US2422099A

US2422099A - Apparatus for the production of comminuted particles

Info

Publication number: US2422099A
Application number: US541180A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hiller Siegfried
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-01-03
Filing date: 1944-06-20
Publication date: 1947-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 1964-06-10

Description

June 10, 1947. s HILLER 2,422,099

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GOMMINUTED PARTICLES Original Filed Jan. 3, 1941 a s 2- 54/31 26 5 t I 8W ATTORNEY vided Patented June 10, 1947 APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMMINUTED PARTICLES Siegfried H ll w r N Y- O si a a l ation J a ,3, 19 1, a No,

1944, Serial No. 541,180

4 Claim- This invention relates to apparatus for the production .of comminuted particles, in particular particles of metallic oxides and related prod.- uct-s, and includes correlated improvements designed to enhance the utility of such apparatus.

In my U. S. Patent No. 2,213,365 issued September 3, 1940 entitled pparatus for the production of powders of low meltingepoint metals .or of compounds thereof, I have described an apparatus including an atomizing chamber for producing finely co-mminuting metallic particles.

Comminuted metallic particles which are thus formed pass directly into an ,oxidizing chamber where the lighter particles become oxidized and are drawn off, while heavier particles fall back paratus.

It is also desired to provide apparatus for combining the smaller uniform metallic particles with various gaseous reagents to form compounds or derivatives thereof and collect the'same in a finely divided comminuted state.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the production of finely divided comminuted metallic particles, oxides, or other compounds in a continuous operation.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide in an apparatus for the formation of comminuted metallic particles, means for separating the smaller particles from the larger particles and reacting such to the smaller particles with gaseous reagents.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in an apparatus for producing comminuted metallic particles, means for-rejecting larger particles which may be formed along with the smaller comminuted metallic particles, select ing the smaller particles, and means for collecting the smaller particles thus selected.

Other objects will inpart be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

Thus, in an apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the present invention there is pro means for melting a low melting point separating th 1;

Divided and this'applicatio'n June '20,

meta means for comm utins sa d metal to form cqmminute m tal ..,tiQ1 the e f. means for le paticl s rom the smaller and lighte part les. t us :fo m d, means for returning said heavier particles to the molten metal, and means for co lectin the lighter partic es in a finely divided state.

The invention accordingly compris s he features of construction, combinations of elements. and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 7

According tothe present invention, there is also provided in an apparatus for the production .of comminuted metallic particles or compounds thereof, in combination, a vessel in which metal may be melted, a comminuting unit comprising a rotatable fiinger, wheel, a casing for said flinger wheel, an inlet in the bottom of said casing for admitting a portion of molten metal from the melting vessel, an outlet for said casing comprising a Side duct and a combustion chamber con.- nected to said side duct, means for producing .comminuted metallic particles in said comminuts ing unit and conveying said particles into the combustion chamber, and means for collecting the lighter particles thus formed. while returning the heavier particles to said reservoir without permitting the particles to re-enter the comminuting chamber. .In a preferred embodiment there is also provided within said combustion chamber a reaction zone for forming pure me tallic particles, the metallic oxides, or various other chemicalcompounds thereof, as said finer comminuted particles are being passed through said chamber.

Various low melting-point metals which may be employed to form comminuted metallic par-,- ticles comprise such metals as copper, lead, tin, brass, antimony, zinc, cadmium, and the alloys which may be formed of the various meals, and the like.

."Reagentswhichmay be used to react with such metals inthe .comminuted state to form various compounds thereof comprise various reactive gases or vapors, such as which form metallic oxides, sub-oxides, and the like. Other reactive gases mine, iodine, hydrogen sulfide, sulphur, carbon dioxide and the'like maybe used to form halides, sulfides, carbonates and other compounds with thelcomminuted metals. Mixturespf these vari .ous gases may be used to form.other derivatives of ,the. metallic particles, and which also may air, steam or oxygen such as chlorine, bro.-

depend upon operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure and the like.

Alternatively, suitable inert gases may be employed to prevent the formation of compounds or derivatives of the various metals, for example, T

such gases as helium, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and other inert gases. Such gases may be used to create an inert atmosphere to provide for the formation of comminuted metallic particles in a substantially unreacted state. Under other con- I ditions hydrogen may be employed either as a reactant to reduce metallic compounds which may be formed, or to initially prevent the formation of such compounds.

