Method and Furnace for the Incineration of so-called Garbage, and the Recovery of Ammonia therefrom.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1897.
Method and Furnace for the Incineration of so-called Garbage, and
the Recovery of Ammonia therefrom.
1, JEAN FRANÇOIS GEORGES DE BONARDI, MARQUIS DU MENIL, Gentleman, of 21 Place
Vendome, Paris, France. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object I have in view to accomplish is mainly the recovery of ammonia from
refuse matter, such as swill and city garbage, whilst at the same time destroying the
refuse inatter by incineration. I accomplish this object by a special method and a
special furnace, both of which form the subject matter of the present application.
The method followed in accomplishing the said object is based upon the combina-
tion of two distinct chemical reactions. The first reaction, by which the organic
matter yields up its own ammonia, requires low temperatures not exceeding from
450 to 500 degrees Centigrade. The second reaction requires, on the contrary, high
temperatures ranging from say 1200 to 1500 degrees Centigrade.
This method is carried into effect in a practically closed space and is conducted in
a furnace comprising two distinct chambers in which the two reactions take place
respectively and simultaneously. .In the one chamber, in which the first named reaction
takes place and which I'will call the distilling chamber, the volatile elements of the
refuse matter are subjected to distillation and in the other chamber, which I will call
the incinerating chamber, the remainder of the refuse matter so treated is subsequently
incinerated. The whole operation is a continuous one.
The fire gases produced in the incinerating chamber are conducted through suitable
heat-absorbing passages and flues to the distilling chamber into which. latter they
issue at such a reduced degree of heat as to be adapted for the proper accomplishment
of the reaction in the distilling chamber.
The products resulting from combustion and distillation are conveyed from the
distilling chamber to suitable apparatus, wherein they are washed, and are otherwise
dealt with for the purpose of recovering the ammonia therein contained.
The characteristic feature of this method lies in that the distilling action takes
place completely shielded from oxygen, since any introduction of air from the atmo-
sphere into the distilling chamber is practically prevented on the one hand, whilst, on
the other hand, the oxygen contained in the air forced into the apparatus, for
supporting combustion in the incinerating chamber is substantially converted into
carbonic acid.gas as it passes through the ignited mass of material burning in the
incinerating chamber. In other words, the gaseous atmosphere in the distilling
chamber is a reducing atmosphere and not an oxydising atmosphere; the materials
cannot become oxygenized as there is no entrance of air and consequently there will
not be any proportional loss in the amounts of ammonia recovered.
This invention constitutes a valuable advance over the known system of furnace in
which an attempt is made to effect the treatment in a closed space and also to divide
the space wherein the garbage is treated into two chambers, the difference being
mainly that, on the one hand, the, two chambers.I use are distinctly separate from

page_text: each other and that they both have their distinctly different degrees of temperature
suitable for the respective reactions to take place therein, whilst, on the other hand,
I have introduced special means for so separating both chambers from each other that
yet the material under treatment can be transferred from time to time from the
distilling chamber into the incinerating chamber, without practically destroying or
materially influencing the difference in the degrees of heat prevailing in each
chamber. Moreover, a further improvement over the said system resides in that I
have devised special means for enabling the refuse matter to be charged inter-
mittently into the furnace without enabling the atmospheric air to enter the apparatus,
practically speaking, while such charging operation is going on. Furthermore, the
apparatus which I have devised differs, as to construction and operation, from the
system herein before referred to.
The furnace devised for carrying out the hereinbefore described method comprises,
broadly speaking: a feed hopper for feeding the refuse matter to be treated into the
distilling chamber; means for preventing the atmospheric air from entering the
apparatus while the charging operation is going on; a conveyor for carrying the refuse
matter charged into the distilling chamber up to a vault which separates the distilling
chamber from the incinerating chamber; means for transferring the refuse matter to
the incinerating chamber after it has been treated in the distilling chamber; a
perforated fireproof partition arranged in the incinerating chamber for the reception
of the refuse matter transferred from the distilling chamber, on which the said matter
undergoes further desiccation before being finally disposed of by incineration; and an
arrangement of heat-absorbing passages and flues connecting the incinerating chamber
to the distilling chamber.
Dated this id of Decem
1906
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46 Lincolns Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
Method and Furnace for the Incineration of so-called Garbage, and
the Recovery of Ammonia therefrom.
