BE380094A - - Google Patents

Description

       

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    "Method and apparatus for producing fuel from coking coal or the like".



   This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing fuel from coking coal or the like, particularly with sieved bituminous coking coal fines or scrap, or from a mixture of coking bituminous coal and carbon. non-coking materials, such as powdered anthracite, lignite or sub-bituminous coals.

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  This invention is especially suitable for making a new household fuel in block form, and of high calorific value, at a relatively low cost, with inexpensive carbonaceous materials. In the following description the expression "coking coal" or the like is intended to include not only true bituminous coking coal, of various volatile contents, but also mixtures of coking and non-coking coal such as than finely divided anthracite, lignite or sub-bituminous coals.



   Heretofore coke has been produced by so-called "high temperature" distillation processes in which cooking temperatures have ranged from about 1,000 C. to 1,100 C. in order to recover the maximum amount of gas for use. commercial products, and also in order to obtain, as by-products, a metallurgical coka with a low volatile content, ie about 1%, which is not suitable as a domestic fuel.



   Coke has heretofore been produced by the so-called "low temperature" distillation processes in which the temperatures! cooking ranges from 480 to 610 C., in order to recover a maximum amount of oils and tar and to obtain a relatively small volume of gas and semi-coke which is of light weight and a friaoe structure, so that it must ordinarily be agglomerated into briquettes before it can be advantageously used as a household fuel.



   In accordance with the present invention, the novel fuel which constitutes a part of this invention is not produced by the application of either high temperature distillation or low temperature distillation as heretofore performed; but it is obtained by distillation at the most efficient temperature which has been found to be approximately 700 to 875 C .; this temperature can be called temperature

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 intermediate distillation.

   In addition to other features of new processes such as subjecting the dehydrated coking coal to an intermediate distillation temperature instantaneously, maintaining under pressure a mass heated to the intermediate distillation and temperature temperature. other similar characteristics -. All these characteristics will be described more fully below. forming part of the present invention. This invention also relates to the novel apparatus which will be described more fully below.



   A new, highly desirable block fuel can be obtained as a result of this invention, the block size corresponding to that referred to as "gailletin" and "nut" of anthracite, supplied for domestic use, individual blocks. having a thickness of about 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters. This fuel usually contains about 7% volatiles while anthracite coal contains on average 4%, and its ash content is about 4% while that of anthracite is 7%. In addition, since the amount of volatile matter in the individual fuel blocks is greater at the tip of the wedge or sector which forms the shape of the blocks, these blocks are easier to ignite at this point but burn slowly for what. concerns the rest of their mass.



  The ash of the new fuel, as has been found in practice, falls through the grate as a powder without chewing, while the medium anthracite ash contains 12-14% unburned keel. In the tests currently in progress, the new fuel with the combustion of all the carbon, gives on average 35 to 50% of calories more than the anthracite, that is to say that its calorific value is greater than 35 to 50%, this resulting from the new process;

   this superior fuel can be made from economical bituminous coals, used

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 sands in huge and widely distributed deposits and it can be mined much more economically than anthracite. one of the aims of the invention is a new and useful process for obtaining a new domestic fuel from fine bituminous oils with a low volatile content or from waste considered hitherto unusable for distillation. - tion at high or low temperature; however, it should be understood that by treating high volatile bituminous coals by this process, a relatively large gas recovery can be achieved with less solid fuel.

   Coking hard coal containing about 18% volatile matter and less than about 20% moisture and about 4% ash is more advantageous for the process according to the invention because it gives a maximum of a highly desirable fuel for domestic use. When this coking hard coal is used, the resulting fuel corresponds by weight to about 88% of the coking hard coal processed. About 3% tar and about 6% gas are also produced. It is an advantage that the gas produced can be used extensively to provide the heat necessary for carrying out the process.



   Another object of the invention resides in means for carrying out the above-mentioned process with very large-scale production and a minimum of labor costs.



   The general procedure for putting into practice the new process according to the invention for the production of the new fuel mentioned above can be briefly described as follows. The fines or sieving waste of bituminous coal, preferably having a low volatile matter content (16 to 20%), are first preheated to extract all or almost all of the moisture; after which they are subjected to temperatures of about 700 to 8750 C. in a retort.

   As dis-

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 In contrast to hitherto practiced methods of low or high temperature distillation, in which heat is usually applied gradually, the present invention preferably employs a method in which the preheated coal is instantaneously subjected to the temperatures. mentioned above, thus the immediate expulsion of the gases from the preheated coal begins.

   In practice it has been found that by pouring the preheated carbon into a battery of tubular retorts, and keeping it under pressure to avoid its swelling while in the plastic state, the immediate expulsion of gas and vapors out of the material cause the formation and maintenance of a central hollow core in the mass, this hollow being of sufficient size to allow the vapors to escape throughout the carbonization process.

   Likewise, by applying heat and pressure as described above, the mass breaks along irregular radial lines going from the core to the walls of the retort and that it also breaks irregularly along horizontal planes. substantially evenly spaced; hard, dense, smokeless fuel blocks are produced of which about 82% (eighty-two percent) is the size of the cleavers and about 15% (fifteen percent) is the size of the walnut.



   By subjecting the preheated coal to intermediate temperature distillation in accordance with the invention, the preheated coal is only heated for about 80 minutes while it is heated for 4 to 24 hours in the processes which have been practiced heretofore. .

   During the distillation, the heat applied to the walls of the battery of vertical tubes causes the expulsion of all the volatiles, less about 4%, in the part of the carbon remaining against the walls; but there is still sufficient volatile matter in the mass to cause the matter as a whole to have an average content of

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 volatile matter of about 7%; a maximum of about 10% volatile material remains in the portion of each wedge-shaped split block which is adjacent to the central web. These carbonized blocks after the material has been treated for about 80 minutes can be dumped and cooled in the absence of air or cooled by air after being dispersed. They are then ready for domestic use, no further classification being required.

   For the application of the above-described process, apparatus of various types can be employed as will readily be appreciated. By way of example, forms of apparatus which have been found to function efficiently and which are of a new construction and in accordance with the invention have been shown and described here.

   The apparatus briefly consists of 1 a new type of loading cart containing a measured quantity of coal in longitudinal compartments, which cart distributes this coal to corresponding rows of vertical preheater tubes in which the bituminous coking coal is subjected to a relatively low temperature in order to extract the moisture content; 2 a battery of tubular retorts of a new construction for distillation at intermediate temperature into which the preheated carbon can be introduced; 3 burners of a new design to maintain combustion in the chimneys formed by the vertical spaces between the tubular retorts;

   4 means for preventing the mass of coke from swelling out of the tubular retorts while in the plastic state; 5 means for cooling the coke; 6 a member of a new design which may be called a hood, to collect the vapors and gases given off in the distillation operation. These tapers can be fed to a condenser, or other suitable recovery apparatus, while the non-condensable gases can be used to supply heat to the furnaces or for other purposes.

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   The characteristics and objects of the apparatus according to the invention relate to new means for charging and discharging a battery of tubular retorts, for providing removable closures, effectively gas-tight, to a battery of tubular retorts; it also relates to improvements in control mechanisms which result not only in a very efficient apparatus, but also an apparatus which can be easily used for high volume production.



     One of the features of the invention resides in a cap which is provided above the battery of tubular retorts, which cap, when placed above the battery, is preferably tight, except for a vapor outlet by means of a gas seal of liquid metal, or other suitable material. An exhaust valve for reducing the pressure, which preferably comprises molten metal, can be provided by preventing the molten metal from the gas seal from being blown out by the sudden fluctuations in pressure.



   In order to prevent the material in the tubular retorts from swelling and rising out of the tubes, means which retain it, such as pistons have been provided; they keep the material under compressed heating, but they allow the escape of the gases generated in the tubular retorts, for example through an annular space around the edge of each of the pistons. It is preferable, in accordance with the arrangement adopted for this invention, that each of the piston rods, instead of passing through the cover, is attached to a plate or other support means, located therein. hood. Thanks to this construction, it suffices to pass through the cover only the means which actuate the support means.

   For example, the support means for all the pistons can be actuated by four rods passing through the cover. Such a construction decreases the initial cost as well as the expense of maintaining the apparatus and makes the hood relatively more vapor-tight.

