WO2008091042A1

WO2008091042A1 - Method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing untreated waste material

Info

Publication number: WO2008091042A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/002296
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung-Wook Min; Byung-Wook Cho
Original assignee: JUNGAM ENVIRONMENT CO Ltd
Current assignee: JUNGAM ENVIRONMENT CO Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-24
Filing date: 2007-05-10
Publication date: 2008-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-24
Also published as: KR100768485B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for drying a variety of untreated waste materials, such as food waste, sewage, soil waste, waste water sludge, agricultural, livestock and marine waste by-products, livestock excretion, etc., in a sealed state, and carbonizing the dried material under a reduced pressure, thereby achieving a more stable and economical treatment for the waste materials, and an apparatus for performing the method. With the method and apparatus, it is possible to separate condensate water from a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream and discharge the condensate water having passed through a purifying operation, while utilizing the residual air stream as burning air required for drying and carbonization of the waste material. This has the effects of preventing generation of contaminants and environmental pollution while reducing fuel costs, and a carbide, obtained via the drying and carbonization of the waste material, is available into solid fuel having superior burning efficiency.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING AND CARBONIZING UNTREATED WASTE MATERIAL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method for drying a variety of untreated waste materials, such as food waste, sewage, soil waste, waste water sludge, agricultural, livestock and marine waste by-products, livestock excretion, etc., in a hermetically sealed state, and subsequently carbonizing the dried waste materials under a reduced pressure, thereby achieving a more stable and economical treatment for the waste materials, and an apparatus for performing the method. Background Art

[2] In general, representative conventional treatments for a variety of waste materials include reclamation, fermentation and drying, and drying or burning treatments.

[3] Of the above mentioned treatments, a reclamation treatment is allowed only in an extremely limited range because it may cause environmental pollution around reclaimed land or generate leachate water, noxious odors, etc. Accordingly, the reclamation treatment fails to provide a basic solution for treating waste materials.

[4] As one example of a fermentation and drying treatment, U.S. Patent No. 6,851,845 discloses a method for processing waste materials into a compost pile. However, the disclosed fermentation and drying treatment requires a great amount of time and effort to process waste materials into a compost pile, and harmful gas or noxious odors is generated in the course of fermenting and drying waste materials, resulting in serious environmental pollution. Furthermore, the material, obtained via the fermentation and drying treatment, contains a large quantity of salt, and therefore is unsuitable to be directly utilized in a compost pile. In particular, the fermentation and drying treatment has a limit in the kind of untreated waste materials available thereby.

[5] A drying treatment is classified into hot-air drying, air flotation drying, rotary kiln drying, micron injection drying treatments, etc. In all the drying treatments, however, outside air is introduced, in a mixed state, into drying equipment, and an air stream inside the drying equipment contains a large quantity of exhaust gas. This makes it difficult to dispose the exhaust gas, thus spreading air pollution by the exhaust gas and suffering from a great loss of fuel because the exhaust gas is directly discharged to the outside during a drying operation. Further, since most the conventional drying equipment has no function of adsorbing an air stream floating a dried material due to the outside air supplemented during a drying operation, the resulting solid air has poor burning efficiency. In addition, the drying operation requires a separate external heating source, and thus is uneconomical because of excessive fuel costs. The resulting completely dried material has an unbalanced nature and consequently, is difficult to recycle. Moreover, since contaminants generated during the drying operation results in environmental pollution of the surroundings, the drying equipment has been recognized as aversive equipment.

[6] Recently, to solve the above described problems to some extent, there has been known a technology for carbonizing a variety of waste materials via oxygen-free or low-oxygen thermal decomposition, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,022,293. However, the carbonization technology suffers from generation of a great amount of harmful exhaust gas and low-density dried gas because the carbonization technology employs a mixing burning method, resulting in a degradation in burning efficiency and excessive loss of fuel. In addition, high-temperature thermal decomposition shortens the lifespan of carbonizing equipment. Even if the dried gas generated in the equipment is separated for independent burning thereof, the dried gas has to be mixed with a great amount of outside air for the burning thereof, and therefore, there are several problems, for example, air pollution by harmful exhaust gas, a difficulty in the recovery of heat by the exhaustion of mixed air during a drying operation, and excessive loss of fuel and increased fuel costs. For these problems, the carbonization technology is uneconomical and has no practical use. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein condensate water, which is generated as a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream obtained during a drying operation is subjected to condensation and dehumidification processes, is discharged to the outside after being purified, and the residual air stream is utilized as burning air to achieve a high-purity combustible burning gas via thermal decomposition without introduction of outside air during a carbonizing operation, whereby the burning gas can be utilized as a heating source for the drying and carbonizing operations without generation of contaminants, thereby preventing environmental pollution and achieving reduced fuel costs.

[8] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a carbide, obtained via drying and carbonizing operations, can be fabricated into a solid fuel having a high burning efficiency and achieve a remarkable reduction in volume as compared to the capacity of the initial untreated waste material. [9] It is a third object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a plurality of cylindrical agitation/transfer units are sequentially arranged in two rows and multiple stages within drying and carbonizing processors to achieve a sufficient drying and carbonizing process time by virtue of their long agitation/transfer distances while defining preheating spaces therebetween to achieve a uniform preheating treatment in the overall processors, and each agitation/transfer unit contains a double-helix delivery screw having an L-shaped agitating blade to achieve more efficient agitation and transfer operations while preventing generation of internal scale and achieving improved heat conductivity, a space defined between the L-shaped agitating blade and a center shaft of the agitation/transfer unit facilitating the flow of an air stream and dried gas and achieving efficient operation of the agitation/transfer unit.

[10] It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a quantitative feeder, used in each of drying and carbonizing processors, includes: a level gauge installed in an upper region thereof for selectively stopping the feeding of the waste material depending on the load of the waste material and suppressing an internal pressure generated by the waste material loaded in an inner loading space of the feeder during a drying or carbonizing operation; crushing rods arranged in two rows in a middle region thereof for allowing the crushed waste material to fall down without the risk of conglomeration or hardening; and delivery screws arranged in two rows for enabling continuous quantitative feeding of the material.

[11] It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a semi-circular heat- resistance burning unit is installed in a carbonization processor and adapted to supply a hot burning air stream such that the burning air stream can be uniformly dispersed and discharged to achieve a uniform balanced heating operation without the risk of local concentration of heat, thereby preventing any damage by a concentrative thermal reaction and achieving the sequential implementation of a primary carbonization heating operation, a secondary drying heating operation, and a tertiary preheating operation using a heat exchanger.

[12] It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a delivery screw of an agitation/transfer unit is configured such that a guider is installed, at a right angle, to an outer periphery of a blade coupled to a center shaft so as to achieve efficient transfer of the material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation, and a pair of parallel delivery screws are arranged in an input storage hopper and adapted to rotate in different directions, so as to achieve smooth discharge of the material without the risk of trapping by the screws.

[13] It is a seventh object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a quantitative discharger includes: a level gauge provided at an upper end thereof and a discharge screw provided at a lower end thereof, so as to achieve appropriate transfer and discharge of the material on the basis of results detected by the level gauge, thereby eliminating generation of an excessive internal pressure and enabling gradual cooling and discharge of burning air.