I, JEAN FRANÇOIS GEORGES DE BONARDI, MARQUIS DU MENIL, Gentleman, of
21 Place Vendôme, Paris France do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
the
The object we have in view to accomplish is mainly the recovery of ammonia from
refuse matter, such as swill and city garbage, whilst at the same time destroying the
refuse matter by incineration. We accomplish this object by a special method and a
special furnace, both of which form the subject matter of the present application.
The method followed in accomplishing the said object is based upon
combination of two distinct chemical reactions. The first reaction, by which the
organic matter yields up its own ammonia, requires low temperatures not exceeding
from 500 to 650° Centigrade. The second reaction requires, on the contrary, high
temperatures ranging from say 1000 to 1500 degrees Centigrade.
This inetliod is carried into effect in a practically closed space and is conducted in
a furnace comprising two distinct chambers in which the two reactions take place
respectively and simultaneously. In the one chamber, in which the first named
reaction takes place and which we will call the "distilling chamber," the volatile
elements of the refuse matter are subjected to distillation and in the other chamber,
which we will call the "incinerating chamber," the remainder of the refuse matter
so treated is subsequently incinerated. The whole operation is a continuous one.

page_text: The fire-gases produced in the incinerating chamber are conducted through
suitable heat-absorbing passages and flues to the distilling chamber into which latter
they issue at such a reduced degree of heat as to be adapted for the proper
accomplishment of the reaction in the distilling chamber.
The products resulting from combustion and distillation are conveyed from the
distilling chamber to suitable apparatus wherein they are washed, and are otherwise
dealt with for the purpose of recovering the ammonia therein contained.
The characteristic feature of this method lies in that the distilling action takes
place completely shielded from oxygen, since any introduction of air from the
atinosphere into the distilling chamber is practically prevented on the one hand,
whilst, on the other hand, the oxygen contained in the air forced into the apparatus
for supporting combustion in the incinerating chamber is substantially converted into
carbonic acid gas as it passes through the ignited mass of material burning in the
incinerating chamber. In other words, the gaseous atinosphere in the distilling
chamber is a reducing atmosphere and not an oxydising atmosphere; the materials
cannot become oxygenized, as there is no entrance of air and consequently there will
not be any proportional loss in the amount of ammonia recovered.
This invention constitutes a valuable advance over the known system of furnace in
which an attempt is made to effect the treatment in a closed space and also to divide
the space wherein the garbage is treated into two chambers, the difference being
mainly that, on the one hand, the two chambers we use are distinctly separate from
each other and that they both have their distinctly different degrees of temperature
suitable for the respective reactions to take place therein, whilst, on the other hand,
we have introduced special means for so separating both chambers from each other
that yet the material under treatment can be transferred from time to time from the
distilling chamber into the incinerating chamber, without practically destroying or
materially influencing the difference in the degrees of heat prevailing in each
chamber. Moreover, a further improvement over the said system resides in that we
have devised special means for enabling the refuse matter to be charged continuously
or intermittently into the furnace without enabling atmospheric air to enter the
apparatus, practically speaking, while such charging operation is going on.
Furthermore, the apparatus which we have devised differs, as to construction and
operation; from the system hereinbefore referred to.
In the accompanying drawings, we have shown a furnace as devised for the
carrying out of the herein before specified method. The furnace is shown, by way
of example, as arbitrarily comprising two adjacent shells for the treatment of the
city garbage.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the furnace.
Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section on the line a, a of Fig. 1, looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Figs. 3, 4, 5 & 6 are details of the means for operating the valves for introducing
the garbage into the apparatus and into the fire chamber.
Fig. 7 shows a detail of the endless conveyer on a larger scale.
Fig. 8 is a section on the line b b of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9, on a larger scale, is a sectional elevation of one of the valves used for
transferring the refuse matter from the distilling chamber to the incinerating
chamber.
Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line c, c of Fig. 9.