For the combustion chamber there may be employed any of a, wide variety of furnaces, burners or ovens which are used to burn the various atomized or vaporized combustibles such as gases, fuel oil, powdered coal, coke dust, and the like. In a, preferred embodiment there is provided a modified combustion chamber adapted to burn a gas, or to provide other means for initiating a reaction between various gaseous reagents and the] comminuted metallic particles causing them to ignite or otherwise combine to form compounds jects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of a section in elevation of one form of apparatus suitable for carrying out the process of the invention; and

' Fig.2 is a partial end view ofa section of Fig. 1 taken at 2--2.

Referring to Fig. 1', there is provided a furnace II) supporting Vessel I I in which metal is melted to form molten metal I2. The furnace I0 may be heated by any suitable means, such as. coal, coke, oil or gas. A portion of the hot waste gases formedin furnace It may be drawnoff by means of conduit I3 and utilizedv to preheat atomizing chamber I5.

The atomizing chamber I5 comprises a housing or casing I4 which ispreferably of an insulated type having a thick wall. In the bottom of saidatomizing chamber there is provided one 'or' more openings I! to which there are attached tubes I8, which permit a portion of the molten metal I2 to enter the comminuting chamber by gravity flow. Thereis provided in said atomizing chamber a flinger wheel I6 adapted to rotate within' the atomizing chamber and which may be rotated by shaft 20. The shaft may be driven by any suitable driving means, such as by being coupled directly to an electric motor or to a pulley and belt (not shown). One side of the atomizing chamber I5 is provided with an outlet duct I9 which is in turn connected with combustion chamber 2|, the lower portion122 of said chamber dippinginto the surface of molten metal I2; Within the combustion chamber 2| there is provided a plurality ofjets or tuyeres 23 substantially near the central portion of said chamber,'Which jets are adapted to burn a light fuel, gasor oil if initial heat is foundfdesirable or necessary. In the preferred embodiment a combustible fuel or gas, such as water gas, hydrogen sulfide, or a halogen may be introduced by means of supply pipes 24,and the jets 23 supplied with a suitable gas, such as air or oxygen,

by means of pipes 26. Alternatively; a spark gap 4 may be used in place of the flame jets, or reacting gases such as chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and the like may be admitted by means of the jets to form various metallic derivatives of the comminuted metallic particles; or such jets may be used to introduce an inert gas. The air or other gases may be preheatedby. passing pipes 26 through preheaters 21 comprising fire-brick surrounding the combustion chamber and arranged about the reaction zone 3|.

Combustion chamber 2| is shown as having a construction 31 near the top portion, so that comminuted particles which are carried upwardly from reaction zone 3| may be drawn off and/or burned in secondaryv burning zone 33. An excess volume of air may be admitted to the secondary burning Zone 33 by a draft created between dome 3d and collar 35, which draft intake is shown by direction arrows A. If desired, incomplete combustion reactions may be conducted with the metallic particles to form sub-oxides of .the metals, or a mixture of pure metallic particles and oxides thereof, or other various derivatives,

by lowering or raising the dome 34 to admit larger or smaller volumes of air, as required. Al-' ternatively, the dome may be lowered all the way, whereupon the dome makes a tight fit with collar 35, thus excluding air' entirely. Thus air may be excluded entirely from zone 33 when it is desired to form the metal in comminuted me.- tallic form, or when itis desired to form the'sulfides, chlorides, carbonates or metallic derivatives of the metals other than the oxides. The particles may be drawn ofi by suitable known means, such as by means of a draft or negative pressure created within the dome and for com- 7 v bustion chamber by a suction fan, vacuum or blower attached to neck 32 (not shown).

Referring to Fig.2, a portion of the combustion chamber is broken away to show the flinger wheel 16 within casing I4 and to show its relationship with the combustion chamber 2|. Particles of the comminuted metal'a re carried upwardly through the reaction zone 3|, which zone may be supplied with suitable gases by means of the jets 23, as described. The heavier particles formed during the comminuting process and which are carried into the vertical chamber" 2| are returned to the vessel I I by gravitational differentiation or by adjustment of the amount of suction or negativepressure, and are thus re:

united with the'molten metal I2, while the lighter particles are carried upwardly in the combustion chamber, thus preventing direct return of the heavier particles of the atomizing chamber. V

In utilizing the apparatus of'the invention, a suitable quantity of metal is melted in the melting vessel or reservoir I I and after, sufficient heating a. quantity of the molten metal is introduced by gravity flow ,intoatomizing chamber I5 where it contacts the flinger wheel I6. Theflinger wheel is rotated within the atomizing chamber at a velocity suitable to create a mist comprising particles'of said molten 'metal. The majority of the particles thus formed .find their way'or are driven out of the atomizing chamber through.

