GB711757A - Improvements in means for obtaining an even distribution of granular material - Google Patents

Abstract

711,757. Shoots. BABCOCK & WILCOX. Ltd. Oct. 22, 1952 [Oct. 23, 1951], No. 26496/52. Class 78 (1) Means 10 for distributing granular and like material, e.g. steel balls of small diameter, substantially uniformly over a substantial part of the horizontal cross-section of a vertically extending duct 1 or gas pass, Fig. 1, comprises a distributer 38. Fig 2, which is rotatable about a vertical axis and is driven continuously by a constant speed motor 34, Fig. 3, through means which vary cyclically its speed of rotation. The distributer 33 is conical and has mounted on it radiallyextending ribs 40 which extend from the periphery to adjacent a central conical deflector 42. A number of holes 43 of larger diameter than the balls are formed in the distributer between the deflector 42 and the ends of the ribs. A tubular member 44 welded to the ribs fits over the tubular shaft 21 which is rotatably supported at its upper end by a ballthrust bearing 24 mounted in a framework 25. The shaft is connected by bevel gears 28, 31 to the output shaft 32 of a gear box 33 of the type in which the speed transmission ratio is continuously variable between an upper and a lower limit. The input shaft 35 is coupled to a shaft 50 on which is mounted a cam 51. A roller 52 maintained in contact with the edge of the cam is carried by a lever 53 which is mounted on a control shaft 54. This shaft by its rotation varies the speed transmission ratio of the gear box. The gas pass 1 contains tubulous heat exchanger surfaces 2a, 2b, 2c and has a hopper-shaped bottom 8 leading to a separator 14. The balls discharged by the distributer 38 fall down the duct and strike against the surfaces 2a, 2b, 2c thereby removing the deposits which have formed on them, The balls are separated from the deposits in the separator and are returned to the distributer 10 through a pipe 16 by an air current produced by a fan 15.