GB656699A - Improvements in or relating to the construction and operation of vertical shaft furnaces - Google Patents

Abstract

656,699. Shaft furnaces, gas producers. SOMAGYI, F. P. Nov. 17, 1948, No. 29940. [Classes 51(ii) and 55(i)] In a shaft furnace of the kind wherein the charge passes down the furnace in countercurrent to an ascending air blast the composition or composition and particle size of the charge is caused to vary radially outwards from the centre of the shaft so as to render the conditions experienced at varying radial distances from the centre more nearly uniform. As shown, a vertical cement kiln 1 is fed from rotatable hoppers 3, 4 and 5 having outlet shoots 6, 7 and 8 respectively, so arranged that whilst shoot 6 discharges centrally and shoot 8 discharges circumferentially shoot 7 discharges material at a radial distance intermediate the centre and circumferences. The shoot 7, by means of a hinged portion 9, may direct its flow of material at varying radial distances from the centre of the shaft. The charge is fed to the hoppers 3, 4 and 5 from overhead conveyers, the conveyers 12, 13, feeding hoppers 4, 5 respectively. In one example of charges employed, that of cement forming material .and solid fuel, the charge is in the form of 6 inch, 3 inch and 1 inch cubes fed into the hoppers 3, 4 and 5 respectively, the cubes all having the same composition. In a further example the particles of charge are of uniform size, but of different composition and are fed through hoppers 3, 4, 5, so that the comparatively endothermic material is charged down the centre of the shaft with the comparatively exothermic material charged circumferentially.