US1282837A - Apparatus for treating porous blocks. - Google Patents

Description

F.S. HOYT.

`APPARATUS FOR TREAING POROUS BLOCKS. APPLicATloN HLED FEB. 1.1916.

319232,83?, u Patented 0ct.29, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

I c @Hof/vlug F. S. HOYT. APPARATUS Foa TRE/mm; PoRous BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l. |916; y

Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Hwhluuwmwuhum...

si as' ne :FEED S. HOYT, 0F DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIG'NOR TO FIQLER-STOW COMPANY, 0F

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F canrronma. l

APPARATUS4 FOR TREATING POROUSBLOCKS.

nasales?,

Application ined February 1. 191e. serial no. 75.603.

ings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. l

My invention relates to apparatus for treating porous blocks or bricks of any design whereby a filling material such as bitumen in the form of asphalt isforced into the pores of the material to be treated and allowed to solidify, thus rendering said material very durable and preventing it from absorbing moisture. My object is to pro-l vide an apparatus of this character which shall be exceedingly efiicient7 in use `and coin-f paratlvely economical in construction.

-fis illustrated in thedrawing, the apparatus generally speaking, comprlses a retort adapted to receive the blocks or bricks which g are preferably introduced by the employment of cars4 or wheeled supports upon which the blocks are mounted;.\a furnace for heating the said retort and its contents `a tank containing the bitumen or asphalt in liquid form and connected with the retort to permit the introduction of the-liquidvsubstance into the tretort and also to permit the surplus liquid substance to be removed from the retort by air pressure and returned to the said tank by the same) path through `which it entered the retort from the tank; means for hea-ting the ytank for the purpose of liquefying the bitumen, asphalt or similar substance 'and maintaining it in the properly liquefied' condition; and a pump which is employed for the double purpose of exhaust-ing the air, moisture. etc., from the retort and from the pores-of the blocks located in the retort, and also for the purpose of subjecting the contents-of the retort to pressure for the purpose of saturating the porous blocks with the liquefied. substance to the' desired degree, and for the further purpose of removing the surplus asphalt or other liquefied substance from the retort after the bricks or blocks have been so saturated. Other features of con- `struction Will be set forth in the detail descri tion of this specification.

aving briefly outlined my improved construction as Well as the function it is intended to subserve, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof. ln this drawingi Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the apparatus approximately on the line 1 1, Fig. 2, the parts, however, being shown on a smaller scale than in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the apparatus taken approximately on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking toward the right, but shown on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken through the retort or treating chamber on the line1V3--3 Fig.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the retort on the line 4 4, Fig. 3.

The same reference characters indicate" the same parts in4 all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a retort adapted to receive the material to be treated, which, as shown in the drawing, is mounted upon cars or wheeled platforms Gand run into the retort which is provided with track rails 7 forthe purpose. This retort iis equipped at its opposite extremities with heads` 8 and 9 both of which may be removable or hinged to be opened ifedesired. As illustrated in the drawing, the 'head 9 is hinged as shown at 10 and secured in place when closed by means of bolts 12A which are hinged to the body of the retort as shown at 13 and engage slotted lugs 14C formed on the head, fastening nuts 15 being employed for securing the head in place. As it is necessary that the chamber of the retort be sealed or rendered as nearly" air tight as possible, a packing ring or gasket 16 is employed, being located lzwetweenv the outer peripheral portion of the head and an opposing shoulder 17 formed on the adjacent extremity of the retort. This head 9 is preferably equipped with aperforated lug 18 to facilitate the opening of the head after the bolts 12 have been released. This opening 'act may be accomplished by the Specification of Letters Patent. Paitemtdl @cito 29, 119138.,

employment of a cable 19 one extremity of which is connected with the lug 18 lwhile the other extremity is accessible to the person in charge of the plant, the cable passing over an elevated pulley' 20, whereby the head may be quickly and easily raised to the horizontal position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. After the head 9 is opened, track members or rails 21 are placed in alinement with permanent rails 22 and ."extend from the latter into the retort as best indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4.- rlfhe cars or Wheeled platforms 64 loaded with porous bricks or blocks 23 are then run into the retort (see Fig. 4) afterfwhich the head 9 is closed and sealed. Y