1 is the distilling chamber over which is formed a feed-hopper 2 into which the
refuse matter to be treated is dumped. Into the wall 3 separating the distilling
chamber 1 from the hopper 2 are fitted rocking valves 4, 4, 4 in any suitable number
and position, and preferably made of metal. The openings of the wall 3 into which
the valves 4 are fitted are preferably provided with metal facings 5 with which the
valves coperate in producing a practically air-tight joint. Within the distilling
chamber 1 is arranged a conveyer composed of two endless chains 6, 6 of which one
only is shown in Figs. 2 and 8, both chains moving over two sprocket wheels 7 at one
end of the chamber and over two other sprocket wheels 8 at the other end of the

page_text: chamber, one only of such wheels 7, 8 being shown. The two sprocket wheels 7 are
fast upon a shaft 9 which is the first motion shaft of the whole apparatus, and which
receives a continuous rotary movement from any suitable source of power imparted
to a belt-pulley 10, Fig. 2; the said shaft is suitably mounted in bearings, not shown,
which may be connected to or laid in the brickwork 11 of the apparatus. The two
other sprocket wheels 8 are fast upon a shaft 12 which is likewise mounted in suitable,
, bearings not shown. At intervals, the links composing the chains 6 are provided with
outwardly projecting lugs 13 which are oppositely positioned in both chains; through
each pair of oppositely positioned lugs 13 is passed an axis 14 on each of which are
fast two flanged wheels 15 moving on rails 16 laid upon the flooring of the distilling
chamber 1. The wheels connected to the lower member of the chains 6 rest upon
the rails 16, whilst those connected to the upper member rest upon rails 17 supported
by transverse girders 18 attached to the brickwork. To the endless chains 6 is applied
set of trays 19 which are connected by hinges 20, Fig. 7, to the axis 14. "Each
tray 19 is preferably formed of perforated sheet-metal and has lengthwise upturned
sides 21, Fig. 8, whilst the transverse edges are not upturned, but are flush with the
end of the adjacent trays, thus forming a continuous horizontal surface for conveying
the refuse matter.
In a conveyer so constructed, the length of each tray 19 from the centre of one
axis 14 to the centre of an adjacent axis must be exactly equal to the development
.of the curved line drawn from the centre of one axis 22, Fig. 7, to the centre of
another axis 22 of the chain links with which the lugs 13 form part.
At the end of the distilling chainber 1 opposite to that at which the refuse matter
is introduced from the feed-hopper 2, is formed a wall or vault 23 beneath which is
the incinerating chamber and in which are arranged valves 24 in any suitable number
and position, for transferring the refuse matter from the distilling chamber 1 into
the incinerating chamber 25. The valves 24 are similar to the charging valves 4 and
are likewise rocked by a mechanism to be described, but as they are subjected to a
greater degree of heat than the valves 4, they are hollow at such portion thereof
which is directly exposed to the action of the heat in the incinerating chamber 25
and a current of cold water or other refrigerating medium is caused to circulate
through the said portion. As shown in Fig. 9 and 10, each valve 24 is formed with
a hollow space 26 which communicates at both ends of the valve with a duct 27
leading into a pipe 28 forming an extension of the valve and connected with a water
inlet pipe 29, a tight joint between the pipes 28 and 29 being secured by a stuffing-
box 30, Fig. 9. The extension of the pipe 28 acts at the same time as an axis
which is supported in a bearing 31 and to which a rocking motion is imparted by a
mechanism to be described. Refrigerating water forced into the inlet pipe 29 passes
through the extension 28, duet 27, hollow space 26 and duct 27 and escapes at the
other end of the valve, through an outlet pipe 32. The above means for refrigerating
the valves and preventing injury due to high temperatures has only been set forth
herein as an illustration of the arrangement that can be employed. for necomplishing
the purpose; anyone skilled in the art will be able to conceive equivalent arrangements
without departing from the object to be attained.
The openings in the vault or wall 28 are likewise provided with metal facings 33
which, in this instance, are subjected internally to a circulation of cold water. The
arrangement in this instance is obvious and will therefore not need to be specified..
The mechanism for imparting rocking motion to the valves 4 of the feed-hopper 2
is as follows; upon the first motion shaft 9 are fastened two cams 34, 34, Fig. 3 and 4,
co-operating with two bowls 35, 35 mounted on the opposite sides of a slotted
connecting rod 36 guided by the shaft 9 itself which passes through the slot of the
said rod. The connecting rod 36 is jointed to an elbow lever 37 fast upon the axis 38
of the first valve 4, the lever 37 being in turn connected by two links 39, 39, to
arms 40, 40 fast upon the end of the axis 41, 41 of each of the remaining valves 4.