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   Another characteristic of the invention lies in the fact that the lower ends of the tubular retorts arranged in a battery are effectively closed during the heating operation in order to prevent the gases from escaping therefrom. These lower ends of the tubular retorts are preferably welded to a perforated plate so that a gas-tight seal is between the tubes and the combustion chamber of the furnace. The lower ends of the tubes can be closed by a removable closure such as a closure plate; This one. when fitted, may be joined to the tubular horn array by a gas-tight seal by means of a liquid metal seal or other suitable material.

   Improved means have been provided for moving the closure plate apart in order to allow removal of the coked material from the tubular retorts, and to replace the latter again in a gas-tight manner. With regard to the heating of tubular retorts, it is preferred to use certain improvements in the type and arrangement of gas burners. It is preferable, in accordance with the invention, to use pairs of substantially parallel pipes, respectively for gas and for air, which pass through the chamber of the furnace and pass between the tubular retorts, at different levels. ; the set includes a new and useful arrangement of the burners and tubular retorts.

   Through openings in the neighboring gas and air pipes, jets of gas and air come out which strike each other and form individual flames used in the furnace.



   Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that a loading trolley is employed by which it is ensured that the material which it contains is discharged uniformly, for example 1 / leu into the bank of preheater tubes. Thus - / to have a loading carriage with a single pair of discharge doors at its base, the loading carriage according to the invention is preferably provided with a number of door / opening doors at its base.

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 based. For example, it is possible to provide a door running longitudinally with respect to the carriage under each compartment as contained in the battery of preheater tubes responding with each row of preheating tubes.

   All the doors can be connected by a series of cranks and connecting rods so that they open and close simultaneously. In addition, according to the invention, means are provided for automatically releasing the discharge doors when the loading carriage comes into place, for example above the battery of preheater tubes; and means automatically close these doors back when the loading carriage returns to its position to receive another load of coal.



   When the furnace gases are extracted from the distillation furnace, and pass through the preheating tubes, they are mixed with air to increase their volume and decrease the temperature of the inert gases; means are provided to cause the flow velocity of the hot gases from the furnace to be increased to the point where air is introduced among these gases, thereby ensuring more efficient mixing.



   Further features of the invention are novel methods for moving the loading cart between the feed point and. its unloading position in the preheater tubes. New means are provided for moving the preheating tubes from their normal position to the position above the tubular retorts in order to load the latter with the preheated material; means are also provided for moving the cover out of the passage in / the same movement. It is an advantage of the invention that the movements of the loading carriage of the preheater tubes, of the cover and of the blanking plate at the base of the tubular retorts, can all be actuated, if so required. desires, starting from a single shaft driven by a single motive power.



   Vertical tubular retorts in which the material to be heated is subjected to distillation at inter- temperature.

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 medial, are preferably tro / noonic with a larger diameter at the base than at the top, so as to facilitate gravity removal of the material they contain. It is preferable to employ for the construction of such tubes a metal which is resistant to oxidation and to attack by gases containing sulfur or other deleterious elements or compounds. It should be understood that the tubular retorts can be constructed of iron or an alloy of steel and molten chromium, the castings being in one piece or in longitudinal half-section.

   The tubes, preferably, can also be made with alloy steel sheets welded to form a gas tight tube; this tube may be provided with a protective envelope, either of refractory material such as refractory brick, or of another heat-conducting substance such as economical metal castings or a bath of liquid metal.



   When the tubular retorts are made of welded sheet metal, such a construction presents many advantages. In the first place the construction is relatively economical due to the fact that the metal sheet can be made relatively thin, and only a small amount of metal is required. Further, although sheet metal tubes can be made in a large number of ways, they can preferably be made from a single piece of sheet metal by shaping the sheet into a tube shape and welding. its edges which thus touch in a single longitudinal weld.

   Since sheet metal can be easily made with a very smooth surface, it is obvious that tubular retorts having sheet metal coatings can be made very economically with a very smooth inner surface. This feature is a great advantage and it facilitates the removal of substances from the tube. In addition, the metal sheet, for example, of alloy steel, has superior hardness, durability and heat resistance and is not prone to cracking. Of

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 In addition, the alloy steel sheets can be easily made so that they do not contain cracks such as are commonly found in castings.



   Another advantage of the construction of tubular retorts in which the metal sheet is employed is that this sheet can be surrounded by a casing of a nature capable of transmitting heat to the material contained in the tubes with uniformity. upper, and to avoid local overheating. In addition, casings of a satisfactory material such as refractory brick are relatively inexpensive.

   A feature of the construction of tubular retorts having sheet metal liners internally, with equalizing shells, as the battery has been arranged, is that a certain amount of shells can be held relative to each other, so as to such that the envelopes of the different tubes / are totally or partially in contact with each other. Thanks to this arrangement, the envelopes are braced one or the other and form a monobloc assembly or a battery in which the axial warping and the radial torsion of the individual tubes are impossible, and in which the sheet metal coatings are kept in perfect alignment; troublesome deviation, warping or cracks are thus avoided.

   In addition, the casings for the sheet metal linings of the tubular retorts can be constructed to provide supports for the air and gas pipes leading to the burners in the furnace; thus means are provided which prevent the curvature of the air and gas pipes under the action of the intense heat inside the oven.



   Another advantage of using sheet metal liners in tubular retorts is that the metal sheets can be easily welded to their mounting means, which mounting means prevent gases

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 of the furnace come into contact with the material contained in the tubes, and with the gases leaving the tubes.



   An apparatus according to the invention may be employed separately and when so employed it constitutes separate parts of the invention. The individual parts of the apparatus according to the invention may also be used. employed jointly and when so employed, they cooperate with each other to produce the special benefits resulting from their cooperation. In addition, the steps of the process according to the invention may be employed separately and when so employed they constitute separate parts of the invention.



  The steps of the process according to the invention can also be employed together and when so employed they cooperate together to produce the advantages resulting from their cooperation.



   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the particular embodiments and applications of the invention which have been given to illustrate this point. referring to the accompanying drawings.

   In these drawings:
FIG. 1 is an end sectional elevation showing the apparatus according to the invention, the members of this apparatus being shown in the relative position which they occupy during the coking operation; Figure 2 is a front section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view showing the upper part of the tubular retorts, the cover and the raising and lowering means; the organs are in the position of ejecting the coke from the tubular retorts; Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the top of the apparatus, showing the cap removed and the preheating tubes in the tubular retort loading position.

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   Figure 5 is an end section of the lower part of the apparatus showing the closure plate of the lower ends of the tubular retorts in the lowered position and moved to one side so as to allow removal of the coke in the tube. tubular retorts; Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view of the molten metal gasket used together with the retort bottom closure plate and cover; Figure 7 is a plan taken along line 7-7 of Figure 1; FIG. 8 is a section showing the detail of a part of the cover which has a valve for releasing vapor with the molten metal; FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the air and gas pipes and of the arrangement of the valves;

   Figure 10 is a detail view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 7 showing a pair of gas and air tubes with openings in these tubes to constitute an air and gas burner; Figure 11 is a sectional view of the loading carriage and the preheater drum unit, this section taken along line 11-11 of Figure 1; FIG. 12 is a side view of the loading carriage showing the automatic means for closing the discharge doors; Figure 13 is a plan view of the loading carriage; Figure 14 is a detailed view of the means for simultaneously opening and closing the discharge doors of the loading carriage; Figure 15 is a detail view of the automatic locking and unlocking for the discharge doors of the loading trolley;

   Figure 16 is an elevational view of the end forming

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 stack of preheating tubes; Figure 17 is a plan view of the preheating tube bank, sectioned along line 17-17 of Figure 1; FIG. 16 is a detailed elevation of the motor shaft with the clutches and the drums which it carries to move the various parts of the apparatus; Figure 19 is a schematic view of the arrangement of pulleys and cables by which the movements of the various parts of the apparatus can be ensured; Fig. 20 is a vertical view of an apparatus comprising another form of tubular retorts with the right half seen in section; Figure 21 is a plan view with the cover removed, the section taken along line 21-21 of Figure 20;

   Figure 22 is an isometric perspective view of the top of one of the tubular retort shapes showing the chimney and an upper portion of the housing; Fig. 23 is a perspective view of part of a particular form of tubular retort showing an intermediate section of the housing and the burner; Figure 24 is a sectional view of a portion of a particular form of tubular retort at the point of contact between adjacent sections of the housing, the section being taken on line 24-24. of Figure 1; Fig. 25 is a cross section of one form of air and gas pipe with burner, that form being shown in connection with the particular form of tubular retort;

   Figure 26 is a sectional horizontal plane of a novel tubular retort bat in which a particular shape of the tubular retorts is shown; Figure 27 is a vertical section of one of the retorts tu-

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 bulars represented in Figures 1 to 5 and 7; it shows the way in which the mass of coke is formed inside in blocks of the desired size by the natural lines of cleavage and it also shows the formation of a hollow body in the material for the passage and the exhaust gases which emerge from the mass; Figure 28 is a section over the charred msse within the tubular retort shown in Figure 27;

   it shows the hollow core for the escape of gases and the natural lines of irregular breaking or cleavage of the mass, in blocks suitable for domestic use. the apparatus according to the invention may be supported by any suitable frame such as 20. The walls 21 of the distillation furnace or retort furnace 25 may be supported, for example, by horizontal support bars 23 fixed to the poles. a- cier 22.