This retort may be heated in any suitable manner. As shown in the drawing, a furnace 24 is employed and a burner 25 is illustrated for supplyingthe heat. It is evident1 that any fuel in fluid form may be employed in connection with this burner,vthe passage of the fluid therethrough being controlled by a valve 26. The heat and products of combustion enter th:` chamber 27 in which the Aretort is mounted through lan opening 28 located at the rear extremity of the furnace 24. The chamber 27 is provided at its opposite sides with baffles 29 which engage the retort on opposite sides about midway of its height, these balies being interrupted Aat the opposite ends of the chamber 27 as shown at 30 and 31, the openings 31 being controlled by dampers 32 with which are connected rods 33 having one extremity ofeach extending beyond the chamber 27 to permit the manipulation of the dampers from the outside. As shown in Ithe drawing, fire tubes 34 extend longitudinally of the chamber 27 on opposite sides of and below the retort in order to allow the heat to circulate freely through the chamber 27 longitudinally, said chamber being provided with a number of transversely arranged partitions 35 which extend upwardly from the base of the chamber to the retort and terminate at the balles 29, said partitions forming asupport for the retort, the latter being preferably further supported from below by a number of rollers or anti-frictional devices 36 to facilitate the necessary movement incident to the expansion and lcontraction ofthe metal of the retort due to varying temperature conditions.

After the bricks or porous. blocks have been introduced into the retort andl the latter sealed as heretofore eXplained,-and after sary vacuum to exhaust the moisture, the

air and other similar content from the pores or interstices of the bricks or blocks which have been expanded by the action of the heat. Jlf desired, heated roducts of combustion from the chamber 2 may be introduced directly into `the retort duringI the preliminary vacuum step for the purpose of supplementing the action of the vacuum condition in removing the moisture.` This may be done-by opening a valve 37 located within the chamber`27 and in communication with the retort,l the stem 38 of thevalve being accessible from the outside. The valve 37 should, of course, be shut off after the bricks have become dried, in order that the necessary vacuum condition lmay afterward be produced. As illustrated inthe drawing, I employ a pump 39 for exhausting the retort and removing the air, moisture and other similar content from the pores -of4 the bricks or blocks, this pump being connected by means of a pipe 40 with the chamber of the retort. The pipe 40 is equipped with a controlling valve 41 and is `connected by means of a pipe 42 with a pressure gage 43 of any suitable construction.

After the chamber of the retort has been subjected to the necessary vacuum for re- .moving as far as possible the original contents of the pores of the bricks or blocks, the valve 41 is closed and the liquid asphalt, bitumen or other similar orsuitable liqueed substance f:is introduced into the chamber of the retort in any suitable manner, a

,suiiicient quantity being employed to comfrom the chamber 27 may be caused to ypass forwardly or toward'the 'left (see Fig. 1) below side bafiles'O whereby they are caused to circulate practically the entire length of the chamber- 45 both below and above the bafiles; or they maybe taken through the rear portion of the chamber 45 by opening a damper 51.

Originally or at the beginning of the operation, the bitumen, asphalt or other similar material to be liquied, is placed inthe tank 44 through an opening in the top which is surrounded by a circularlwall48 which projects a short distance above the tank and is normally closed by a cover 49. Heat in addition Ito that received from the furnace 24 is obtained from a boiler furna'cep52. Hot products of combustion from the furnace portion of the structure 52 are introduced binto the chamber 45 through a conduit 53 and circulate around the ytank 44, finally passing into the stack 47 Again. steam may be taken from the boiler^portion of the structure 52 and delivered by way of the pipe 54 into, coils or pipe members 56 located within thetank 44, the water of condensation being finally returned to the boiler by way of a pipe 57. Furthermore, additional heat may be supplied tb the chamber 45 from a burner 58 equipped with a valve 59. The' temperature of the tank 44 should be high retort, is continued until the enough to place the asphalt in'a thin liquid \condition. This temperature may, of course,

