US1972116A - Ash smelter - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 4, 1934. A. w. IWAERN ASQH SMELTER Filed NOV. 12

1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 attorney Sept. 4, 1934.

1A. w. WAERN 1,972,116

ASH SHELTER I Filed Nov. 12. 1932 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fi P .20 26 I 3nventor WWWM Gttomeg Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES A N FIC 1,972,116 ASH SMELTER Adolph w.- Waern, Manistee, Mich. Application NovemberlZ, 1932, Serial No. 642,351

4 Claims. (01. 23-277) 7 This invention relates to smelters for igniting and removing theorganic content of black ash and the like.

The invention comprises a novel structure in which combustion of the black ash is maintained within the confines of a complete independent vapor-raising apparatus or boiler. The boiler is arranged in such a manner that considerable portions of its heating surface can see the fire and accept heat therefrom not only by conduction and convection but also by radiation. The boiler being so arranged accepts heat from the smelting ash atsuch rates that favorable temperatures are maintained with the greatestease. The'appara 15 tus of this invention not only provides'means for excellent control of operating conditions, but also converts the heat absorbed in controlling the process into vapor under pressure which may be devoted to superior power uses. The recovery of mineral substances employed in paper-making processes is an important matter in the economy of the pulp industry. Waste liquors from the sulfate and soda processes, for example, have long been evaporated to dryness and the dried material ignited to separate therefroni the mineral constituents usually in a molten state. The recovered mineral constituents upon proper subsequent treatment are rendered fit for re-use.

' The ignition step has been performed in the apparatus known as a smelter. The smelters heretofore used, however, are open to some objection and it is the purpose of this invention to dispense with the undesirable features thereof.

One of the chief objections in many v of the refractory linings which will withstand the erosion of the fire and the 'effect of the highly alkaline salts involved in the treatment have not been available. Many attempts have been made and some are'nowin use for prolongingthe life of smelterlinings. In some of these a refractory layer is backed by a circulating layer of airfor the purpose of keeping the liningjbelow a danger ous temperature. In others cooling water is circulated in much the same manner with the same purpose; In many of these methods the heat removed from the walls is either rejected or devoted to inferior uses. a

In the smelter of this invention portions of the interior constituting part of the heat-accepting surfaces of the boiler are devoid of refractory material, in the common sense of the word, and in this portion of' the smelter the refractory lining problem is completely eliminated. Not only is the smelter of this invention cheaper tomaintain smelters now in'useis that entirely satisfactory with respect to its lining, but at the same time the heat absorbed is converted into a steam at useful pressure. Although the smelter of this invention is particularly adapted for use in the treatment of the ash produced by the evaporation of the waste liquors of the sulphate and soda paper processes any combustible solid or semi-solid material having a mineral content maybe treated.

The smelter of this invention is bestdescribed by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein 1 1 I I Fig. 1 is a side sectional View of the smelter;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the smelter, part of the jacket being broken away.

The smelter of this invention, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted-upon asuitable support 1. Firmly seated upon support 1 and inside of the smelter'is the crucible 2, made of refractory material. The

crucible 2 is provided with wall portions 3, a spoutportion 4 anda base portion 5. Standing upon base 1 and embracing the wall portions 3 of the crucible and extending upwardly is the tube bank 6. Forming-the means for communication for the bottom of the tube bank is the header 7. The tube bank 6 extending upwardly converges into a flat throat 9 and thence reaches upwardly to a connection with the vapor drum 10. On one side of the flat throat 9 an aperture 11 is provided by joining a part of the tubes of bank 6 to manifold 12, which in turn communicates with the vapordrumlO through leaders. 18. I

Completely enclosing tube bank 6 is the mantle 13, the purposes of whichare to form a gas-tight enclosure outside of bank 6 and to insulate against H the loss of heat. Any suitable materialmay be used for this purpose, most of the common refractory materials serving well. The mantle 13 is backed and supported by a steel shell 14 which is separated a short distance from the mantle to provide for expansion. The expansion space is filled with any suitable resilient refractory 15, such as asbestos or powdered diatomaceous earth, It is pointed out as a matter of importance that the bank 6' is not entirely hidden by a lining; but that'a' goodly part of each tube can see the interior of the smelter. Y r 1 From'the vapor drum 10 downc'omer's 17 are provided, which communicate with the header 7 at the base of the smelter to provide means for facilitating circulation. Feed water may be introduced in the lower part of one of these downcomers at 21 or in any other appropriate place. Vapor is removed from the top ofthe vapor drum at 20.

