US3918639A

US3918639A - Oil atomizer

Info

Publication number: US3918639A
Application number: US507330A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chester S Binasik
Original assignee: Coen Co LLC
Current assignee: John Zink Co LLC
Priority date: 1974-09-19
Filing date: 1974-09-19
Publication date: 1975-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-11
Also published as: DE2522340A1; JPS5153632A

Abstract

Apparatus for atomizing oil for burning the oil in a cement drying kiln or like device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support having linear guide pipes running from inside the kiln to a position outside the kiln. A plurality of oil supply tubes are insertable into the respective guide pipes so that the leading ends thereof extend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the pipes. A plurality of nozzle tips are attached to the leading ends of the respective supply tubes to atomize the oil and spray it into the kiln. The trailing ends of the oil supply tubes project out of the rearward ends of the guide pipes outside the kiln, and each individual supply tube with its attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln separately for cleaning without affecting the operation of the other supply tubes.

Description

United States Patent Binasik OIL ATOMIZER Primary E.\'anzinerLloyd L. King Attorney. Agent, or Firnz-Townsend and Townsend [75] Inventor: Chester S. Binasik, Palo Alto. Calif.

[73] Assignee: Coen Company, Inc., Burlingame, [57] ABSTRACT Cahf Apparatus for atomizing oil for burning the oil in a ce- [22] Fil d; S 19, 1974 ment drying kiln or like device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support having linear guide pipes run- [21] Appl 507330 ning from inside the kiln to a position outside the kiln. A plurality of oil supply tubes are insertable into the 52 us. 01. 239/1; 239/567; 239/600 respective guide p p 80 that the leading ends thereof [51] lm, C13 B053 17/00; 344; 1 /()3; 13053 1 H3; extend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the 053 1/14 pipes. A plurality of nozzle tips are attached to the [58] Field of Search 239/1, 11, 600, 567 leading ends Of the respective pp y tubes to momize the oil and spray it into the kiln. The trailing ends of [56] Referen Ci the oil supply tubes project out of the rearward ends UNITED STATES PATENTS of the guide pipes outside the kiln, and each individual 3 357 476 17 1967 fl supply tube with its attached nozzle tip can be drawn 4 5 5 $1969 22252;; out of the kiln separately for cleaning without affectsIe25I427 12/1971 Nadkarni e1 5 11.32.".1: 539/600 mg the Operation of the other Supply tubes 12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures lt) 12 A L 22 (v7 1 i 38 ('7 3) 38 21; I6 3o WW \(Q/ US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 013 3,918,639

N QE

OIL ATOMIZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an oil atomizer, and in particular to an oil atomizer having a plurality of individual nozzle tips which can be cleaned separately without affecting the operating of the other tips.

Cement is ordinarily produced by burning calcareous and argillaceous and other raw materials in a cement drying kiln to produce an interim stage called clinker. The clinker is later pulverized to form cement powder. The drying kiln ordinarily comprises a large rotating pipe which is between 200 and 500 feet long, and which is inclined slightly from horizontal. Slurry is injected into the pipe at one end and flows slowly downwardly through the pipe, and is agitated as it flows by the rotation of the pipe. An oil and gas nozzle is used to project a flame down the center of the pipe to process the raw materials into clinker. The flame is often projected nearly the entire length of the pipe, i.e. 200 to 500 feet.

Cement drying kilns are extremely large, and each A kiln produces a large volume of cement each day. If the cement drying kiln must be shut down for an entire day for any reason, approximately $20,000 is suffered in lost production. With present oil and gas atomizers, it has been found that the atomizer, and particularly one or more of the nozzle tips for the oil, must be cleaned an average of once a week. The nozzles for the gas are much more reliable. In order to clean a single oil nozzle tip, the kiln must be shut down and the entire atomizer removed therefrom, and the expenses in lost production for cleaning the nozzle tip are excessive. Furthermore, difficulty is often encountered in restarting the kiln after it has been shut down if the raw materials have cooled sufficiently so that the oil and gas will not self-ignite.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a cement drying kiln or similar application. The present invention provides an elongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forward end inside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln. Oil atomizing means are provided including a plurality of nozzle tips insertable into the fiber through the respective guide tubes. A plurality of oil supply tubes are also provided having leading ends adapted to extend into the kilns and connected to the respective nozzle tips. The trailing ends of the supply tubes project outside the kiln, and apparatus are provided for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubes to an oil supply. Each individual supply tube can be disconnected from the oil supply so that the disconnected tube can be drawn out of the kiln through the guide pipe for cleaning of the tube and its associated nozzle tip without affecting the operation of any of the other tubes.