   Inside the distillation furnace 25 are arranged a number of vertical tubular retorts 24 which are preferably somewhat frustoconical, their diameter being larger at the bottom than at the top. For example, the diameter of the tubes 24 may be at their top about 10 centimeters and at their base about 12.5 centimeters. The tubular retorts 24 are preferably made of a steel alloy which resists the oxidation and the action of sulfur or corrosive gases or vapors, gases which can be generated in the tubes 24 by the distillation of the gases. substances they contain. A chromium steel which can contain a relatively low percentage of nickel is preferable for this purpose.



   The tubular retorts 24 in the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 18 inclusive consist of cast tubes having a thickness of approximately n 1 cm, 27. Funnels 172 were mounted on top of the tubular retorts 24 and secured to these tubes, for example by welding. The edges of the funnels

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 172 may be welded together so as to produce a gas-tight seal between the tubes 24 and so as to prevent furnace gases from escaping into the tubes 24 or into the space above the upper end of these. tubes.

   For the purpose of supporting the array of tubular retorts, hanger bars / 26 may be used, these bars extending immediately below the welded joints between the edges of the funnels 172; said bars may be supported at their ends by steel beams mounted on the columns 22. Preferably these tubes 24 near their top are further welded to a perforated plate 173 in order to form a gas-tight seal between them. tubes and furnace chamber; in this case, it is not essential that the welds between the edges of the funnels 172 be gas tight.



   Around the top of the battery of tubular retorts and welded to this battery in a gas-tight fashion is a trough partially filled with a metal 28, such as lead, this metal being fusible at the temperatures maintained in the retort. , so that under normal conditions of use, it is in the liquid state.



   In order to collect and control the escape of the vapors given off in the tubular retorts 24, a cover 29 is provided above the top of these retorts; this cover is arranged to be moved and withdrawn out of the passage so as to allow the loading of the tubular retorts as will be described later.

   The cover 29 is preferably made of sheet steel with a refractory and heat insulating material 30 which covers said cover so as to avoid condensation of gases on its interior surface. When the cover 29 is placed above the top of the tubular retorts 24, the flanges 31 which form part of these side walls dip into the molten metal 28 containing the trough 27; they form a gas-tight seal with the metal

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 molten so that the vapors collected in the hood are effectively prevented from escaping to the outside air, and these vapors are sent through pipe 32 to condensers 33 and 34 which are not part of the present invention.

   In accordance with the invention, it is also possible to use sealing means other than molten metal (which is considered to be the preferable sealing precede) in order to prevent the gases and vapors collected. in the chamber formed by the cover 29 above the coil / tubular retorts, escape into the atmosphere and mix with the combustion gases in the furnace 25. For example, an elastic lining material can be used or a granular material such as filings or sand fillings, these materials being placed between the movable cover and the upper part of the battery of tubular retorts.



   The means by which the cover 29 can be lifted and removed from its position so as to allow the tubular retorts 24 to be loaded are as follows: mounted on a cross bar 35 between the tops of the posts 22 is a mo - tor 36 which is fixed on a bar 166; this motor can drive the shafts 38 through the intermediary of the chains 37. Two tangent screws 39 respectively mounted on the shafts 38 mesh with two globular wheels 40 which they rotate in opposite directions. Supports 42, secured to crossbars 41 between posts 22, support shafts 38. Arms 43 also attached to crossbars 41 support shafts 44 on which globular wheels 40 are mounted.

   To each of the four shafts 44 are fixed cranks 45 having rollers 46 at their outer ends. Grooved bars are fitted to the rollers 46 so as to form a pair of guides 47 which are movable relative to said rollers.



  Between the guides 47 are bars 48, this assembly forming a frame on which rods 49 depend. The cover 29 is

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 crossed by the rods 49 above which pass through stuffing boxes 50 provided on the upper part of said cover. Through the cover 9 the rods 49 are fixed to the transverse pieces or bars 51.



   It can be seen from the above construction that by rotating the motor 36, the pairs of cranks 45 driven by each of the shafts 38 rotate in opposite directions with respect to each other; thus they raise the rollers 46 at their ends and raise the frame 47 from which it follows that the bars 51 come into contact with the top of the cover 29 and raise this cover from above the battery of tubular retorts.



   When the cranks 45 reach a sensitive position come to their highest position. Of the vertical frames 47, the frames 47 / and the cover suspended thereafter in the frame can / be easily moved to one side% causing the frame to roll off the rollers 43 on rollers 52 carried by transverse bars 53 which are provided between frame 20 and posts 22. Apart from the above method for moving the cover, the invention can still be applied when other methods of lifting the cover 29 are used, such as hydraulic pressure or air pressure.

   In addition the cover 29 can be moved out of the way not only by moving it to one side, but also by lifting it vertically to a height such that the loading means of the tubular retorts can be moved below.



   Near the top of the tubular retorts 24 are placed plungers or pistons which have the form of discs 54 mounted at the end of rods 55 fixed by their upper end to the bars 56 carried by the bars 51. The combination of the bars 51 and crossbars 56 supporting the rods 55 provide a simple transverse mounting means for the piston.



  Preferably the discs 54 penetrate with a certain clearance into

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 the upper part of the tubular cords 24 so as to leave a slight annular space between them and the tubes for the escape of the gases which are given off in the tubes. The discs 54 have the additional purpose of preventing the material to be carbonized in the tubes 24 from swelling and expanding; they keep the material compressed into a solid, dense, tightly-grained mass which has excellent characteristics as a household fuel.



  During the normal carbonization operation it is desirable that the discs 54 penetrate slightly into the tubes. In this position the discs 54 extend slightly lower than the lower edges of the flanges 31 of the cover 29. Therefore after the cover has been lowered into place it is usually desirable to lower the frames 47 from a small angle. additional amount so that the discs 54 penetrate the top of the tubes 24 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, leaving a small distance between the top of the cover 29 and the bars 51.



   The discs 54 are also intended to constitute means for dislodging the material which has been treated in the tubes 24. This can be achieved by lowering these discs slightly into the position shown in FIG. 3. For this purpose the cranks 45 can be achieved. hearth turned so as to lower the frames 47 and to push the rods 49 down through the top of the cover 29; thus pushing down the bars 51 and 56 as well as the rods 55 and the discs 54 mounted on these bars.



   The lower ends of the tubular retorts 24 may be welded to a plate 61 so as to form a gas-tight seal between the tubes and the combustion chamber 25, while leaving the lower ends of the tubes open to allow the discharge of the gas. material that has been processed there. The lower ends of the tubes 24 can be closed by a blanking plate 62 carried by blocks of refractory material 63, which in turn can rest on a number.

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 bars 64. the ends of the bars 64 can be carried on steel plates 65 adding support pieces 66 fixed on aisles; on these parts can turn rods 67 carrying wheels 68, the assembly constituting a carriage 152.



   Around the edges of the plate 62 there is provided a trough 69 arranged to contain liquid metal 70. Flanges 71 provided around the sides of the plate 61 are arranged to immerse in the liquid metal 70 contained in the trough. 69 when the plate 62 is lifted so as to be in contact with the base of the tubes 24, and thereby to support the processed material in the tubes 24; The gas-tight seal is formed between the battery of tubular retorts 24 and the surrounding atmosphere. The trough 69 may be surrounded by protectors 72 to prevent the molten metal 70 from cooling excessively or to such an extent as to solidify.



