with the operation of the centrifugal screen strainer. Organic sludge produced in the system is recycled through a carbonization system comprising a loop dryer and a molten salt column to produce a high grade activated carbon adsorbent. The throughput of an electrolytic flotation apparatus is enhanced by the incorporation of a corrugated plate interceptor in its outlet, in which reverse flow of particulate matter takes place.

Wastewater treatment

An improved electrode assembly for use in electrolytic flotation for wastewater treatment comprises a series of overlying layers of foraminous mesh arranged in substantially horizontal planes, wherein electrically conductive mesh layers constituting the anode and cathode are maintained in closely spaced relationship with each other, but are prevented from coming into direct contact with each other by one or more insulating mesh layers.

Growing community of inventors

Hammonton, NJ, United States of America

Scott A Santora