side duct I9 and into combustion chamber 2|. It willlbe noted thatside duct. I9 is close-coupled with the combustion chamber 2| in order to facilitatethe passage 'of the'comminuted' par ticles from the'atomiz'ing chamber into the lower 7 part or the combustion chamber; Aportion' of the heavier particles formed during .the atomiz- ;ing,process strike the, inner wall 29. of said cham.- her and drop-directly into reservoir II containing the-moltenmetal. .Othtirheavier particles which .maybe carried-along with the finely comminuted particles gradually drop back into the reservoir .H as the :finer particles continue their :upward travel through :the combustion zone 31, where thcymay be ignited to form the various comminuted metallic oxides or other compounds. Alternatively, the ianitioniets :2 3 may :be .used to introducean inert gas-or they maybe closedofi or omitted entirely. In many cases, after the me- :tallic particles have been ignited :for a short period not time and aftera suff cient temperature has *been so maintained, the initialsupply of fuel orgas introduced by jets 23 may be cut off and the burning of such metallic particles sustained ;,by merelyintroducing into the combustion chamber an adequate supply .of-preheated;air bymeans .of supply pipes 126. Furthermore, other metallic particles, such :as those formed of Zinc or tin, may becomeignited and burn without-the necessityof the :pre-ignition touinitiate the combustion.

melting vessel H in quantity sufficient to flow into the atomizing chamber l5 by means of openings I7 and contact the flinger wheel [6. The .fiinger Wheel is rotated at a velocity suiiicient to create a mist comprising a plurality of comminuted particles of molten metal within the atomizing chamber 55. Preferably, the atomizing chamber is preheated by means of conduit I 3 to prevent the particles from freezing against the Walls of the atomizing chamber. The majority of the particles thus formed find their Way into the vertical combustion chamber 2| by means of the outlet duct 19. The majority of the heavier comminuted particles strike the wall '29 of the-combustionchamber and drop back into vessel H containing the molten lead. Ina preferred embodiment (not shown) there is provided a striking plate formed of heavy metal removably attached to the inner wall .29 which may be replaced from time to time as required. The remaining comminuted metallic particles are carried upwardly through the combustion chamber, and leave the combustion chamber by means of the constricted portion 31 and are carried away by a reduced pressure created Within the dome 34. As the particles travel upwardly through the combustion chamber 2| the remaining heavier lead particles are separated from the finely comminuted particles by gravitational differentiation and drop directly into the vessel containing the molten lead by means of the open end portion 22. The finely comminuted lead particles are drawn off at 32 and collected in known manner.

In the preferred embodiment the finely comminuted lead particles are ignited in ignition zone 3|. Suitable ignition means for the burning of such finely divided particles is provided by jets 23. Such ignition is created by the introduction of a mixture of air and gas, such gas comprising a natural gas or methane. Burning is initiated by means of air pipes 26 and gas pipes 24. As the finely divided lead particles are ignited they are carried upwardly into :a second ignition :zone :33 where further burning occurs. Sufiicient air to sustain the secondary burning of the particles is introduced between the dome 34 and collar 35, shown by direction arrows A. The lead oxide thus formed .is drawn off at; .32 in a substantially finely divided .comminuted state.

Alternatively, pure particles of lead of afinely dividedand uniform size maybe :formed hydroptpingthe dome 34 to form a tight lit with collar :35 and closing jets 2:3, or introducing an inert gassuch as nitrogen in place of the ai and/or methane .gas. The finely divided particlesofunreacted lead of uniformsize are, then drawn on? at .32 as described above. In place of vforming xfinely divided particles of unreacted lead or'lead oxides, lead sub-oxides may be formed by introducing an insuificient supply of air or oxygen.

ad sulfides may be formed by admitting .hydrogen sulfideto thezcom'bustion zone 3l-in place of air or oxygen. Qhlorides, carbonates ,andiother lead compounds maybe formedin like manner by substituting other suitable gaseous reagents intothe combustion chamber.

Amon the advantages realized by the EPI'BSEDIJ invention, it will b observed that by the gravitational return-of the larger particles to the reservoir containing the molten metal the atomizing chamber isrelieved of suchrejectedmaterial,

thus overcoming the danger of fouling and/or clogging the *flinger wheel.

Other advantages such as lowered operating costs, reduction in fuel consumption and thelike are realized due to the light construction of the apparatus and arrangementof the integral parts.

