Patent Number: 060841494
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Melting incineration apparatus for detoxifying hazardous substances by using high frequency waves as a heat source and removing hazardous gas and hazardous inorganic compounds that are generated during melting by utilizing chain reactions. 2. Description of Prior Art The concept of using the autoclave theory and high-temperature and high-pressure melting incinerator for removal of hazardous substances from waste material has been disclosed in the prior art. Conventionally, melting furnaces have been used mainly for manufacture of new alloys, extraction of specific metal oxides from ore, and sterilization, etc. However, nothing has been made available for incineration of rubbish and waste based on the autoclave theory. Occasionally, substances whose water content is very low, (for instance, once incinerated substances or the like), can be incinerated in such a melting furnace again, or undergo secondary incineration, the technology being used only in a simple way for recycling residue (e.g. making ashes into bricks, etc.) SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention utilizes a melting furnace that incorporates the autoclave theory and is equipped with a high-frequency (horizontal wave) device for incinerating material and for thermal decomposition and recrystallization of organic and inorganic hazardous compounds contained in it and to detoxify hazardous substances that have been recrystallized or thermally decomposed by using specific solvents. A melting furnace to accomplish the above is provided and hazardous gas that is generated during the incineration process at high temperature and under high pressure in the furnace is treated. In other words, the present invention is directed to providing a furnace that is equipped for the function of removing hazardous substances such as crystallization of halogen elements including chlorine. Safety in handling and treating organic hazardous metals by the fixation method, including organic phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and other elements (the 15th group in the periodical table) contained in the ashes generated from incineration by the melting furnace is also a concern of the present invention. In order to make use of the high-frequency device with utmost efficiency and economy, water content in the waste is a potential problem. In the present invention, prior to the melting by high frequency waves, a facility for dehydration such as thermal dehydration by far infrared (wavelength 4 .mu.m or longer) and generic drying methods is utilized. The reason far infrared rays are chosen source is to suppress generation of secondary pollutants (CO, CO.sub.2, etc.) typically generated by other heat sources. In this manner, a series of functional sections for the dehydration of waste, the incineration by a high-frequency melting furnace, safe handling and treatment of hazardous substances in the incinerated ashes, and treatment of organic gas during the melting process are provided as part of the apparatus of the present invention. Apparatus equipped with a high-frequency melting incinerator as part of a series of treatment processes is not available in the prior art. By treating hazardous substances applying the methods stated in the invention, secondary pollution is prevented from expanding to the air and the ground, and the inventive apparatus can be thus used for the prevention of environmental pollution.