US1432842A - Metallurgical apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A. DONALDSON.

METALLURG-ICAL APPARATUS. APPucATloN FILED MAH.19. 192|.

Patented Det. 24, 1922.

Patented @cto E4, 1922,

ARCHIBALD nonnmnson, or K nLLoce, inane.y

METALLURGICAL APPARATUS.

Application filed March 19, 1921. Serial No. 453,624.

To all yifi/0m t may cof/tecra `Be it known thatl, finemente DominosoN, a citizen of Canada, residing at Kellogg` in Shoshone County, and State of Idaho, have invented certain new and usefulImproveniente in h/Ietallurgical Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improve ments in metallurgical. apparatus for use in connection with the heating furnaces, and

particularly to fume arresters or condensers usedl with zinc retorts or containers of the furnace.

In the common practice of treating charges of raw material for the production of zinc, a bottle shaped retort is charged with a proper quantity of ore and placed in the furnace in such position as to permit the neck of ther retort to protrude through an opening' in the furnace. A condenser is thenmoved to position tocover the mouth of the retort, and the connection sealed in an air tight mannen and when heat is applied to the charge the latter is fused the zinc content vaporized, and the vapor ypassed otl' to vthe external ,fume arrester or condenser where it is precipitated and formed in a molten mass.

After theretortis chai-eed and heat ap plied thereto, a considerable time is required to raise the temperature si'ifliciently .to wholly and freely v-aporize the zinc, but during-this period of time'some of the zinc vapor conveyed to the fume arrester or condenser. Because of the difference of temperature between the retort and arresten-the latter has not reached-the melting point of zinc,.hence the incoming vapor, as it contacts with the walls of the arrester or condenser, is precipitated and formed into small particles or drops which refuse to unite vonewithanOther. This lack of unity between the particles l ascribe to the fact that the particl'es'become coated with a film,

because of lack of heat that prevents amal-` gamation, even after the temperature has subsequently been elevated to the melting;` point in the condenser. This lack of amalgamation results in an undesirable product,

usually termed blue powder.

To overcome this defect in they initial` partv ofthe process of. treating the charge of zinc ore, I provide means for preheating the condenser or arrester', to the proper ineltirmr point, say 680 C.,` and then regulate and controlthe temperature of the interior et the lretort prQllideSL,

condenser to maintain it at the proper intensity.

While the vaporizing point in the retort is approximately 19000,V the temperature in the condenser must be maintained at a correspondingly lower point, say 6300. the melting point of zincj or the zinc will not condense as rapidly as it is received in the arrester. A too rapid ingress of vapor to the condenser' will produce an excessive pressure in the latter and may result in dislocating.; the arrester which would allow the escape of the vapor.

To'overcome this contingency, I also provide mea-ns for maintaining the proper temperature in the condenser and for increasing or decreasing the area of condensation therein during` the operation. These ends are attained by .the utilization of means in connection with the condenser for varying the condensing area of the interior of the fume arrester, and controlling, regulating, and

maintaining.the temperature of the interior of the condenser.l

In the accompanying drawings I have illustratedone complete example of the physicalembodiment 'of my invention wherein the'partsare combined with a condenser in the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. lVhile I have herein illustrated a zinc furnace, andshall hereinafter refer to the invention as applied to the production of zinc ,vapor or fumes, it will readily be understood that .the invention may be adapted for use in connection with the condensation ofv other fumes or vapors, and I therefore do not limit myself tothe invention as described herein.

Figure l is a view showing al port-ion of a zinc furnace and mouth of the container or retort therein;combined with an external condenser forming a receiving; chamber or fume arresteraccording to my invention.

Figure 2 `is a vertical sectional view of the condenser at line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure is aside view of the condenser having aclosure applied thereto to prevent escape of thel fumes after withdrawal of the condenser from the retort.

