US2174458A

US2174458A - Melting tank and apparatus for cooling seams thereof

Info

Publication number: US2174458A
Application number: US169108A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry H Blau; Kenneth K Knaell
Original assignee: Carborundum Co
Current assignee: Unifrax 1 LLC
Priority date: 1937-10-15
Filing date: 1937-10-15
Publication date: 1939-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 1956-09-26

Description

Sept. 26, 1939. H. H. BLAU ET AL MEL-TING TANK AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING SEAMS THEREOF Filed Oct. 15, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 3.9 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES WW Sept; 26, 1939. H. H. BLAU ET AL 2,174,458

MELTING TANK AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING SEAMS THEREOF 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001?. 15, 1937 FIG. 6.

INVENTORS mg! b a;

A/. M ww uw f ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES Sept. 26, 1939. H. H. BLAU ET A1. 5

I MELTING TANK AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING SEAMS THEREOF Filed Oct. 15, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ill/ill.

INVENTORS' Sept. 26,- 1939. H. H. BLAU ET AL 2,174,458

MELTING TANK AND APPARATUS FORCOOLING SEAMS THEREOF 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 15, 1957 T ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES /L4/l L Patented Sept. 26,1939

LIELTING TANK AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING SEAMS THEREOF Henry H. Blau and Kenneth K. Knaell, Charleroi, Pa., asslgnors, by mesne assignments, to The Carborundum Company, Niagara Falls, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 15, 1937, Serial No. 169,108

4 Claims.

This invention relates to tanks or furnaces for melting material, such as glass or the like, and more particularly is concerned with apparatus for cooling the seams between blocks or bricks forming the melting tanks.

It is the general object of our invention to provide improved melting tanks and apparatus for effectively sealing the seams thereof wherein initial and maintenance costs are relatively low.

Another object of our invention is the provision of an improved glass melting tank in which glass can be melted or refined without leakage thereof through the seams of the tank.

Another-object of our invention is to provide apparatus for cooling the seams of material melting tanks and for simultaneously heating the material through the blocks forming the tank.

Another object of our invention is to provide means for clamping the refractory blocks of a glass melting tank in position, which means also function to seal between the individual blocks forming the tank.

Another object of our invention is the provision of an improved glass melting tank formed of cast refractory blocks of high thermal conductivity wherein the seams or joints between the blocks are sealed to prevent the escape of the molten glass.

The foregoing and other objects of our invention are achieved by the methods and apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a melting tank, partly broken away, constructed in accordance with the principles of our invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a modified form of our invention; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrates another form of the invention; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but shows still another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a portion of a glass tank illustrating another embodiment of our invention; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but of another form of our invention; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and illustrates another embodiment of our invention; Fig. 8is a perspective view of a refractory block or brick forming a part of our inventive concept and particularly adapted for the construction of fluid tight material melting tanks; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a melting tank constructed of the blocks shown in Fig. 8 with the greater portion of the tank being broken away; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of another embodiment of .our invention; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view through a tank wall wherein the means for clamping the blocks in position also function to cool the seam therebetween; Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but of a modified form of clamp and cooling means; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but of still another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but' illustrates another type of tank structure and seam cooling means; and Fig. 15 is an elevation of the tank wall illustrated in cross section in Fig. 14.

While it has. long been a problem to confine molten material in melting tanks or furnaces due to seepage between the blocks forming the material contacting walls and bottom thereof, we have found that in the use of cast refractory blocks for glass tanks the thermal conductivity of the cast refractory is so high that seepage of glass between the joints or seams of the blocks is a serious problem. Accordingly, the several embodiments of our invention herein described and illustrated are concerned, broadly, with sealing between the refractory blocks of material melting tanks, and, particularly, between cast refractory blocks forming the walls and bottom of a glass melting tank.