The primary advantage of the present invention is that the oil nozzle tips, which normally require cleaning approximately once a week, can be removed for individual cleaning at any time without affecting the operation of the kiln. The kiln can remain in operation using the rest of the oil nozzles to atomize the oil without substantially affecting the performance of the kiln. Hence, the apparatus of the present invention allows the kiln to be operated indefinitely without shutting down, in-

2 creasing the productivity of the kiln and eliminating the difficulties involved with restarting it once it has been shut down.

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanied drawings which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the supply end of the atomizer of the present invention outside the kiln;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the atomizer of the present invention partially broken away;

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the nozzle end of the atomizer;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of one of the oil supply tubes of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary elevation view showing the oil supply tube of FIG. 6 in its disconnected configuration;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the oil nozzle of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10l0 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The supply end of the oil and gas atomizer of the present invention which is located outside a cement kiln or like apparatus is illustrated by way of reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. At the supply end of atomizer 10, a circular oil supply pipe 12 is connected by means of pipe 14 to an oil supply. Three manually controllable valves 16-18 are connected to circular pipe 12 and control the flow of the oil to inwardly directed radial pipes 20-22 respectively. A second oil supply pipe 24 is connected to circular supply pipe 26 which is located within and concentric with circular pipe 12. Inner circular pipe 26 also has three manually controllable valves 28-30 which control the flow of oil from the circular pipe to the inwardly directed radial pipes 32-34 respectively. Each of the inwardly directed radial pipes 20-22 and 32-34 is connected by means of a yoke 36 binding connector elements 8.2, 84 to an oil supply tube 38 leading to the interior of the cement drying kiln or similar apparatus.

As will be explained in further detail hereinafter, each oil supply tube 38 can be individually disconnected from the source of oil by yoke 36 to remove the tube for cleaning of the associated nozzle tip. Prior to such disconnection, manually controllable valves l6-18 or 28-30 are closed to shut off the supply of oil to the selected oil supply tube. In order to purge the oil remaining in the supply tube, pressurized air is supplied through line 40 to the selected supply tube 38. Air pressure line 40 is connected to a circular line 42 and communicates with each of the inward radial pipes 20-22 and 32-34 through individual manually controllable valves 44. After the oil supply has been disconnected from the selected supply tube 38 of the valves 16-18 or 2830, the associated air supply valve 44 is opened to purge the oil from the selected supply tube. Yoke 36 is then disconnected to disengage

connector elements

82, 84 so that the selected oil supply tube can be removed from inside the kiln.

Referring now to FIG. 2, gas such as natural gas is supplied to atomizer through two separate

gas supply pipes

50, 52.

Gas supply pipes

50, 52 are both connected to an elongate metal cylinder 54 which extends through the wall 48 of the kiln and projects thereinto. A second smaller elongate cylinder 56 is mounted within and is concentric with outer cylinder 54. A radial plate 58 interconnects inner and

outer cylinders

56, 54 near the rearward end of the cylinders between the attachment of

gas supply pipes

50, 52. Gas from supply pipe 52 is thus directed into the interior of inner cylinder member 56 so that it is ejected by a plug nozzle 60 into the interior of the kiln. The gas from supply pipe 50 flows through the annular space 62 between inner and outer

cylindrical members

56, 54 and is ejected into the kiln through a plurality of forwardly inclined ports 65 located in the side walls of outer cylindrical members 54.

