EP4471332A1 - Waste incineration plant and method for incineration of waste - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste incineration plant which has a combustion chamber, a burner, an exhaust gas splitting device and a combustion chamber return line. The combustion chamber is designed such that waste can be burned in the combustion chamber. The burner is arranged and designed such that the waste in the combustion chamber can be burned. The exhaust gas splitting device has an exhaust gas splitting chamber and a heating device. The exhaust gas splitting chamber has an inlet which is connected to the combustion chamber in a fluid-conducting manner so that exhaust gases produced during the combustion of waste can flow from the combustion chamber through the inlet into the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The heating device is designed to heat an exhaust gas present in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to at least 3000 °C so that at least one chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas can be at least partially split into a first component and a second component. The exhaust gas splitting chamber is designed to spatially separate the first and second split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compound from one another within the exhaust gas splitting chamber by generating a centrifugal force. The at least one exhaust gas splitting chamber return line connects i) a first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be at least partially returned from the first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the second inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber in order to then flow again into the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or, if the waste incineration plant has a further exhaust gas splitting device, ii) connects a first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to an inlet of an exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be at least partially passed on from the first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device in order to then flow into the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device.

Description

The present invention relates to a waste incineration plant, a use of the waste incineration plant for burning waste, a method for burning waste in a waste incineration plant, and a method for maintaining or repairing a waste incineration plant. The invention enables in particular a combustion of waste without emitting CO2 into the atmosphere or at least with a significantly reduced emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.

A waste incineration plant is used to burn the combustible parts of waste, usually to reduce the amount of waste in landfills. This type of thermal waste treatment is becoming increasingly important in waste management, as untreated waste often poses a threat to the environment. For example, some specified limits for the disposal of waste in certain landfills can only be achieved by thermally treating the waste. An example of such a limit is a specified maximum carbon content in waste, which, depending on the landfill class, may sometimes not exceed between 1% and 3%. These low values for the carbon content have so far typically only been achievable by thermally treating the waste.

Large plants with a throughput of several hundred thousand tons per year are often used for the thermal treatment of waste. During thermal waste treatment, energy in the form of heat and electricity can often be generated and reused. Waste incineration plants also often enable the waste to be recycled by extracting certain materials from the waste.

However, the disadvantage of existing waste incineration plants is that they emit exhaust gases that contain pollutants, such as toxic gases such as dioxins, furans and nitrogen oxides, which can pose a risk to human health and the environment. Therefore, ways were sought to clean the exhaust gases produced by a waste incineration plant.

For example, in EP 2 078 555 A1 a process for cleaning exhaust gases, an exhaust gas cleaning system and the use of this exhaust gas cleaning system for cleaning exhaust gases from a waste incineration plant are described. The exhaust gases are cleaned there using a dry or quasi-dry sorption process. The exhaust gases are introduced into a first reactor and passed from the first into a downstream second reactor. Fresh sorbent is first fed to the second reactor and at least partially passed from the second reactor into the first reactor.

Another problem that occurs with today's waste incineration plants is that enormous amounts of carbon dioxide are produced during combustion. For example, one ton of CO2 is typically produced per ton of waste, and the combustion of plastics even produces almost three tonnes of CO2 that are released into the atmosphere. Waste incineration is therefore currently a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2. From the point of view of environmental pollution, the generation of electricity and heat through waste incineration is therefore also a climate-damaging form of energy production. Technical solutions that help reduce or avoid CO2 emissions from waste incineration plants are currently not known.

It is therefore still desirable to create a waste incineration plant and a process for burning waste that can burn waste with the lowest possible emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved waste incineration plant and an improved method for incinerating waste in a waste incineration plant In particular, the present invention is based on the object of providing a waste incineration plant and a method for incinerating waste which enable waste to be incinerated without emitting CO ₂ or at least with significantly reduced CO ₂ emissions.

According to the invention, a waste incineration plant is proposed which has a combustion chamber, a burner, at least one exhaust gas splitting device and at least one exhaust gas splitting chamber return line. The combustion chamber is designed such that waste can be burned in the combustion chamber. The burner is arranged and designed such that it can burn waste located in the combustion chamber. The at least one exhaust gas splitting device has an exhaust gas splitting chamber and a heating device. The exhaust gas splitting chamber has an inlet, e.g. a first inlet, which is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber so that exhaust gases generated during the combustion of waste can flow from the combustion chamber through the inlet into the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The heating device is designed to heat an exhaust gas present in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to at least 3000 °C so that at least one chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas can be at least partially split into a first component, preferably a lighter gas product, and a second component, preferably a heavier gas product. The exhaust gas splitting chamber is designed to spatially separate the first and second split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compound from one another within the exhaust gas splitting chamber by generating a centrifugal force, in particular according to the respective molecular masses. The separation preferably takes place in such a way that, due to the centrifugal force acting, the lighter gas product is displaced in the direction of a center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and the heavier gas product is displaced in the direction of a chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, and if present, the non-split remainder of the chemical compound, as the heaviest gas, is displaced comparatively the furthest in the direction of the chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The at least one exhaust gas splitting chamber return line connects i) an outlet, e.g. a first outlet, of the exhaust gas splitting chamber with the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be at least partially returned from the outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the second inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber in order to then flow into the exhaust gas splitting chamber again and/or, if the waste incineration plant has a further exhaust gas splitting device, ii) an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber with an inlet of an exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be at least partially passed on from the outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device in order to then flow into the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device.

The invention includes the realization that the emission of CO ₂ during the incineration of waste represents a significant problem for the environment and can lead to a significant change in the earth's atmosphere. In fact, waste incineration is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and in particular of CO ₂ . From the point of view of environmental pollution, the generation of electricity and heat through waste incineration is a form of energy generation that is harmful to the climate. The incineration of normal household waste generally has a higher CO ₂ load per kilowatt hour generated than, for example, the combustion of natural gas. The invention includes the further realization that nowadays, by building as large as possible waste incineration plants, attempts are made to exploit the degression of specific investments as the plant size increases and to reduce the treatment costs per ton of waste. However, a number of problems often arise in connection with large-scale plant technology. It is usually difficult to achieve plant capacity, logistics are complex, the acceptance of the plants among the population is low and energy use is typically low. However, many types of waste, including most industrial and commercial waste, require smaller waste incineration plants, which are technically difficult to implement and practically unavailable. There is therefore a need to find and make generally available technical solutions that enable waste to be incinerated with significantly reduced emissions of pollutants, particularly _CO2 .

The waste incineration plant according to the invention enables CO ₂ -free waste incineration and can therefore be operated in a comparatively climate-friendly manner. This is achieved with the waste incineration plant by heating the CO ₂ contained in the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to 3000° C or more. At these temperatures of at least 3000 °C, CO ₂ is converted directly into oxygen and solid carbon. The oxygen released could be returned to the circuit for more effective combustion of the waste in the combustion chamber. Unconverted CO ₂ can be returned by means of the at least one exhaust gas splitting chamber return line from the outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, in order to then flow back into the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The CO 2 that has flowed in again CO ₂ is then heated again to 3000 °C or more and is then at least partially converted into oxygen and solid carbon. This process can be repeated until the CO ₂ from the exhaust gas produced by the combustion of the waste is completely broken down.

Additionally or alternatively, in particular if the waste incineration plant has a further exhaust gas splitting device, unconverted CO ₂ can be passed from the outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device by means of the at least one exhaust gas splitting chamber return line in order to then flow into the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device. In the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, the inflowing CO ₂ is then heated again to 3000 °C or more and then at least partially converted into oxygen and solid carbon.

The exhaust gas splitting device and the further exhaust gas splitting device create a modular structure that can theoretically be continued as often as desired. There can therefore be several exhaust gas splitting devices that are connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, so that a gas can flow from one exhaust gas splitting device into the next exhaust gas splitting device. For example, the first exhaust gas splitting chamber and the second exhaust gas splitting chamber can be connected in series. Because a chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas can be at least partially split into a first component and a second component in each of the exhaust gas splitting devices, and the non-split remainder of the chemical compound can be discharged into the next exhaust gas splitting device, the amount of the non-split remainder of the chemical compound continues to decrease from exhaust gas splitting device to exhaust gas splitting device until the chemical compound contained in the device has been essentially completely split into a first component and a second component. The split components can be discharged from the respective exhaust gas splitting devices at corresponding outlets and reused.

It is also possible for the waste incineration plant to have several exhaust gas splitting devices that can be operated independently of one another and, in particular, are not directly connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner. The two exhaust gas splitting devices can, in particular, be connected in parallel, in contrast to a serial arrangement in which two exhaust gas splitting devices are connected in series and a gas can flow from one exhaust gas splitting device into the other exhaust gas splitting device. In particular, it is possible for the waste incineration plant to have a first exhaust gas splitting device with a first exhaust gas splitting chamber, which is connected to the combustion chamber via a first exhaust gas splitting chamber return line, and a second exhaust gas splitting device with a second exhaust gas splitting chamber, which is connected to the combustion chamber via a second exhaust gas splitting chamber return line. Preferably, the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber can be discharged into the first exhaust gas splitting chamber independently of the second exhaust gas splitting chamber and vice versa. Accordingly, the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber can also be discharged into the second exhaust gas splitting chamber independently of the first exhaust gas splitting chamber.

It is possible to operate both exhaust gas splitting devices at the same time. Exhaust gases from the combustion chamber can then be fed into both exhaust gas splitting devices simultaneously through the respective exhaust gas splitting chamber return lines. It is also possible to operate only one of the two exhaust gas splitting devices. The exhaust gas splitting device that is not currently in operation can, for example, be repaired. It is also possible for solid carbon to be removed from the exhaust gas splitting device that is not currently in operation while the other exhaust gas splitting device continues to run. It is then possible to operate the waste incineration plant continuously and without downtime.