[14] It is an eight object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material wherein a plurality of agitation/ transfer units, arranged in multiple rows, have a power transmission including chains and chain gears arranged in sequence, thereby achieving operational safety of all the agitation/transfer units by stopping operation of the agitation/transfer units all at once if some of chains are broken or separated, and resulting in a simplified power transmission, reduced consumption of power, and operational convenience by virtue of continuous rotation of the agitation/transfer units arranged in sequence.

Technical Solution

[15] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material comprising: a material input and storage step for storing a material, including a variety of untreated waste materials, in an input storage hopper in readiness for agitation and transfer; a quantitative feeding and drying step for feeding a quantitative amount of the material, stored in the material input and storage step, into a drying processor and agitating and transferring the quantitative amount of the material within the hermetically sealed drying processor for allowing the material to be heated and dried in a hermetic state by a secondary heating source; a quantitative feeding and carbonizing step for feeding the quantitative amount of the material, dried in the quantitative feeding and drying step, into a carbonization processor and agitating and transferring the quantitative amount of the material within the hermetically sealed carbonization processor for allowing the material to be carbonized by a primary heating source; and a quantitative discharge step for discharging the quantitative amount of the material, carbonized in the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, to the outside of the quantitative discharger, and wherein the method further comprises: a condensate water discharge step for generating condensate water and a high-temperature and low humidity air stream as a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the material within the sealed drying processor during the quantitative feeding and drying step, is subjected to condensation and dehumidifying processes, and then discharging the condensate water to the outside after purifying the condensate water by an active carbon filter; a primary heating step for delivering the high-temperature and low humidity air stream, generated during the condensate water discharge step, to the primary heating source, and also delivering dried gas, generated from the interior of the carbonization processor and the quantitative discharger during the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, to the primary heating source, so as to heat the carbonization processor by use of a hot air stream generated via the burning of the high- temperature and low humidity air stream and the dried gas; a secondary heating step for delivering a residual hot air stream, remaining after being used in the primary heating step, to the drying processor, so as to heat the drying processor; and an exhaust gas discharge step for discharging the gas, remaining after being used in the secondary heating step and having passed through the heat exchanger, to the outside after purifying the gas by use of the active carbon absorber. [16] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material comprising: an input storage hopper configured to receive and store the untreated waste material in readiness for agitation and mixing, a first conveyor being installed at the bottom of the input storage hopper; a drying processor including a body having an inlet and an outlet, a first quantitative feeder installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the first conveyor, first agitation/transfer units arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body; and a second conveyor installed to the outlet of the body; a carbonization processor including a body having an inlet and an outlet, a second quantitative feeder installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the second conveyor, second agitation/transfer units arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body, and a burning unit installed in a bottom region of the body; a quantitative discharger including a body having an inlet and outlet, a third conveyor installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the outlet of the body of the carbonization processor, and a discharge conveyor installed to the outlet of the body for discharging a treated material to the outside; a condensate water discharge line including a condenser, a dehumidifier, and an active carbon filter such that a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the interior of the drying processor, passes through the condenser and the dehumidifier to generate condensate water and the condensate water is subsequently discharged to the outside by way of the active carbon filter; a dried air stream delivery line including a heat exchanger such that a low-temperature and low humidity air stream, which is generated as the high-temperature and high-humidity air stream from the drying processor passes through the condenser and the dehumidifier, is delivered to the burning unit in the carbonization processor by way of the heat exchanger; a primary dried gas feeding line to deliver dried gas, which is generated from the interior of the carbonization processor during a carbonizing operation, to the burning unit in the carbonization processor; a second dried gas feeding line to deliver dried gas, generated from the quantitative discharger, to the burning unit in the carbonization processor; the burning unit serving as a primary heating source for mixing and burning the air stream from the dried air stream delivery line and the dried gas from the primary and secondary dried gas feeding lines, and heating the carbonization processor; a primary residual heat delivery line serving as a second heating source for heating the drying processor by supplying residual heat, remaining after heating the carbonization processor by the burning unit, to the drying processor; a secondary residual heat delivery line serving as a third heating source for heating the heat exchanger by supplying residual heat, remaining after heating the drying processor, to the heat exchanger; and a gas discharge line including an active carbon absorber and adapted to discharge the gas, used to heat the heat exchanger, to the outside by way of the active carbon absorber.

Advantageous Effects

[17] As described above, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material having the following effects.

[18] Firstly, according to the present invention, a plurality of cylindrical agitation/transfer units, provided in drying and carbonizing processors, are systematically arranged in multiple rows to achieve a sufficient drying and carbonizing process time by virtue of their long agitation and transfer distances. In addition, preheating spaces are defined between the respective agitation transfer units to achieve a uniform preheating treatment in the overall region of the processors, and each agitation/transfer unit has a double-helix delivery screw having an L-shaped agitating blade, to achieve more efficient agitation and transfer operations while preventing generation of internal scale and achieving improved heat conductivity. Between the L-shaped agitating blade and a center shaft of the delivery screw is defined a space for facilitating the flow of an air stream and dried gas, for the sake of efficient operation of the agitation/transfer units.

[19] Secondly, the present invention provides a quantitative feeder for use in the drying and carbonizing processors, which includes: a level gauge installed in an upper region thereof for selectively stopping the feeding of a waste material depending on the load of the waste material and suppressing an internal pressure generated by the waste material loaded in an inner loading space thereof during a drying or carbonizing operation; crushing rods arranged in two rows in a middle region thereof for allowing the crushed waste material to fall down without the risk of conglomeration or hardening; and delivery screws arranged in two rows for enabling continuous quantitative feeding of the material. [20] Thirdly, a semi-circular heat-resistance burning unit is installed in a carbonization processor and adapted to supply a hot burning air stream while allowing the air stream to be uniformly dispersed and discharged to the outside. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a uniform heating operation without the risk of local concentration of heat. This has the effect of preventing any damage by a concentrative thermal reaction and achieving the sequential implementation of a primary carbonization heating operation, a secondary drying heating operation, and a tertiary preheating operation using a heat exchanger. Further, a delivery screw of an agitation/transfer unit is configured such that a guider is installed, at a right angle, to an outer periphery of a blade coupled to a center shaft, thereby achieving efficient transfer of the material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation. In addition, a pair of parallel delivery screws are arranged in an input storage hopper and adapted to rotate in different directions, thereby achieving smooth discharge of the material without the risk of trapping by the screws. Furthermore, a quantitative discharger is provided, at an upper end thereof, with a level gauge and, at a lower end thereof, with a discharge screw. The quantitative discharger has the effect of achieving appropriate transfer and discharge of materials on the basis of results detected by the level gauge, and consequently eliminating the generation of excessive internal pressure and enabling gradual discharge of cold air.

