US3187555A - Apparatus for determining the swelling of solid fuels - Google Patents

Apparatus for determining the swelling of solid fuels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3187555A
US3187555A US144925A US14492561A US3187555A US 3187555 A US3187555 A US 3187555A US 144925 A US144925 A US 144925A US 14492561 A US14492561 A US 14492561A US 3187555 A US3187555 A US 3187555A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
crucible
station
coke button
coal
furnace
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US144925A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bauke S Sieswerda
Pierre M A Joris
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stamicarbon BV
Original Assignee
Stamicarbon BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stamicarbon BV filed Critical Stamicarbon BV
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3187555A publication Critical patent/US3187555A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/22—Fuels; Explosives
    • G01N33/222—Solid fuels, e.g. coal

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for determining the expansion or swelling of solid fuel, such as coal, which occurs during coking.
  • solid fuel such as coal
  • a process of this general character is described in the Dutch standard specification NEN 3039 wherein reference is made to the determination of the free swelling index, which term is improperly applied therein as the coke button, formed by the appropriate heating of the coal, is restrained in swelling by the crucible cover if the index is higher than 6.
  • Coke buttons formed according to this process have a relatively regular shape, but due to the small dilferentiations they must be examined by a skilled inspector with the aid of an inspection tube. Accordingly, this known teaching has the undesirable attributes of requiring considerable time, skilled personnel, yields relatively inaccurate results, and is not properly adapted for automatic operation.
  • an apparatus for forming coke buttons wherein the coke button is formed in a relatively deep crucible and allowed to freely swell, i.e. remain clear of the crucible cover, even during the greatest amount of swelling.
  • the degree of swelling with respect to a predetermined quantity of dry, ground coal initially charged is measured by rotating the cone button in a parallel beam of light directed towards a photoelectric cell, the resulting electric signal thereby indicating the degree of the swelling which has occurred.
  • the coke buttons to be formed may have irregular shapes and the measurement thereof is not properly accomplished by the prior art of the character described.
  • the process according to the present invention is rapid and efi'icient, provides a high degree of differentiation without the use of skilled personnel, and is notably adapted to automatic operation, the crucible cover not requiring cleaning.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for carrying out the process herein descibed.
  • conveying means carrying a number of crucibles constructed and arranged to advance from one station to the other through a cycle having as many stations as there are crucibles.
  • the crucibles are advanced to subsequent stations at regular interval-s: a first station including means for measuring into the crucible the required quantity of coal, filling the crucibles and compacting and leveling the coal; a second station including means for coking the coal to form a coke button; a third station including means for removing the coke button from the crucible which was formed at the second station and measuring the swelling thereof; and, a fourth station is conveniently provided for cleaning the emptied crucible so that residual dust or grit cannot affect the swelling measurement of a subsequent coke button formed therein.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved means for measuring the swelling of a coke button. Accordingly, means are provided for removing the coke button from the crucible at the third station and placing it in a translucent container rotatable about its axis. This container is disposed in the path of a parallel 3,187,555 Patented June 8, 1965 ice beam of light between the light source and a photoelectric apparatus operatively connected to amplifier and recording means. Rotation of this container provides a signal to the photoelectric device indicative of the average crosssectional area of the coke button.
  • a multi-station conveying and testing apparatus for measuring the swelling of the coke buttons
  • the first station including crucible filling means together with means associated therewith for rapidly tapping the underside of the crucible to compact and level the coal secured therein;
  • a second station for forming the coke button which includes means operatively joining a furnace to displace the latter to engage the filled crucible, and upon completion of the coking, means are operative to move the furnace and the crucible away from one another so that the crucible can advance to the third station.
  • the coking furnace in the second station may be operatively joined to a piston mounted for vertical movement, so that the crucible can advance in a horizontal plane.
  • a third station is provided for removing the coke button from the crucible and placing it in the testing container, this means including a pneumatic device, and pneumatic means are also provided for removing the coke button from the testing container for subsequent transportation.
  • Still a further object of this invention is to provide a multi-station apparatus for: filling the crucible, heating the crucibe to form a coke button, removing the coke button to a translucent container rotatable in a photoelectric circuit to indicate the swelling of the coke button, and cleaning the crucible, the conveying means including a shaft carrying radially extending crucible-carrying arms, one for each station, means being provided for rotating the shaft to advance the crucible e.g. from one station to the other to perform these operations.
