GB375930A - Improvements in or relating to the distillation, calcination, or heat treatment of coal, shale, peat, wood, and other suitable fragmentary solid and/or semi-solid materials - Google Patents

Abstract

375,930. Heating or distilling coal or other solids. MOORE, S., 37, Cable Road, Hoylake, Cheshire. April 30, 1931, No. 12696. [Classes 51 (ii) and 55 (i).] In the distillation of coal, shale or other solid fuel, or the calcination of solids, the material is conveyed through a number of horizontal retorts in a series of separate charges and contact with the retort floors by an individual endless band in each retort having scrapers, the retorts being externally heated in a common heating jacket by means ensuring their temperature regulation. The material is fed from a hopper 14 through delivery conduits 13, each having a rotary inlet valve 15, and leading to a number of superposed horizontal retorts 4 in a setting 1. The material is conveyed through each retort by push-plates 5a on an endless band conveyer, the charge being about 2 inches in depth and moving at about inch per minute, the feeding devices 15 being rotated from the gearing 8, 10 which actuates the conveyers, to ensure a controlled feed. The residue is discharged into conduits 20 through crushing rollers 19a. It is stated that a thin skin of carbonized material is formed between two scrapers, which acts as a support for the charge and on which the latter is carried through the retort. The retorts are heated externally by gases generated in a producer 31, and passed through conduits 32, 35, 36 to the space next the outside circles of the setting 1. Air, preheated by passage through flues 48 in the base of the heating chamber, enters above the gas ducts 35, and the combustion product pass first up the spaces 50, and then down the spaces 52 between the retorts, to outlet conduits 55, 56. The distillates are withdrawn through valved pipes 27, Fig. 10, branched from each retort, and leading to a main conduit 29. In a modification, Fig. 11, the supply hopper 14 communicates through a valve 15a with a supplementary hopper 65 leading by a conduit 66 to the extension 4a of each retort. The charge is delivered on to a baffle 67 and carried by the push-plates on to the bottom of the retort, along which it is pushed, hinged plates 69, 71 spreading the material in each compartment of the conveyer, and compressing or preventing expansion of the charge.