The waste incineration plant according to the invention is designed as a closed system and can be operated in such a way that no exhaust gases are emitted. The exhaust gases can circulate in the waste incineration plant until the chemical compounds contained in the exhaust gases, such as CO ₂ and H ₂ O, are completely broken down. The useful gases of hydrogen and oxygen can be taken from the exhaust gas splitting chamber and used to operate the waste incineration plant. For example, hydrogen can be used to generate temperatures of 3000 °C or more. Oxygen can be returned to the combustion chamber to increase the efficiency of burning the waste in the combustion chamber. Solid carbon can be taken from the exhaust gas splitting chamber and reused outside the waste incineration plant as a raw material. Accordingly, in the waste incineration plant according to the invention - in contrast to conventional waste incineration plants - a chimney or the like for emitting exhaust gases into the atmosphere is obsolete.

Furthermore, the waste incineration plant according to the invention can be implemented both as a large-scale plant and as a small-scale waste incineration plant. The waste incineration plant thus represents an economical and ecological alternative to known waste incineration plants for thermal waste treatment. The solid carbon and excess oxygen and hydrogen produced during operation of the waste incineration plant can be reused as useful products.

The separation of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas into a first component and a second component and, if present, also into a non-split remainder of the chemical compound is carried out in particular as described below.

After the waste incineration plant has started, a stationary temperature distribution typically occurs in the exhaust gas splitting chamber, with hot gases in the center of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and colder gases in the periphery. This is because the heating device does not usually heat the gases in the exhaust gas splitting chamber evenly, so that gas layers with different temperatures and correspondingly different densities form in the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The spatial separation according to temperature differences occurs particularly after the waste incineration plant has started. This state typically remains constant throughout the entire working cycle.

The split gas products, in particular the first component and the second component of the chemical compound, initially have the same temperature. During the working cycle, the gas products are then spatially separated according to their molecular masses. In particular, the split products are in a dynamic state, with heavier gas products moving continuously in a radial direction from the center of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to the chamber wall during the gas transport from the inlet to the outlet, and the lighter gas products remaining in the center of the exhaust gas splitting chamber or being displaced to the center.

During separation, the heavier gas products become colder due to the effect of centrifugal force through heat exchange with other gases. The two separation processes, particularly according to molecular mass and gas density, occur simultaneously due to the centrifugal force. As a result, heavier and colder components collect in the area of the chamber walls and lighter and hotter components collect in the center of the exhaust gas splitting chamber.

In particular, the heating device is designed to heat an exhaust gas present in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to at least 3000 °C, so that at least one chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas can be at least partially split into a first component, preferably a lighter gas product, and a second component, preferably a heavier gas product, as well as into a hotter and thus lighter gas layer and a colder and thus heavier gas layer. The exhaust gas splitting chamber is designed in particular to spatially separate the first and second split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compound from one another within the exhaust gas splitting chamber according to their molecular masses by generating a centrifugal force. Preferably, the separation takes place in such a way that, due to the acting centrifugal force, the lighter or hotter gas product is displaced in the direction of a center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and the heavier or colder gas product is displaced in the direction of a chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, and if present, the non-split remainder of the chemical compound as the heaviest gas is displaced comparatively the furthest in the direction of the chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber.

The exhaust gas splitting device preferably has a drive that is arranged and designed to rotate the exhaust gas splitting chamber about a rotation axis. The rotational movement of the exhaust gas splitting chamber also causes the exhaust gas introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber to rotate, so that a centrifugal force acts on the exhaust gas. The centrifugal force acting on the exhaust gas ensures that hotter or lighter gas products are displaced in the direction of a center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and the colder or heavier gas products are displaced in the direction of a chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber. If there is still a non-split residue of the chemical compound in the exhaust gas splitting chamber, this is displaced as the heaviest gas comparatively the furthest in the direction of the chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber. This spatially separates the various gas products in the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The various spatially separated gas products can then be removed through various outlets, e.g. an outlet in the center of rotation, another outlet near the chamber wall and yet another outlet between the outlet in the center of rotation and the outlet near the chamber wall. For this purpose, each outlet is connected to a line, e.g. a hose. Each hose is in turn connected to its own pump, which can generate the suction required for extraction. The drive can be a belt drive, for example. Alternatively, the drive could also include an electric motor. For example, the rotor could be attached to the exhaust gas splitting chamber itself, which is then rotated in the stator. The The exhaust gas splitting chamber is preferably rotatably mounted at both ends by means of bearings, in particular by means of ball bearings. The drive is preferably designed to rotate the exhaust gas splitting chamber at at least 50 revolutions per minute, preferably at least 250 revolutions per minute, particularly preferably more than 500 revolutions per minute.

Alternatively or in addition to a drive that can rotate the exhaust gas splitting chamber, the exhaust gas splitting device can have at least one impeller with blades arranged in the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or at least one fan arranged in the exhaust gas splitting chamber. Preferably, the impeller and/or the fan can each be rotated with an impeller drive or with a fan drive. The rotation of the impeller and/or the fan also causes the exhaust gas present in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to rotate, so that a centrifugal force acts on the exhaust gas and/or split components of the chemical compound, which leads to a spatial separation of the exhaust gas and the split components depending on the different molecular masses. Preferably, the impeller with blades and/or the fan can be rotated at at least 50 revolutions per minute.

Further details on possible technical implementations and the physical mechanisms that lead to the spatial separation of the different gas products can be found in WO 2022/122062 A1 described.

The exhaust gas splitting chamber can be aligned horizontally or at an angle of inclination of 0° to 90° or at an angle of inclination of 0° to -90° relative to the base of the waste incineration plant. A horizontal alignment is preferred so that the inlet and outlet are not aligned parallel to the base. If the outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber is directed downwards, the separation of solid and gaseous reaction products can be made easier thanks to the effect of the earth's gravity. If the outlet is directed upwards, however, light gaseous products can escape better or be more easily discharged with a hose.

The exhaust gas splitting chamber can be arranged in a container and an interior of the container can be under normal pressure. Alternatively, the interior of the container can be under negative pressure. Alternatively, the interior of the container can be under positive pressure.

The exhaust gas splitting chamber can be tubular or ring-shaped. If the exhaust gas splitting chamber is tubular, it is preferred if the tube length is significantly greater than the tube diameter, e.g. in a ratio of 10 to 1. A tube length that is greater than the tube diameter is preferred because the centrifugal force during the rotational movement only acts in the radial direction. This means that the thermal insulation works less well in the axial direction. This effect can be mitigated by a comparatively longer tube length.

If the exhaust gas splitting chamber is designed as a pipe, it can have the inlet at one end and the outlet at the opposite end. During operation, the exhaust gas is then introduced into the pipe through the inlet and heated up. The exhaust gas or the split components of the chemical compound can be removed again at the other end. Inside the pipe, the exhaust gas is kept at a high temperature with the heating device and rotated in the exhaust gas splitting chamber. Since the heavy and colder components are displaced towards the chamber wall, a heat-insulating gas layer with a comparatively lower temperature forms on the chamber wall.

If the exhaust gas splitting chamber is ring-shaped, e.g. a torus or two tubes connected at both ends, the exhaust gas splitting chamber has no free ends at which hot gas vortices can form.

The combustion chamber and the burner can be designed to burn the waste using known methods, e.g. fluidized bed combustion, grate combustion, or in a rotary kiln.

Gases which, for example, contain the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas or the first component or the second component of the chemical compound can be removed from the exhaust gas splitting chamber using pumps. For example, the exhaust gas splitting chamber can have further outlets in addition to the first outlet. Each of the outlets is connected to a pump via a pipe or hose, e.g. a stainless steel pipe or a silicone hose. Using the pumps, a gas can be removed from the exhaust gas splitting chamber through the various outlets. The extracted gas can be analyzed for its composition. If the extracted gas does not have the desired composition, the outlet used could be closed and another outlet used through which a gas can be extracted from another location in the exhaust gas splitting chamber.

To increase the efficiency of the waste incineration plant, an optional heat exchanger can be used. A heat exchanger can be connected to an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber from which a gas or gases are to be discharged, which are to be cooled before further use. The cooling of the gas or gases is then carried out using the heat exchanger so that the heat recovered can be further used.

In particular, the gases extracted from the exhaust gas splitting chamber can have a high temperature, e.g. hydrogen extracted from a centrally located outlet from the center of rotation can have a temperature of over 1000 °C. Before hydrogen is reused and fed to a fuel cell, for example, it can be advantageous if the hydrogen is cooled to a lower temperature. A heat exchanger can be used for this so that the thermal energy is not lost. Other gases such as oxygen that can be extracted from the exhaust gas splitting chamber can also have a high temperature. However, some of these gases, such as oxygen, can be reused while hot. For example, hot oxygen can be fed back into the combustion chamber to increase combustion efficiency there. To extract such hot gases, the waste incineration plant preferably has appropriately temperature-resistant pumps.

If hydrogen extracted from the exhaust gas cracking chamber is to be used in a gas turbine or combustion engine power generator, a heat exchanger is not required. The extracted hydrogen can therefore be reused while hot.

When using a cleaning device for cleaning, e.g. by means of a sorbent, it can be advantageous if the gases are cooled beforehand. In this case too, a heat exchanger can be used to cool the gases, in particular together with an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, from which oxygen is to be removed together with pollutants such as chlorine or fluorine.