A plurality of linear guide pipes 66 are disposed about the outer periphery of inner cylindrical member 56 which forms a support surface therefor. U-shaped brackets 66 are used to fix guide pipes 64 to the outer surface of cylindrical members 56 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Oil supply tubes 38 pass through the respective guide pipes 64 from outside kiln to a position adjacent the forward ends of the guide tubes. Nozzles such as 68, 129, which will be illustrated in more detail hereinafter, are attached to oil supply tubes 38 at their leading ends and project through radial plate 70 at the forward end of

cylinders

54, 56 as illustrated in FIG. 5 to atomize the oil and spray it into the interior of the kiln.

The outer diameter of oil supply tube 38 is less than the inner diameter of guide pipe 64 (see FIG. 4). Spacers such as 80 are welded to the exterior of oil supply tubes 38 to maintain the oil supply tube concentric with guide pipe 64, as illustrated in FIG. 6. A connector element 82 is located at the trailing end of oil supply tube 38, and is connected therewith by pipe section 76 and angular member 78. A complementary connector element 84 attaches to one of the inwardly directed radial pipes such as 22 leading to the oil supply. Connector element 82 has an angular passage 86 communicating with oil supply tube 38 and terminating at the forwardly directed surface 88 of connector element 82. Connector 84 has a corresponding angular interior passage 90 terminating at the rearwardly directed surface 92 of connector element 84. A gasket 94 is disposed between the forwardly directed surface 88 of connector element 82 and the rearwardly directed surface 92 of connector element 94. The connector elements are biased together by means of yoke 36 so that passage 86, 90 form a continuous conduit for the oil. Yoke 36 includes a threaded portion 96 integral to a T-shaped handle 98 so that the treaded portion can be biased against a concave seat 100 in connector element 82. The forward end of yoke 36 is connected by means of a pin 102 to 4 connector element 84 so that tightening of bolt 96 with handle 98 biases the connector elements together to provide a continuous passage from the oil supply to the oil supply tube.

When it is desired to remove the oil supply tube 38 from within guide pipe 64 for cleaning of the nozzle tip, handle 98 can be turned to disengage the threaded portion 96 with concave seat 100. Yoke 36 can thus be rotated upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 6A, allowing connector element 82 to be moved rearwardly out of engagement with connector element 84 so that oil supply tube 38 is drawn out from within the kiln.

An oil atomizing nozzle tip 68 of the core type is welded or otherwise fixedly attached at 1 10 to the leading end 112 of certain oil supply pipes 38. Nozzle tip 68 includes a block 1 14 having a cylindrical outer circumference which fits within guide pipe 38 and is axially translatable therethrough. A plurality of passageways 116 (see FIG. 7) communicate with the interior of supply pipe 38 and passes through block 114 to a plenum 118 at the forward end of the block. Plenum 118 has a threaded portion 120 into which a plug 122 is adapted to be engaged. Plug 122 has a forwardly directed nozzle opening 124 extending forwardly from an internal chamber 126. A plurality of tangential slots 128 interconnect plenum 118 with chamber 126, as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 8. The oil is thus swirled in chamber 126 prior to passage through atomizing opening 124 which sprays it into the kiln.

An alternate embodiment of the oil nozzle tip, designated as 129 and called the annulus type, is illustrated by way of reference to FIG. 9. In this embodiment, metal block 130 is fixed to guide pipe 38 at 132. Oil from oil supply tube 38 passes through a series of passageways 134 (see FIG. 10) to plenum 136. Plenum 136 and its associated threaded portion 138 are axially inclined with respect to guide pipe 64 so that plug 140 is similarly axially inclined. Oil passes through tangential ports 142 from plenum 136 to chamber 144 and is atomized and sprayed into the kiln in an off-axis direction through nozzle opening 146. Since plug 140 is axially inclined with respect to guide pipe 64, the oil is directed outwardly to broaden out the flame produced in the kiln.