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic elevation view of the cording to the invention.
  • a central, vertically disposed shaft 23 carrying four radially extending arms 11 therefrom, with relatively deep crucibles 1, 2, 3, 4 carried at each end of these respective extending arms.
  • stations I, II, III, and IV Positioned in cooperative circumferential relationship 90 apart about the shaft 23 are four stations I, II, III, and IV.
  • station I for filling the crucible with a predetermined, levelled quantity of dry, ground coal
  • station II includes means for heating the coal-carrying crucible to form a coke button
  • station III includes means for removing the coke button from the crucible and introducing the same to a photoelectric responsive testing means
  • station IV includes means for cleaning out the emptied crucible for subsequent filling at station I.
  • crucibles are progressively advanced from stations I-II-HI-lV-I and so forth by rotation of the shaft 23.
  • Station I includes a filling trough 17 operatively positioned above a funnel 16 which, in turn, in positioned above a hori7ontal, fixed plate 15 having a coal supply opening therein.
  • a spring biased slide 19 Positioned immediately beneath the plate 15 is a spring biased slide 19.
  • one end of the slide 19 carries a cable B trained 90 about a reel B, the cable B being joined at its opposite end to one end of a vertically pivotable lever 18.
  • At station II there is provided an electric furnace carried at the upper end of a vertically movable piston assembly 6.
  • the piston assembly is actuated by compressed air or the like controlled by a time relay 7.
  • FIGURE 1 in its lower position wherein the crucible 2 is supported by the radial arms 11 extending from the shaft 23. Movement of the piston 6 upwardly provides reception of the crucible2 in the electric furnace 5 which is, of course,
  • the electric furnace 5 carries a horizontally extending arm 8, which is operative to control thenumber of elements of the apparatus.
  • the cable A, trained about the reel A extends vertically downward, and carries a stop 12 at its lower end adjacent the underside of the plate 8.
  • the stop 12 is, of course, normally biased upward due'to the engagement of the upper horizontal portion of the cable A with the associated spring adjacent the funnel 16.
  • a control rod C positioned for vertical movement in the vertical path of movementof the plate 8.
  • Rod C passes through , a stop 9 which is joined to a spring carried by a rod bearing C.
  • the rod C is joined at its upper end to a link C" pivotally mounted at its center to a stationary surface.
  • the opposite end of the link C" carries a cover .10 operatively positioned to cover the furnace 5 and crucible 2, as will become apparent.
  • the free end of the arm 8 is operatively positioned below the adjacent free end of the lever 18 to control movement of the slide 19.
  • roller 26 depending from the adjacent portion of the electric furnace 5.
  • a cam disc 28 having four cams spaced equally over its circumference and arrested by a fixed pawl 29.
  • the shaft cannot rotate due to the fixed pawl 29 engaging the disc 28, but when the roller 26 moves upwardly by the upward movement of the furnace 5, the lever 27 is released and the shafts 23 and 24 are disconnected from one another.
  • a spring 30 surrounds the shaft 23 and fixed to asuitable trunnion is the spring 30 being in operative engagement with the upper surface of the cam disc 28 to lower it so that it is free from engagement with the depending pawl 29.
  • a fan 31 having a suction duct 32 which is positioned at its downwardly facing intake end at station Ill.
  • the suction duct carries a depending, vertically movable tube 33 for movement into and out of the crucible 3, the duct 32 and tube 33 being in communication with one another via'an opening 34 in the tube 33.
  • the tube 33 is, of course, closed at its upper end.
  • a catch 35 extending from the furnace 5, a rod link 37 having a vertical portion 37 which carries a stop 36 in engagement with the opposite of the catch 35.
  • the vertical portion 37' also carries a stop 40 a distance above the stop 35 for reasons to become apparent.”
  • the horizontal free end of the link 37 carries opposed springs 39, and a
  • a prime mover 20 running at constant speed and having an output shaft 24 vertically aligned below the central shaft 23.
  • Carried by the shaft 24 is a cam disc 21.