Preferably, the exhaust gas splitting chamber consists of a material such as aluminum or stainless steel, which has a temperature resistance of at least 300 °C or more, preferably 500 °C or more, particularly preferably 1000 °C.

Preferably, the heating device comprises an arc heater, a gas burner for burning hydrogen, and/or a microwave plasma burner, which is arranged and designed to heat exhaust gases in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to at least 3000 °C by generating an arc or a microwave plasma or by burning hydrogen with a gas burner. The arc heater preferably has graphite electrodes. The arc heater is preferably designed to provide a current of at least 100 A, preferably of at least 500 A, particularly preferably of at least 5000 A. A current of 100 A corresponds in particular to an arc with approximately 2 kW electrical power, a current of 500 A corresponds in particular to an arc with approximately 15 kW power and a current of 5000 A corresponds in particular to an arc with over 200 kW power. In addition to or as an alternative to an arc heater, a microwave plasma burner could be used. In contrast to an arc heater, a microwave plasma torch does not need electrodes that burn up and have to be replaced regularly, and can generate a plasma with a temperature of 4000 °C to 5000 °C at high power. By simply burning hydrogen with oxygen, it is possible to achieve a hydrogen combustion temperature of around 2800 °C, especially with a stoichiometric ratio, i.e. H ₂ to O 2 of 2:1. Together with the already hot exhaust gases from the combustion chamber, a fission temperature of 3000 °C or more can be achieved. It is also possible to combine the combustion of hydrogen with one of the other two heating methods, i.e. with an arc heater and/or with a microwave plasma torch. The combustion of hydrogen with a gas burner has the advantage that such a heating device can be implemented relatively easily. The combustion of hydrogen with a gas burner can also be carried out particularly reliably. For example, a simple gas burner or 80% energy from a gas burner and 20% from electric heating can be used to burn hydrogen. The combustion of hydrogen with a gas burner is usually also comparatively more efficient than with a fuel cell or a gas turbine generator, for example.

The waste incineration plant can further comprise an optional combustion chamber return line which connects a second outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device and the combustion chamber in a fluid-conducting manner, so that at least one of the several split components can be returned to the combustion chamber. During operation, oxygen can be discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber into the combustion chamber through the combustion chamber return line, for example. This can increase the efficiency of waste incineration in the combustion chamber. For example, combustion in pure oxygen, where the kiln is completely flooded with oxygen. This allows a higher combustion temperature to be achieved and the waste to be burned more efficiently. Another advantage of using pure oxygen is that the amount of pollutants released during combustion can be reduced.

The first inlet and the second inlet can be arranged, for example, on a common pipe section, in particular a stainless steel or quartz pipe or a heat-resistant ceramic pipe. A quartz pipe could be particularly advantageous if the heating device comprises a microwave plasma burner and the pipe section is to be exposed to comparatively higher temperatures. Additional inlets could also be arranged on the pipe section, via which the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be filled. The pipe section could lead into the exhaust gas splitting chamber and enable a fluid to be introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The pipe section could also be designed with double walls. A gas suitable for cooling the pipe section can be introduced into the space between the walls of the double-walled pipe section. Cooling the pipe section can be advantageous because flue gases flowing from the combustion chamber into the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be comparatively hot and can have, for example, 2000 °C or more. By cooling the pipe section, the pipe section can be protected from the hot temperatures of the flue gases. For example, a gas taken from the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be introduced into the space between the walls of the double-walled pipe section in order to cool the pipe section. For example, CO2 that has not been split from the exhaust gas splitting chamber could first be discharged into the space. The space is preferably fluidically connected to the interior of the double-walled pipe section so that the CO2 that has not been split used for cooling can flow back into the exhaust gas splitting chamber together with exhaust gases flowing out of the combustion chamber to then be split. For example, the exhaust gas splitting chamber return line can be fluidically connected to the space of the pipe section and the space can be fluidically connected to the interior of the pipe section so that a gas from the exhaust gas splitting chamber can first be discharged into the space of the pipe section through the exhaust gas splitting chamber return line to cool the pipe section, and then flow into the interior of the pipe section and back into the exhaust gas splitting chamber.

Optionally, the waste incineration plant can have a fuel cell that is fluidically connected in particular to a third outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, so that, for example, hydrogen obtained from the exhaust gas can be converted into electrical energy by the fuel cell. Preferably, the fuel cell is electrically connected to the heating device, so that electrical energy generated by the fuel cell can be converted into thermal energy by the heating device.

Alternatively or in addition to a fuel cell, the waste incineration plant can have a gas turbine power generator and/or an internal combustion engine power generator which is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, so that hydrogen obtained from the exhaust gas can be converted into electrical energy by the power generator or generators. Preferably, the power generator or generators are electrically connected to the heating device, so that electrical energy generated by the power generator or generators can be converted into thermal energy by the heating device. Accordingly, a power generator can be driven by a hydrogen combustion engine. A gas turbine power generator can be used particularly advantageously in large plants, whereas a combustion engine power generator is more likely to be used together with a smaller waste incineration plant, for example for cost reasons.

The waste incineration plant can have a combustion chamber feed line that is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber and through which, for example, a gas containing at least 30% oxygen can be introduced into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber feed line can, for example, be connected to an external oxygen source that contains a gas containing at least 30% oxygen, which can be discharged into the combustion chamber through the combustion chamber feed line. By additionally introducing oxygen into the combustion chamber, the efficiency of the combustion of waste in the combustion chamber can be increased.

Preferably, the waste incineration plant has a cleaning device which is fluidically connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device and is designed to clean exhaust gases discharged from the corresponding exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or a gas comprising at least one of the several split components. In the exhaust gases or the gas comprising at least one of the several split components may contain, for example, toxic gases such as dioxins, furans and nitrogen oxides, which may pose a risk to human health and the environment. For example, hydrogen chloride, hydrofluoric acid, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides or dioxin may be contained. The cleaning could be carried out by means of sorption in a circulating fluidized bed. For example, a sorbent can be introduced into a fluidized bed reactor, where it is present in the form of a circulating fluidized bed.

Optionally, the waste incineration plant can have an exhaust gas splitting chamber supply line which is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, e.g. via a third inlet, which can also be arranged on a common piece of pipe. For example, a gas comprising CO2 can be introduced into the respective exhaust gas splitting chamber through the exhaust gas splitting chamber supply line. The source for the additionally introduced CO2 is not the combustion chamber. The source can be another combustion chamber for incinerating waste, or the CO2 can also have been generated by a process other than incinerating waste. For example, the waste incineration plant can have two or more combustion chambers connected to the same exhaust gas splitting chamber. Exhaust gases from the first combustion chamber and the second combustion chamber can then be introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber. For example, exhaust gases from the first combustion chamber and the second combustion chamber can be introduced simultaneously. However, it is also possible that exhaust gases are introduced during a certain period of time either only from the first combustion chamber or only from the second combustion chamber.

The invention also relates to a use of the waste incineration plant described here for burning waste.

• Bereitstellen von Abfall in der Müllverbrennungsanlage,
• Verbrennen des Abfalls, vorzugsweise unter Zuführung eines Gases, das mindestens 30 % Sauerstoff aufweist,
• Abführen von bei der Verbrennung des Abfalls entstehender Abgase aufweisend COz und H₂O in eine Abgasspaltungskammer einer Abgasspaltungsvorrichtung,
• Erhitzen der Abgase in der Abgasspaltungskammer mit einer Heizvorrichtung der Abgasspaltungsvorrichtung auf mindestens 3000 °C, so dass die chemischen Verbindungen COz und H₂O wenigstens teilweise in mehrere Bestandteile aufgespalten werden, insbesondere in Oz, CO und H₂ sowie in festen Kohlenstoff,
• Erzeugen einer auf die aufgespaltenen Bestandteile wirkende Zentrifugalkraft, so dass die aufgespaltenen Bestandteile und, falls vorhanden, auch einen nicht-aufgespaltener Rest der chemischen Verbindungen, aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Molekularmassen räumlich voneinander getrennt werden, und
• wenigstens teilweises Zurückführen des nicht-aufgespaltenen Restes der chemischen Verbindungen, insbesondere von COz, von einem ersten Auslass der Abgasspaltungskammer i) zu einem Einlass der Abgasspaltungskammer, so dass der nicht-aufgespaltenen Restes der chemischen Verbindungen erneut in die Abgasspaltungskammer eingeführt wird, oder wenigstens teilweises Zurückführen des nicht-aufgespaltenen Restes der chemischen Verbindung, insbesondere von COz, von einem ersten Auslass der Abgasspaltungskammer ii) zu einem Einlass einer Abgasspaltungskammereiner weiteren Abgasspaltungsvorrichtung, so dass der nicht-aufgespaltenen Restes der chemischen Verbindungen in die Abgasspaltungskammer der weiteren Abgasspaltungsvorrichtung eingeführt wird.

The invention further relates to a method for burning waste in a waste incineration plant. The method comprises the steps:

• Providing waste to the waste incineration plant,
• Incineration of the waste, preferably with the addition of a gas containing at least 30% oxygen,
• Discharge of exhaust gases comprising CO2 and H ₂ O resulting from the combustion of the waste into an exhaust gas splitting chamber of an exhaust gas splitting device,
• Heating the exhaust gases in the exhaust gas splitting chamber with a heating device of the exhaust gas splitting device to at least 3000 °C, so that the chemical compounds CO2 and H ₂ O are at least partially split into several components, in particular into O2, CO and H ₂ and into solid carbon,
• generating a centrifugal force acting on the split components so that the split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compounds are spatially separated from one another due to their different molecular masses, and
• at least partially returning the non-split remainder of the chemical compounds, in particular COz, from a first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber i) to an inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compounds is reintroduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber, or at least partially returning the non-split remainder of the chemical compound, in particular COz, from a first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber ii) to an inlet of an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a further exhaust gas splitting device, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compounds is introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device.