   In order to allow material to be discharged from the tubes 24, the plate 62 can be lowered and pushed out of the way. The wheels 68 on which the shutter plate 62 is mounted are arranged to roll on the frame 73, the latter being able to be raised or lowered by means which will be described below. By lowering the frame, the cart including the plate 62 can be moved away from the bottom of the tubular retort battery and it can then be pushed aside to one side by rolling it into the position shown in Figure 5.



   In order to prevent gunk, coke or other foreign matter from falling into the liquid metal 70 of the gas-tight seal trough 69, when the plate 62 is lowered and removed from its position, the liner has been provided. The trough 69 of covers 57 which automatically cover the trough 27 when the edges 71 are removed. The covers 57 with the extension 58 and the counterweights 59 mounted thereon, are hinged on the edge 60 of the trough 69 so that by moving the flange 71 in the trough, the cover

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 57 is pushed down 'and' allows the ledge to be introduced.



  When the rim is moved apart, the cover pivots around the edge 60 under the action of the counterweight 59 and comes to rest in the closed position, the extension 58 of the cover having come into contact with the side wall of the trough. 69. The cover 57 constitutes a means not only to keep the molten metal and other foreign matter away from the molten metal when the plate 62 is lowered, but also it constitutes a protection against the splashing of the liquid metal 70 out of the molten metal. of the trough 69 in the event of a sudden increase in gas pressure in the tubular horns.



   By analogous means, those parts of the sealant trough 27 which are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cover 29 can be provided with counterweight covers 167.



  The parts of the trough 27 which are on the sides of the battery of the tubular retorts which are parallel to the direction of movement of the cowl, as well as the top of the gas outlet 32 may be covered when moving the cowl. 'on one side, by means of plates 163 fixed to the bank of preheating tubes 90; the latter is arranged to come into place above the battery of tubular retorts when the cover is removed therefrom, as will be described below. For the normal carbonization operation, it is usually desirable to maintain the liquid metal 70 in the trough 69, at a level sufficient to balance a pressure of about 0.175 Kg / cm2. The liquid metal 28 can be maintained in the trough. The trough 27 at a height sufficient to withstand a pressure of about 0.105 kg / cm2.



   In order to prevent the sudden pressure changes from causing the gases to escape through the molten metal in either of the troughs 27 and 69 by spraying the liquid metal all around, it is advantageous to employ a safety device which allows gases to escape at a pressure lower than

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 that necessary to force the gases through the molten metal into either one of the troughs 27 and 69. A suitable form of the exhaust means to decrease the pressure can be provided together with the cover 29; for this purpose, a part of the metal covering of the cover enters a small container 74 arranged to contain liquid metal 75 as shown in detail in FIG. 8.

   By means of a plate 76 forming baffles, which penetrates into the liquid metal 75, the gas collected in the cover 29 can escape by bubbling through the liquid metal 75 and exit the cover through the orifice 77 provided in the said hood. The pressure at which the gases will escape can be adjusted according to the height of the metal 75 contained in the container 74; it can be for example about 0.07 kg / cm2 under the conditions specified above. So that the projections of liquid metal from the exhaust valve cannot cause metal losses, a regulator 78 can be provided to collect the metal spray; this channel is adapted so that the metal returns to the container 74.



   In order to heat the furnace 25 which contains the tubular retorts 24, a number of burners are provided which consist of gas pipes 79 and air pipes 80, extending through the chamber of the lathe 25. between the tubular retorts.



  The air and gas pipes are preferably arranged in welded pairs, so that the holes 81 of the gas pipes 79 and the holes 82 of the air pipes 80 can be combined to send out jets of gas and gas, respectively. air impinging upon each other above the pipes in proportion suitable for combustion. The separate burners are preferably located in the chimneys formed by each group of four tubular retorts 24, as shown in Figure 7. The detail of a separate burner is shown in Figure 10. The pairs of air and gas pipes. gases are supported by extending them through orifices made in one of the walls 21 of the furnace and through

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 through notches 83 made in the opposite wall 21 of the oven.

   The burner pipes 79 and 80 are preferably arranged at different levels of the furnace 25 At each of these levels or stages, the air can be supplied to the air lines 80 by manifolds 84 controlled by the valves 85, Le. Gas at each stage can be supplied to gas pipe 79 by manifolds 86 controlled by valves 87. Riser 88 can supply air to manifolds 84 while column 89 can supply gas to manifolds 86. The volume of air and gas for each stage can be controlled as desired by the valves 85, 87. The temperatures in the furnace 24 are thus regulated. It is possible, if desired, to have an automatic temperature regulation by means of thermostat control of valves 85 and 87.

   It is understood that this volume regulation in the various manifolds is added to the control of the gas and air pressure, this pressure being preferably substantially uniform in the columns 88 and 89.



   The material to be treated in the tubular retorts 24 is fed into these tubes of a battery of preheaters 90, which in turn are loaded with material by means of a loading cart 91. The detailed construction of the loading trolley 91 as well as the battery of preheating tubes 90 and the movements of this battery will follow.



   The loading carriage 91 may be rectangular in shape and mounted on wheels 92 which are arranged to roll on the path 93. The loading carriage can be filled at any point where material is introduced into this carriage, it is then rolled. above the battery of preheater tubes where lion allows the material to fall by gravity into these preheater tubes.

   When the carriage returns back into position after being filled, it can pass under a leveling bar which scrapes the material and level it leaving in the carriage

 <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 only the exact amount required to fill the preheater tubes. The loading carriage 91 is provided with a number of discharge doors 94, which extend along its length; these doors are articulated on hinges 95 which are shown here as being parallel to the rolling of the carriage on the path 93. The number of doors at the base of the loading carriage 91 preferably corresponds to the number of rows of preheater tubes 90 in the battery of preheater tubes.



  Each of the doors 94 is positioned so that a row of preheated tubes is immediately below the doors and so as to allow the material in the loading carriage to flow by gravity through the opening of the doors into the door. the rows of preheater tubes immediately below. The hinges 95 with the partitions 169 are preferably provided such that each of the rows of preheater tubes under the doors 94 receive an equal amount of material; the loading carriage 91 is provided with a skirt 170 which levels the material in the preheater tubes when the loading carriage is moved away.



   All the doors 94 are mounted to operate simultaneously by having attached thereto a number of cranks 96, the ends of which are fixed by the journals 97 to a bar 98. In order to allow play, the bar 98 is not attached. does not extend the full length of the carriage 91, but it may have a complementary bar 99 attached to cranks 100, which extend in a direction opposite to that of the cranks 96.



  The doors 94 can be automatically closed by rolling the carriage 91 out of the preheater tubes 90 in order to receive a new load of material; this is done by means of a rod 101 which passes through guides 102 and 171 and which is articulated on a crank 103 fixed to one of the doors.



  In order to allow rotation of the crank 103 around the ar-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 25>

 ticulation 95, a groove 106 is provided at the end of the rod 101 and in this groove can play with sufficient freedom a pin 107 mounted at the end of the crank 103.



  A roller 104 is placed at the top of the rod 101, it cooperates with an inclined groove or ramp 105, thanks to which the rod 101 is lowered when the carriage rolls towards the place where it will receive the coal. The rod and the ramp 105 can be adjusted so that, when the carriage has reached the position where it will receive the coal, the lowering of the rod 101 is sufficient to completely close the interconnected doors 94.



   When the rod 101 has been lowered sufficiently to close the doors 94, these doors 94 are locked in the closed position by a rod 108 which can slide in a guide 109 and which, by means of a stop 110 which it carries and a spring 111, is held elastically in contact with the rod 101; this causes the rod 108 to enter a notch 114 of the rod 101 and lock this rod 101 while preventing it from being raised again. By rolling the loading carriage 91 back towards its position above the preheater tubes, a rod 112 fixed to the stopper 110 comes into contact with a stopper 113 fixed to any fixed point of the apparatus, this causes to again the raising of the rod 101.



   The preheater tube bank may be supported between pairs of wheels 115 which are arranged to run on a track 118. The preheater tubes 90 of the preheater tube bank are provided with funnel-shaped lower ends 117. , which facilitate the unloading of the material which they contain in the tubular retorts 24. the preheater tubes 90, at their upper part, are terminated in the shape of a square funnel, the edges of these funnels being welded together. so as to close a gas-tight seal between these funnel edges.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 26>

 



   At the base of the bank of preheater tubes is a sliding plate 118 which has a number of holes 119 corresponding to the lower holes of the funnels 117; this plate can be moved so that the orifices 119 are either in the position facing the funnels 117, or out of coincidence with these funnels. when this plate is not in coincidence, the base of the preheater tubes 90 is closed and the openings 119 allow hot gases to rise around the preheater tubes so that the material they contain can be heated.