  • a pivoted follower D engages the cam disc 21 at its one free end, while joined at its other free end to a spring mounted vertical link D which carries a table plate 22 at its upper end.
  • Rotation of the shaft 24 provides a jerking movement to the table plate 22, via the disc 21, and the elements D,'D', this plate 22 being positioned to engage and tap the underside of the crucible 1 at station I so that the coal in this crucible is compacted and assumes a fiat surface.
  • the shafts 23 and 24 are coupled to one another by means of aslip coupling 25.
  • This coupling 25 is operative by engagement with a bell crank 27.
  • the bell crank is positioned for engagement at its opposite link with a cable E,which is trained about a cable reel E, the opposite end of the cable E being joined to the upper end of the movable tube 33.
  • the catch 35 releases the stop 36 so that the movable duct 33 is raised by the action of the springs 39 until its open lower end has cleared the upper end of the crucible 3.
  • a stop 41 which cooperates with a lever 42.
  • This lever 42 carries at its opposite end to that which engages the stop 41, a cable F.
  • the cable F is joined at its lower end to a spring biased
  • movable duct 44 movable between a position over the container 43 and a position remote therefrom for reasons to become apparent.
  • a radially extending arm 54 fixed to the vertical portion of the duct 32 at its inner end and fixed to the cable F at its outer end.
  • the cable F is moved downwardly and, by virtue of its connection with the arm 54, causes the duct 32 to be moved aside by rotation thereof, to a position directly above the testing apparatus, and the duct 44- is moved aside from the container 43 so the coke button in the crucible 3 may be removed therefrom and dropped in the container 43, as will become apparent.
  • the catch 35 cooperates with the stop 40 at the end of the upward stroke of the furnace 5, causing the tube 33 to be raised until the opening 34 in the tube no longer communicates with the suction duct 32.
  • the coke button is no longer sucked against a grid 38 and drops into a test container 43 by virtue of the prior movement of the duct 32, as described.
  • This container 43 is joined at its lower end to a motor 45 operative to rotate the container 43 about its vertical axis.
  • the container is translucent, and is for that preferably formed by some wires .like a kind of basket.
  • the photoelectric cell 47 is operatively connected to an amplifier 48 which in turn is wired to a recording instru-ment 49. Due to the blocking of the light caused by the shadow cast on the photoelectric cell by the coke button, there is provided a measure of the average cross-sectional area of the coke button, the electric signal amplified at 48 corresponding therewith.
  • a compressed air pipe '53 is operatively connected to the time .relay 7 and positioned beneath the test container 43 to blow a coke button into the duct 44, positioned thereover.
  • the container 43 is suitably apertured at its lower end to receive this blast of compressed air.
  • an outlet duct 50 joined to the fan 31 is positioned to blow dust from the crucible carried by the radial arm, not shown, joined to the shaft 23.
  • the crucible 1 carried by the arm 11 is positioned at Station I, while another filled crucible is disposed at Station II.
  • a crucible is disposed at Station III carrying the formed coke button, while the crucible at Station IV is empty.
  • the furnace 5 is moved upwardly via the piston 6 to engage the crucible '2 and heat thesame until the coal has been carbonized, i.e. transformed into a coke button 52 as shown in FIG. 3, the time allowed for this process being determined by the proper setting on the relay 7.
  • the plate 8 engages the lever 18, opening the hole in the plate 15 for filling the crucible 1, the bell crank 27 is released, disengaging the shafts 23 and 34, but the crucible 1 is continually tapped by the reciprocating table 22 driven from the motor 20, cam 21, follower D and link D.
  • the coke button is removed from crucible 3 by the suction in the tube 33 lifting the coke button, and the coke button is dropped into the test container 43 (the duct 44 being moved aside) when suction duct 33 is moved to its appropriate position by stop 41, lever 42, cable F and arm 54.
  • the suction in the tube 33 is broken by exposure of its aperture 34 to the surrounding atmosphere.
  • the rotating translucent test container disposed in the path of the photoelectric circuit 46, 47, 48, 49 provides an accurate indication of the average cross-sectional area of the coke button, as is apparent. That is, the photoelectric circuit 46, 47, 48, 49 senses the average cross-scctional area of the coke button with respect to the measured quantity of ground coal placed in the crucible at Station I.