I have illustrated my invention in connection With a well known type of zinc furnace 1in which theretort or charge container is heated', and from which the mouth of the as indicated at 2 1u Figure 1'- i supporting and moving the condenser ,5, which is moved to position 1n tull lines l* igure 1 over the mouth of the retort, as an eX-` ternal chamber for receivingfumes or vaporized zinc produced in the retort. The condenser is made up of suitable refractory material, soi'newhat in the vform oit a barrel with a closed bottom and open top, and is located in position as indicated in Figure l of the drawings. ln 'full lines the condenser is `positifnied to receive the `fumes 'troni the retort. while in dotted lines the condenser is shown withdrawn from the `furnace, `and when so withdrawn is equipped with. a closure 6 over the open end oft the receptacle to prevent escape of heat thereliroin.A A. steel band T may `be attached to the condenser, around its exterior i'or Vtaste-ning the closure thereon by means ot' hooks 8 and pins 9, the latter diametrically disposed on t-he band, and a handle 10 may be aflixed to the closure Yfor convenience in manipulation.

In the bottom of the condenser .a usual form of tap hole for drawing off the molten metal is provided and normally closed by la plug Vv11, and a; peep hole or window 12 is also provided in the bottom `oi the condenser tor affording a view of theinterior of the condenser.

At approximately the longitudinal center ot the condenser, and extending `transversely therethrough and through the walls thereof I locate a tube 13, also of refractory ma-` terial, and preferably with its open ends proj ectingl' beyond the periphery of the condenser. These open ends may be closed or partially closed, by plugs 111 ada )ted to be inserted therein when desired. t will be understood that the fumes arising from the retort pass into the condenser, and therein are condensed and form `molten meta-l` that may be drawn olf 'from the tap hole `When the plug,- 11 is removed. lVhile l have shown but one tube in the condenser', others `may be added it desired or necessary.

By the condition of the tube, the condensingarea oil the fume arresterand the. `temperature oi? the interior ot Vthe condenser are controlled.y Thus, with the tube 4open at both ends, as may be assumed. in Figures 1 and the area of condensation of the arrester is increased toits maximum and the zinc vapor is formed into molten mass 4in the condenser. To decrease the areaA et condensation, one or both of the plugs limay be inserted in the ends oi the tube.

The tube may be utilized to increase th temperature oi' the interior of the condenser by applying heat to the interior of the tube within the condenser', land this may be accomplished by placing` charcoal in the tube and tiring it in order that the tube may be1A come a radiator of heat, or a hot blast may be blown into the tube for the purpose of heating, it to perform the functions of a heat radiator. The heat within the radiator thus formed by the tube may be governed or controlled by opening one or both or' the ends oli' the tube as required. Should the temperature in the condenser reach an excessive de- ;rreeywith the plugs removed a spray or jets of air may be introduced into the tube for cooling' the latter, thus drawing ott the `heat as required from the interior of the condenser.

Thus the interior oi the condenser may be preheated at the beginning ot the operation, and maintained at the required point duriiiig the operation, and as the operation Ais nearing' completion resultimgin decrease in volume of vapor vand consequent reduction in tempera-ture in the condenser, the radiator may he utilizedl to maintain `the required heat to the end of the operation. In this manner a regulated and uniform temperature is maintained in the condenser throughout the operation to insure a uniformity `in the 'formation of `the molten metal in the condenser.

From the above description taken in connection with my drawings it is evident that l have provided means yfor performing the 'functions and -ztttaining the results set it'orth to be aecoinplishedby my invention., and it will be understood that changes and alterations are contemplated and may be made uitliinthe spirit of my invention Without departing;- from the scope of lthe appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim yas new` and desire to secure by 'Letters Patent is- 1. ln a. zinc furnace the combination with a retort ol. an external portable fume condenser and `means 'therein torvarying the area of condensation therein.

2. ln a. Zinc liuruaemthe combination with Ia retort, oil au `external portable lfume condenser, a tubular element in said condenser forming` a heat radiator, and means for varying the heat oft said `radiator to vary the area oit condensation within the condenser.

in a zinc furnacc'the combination with aretort ot an external portable fume condenser, a. transversely arranged tube in said condenser having its ends opening outside the coiidenser, andfmeans =fojr closing said ends, `'for the purpose described.

elf. A lfume condenser comprising an open end receptacle, and means for closing` said end`,a transversely arranged tube in saidv receptacle haring its open ends projecting beyond the periphery oi the receptacle, and means 'for closing said ends.

ture.

1n testimony whereof, I adir:` my signa-`

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