   During the carbonization operation, the preheater tubes 90 are rolled out of coincidence with the tubes 24 and they are in the position shown in Figure 1. In this position the bottom of the preheater tubes is closed by the plate 119 and the gases. heat from the furnace 25 pass through the pipe 120 into a chamber 121 below the bank of preheater tubes; then they rise in the chamber 121 passing through the orifices 119 so as to heat and dehydrate the material in the preheater tubes.

   As the preheater tubes are preferably of circular cross section and are in contact with each other all along their interior part, the upper part of said preheaters may include small portions 123 arranged so as to form a series of horizontal flues at the top of the preheater tube bank; these flues conduct the hot gases horizontally to the collecting chamber 124, located at the end of the carriage from where they exit through the nozzle 122. A fitting 125 on the collecting chamber 124 fits slidably into the nozzle 122, which makes it possible to move the battery of preheater tubes by separating it from the nozzle 122, then to connect it again to this nozzle afterwards.



   When the gases coming from the furnace 25 are normally trap hot to bring them directly into contact with the pre-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 27>

 heaters, these hot gases in the pipe 120 are preferably added with air, which serves to cool these gases and adds to their volume. This is achieved by the regulating door or plate 174, which is hinged at 175 as clearly seen in Fig. 4. The pipe 120 in front of the door 174, drops sharply downward. the position of its wall 126.

   When the door 174 is opened to admit air, it is apparent that the pipe 120 is constricted in a corresponding manner, which causes the hot gases to increase in speed; by a Venturi effect, this causes an aspiration of the air which, through the opening 127 enters the chamber 121.



   The preheater tube bank can be brought into position above the tubular retorts 24 and automatically discharges into these tubes as follows. Means have been described for raising the hood 29 suspended from the track 27 and for rolling the hood. side.

   By attaching a hook 128 to the tracks 47 and by fixing to the battery of preheating tubes an arm 129 comprising a hole 130 to receive a hook 128 when the cover 29 is raised, the cover 29 can thus be coupled with the battery of tubes. preheaters 90, so that when the cover 29 is lifted and pulled out of its place, the preheater tube bank 90 rolls along the track 116, placing itself above the tubular retorts 24; each of the preheating tubes 90 is centered over a corresponding tubular retort 24. as shown in Figure 4.



   When the preheater tube bank 90 gains the position shown in Figure 4, the slide plate 118 is brought into contact with a stopper 131; this brings it into a position such that its orifices 119 coincide with the bottom of the funnels 117 provided at the lower ends of the preheater tubes 90.

   The material in the preheater tubes 90 can then drop by gravity into the tubular retorts 24.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 28>

 When the coil of preheater tubes is pulled back from its position above the tubular retorts, by virtue of its coupling with the cover 29, this cover is also brought back into place above the tubular retorts, so that it can be immediately lowered into the seal position on top of the tubular retort array.

   When the battery of preheater tubes is turned upside down, the plate 118 hits the stopper 132 which brings the holes 119 out of coincidence with the lower holes of the funnels 17 and thus closes the lower ends of the preheater tubes; thus other materials can be loaded into these tubes and preheated.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 29>

 



   The movements of the loading carriage 91 of the preheater tube bank 90 and also the raising and lowering of the closure for the base of the tubular retorts, as well as the displacement of the latter to one side, can be actuated and controlled with a single shaft 133 driven by a suitable motor force such as a motor 134, a number of suitable bearings I35 can be provided to hold the shaft 133 in position. On the shaft 133 a series has been mounted. of clutches and drums on which cables can be wound to move the various components with a system of convensable pulleys. The arrangement of clutches, drums, cables and tubes is shown in Figure 19.



   The loading carriage, for example, can be moved away from its position to receive a load of coal, by actuating the clutch 136, which causes the rotation of the drum 137. The cable 138 passing over the pulleys 139 is then wound on. drum 137 and causes the loading carriage to be pulled in the desired direction.

   The loading carriage can be returned to its position above the battery of preheater tubes by actuating the clutch 140 so as to wind the cable 142; this passes over the pulleys 143 and comes to the drum I4I, so that the carriage is pulled back, A cable 144 passing over the pulleys 145 is attached to the cap ot 29 and it can be wound onto the drum 146 by activating clutch 147; it then pulls the cover 29 away from the battery of tubular retorts and it pulls the battery of preheater tubes which is coupled to the cover towards its position above the tubular retorts.

   The cable 148 passing over the pulleys 149 is attached to the battery of preheater tubes and it is arranged so that by winding it on the drum 50,

 <Desc / Clms Page number 30>

   the clutch 151 being in jail, it pulls the battery of tube s preheaters and the hood mated to it in the position shown in figure 1.



   The track 73 on which the carriage 152 is arranged to roll, is arranged so that one of its ends slides up and down on one of the frames 20. The other end of the track 73 is supported by two cables 153 which pass over the pulleys 154 and 160 and which go from a pair of drums 155 actuated by a single clutch 156 mounted on the shaft 133.

   When the cables 153 are wound on the drums 155, the wheels 68 of the carriage 152 are first brought against the stops 157 of the track 73, After a new winding, an upward pull is exerted on the pulleys 160, fixed to the end of the track 73, A pair of cables 158 passing over the pulleys 159 ends on each of the tracks 73; these cables cause the track 73 to always remain in a horizontal position and, when the cables 153 are wound on the drums 155, the upward traotion of the pulleys 160 fixed; at the end of the track 73 causes the entire track 73 to be pulled upwards while being hand held in a horizontal position.

   By releasing the tension of the cables 153, the track 73 can be lowered to a substantially horizontal position until it hits the stops 61 attached to the posts 22 on which the track rests. When the track 73 and the closing carriage I52 have thus been lowered, this closing carriage can be pulled from one side by means of the cable 162 fixed after it;

   said cable which passes over pulleys 163 can be wound onto drum 164 when clutch 165 is in tension. Pulling the closing carriage to one side causes cables 153 to unwind from drums 155. By winding up again the cables 153 on the drums 155, it can be seen that the closing carriage 152 is first rolled on the track 73 until the wheels 68 hit the stops

 <Desc / Clms Page number 31>

 157; then, a new winding of the cables 153 on the drums 155 causes the lifting of the track 73 and of the closing carriage 152 placed back so that this carriage closes the base of the tubular retorts 24.



   Although the operation of the apparatus described above is apparent, the following brief description will show and illustrate how one can process fine or fine coal so as to produce blocks of domestic coal having higher calorific value and others. highly desirable characteristics. For ease of description, it will be arbitrarily assumed that a load of material in the tubular retorts 24 has been heated for an interval of time sufficient to render its removal easy and to cool and give that carbon under a high temperature. commercial form.



   In order that the charred material in the tubes 24 can be removed, the closure plate 62 which closes the lower ends of the tubular retorts 24 is first lowered.



  This is accomplished by releasing the tension in the cables 153, which allows the track 73 and the closure plate 62 carried by this track, to be lowered enough to disengage the base from the walls of the oven 2Io After removal of the flanges 71 of the liquid metal seal contained in the vane 69, the counterbalanced covers 57 automatically close the sealing trough 69 and thus prevent dirt and coke from soiling the liquid metal contained in the trough.

   It should be understood, however, that a limited thickness of fine coke or other material may be left on the surface of the liquid metal or. it floats, in order to avoid oxidation. After track 73 has been lowered, clutch 165 can be engaged so that drum 164 rotates and pulls cable 162; as a result, the closure plate 62 is moved to one side and moved away from the base of the tubular retorts 24 into the position shown.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 32>

 shown in Figure 5.



   After the closure plate 62 has been lowered and pulled out one side, the material contained in the tube 24 can be forced out if necessary by the drive motor 36, so as to. lower the tracks 47 and push the disks 54 suspended from these channels, these disks being driven a short length into the tubular retorts 24 to the position shown in Figure 3,: As a result the material contained in the tubular retorts milks are dislodged and released due to the frustoconical shape of the tubular retorts 24;

   it falls by gravity into a suitable collecting chamber which has not been shown, for example into a water-cooled chamber with an airtight seal to prevent further combustion of the coal, or the material can be spread, for example with an inclined plate, in a thin layer to be cooled in air.



  The cooled material can be taken up, for example, with a belt conveyor for storage.