  • the furnace 5 is lowered by deactivation of the relay 7, the cover thereby being raised due to the release of spring biased stop 9.
  • the slide 1 9 at Station I is closed and the tube 33 is lowered so that the opening 34 communicates with the suction pipe 32.
  • the tube 44 takes its position over the test container 43.
  • the duct 32 turns back so that the tube 33 is again passed over the crucible 3.
  • the roller 26 engages with the bell crank 27 moving the coupling 25 (and shaft 24) into operative engagement with the central shaft 23, to which all the crucibles are carried. Consequently, one of the cam discs 28 passes the shaft pawl 29 before the cammed disc 28 has been raised sutficiently high to engage the pawl 29.
  • the time relay 7 supplies compressed air through a tube 53 positioned adjacent the rotating test container 43 so that the coke button present in the container 43 is shot into the outlet pipe 44, positioned thereover.
  • the funnel 16 and wiper plate 13 again assume the position shown in FIGURE 1 so that the crucible under the supply plate can again be filled.
  • the tube 33 is brought back into the position shown in FIGURE 1 and the cycle is completed.
  • suitable gaskets and joints are provided as necessary to control the pneumatically operated portion of the system, e.g., the connection of the pipe 53 to the rotatable container 43, the connection of the movable tube 33 to the duct 32, and the like.
  • the particular angular relationship of the stops and actuating elements to the axis of the furnace 5, shaft 23 will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • the cables A, B, F, the rods C and D are appropriately positioned to operate at their respective stations.
  • Apparatus for determining the swelling of coal and the like which occurs during coking comprising: conveying means; at least one crucible attached to said conveying means; at least three stations positioned in cooperative association with said conveying means; the first station including means for filling the crucible with coal, and means for compacting and leveling the same; the second station including means for heating the coal in said crucible to form a coke button; a rotatably mounted translucent container; the third station including means for removing the coke button from said crucible and placing the same in said container, and photoelectric circuit means for measuring the swelling of said coke button during rotation of said container.
  • said conveying means includes a central rotatable shaft, transverse arms extending from said shaft, a crucible carried by each of said arms, said stations being disposed in the path of movement of said crucible.
  • Apparatus defined in claim 1 including pusher means operatively driven from said conveying means for repeatedly tapping the crucible at said first station to compact and level the coal which has been introduced into the crucible.
  • said second station includes a furnace, means operatively joined to said furnace to periodically displace said furnace to enclose the crucible at said second station and to move said furnace away from said crucible whereby the crucible at said second station can advance to the third station.
  • said means for removing the coke button from the crucible at said third station includes a suction duct, means for imparting a vacuum connection to the coke button via said suction duct, and means for moving said vacuum connection means away from said crucible and thence relieving the vacuum connection, whereby the coke button drops into said test container.
  • Apparatus defined in claim 1 including a fourth station, means at said fourth station for cleaning the crucible emptied at said third station.
  • Apparatus defined in claim 4 including a crucible cover and means for moving said cover towards and away from said furnace in response to movement of said furnace towards and away from said crucible.
  • Apparatus defined in claim 1 including pneumatic means for removing the coke button from said test container.
  • Apparatus for determining the swelling of coal and the like which occurs during coking comprising: rotary conveyor means; at least three crucibles carried by said conveyor means in. radially extending, equi-angular relationship thereto; at least three stations cooperatively positioned in the path of 'rnovementofsaid crucibles, the first station including means for filling a crucible with coal, the second station including a furnace for heating a filled crucible to form a coke button, means for moving said furnace into and out of engagement with the filled crucible, the third station including means for removing the formed coke button from a crucible and thence releasing the same; means for measuring the average cross sectional area .of the coke button released at .said third station including a photoelectric circuit; and control means for automatically indexing said conveyor means from one station to another and actuating the means at said stations. 7 11. Apparatus defined in'clairn 10 wherein said control means include mechanical linkages carried by said furnace for actuating said means at each
  • Apparatus defined in claim ll' including fluid actuated piston means joined to said furnace, and a time relay circuit for controllingsaid piston means.