[21] Fourthly, according to the present invention, condensate water, which is generated as a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, obtained during a drying operation, is subjected to condensation and dehumidification processes, is discharged to the outside after being purified, and the residual air stream is utilized as burning air to achieve a high-purity combustible burning gas via thermal decomposition without introduction of outside air during a carbonizing operation. Thereby, the burning gas can be utilized as a heating source for the drying and carbonizing operations without generation of contaminants, and this has the effect of preventing environmental pollution and achieving reduced fuel costs. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[23] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the sequence of a method according to the present invention;

[24] FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating the arrangement sequence of an apparatus for performing the method shown in FIG. 1 ;

[25] FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away plan view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the apparatus shown in FlG. 2; [26] FlG. 4 is an enlarged elevation sectional view illustrating the important part of an input storage hopper included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in HGS. 2 and 3;

[27] FlG. 5 is a side sectional view of FlG. 4;

[28] FlG. 6 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the important part of the input storage hopper shown in FIGS. 4 and 5; [29] FlG. 7 is an enlarged cut-away rear view illustrating a drying processor included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; [30] FlG. 8 is a side sectional view of FlG. 7 when viewing from a different direction from that of FlG. 7; [31] FlG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a power transmission mechanism of the drying processor shown in FIGS. 7 and 8; [32] FlG. 10 is an enlarged cut-away rear view illustrating a carbonization processor included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; [33] FlG. 11 is a side sectional view of FlG. 9 when viewing from a different direction from that of FlG. 9;

[34] FlG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a power transmission mechanism of the carbonization processor shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ; [35] FlG. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating the important part of an embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 11;

[36] FlG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of FlG. 13;

[37] FlG. 15 is a side sectional view of a burning unit installed in the carbonization processor shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ;

[38] FlG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating the important part of FlG. 15;

[39] FlG. 17 is an enlarged view illustrating a quantitative feeder for use with each of the drying processor and the carbonization processor shown in FIGS. 7 and 10; [40] FlG. 18 is a side view illustrating an external power transmission mechanism of the quantitative feeder shown in FlG. 17; [41] FlG. 19 is an enlarged view illustrating the configuration of a quantitative discharger included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; [42] FlG. 20 is an enlarged view illustrating the configuration of a conveyor included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; [43] FlG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a condenser included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; [44] FlG. 22 is a cross sectional view of FlG. 21 ;

[45] FlG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the configuration of a dehumidifier included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; [46] FlG. 24 is a cross sectional view of FlG. 23;

[47] FlG. 25 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the configuration of a heat exchanger included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[48] FlG. 26 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the configuration of an active carbon filter included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[49] FlG. 27 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the configuration of an active carbon absorber included in the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; and

[50] FlG. 28 is a right side view of HG. 27.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[51] Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[52] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 28 illustrating the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, an apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material comprises: an input storage hopper 1; a drying processor 2; a carbonization processor 3; a quantitative discharger 4; a condensate water discharge line 5; a dried air stream delivery line 6; a primary dried gas feeding line 7a; a secondary dried gas feeding line 7b; a primary residual heat delivery line 8a; a secondary residual heat delivery line 8b; and a gas discharge line 9.

[53] The input storage hopper 1 is configured to receive and store an untreated waste material in readiness for agitation and mixing. A first conveyor 10 is located at the bottom of the input storage hopper 1. The drying processor 2 includes: a body 20 having an inlet and an outlet 26; a first quantitative feeder 22 installed to the inlet of the body 20 and connected to the first conveyor 10; first agitation/transfer units 24 arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body 20; and a second conveyor 28 installed to the outlet 26 of the body 20. The carbonization processor 3 includes: a body 30 having an inlet and an outlet 38; a second quantitative feeder 32 installed to the inlet of the body 30 and connected to the second conveyor 28; second agitation/ transfer units 34 arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body 30; and a burning unit 36 installed in the bottom region of the body 30. The quantitative discharger 4 includes: a body having an inlet and outlet 42; a third conveyor 40 installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the outlet 38 of the body 30 of the carbonization processor 3; and a discharge conveyor 44 installed to the outlet 42 of the body for discharging a treated material to the outside. The condensate water discharge line 5 includes: a condenser 50; a dehumidifier 52; and an active carbon filter 54. As a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the interior of the drying processor 2, passes through the condenser 50 and the dehumidifier 52, condensate water is generated. The condensate water is subsequently discharged to the outside by way of the active carbon filter 54. The dried air stream delivery line 6 includes a heat exchanger 60. As the high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the drying processor 2, passes through the condenser 50 and the de- humidifier 52, a low-temperature and low humidity air stream is generated. The low- temperature and low humidity air stream is delivered to the burning unit 36 in the carbonization processor 3 by way of the heat exchanger 60. The primary dried gas feeding line 7a serves to deliver dried gas, which is generated from the interior of the carbonization processor 3 during a carbonizing operation, to the burning unit 36 in the carbonization processor 3. The second dried gas feeding line 7b serves to deliver dried gas, generated from the quantitative discharger 4, to the burning unit 36 in the carbonization processor 3. The burning unit 36 serves as a primary heating source for mixing and burning the air stream from the dried air stream delivery line 6 and the dried gas from the primary and secondary dried gas feeding lines 7a and 7b and heating the carbonization processor 3. The primary residual heat delivery line 8a serves as a second heating source for heating the drying processor 2 by supplying residual heat, remaining after heating the carbonization processor 3 by the burning unit 36, to the drying processor 2. The secondary residual heat delivery line 8b serves as a third heating source for heating the heat exchanger 60 by supplying residual heat, remaining after heating the drying processor 2, to the heat exchanger 60. The gas discharge line 9 includes an active carbon absorber 90 and serves to discharge the gas, used to heat the heat exchanger 60, to the outside by way of the active carbon absorber 90.

[54] Hereinafter, the respective constituent elements of the above described apparatus will be described in more detail.

[55] The input storage hopper 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, performs agitation mixing of an untreated waste material inputted thereinto, and is provided, at the bottom thereof, with the first conveyor 10. The input storage hopper 1 has an opening/closing door 12 at an upper end thereof, and defines a waste material receiving space therein. A pair of delivery screws 16 and 18 are installed parallel to each other at the bottom of the input storage hopper 1 such that the delivery screws 16 and 18 are operated by a drive motor 14. The delivery screws 16 and 18, which laterally face each other, have different rotating directions from each other, in order to facilitate efficient transfer and discharge of contents without the risk of trapping of the contents between both the delivery screws 16 and 18.

[56] The drying processor 2, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7 to 9, is provided, at one side thereof, with the first quantitative feeder 22 connected to the first conveyor 10. The first agitation/transfer units 24 are arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body 20 and adapted to sequentially deliver the waste material in a downward zigzag path. The neighboring first agitation/transfer units 24 are connected to each other to define a preheating space therebetween for achieving improved heat conductivity and facilitating the removal of internal scale. Each of the first agitation/transfer units 24, which has an inlet end and an outlet end, includes: a first chain gear 24a adapted to be operated by an external first drive motor 24g; a first chain 24h for connecting the chain gear 24a with another chain gear 24a of the neighboring agitation/transfer unit 24 and with an associated first orbital chain gear 24i; and a first delivery screw 24b adapted to be operated by the first chain gear 24a. The first delivery screws 24b of all the first agitation/transfer units 24 are operable in sequence. The body 20 of the drying processor 2 has a first air stream port 20a formed at the top thereof for collecting and delivering an air stream, and a first air stream discharge port 20b formed at the bottom thereof for discharging the dried contents. The body 20 is encased by a heat-insulating material and internally defines a heating space in an empty space remaining after arranging the first agitation/transfer units 24.

