Incineration process

Details Incineration process Incineration process

1999-03-23

2001-12-04

Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)

Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser

Process disinfecting, preserving, deodorizing, or sterilizing

A gas is substance acted upon

C110S236000, C422S004000, C422S168000, C422S169000, C422S170000, C422S171000, C422S172000, C075S403000, C588S253000, C588S253000, C588S253000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06325967

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for incinerating certain volatile organic compounds especially odorants commonly used in the natural gas industry.
Disposal of metal containers containing odorous materials including odorant mixtures used, among others, by the natural gas industry presents a disposal problem, since chemical, physical and other means of decontamination or destruction do not remove odor causing compounds completely. Disposal of such containers poses environmental liability and other odor related problems.
The term odorant as used in the natural gas industry refers to chemicals such as dimethyl sulfide, methyl ethyl sulfide, isopropyl mercaptan, normal propyl mercaptan, secondary butyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene, and similar compounds. The above are all organic compounds containing sulfur, with an easily distinguishable odor used to odorize natural gas. All of these are volatile liquids.
Thermal destruction of odor causing substances presents a viable solution for treatment of contaminated metal containers but safety and process control must be ensured.
Removal and decontamination of metal containers containing solvents, sludges and solid organic compounds presents a host of environmental, safety and technical problems, which make this process difficult and expensive. Following is a summary of most immediate problems associated with decontamination and disposal of metal containers contaminated or containing solvents, sludges or solid organic materials, very often mixed with inorganic compounds.
Environmental concerns:
1. Release of volatile compounds into atmosphere,
2. Odor problems
3. Spill danger
4. Effect of treated compounds on human health.
Safety concerns:
1. Fire and explosion danger due to the release of vapors into the environment.
2. Fire and explosion danger during dismantling of these containers using spark generating tools or open flame tools.
3. Exposure of tool operators to possibly dangerous concentrations of organic volatile substances.
Technical concerns.
1. Dismantling of contaminated metal containers has to be done in inert atmosphere or using other tools not generating sparks or open flame.
2. Containers would have to be decontaminated after initial dismantling or opening of tanks, which increases incident and accident potential.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide for-the safe and complete destruction of certain volatile organic compounds especially such compounds when disposed in metal containers.
Another object is to provide a multistage process, which separates evaporation from incineration and allows for safe, complete and environmentally sound destruction of these volatile organic compounds. The process is believed to be superior in these respects from existing chemical or other thermal methods of destruction.
A process for the destruction of volatile organic compound(s) in accordance with the invention in one aspect comprises:
(a) heating said compound(s) in a first enclosure to temperatures adequate to effect evaporation of the compound(s) under conditions which do not support the combustion of said compound(s);
(b) conducting the vapours of said compound(s) generated by heating step (a) from the first enclosure to a second enclosure and incinerating said vapour in the second enclosure.
As a preferred feature of the invention the heating in step (a) effects a controlled temperature increase under conditions wherein there is insufficient oxygen to support combustion of said vapours in the first enclosure.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention said compound(s) are in the form of a residue in a closed metal container with said metal container being positioned in said first enclosure prior to the heating in step (a) and connected to a system capable of conducting said vapours generated by heating step (a) from the interior of the metal container to the second enclosure.
In a preferred form of the invention the process includes the step of supplying inert gases under pressure to the interior of said metal container prior to commencement of heating step (a) and releasing the pressurized gases into said second enclosure prior to effecting heating step (a).
Still further according to an aspect of the invention said heating step (a) preferably comprises gradually raising the temperature in said first enclosure to initially evaporate the lower boiling and more volatile compound(s) with evaporation of higher boiling compound(s) following thereafter as the temperature is raised to and held at higher levels for selected periods of time to complete the evaporation and to decompose and/or carbonize any remaining said compounds.
In a typical embodiment of the invention said first enclosure comprises a furnace having a heating means therein to generate the desired temperatures to effect said evaporation and wherein said second enclosure comprises a primary furnace wherein incineration of the vapours released during heating step (a) is effected.
The process also typically includes the step of passing combustion products from said primary furnace through an afterburner to complete the combustion process followed by scrubbing.
The compounds referred to above may comprise sulfur-containing odorants for natural gas as well as numerous other volatile organic materials. Typical odorants include dimethyl sulfide methyl ethyl sulfide, isopropyl mercaptan, normal propyl mercaptan, secondary butyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene, and similar compounds.
The process of the invention, in summary, is particularly advantageous for volatile substances such as mercaptans, other sulfur containing solvents and solvents in general, where temperature control of and subsequent feed control into the primary furnace must be strictly regulated. Temperature control, combustion products control, proper connection of treated containers to the primary furnace as well as safety features including the controlling of temperatures, pressures in treated containers and feed rates are important practical considerations.
Apparatus for the destruction of volatile organic compounds in accordance with a further aspect of the invention includes:
(a) a first furnace for heating said compounds to temperatures adequate to effect evaporation thereof under conditions which do not support combustion of said compounds;
(b) a second furnace for incinerating the vapours generated in the first furnace, and
(c) a system for transporting the vapours from the first furnace to the second furnace while maintaining said non-combustion supporting conditions until the vapours reach the second furnace.
In a preferred form of the invention said first furnace has a heating means therein to generate the desired temperatures to effect said evaporation and said second furnace comprises a primary furnace having a supply of free oxygen thereto and wherein incineration of the vapours released during the heating in the first furnace is effected.
As noted previously said compound(s) are typically in the form of residues in a closed metal container with said first furnace being adapted to receive said metal container therein prior to the heating thereof, said vapour transporting system being capable of being attached to the metal container for conducting said vapours from the interior of the metal container to the second furnace.
A further feature of the invention is the use of a manifold system adapted to supply inert gases to the interior of said metal container to pressurize same prior to said heating, said vapour transporting system being adapted to subsequently release the pressurized inert gases into said second furnace also prior to commencement of the heating in said first furnace.
An afterburner through which combustion products from said primary furnace are passed to complete the combustion process is also a part of the preferred form of the equipment.
In summary, the preferred apparatus used includes a first (car bottom) furnace as a heating chamber, where precise temperature control during

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