US1160509A - Method of smelting and incinerating. - Google Patents

Description

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METHOD 0F SMELHNG AND INCINERATING.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I3. I9I3. IIENEWED APR. 26. I9I5.

11110111611 Nov. 16, 11115.

A'rroRNmr WILLIAM R. HESLEWOOD, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO HYDRO VACUUM SMELTING CO., 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPO- RATION 0F CALIFORNIA.

METHOD OF SMELTING AND INCINERATING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application led January 13, 1913, Serial No. 741,625. Renewed April 26, 1915. Serial No. 24,157.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. HEsLE- woon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county ofv Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Smelting and Incinerating, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for smelting and incinerating.

It is the object of this invention to provide a process for smelt-ing and incinerating, and a means for accomplishing same by which the use of crude petroleum and other hydrocarbons as a fuel for smelting ores and incinerating garbage and like operations, is rendered possible and practical.

A further object is to provide a method and means for smelting and incinerating by which an intense heat is evolved from a liquid or gaseous fuel, and by which a thorough action of the heat is secured through-l out the diameter of the furnace and fusion zone to'effect a rapid, efficient and economical reduction of the materials being worked.

Another object is to provide a method of smelting, and apparatus therefor, by which the necessity of delivering charges of fuel with the ores or other materials to be treated other than the combustibles naturally contained therein, is largely obviated and by which the freezing of the charge is rendered practically impossible during the smelting or incinerating operation.

The invention primarily resides in burning a hydrocarbon fuel on one side of a body of the materials to be smelted or incinerated, and drawing the hot gases thus generated through the materials by induced draft or suction. This method is distinguished from the well known blast system in which the heat units are forced through the body of materials beine,r worked, by fans or blowers from the side of the body on which the heatY is generated, in, that the heat is drawn through the body from the side opposite the point of combustion by induced draft. The principal advantage of the present method resides in the fact, that by drawing the hot gases through the body or mass of material in the furnace by suction, an equal force is yexerted throughout the whole mass, causing the heat to be distributed immediately and thoroughly therethrough, whereas, in the blast system channels are formed in the mass byl reason of the resistance offered by the mass to the passage of the blast therethrough, which channels follow the line of least reslstance in the mass resulting in portions of the mass being unsubjected for a time to the direct action of the heat. Furthermore this resistance of the charge to penetration of the blast causes back firing where liquid or gaseous fuels are employed, for the reason that the penetration is slower than the combustion, thereby reducing the heating eiliciency.

Another advantageresides in the fact that by drawing the heat unit-s through the mass no cooling of the heat units is occasioned in the furnace other than what is caused by contact withv the mass which is largely compensated for by the burning of combustible materials therein, whereas in the blast system-the volume of air required to force a draft through the mass being greater than that necessary for combustion, a consequent reduction of temperature results; the excess volume of air required for penetration acting as a cooling agent.

The apparatus employed for carrying out the present method of smelting and incinerating is shown in the accompanying drawing in which the ligure illustrates a vertical section thereof, and in which A represents a furnace of any suitable construction, preferably having a vertical shaft 2. The ores to be smelted or the materials to be incinerated are delivered to the shaft 2 at its upper end through a feed hopper 3, of any suitable construction. A Crucible or hearth 4 is formed at the lower c nd of the furnace and a suitable draw-ofi' 5 is provided adjacent thereto.

Formed in the walls of the furnace at any suitable point above the hearth 4 is a series of chambers 6, which-are preferably conical as crude petroleum may be delivered to the interior'of the chambers 6, from any suitable source of supply; Valves 9 belng provided'for regulating the amount of fuel de-v a livered to the chambers 6.

The chambers 6 are designed to serve as mixing and combustion chambers for theV liquid or gaseous fuel and air delivered thereto, in which the fuel is burned before entering the furnace shaft 2.

The upper end of the shaft2 communicates through a vseries'of vents 1() with a water-jacketed flue or pipe 11 which leads to an ejector casing A12 formed of two bellshaped or opposed conical sections secured together at their mouths; the pipe 11 terminating in one of the conical sect1ons of the casing 12 at a point to one side of its axis.