[57] The carbonization processor 3, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10 to 12, is provided, at one side thereof, with the second quantitative feeder 32 connected to the second conveyor 28 that is installed to the outlet 26 of the drying processor 2. The second agitation/transfer units 34 are arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body 30 and adapted to sequentially deliver the waste material in a downward zigzag path. The neighboring second agitation/transfer units 34 are connected to each other to define a preheating space therebetween for achieving improved heat conductivity and facilitating the removal of internal scale. The carbonization processor 3 is further provided, in the bottom region of the body 30, with the burning unit 36. Each of the second agitation/transfer units 34, which has an inlet end and an outlet end, includes: a second chain gear 34a adapted to be operated by an external second drive motor 34g; a second chain 34h for connecting the second chain gear 34a with another second chain gear 34a of the neighboring second agitation/transfer unit 34 and with an associated second orbital chain gear 34i; and a second delivery screw 34b adapted to be operated by the second chain gear 34a. The second delivery screws 34b of all the second agitation/transfer units 34 are operable in sequence. The body 30 of the carbonization processor 3 has a second air stream port 30a formed at the top thereof for collecting and delivering an air stream, and a second air stream discharge port 30b formed at the bottom thereof for discharging the dried contents. The body 30 is encased by a heat- insulating material and internally defines a heating space in an empty space remaining after arranging the second agitation/transfer units 34. The heating space can be heated by heat generated from the burning unit 36. [58] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the delivery screws 24b and 34b, used in the agitation/ transfer units 24 and 34, have a double helix shape. Each delivery screw 24b or 34b includes: a center shaft 24c or 34c; horizontal supporting rods 24d or 34d protruded from the center shaft 24c or 34c at a right angle by a predetermined interval and angle; and guiders 24e or 34e installed to the supporting rods 24d or 34d, together with screw blades 24f or 34f, at a position parallel to the center shaft 24c or 34c, so as to define an L-shaped agitating blade. With this configuration, the delivery screws 24b and 34b can simultaneously perform both agitating and transfer operations, prevent generation of internal scale, and improve the transfer efficiency of heat transferred from a hot air stream at the outside of the agitation/transfer units 24 and 34. Between the center shaft 24c or 34c and each guider 24e or 34c is defined a space as wide as a length of the supporting rod 24d or 34d, for achieving efficient flow of the air stream or dried gas.

[59] The burning unit 36 in the carbonization processor 3, as shown in FIGS. 2, 10, 11, 15 and 16, is made of a heat-resistance material and has an elongated semi-circular cross section to thereby define an elongated burning space 36a therein. The burning unit 36 has a plurality of discharge holes 36b arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a mixer 36c and burner 36d installed at a side thereof. The mixer 36c includes: an inner vessel 36f formed with a burning air inlet 36e; and an outer vessel 36h formed with a dried gas inlet 36g, the outer vessel 36h surrounding the inner vessel 36f.

[60] As shown in HGS. 2, 7, 10, 17, and 18, each of the quantitative feeders 22 and 32, which are installed, respectively, to the drying processor 2 and the carbonization processor 3, includes: a level gauge 22a or 32a provided in an upper region thereof for selectively stopping the feeding of an untreated waste material on the basis of the amount of the waste material loaded in a loading space 22b or 32b of the quantitative feeder 22 or 32 and for suppressing an internal pressure generated in the loading space 22b or 32b during drying or carbonization of the waste material within the loading space 22b or 32b; crushing rods 22c or 32c arranged in two rows within a middle region of the loading space 22b or 32b for crushing the waste material, so as to allow the crushed waste material to fall down without the risk of conglomeration or hardening; delivery screws 22d or 32d arranged in two rows within a lower region of the loading space 22b or 32b; and an external drive motor 22e or 32e for operating the crushing rods 22c or 32c and the delivery screws 22d or 32d, in order to achieve continuous quantitative feeding of the waste material.

[61] The quantitative discharger 4 is provided, at the inlet thereof, with the third conveyor

40 installed to the outlet 38 of the carbonization processor 3 and, at the outlet 42 thereof, with the discharge conveyor 44 for discharging a treated material to the outside. The quantitative discharger 4 includes: a level gauge 45 provided in an upper region thereof for selectively stopping the discharge of the treated material on the basis of the amount of the material loaded in a loading space 46 and for suppressing an internal pressure generated in the loading space 46 during drying or carbonization of the waste material within the loading space 46; a delivery screw 47 provided in a lower region thereof; and an external drive motor 48 for operating the delivery screw 47, in order to achieve continuous quantitative feeding of the material.

[62] Each of the above described conveyors 10, 28, 40, and 44 are installed such that they are operable by the external drive motor 10a, 28a, 40a or 44a, and includes: a center shaft 10b, 28b, 40b, or 44b; a delivery screw blade 10c, 28c, 40c, or 44c installed to the center shaft 10b, 28b, 40b, or 44b; and a guider 1Od, 28d, 4Od, or 44d continuously installed to an outer periphery of the delivery screw blade 10c, 28c, 40c, or 44c at a right angle. With this configuration, the conveyors 10, 28, 40, and 44 can achieve efficient transfer of a material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation.

[63] The condensate water discharge line 5, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 21 to 24, and 26, is configured to discharge condensate water, which is generated as a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream from the drying processor 2 passes through the condenser 50 and the dehumidifier 52, to the outside by way of the active carbon filter 54. Specifically, the condenser 50 includes: an inner air stream passage portion 50a; and an outer cold water passage portion 50b surrounding the inner air stream passage portion 50a. The inner air stream passage portion 50a includes: an air stream inlet portion 50c; a multi-tube portion 50d; and an air stream outlet portion 50e, which are arranged in sequence from the bottom to the top of the inner air stream passage portion 50a. A condensate water drain 50f is provided near the air stream inlet portion 50c. The outer cold water passage portion 50b includes: a lower cold water inlet portion 50g surrounding the air stream inlet portion 50c; and an upper cooling portion 50i surrounding the multi-tube portion 50d and having a cold water outlet portion 50h, the upper cooling portion 50i communicating with the lower cold water inlet portion 50g. With this configuration, as an air stream, which passes through the inner air stream passage portion 50a, is heat exchanged with cold water passing through the outer cold water passage portion 50b, condensate water can be generated and discharged to the outside through the condensate water drain 50f.

[64] The dehumidifier 52 includes: an inner cooling space 52a; an outer cold water passage portion 52b surrounding the inner cooling space 52a; an air stream outlet 52c provided at the top of the inner cooling space 52a; a condensate water drain 52d provided at the bottom of the inner cooling space 52a; an upright cylindrical net 52e installed in the inner cooling space 52a and having a closed upper end and an opened lower end connected to an air stream inlet 52f ; a cold water inlet 52g provided at the bottom of the outer cold water passage portion 52b; and a cold water outlet 52h provided at the top of the outer cold water passage portion 52b. With this configuration, as an air stream, which passes through the inner cooling space 52a, is heat exchanged with cold water passing through the outer cold water passage portion 52b surrounding the inner cooling space 52a, condensate water can be generated and discharged to the outside through the condensate water drain 52d.

[65] The active carbon filter 54 includes an active carbon layer 54b, a filtering sand layer

54c, and a filtering gravel layer 54d, which are sequentially laminated from the top to the bottom on a net 54a located in the active carbon filter 54 at a certain height. The active carbon filter 54 further includes: a condensate water injector 54e installed in an upper space thereof for injecting condensate water introduced thereinto, so as to allow the condensate water to be dispersed evenly; and a condensate water discharge pipe 54f provided below the net 54a.