The blast is directed into the smelter in the vicinity of the upper central portion of the crucible 2 through the nozzles or blow-pipes 22. The nozzles or blow-pipes 22 may advantageously be water-cooled.

As clearly indicated in Fig. 2, aperture 11 is circular in shape. The purpose of this aperture'is to accommodate the discharge end of a conventional rotary drum incinerator, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The construction of the drum and of the juncture between drum and smelter is noypart of this invention, being similar in construction to means Well known in the art.

Under many conditions of operation, blasting of the smelter produces combustible gas in the nature of producer gas. Air for combustion or this gas may be introduced in thethrqatQ and-for this purpose doors 16 are provided for the entrance of air. By regulation of doors 1 6 the flame maybe caused to extend far into subsequent equipment. In addition to doors 16 air ports 23 are provided between the-tubes .in'the lower part of throat 9. The air ports are provided. with adjustable doors 24 to permit the regulation of the air admitted.

In addition to the air ports 23 and the doors 16 it is sometimes convenient also to provide poke holes 25 closed by doors 27. If it is intended to employ poke h01es25 foranything other than inspection and regulation oft-he fire, the tubes may be appropriately deflected to permit the charging of material or chemicals. In fact the smelter of this invention may be so constructed that it may be operated asa hand-fired or conveyor-fired smelter in which the aperture ll is closed and occupied bytubes, all charging-then being accomplished-through openings, such as poke holes 25. A construction suchas above described of course does not'require abroad, flat throat 9 such aswill accommodate the large circular aperture 11 and in such case the throat 9 will become amere vertical extension of the lower part of the smelter.

' Inoperating the smelter-of :this invention .or-. ganic material containing mineral substance is charged through aperture 11. Combustion-of the organic material is established by introducing ablast of air through the nozzles .or blow-pipes 22. Blasting and charging of material are then continued at rates which will maintain a substantially constant depth of burning material. :While this is taking place the temperature is controlled by the boiler and useful vapor is delivered to drum 10.- As the materialjis consumed the mineral constituents are released and due to the heat ofthe reactionthey are delivered in molten condition to the crucible 2. From time to time or continuously of this invention, has been clearly indicated; in

certain specific cases, itis not intended that the protection of Letters Patent be limited thereby, but that the protection afforded hereunder embrace the full spiritof the invention as represented I by the appended claims.

I tures, the combination comprising a crucible, meanstfor introducing a blast in the vicinity of said crucible, a mantel surrounding said crucible and extending above the same, an opening into said mantel above the crucible for the introduction of material to be treated and the exit of products of combustion, a tube bank within said mantel'and extending downwardly between the exterior of said crucible and the interior of izlziev lower part of said mantel, means for introducing,

vaporizable fluid to said tube bank, and means for removing. vapor therefrom.

3 In a combined self-contained vapor generatorand smelter for organic, inorganic mixtures, the combination comprisinga .oruc-ible, means for introducing a blast in the vicinityof said crucible, a mantel surrounding said crucible and extending above the same, an opening into said mantel above the .crucibleior the introduction .of ma-e terialto be treated and the exitct products nf, combustion,.-a tube bank within said. mantel p0nsisting-of vertically standing tubes a d extending downwardly between the exteriorot said crucible and the interior of, the lower part ,of said mantel, means for establishing .com-municationibetween the bottoms of said tubes, a vapor drum ccammlmieating with andjoining the tops of said tubes, means for introducing feed-water, andmeans-for the removal of steam from said'steamjdrum.

4. In a smelter fororganiq inorganictm-ixtures tloe combination comprising. a cruciblehaving an outlet, .2. mantel surrounding saidcr-ucihle and extending above the same m eans for introducing a blast of air in the vicinity-of said crucible, an aperture in the top of said mantel for the introduction of material .to be treated and the exit of products .of combustion, a tube banhof vertically standing, tubes within said extending .downwa rdly between the exterior at said crucible and the interior of-the-lower part of said mantel, means for establishing communication between thelbottorns of said tubes, .asteam drum in communication with figi-ning thetops of said tubes, .downcome'rs communicating with said steam drum andconnecting municatio'nmeans at the bottom of saidtnbes completing a boiler Iencldsur'e, means forthe in troduction of vaporizable fluid, to said boiler len closure, and meansror the removalofvapor from said steam drum, the whole forming a combined self-contained vapor generator and smelting mg, nace. ADQLPH Ill-0

Images