     After the charred material has been removed from the tubular retorts 24, clutch 56 may be engaged, which rotates drums 155; the cables 153 wind around these taro .. bursas and pull the closure plate 162 on the track 73 until the wheels 68 hit the stops 157.

   On a new tension of the cable 153, the track 73 is raised thus lifting the closing plate 62 so as to cover the lower end of the tubular retorts 24 and to form a tight seal between the atmosphere, the combustion furnace. and the battery of tubular retorts, After causing the rotation of the motor 36 and the displacement of the cranks 45 with an arc of 180, the discs 54 are lifted until their mount 56 hits the top of the cover 29 and lifts this cover enough to clear the top of the tubular retort array.

   When the cranks 45 have reached a substantially vertical position,

 <Desc / Clms Page number 33>

 the cover is sufficiently raised so that by engaging the clutch 157, said cover can be pulled on one side by the cable 144, the track 47 then rolling on the rollers 52,
During the period in which the material in the tubes 24 is carbonized, the hot gases from the furnace pass through the preheater tube bank 90 and at the end of the carbonization period the material in the preheater tubes 90 has been dehydrated and brought to a temperature. temperature suitable for being charged into the tubular retorts. The material in the preheater tubes 90 may be heated to a temperature, for example, of about 175 ° C and should preferably be maintained below about 225 ° C;

    in fact, at temperatures above around 225 C, the material begins to become excessively plastic,
As the raising of the cover causes it to mate with the preheater tube bank, pulling one side of the cap also brings the preheater tube bank into its position above the tubular retorts; and on gaining the proper position, the plate 118 is automatically moved to open the lower end of the preheater tubes and to allow the material contained in these tubes to be loaded into the tubular retorts.



   Immediately after the fresh preheated material hits the hot surfaces of the retort tubes, gases and vapors begin to escape in retort cases, therefore, the preheater tube bank should be pulled away from the top of the retort bank as well. as quickly as possible by holding clutch 159 in gear and pulling out that bat. rie back by means of cable 148. As the coil of preheater tubes is coupled to the cover, this cover is also brought in place above the coil of retorts and it can be removed.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 34>

 quickly lowered to form a gas-tight seal, and bring the plunger discs 54 to the top of the carbon in the tubular retorts 24.



   The loading carriage 91 which has been stretched to one side in order to fill it with a measured amount of material to be carbonized, or a mixture of coking and non-coking material can then be rolled on track 93 under the action of the cable 142 so as to bring it above the battery of preheated tubes. ovens; there the discharge doors 94 are automatically released which causes the discharge into the battery of preheating tubes of the material contained in the loading carriage. By engaging the clutch 40, the loading carriage can then be pulled by means of the carriage 138 backwards into a position where it can receive a new load of material for the next subsequent operation.

   Tending the% milking, the dumping doors 94 were automatically closed.



   The bank of tubular retorts having been charged with fresh material and the bank of preheater tubes also having been re-charged, the charring can be allowed to continue. continue until the material in the tubes 24 is ready to be withdrawn from these tubes; at this time the cycle of operations listed above can be repeated.



     As already discussed, it has been found desirable to leather the material in tubes 24 at an intermediate distillation temperature, ie at about 760 ° C. As the diameter of the lower part of the tubular retorts 24 is some. slightly larger than the diameter of the top of this tube, it has been found desirable to maintain the temperature at the base of the furnace at about 875 C.

   and the temperature at the top of the oven to about 760 C
Due to the instantaneous application of heat to the

 <Desc / Clms Page number 35>

 material contained in the tubular retorts ,, a core 180 is produced inside the mass almost instantaneously by the release and presence of gases and vapors which must find an outlet o The core thus formed serves as an outlet for these gases which pass around the edges of the various pistons 54, then are collected in the cover 29 and pass from there through the outlet port i9 32.

   during the continuous heat treatment of the material inside the tubular retorts the mass of coking coal becomes somewhat plastic, but the continuous treatment causes a natural cleavage of the coal in almost uniformly spaced horizontal lines as shown in figure 27. Similarly, an irregular radial cleavage results as shown in figure 280 with tubular retorts of about 13 c / m. at their largest diameter, the blocks of coke formed by these various cleavage lines are admirably suited for use as domestic coal.



   With the apparatus described above the coking operation can be accomplished in about 80 minutes as against 4 to 24 hours which was ordinarily required when using ordinary coke ovens or other types of vertical retorts; however, when the coking coal used contains substantial amounts of unsafe coal, the product can be improved by a slightly longer treatment, for example 100 minutes. In addition, the operations of filling the tubular retorts 24, recharging these retorts with new material and recharging the preheater tubes can be accomplished in less than a minute.



   As the time required to discharge the coked material and reload the new material is reduced to less than a minute by the apparatus described above, there is negligible loss of heat and vapors given off, so that for all goals to practice,

 <Desc / Clms Page number 36>

 substantially continuous operation is obtained. At the same time, heat and pressure can be applied to the charring plastic mass, so as to produce a dense, coarse-grained fuel with new and desirable characteristics;

   moreover, the material is broken up in the retort extraction phase, following the dimensions suitable for domestic uses, this result could not be obtained by any other process, either continuous or intermittent, The resulting product coked at intermediate temperatures. - res mentioned above is a new block fuel for domestic use, having a calorific value 35 to 50% higher than that of anthracite, this fuel can be produced at the mine with only 40% of the production cost of anthracite.



   In a preferred form of this invention, instead of molten steel tubular horns, relatively thin sheet steel tubing, employed as a liner within a protective housing, of leveling material can be substituted. heat or refractory. An apparatus according to this invention made with this other preferred form of tubular retort is shown in Figures 20 to 25. This further apparatus zarme may be supported on a frame 210. Brackets 211 attached to the frame 210 can support the walls of the furnace 312, which can be of any suitable refractory material.

   Within the walls of the furnace are vertical sheet metal tubes 216, which are preferably made of alloy sheet steel. Each of the tubes 213 is preferably made by forming a sheet of alloy steel so as to give it the shape of a frustoconical tube; the edges are brought together and the edges are fixed by a single external longitudinal weld 214.

   In all this it should be understood that the word "tube" should not be limited.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 37>

 strictly for hollow cylindrical bodies, but also include volumes shaped in a similar fashion, for example square prisms which can serve the same purpose, Tubular retorts 213 preferably have a diameter slightly larger at the base than at the top, ae so as to facilitate the fall by gravity of the material contained in these tubes. Funnels 215 are welded to the top of tubes 213; these funnels are also square at the top and they are also preferably made of sheet steel alloy.

   The edges of the square upper parts of the funnels 215 can be joined, for example by welding, so as to form a gas-tight seal between the tubes 313, and to prevent the gases from the furnace to flow through. @ outside of the tubes 213 escape into the gas chamber above the open ends of the tubes 213. The funnels 215 welded together at their edges and welded to the sheet metal tubes include mounting means for the individual tubes which form a tight seal between these tubes in the vicinity of their upper ends.

   The lower ends of the tubular retorts 213 may protrude slightly through and be externally welded to a base plate 217; it can also be made of sheet steel and it forms a gas-tight seal between the walls of the tubes 213 and their lower ends; it constitutes both mounting means and a tight seal between the tubes and the combustion chimneys.



   The above construction results in a one-piece battery of sheet metal tubular retorts and sheet metal mounting means which can be supported for example by a rectangular trough 236, the latter being welded to the funnels 215 and resting on the walls of the furnace. 212, As the weld provided between the edges of the funnels 215 as well as the funnels and trough 236 provide a very solid construction, no

 <Desc / Clms Page number 38>

 other support is usually not required for the tubular retort array. If additional support was desirable, such as in a very large apparatus, for example, one or more hanger bars 216 could be used which could be supported at their ends by the walls of oven 212.



   Surrounding the tubular retorts 213 are casing elements 218, 219, 220 and 221, which may be of refractory brick or. of another suitable refractory material or of a heat distributing material. The envelopes can be single or multiple and of suitable shapes. In addition, it is obvious that the envelopes suitable for distributing heat, such as shirts containing liquid metal and the like, can also be employed in accordance with the invention.



   The elements 221 may rest on a plate 217. The casing members 219, 220 and 221 are preferably maintained so that the casing members of a tubular retort are in substantially continuous contact with the tubes. neighboring tubular retorts, forming a number of individual chimneys.