The process can be carried out in particular with the waste incineration plant described here.

The process enables CO2-free waste incineration, in which CO2 from incinerated waste is converted directly into oxygen and solid carbon. The oxygen released can be used in the cycle for more effective incineration of the waste. The process has the advantage that it can be carried out with comparatively low energy consumption. When waste is burned, water vapor is also produced, which is thermally split into oxygen and hydrogen. Oxygen can be used in the cycle for incineration of the waste and hydrogen can be used as an energy source to generate the high temperatures required for the splitting of CO2 and _H2O .

• CO + 1/2O₂ -> CO₂, ΔH⁰ = -283 kJ/mol (Kohlenstoffmonoxid-Verbrennung)
• CO + H₂O <-> CO₂ + H₂, ΔH⁰ = -41 kJ/mol (Wassergas-Shift-Reaktion)
• 2CO <-> CO₂ + C, ΔH⁰ = -181 kJ/mol (Boudouard-Gleichgewicht)

The non-split residue, which is at least partially returned to an inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, contains in particular CO2. The CO2 can be present because the exhaust gas was not completely split. Furthermore, CO2 can also be present because it is formed again from the reaction product CO. Possible reactions are, for example:

• CO + 1/2O ₂ -> CO ₂ , ΔH ⁰ = -283 kJ/mol (carbon monoxide combustion)
• CO + H ₂ O <-> CO ₂ + H ₂ , ΔH ⁰ = -41 kJ/mol (water gas shift reaction)
• 2CO <-> CO ₂ + C, ΔH ⁰ = -181 kJ/mol (Boudouard equilibrium)

The heat released during these reactions remains in the exhaust gas splitting chamber and supports the splitting processes, e.g. CO2 to C+O ₂ and H ₂ O to H ₂ +O ₂ . The molecular masses of oxygen and carbon monoxide are similar (32 and 28), so they are not separated particularly effectively by centrifugal force. Due to these reactions, there will typically be little or no CO at the exhaust gas splitting chamber outlet. In contrast, the oxygen content at this outlet will typically be much higher in comparison.

The method may include separately discharging the split components from the exhaust gas splitting chamber, e.g. through hoses. Separate discharging here means discharging with a purity of at least 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, or 80% or more.

The separate removal of the various gas products from the exhaust gas splitting chamber is made possible by the fact that the various gas products separate spatially within the exhaust gas splitting chamber due to their different molecular masses under the effect of the centrifugal force. Several ring-shaped layers then form in the exhaust gas splitting chamber, in each of which one of the various gas products is present in increased quantities. One of the various gas products can then be removed and in particular sucked off through outlets located at the level of one of the several layers. In other words, the various gases in the exhaust gas splitting chamber are spatially separated by centrifugal forces and can be individually removed by suction from different locations. For example, H ₂ can be removed from a middle, central area, CO2 from an area close to the chamber wall and Oz are taken from the point in between. Since the gases diffuse, especially at high temperatures, the individually taken gases will generally not be 100% pure. However, 100% purity is not crucial for carrying out the process and for operating the waste incineration plant. A purity of, for example, 60% or more or even 80% or more is sufficient.

The physical mechanism that leads to the separation of the gas products can be described as follows. The exhaust gas is kept in constant rotation in the exhaust gas splitting chamber, whereby the rotating exhaust gas is separated into colder and therefore heavier and hotter and therefore lighter gas layers by the action of centrifugal force. This causes the hotter (or lighter) gas to be displaced into the center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and the colder (or heavier) gas towards the chamber wall. At the same time, the gas products are separated according to molecular mass by the action of centrifugal force, so that a heavier gas product and a non-split gas are thrown towards the chamber wall and a lighter gas product remains in the central area of the exhaust gas splitting chamber. Since gases have a very low thermal conductivity, the chamber walls are effectively separated from the hot gas masses in the center by a heat-insulating colder gas layer, thus preventing the chamber walls from overheating. The walls of the exhaust gas splitting chamber do not come into direct contact with hot gas. Furthermore, reaction products are advantageously less contaminated by material on the chamber walls.

In the method, it is preferred if O2 discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device is fed back to the combustion chamber and/or CO2 discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device is fed back to the exhaust gas splitting chamber.

In the method, it is further preferred if H ₂ discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber is used to generate thermal energy and exhaust gases located in the exhaust gas splitting chamber are at least partially heated with the thermal energy generated.

In the method, it is further preferred if the exhaust gas splitting chamber is aligned horizontally or with an inclination angle of 0° to 90° or with an inclination angle of 0° to -90°. An inclination can influence the temperature distribution along the chamber determine, e.g. with vertical orientation a higher temperature can be maintained at the top than at the bottom, which can lead to an improved process flow. An improved process flow can include CO2 splitting at the top at high temperatures and gas removal at the bottom at lower temperatures.

In the method, it is further preferred if the generation of a centrifugal force acting on the split components is achieved by setting the exhaust gas splitting chamber into rotation.

In the method, it is further preferred if the generation of a centrifugal force acting on the split components is achieved by at least one impeller with blades arranged in the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or at least one fan arranged in the exhaust gas splitting chamber and/or by gas flows.

In the process, it is further preferred if the rotational speed of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, the impeller with blades or the fan is set to at least 50 revolutions per minute.

The process enables highly efficient incineration of waste in concentrated oxygen, use of hydrogen as an energy source, combining waste types to maintain energy balance, use of external renewable energy sources if necessary, a closed material cycle, comparatively less drying of waste, continuous operation of the waste incineration plant, cyclical operation of the waste incineration plant, application for incineration of plastic waste with production of a comparatively larger amount of H ₂ and use of hydrogen in the production of steel.

The invention also relates to a method for maintaining or repairing the waste incineration plant described here. The method comprises repairing or replacing the combustion chamber, the burner, the exhaust gas splitting device or the further exhaust gas splitting device, the combustion chamber return line, the fuel cell, the gas turbine power generator, the internal combustion engine power generator, the cleaning device, the exhaust gas splitting chamber feed line and/or the combustion chamber feed line.

In summary, the waste incineration plant described here and the process for burning waste in a waste incineration plant described here have the following advantages. Waste incineration causes no or at least significantly reduced CO2 emissions. This can make a major contribution to environmental, climate and resource protection and the effects of CO2 pricing on waste disposal fees can be avoided. By using concentrated oxygen, waste can be completely burned and the amount of slag to be disposed of can be significantly reduced. The use of the hydrogen formed as an energy source enables the waste incineration plant to operate more efficiently. Improved combustion in oxygen means less or no drying of the waste is required. Waste incineration takes place in a closed circuit, the end products are solid slag, solid carbon and possibly small amounts of oxygen and hydrogen. No chimney is needed and, in addition to large-scale plants, small but economically effective and environmentally friendly waste incineration plants can be built that can be installed directly where the waste is produced. This can also save costs for waste transport. When organic waste is burned, the process will actively reduce the total CO2 content in the atmosphere, since the carbon removed from the air during plant growth is not released back into the atmosphere as CO2, but can be stored or utilized in the form of solid carbon.

Fig. 1A:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Müllverbrennungsanlage mit einer Abgasspaltungskammer;

Fig. 1B:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Müllverbrennungsanlage mit einer Abgasspaltungskammer, wobei die Heizvorrichtung einen Gasbrenner zum Verbrennen von Wasserstoff aufweist;

Fig. 2:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Müllverbrennungsanlage, die die gleichen Elemente wie die mit Bezug auf Fig. 1 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage und zusätzlich mehrere Pumpen aufweist, die jeweils Gasprodukte wie O₂, H₂ und COz aus unterschiedlichen Auslässen der Abgasspaltungskammer absaugen können;

Fig. 3.:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Müllverbrennungsanlage, die die gleichen Elemente wie die mit Bezug auf Fig. 1 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage und zusätzlich eine Reinigungsvorrichtung aufweist;

Fig. 4:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Müllverbrennungsanlage, die die gleichen Elemente wie die mit Bezug auf Fig. 1 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage und zusätzlich eine Abgasspaltungskammer-Zuführleitung aufweist;

Fig. 5:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Müllverbrennungsanlage zum Verbrennen von Abfall;

Fig. 6:

die mit Bezug auf die Fig. 5 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage schematisch und beispielhaft in einer Seitenansicht und im Betrieb;

Fig. 7:

die mit Bezug auf die Fig. 6 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage schematisch und beispielhaft in einer Schnittansicht und ebenfalls im Betrieb;

Fig. 8:

die mit Bezug auf die Figen. 5 bis 7 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage schematisch und beispielhaft in einer Perspektivansicht, in der die Einlassseite der Abgasspaltungskammer erkennbar ist;

Fig. 9:

die mit Bezug auf die Figen. 5 bis 8 beschriebene Müllverbrennungsanlage schematisch und beispielhaft in einer Perspektivansicht, in der die Auslassseite der Abgasspaltungskammer erkennbar ist;

Fig. 10:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Brennkammer und eine Abgasspaltungskammer einer Müllverbrennungsanlage, wobei die Abgasspaltungskammer horizontal ausgerichtet seitlich neben der Brennkammer angeordnet ist;

Fig. 11:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Brennkammer und eine Abgasspaltungskammer einer Müllverbrennungsanlage, wobei die Abgasspaltungskammer vertikal ausgerichtet seitlich neben der Brennkammer angeordnet ist;