vary asrcircumstances or ,the -condition of the material under treatment may require. .When in the properly heated and desired li uid or mobile condition the asphalt is tgilen from the tank 44 through a pipe 60 and a branch ipe 61 controlled by a valve 62 and deliveredp to the retort 5. As shown in the drawing, the pipe 61 passes into the retort and its o en extremity 62 is located near the bottom otP the retort but far enough above the same to permit freedom of discharge. The introduction of the liquid asphalt, bitumen or other proper material, into the orous bricks or paving blocks are complete y submerged therein, as heretofore statedl The valve 62 is then closed and pressure applied to the chamber of the retort from the pump 39l which may be employed as an air compressor or for pumping air into the retort, as well as a vacuum pump for exhausting the air, moisture, etc., from the retort and from the pores of the bricks or blocks therein, as heretofore explained. It must be understood, however, that the pressure within the "retort chamber may be obtained in any suitable manner, but, as ldisclosed in the drawing, the pump 39pis employed for'this purpose. The pressure within the retort by the operation of this pump is such as to force as far as possible the liquid asphalt into Y the pores of the bricks, blocks or other material under treatment, its object being to forcel 'a greater amount of the liquid material into the pores of the blocks than would naturally enter the same by the silnple submersion of the blocks within the liquid asphalt. The pressure within the retort will be indicated by the gage and after it has reached the desired. number of`pounds per square inch above atmospheric or the maximum pressure which it has been determined is neces;

sary, the pump is stopped andy if the pressure as `indicated by. the gage gradually diminishes, indicating that the pressure is relieved by the entrance of the liquid asphalt into the pores of the blocks, the pump is again started and the pressure again raised to the maximum, and this is repeated as often as the gage/indicates a reduction in pressure after the stopping of the pump, gage indicates that the maximum pressure is maintained after stopping the pump, the operator knows that the blocks have been saturated or impregnated to the maximum degree -with the liquid asphalt. The valve 62 is then opened and the pump 39 started whereby ai; is forced into the retort under the necessary pressure to remove thesurplus liquid asphalt from the retort and returned to the "tank 44 Lthrough the pipes `61` and 60 by way of which this material originally entered the retort; and after the surplus liquid asphalt has been completely removed. the retort may lbe opened by first loosening the bolts 14 and lifting the head 9 to the dotted line position in F ig. 1, after which the auxiliary track rails 21 are put inplace and the cars or wheeled plat-forms removed from the retort whereby the bricks or porous blocks are allowed to cool inthe atmosphere, whereby the asphalt contents of their pores become solidified, resulting in the production of an exceedingly durable article for paving and other uses. v

As soon as the treated porous blocks have beenremoved from the retort, the latter may be again charged in a similar manner, the head 9 sealed and the operation heretofore described repeated.

In order that the/temperature of the re-A tort may be known at all times, the latter is -equipped with forwardly and rearwardly' located thermometers 63 and 64; and in order that the depth of the liquid in theretort maybe indicated, I place a float 65 therein and connect the same with a graduated tube 66 extending above. the retortand exposed at all 'times -for inspection. The tank 44 is also equipped with thermometers .67 and 68.

If desired, instead of introducing asphalt, bitumenor other similar material in 'solid vtorni into the tank 44, it may Ibe introduced in vliquid form, by utilizing an auxiliary pipe 69 equipped with a valve 70.. This p1pe 69 communicates with the pipe 60. ln this event .the valve 62 would, of course, be closed. The retort, as illustrated inthe drawing, 1s slightly tilted from its right-hand' extremity downwardly, and if desired it may be drained by the employment of a pipe 71 havlng a normally closed 'valve 72.

From the foregoing description it is believed the operation of the mechanism will be readily understood. yAfter heating the retort and its porous block contents through um condition remains. The introduction of the liquid asphalt to the retort is continued until the porous'blocks are completely submerged. The valve 62 is then closed and the retort placed under the necessary pressure through the medium of the pump to pro'- duce the maximum saturation or impregnation of the porous blocks with the liquefied substance.v yIt should be understobd that the aforesaid high temperature of the retort is maintained during the entire process of producing the vacuum condition, the lntroduction ofthe liquid asphalt and the subjecopened and the porous material immediately removed from the retort and allowed to cool, whereby the liquid contents of the pores of the blocks become'solidied while the latter are exposed to atmospherlc pressure alone.