Having particular reference to Fig. 1, the numeral l0 indicates generally a glass melting tank formed of individual cast refractory blocks 12 and carrying a batch of molten glass G1. The edges of the blocks 12 are beveled and receive pointed members l4 and 16 of very high heat conductivity as compared to the conductivity of the blocks l2. The members l4 and I6 serve to withdraw heat very rapidly from the seams or joints between the blocks 12 when positioned as shown, so that molten glass seeping into the seams is chilled by the members to seal the seams and thereby prevent any further seepage of the molten glass therethrough. 'The members may take a plurality of forms but preferably comprise solid metal or silicon carbide bars, such as the member II, or hollow conduits such as the member 16 through which cooling fluid, such as water, can be circulated. Themembers l4 and 16 preferably serve as supporting beams or vertical joists for the individual blocks comprising a tank and may engage with a foundation or backing member l8. Angles I9 secured to the members It and I6 preferably are provided to assist in carrying the load of the blocks. pleti ng the assembly are heat insulating pads 20 of very low thermal conductivity w'hich surround the tank.

In the form of our invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the numeral 24 indicates generally a glass Commelting tank formed of individual cast refractory blocks 26 and receiving molten glass G The individual blocks 26 are formed with channels 28 at their ends so that when the blocks are assembled edge to edge a closed passageway is formed between the contacting edges of the blocks. Cooling fluid, such air, .is circulated through the passages from suitable header means 29 and under any desired pressure.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the numeral 32 indicates generally a glass melting tank formed of individual cast refractory blocks 34 enclosing a molten body of glass G The blocks are in turn surrounded by heat insulating blocks 36. Each of the cast refractory blocks 34 is formed with a plurality of openings 38 therethrough which, in the operation of the tank, are in opposed relation adjacent the joints or seams between the individual blocks. Cooling fluid such as air is circulated through the passages 38 by conduits 39 extending thereto. so that any molten glass tending to seep through the joints or seams is frozen and the tank'remains fluid tight in use.

The numeral 42 indicates generally in Fig. 4 a glass melting tank formed of individual cast refractory blocks 44 and surrounded by heat insulating pads 46. Molten glass G is illustrated in the tank. The individual refractory blocks 44 are provided with a plurality of openings 48 in the positions illustrated in Fig. 4 and these openings are cooled, insulated or heated as by the passage of cooling or heating fluid therethrough via

conduits

49 and 50 and the use of an insulating filler, all in accordance with the showing in the drawings. More particularly, the openings marked C are cooled, the openings marked I are insulated, and those marked H are heated. It will be seen that the portions of the blocks 44 adjacent the joints or seams are cooled so that molten glass tending to seep through the joints is frozen.

In the embodiment of our invention shown in Fig. 5, the wall of a melting tank is indicated by the numeral 52 and comprises individual cast refractory blocks 54 formed with grooves 56 at their edges so that when the edges of two blocks are placed together a passage 58 is provided which is covered by a metal channel 60 secured to the blocks 54, as for example, by heat insulating blocks 62'. Positioned in the passage 58 is a conduit 64 which carries a cooling fluid which is discharged through suitable openings in the conduit 64 to provide fluid sprays in the passage 58 so that any molten glass seeping through the joint between the blocks 54 is frozen.

More particularly, in conjunction with this embodiment of our invention, we contemplate passing cooling fluid, such as air, throughthe passage 58 from supply conduit 65 and then controlling the temperature of the cooling fluid by spraying the fluid with a liquid, such as water, carried in the conduit 64. By the combined use of air and water for cooling in this manner a very complete control of the seam cooling is provided which is more satisfactory than either air or water alone.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated still another embodiment of our invention wherein the numeral I indicates generally a portion of a glass melting tank including individual cast refractory blocks I2 each formed at their ends with channels I4 so as to provide passages 16 between adjacent and contacting block portions. The passages I6 receive conduits 18 which are formed with openings so that water or other liquid cooling fluid carried by the conduits can be sprayed onto the surface of the blocks and so that air or other gaseous cooling fluid carried in the passages 16 and supplied thereto by conduits I9 can be cooled or humidified as desired. Molten glass is indicated G A wall 82 of a material melting tank is indicated in .Fig. 7 wherein refractory blocks 84 are illustrated as abutting at their edges to form a joint or seam with the abutting faces'of the blocks being provided with grooves 86 of semicircular shape receiving a pipe 88. The pipe 88 functions not only to support the blocks forming the wall but likewise, by passing cooling fluid through the pipe, the escape of molten material through the joint between the individual blocks is prevented. Instead of being round as shown the pipe 88 and the grooves 86 may be made of any polygonic cross section as will be understood, I I