Fig. 12:

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Brennkammer und eine Abgasspaltungskammer einer Müllverbrennungsanlage, wobei die Abgasspaltungskammer vertikal ausgerichtet und oberhalb der Öffnung der Brennkammer angeordnet ist;

Fig. 13:

schematisch und beispielhaft die mit Bezug auf die Fig. 10 beschriebene Brennkammer und die Abgasspaltungskammer in a), b) und c) jeweils aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven;

Fig. 14:

schematisch und beispielhaft die mit Bezug auf die Fig. 11 beschriebene Brennkammer und die Abgasspaltungskammer in a), b) und c) jeweils aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven;

Fig. 15:

schematisch und beispielhaft die mit Bezug auf die Fig. 12 beschriebene Brennkammer und die Abgasspaltungskammer in a), b) und c) jeweils aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven;

Fig. 16:

ein Ablaufdiagram für ein Verfahren zum Verbrennen von Abfall mit einer Müllverbrennungsanlage;

Fig. 17:

schematisch und beispielhaft einen Versuchsaufbau zur Untersuchung von der Lufttemperaturverteilung in einer Abgasspaltungskammer;

Fig. 18:

ein Messprotokoll zur Untersuchung von der Lufttemperaturverteilung in einer Abgasspaltungskammer, das mit einem wie mit Bezug auf Fig. 17 beschriebenen Versuchsaufbau erzeugt wurde;

Fig. 19

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Brennkammer und zwei Abgasspaltungskammern einer Müllverbrennungsanlage, wobei die Abgasspaltungskammern in Reihe geschalteten sind;

Fig. 20

schematisch und beispielhaft zwei Brennkammern und eine Abgasspaltungskammer einer Müllverbrennungsanlage, die so fluidleitend miteinander verbunden sind, dass in die Abgasspaltungskammer Abgase aus beiden der Brennkammern eingeleitet werden können; und

Fig. 21

schematisch und beispielhaft eine Brennkammer und zwei Abgasspaltungskammern einer Müllverbrennungsanlage, wobei die beiden Abgasspaltungskammern unabhängig voneinander mit Abgasen aus der Brennkammer befüllt werden können.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show:

Fig. 1A:

schematically and exemplary a waste incineration plant with an exhaust gas splitting chamber;

Fig. 1B:

schematically and by way of example, a waste incineration plant with an exhaust gas splitting chamber, wherein the heating device has a gas burner for burning hydrogen;

Fig. 2:

schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant comprising the same elements as those referred to in Fig. 1 described waste incineration plant and additionally several pumps, each of which can extract gas products such as O ₂ , H ₂ and CO2 from different outlets of the exhaust gas splitting chamber;

Fig. 3.:

schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant comprising the same elements as those referred to in Fig. 1 described waste incineration plant and additionally a cleaning device;

Fig. 4:

schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant comprising the same elements as those referred to in Fig. 1 described waste incineration plant and additionally has an exhaust gas splitting chamber supply line;

Fig. 5:

schematic and exemplary illustration of a waste incineration plant for burning waste;

Fig. 6:

which with reference to the Fig. 5 described waste incineration plant schematically and as an example in a side view and in operation;

Fig. 7:

which with reference to the Fig. 6 described waste incineration plant schematically and as an example in a sectional view and also in operation;

Fig. 8:

the waste incineration plant described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7 schematically and by way of example in a perspective view in which the inlet side of the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be seen;

Fig. 9:

the waste incineration plant described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8 schematically and by way of example in a perspective view in which the outlet side of the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be seen;

Fig. 10:

schematically and by way of example, a combustion chamber and an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber is arranged horizontally aligned laterally next to the combustion chamber;

Fig. 11:

schematically and by way of example, a combustion chamber and an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber is arranged vertically aligned laterally next to the combustion chamber;

Fig. 12:

schematically and by way of example, a combustion chamber and an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber is vertically aligned and arranged above the opening of the combustion chamber;

Fig. 13:

schematically and exemplarily the Fig. 10 described combustion chamber and the exhaust gas splitting chamber in a), b) and c), each from different perspectives;

Fig. 14:

schematically and exemplarily the Fig. 11 described combustion chamber and the exhaust gas splitting chamber in a), b) and c), each from different perspectives;

Fig. 15:

schematically and exemplarily the Fig. 12 described combustion chamber and the exhaust gas splitting chamber in a), b) and c), each from different perspectives;

Fig. 16:

a flow chart for a process for burning waste using a waste incineration plant;

Fig. 17:

schematically and by way of example, an experimental setup for investigating the air temperature distribution in an exhaust gas splitting chamber;

Fig. 18:

a measurement protocol for the investigation of the air temperature distribution in an exhaust gas splitting chamber, which is provided with a Fig. 17 described experimental setup;

Fig. 19

schematically and by way of example, a combustion chamber and two exhaust gas splitting chambers of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chambers are connected in series;

Fig. 20

schematically and by way of example, two combustion chambers and an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a waste incineration plant, which are connected to one another in such a fluid-conducting manner that exhaust gases from both combustion chambers can be introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber; and

Fig. 21

schematically and by way of example, a combustion chamber and two exhaust gas splitting chambers of a waste incineration plant, whereby the two exhaust gas splitting chambers can be filled independently of each other with exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.

Figure 1A shows schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant 100 which enables CO2-free waste incineration. The waste incineration plant 100 has a combustion chamber 2 in which waste 1 can be incinerated using grate or fluidized bed combustion. In contrast to conventional methods, no atmospheric air needs to be added to the combustion chamber 2 during operation of the waste incineration plant 100. Accordingly, no atmospheric nitrogen is present when the waste 1 is incinerated, which leads to a significant reduction in nitrogen oxides.

Flue gases produced during the combustion of the waste 1 are passed on as exhaust gas 5 into an exhaust gas splitting chamber 3. In the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3, the exhaust gas 5 is heated to at least 3000 °C by means of a heating device 9, so that CO2 contained in the exhaust gas 5 is split. The exhaust gas 5 heated to at least 3000 °C is rotated in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3, for example by rotating the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 itself or by having an impeller with blades or a fan in its interior, which are rotated in order to set the exhaust gas 5 in rotation. The rotation of the exhaust gas 5 causes a centrifugal force to act on it. Due to the effect of centrifugal force, the rotating exhaust gas 5 undergoes a separation of colder or heavy gas products and hotter or lighter gas products, and thus a displacement of the hotter or lighter gas product into the center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 and the colder or heavier gas product in the direction of a chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3. In the process, a heat-insulating gas layer is also formed near the chamber wall. By displacing the hot gases away from the chamber wall, it is ensured that heat losses through the colder gas layer in the area of the chamber wall are minimized due to the lower thermal conductivity of the gases, and thus high temperatures in the center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3, which are required for CO ₂ splitting, can be achieved.

At high temperatures of over 3000 °C, CO2 molecules are split into solid carbon, O2 and CO, and _H2O molecules are split into _H2 and _O2 , whereby the exhaust gas 5 in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3, which consists of non-split CO2 and _H2O and formed O2, CO and _H2 , is separated according to its molecular mass by the action of a centrifugal force. The lightest substance, _H2 , remains in the central area of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3, followed by water vapor, CO and O2, the heaviest substance, CO2, is displaced to the chamber wall. The separated gases can then be discharged separately from the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3. Carbon dioxide is in the circuit and is repeatedly passed through the high-temperature zone of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 until it is completely converted into O2. and solid carbon. For this purpose, the waste incineration plant 100 has an exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 6 which connects a first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 with a second inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3.

When the waste incineration plant 100 is put into operation, oxygen can be introduced into the combustion chamber 2 from an external source and then kept in the circuit. Since oxygen is present in the waste 1 as a component of water and organic compounds, the oxygen content in the combustion chamber 2 can be further increased over time. For this purpose, the waste incineration plant 100 has a combustion chamber return line 7 which connects a second outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 and the combustion chamber 2 in a fluid-conducting manner so that oxygen can be removed from the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 and discharged into the combustion chamber 2. Oxygen can also be partially stored or released into the air. The oxygen formed can also advantageously be used in a fuel cell or a power generator 4, e.g. a gas turbine power generator or an internal combustion engine power generator, of the waste incineration plant 100 for burning hydrogen to generate electricity. For this purpose, the waste incineration plant 100 has a hydrogen supply line 8, which connects another outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 with the fuel cell or the power generator 4. The generated electricity can be passed on via a line to the heating device 9, which is designed here as an arc heater.

In terms of energy, the combustion of carbon releases the same amount of energy as is later required for the splitting of CO2, and energy is used for the thermal splitting of water. In order to maintain the energy balance, it is possible to combine different types of waste in such a way that the released hydrogen is produced in an amount that is sufficient to generate the required energy. Plastics, for example, have a comparatively high proportion of hydrogen and no or very little oxygen. By adding plastic waste to organic waste, it is therefore possible to maintain a certain energy balance. Otherwise, external energy, e.g. from renewable power sources, could also be used.