[66] The dried air stream delivery line 6, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 25, is configured to deliver a low-temperature and low humidity air stream, which is generated as the high- temperature and high-humidity air stream from the drying processor 2 passes through the condenser 50 and the dehumidifier 52, to the burning unit 36 of the carbonization processor 3 by way of the heat exchanger 60. The heat exchanger 60 includes: an inner heated air stream passage portion 60a; and an outer air stream preheating portion 60b surrounding the inner heated air stream passage portion 60a. Specifically, the inner heated air stream passage portion 60a includes a lower inlet portion 60c, a middle multi-tube portion 6Od, and an upper outlet portion 6Oe, which are coupled to communicate with one another. The outer air stream preheating portion 60b is configured to surround the multi-tube portion 6Od and has an upper inlet 6Of and a lower outlet 6Og. With this configuration, while an inner air stream passes through the outer air stream preheating portion 60b, a heated air stream passes through the inner heated air stream passage portion 60a, thereby allowing the air stream in the preheating portion 60b to be preheated by absorbing heat emitted from the heated air stream.

[67] The gas discharge line 9, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 27, and 28, is configured to discharge gas, used to heat the heat exchanger 60, to the outside by way of the active carbon absorber 90. The active carbon absorber 90 includes: an upper inlet 92 provided at the top thereof for receiving the residual heated air stream; an exhaust 94 provided at a side position thereof; and an active carbon filter member 98 located in the middle region of an inner filtering space 96. The active carbon filter member 98 is provided, at the top thereof, with an inlet 98a and, at the bottom thereof, with an outlet 98b. Mode for the Invention

[68] Now, the operation of the above described apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. [69] Summarizing the overall treatment process, a method for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material comprises: a material input and storage step for storing a material, including a variety of untreated waste materials, in the input storage hopper 1 in readiness for agitation and transfer; a quantitative feeding and drying step for feeding a quantitative amount of the material, stored in the material input and storage step, into the drying processor 2 and agitating and transferring the quantitative amount of the material within the hermetically sealed drying processor 2 for allowing the material to be heated and dried in a hermetic state by the secondary heating source; a quantitative feeding and carbonizing step for feeding the quantitative amount of the material, dried in the quantitative feeding and drying step, into the carbonization processor 3 and agitating and transferring the quantitative amount of the material within the hermetically sealed carbonization processor 3 for allowing the material to be carbonized by the primary heating source; and a quantitative discharge step for discharging the quantitative amount of the material, carbonized in the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, to the outside of the quantitative discharger 4. The method further comprises: a condensate water discharge step for generating condensate water and a high-temperature and low humidity air stream as a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the material within the sealed drying processor 2 during the quantitative feeding and drying step, is subjected to condensation and dehumidifying processes, and then discharging the condensate water to the outside after purifying the condensate water by the active carbon filter 54; a primary heating step for delivering the low-temperature and low humidity air stream, generated during the condensate water discharge step, to the primary heating source, and also delivering dried gas, generated from the interior of the carbonization processor 3 and the quantitative discharger 4 during the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, to the primary heating source, so as to heat the carbonization processor 3 by use of a hot air stream generated via the burning of the low-temperature and low humidity air stream and the dried gas; a secondary heating step for delivering a residual hot air stream, remaining after being used in the primary heating step, to the drying processor 2, so as to heat the drying processor 2; and an exhaust gas discharge step for discharging the gas, remaining after being used in the secondary heating step and having passed through the heat exchanger 60, to the outside after purifying the gas by use of the active carbon absorber 90.

[70] Hereinafter, each step of the above described method will be described in more detail.

[71] Material Input and Storage Step

[72] This is a step for inputting and storing a material, including a variety of untreated waste materials, into the input storage hopper 1 in readiness for agitation and transfer. In this step, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a variety of untreated waste materials, such as food waste, sewage, soil waste, waste water sludge, agricultural, livestock and marine waste by-products of products, livestock excretion, etc., are inputted into the input storage hopper 1 through the opening/closing door 12 under operation of a vehicle or certain transportation means, so as to be stored in the input storage hopper 1 in readiness for agitation and transfer.

[73] Quantitative Feeding and Drying Step

[74] This is a step for feeding a quantitative amount of the material, stored during the material input and storage step, into the drying processor 2 and agitating and transferring the material in the sealed drying processor 2, so as to allow the material to be heated and dried in a hermetic state by the secondary heating source. In the quantitative feeding step, the material, stored in the input storage hopper 1, is delivered downward to the conveyor 10, prepared below the hopper 1, by the delivery screws 16 and 18 that are arranged to face each other and rotated by the drive motor 14. The material is then delivered upward and horizontally by the conveyor 10, so as to be delivered into the agitation/transfer units 24 of the drying processor 2 by way of the quantitative feeder 22. In this case, the conveyor 10 is operated by the external drive motor 10a, and as a result of continuously installing the guider 1Od to the outer periphery of the delivery screw blade 10c on the center shaft 10b at a right angle, it is possible to achieve efficient transfer of the material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation. The quantitative feeder 22 is provided, in the upper region thereof, with the level gauge 22a, so as to selectively stop the feeding of the material on the basis of the amount of the material loaded in the inner loading space 22b of the drying processor 2 while suppressing the internal pressure generated in the inner loading space 22b during a drying operation by the material loaded in the inner loading space 22b. The crushing rods 22c are arranged in two rows within the middle region of the quantitative feeder 22 and adapted to crush the material, so as to allow the crushed material to fall down without the risk of conglomeration or hardening. The delivery screws 22d are arranged in two rows within the lower region of the quantitative feeder 22 for enabling continuous quantitative feeding of the material under operation of the drive motor 22e. The quantitative amount of material, which is fed to the agitation/transfer units 24 arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body 20 via the above described procedure, is sequentially delivered in a downward zigzag path by the respective delivery screws 24b. Thereby, the quantitative amount of material can be continuously heated in the heating space between the agitation/transfer units 24 within the body 20, so as to achieve the hermetic drying of the material in earnest. In this case, although the material can be initially heated by an independent heating source such as a burning unit, if the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step that will be described below is on the right track, the drying step can be performed at a relatively low temperature by use of a residual heat remaining after the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step is performed at a high temperature.