Fig. 8 illustrates a refractory block 90 for use in the construction of material-melting tanks. The block is provided with grooves 92 on one pair of opposite edges or seam-forming faces and grooves 94 on its other edges or seam-forming faces. The grooves 92 are opposite each other and the grooves 94 are opposite each other but the

grooves

92 and 94 are ofiset.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner of assembling the blocks 90 together to form a wall of a material melting tank. In Fig. 9 the blocks are laid side by side so that the grooves 92 of adjacent blocks are in opposed relation and receive conduits 98 which, as above described in conjunction with Fig. 7, serve to both hold the blocks in position and cool any molten material attempting to escape through the joints between the blocks. Received in the grooves 94 of adjacent blocks are pipes I00 which likewise function to hold the blocks in position and prevent the escape of molten material between the block joints. The pipes 98 are connected to a header I02 whereby cooling fluid under pressure can be supplied to the individual pipes. In a like manner, the pipes I00 are connected to a header I04 to achieve the same end.

In the walls I06 and I08 of the tank the blocks 9|) are similarly mounted and their joints cooled.

' Specifically, conduits IIO extend vertically of the blocks and conduits IIZ extend horizontally, each being connected to suitable headers, as will be understood. In the wall I08 pipes II2 extend vertically and pipes II4 horizontally. Suitable headers are provided for these pipes as well and the conduits can be bent and the blocks appropriately recessed so as to facilitate the mounting of the walls upon the bottom of the tank.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in Fig. the numeral I20 indicates generally a glass melting tank formed. of cast refractory blocks I22 and supporting molten glass G The individual blocks I22 are formed with passages I24 which are cooled or heated by suitable fluid via conduits I23, as indicated respectively by the letters 0 and H. This embodiment of our invention differs from that illustrated in Fig. 4, and heretofore described, in that the individual passages I24 are formed with heat insulating means I26 between adjacent passages carrying heating and cooling fluid. In this manner the fluid used to cool the passages marked C is directed toward the cooling of the seams or joints of the tank and the heating fluid passed through the passages marked H is insulated away from the cooled portions of the blocks. By a construction of this kind we are able to simultaneously cool the seams between the blocks and heat the molten glass in the tank through the walls 0 the blocks in contact therewith.

An important part of our inventive concept is the provision of means for clamping the blocks forming a wall of the melting tank in position with the means functioning also to carry a cooling fluid adjacent the seams or joints between the blocks. Thus in Fig. 11. we have illustrated a tank wall I30 formed of individual cast refractory blocks I32 each provided with an undercut I34 at its edge. Associated with the undercuts I34 of adjacent seam edges is a combined clamp and conduit, indicated as a whole by the numeral I36. This clamp and conduit comprises plate-like halves I31 and I38 hinged together as at I39. The opposed plate-like portions engage under the overhangs I34 at the ends of the blocks and the portions of the plates on the other side of the hinge are connected together by a plurality of bolts I40. Thus when the blocks are clamped together as shown, by inserting the ends of the plates I31 and I38 under the overhangs and then drawing down the bolts I40, a conduit or passage I42 is provided in the region of the joint between the blocks. Fluid, such as air, can be passed through the passage I42, via conduits I43, to cool the seam and the blocks are held in proper position by the clamping conduit I 36.

In Fig. 12 the numeral I46 indicates generally awall of a material melting tank formed of individual cast refractory blocks I48 each provided with a rib I50 at its edges. The ribs I50 are gripped by a clamping conduit I52 comprising flange portions I54 .engaging behind the ribs and locked in position by a plurality of bolts I56 which are adjustable in slots. Thus the clamping conduit I52, when in the position illustrated, functions to simultaneously clamp the blocks together and to provide a passageway I58 for the reception of cooling fluid, such as air, which can be passed therethrough, by way of conduits I59, to coolthe joint or seam between the refractory blocks I48.