The comminuted metallic particles, formed -according .to the present invention are ina form readyfor euse inmetallic paints, storage. batteries,

and a wide variety of .other products and articles ofmanufacture.

Since certain changes may be made .in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention .could ,be .made without departing fromthe scope thereof, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall :beinterpreted as illustrative and not in .a limiting sense.

It isa'lso to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 372,980 filed January 3, 1941, now Patent 2,358,068, issued Sept. 12, 1944.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for producing comminuted metallic particles, the combination of a vessel for maintaining a mass of molten metal, a drumshaped chamber having an opening therein for admitting said molten metal and an outlet to permit discharge of molten particles therefrom, a fiinger wheel rotatably mounted within said chamber, said fiinger wheel provided with fins for comminuting and projecting said molten metal in a comminuted state, a vertically extending combustion chamber mounted adjacent to said drumshaped chamber and connected through an aper- 7 tioned to extend downwardly into the vessel with an opening in the bottom thereof, so that heavier particles falling from a comminuted mass of particles projected therein are returned by gravity to said vessel at a point removed from said drumshaped chamber after entering the combustion chamber through said aperture.

2. In an apparatus for producing comminuted metallic particles, the combination of a vessel for maintaining a mass of molten metal, a drumshaped chamber having an opening therein for admitting said molten metal and an outlet to permit discharge of molten particles therefrom, a fiinger wheel rotatably mounted within said chamber, said flinger wheel provided with'fins for comminuting and projecting said molten metal in a comminuted state, a vertically extending combustion chamber mounted adjacent to said drum shapedchamber having jets therein for admtting gases, said combustion chamber con- 'nected with said drum-shaped chamber through an aperture in the side thereof to receive the comminuted particles of molten metal as they leave said drum-shaped chamber, said combustion chamber positioned substantially perpendicular to the surface of said vessel and extended downwardly into the vessel with an opening in the bottom thereof, so that heavier particles falling from a comminuted mass of particles projected therein are returned by gravityto said vessel at a point removed from said drum-shaped chamber after entering the combustion chamber through said aperture. r

3. In an apparatus for producing comminuted metallic particles, the combination of a vessel 7 for maintaining a mass of molten metal, a drumshaped chamber having an opening therein for admitting said molten metal and an outlet to permit discharge of molten particles therefrom, a flinger 'wheel rotatably mounted within said chamber, said fiinger wheel provided with fins for comminuting and projecting said molten'metal in a comminuted state, a vertically extending combustion chamber mounted adjacent to said drumshaped chamber and connected through 'an aperture in the side thereof to receive the comminuted particles of molten metal as they leave said drumshaped chamber, the combustion chamber positioned substantially perpendicular to the surface of said vessel and extended downwardly into the vessel with an opening-in the bottom thereof, so that heavier articles falling from the comminuted mass of particles projected therein are directly returned by gravity to said vessel, tuyres mounted within said 0 mbustion chamber for admitting gases to said chamber, and a dome equipped with'a suction device attached to the top of said combustion chamber whereby'lighter particles projected'within saidchamber may be removed through said dome while heavier metallic particles are gravitationally returned to said vessel at a point removed from said drum-shaped 7 chamber after entering the combustion chamber through said aperture.

7 4. In an apparatus for producing comminuted metallic particles, the combination of a vessel for maintaining a mass of molten metal, means for heating said vessel, a drum-shaped chamber having an opening therein for admitting said molten metal and an outlet to permit discharge of molten particles therefrom, a fiinger wheel rotatably mounted within said drum-shaped chamber, said flinger wheel provided with fins for comminuting and projecting said molten metal in a comminuted state, a vertically extending combustion chamber mounted adjacent to said drum-shaped chamber and connected through an aperture in the side thereof to receive the comminuted particles of molten'metal as they leave said drumshaped chamber, a dome positioned .above said combustion chamber and adapted to engage therewith, and a suction device coupled with said,

dome for removal of the smaller particles from said combustion chamber while heavier metallic particles are gravitationally returned to the said vessel containing the molten metal at a point removed from said drum-shaped chamber after entering the combustion chamber through said aperture.

. SIEGFRIED HILLER- REFERENCES crrsn The following references are of record in the file of this patent: i a

UNITED STATES PATENTS g 7 7 Date Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,422,099: June 10, 1947.

SIEGFRIED HILLER It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 2, line 42, for meals read metals; column 4:, line 12, for construction read constriction; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of November, A. D. 1947.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.