[75] Quantitative Feeding and Carbonizing Step

[76] This is a step for feeding the quantitative amount of material, dried during the quantitative feeding and drying step, into the carbonization processor 3 and agitating and transferring the material in the sealed carbonization processor 3, so as to be carbonized by the primary heating source. In the quantitative feeding step, the material, dried in the drying processor 2, is delivered downward to the conveyor 28 prepared below the drying processor 2. The material is then delivered upward and horizontally by the conveyor 28, so as to be delivered into the agitation/transfer units 34 of the carbonization processor 3 by way of the quantitative feeder 32. In this case, the conveyor 28 is operated by the external drive motor 28a, and as a result of continuously installing the guider 28d to the outer periphery of the delivery screw blade 28c on the center shaft 28b at a right angle, it is possible to achieve efficient transfer of the material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation. The quantitative feeder 32 is provided, in the upper region thereof, with the level gauge 32a, so as to selectively stop the feeding of the material on the basis of the amount of the material loaded in the inner loading space 32b of the carbonization processor 3 while suppressing the internal pressure generated in the loading space 32b during a drying operation by the material loaded in the inner loading space 32b. The crushing rods 32c are arranged in two rows within the middle region of the quantitative feeder 32 and adapted to crush the material, so as to allow the crushed material to fall down without the risk of conglomeration or hardening. The delivery screws 32d are arranged in two rows within the lower region of the quantitative feeder 32 for enabling continuous quantitative feeding of the material under operation of the drive motor 32e. The quantitative amount of material, which is fed to the agitation/transfer units 34 arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body 30 via the above described procedure, is sequentially delivered in a downward zigzag path by the respective delivery screws 34b. Thereby, the quantitative amount of material can be continuously heated, by the burning unit 36, in the heating space defined between the agitation/ transfer units 34 within the body 30, so as to achieve the hermetic carbonization of the material in earnest. In the heating of the material by the burning unit 36, a heating source is a mixed air stream, which is ignited and heated by the burner 36d and fed into the mixer 36c. The mixed air stream includes: an air stream, which is obtained from the drying processor 2 during the quantitative feeding and drying step and guided through the burning air inlet 36e and the inner vessel 36f of the burning unit 36; and dried gas, which is obtained from the carbonization processor 3 during the quantitative feeding and carbonization step and from the quantitative discharger 4 during the quantitative discharge step and guided through the dried gas inlet 36g and the outer vessel 36h of the burning unit 36. By burning the mixed air stream as a fuel, the mixed air stream can be used as a heating source for the material. In this case, any hot air stream, generated from the burning space 36a during the burning operation, is dispersed and discharged through the plurality of discharge holes 36b. As the hot air stream flows upward, the hot air stream performs a uniform heating operation in the heating space between the agitation/transfer units 34, and then delivered into the drying processor 2.

[77] Quantitative Discharge Step

[78] This is a step for delivering the quantitative amount of material, carbonized during the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, into the quantitative discharger 4 and subsequently discharging the material to the outside of the quantitative discharger 4 by use of the conveyor 40. The conveyor 40 is operated by the external drive motor 40a, and as a result of continuously installing the guider 28d to the outer periphery of the delivery screw blade 40c of the center shaft 40b at a right angle, it is possible to achieve efficient transfer of the material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation. The quantitative discharger 4 is provided, in the upper region thereof, with the level gauge 45, so as to selectively stop the feeding of the material on the basis of the amount of the material loaded in the inner loading space 46 of the quantitative discharger 4 while suppressing the internal pressure generated in the loading space 46 during the carbonizing operation by the material loaded in the inner loading space 46. The delivery screw 47 is provided in the lower region of the quantitative discharger 4 to enable continuous quantitative discharge of the material through the outlet 42 under the operation of the drive motor 48. In the case where the discharge conveyor 44 is installed to the outlet 42, the discharge conveyor 44 is operated by the external drive motor 44a, and as a result of continuously installing the guider 44d to the outer periphery of the delivery screw blade 44c of the center shaft 44b at a right angle, it is possible to achieve efficient transfer of the material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation while allowing the material to be directly delivered to appropriate conveyor means.

[79] Condensate Water Discharge Step

[80] This is a step for generating condensate water and a high-temperature and low humidity air stream as the high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the material in the sealed drying processor 2 during the quantitative feeding and drying step, is subjected to condensation and dehumidifying processes by way of the condenser 50 and the dehumidifier 52, and then discharging the condensate water to the outside after purifying the condensate water by use of the active carbon filter 54. [81] The high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated in the drying processor 2 during the quantitative feeding and drying step, is delivered into the condenser 50 by way of the air stream port 20a, and then passes through the air stream inlet portion 50c, the multi-tube portion 50d, and the air stream outlet portion 50e in sequence. In addition, cold water passes through the cold water inlet portion 50g, the cooling portion 50i, and the cold water outlet portion 50h in sequence. Thereby, the air stream, more particularly, moisture contained in the air stream, is condensed by the low-temperature cold water within the condenser 50, thereby being converted into condensate water. The resulting condensate water is moved into the active carbon filter 54 by way of the condensate water drain 50f. The remaining air stream, from which the moisture is separated to generate the condensate water, is moved into the dehumidifier 52 prepared at the downstream of the condenser 50.

[82] After being delivered into the dehumidifier 52, the air stream passes through the air stream inlet 52f, the net 52e, the cooling space 50a, and the air stream outlet 52c. Simultaneously, the cold water is introduced into the cold water passage portion, defined around the passage of the air stream, through the cold water inlet 52g, and then discharged through the cold water outlet 52h after performing a cooling operation. As the introduction and discharge of the cold water is repeatedly performed, the air stream is dehumidified via heat exchange between the cold water and the air stream. The resulting dehumidified air stream is preheated by the heat exchanger 60, and then delivered into the mixer 36c of the burning unit 36 that is installed in the carbonization processor 3. In this case, moisture, removed from the air stream, is converted into condensate water, thereby being delivered into the active carbon filter 54 through the condensate water drain 52d.

[83] The condensate water, delivered into the active carbon filter 54 by way of the condensate water drains 50f and 52d, is injected into the upper inner space of the active carbon filter 54 by the condensate water injector 54e, and purified by passing through the active carbon layer 54b, filtering sand layer 54c, and filtering gravel layer 54d in sequence. The purified condensate water is discharged to the outside through the condensate water discharge pipe 54f.

[84] Primary Heating Step

[85] This is a step for delivering the high-temperature and low humidity air stream, generated during the condensate water discharge step, into the mixer 36c of the burning unit 36 for utilization thereof in the primary heating source, and also delivering the dried gas, generated from the interior of the carbonization processor 3 and the quantitative discharger 4 during the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, into the mixer 36c of the burning unit 36 for utilization thereof in the primary heating source, so as to heat the carbonization processor 3 by use of heat generated as the high- temperature and low humidity air stream and the dried gas burn together.

[86] Specifically, the high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the drying processor 2 during the quantitative feeding and drying step, is condensed and dehumidified while passing through the condenser 50 and the dehumidifier 52, so as to be utilized as burning air. The resulting air stream is delivered into the burning air inlet 36e and inner vessel 36f of the mixer 36c. Also, the dried gas, obtained from the material within the carbonization processor 3 during the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, is collected together with the dried gas generated from or remaining in the quantitative discharger 4, so as to be delivered into the dried gas inlet 36g and outer vessel 36h of the mixer 36c. Thereby, after being mixed within the mixer 36c, a mixture of the air stream and the dried gas is delivered into the burning unit 36, so as to burn in the burning space 36a by the burner 36d. A hot air stream, generated during the burning operation, spreads in the body 30 of the carbonization processor 3 through the discharge holes 36b. As the hot air stream passes through the heating space between the agitation/transfer units 34, the agitation/transfer units 34 are externally heated, to enable the carbonization of the material. The residual hot air stream, remaining after the carbonization of the material, is delivered into the drying processor 2 for utilization thereof in the following secondary heating step.

[87] Secondary Heating Step

[88] This is a step for delivering the residual hot air stream, remaining after performing the primary heating step, into the drying processor 2 for heating of the drying processor 2. The residual hot air stream, which remains after burning the air stream by the burning unit 36 within the carbonization processor 3 during the primary heating step, is delivered into the body 20 of the drying processor 2 such that the hot air stream passes through the heating space defined between the agitation/transfer units 24. In the course of passing through the heating space, the hot air stream heats the agitation/ transfer units 24, to enable the implementation of the quantitative feeding and drying step.

