Patent ID: 8093443

Claim:
A process for accelerating the rate at which asbestos can be converted into asbestos-free minerals in the process of mineralogical conversion of asbestos waste that is accomplished without melting the asbestos waste comprising: shredding whole bags of asbestos waste to increase the surface area available for absorption of mineralizing agent, applying a mineralizing agent to the shredded asbestos waste and the shredded whole bag, compressing the shredded asbestos waste and the shredded whole bag to increase the density and thus the heat transfer properties, breaking up the compressed asbestos and shredded whole bag into smaller particles to increase the rate of heat transfer, spreading the broken up particles onto a furnace floor to achieve consistent, predictable conversion rates, applying intense direct flame on the asbestos waste in selected portions of the furnace without melting the asbestos waste and the shredded whole bag to achieve a converted product that is asbestos free, and handling the converted product while hot with handling mechanisms and confining the handling mechanisms in a negative atmosphere to prevent the release of fugitive emissions.