초록 ▼

A hydrothermal process (10) is integrated into a wastewater treatment facility (12) to fully oxidize an undigested wastewater sludge produced by the treatment facility. A thickened and conditioned feed mixture comprising sludge from the treatment facility is first pressurized to a critical pressure

A hydrothermal process (10) is integrated into a wastewater treatment facility (12) to fully oxidize an undigested wastewater sludge produced by the treatment facility. A thickened and conditioned feed mixture comprising sludge from the treatment facility is first pressurized to a critical pressure and then heated to a reaction initiating temperature below the critical temperature. An oxidant is injected into the feed mixture at the reaction initiating temperature to initiate an oxidation reaction in low light-off temperature constituents of the feed mixture to produce a partially reacted mixture and raise the temperature of the partially reacted mixture to at least the critical temperature for water in a supercritical water oxidation reactor (52). Heat from the supercritical water oxidation reaction is used to heat the feed mixture and also, to condition the sludge from the wastewater treatment plant preferably by thickening and heating the sludge. The effluent from the supercritical water oxidation reactor (52) may also be used to produce a standard, high quality steam which may be used to drive a steam turbine (72). Solids laden effluent from the supercritical water oxidation reactor (52) is reduced in a pressure reducing arrangement (90).

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for treating undigested wastewater sludges, the apparatus comprising:(a) a pump adapted to receive a feed mixture and pressurize the feed mixture to a pressure above the critical pressure for water, the feed mixture comprising a wastewater sludge;(b) a heat exchanger a

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for treating undigested wastewater sludges, the apparatus comprising:(a) a pump adapted to receive a feed mixture and pressurize the feed mixture to a pressure above the critical pressure for water, the feed mixture comprising a wastewater sludge;(b) a heat exchanger arrangement connected to receive the pressurized feed mixture from the pump in a heat exchange relationship with at least one heat exchange fluid;(c) a heater connected to receive the feed mixture from the heat exchanger arrangement through a first reaction conduit;(d) oxidant injection means for introducing an oxidant into the feed mixture at least at a point after the feed mixture has exchanged heat with the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchanger arrangement and before the heater; and(e) a supercritical water oxidation reactor connected to receive a partially reacted mixture from the heater through a second reaction conduit, the partially reacted mixture comprising partially oxidized feed mixture, the supercritical water oxidation reactor for maintaining the partially reacted mixture at a supercritical temperature and supercritical pressure for a time sufficient to oxidize substantially all organic material within the partially reacted mixture and produce a supercritical effluent.