[89] Exhaust Gas Discharge Step

[90] This is a step for allowing the hot air stream, remaining after performing the quantitative feeding and drying step in the drying processor 2, to pass through the heat exchanger 60 for efficient recycling thereof, rather than being discharged to the outside. Of the air stream generated from the interior of the drying processor 2 during the quantitative feeding and drying step, the condensate water, separated from the air stream as the air stream passes through the condenser 50 and the dehumidifier 52, is discharged to the outside after being subjected to a separate purifying process. Then, the remaining air stream, remaining after the separation of the condensate water, is guided to pass through the heat exchanger 60 so as to be preheated prior to being utilized in the burning of the burning unit 36, for the purpose of increasing the burning efficiency of the burning unit 36. Thereby, after being preheated by the above described hot air stream within the heat exchanger 60, the air stream is purified by the active carbon absorber 90, and then discharged to the outside.

[91] Specifically, the heated air stream, as residual heat remaining after being used in the drying step, is introduced into the lower inlet portion 60c of the heat exchanger 60 such that it is heat exchanged in the middle multi-tube portion 6Od of the heated air stream passage portion 60a so as to be cooled. The cooled air stream is discharged through the upper outlet portion 6Oe. In this case, an air stream is introduced through the upper inlet portion 6Of and is heated while passing through the air stream passage portion 60b and the lower outlet 6Og. The heated air stream is then delivered into the mixer 30c of the burning unit 36. The heated air stream, discharged through the upper outlet portion 6Oe of the heat exchanger 60, is purified by passing through the active carbon absorber 90, and finally discharged to the outside.

[92] In this case, the air stream, introduced into the inlet 92 of the active carbon absorber

90, is purified while passing through the active carbon filter member 98, and finally discharged to the outside through the exhaust 94. Industrial Applicability

[93] As apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, if condensate water is generated as a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, which is generated from a waste material within a drying processor during a drying operation, is subjected to condensation and dehumidifying processes while passing through a condenser and a dehumidifier, the condensate water can be discharged to the outside after being purified by an active carbon filter. The residual air stream, remaining after separating the condensate water from the air stream, is available as burning air. This enables a high purity combustible burning gas to be generated via thermal decomposition during a carbonizing operation within the carbonization processor, without requiring introduction of outside air. The burning air can be utilized as a heating source required for drying and carbonization of the waste material by virtue of its burning heat. As a result, the present invention has the effects of: preventing generation of any contaminants during the drying and carbonizing operations and solving the problem of environmental pollution; and reducing fuel costs. In addition, the present invention can achieve a carbide via the drying and carbonization of the waste material, the carbide being available into a solid fuel having a superior burning efficiency and having a remarkable reduction in volume as compared to the capacity of an initial untreated waste material.

[94] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Sequence Listing

[95] waste material, drying, carbonizing

Claims

[1] An apparatus for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material comprising: an input storage hopper configured to receive and store the untreated waste material in readiness for agitation and mixing, a first conveyor being installed at the bottom of the input storage hopper; a drying processor including a body having an inlet and an outlet, a first quantitative feeder installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the first conveyor, first agitation/transfer units arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body; and a second conveyor installed to the outlet of the body; a carbonization processor including a body having an inlet and an outlet, a second quantitative feeder installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the second conveyor, second agitation/transfer units arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body, and a burning unit installed in a bottom region of the body; a quantitative discharger including a body having an inlet and outlet, a third conveyor installed to the inlet of the body and connected to the outlet of the body of the carbonization processor, and a discharge conveyor installed to the outlet of the body for discharging a treated material to the outside; a condensate water discharge line including a condenser, a dehumidifier, and an active carbon filter such that a high-temperature and high-humidity air stream, generated from the interior of the drying processor, passes through the condenser and the dehumidifier to generate condensate water and the condensate water is subsequently discharged to the outside by way of the active carbon filter; a dried air stream delivery line including a heat exchanger such that a low- temperature and low humidity air stream, which is generated as the high- temperature and high-humidity air stream from the drying processor passes through the condenser and the dehumidifier, is delivered to the burning unit in the carbonization processor by way of the heat exchanger; a primary dried gas feeding line to deliver dried gas, which is generated from the interior of the carbonization processor during a carbonizing operation, to the burning unit in the carbonization processor; a second dried gas feeding line to deliver dried gas, generated from the quantitative discharger, to the burning unit in the carbonization processor; the burning unit serving as a primary heating source for mixing and burning the air stream from the dried air stream delivery line and the dried gas from the primary and secondary dried gas feeding lines, and heating the carbonization processor; a primary residual heat delivery line serving as a second heating source for heating the drying processor by supplying residual heat, remaining after heating the carbonization processor by the burning unit, to the drying processor; a secondary residual heat delivery line serving as a third heating source for heating the heat exchanger by supplying residual heat, remaining after heating the drying processor, to the heat exchanger; and a gas discharge line including an active carbon absorber and adapted to discharge the gas, used to heat the heat exchanger, to the outside by way of the active carbon absorber.

[2] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input storage hopper, which is provided, at the bottom thereof, with the first conveyor, has: an opening/closing door at an upper end thereof; a waste material receiving space defined therein; and a pair of delivery screws installed parallel to each other at the bottom of the input storage hopper so as to be operated by a drive motor, the laterally facing delivery screws having different rotating directions from each other, wherein the drying processor is provided, at one side thereof, with the first quantitative feeder connected to the first conveyor, the first agitation/transfer units are arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body and adapted to sequentially deliver the waste material in a downward zigzag path, the neighboring first agitation/transfer units being connected to each other to define a preheating space therebetween for achieving improved heat conductivity and facilitating the removal of internal scale, each of the first agitation/transfer units, which has an inlet end and an outlet end, including: a first chain gear adapted to be operated by an external first drive motor; a first chain for connecting the chain gear with another chain gear of the neighboring agitation/transfer unit and with an associated first orbital chain gear; and a first delivery screw adapted to be operated in sequence by the first chain gear, and the body of the drying processor has: a first air stream port formed at the top thereof for collecting and delivering an air stream; and a first air stream discharge port formed at the bottom thereof for discharging the dried contents, the body being encased by a heat-insulating material and internally defining a heating space in an empty space remaining after arranging the first agitation/ transfer units, and wherein the carbonization processor is provided, at one side thereof, with the second quantitative feeder connected to the second conveyor that is installed to the outlet of the drying processor, the second agitation/transfer units are arranged in two rows and multiple stages within the body and adapted to sequentially deliver the waste material in a downward zigzag path, the neighboring second agitation/transfer units being connected to each other to define a preheating space therebetween for achieving improved heat conductivity and facilitating the removal of internal scale, each of the second agitation/transfer units, which has an inlet end and an outlet end, including: a second chain gear adapted to be operated by an external second drive motor; a second chain for connecting the second chain gear with another second chain gear of the neighboring second agitation/transfer unit and with an associated second orbital chain gear; and a second delivery screw adapted to be operated in sequence by the second chain gear, the carbonization processor is further provided, in the bottom region of the body, with the burning unit, and the body of the carbonization processor has: a second air stream port formed at the top thereof for collecting and delivering an air stream; and a second air stream discharge port formed at the bottom thereof for discharging the dried contents, the body being encased by a heat-insulating material and internally defining a heating space in an empty space remaining after arranging the second agitation/transfer units, the heating space being heated by heat generated from the burning unit.

