GB189873A - Method of, and apparatus for, producing, in a continuous manner, tungsten compounds fom tungsten ore - Google Patents

Abstract

189,873. British Thomson - Houston Co., Ltd., (General Electric Co.). Sept. 8, 1921. Liquid and gaseous fuel furnaces.-For the production of sodium tungstate from tungsten one by a continuous process, a powdered mixture of tungsten ore, sodium carbonate, and sodium nitrate from a hopper 10 is fed by a gate 19 to a band conveyer 12 supported by a shelf 18. The conveyer 12 discharges the mixture into a hopper 21 which discharges into a casing 22 integral with a screw conveyer 23 and containing vanes 25 and a screw 26. To the conveyer 23 is attached a chain 46 which prevents the material from balling when it falls into the, inclined rotary tube 24. The tube 24 carries a hub 43 which receives the conveyer 23, and the space between the hub 43 and the tube 24 is packed with heat-insulating packing 45. The tube 24 is rotated by a motor 39 and is set in a furnace divided into sections 50, 51, 52 which are heated by gas burners 53, 54, 63. The floor of these chambers slopes upwards as shown at 57, Fig. 2, the burners being set at one side. The chambers are heated so that the material is brought to and maintained at a semi-fluid state. Near the lower end of the tube are openings 60 with strengthening ribs 61 between them on the outside, and plates 62 between them on the inside to prevent the charge from passing to the closed end of the tube. The material is prevented from clogging the discharge openings by the flame from the burner 63, Fig. 3, which is directed upon the tube. Specifications 5457/80, [Class 1, Acids, alkalies, &c.], 13323/87, and 9375/15, are referred to.