Projecting axially into the end of the casing 8 at the axes of the conical section to which the pipe 11 connects, and in close proximity to the open end of the latter, is a nozzle 13. The nozzle 13 is connected to the discharge end of a pump 14 of any suitable description, preferably of the centrifugal type, the inlet of which is connected to. a pipe 15 leading to a tankor reservoir 16, and opening thereto some distance below the surface of water or other suitable liquid there- Y in; the pump 14 being provided as a means for forcibly ejecting the liquid inthe tank through the nozzle 13, at Yhigh pressure and With great velocity.

The nozzle 13 discharges into an opening formed in the apex of the conical section of the casing12 directly opposite the discharge end of the nozzle. This opening leads to a divergent pipe or throat 17 which leads and opens to the interior of the ,tank 16 adjacentits bottom and Ybeneath the liquid contained therein.

In carrying out the present process a preliminary or initial chargeof carbon in the form of coke or charcoal is placed in the furnace and ignited. The pump 14 then being set in operation, the liquid in the tank 16 willbe rapidly drawn into the pipe 15 and discharged back into the tank through the nozzle 13, casing 12, and throat 1 7, thus being constantly circulated. The rapidly moving jet directed by the nozzlev 13 across the chamber 12 tends to create a vacuum therein by drawing theair and other gases out of the chamber 12 and ejecting them into the tank 1 6. This exhaustion of the air from the chamber 12 creates a suction therein which acts through the pipe 11 to induce a suction or vacuum in the space in the shaft 2 above the preliminary carbon charge therein, thereby inducing `a draft in the furnace. The draft induced by the ejector drawsair into the. furnace to support the combustion` of the preliminary carbon .created by the ejector acting charge which, on burning, generates an intense heat in a fewmoments, which radiates into the chambers 6. The liquid or gaseous burning carbon charge vaporizing the1 fuel, ifliquidfhydrocarbon is used, and igniting the inixture of fuel and air in the chambers 6. The gradually increasing diameter` of vthe chambersY 6 allows for the expansion of the heated ases therein. The induced draft draws the ot products of combustion into the furnace from the chambers 6. 'The furnace is then charged continuously with the materials to be treated, which vary as occasion demands; such for instance, as mineral containing ores to be smelted, or garbage to be incinerated. The primary-carbon charge is employed principally as a generating means, and in some instances may be dispensed with; any other means of generation may be employed. The temperature of the heat radiating into the chambers 6 from the stack, when the furnace-is yin operation, is great enough to maintain a continuous vaporization and combustion of the liquid fuel.

The pull or suction of the induced draft A equally throughout the diameter of the shaft, tends to raise or liftthe bodies composing the charge or mass in the furnace and creates an upwardsuction through thel interstices between the bodies in the mass which acts toy draw the hot gases evolved by the burning fuel in the lower part of the furnace upward, equally 4and uniformly through the mass. v

The suction maintained in the furnace by the ejector causes air to rush through the twyers 7 to displace that burned with the liquid fuel; the volume of which may be regulated by adjusting the speed .of the pump 14.

By regulating the quantityiof air drawn in by the suction draft and adjusting the delivery of the fuel to the chambers 6, the prop er proportions for the complete combustion of the latter' may be obtained, which results in a high temperature .being pro-V duced, the extent. of which is proportional and is limited only to the quantity of fuel burned.

The heat generated in this' furnace in creases in proportion to the fuel added,

making itpossible to generate heat in an asl cending scale without any decrease atv any point. The high temperature inthe furnace insures a rapid combustion ofthe Agaseous fuel in the chambers 6, vand the of the materials on this plane taking place instantaneously, the most refractory materials being broken down by the intense heat generated at this point. This, with the even distribution of the heat units throughout the materials, being treated, results in the rapid reduction of same, which has been found in practice to exceed that possible with the ordinary blast furnace, and only obtainable in an electric furnace.

The products of combustion and hot gases generated in the furnace by the fusion of the materials are drawn upward throughout the mass of materials above the fusion zone, and act to effectively roast the charge; these gases being drawn off from the furnace by the ejector. The hot gases on coming in contact with the Water jet in the ejector are considerably cooled, which results in a reduction of their volume. This is an important feature, which adds to the efficiency of the apparatus, as the reduction of the volume of gases at this point increases the suction in the casing 12, and thereby augments the draft. The gases drawn into thek ejector are delivered into the tank 1G be low the liquid therein, and are there further condensed and collected for further treatment.