During normal operation, atomizer l0 employs three nozzles such as 68 which spray the oil axially into the kiln and three nozzles such as 129 which spray the oil off-axis into the kiln. Nozzles 68 are connected to the oil supply tubes 38 associated with the inner circular supply pipe 26. Oil nozzle tips 129 are connected to the oil supply tubes 38 associated with outer circular oil supply pipe 12. The pressures in the respective circular oil supply pipes can be varied to alter the manner in which oil is sprayed into the kiln. Furthermore, gas is supplied to the atomizer through

separate supply pipes

50, 52 and is fed both through plug nozzle 60 and ports 64 into the kiln. In this manner, the configuration of the gas injection is also controllable by altering the pressure in

respective pipes

50, 52. The size, temperature, and shape of the flame can thus easily be controlled by varying the respective oil and gas pressures through this supply pipe.

It is a common occurrence in apparatus of the type described herein that one of the nozzle tips such as 68 or 129 becomes clogged and requires clearning. With the apparatus of the present invention, the oil supply to the particular supply tube 38 connected to the nozzle tip which requires cleaning can be shut off without atfecting the operation of the other nozzle tips which sus-g I the associated valve 44 which is connected to a source of pressurized air. After the oil has been purged, handle 98 on yoke 36 is rotated to disengage threaded portion.

96 thereof from seat 100. Yoke 36 is then swung out of position so that connector element 82 can be moved.

backwardly and away fromconnector element 84. This .allows oil supply tube 38 and its associated nozzle tip to be drawn outwardly from the kiln through guide pipe 64 so that the nozzle tip can be cleaned while all other nozzles continue to fire. i

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustratedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of that embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

, What I claim as new is;

1. Apparatus for atomizing oil from anoil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or likeapparatus, said atomizer comprising:

an elongate member comprising a peripheral support surface having a forward end inside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln;

a plurality of linear guide pipes attached to the sup-.

port surface and extending rearwardly from the forward end of the elongate member;

a plurality of oil supply tubes insertable into the respective guide pipes and axially translatable with respect thereto, the leading ends of the tubes adapted to normally extend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the respective guide pipes and the trailing ends of the tubes adapted to project out of the rearward ends of said guide pipes;

a plurality of nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of the respective oil supply tubes to spray the oil into the kiln, said nozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes; and

means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including means for disconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable with respect to the elongate member and the disconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongate member comprises a first elongate cylindrical member, the outer surface of said cylindrical member providing the peripheral surface.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the elongate member additionally comprises a second elongate cylindrical member circumscribing the first cylindrical member so that the linear guide pipes are disposed therebetween.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the first and second cylindrical members each comprise conduits for gas and include means for expelling the gasat the respective forward ends of the elongate members.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 and additionally comprising means for stopping the flow of oil to each individual oil supply tube to shut off the flow of oil to supply supply tube, and means for purging the oil rer r a 6 maining in the shutoff supply tube prior to drawing said 1 supply tube from the kiln.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each oil supply tube includes a forwardly opening connector element, additionally comprising a plurality of rearwardly opening connector elements communicating with the oil supply and associated with the respective forwardly opening connector elements of the oil supply tubes and adapted to mate therewith, and wherein said connecting means includes a plurality of yokes-associated with the respective oil supply tubes and adapted to selectively bias the respectively forwardly opening and rearwardly openingconnect-or elements together.

7; Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like apparatus, said atomizer 9 comprising: t

a plurality of oil supply tubes individually insertable through the walls of the kiln', said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip at the leading end thereof for atomizing the oil and spraying it inside the kiln and a trailing end projecting outside the kiln;

a plurality of forwardly opening connector elements located at the trailing ends of the respective oil supply tubes;

a plurality of rearwardly opening connector elements attached to the oil supply and adapted to mate with the respective forwardly opening connector elements when the associated supplytubes are inserted through the sidewalls of the kiln; and

means for releasably binding each individual rearwardly opening connector element to its associated forwardly opening connector element to provide a continuous fluid passage from the oil supply to the nozzle tips, said binding means being individually releasable to allow a single oil supply tube with its associated nozzle tip to be disconnected from the oil supply and withdrawn from inside the kiln for cleaning without affecting the 5 operation of the 4 other oil supply tubes.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the binding means-comprises a plurality of yokes pivotably attached to the respective forwardly opening connector elements and having a threaded portion releasably engageable with the associated rearwardly opening connector elements to selectively individually bind the connector elements together.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 and additionally comprising an elongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forwardend extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln, the oil supply tubes adapted to be inserted into the kiln through the respective guide pipes.

10. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like device, said apparatus comprising:

an elongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forward end extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln;

oil atomizing means including a plurality of nozzle tips insertable through. the respective guide pipes from the rearward ends of said guide pipes to the forward ends thereof, and a plurality of oil supply tubes having leading ends connected to the respective nozzle tips and adapted to extend into the kiln through the respective guide pipes, the trailing ends of said supply tubes adapted to project outside the kiln; and

means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including means for disconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable with respect to the elongate support and the disconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning without affecting the operation of the other tubes.

11. A method for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting a plurality of oil supply tubes through the walls of the kiln so that the leading ends of the supply tubes are disposed within the kiln and the trailing ends thereof project outside the kiln, said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip at the leading end thereof;

individually connecting the trailing end of each oil supply tube to the oil supply for operation of the kiln;

releasing the trailing end of a selected oil supply tube from the oil supply when the nozzle tip associated therewith requires cleaning;

withdrawing the selected oil supply tube and the associated nozzle tip from within the kiln while maintaining the operation of said kiln with the other oil supply tubes;

cleaning the removed nozzle tip;

reinserting the cleaned nozzle tip and the selected oil supply tube through the walls of the kiln; and reconnecting the selected oil supply tube to the oil supply.

12. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil together with gas in a kiln or like device,

said apparatus comprising;

an elongate member including inner and outer cylindrical coaxial elements; said elongate member having a forward end inside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln, said elongate member including a gas nozzle at the forward end communicating with the interior of the inner element and a plural- 8 ity of ports in the outer element near the forward end of the member; means for supplying gas under pressure to the interior of the inner cylindrical element to project said gas into the interior of the kiln through the nozzle; means for supplying gas under pressure to the annular volume between the inner and outer cylindrical elements to project said gas into the interior of the a kiln through the ports;

a plurality of linear guide pipes disposed in the annular volume between the inner and outer cylindrical elements and extending rearwardly from the forward end of the elongate member;

a plurality of core nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of certain of the respective oil supply tubes and adapted to atomize and spray the oil into the kiln along the axis of the elongate member, said nozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes;

a plurality of annulus nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of the other oil supply tubes to spray the oil non-axially into the kiln,-said nozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes;

means for connecting the trailing ends of each of said certain and said other oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including means for disconnecting the oil supply tubes individually from the oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable with respect to the elongate member and the disconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.

Claims

1. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like apparatus, said atomizer comprising: an elongate member comprising a peripheral support surface having a forward end inside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln; a plurality of linear guide pipes attached to the support surface and extending rearwardly from the forward end of the elongate member; a plurality of oil supply tubes insertable into the respective guide pipes and axially translatable with respect thereto, the leading ends of the tubes adapted to normally extend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the respective guide pipes and the trailing ends of the tubes adapted to project out of the rearward ends of said guide pipes; a plurality of nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of the respective oil supply tubes to spray the oil into the kiln, said nozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes; and means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including means for disconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable with respect to the elongate member and the disconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the first and second cylindrical members each comprise conduits for gas and include means for expelling the gas at the respective forward ends of the elongate members.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 and additionally comprising means for stopping the flow of oil to each individual oil supply tube to shut off the flow of oil to supply supply tube, and means for purging the oil remaining in the shutoff supply tube prior to drawing said supply tube from the kiln.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each oil supply tube includes a forwardly opening connector element, additionally comprising a plurality of rearwardly opening connector elements communicating with the oil supply and associated with the respective forwardly opening connector elements of the oil supply tubes and adapted to mate therewith, and wherein said connecting means includes a plurality of yokes associated with the respective oil supply tubes and adapted to selectively bias the respectively forwardly opening and rearwardly opening connector elements together.

7. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like apparatus, said atomizer comprising: a plurality of oil supply tubes individually insertable through the walls of the kiln, said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip at the leading end thereof for atomizing the oil and spraying it inside the kiln and a trailing end projecting outside the kiln; a plurality of forwardly opening connector elements located at the trailing ends of the respective oil supply tubes; a plurality of rearwardly opening connector elements attached to the oil supply and adapted to mate with the respective forwardly opening connector elements when the associated supply tubes are inserted through the sidewalls of the kiln; and means for releasably binding each individual rearwardly opening connector element to its associated forwardLy opening connector element to provide a continuous fluid passage from the oil supply to the nozzle tips, said binding means being individually releasable to allow a single oil supply tube with its associated nozzle tip to be disconnected from the oil supply and withdrawn from inside the kiln for cleaning without affecting the operation of the other oil supply tubes.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the binding means comprises a plurality of yokes pivotably attached to the respective forwardly opening connector elements and having a threaded portion releasably engageable with the associated rearwardly opening connector elements to selectively individually bind the connector elements together.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 and additionally comprising an elongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forward end extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln, the oil supply tubes adapted to be inserted into the kiln through the respective guide pipes.

10. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like device, said apparatus comprising: an elongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forward end extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln; oil atomizing means including a plurality of nozzle tips insertable through the respective guide pipes from the rearward ends of said guide pipes to the forward ends thereof, and a plurality of oil supply tubes having leading ends connected to the respective nozzle tips and adapted to extend into the kiln through the respective guide pipes, the trailing ends of said supply tubes adapted to project outside the kiln; and means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including means for disconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable with respect to the elongate support and the disconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning without affecting the operation of the other tubes.

11. A method for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like apparatus, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of oil supply tubes through the walls of the kiln so that the leading ends of the supply tubes are disposed within the kiln and the trailing ends thereof project outside the kiln, said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip at the leading end thereof; individually connecting the trailing end of each oil supply tube to the oil supply for operation of the kiln; releasing the trailing end of a selected oil supply tube from the oil supply when the nozzle tip associated therewith requires cleaning; withdrawing the selected oil supply tube and the associated nozzle tip from within the kiln while maintaining the operation of said kiln with the other oil supply tubes; cleaning the removed nozzle tip; reinserting the cleaned nozzle tip and the selected oil supply tube through the walls of the kiln; and reconnecting the selected oil supply tube to the oil supply.

12. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil together with gas in a kiln or like device, said apparatus comprising; an elongate member including inner and outer cylindrical coaxial elements; said elongate member having a forward end inside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln, said elongate member including a gas nozzle at the forward end communicating with the interior of the inner element and a plurality of ports in the outer element near the forward end of the member; means for supplying gas under pressure to the interior of the inner cylindrical element to project said gas into the interior of the kiln through the nozzle; means for supplying gas under pressure to the annular volume between the inner and outer cylindRical elements to project said gas into the interior of the kiln through the ports; a plurality of linear guide pipes disposed in the annular volume between the inner and outer cylindrical elements and extending rearwardly from the forward end of the elongate member; a plurality of oil supply tubes insertable into the respective guide pipes and axially translatable with respect thereto, the leading ends of the tubes adapted to normally extend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the respective guide pipes and the trailing ends of the tubes adapted to project out of the rearward ends of said guide pipes; a plurality of core nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of certain of the respective oil supply tubes and adapted to atomize and spray the oil into the kiln along the axis of the elongate member, said nozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes; a plurality of annulus nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of the other oil supply tubes to spray the oil non-axially into the kiln, said nozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes; means for connecting the trailing ends of each of said certain and said other oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including means for disconnecting the oil supply tubes individually from the oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable with respect to the elongate member and the disconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.