It hasbeen found desirable in practice, af-Y ter the removal of the surplus asphalt from the retort through the pipes 61 and 60, as

heretofore descibed, and returning the liquid material to the tank 44, to close the valve 62 and apply the maximum pressure through the medium of the pump 39 to the chamber of the retort,whereby the asphalt coating of the bricks or blocks or a large part thereof may be forced into the pores ot the said blocks whereby the latter are saturated to a somewhat higher degree, while at ythe same time the surplus coating upon the blocks is virtually absorbed. This step of the process may be practised or-not as maybe desired. v

Attention is called to the fact that the liquid asphalt, bitumen or .other suitable liqueed substance employed in treating the porous bricks or blocks, may be drained from the retort through a pipe 71 byopening a valve 72. This draining operation may be accomplished by gravity alone or \gravity may be supplemented or aided by pressure from the pump. l

It should be explained that the gage 43 has two members which are designated A and B respectively, one being utilized to indicate the air pressure within the retort and theL other to indicate the vacuum condition in the retort.) When either of these gage mem- A.' bers is employed, the other is rendered inoperative or put out of commission by the closing of a yalve, the two valves being innumerals C and D respecnating material therein may be forced back through the conduit into the tank.

2. Apparatus for impregnating, comprising a heating chamber, a retort in the chamber, a tank for impregnating material -located within the heating chamber and above the'retort, a conduit extending between the tank and retort and provided with a valve accessible from the exterior of the heating lchamber, and means for creating a pressure in the retort whereby the impregnating the conduit .into the tank.

3..,Apparat'us for impregnating, comprising a heating chamber, a retort therein, a tank for the impregnating material located inthe chamber and above the' retort, a conduit extending between the tank and retort at one end of the chamber and provided with material therein may`7 be forced back through a valve accessible from the exterior of the chamber, and means outside the chamber and communicating with the opposite end of the retort for creating pressure therein.

4. In apparatus for treating porous blocks., the combination of a. retort in which the blocks may be submerged, a tank for supplying submerging'liquid locatedv at a higher level than the retort, a valve-controlled conduit for placing the tank in communication with the retort and having its retort end .open and located close to the bottom of the retort, and means in communication `with the retort for.placing the chamber of the latter under pressure whereby the liquid in the retort may be returned to the supply tank through said conduit.

5. In apparatus for treating porous blocks, the combination of a retort adapted to receive the blocks, a tank for supplying liquid to the retort in sufficient quantity to submerge the blocks, said tank being disposed at a higher level than the retort, a valvecontrolled conduit for placing the tank in communication with the retort, the retort end lof the conduit entering the retort from Aabove and being open and terminating but a short distance from the bottom of the retort, and means in communication with the retort for placing the chamber of the latter under pressure. greater than atmospheric.

6. In apparatus for treating porous blocks, the combination of a retort adapted to rcceive'the blocks andl adapted to hold liquid, a tank for supplying liquid to the retort in quire.

incassa for placing the tank n communication with the retort, the retort end of said conduit entering the retort from above and belng open, extending into the retort and terminating near the bottom thereof, and means in com--V munication with the retort both for exhausting the chamber of the retort and placingit under pressure greater than atmospheric.

7. In apparatus for treating porous blocks, the combination of a retort, a tank for supplying liquid to the retort and located at,a higher level than the retort, means for heating the tank and its contents to maintain the latter in a liquefied condition, means for heating the retort and its contents, a valvecontrolled conduit for placing the tank in communication with the retort, the retort extremity of said conduit being open, and extending into the retort from above and terminating near the bottom thereof, and a single instrumentality connected with the retort and serving both to produce a vacuum condition therein and also to place the same under pressure, as circumstances may re- 8. In apparatus for treating porous blocks, the combination of a retort adapted to receive said blocks, means for heatlng the retort exteriorly, neans for introducing hot air `means for heating the same,

or gas into the interior of the retort, means for exhausting the retort and for placing the same under pressure greater than atmospheric, a tank for supplying liquid to the retort located at a higher level than the retort, and a conduit connecting the tank with the retort, the retort extremity of said conduit being open, extending into the retort and terminating near the bottom thereof.

9.; In an impregnating apparatus, the combination with a heating chamber, of a retort disposed in said chamber at an angle to the horizontal, whereby one of its ends is positioned in a lower plane than the other, a tank for the impregnat'ing agent also located in said chamber and arranged above said retort, a valve-controlled conduit yextending' downwardly from said tank into said retort and entering the lower end of the latter, the retort end of said conduit terminating at a point near the bottom of the retort, and means connected to said retort for creating pressure therein, whereby the impregnating material may be forced back to said tank through said conduit. l

' In testimony whereof I afix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

FRED S. HOY'I. Witnesses:

GRACE HUs'roN, A Elmar OBmn;

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