It has been found in practice that the charge in the furnace which is more or less broken up, acts as no obstruction to the draft and permits of materials in a fine -state of division being treated, which would choke the ordinaryv type of furnace, and vconsequently result in freezing.

An important feature of this invention resides in the impossibility of the mass in the furnace congealing or freezing and consequently choking the combustion chambers and twyers when the furnace is in operation, thus rendering it unnecessary to bar the twyers to keep them open; and in the ease with which a freeze can be overcome if it should occur by a shut down; it having been ascertained in practice that cold iron at the mouth of the combustion chambers can be melted down in a few moments, by the impact thereon of the flames drawn from the chambers 6.

It is manifest that various materialsrequire various treatments in the furnace. For instance, in smelting sulfid ores, portions of the ore are combustible and it is therefore K necessary to draw more air into the furnace thanis required to combust the liquid fuel in order to support the combustion of the combustible portions of the ore; the sulfids assisting in the generation of heat. In some cases it may be desirable to introduce coke or charcoal to the furnace with a charge, but ordinarily this is not required. Again, Where oxidization of mineral ores is desired, the oil may be temporarily cut off to allow the introduction and distribution of oxygen throughout the charge. In any event the quantity of oxygen supplied to the furnace in a unit of time can be regulated by varying the speed and volume of the jet in the ejector by adjusting the speed of the pump 14, or in any other manner; as the volume of air admitted through the twyers is proportional to the volume of gases drawn 0E by the ejector.

` It is obvious that the hereinbefore described process and apparatus is applicable for use in the treatment of various ores and that it is also adapted for use in incinerating garbage or other materials. It is also apparent that various fuels may be employed, either liquid or gaseous, and that various forms of furnace construction may be resorted to as occasion demands, and that any form of suction device may be used, though the suction device shown is preferred owing to its high power and eliciency.

The main feature of the construction of the apparatus resides in the combustion chambers 6, and particularly in the inclined roof thereof, and arranging these chambers to one side of the main shaft in such manner that molten matter running down the Walls of the shaft will drop from the upper edges of the chambers G into the crucible and not run back into the chambers. This insures the prevention of the chambers 6 becoming choked. While the chambers 6 are here shown as separated, it is manifest that they could be connected to form one continuous annular chamber if desired. 100

It is essential to keep the chambers 6 free from obstructions and uncongested so that there will be sufficient space for the combustion of the fuel. The suction draft insures combustion taking place in the chambers 6, 105 owing to the products of combustion being immediately drawn into the furnace and a direct current established through the chambers 6. Combustion could not be supported in the chambers 6 by a forced draft owing to 110 back fire.

Combustion of the materials in the furnace is confined to a zone within the furnace, which zone is governed by the amount of air admitted thereto. By confining the 115 combustion of fuel to a zone, the materials above the combustion zone are roasted and carbonized by the heat units passing therethrough, but not consumed, because no oxygen is mixed therewith to support combus- 12S tion. This feature is particularly advantageous in garbage incinerating operations, in that the moisture in the garbage permits of the Vegetable oils becoming volatilized without being consumed or incinerated. The 125 top of the furnace being hermetically sealed by the liquid in the tank, prevents oxygen from mixing with the hot gases, so that the carbonized gases therein will not be combusted, and no oxygen reaching the carbon L30 in the furnace the carbon can not burn until it reaches the combustion zone.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isl The hereindescribed smel'ting and inciner-l ating method which consists in coniining a mass of material, subjecting same to combustion at the base portion and at one side thereof, then in setting up a circulatory body of Water which leadsA from and discharges into a main body of Water to form a vacuum, and then in placing the vacuum in communication with a point above the surface of the material to cause the vacuum to draw vthe gases from above the surface of the material into said circulatory body of Water and be discharged directly .with the latter into the main body of Water.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 20 my hand in the ypresence of two subscribing Witnesses. y

WILLIAM It. HESLEWOOD. Witnesses:

CARL T. LANGHREY, J= A..HESLEW00D.

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