With the waste incineration plant 100, CO2-free incineration of waste can be achieved as follows. First, waste 1 is introduced into the combustion chamber 2. The waste 1 can then be burned with the addition of oxygen. The hot flue gases produced are introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 as exhaust gas 5. The hot exhaust gas 5 usually consists mainly of CO2 and H2O. With the addition of additional thermal energy, e.g. by the arc heater 9, CO ₂ and H ₂ O are broken down into O 2 , H ₂ and solid carbon at high temperatures of at least 3000 °C. The gas product O 2 can be fed through an outlet through the combustion chamber return line 7 back into the combustion chamber 2. The gas product H ₂ can be discharged through a further separate outlet through the hydrogen supply line 8 to the fuel cell or the power generator 4. The hydrogen formed can then be used as an energy source, e.g. in the fuel cell/power generator 4, to generate additional thermal energy in the exhaust gas cracking chamber 3. The solid carbon can in turn be taken out and removed through a further separate outlet 10. Accordingly, oxygen formed can be kept in the circuit and returned to the combustion chamber 2. Carbon dioxide that has not been broken down is reintroduced into the exhaust gas cracking chamber 3 through the exhaust gas cracking chamber return line 6 through the inlet of the exhaust gas cracking chamber 3. Furthermore, slag 11 produced during the combustion of the waste 1 can be removed from the combustion chamber 2.

Figure 1B shows schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant 150, which is comparable to the one described with reference to Figure 1A described waste incineration plant 100. However, the waste incineration plant 150 differs from the waste incineration plant 100 in that the waste incineration plant 150 does not have a fuel cell or a power generator 4. Instead, in the waste incineration plant 150, the hydrogen supply line 8 is designed such that it connects an outlet for removing hydrogen directly to the heating device 9. In addition, the waste incineration plant 150 has an oxygen supply line 18, which also guides the oxygen flowing through the combustion chamber return line 7 to the heating device 9. The heating device 9 has a gas burner in order to burn the gas mixture of hydrogen and oxygen by means of the gas burner in order to heat the exhaust gas 5 to at least 3000 °C. In addition to the gas burner, the heating device 9 can also have an arc heater and/or a microwave plasma burner.

Figure 2 shows schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant 200 which has the same elements as those with reference to Figure 1A However, the waste incineration plant 200 additionally has several pumps 16, each of which can extract gas products such as O ₂ , H ₂ and CO ₂ from different outlets of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3. Since the exhaust gas 5 in the combustion chamber 2 is comparatively hot, it can be fed directly into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 by means of a pressure difference. The gas products created by splitting, such as O ₂ , H ₂ and CO2 are fed through the gas lines using pumps 16. In the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3, the gases are heated to at least 3000 °C using an arc heater 9. An alternative heating method could involve heating using microwaves. In contrast to arc heaters, a microwave plasma torch does not need electrodes that burn up and have to be replaced regularly, and can generate a plasma with a temperature of 4000 to 5000 °C at high power.

Figure 3 shows schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant 300 which has the same elements as those with reference to Figure 1A described waste incineration plant 100 and additionally has a cleaning device 12. The cleaning device 12 is fluidically connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 via a cleaning device supply line 13. The cleaning device 12 is also connected to the combustion chamber 2 via the combustion chamber return line 7, so that a gas cleaned by the cleaning device 12 can be returned to the combustion chamber 2. For example, a gas containing oxygen and pollutants can be discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 through the cleaning device supply line 13 into the cleaning device 12. After cleaning, oxygen can then be discharged back into the combustion chamber 2 through the combustion chamber return line 7 in order to increase the efficiency of the combustion of the waste 1 there.

Due to the high temperatures generated in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 during operation of the waste incineration plant 300, it is possible for many highly toxic substances to be broken down into elementary, harmless components. However, some types of waste can contain pollutants such as chlorine and fluorine, which must not be released into the environment. The waste incineration plant 300 can be used to incinerate waste 1 containing pollutants, with oxygen and the pollutants not removed being discharged to the cleaning system 12 and treated in the cleaning system 12 using known methods, e.g. using sorbents. For example, the pollutants can be discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 together with oxygen. The purified oxygen can then be fed back into the combustion chamber 2 via the combustion chamber return line 7 and thus returned to the cycle. The treated pollutants can be discharged separately from an outlet 14 of the cleaning device 12.

Figure 4 shows schematically and by way of example a waste incineration plant 400 which has the same elements as those described with reference to Figure 1A described waste incineration plant 100 and additionally has an exhaust gas splitting chamber feed line 15. The exhaust gas splitting chamber feed line 15 is fluidically connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3. A gas comprising CO2 can be introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 through the exhaust gas splitting chamber feed line 15. The waste incineration plant 400 also has a combustion chamber feed line 17 which is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber 2. A gas with at least 30% oxygen can be introduced into the combustion chamber 2 through the combustion chamber feed line 17. For example, the combustion chamber feed line 17 can be connected to an external oxygen source which contains a gas with at least 30% oxygen. The gas with at least 30% oxygen can be introduced into the combustion chamber, for example, when the waste incineration plant 400 is put into operation in order to increase the efficiency of burning the waste.

The waste incineration plant 400 can therefore be used not only for thermal waste treatment but also for reducing CO2 emissions in external industrial processes. For example, many plastics have a very high hydrogen content and no or very little oxygen. The widely used polymers such as polyethylene (C ₂ H ₄ ) _n and polypropylene (C ₃ H ₆ ) _n contain two hydrogen atoms per carbon atom. When these polymers are burned, the calorific value is typically more than 46 MJ/kg. For carbon, this value is typically around 30 MJ/kg. The energy difference is retained in the hydrogen produced by the waste incineration plant 400. This excess hydrogen can be used as an energy source for splitting additional amounts of carbon dioxide, which can be introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 3 via the exhaust gas splitting chamber feed line 15. The additional amounts of carbon dioxide introduced can, for example, come from a coal or gas power plant. The use of the waste incineration plant 400 in combination with the steel industry is particularly advantageous because the carbon produced can be used as a reducing agent in the production of steel. If the waste incineration plant 400 is to be used in this way together with the steel industry, it can be advantageous if the waste is sorted beforehand so that the waste to be incinerated has as high a proportion of plastics as possible.

The Figures 5 to 9 show a waste incineration plant 500 for burning waste in different representations and perspectives.

Figure 5 shows schematically and by way of example the waste incineration plant 500 for burning waste. The waste incineration plant 500 has a combustion chamber 502 with an opening 504 through which waste can be filled into the combustion chamber 502. The waste is burned in the combustion chamber 502 using a burner (not shown).

Flue gases produced during the incineration of the waste can be discharged as exhaust gas through a pipe section 505, e.g. a stainless steel or quartz pipe or a heat-resistant ceramic pipe, into an exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 of the waste incineration plant 500. For this purpose, the pipe section is fluidically connected to an inlet side 501 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. In the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506, the exhaust gases are heated to at least 3000 °C with a heating device, so that the CO2 and H ₂ O contained in the exhaust gases are at least partially split into the components CO, O ₂ and H _2. Furthermore, an impeller with blades (not shown) is arranged in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. The impeller can be rotated about an axis of rotation in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. This also causes the exhaust gas to rotate in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. Due to the different molecular masses, the split components of the exhaust gas and, if present, non-split gases are separated from one another in layers by the action of centrifugal force. The lightest substance is pushed into the center of rotation and the remaining substances are pushed layer by layer in the order of their molecular masses towards the chamber wall.

There are three outlets 508, 510, 512 on an outlet side 503 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. The outlet 508 is connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 via an exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 514. The outlet 508 is arranged close to the chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 so that CO2 can be removed as a heavy gas product through it. The CO2 that has not been split can thus be led back into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 through the exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 514 in order to be heated again to at least 3000 °C using the heating device. The pipe section 505 can also be designed with double walls. In this case, it is preferred if the exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 514 is fluidically connected to the intermediate space between the walls of the double-walled pipe section, so that returned CO2 can flow into the intermediate space in order to cool the inner wall of the pipe with comparatively colder CO2. This can be particularly advantageous if the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber 502 are very hot when they flow through the pipe section 505 into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. For example, exhaust gases can have a temperature of 2000 °C or more. By cooling the pipe section 505, overheating of the pipe section 505 can be effectively avoided. Preferably, the double-walled pipe section has an opening that connects the intermediate space to the interior of the pipe section, so that returned CO2 can flow from the intermediate space into the interior of the pipe section and then again into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506.

The exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 514 has a first pump 516 for sucking out the non-split CO2. The second outlet 510 is located in the center of the outlet side 503. The lightest substance, in particular _H2 , can be fed through this outlet 510 via a fuel cell or power generator feed line 518 to a fuel cell or power generator 520 in order to generate electricity from the hydrogen using the fuel cell or power generator 520. The fuel cell or power generator feed line 518 has a second pump 519 for sucking out _H2 . The electricity generated is fed to the heating device via an electrical line 522 and used to heat the exhaust gas to 3000°C or more.

The third outlet 512 is located at a radial distance between the distance between the first outlet 508 and the second outlet 510. Through this third outlet 512, for example, Oz can be removed from the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 by sucking it out of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 by means of a third pump 524. The sucked out Oz can then be discharged back into the combustion chamber 502 by means of a combustion chamber return line 526 so that the efficiency of the combustion of the waste can be increased.

Figure 6 shows the with reference to the Figure 5 described waste incineration plant 500 in a side view and in operation. Exhaust gases 602 produced during the combustion of waste are discharged from the combustion chamber 502 through the pipe section 505 into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506, where they are heated and set in rotation with an impeller with blades for the spatial separation of the fission products within the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. Alternatively or in addition to an impeller with blades, a fan could also be arranged in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 in order to set the exhaust gas 602 in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 in rotation. Again alternatively or in addition, the waste incineration plant 500 could also have a drive, for example a belt drive, which is arranged and designed to rotate the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 itself. The rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 then also sets the exhaust gas 602 present in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 in rotation. Through the first outlet 508, CO2 604 is sucked out by means of the first pump 516 and conveyed to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. The sucked out CO2 604 then flows again into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 to be heated and split there. Through the second outlet 510, H ₂ 606 is sucked out by means of the second pump 519 and conveyed to a fuel cell or a power generator 520. Through Oz 608 is sucked out of the third outlet 512 with the third pump 524 and led through the combustion chamber return line 526 back into the combustion chamber 502.