   The envelope elements 218 may be constructed with some portions of smaller diameter, so that there are openings 222 between the adjacent envelope elements 218; through these openings the combustion gases can be drawn in horizontally and exit the furnace through a suitable passage which has not been shown. The upper part of the casing elements 218 can comprise a collar or a shield having for example the shape of a square of sufficient size so that the shields 260 of the adjacent tubular retorts come into contact with each other and form a roof for the chimneys;

   thus avoiding the

 <Desc / Clms Page number 39>

 flame and hot gases come into direct contact with the funnels 215 and the hanger bars 216.



   From the above arrangement it is evident that the casing elements in contact with the various sheet steel tubes 213 spacer one another and form a monobloo assembly or a battery in which axial flexions or radial torsions of the tubes are impossible; moreover, in this battery the sheet metal walls are kept in perfect alignment, which prevents warping and cracks.



   The internal diameter of the envelopes 218, 219, 220 and 221 is preferably such as to allow the relative expansion under the action of heat of the sheet steel tubes 213 and of the envelopes which surround them; in fact, the thermal expansion of the metal of the tubes 213 is greater than the expansion of the refractory bricks, for example, which are used in the envelopes.

   It is: therefore preferable to have a slight clearance between the envelopes 218, 219, 220 and 221, made of refractory brick and the steel sheet tubes 213 when the apparatus is cold; but we have the casings and the tubes in contact at the operating temperatures. The casings 2I8,219,220 and 221 can be put in place for example before welding the funnels 15 to the top of the tubes13.



   In order to seal the lines of contact between the elements 218, 219, 220 and 221, and thus prevent the flame and hot gases in the furnace from coming into direct contact with the tubes 213, the refractory brick elements are preferably. rebated provided with mutual fastening means which consist of housings 223 and crampons 224o Although a particular form of envelopes has been described, it is obvious that other constructions can be employed for the envelopes, these constructions that may be different from those above re-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 40>

 
1 shown by way of example, and also that other materials other than brickwork can be used for this purpose.



   In the form of the apparatus shown in Figures 20 to 25, another form of gas burner is shown. Concentric air tubes 225 and gas tubes 226 take air and gas in main tubes 227 and 228 inside which the pressure is regulated by valves 229 and 230. Rising columns 231 and 232 supplying the manifolds 227 and 228. The tubes 225 and 226 can pass horizontally through the furnace and they have burners in each of its chimneys, these burners consisting of gas burners 233 on the gas pipes 226 and holes 234 for the gas pipes. air 225. The coneentric air and gas pipes are supported and their bending by heat is prevented by means of the grooves 235 provided in the refractory brick casings 218, 219, 220 and 221.



   An oaptt 238 collects the gases which are given off in the tubular retorts 213 and forces them to escape through the pipe 237, The discs 239, are held in place above the tubular retorts 2I3 by means of rods 240 attached to the cover 238 .



   The cover 238 can be moved away from its position in the apparatus shown in Figures 20 to 25 by hydraulic pistons moving in cylinders 241, which lift the bar 242 to which the cover 238 is attached. The tubular retorts can be loaded with a battery of preheating tubes 243, the latter being able to be brought into place above the tubular retorts by a carriage 244 mounted on wheels 245; these wheels are arranged to move on angles 246 fixed to the frame 210 Holes in the sliding plate 247 provided at the base of the preheater tubes allow the coal or any other material to fall into the funnels 215 and fill the retorts tubular 213.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 41>

 



   A closure plate 249 may be provided for the lower ends of the tubes 213. The closure plate 249 may be supported by beams 250 resting on parallel sleepers 251. Suitable means such as hydraulic pressure cylinders 252 with pistons 253 can be provided in order to lift the plate 249 and to close in a sealed manner the base of the tubular retorts 213, these means can further lower the plate 249 by moving it away from the tubes 213.



  When the plate 249 is lowered until the rollers 254 rest on the rails 255, the plate 249 can be rolled out of the passage so that the coke from the tubular retorts can be discharged into any suitable container, or cooler device. coke that has not been represented,
Yet another type of tubular retort construction is shown in Fig. 26 In this type of construction, a battery of tubular retorts located in the furnace 25 may consist of molten pieces made up of a number of halves. longitudinal monoblocks; these are composed of a number of semi-cylindrical parts 181 joined by walls 182 that come into a foundry part.

   The flanges of the opposing longitudinal half-sections may be riveted together with rivets 183 to form a longitudinal monoblock plate / tubes. Ribs 184 extend on each part 181 at right angles to the flanges 182. These flanges veins may extend with or without interruption from near the apex to near the base of tubular retorts. After assembly the ribs 184 of one section are in contact with the corresponding ribs of the other section, so that they form a continuous wall or at least partially continuous from the top to the vicinity of the base of the tubes and between the tube plates thus constructed.

   We see that the edges

 <Desc / Clms Page number 42>

 182 and the ribs 184 / constitute vertical channels or chimneys between the respective tubes. A number of burners 185 emerging from the concentric gas tubes 186 and the air tubes 187 may be provided at one or more levels in the furnace 25,
It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the arrangements described without departing from the spirit of the invention.


    

Claims (1)