It will thus be understood that rotary movement of the shaft 9 will cause the cams 34
to impart to and fro motion to the connecting rods 36 and consequent periodical
oscillating movement to the valves 4.

page_text: The mechanism for imparting rocking motion to the valves 24 in the vault 23 is
as follows; upon the shaft 12 of the sprocket wheels 8 are fastened two cams 42,
Fig. 2, 5 and 6, co-operating with two bowls 43, 43 mounted on the opposite sides of
a slotted connecting rod 44 guided by the shaft 12 itself, which passes through the
slot of the said rod. The connecting rod 44 is jointed to the end of an arm 45, fast
upon the hollow axis (or pipe) 28 of the first valve 24, the said arm being in turn
connected by links 46, 46 to arms 451, 45¹ fast upon the end of the axis 281, 281 of
each of the remaining valves 24. The action is obvious.
The incinerating chamber 25 comprises an ordinary fire grate 47 and a Siemens
grating 48, both of which are cooled by an internal circulation of water, as is usual
in grates exposed to intense heat. In the ash-pit 49 can be run a car 50 for
receiving and removing ashes. The atmospheric air necessary for combustion is
caused to circulate through one or more special metal-lined ducts 51, embedded in
the brickwork 11, Fig. 1 and 2, wherein it absorbs heat before it is forced by fans or
blowers to the fire-grate 47. Access is had to the ash-pit for letting the car 50 in
and out at intervals and for other purposes, by a gate 52 (one for each cell, Fig. 2)
which closes up the front of the furnace and prevents atmospheric air from entering
the same, so that only the air necessary for combustion is admitted, the blast being
regulated as required by ordinary means.
The fire-gases, as they leave the fire-chamber at a high temperature are forced
through a flue 53 into a succession of heat-absorbing chambers 54, 54 in which can be
arranged suitable heat-utilising appliances for generating steam or other purposes,
after which they pass through an exit flue 55 and issue into the distilling chamber i
at a considerably reduced temperature, suitable for the reaction to take place in the
said chainber. Known means can be employed for controlling the passage of the fire-
gases from the incinerating chamber 25 to the distilling chamber 1. The incinerating
chamber may contain one or more open brick partitions 56 onto which the refuse matter
falls as it is admitted into the incinerating chamber 25 by the valves 24 and upon which
the partly desiccated refuse matter can be allowed to remain for the purpose of
undergoing further desiccation before being finally disposed of by incineration. As it
is being further desiccated, the refuse matter becomes charred and as the particles
thereof decrease in size, they fall through the openings of the partition 56 upon the
fire-grate. A chamber 57, Fig. 1, is formed in the construction for the purpose of
inspecting and controlling the appliances operating in the heat-absorbing
chambers 54, 54. 58 is an outlet flue for the products of distillation mingled with
whatever remains of the products of combustion; such flue is connected to a fan is
usual for drawing the said products and forcing them into a washing apparatus of any
suitable kind, for the purpose of producing a liquor which is subsequently dealt with
in order to recover the ammonia therein contained. Such washing and recovering
operations do not form part of the present application.
The refuse matter to be distilled and incinerated is first subjected to the usual
sorting operation, for the purpose of eliminating certain non-combustible and other
bodies, such for instance as broken glass, earthenware, tin cans and the like, after
which it is sifted either mechanically or by hand for the purpose of separating a loose
matter which, after being desiccated, constitutes a rich manure in powdered form and
can be used directly as a fertiliser.
The operation is as follows; the gate 52 being closed, a generation of fire-gases
being started either by a blast of ignited hydrocarbon produced in the known manner
or by a coal or other fire in the incinerating chamber 25, the feed-hopper 2 being
charged with garbage, and motive power being applied to the belt-pulley 10, an
oscillating motion will first be imparted intermittently to the charging valves 4,
through the instrumentality of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3 and 4 and garbage
will be admitted into the distilling chamber 1 and fall upon the trays 19 of the
conveyer, whilst at the same time, the conveyer will be put in motion and carry the
garbage from right to left in Fig. 1, until it is dumped upon the valves 24 to which
an oscillating motion is also imparted intermittently through the instrumentality of
the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 and 6, whereby the garbage is allowed to fall upon

page_text: the brick partition 56 of the incinerating chamber 25, water being caused to circulat
through the valves 24 and facings 33, as herein before explained. As the garbage i
being desiccated and charred, the particles thereof decrease in size and fall or are
made to fall, by suitable stirrers (not shown) operated from the outside, upon the
fire-grate and accumulate thereon at the same time as they burn. When a sufficient
amount of partly desiccated and charred garbage has been introduced into the
incinerating chamber, it can alone constitute the fuel and the injection of hydrocarbon
can be stopped, but it may be continued to a moderate extent to promote combustion.