The form of our invention illustrated in Fig. 13 is quite similar to that shown in Fig. 7. Particularly, the numeral I60 indicates generally a tank wall formed of cast refractory blocks I62 which are provided with grooved edges 54' adapted to receive a pipe or other conduit I66. The conduit I66 is mounted by suitable means such as bolts I68 upon a channel or other loadcarrying or positioning member I10. In the 1 operation of this embodiment of our invention fluid under pressure is circulated through the conduit I66 and we have found that molten material, such as glass marked .G", which seeps through the joints between the blocks, collects around the conduit I66 as shown to provide a tight seal between the seam of the blocks and likewise to function to anchor and hold the blocks I62 in fixed relation to the channel I10.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 the numeral I14 indicates generally a wall of a glass melting tank formed of individual cast refractory blocks I16. Each of the blocks I16 is provided with a raised rib I18 adjacent its edges which ribs terminate short of the opposite edges of the blocks. Thus conduits I can be positioned over joints or seams I82 extending in one direction relative to the blocks with the conduits being substantially of the same height as the'ribs, as shown in the drawings. Conduits I84 extending in the other direction relative to the blocks I 16 cover the joints or seams I86 between the blocks at right angles to the seams I82- Air or other fluid is circulated through the conduits I80 and I84 and the conduits function to cool the seams and if desired may be made ofsufilcient strength to support the individual refractory blocks.

From the foregoing it will be recognized that the objects of our invention have been achieved by the provision of improved methods and apparatus for cooling the seams of material me1ting tanks, such as glass tanks, and particularly where these tanks are made of cast refractory having a high thermal conductivity. The means for cooling the seams betweenthe blocks may serve also to lock or support the blocks in the desired position and further by the principles herein disclosed and claimed we are able to cool the seams and joints between blocks of glass melting tanks while simultaneously heating the glass at other portions of the tank remote from the seams by passage of heat through the refractory blocks themselves.

In the actual use of our improved tank structures, walls and methods and apparatus for preventing the escape of molten material from refractory tanks, it should be appreciated that the refractory blocks or tanks herein disclosed and illustrated can be made of any desired size or shape without departing from our inventive concept. Particularly, the blocks may be made of suflicient height or length, as for example to extend the full height or width of a side or bottom wall, so that only the fewest possible number of joints between the blocks will be required, because thereby difliculties of cooling connections are largely eliminated.

Although the invention has been particularly described in conjunction with cast refractory blocks having relatively high thermal conductivity because of the special problems attending their use, it will be appreciated that many of the principles of our invention are applicable also to use .with ordinary bonded refractory blocks. Further, certain of the embodiments of the invention illustrated have insulating means surrounding the tanks or walls thereof. We contemplate the use of such'means particularly with cast refractory blocks and. generally where desirable.

While in accordance with the patent statutes several embodiments of our invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby but is defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a material melting tank, a plurality of cast refractory blocks forming a wall and having seams between the blocks extending away from the material contacting surfaces of the blocks, the faces of the blocks at the seams being formed with complemental grooves, said grooves on,

opposed faces of each block being opposed but with the grooves on adjacent faces of the blocks being offset from each other, conduits positioned in the complementary grooves, and header pipes connected to the ends of the conduits and adapted to pass cooling fluid through the conduits, said conduits serving to hold the blocks in position and to cool the seam around each block whereby molten material attemptingto escape through the seam is solidified.

2. In a material'melting tank, a plurality of refractory blocks forming a wall and having seams between the blocks extending away from the material contacting surfaces of the blocks, the faces of the blocks at the seams being formed with complemental. grooves, said grooves on opposed faces of each block being opposed, conduits positioned in the complementary grooves, and header pipes connected to the ends of the conduits and adapted to pass cooling fluid through the conduits, said conduits serving to cool the seam around each block whereby molten material attempting to escape through the seam is solidified.

3. A refractory block for use in building glass meltin tanks or the like, comprising a six-sided body having opposed faces substantially parallel to each other and adjacent faces substantially duits covering the seams of the blocks opposite the surfaces in engagement with the material. the conduits extending in one direction being in the same plane, and the conduits extending in another direction being in a plane parallel to but spaced from the first-named plane.

HENRY H. BLAU. KENNETH K. KNAELL.