Figure 7 shows the with reference to the Figures 5 and 6 described waste incineration plant 500 in a sectional view and also in operation. In the sectional view, it can be seen that waste 702 is arranged in the combustion chamber 502. By burning the waste 702, flue gases 704 are produced, which are conveyed as exhaust gases 602 through the pipe section 505 into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. It can also be seen that the exhaust gases 704 are rotated in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506. While the exhaust gases 704 rotate in the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506, they are heated to at least 3000 °C with the heating device 706, which is designed here as an arc heater, so that CO ₂ and H ₂ O contained in the exhaust gas 704 are each split.

Figure 8 shows the with reference to the Figures 5 to 7 described waste incineration plant 500 in a perspective view in which the inlet side 501 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 can be seen. The pipe section 505 is connected to the inlet side 501 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506, so that exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 502 can flow into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 through the pipe section 505. Furthermore, the exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 514 is connected to the pipe section, so that CO ₂ removed from the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 can flow back into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 through the pipe section 505.

Figure 9 shows the with reference to the Figures 5 to 8 described waste incineration plant 500 in a perspective view in which the outlet side 503 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 can be seen. On the outlet side 503 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 there is the first outlet 508, which is arranged close to the chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 and through which CO ₂ can be removed. Furthermore, in the center of the outlet side 503 of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 506 there is the second outlet 510, through which H ₂ can be removed. In addition, at a medium distance between the center and the chamber wall there is the third outlet 512, through which O ₂ can be removed.

The Figures 10 to 15 show a combustion chamber and an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber is arranged differently relative to the combustion chamber. The various Possibilities for arranging the exhaust gas splitting chamber relative to the combustion chamber can also be found in the Figures 1 to 9 described waste incineration plant.

For example, Figure 10 a combustion chamber 1000 and an exhaust gas splitting chamber 1002 of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1002 is arranged horizontally aligned laterally next to the combustion chamber 1000. Figure 13 shows the combustion chamber 1000 and the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1002 in a), b) and c), each from different perspectives.

On the other hand, Figure 11 a combustion chamber 1100 and an exhaust gas splitting chamber 1102 of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1102 is arranged vertically aligned laterally next to the combustion chamber 1100. Figure 14 shows the combustion chamber 1100 and the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1102 in a), b) and c), each from different perspectives.

Figure 12 shows a combustion chamber 1200 and an exhaust gas splitting chamber 1202 of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1202 is vertically aligned and arranged above the opening 1201 of the combustion chamber 1200. Figure 15 shows the combustion chamber 1200 and the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1202 in a), b) and c), each from different perspectives.

The information relating to the Figures 1 to 15 The waste incineration plants described can be operated continuously. During continuous operation, the resulting solid end products can be continuously removed. Alternatively, the waste incineration plants can also be operated in a cyclic mode, whereby a portion of waste is processed until it is completely incinerated. After incineration, solid end products can be removed. Then another portion of waste can be loaded and the cycle repeated. The cyclic mode can be used advantageously in small waste incineration plants.

Figure 16 shows a flow chart for a process for incinerating waste with a waste incineration plant. The process can be carried out, for example, with one of the methods described above with reference to the Figures 1 to 15 described waste incineration plants.

In the method, a combustion chamber of the waste incineration plant is first filled with waste (step S1). The combustion chamber is then filled with a gas with at least 30% oxygen (step S2) that comes from an external source. The combustion chamber can be connected, for example, to an oxygen source that contains a gas with at least 30% oxygen via a combustion chamber supply line. The waste is then burned in the concentrated oxygen using a burner (step S3). When the waste is burned, flue gases are produced as exhaust gases, which are discharged into an exhaust gas splitting chamber (step S4). The exhaust gases contain in particular CO2 and H2O. In the exhaust gas splitting chamber, the exhaust gases are heated using a heating device of the exhaust gas splitting device of the waste incineration plant (step S5). Heating can be done, for example, using an arc heater or a microwave plasma burner or by burning hydrogen using a gas burner. With these methods, the exhaust gas can be heated to at least 3000 °C, so that the chemical compounds CO2 and H ₂ O are at least partially split into several components, in particular into the gas products O2, CO and H ₂ and into solid carbon. Preferably at the same time as the exhaust gases are heated, a centrifugal force acting on the exhaust gas and the split components is generated (step S6), so that the split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compound are spatially separated from one another within the exhaust gas splitting chamber due to their different molecular masses.

In particular, due to the centrifugal force acting, the rotating exhaust gas and the split components are separated into colder or heavier gas layers and hotter or lighter gas layers. This causes the hotter or lighter gas to be displaced into the center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber and the colder or heavier gas towards the chamber wall. A heat-insulating gas layer is formed near the chamber wall. In the center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, on the other hand, high temperatures of over 3000 °C are generated, which are required for the CO2 splitting. At such high temperatures of at least 3000 °C, CO2 molecules are split into solid carbon, O ₂ and CO and H ₂ O molecules are split into H ₂ and O _2. These components are separated according to their molecular masses by the action of the centrifugal force on the gases (step S7). The lightest component, H ₂ , collects in the center of rotation. Arranged in layers around it, water vapor, CO and O2 follow, and the heaviest component, CO2, is displaced towards the chamber wall. Through various chemical reactions, CO is at least partially converted back to CO2 within the exhaust gas splitting chamber. The spatially within The gases separated in the exhaust gas splitting chamber can then be separately discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber. In the process, the non-split remainder of the chemical compound, in particular CO ₂ , is then at least partially returned from an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber to an inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (step S8). The non-split remainder of the chemical compound then flows into the exhaust gas splitting chamber again and is heated again to at least 3000 °C. Carbon dioxide is in the circuit and is repeatedly passed through the high-temperature zone of the exhaust gas splitting chamber until it is completely broken down into O ₂ and solid carbon.

O ₂ is also removed from the exhaust gas splitting chamber and fed back into the combustion chamber (step S9). The oxygen content in the combustion chamber can then be increased over time. Additionally or alternatively, the oxygen formed can be used in a fuel cell or a power generator or a gas burner to burn hydrogen. Furthermore, H ₂ from the exhaust gas splitting chamber can be used to generate thermal energy. For example, the hydrogen removed can be burned with a gas burner or used to generate electricity with a fuel cell or a power generator. The electricity generated in this way can be used to operate the heating device and thus to generate thermal energy in the exhaust gas splitting chamber to heat the exhaust gases.

Figure 17 shows schematically and by way of example a test setup 1700 for investigating the air temperature distribution in a tubular chamber 1701. The test setup 1700 also has a motor 1702 for rotating the chamber 1701, a frequency converter 1703 for specifying the speed for the rotation of the chamber 1701, a gas burner 1704 for heating a gas in the chamber 1701, a quartz tube 1705 for introducing a gas into the chamber 1701, eight thermocouples type K 1706 arranged in the chamber 1701, each 5 mm, 17 mm, 29 mm, 42 mm, 54 mm, 66 mm, 78 mm, and 90 mm from the chamber wall and a platinum resistor PT1000 on the chamber wall as well as a digital measuring system 1707 and a PC 1708.

Aim and justification of the experiment:

Investigation of the air temperature distribution in the tubular chamber 1701 rotating at different speeds. The temperature is to be measured by means of the eight thermocouples type K 1706 inside the chamber 1701 and with the platinum resistor on the chamber wall measured and the measured values are transferred to the PC 1708 using a contactless data acquisition system.

Experiment:

A quartz tube 1705 is introduced into the chamber 1701 and the air in the chamber 1701 is heated through this quartz tube 1705 by means of a gas burner 1704. The chamber 1701 is set in rotation by the motor 1702. The speed of the motor 1702 is determined by the frequency converter 1703. During the course of the experiment, the speed is gradually increased. The temperature in the chamber 1701 is measured with thermocouples 1706 and transmitted to the PC 1708 by means of the digital measuring system 1707.

Materials and measuring instruments:

• Substances: Gas mixture 30% propane, 70% butane
• Measuring instruments: Digital data acquisition system and PC

Figure 18 shows a measurement protocol 1800 for the investigation of the air temperature distribution in the chamber 1701, which is provided with the Fig. 17 described experimental setup 1700 was generated.

The measurement data were transmitted wirelessly to the PC from eight thermocouples type K 1706, placed at different distances from the chamber wall (from 5 mm to 90 mm), and a platinum resistor on the wall and evaluated using a data acquisition program. The speed was set in stages to 74, 155, 245, 275, 400 and 575 revolutions per minute, line 1802.

Evaluation/Result, possibly with error analysis:

In the test, at various speeds from approximately 74 rpm to 575 rpm and simple heating by means of a gas burner 1704, the temperature data were recorded with eight thermocouples type K 1706 inside the chamber 1701 and transmitted to the PC 1708 using the contactless data acquisition system. An expected relationship between speed and distribution of temperatures in the chamber 1701 was found.

Here, curve 1804 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 5 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes, curve 1806 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 17 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes, curve 1808 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 29 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes, curve 1810 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 42 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes, curve 1812 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 54 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes, curve 1814 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 66 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes, curve 1816 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 78 mm from the chamber wall over a Period of approximately 13 minutes and curve 1818 represents the temperature profile measured at a distance of 90 mm from the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes. Curve 1820 represents the temperature profile measured at the chamber wall over a period of approximately 13 minutes.