CLAIMS. 1, -A process for the manufacture of fuels, characterized in that the coking coal or the like is subjected to distillation at an intermediate temperature, this temperature being intermediate between the so-called "high temperature" distillation and so-called "low temperature" distillation. 2.- A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the coking coal or the like is dehydrated before the distillation, 3. A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coking coal or the like is subjected to distillation at temperatures of between 700 ° C. and 875 ° C. or around these temperatures, 4. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carbonization mass is maintained under pressure during the distillation. 5.- The process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coking coal or the like is subjected to distillation in a tubular retort, so that the gas is released and vapors while maintaining the mass to be coked under pressure during the plastic phase of the treatment, in order to avoid significant expansion of this mass, 6.- The method according to claim 5 *, characterized in that a vertical tubular retort is then used, the latter preferably having a diameter of about 10 to 13 centimeters. 7.- The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the formation of vertical and horizontal fracture lines in the coking material, so that a cracked mass of carbonized material divided into blocks is formed, the dimensions of which correspond. to those of domestic fuel blocks <Desc / Clms Page number 44> 8, -. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distillation heating is applied instantaneously and is maintained at an intermediate temperature between 700 0 and 875 C. about this, coking coal or the like, in order to immediately develop an inwardly directed radial gas pressure which forms and maintains during the processing of the material a hollow core at about the center of the mass of material to the vapors and gases which are released escape it, and in order to form radial lines of fracture during the final cooking phase corresponding to the dimensions of the domestic coal blocks, this while maintaining the material under pressure to preserve the structure. compact and dance of carbonized fuel in blocks of smokeless coal whose dimensions correspond to domestic uses. 9. A process according to claim 8, characterized in that the mass to be coked under pressure is maintained and that the vapors and gases given off under pressure are forced to form a hollow longitudinal core through the mass. to cook, 10. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coking coal or the like is subjected to distillation for a period of about 80 to 100 minutes. 11. A process in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery of preheater tubes is charged with a measured quantity of coking coal or the like, and then the heat is applied to this battery, in order to dehydrate this carbon, this dehydrated carbon is discharged into a battery of tubular retorts, the top of these tubular retorts is covered with a cover to collect the gases and vapors and instantaneously subjected and continuously this dehydrated carbon contained in these tubes to a distillation at a <Desc / Clms Page number 45> intermediate temperature, this temperature being between 700 C and 875 C., then the coked material is poured into a cooling container, 12. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the use of coking coal or the like, having a low volatile matter content, preferably 16 to 25%. 13. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the use of coking coal or the like comprising a mixture of coking and non-coking carbonaceous materials. 14.- A fuel manufactured by the process according to any one of the preceding claims. 15.- A fuel manufactured by the process according to claim 14, characterized in that it has an average volatile matter content of about 6 to 10%. 16.- A fuel according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it is in the form of split wedge blocks substantially smokeless, and entirely dense in structure, with a volatile matter content substantially higher. from the tip of the wedge as close to the outer surface of the wedge. 17, -A fuel according to claim 14 or 15, chara terized in that it comprises substantially smoke-free wedge-shaped blocks, having a rapid ignition portion. with a relatively high volatile matter content in the vicinity of the tip of the wedge and a less volatile mass burning more slowly, this mass extending radially towards the outer surface of the wedge, these blocks having a length of 2.50 at 7.50 centimeters, and a dense, close-grained structure. 18.-Apparatus for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by a tubular battery of retorts arranged to be heated and a movable cover for <Desc / Clms Page number 46> this battery, with means for charging these tubes with a material capable of making fuel, 19. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized by mounting means for said tubes, the movable cover forming in conjunction with these mounting means, a chamber for collecting the gases and vapors which emerge from the manufacturing material of the fuel under the action of the treatment in these tubes. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the tubular retorts are arranged vertically, the mounting means comprising a perforated plate arranged to come against the upper ends of these tubes and to hold them, these means also having a trough-shaped extension for a seal, a trough which is adapted to receive a rim or an extension of the cover, 21. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by two batteries of tubes, the tubular retorts of the second battery being arranged to be heated to a higher temperature than the preheater tubes. of the first battery and this first battery being mobile in order to discharge its contents in the second battery. 22. Apparatus according to claim if, characterized by means for moving the cover out of the passage when the first battery of tubes is brought into place to discharge its contents into the second battery. EMI46.1 23. "Apparatus according to claim 31 or 22, provided by a loading device for oharging said first battery of tubes, with a predetermined quantity of coking coal or the like. 24.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized by vertical tubular retorts pre, seen with their upper part shaped like a funnel. <Desc / Clms Page number 47> 25 ,. Apparatus according to Claim 24, characterized in that the tubular retorts are frustoconical so as to have a larger diameter at the base than at the top. 26.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 25, characterized by means for maintaining the material of the tubular retorts under pressure while allowing the escape of the gases and vapors generated in these tubes. 27.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 26, characterized by a number of pistons arranged to penetrate inside the corresponding tubular retorts, in order to prevent the material of these tubes from expanding, these pistons being mounted on movable plungers 28. -Apparatus conforms to claim 27, characterized by the fact that these plungers and these pistons can be actuated to dislodge the contents of these tubes. 29.- Apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that these plungers are actuated by rods which pass through a cover forming, in conjunction with the casing for the tubes, a chamber above from the top of these tubes. 30.-Apparatus according to claim 29, characterized by mounting means inside the cover, means which: by .. tent a number of plungers, these mounting means being actuated by a number of rods which pass through the hood, rods which are less numerous than these divers. 31. Apparatus according to claim 29 or 30, characterized by means for imparting vertical movement to said cover and to the plungers, as well as for moving these plungers vertically independently of the cover when this cover is placed in a position. gas-tight manner on said battery of tubular retorts, 32.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized by means for bringing the plungers <Desc / Clms Page number 48> out of the passage to allow a battery of preheater tubes to be brought into place above these tubular retorts. 33.- Apparatus according to one of claims 18 to 32, oaraotérisé by a vertical battery of tubular retorts, having at its base a removable closure, 34.-Apparatus according to claim 33, characterized by means for forming a gas-tight seal between the tubular cores and the atmosphere which surrounds them when the closure for the base of the battery of tubular retorts is in the position of. obturation, 35.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 34, characterized in that the cover is suspended from a track which can be raised and lowered, rotation means being provided to cooperate with this track. when) it is in the raised position, in order to roll said track and the cover on one side. 36.- Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized by rollers mounted on cranks supporting said track and means for rotating these cranks in order to raise and lower the track, rolling means being adapted for ooperate with this channel when it is in the raised position, and on these means, the said channel and the cover can be rolled on one side of the top of the retort furnace, 37. Apparatus according to claims 35 and 36, characterized by means for coupling the cover with the preheater tubes, when the cover is in the raised position. 38.-Apparatus according to claim 35, 36 or 37, characterized by pistons in said tubular retorts, these pistons being suspended from a frame, the cover being raised when the frame and the pistons are raised, and lowered so as to form a gas-tight seal with the top of this battery of tubular retorts, when the frame is lowered, <Desc / Clms Page number 49> means being provided for pushing these pistons into the tubular retorts when this frame is lowered again after the cover has been placed on the tubular retorts, 39.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 38 9 characterized in that the tubular retorts uti-. lized include an internal coating of metal sheet surrounded by a protective envelope. 40.- Apparatus according to claim 39, characterized in that the metal sheet coating is made of a steel alloy sheet and that 1 protective envelope is made of refractory material. 41. -Apparatus according to claim 39 or 40, characterized in that the sheet metal coatings of the tubular retorts are welded by means of metal sheet assemblies adjacent to the ends of these tubes, so as to form a gas-tight seal between these tubular retorts and the furnace chamber, 42.-Apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that the sheet metal mounting means include sheet metal means for maintaining a material forming a tight seal between the sheet metal mounting means and the removable cover. 43.- Apparatus according to claims 39 5 42. characterized by mounting means for maintaining said envelopes in contact with each other in order to maintain the alignment of the tubes and to avoid their axial warping. 44 - Apparatus according to claim 39 or 43, characterized by combustion chimneys between said envelopes. 45. Apparatus according to claim 44, characterized by orifices between the casings near their upper end in order to allow the horizontal extraction of the burnt gases of the combustion which leave said combustion chimneys. 46.- Apparatus according to any one of the claims <Desc / Clms Page number 50> 39 to 45, characterized by square-top funnels mounted at the upper ends of said tubes, the edges of these funnels being welded together to form a gas-tight seal between these funnels and the tubes. 47.- .apparatus according to any one of claims 39 to 46, characterized by grooves in said casings for supporting the pipes of the burners which heat said casings, 48.-. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 47, characterized by a number of burners between the tubular retorts at different levels. 49.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 48, characterized by pairs of air and gas pipes extending between said tubular retorts at different levels, holes in these pipes being provided to discharge air and gas hitting each other. 50.-Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 49, characterized in that the tubular retorts are arranged in rows, each row being composed of a pair of single-piece elements shaped in a similar manner. 51.-Apparatus according to claim 50, characterized in that each element is made of a plurality of substantially semi-cylindrical parts connected by flanges formed integrally with these elements. 52. Apparatus according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that the rows are spaced apart by means of ribs extending over these substantially cylindrical parts, 53.- Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 52, characterized by a gasket in metalliquid between the battery of tubes and the atmosphere which surrounds it, when the cover is placed above the known as tubu retort battery, larks, 54.-Apparatus according to any one of the claims <Desc / Clms Page number 51> 18 to 53, characterized by a closing plate for the lower end of this battery of tubes and liquid metal gas tightness means carried by this plate, means being provided to lower and move this plate on one side of said battery of tubular retorts, while maintaining this liquid metal gas seal in a substantially horizontal position. 55.-Apparatus according to claim 53 or 54, characterized by a trough for receiving the liquid metal gas seal, and a cover with counterweight for this trough. EMI51.1 56. "Apparatus according to claim 55, characterized in that said cover is arranged to allow the insertion into said trough of a member which, when inserted forms a gas seal with said metal. liquid contained in the trough, and which automatically covers this trough when this part is withdrawn from within the trough. 57.-Apparatus according to any one of claims 53 to 56, characterized by a safety valve for the release of the vapors collected in the hood before having reached in this oapot a gas pressure equal to the pressure which can be maintained by the aforementioned liquid metal gas seal. 58.-Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 57, characterized in that these preheater tubes are arranged in rows, a carriage being provided to oharge these tubes with a fuel fabrication material by means of gravity, and individual discharge doors being provided above each of said rows of tubes, 59.- Apparatus according to claim 58, characterized in that the loading carriage has internally a series of substantially parallel partitions corresponding to said said discharge gates, 60.-Apparatus according to claim 58 or 59, characterized by means for rolling said carriage and means for <Desc / Clms Page number 52> automatically closing and locking said door when rolling the carriage in one direction, and also means for releasing said lock when the carriage is rolled a predetermined distance in an opposite direction. EMI52.1 61. "Apparatus according to any one of RevEildic ati OI1S 18 to 60, characterized by a cooled airtight container into which the tubular retorts can be emptied. 62, -Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 61, characterized in that the hot gases of the combustion leaving the battery of tubular oornues can be introduced into the battery of preheating tubes, preferably at its base. to heat it. 63, -Apparatus according to claim 63, characterized by a chamber having an air inlet for mixing air with said gases, in order to reduce their temperature before introduction into said bank of preheater tubes, 64.- Apparatus according to claim 63, characterized by means for increasing the flow velocity of the hot gases after the point of introduction of air into said hot gases. 65.-Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 64, characterized by means for moving the cover, the closure plate, the preheating tubes, and the loading carriage, from a rotating shaft. ,