Other

State of Oregon

Southern California Edison Company

Thomas R Miles

Lory E Larson

Eric U Doiron

Bill L Rose

A system for disposing of refuse-derived fuel ('RDF') and converting the refuse-derived fuel into a fuel gas is described. The system includes a positive pressure combustion chamber and a feed system for feeding the RDF into the combustion chamber at high speed. No compaction of the low density RDF is required. The feed system includes a feed conveyor, first and second air locks with a first conduit between the feed conveyor and the first air lock, and a second conduit between the first and second air locks. Both conduits are generally vertically oriented, but sloped at an angle that prevents bridging of the RDF.

System for burning refuse-derived fuel

A method and apparatus for compressing fibrous material into dense bales having uniform size, shape and weight. Weighed longitudinally extended charges of material having a predetermined transverse dimensional profile are individually loaded into a compression chamber defined by side plates and first and second movable end platens. A long-stroke small-diameter hydraulic piston pushes the first end platen against the charge toward the second end platen, partially compressing the charge. The first end platen is then latched in a fixed position at full stroke while the second end platen, via a short-stroke large-diameter hydraulic piston, applies a further compressive force to the charge against the first end platen. The resulting fully compressed charge is pushed out of the compression chamber, bound loosely while still fully compressed, then released, whereupon the bale longitudinally expands into the bindings to a predetermined length. As the large-diameter piston retracts to begin the subsequent compression cycle, hydraulic oil is routed therefrom to other hydraulic cylinders to effect retraction thereof, thereby lessening demand on the hydraulic pump, saving energy and reducing cycle time.

High-density compactor for fibrous material

A wheel supported vehicle having a burning chamber, a draft stack in communication with a forward end of the burning chamber and a burner at a rear of the burning chamber. An air mover means operable to deliver air to the stack and to the burning chamber. As the vehicle is moved forwardly over a field, the heat from burning combustible material at the rearward end of the chamber will be drawn forwardly to evaporate moisture from the combustible material in the path of the chamber so that it will move readily ignite and burn clearly.

Field burner

Apparatus for thermally cultivating a field including a wheel-supported vehicle having elongate frame members and a burning chamber over the ground. A draft stack and an air mover are disposed at a forward end of the vehicle and an igniter is disposed beneath the stack. When combustible material is ignited, the air mover is operated to discharge air upwardly through the stack to thereby induce a draft. The induced draft draws air and products of combustion from the burning chamber toward and upwardly through the stack. The forwardly moving fire continuously advances flame against unburned combustible material as the vehicle moves forwardly. The fire is thus continuously propagated. The apparatus additionally includes stowable side sections so that a predetermined vehicle width may be presented for roadway transport.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Thomas R Miles