A blast of heated air is supplied to the fire-grate 47 to assist combustion, as described.
The fire-gases escape through the flues 53 and after passing through the heat
absorbing chambers 54, 54, issue through the flue 55 into the distilling
chamber 1, wherein they act to desiccate the garbage contained upon the moving
conveyer and to distil the same, the products being drawn into the outlet flue 58 by
a fan and disposed of as hercin before stated. The distinct operations of distilling
and incinerating are continuous and simultaneous. The speed of the conveyer can
be regulated so as to suit the incinerating operation and vice versa. It is held that
the temperature in the distilling chamber will range from 500 to 650 degrees C. and
that in the incinerating chamber from 1000 to 1500 degrees C.
When the car 50 is full of ashes, the operation of the furnace is stopped, the
mechanisms are arrested, the blast is turned off from the fire-grate, the fan which
draws the products of distillation and forces them into the washing apparatus is
stopped, the gate 52 is opened, the car 50 is hawled out and is replaced by an empty
one, after which the gate is again closed, the blast turned on, and the mechanisins
as well as the fan are again started, and the operation of the furnace is continued.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The herein-described process of treating garbage consisting in distilling the
same and then burning the residuum, the distillation being carried on at a relatively
low temperature while shielding the fresh garbage from the air and by using some of
the heat units developed in the burning of the residuum to raise the temperature of
the fresh garbage, substantially as described.
2. The herein-described process of treating garbage consisting in subjecting it to a
distillation and then subjecting the residuum to incineration, the heated products of
combustion from the incineration of the garbage being passed into contact with the
garbage while being distilled and the garbage being shielded from the air during
the distillation, substantially as described.
. 3. The herein-described process of treating garbage consisting in distilling the
same and then subjecting the residuum to incineration, the heated products from
the incineration being reduced in temperature and then passed into contact with the
garbage for the distilling operation, substantially as described.
4. The combination of a combustion chamber, a substantially horizontal air-tight
distilling chamber situated with reference to the combustion chamber so as to receive
only a limited portion of the units of heat generated within the combustion chamber,
means for admitting garbage to the distilling chamber, means for conveying the
garbage through the distilling chamber, means for discharging the residuum from
the distilling chamber to the combustion chamber, and a duct for leading off the
products of distillation.
5. A garbage distilling and incinerating furnace, comprising an air-tight distilling
chamber 1, means for feeding the same, an incinerating chamber 25, means for
feeding the same, both chambers being separated practically air-tight from each
other, heat absorbing flues connecting the chambers and forming a circuitous passage
between them, substantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
6. In combination, the low temperature distilling chamber, practically air-tight,
having an outlet for distilled products, the high temperature incinerating chamber,
and the connection between the two chambers which is practically air-tight and

page_text: adapted to permit the feeding of the material from the distilling chamber to the
incinerating chamber, substantially as described.
7. In combination in a garbage furnace, a distilling chamber, an incinerating
chamber, a conveyer in the distilling chamber, the air-tight valve for feeding the
distilling chamber and the power transmitting connections between the feeding valve
and the conveyer shaft, substantially as described.
8. A garbage furnace comprising a distilling chamber, means for excluding the air
from the distilling chamber and means for transferring some of the heat units from
the burning chamber to heat the garbage in the distilling chamber, substantially as
described.
9. A garbage distilling and incinerating furnace comprising a distilling chamber,
means for feeding the same while shielding it from oxygen, a conveyer for the garbage,
an incinerating chamber, means for separating it practically air-tight from the
distilling chamber, means for feeding the incinerating chamber with partly distilled
garbage from the distilling chamber, while at the same time preventing the fire-gases
in the incinerating chamber from passing through the separating vault into the
distilling chamber, a heat reducing communication between the two chambers, means
for closing up the furnace against entrance of atmospheric air, except that which
being necessary for combustion, is supplied to the fire-grate by a forced draught, and
means for collecting the products of distillation.
Dated this 13th day of August 1897.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inu Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.