Figure 19 shows schematically and by way of example a combustion chamber 1900 and two exhaust gas splitting chambers 1902, 1904 of a waste incineration plant, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chambers 1902, 1904 are connected in series. The arrangement with a combustion chamber 1900 and with two (or more) exhaust gas splitting chambers 1902, 1904 connected in series can also be used in the embodiments described with reference to the Figures 1 to 18 described waste incineration plants can be realized.

Exhaust gases from the combustion chamber 1900 can flow via a pipe section 1906 into the first exhaust gas splitting chamber 1902 of a first exhaust gas splitting device. In the first exhaust gas splitting chamber 1902, the exhaust gas can be heated to 3000 °C or more with a first heating device, so that a chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas can be at least partially split into a first component and a second component. A non-split remainder of the chemical compound can be at least partially passed on via a first exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 1908 from a first outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1902 to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1902 in order to then flow again into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 1902. A non-split remainder of the chemical compound can at least partially flow into the second exhaust gas splitting chamber 1904 of a second exhaust gas splitting device via a second exhaust gas splitting chamber return line 1910. The second exhaust gas splitting device has a second heating device with which the non-split residue of the chemical compound is heated to 3000 °C or more so that the non-split chemical compound can in turn be at least partially split into a first component and a second component. Optionally, a non-split remainder of the chemical compound from the second exhaust gas splitting chamber 1904 can be discharged again into the second exhaust gas splitting chamber 1904 via a third exhaust gas splitting chamber return line (not shown). It is also possible for the second exhaust gas splitting chamber 1904 to be followed by a third exhaust gas splitting chamber (not shown) of a third exhaust gas splitting device, into which a non-split remainder of the chemical compound from the second exhaust gas splitting chamber 1904 can be discharged.

Figure 20 shows schematically and by way of example two combustion chambers 2000, 2002 and an exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 of a waste incineration plant, which are connected to one another in such a fluid-conducting manner that exhaust gases from both of the combustion chambers 2000, 2002 can be introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004. The arrangement with two combustion chambers 2000, 2002 and with an exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 can also be used in the cases described with reference to the Figures 1 to 18 described waste incineration plants. To fill the exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 with exhaust gases, the first combustion chamber 2000 is connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 via a first pipe section 2006 and the second combustion chamber 2002 is connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 via a second pipe section 2008. Each of the pipe sections 2006, 2008 can be connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 via a separate inlet. This makes it possible to individually regulate during operation that exhaust gases are only introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber 2004 from one, from both or from none of the combustion chambers 2000, 2002.

Figure 21 shows schematically and by way of example a combustion chamber 2100 and two exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102, 2104 of a waste incineration plant, wherein the two exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102, 2104 can be filled independently of one another with exhaust gases from the combustion chamber 2100. The arrangement with a combustion chamber 2100 and two independently fillable exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102, 2104 can also be used in the embodiments with reference to the Figures 1 to 18 described waste incineration plants can be realized.

The first exhaust gas splitting chamber 2102 is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber 2100 via a first pipe section 2106, so that exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 2100 can be introduced into the first exhaust gas splitting chamber 2102. The second exhaust gas splitting chamber 2104 is fluidically connected to the combustion chamber 2100 via a second pipe section 2108. connected so that exhaust gas from the combustion chamber 2100 can be introduced into the second exhaust gas splitting chambers 2104. Exhaust gas can be introduced into the first exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102 and the second exhaust gas splitting chambers 2104 independently of one another through the first and second pipe sections 2106, 2108. It is therefore also possible to use only one of the two exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102, 2104 during operation of the waste incineration plant and to close the pipe section of the other exhaust gas splitting chamber of the exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102, 2104, e.g. with a valve. Solid carbon, for example, can be removed from the one of the two exhaust gas splitting chambers 2102, 2104 that is not currently in operation.

Claims (15)

waste incineration plant. - at least one combustion chamber (2) designed so that waste (1) can be burned therein, - a burner arranged and designed to burn waste located in the combustion chamber (2), - at least one exhaust gas splitting device comprising an exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and a heating device, wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) has an inlet which is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber (2) so that exhaust gases (5) produced during the combustion of waste (1) can flow from the combustion chamber (2) through the inlet into the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3), and wherein the heating device is designed to heat an exhaust gas (5) present in the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) to at least 3000 °C so that at least one chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas (5) can be at least partially split into a first component, preferably into a lighter gas product, and into a second component, preferably into a heavier gas product, and wherein the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) is designed to spatially separate the first and second split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compound within the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) by generating a centrifugal force. to separate, preferably in such a way that due to the acting centrifugal force the lighter gas product is displaced in the direction of a center of rotation of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and the heavier gas product is displaced in the direction of a chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3), and if present, the non-split remainder of the chemical compound as the heaviest gas is displaced comparatively farthest in the direction of the chamber wall of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3), and - at least one exhaust gas splitting chamber return line (6) which i) connects an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3), so that the non-split residue of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) is discharged from the outlet the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) can be at least partially returned to the second inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) in order to then flow again into the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3), and/or, if the waste incineration plant has a further exhaust gas splitting device, which ii) connects an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) to an inlet of an exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound contained in the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) can be at least partially passed on from the outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) to the inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device in order to then flow into the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device. Waste incineration plant according to claim 1, wherein the heating device has a gas burner fluidly connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) for burning hydrogen taken from the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or an arc heater and/or a microwave plasma burner (9) which is arranged and designed to heat exhaust gases (5) located in the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) to at least 3000 °C by burning hydrogen and/or generating an arc and/or a microwave plasma. Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a combustion chamber return line (7) which connects a second outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device and the combustion chamber (2) to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, so that at least one of the plurality of split components can be returned to the combustion chamber (2). Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a first exhaust gas splitting device with a first exhaust gas splitting chamber, which is connected to the combustion chamber (2) via a first exhaust gas splitting chamber return line, and a second exhaust gas splitting device with a second exhaust gas splitting chamber, which is connected to the combustion chamber (2) via a second exhaust gas splitting chamber return line, wherein the exhaust gas (5) can be discharged into the first exhaust gas splitting chamber independently of the second exhaust gas splitting chamber and vice versa. Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a fuel cell or a gas turbine power generator or an internal combustion engine power generator (4) which is fluidly connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, so that hydrogen and/or oxygen obtained from the exhaust gas (5) can be converted into electrical energy by the fuel cell or the gas turbine power generator or the internal combustion engine power generator (4). Waste incineration plant according to claim 5, wherein the fuel cell or the gas turbine power generator or the internal combustion engine power generator (4) is electrically conductively connected to the heating device, so that electrical energy generated by the fuel cell or the gas turbine power generator or the internal combustion engine power generator (4) can be converted into thermal energy by the heating device. Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a combustion chamber feed line (17) which is fluidly connected to the combustion chamber (2) and through which a gas containing at least 30% oxygen can be introduced into the combustion chamber (2). Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a cleaning device (12) which is fluidically connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device and is designed to clean exhaust gases (5) discharged from the corresponding exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or the gas comprising at least one of the several split components. Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising an exhaust gas splitting chamber supply line (15) which is fluidically connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, and through which a gas comprising CO ₂ can be introduced into the respective exhaust gas splitting chamber (3). Waste incineration plant according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a first combustion chamber which is connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) by means of a first pipe section, and a second combustion chamber which is connected to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) via a second pipe section, so that the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) can be filled with exhaust gas either only from the first combustion chamber or with exhaust gas only from the second combustion chamber or with exhaust gas from the first combustion chamber and the second combustion chamber. Use of the waste incineration plant according to at least one of claims 1 to 10 for incinerating waste (1). A method for incinerating waste in a waste incineration plant, the method comprising the steps of: - Providing waste (1) in a combustion chamber (2) of the waste incineration plant, - burning of waste (1), - discharging exhaust gases (5) comprising CO ₂ and H ₂ O resulting from the combustion of the waste (1) into an exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) of an exhaust gas splitting device, - heating the exhaust gases (5) in the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) with a heating device of the exhaust gas splitting device to at least 3000 °C, so that the chemical compounds CO ₂ and H ₂ O are at least partially split into several components, in particular into O ₂ and H ₂ and into solid carbon, - generating a centrifugal force acting on the split components within the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) so that the split components and, if present, also a non-split remainder of the chemical compound are spatially separated from one another due to different molecular masses, and - at least partially returning the non-split remainder of the chemical compound, in particular CO ₂ , from an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber i) to an inlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound is reintroduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber, or at least partially returning the non-split remainder of the chemical compound, in particular CO ₂ , from an outlet of the exhaust gas splitting chamber ii) to an inlet of an exhaust gas splitting chamber of a further exhaust gas splitting device, so that the non-split remainder of the chemical compound is introduced into the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device. Method according to claim 12, further comprising the O ₂ discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device being fed back to the combustion chamber (2) and/or the CO ₂ discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device being fed back to the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3). Method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising the H ₂ discharged from the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) and/or, if present, the exhaust gas splitting chamber of the further exhaust gas splitting device, is used to generate thermal energy and exhaust gases (5) located in the exhaust gas splitting chamber (3) are at least partially heated with the thermal energy generated. Method for maintaining or repairing the waste incineration plant according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method comprises that the combustion chamber (2), the burner, the exhaust gas splitting device or the further exhaust gas splitting device, the combustion chamber return line (7), the heating device (9), the fuel cell (4), the gas turbine power generator or the internal combustion engine power generator (4), the cleaning device (12), the exhaust gas splitting chamber supply line (15) and/or the combustion chamber supply line (17) is repaired or replaced.

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