  • Apparatus defined in claim 10 including a translucent container rotatably mounted in the light path of said photoelectric circuit means for receiving the coke button when released at said third station.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Coke Industry (AREA)
US144925A 1960-10-13 1961-10-13 Apparatus for determining the swelling of solid fuels Expired - Lifetime US3187555A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL256839 1960-10-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3187555A true US3187555A (en) 1965-06-08

Family

ID=19752629

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US144925A Expired - Lifetime US3187555A (en) 1960-10-13 1961-10-13 Apparatus for determining the swelling of solid fuels

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3187555A (xx)
BE (1) BE609133A (xx)
GB (1) GB998312A (xx)
NL (1) NL256839A (xx)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102313756A (zh) * 2010-07-09 2012-01-11 中科合成油技术有限公司 煤的溶胀自动测量装置及溶胀测量方法
KR101148908B1 (ko) 2010-01-28 2012-05-29 현대제철 주식회사 자유팽창지수 측정장치
WO2017067028A1 (zh) * 2015-10-23 2017-04-27 北京中科诚毅科技发展有限公司 一种在线检测和控制煤的溶胀度的方法和装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1756457A (en) * 1926-12-21 1930-04-29 Fourment Marcel Manufacture of objects consisting of refractory, insulating, abrasive, or like substances
US2184162A (en) * 1937-06-23 1939-12-19 Stockton Profile Gauge Corp Apparatus for measuring area
US2895373A (en) * 1955-04-28 1959-07-21 Comp Generale Electricite Device for recording variations in the diameter of substantially cylindrical objects

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1756457A (en) * 1926-12-21 1930-04-29 Fourment Marcel Manufacture of objects consisting of refractory, insulating, abrasive, or like substances
US2184162A (en) * 1937-06-23 1939-12-19 Stockton Profile Gauge Corp Apparatus for measuring area
US2895373A (en) * 1955-04-28 1959-07-21 Comp Generale Electricite Device for recording variations in the diameter of substantially cylindrical objects

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101148908B1 (ko) 2010-01-28 2012-05-29 현대제철 주식회사 자유팽창지수 측정장치
CN102313756A (zh) * 2010-07-09 2012-01-11 中科合成油技术有限公司 煤的溶胀自动测量装置及溶胀测量方法
CN102313756B (zh) * 2010-07-09 2013-04-17 中科合成油技术有限公司 煤的溶胀自动测量装置及溶胀测量方法
WO2017067028A1 (zh) * 2015-10-23 2017-04-27 北京中科诚毅科技发展有限公司 一种在线检测和控制煤的溶胀度的方法和装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE609133A (fr) 1962-04-13
GB998312A (en) 1965-07-14
NL256839A (xx)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN106546516B (zh) 流化床制粒过程中颗粒多性质的在线检测装置
CN108942484B (zh) 单向器自动在线检测系统
US2481863A (en) Photoelectric apparatus for detecting surface defects in glassware
CN205808944U (zh) 视觉外观尺寸检测一体机
US3187555A (en) Apparatus for determining the swelling of solid fuels
CN109724533A (zh) 一种陶瓷芯块表面尺寸、缺陷全自动检测装置及方法
CN108872311A (zh) 一种工件自动化红外无损检测装置
CN106442212A (zh) 一种全自动气体粉尘浓度测量设备
CN107576784A (zh) 化学发光免疫分析暗箱检测系统
CN109399180A (zh) 一种四工位分度盘树脂检测送料装置
CN115144239A (zh) 一种土壤样品的干燥破碎装置
CN207126835U (zh) 一种马铃薯快速无损检测自动分级装置
US2500492A (en) Apparatus for handling materials
CN117139190B (zh) 一种氧化铝陶瓷球测量装置
CN207148118U (zh) 化学发光免疫分析暗箱高效检测装置
CN102937544A (zh) 用于制样的自动空气干燥平衡装置
CN109031466B (zh) 一种冰雹模拟器
US3816932A (en) Trailing gauge
CN207946064U (zh) 减震器检测装置
US2931216A (en) System of testing gas meters
US3159279A (en) Inspection apparatus
CN206270199U (zh) 一种全自动气体粉尘浓度测量设备
CN212872026U (zh) 一种空心胶囊脆碎度测试装置
CN113649302A (zh) 一种用于磁环自动检测的分选设备
CN211206114U (zh) 一种自动化循环落砂耐磨测试装置