[3] The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the delivery screws, used in the agitation/transfer units, have a double helix shape, and each delivery screw includes: a center shaft; horizontal supporting rods protruded from the center shaft at a right angle by a predetermined interval and angle; and guiders installed to the supporting rods, together with screw blades, at a position parallel to the center shaft, so as to define an L-shaped agitating blade.

[4] The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the burning unit in the carbonization processor is made of a heat-resistance material, and has an elongated semicircular cross section to thereby define an elongated burning space therein, and the burning unit includes: a plurality of discharge holes arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof; and a mixer and burner installed at a side thereof, the mixer including: an inner vessel formed with a burning air inlet; and an outer vessel formed with a dried gas inlet, the outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel.

[5] The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the quantitative feeders, which are installed, respectively, to the drying processor and the carbonization processor, includes: a level gauge provided in an upper region thereof for selectively stopping the feeding of an untreated waste material on the basis of the amount of the waste material loaded in a loading space of the quantitative feeder and for suppressing an internal pressure generated in the loading space during drying or carbonization of the waste material within the loading space; crushing rods arranged in two rows within a middle region of the loading space for crushing the waste material, so as to allow the crushed waste material to fall down without the risk of conglomeration or hardening; and delivery screws arranged in two rows within a lower region of the loading space, and the crushing rods and the delivery screws are operated by an external drive motor, to achieve continuous quantitative feeding of the waste material.

[6] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the quantitative discharger is provided, at the inlet thereof, with the third conveyor installed to the outlet of the carbonization processor and, at the outlet thereof, with the discharge conveyor for discharging a treated material to the outside, and the quantitative discharger includes: a level gauge provided in an upper region thereof for selectively stopping the discharge of the treated material on the basis of the amount of the material loaded in a loading space of the discharger and for suppressing an internal pressure generated in the loading space during drying or carbonization of the waste material within the loading space; a delivery screw provided in a lower region thereof; and an external drive motor for operating the delivery screw, in order to achieve continuous quantitative feeding of the material.

[7] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the conveyors are installed such that they are operable by an associated external drive motor, and each conveyor includes: a center shaft; a delivery screw blade installed to the center shaft; and a guider continuously installed to an outer periphery of the delivery screw blade at a right angle, so as to achieve efficient transfer of a material regardless of the viscosity of the material even during a low-speed rotation.

[8] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condensate water discharge line is configured to discharge condensate water, which is generated as a high- temperature and high-humidity air stream from the drying processor passes through the condenser and the dehumidifier, to the outside by way of the active carbon filter, wherein the condenser includes: an inner air stream passage portion; and an outer cold water passage portion surrounding the inner air stream passage portion, the inner air stream passage portion includes an air stream inlet portion, a multi- tube portion, and an air stream outlet portion, which are arranged in sequence from the bottom to the top of the inner air stream passage portion, a condensate water drain being provided near the air stream inlet portion, the outer cold water passage portion includes a lower cold water inlet portion surrounding the air stream inlet portion, and an upper cooling portion surrounding the multi-tube portion and having a cold water outlet portion, the upper cooling portion communicating with the lower cold water inlet portion, and if condensate water is generated as an air stream, which passes through the inner air stream passage portion, is heat exchanged with cold water passing through the outer cold water passage portion, the condensate water is discharged to the outside through the condensate water drain, wherein the dehumidifier includes: an inner cooling space; an outer cold water passage portion surrounding the inner cooling space; an air stream outlet provided at the top of the inner cooling space; a condensate water drain provided at the bottom of the inner cooling space; an upright cylindrical net installed in the inner cooling space and having a closed upper end and an opened lower end connected to an air stream inlet; a cold water inlet provided at the bottom of the outer cold water passage portion; and a cold water outlet provided at the top of the outer cold water passage portion, and if condensate water is generated as an air stream, which passes through the inner cooling space, is heat exchanged with cold water passing through the outer cold water passage portion surrounding the inner cooling space, the condensate water is discharged to the outside through the condensate water drain, and wherein the active carbon filter includes an active carbon layer, a filtering sand layer, a filtering gravel layer, which are sequentially laminated from the top to the bottom on a net located in the active carbon filter at a certain height, a condensate water injector installed in an upper space thereof for injecting condensate water introduced thereinto so as to allow the condensate water to be dispersed evenly, and a condensate water discharge pipe provided below the net.

[9] The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dried air stream delivery line is configured to deliver a low-temperature and low humidity air stream, which is generated as the high-temperature and high-humidity air stream from the drying processor passes through the condenser and the dehumidifier, to the burning unit of the carbonization processor by way of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger includes: an inner heated air stream passage portion; and an outer air stream preheating portion surrounding the inner heated air stream passage portion, the inner heated air stream passage portion including a lower inlet portion, a middle multi-tube portion, and an upper outlet portion, which are coupled to communicate with one another, the outer air stream preheating portion being configured to surround the multi- tube portion and having an upper inlet and a lower outlet such that, while an inner air stream passes through the outer air stream preheating portion, a heated air stream passes through the inner heated air stream passage portion, thereby allowing the air stream in the preheating portion to be preheated by absorbing heat emitted from the heated air stream, and wherein the gas discharge line is configured to discharge gas, used to heat the heat exchanger, to the outside by way of the active carbon absorber, and the active carbon absorber includes: an upper inlet provided at the top thereof for receiving the residual heated air stream; an exhaust provided at a side position thereof; and an active carbon filter member located in the middle region of an inner filtering space, the active carbon filter member being provided, at the top thereof, with an inlet and, at the bottom thereof, with an outlet.

[10] A method for drying and carbonizing an untreated waste material comprising: a material input and storage step for storing a material, including a variety of untreated waste materials, in an input storage hopper in readiness for agitation and transfer; a quantitative feeding and drying step for feeding a quantitative amount of the material, stored in the material input and storage step, into a drying processor and agitating and transferring the quantitative amount of the material within the hermetically sealed drying processor for allowing the material to be heated and dried in a hermetic state by a secondary heating source; a quantitative feeding and carbonizing step for feeding the quantitative amount of the material, dried in the quantitative feeding and drying step, into a carbonization processor and agitating and transferring the quantitative amount of the material within the hermetically sealed carbonization processor for allowing the material to be carbonized by a primary heating source; and a quantitative discharge step for discharging the quantitative amount of the material, carbonized in the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, to the outside of the quantitative discharger, and wherein the method further comprises: a condensate water discharge step for generating condensate water and a high- temperature and low humidity air stream as a high-temperature and high- humidity air stream, generated from the material within the sealed drying processor during the quantitative feeding and drying step, is subjected to condensation and dehumidifying processes, and then discharging the condensate water to the outside after purifying the condensate water by an active carbon filter; a primary heating step for delivering the high-temperature and low humidity air stream, generated during the condensate water discharge step, to the primary heating source, and also delivering dried gas, generated from the interior of the carbonization processor and the quantitative discharger during the quantitative feeding and carbonizing step, to the primary heating source, so as to heat the carbonization processor by use of a hot air stream generated via the burning of the high-temperature and low humidity air stream and the dried gas; a secondary heating step for delivering a residual hot air stream, remaining after being used in the primary heating step, to the drying processor, so as to heat the drying processor; and an exhaust gas discharge step for discharging the gas, remaining after being used in the secondary heating step and having passed through the heat exchanger, to the outside after purifying the gas by use of the active carbon absorber.