US916391A - Apparatus for roasting and sintering ores. - Google Patents

Description

A. S. DWIGHT.

APPARATUS FOR ROASTING AND SINTBRING ORES.

nrmouxox FILED nn0.1'4, 190a. nnnnwnn FEB. 23, 1009.

Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. S. DWIGHT.

APPARATUS FOR ROASTING AND SINTERING OBES.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 14, 1906. RENEWED r113. 23, 1909.

91 6,391 Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTA'rEs PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR S. DWIGHT, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO FRED BENNITT, TRUSTEE, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR ROASTING AND slNTERlNG ORES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 23, 1909.

7 Application filed December 14, 1906, Serial No. 347,872. Renewed February 23, 1909. Serial No. 479,498.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR S. DWIGHT,

' a. citizen of the ,United States, residing at Joliet, in the county of Will and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and .useful Improvements in Apparatus for Roasting and Sintering Ores, of which the following is a s ecification, reference being had therein to t e accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in the art of treating ores, particularly those which require roasting and sinteringsuch as sulfur-carrying copper ores-and are of such nature that once being ignited an internal combustion of some content of the ore mass can be maintained, provided an oxidizin atmosphere be en plied.

The. invention has i br its'ob ect to produce apparatus that may be worke automatically .u of a series of connected and articulated e ements. Fi 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line IIII of Fig. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken orig, the line III-III of Fig. 1.- Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of a part of the apparatus taken through the feed hopper and-contigua one parts. Fig. '5 is a longitudinal sectional View, largely diagrammatic 1n character,

- apparatus herein shown.

illustrating the process carried on by the Fig. ,(j is a vertical sectional view of another form of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line VII-VII oil Fig. 6.

Referring first to the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the means for supporting the ore during the time when it is subjected'to treatment, are represented as composed of an endless system, wbich, in this case," comrises -ore receiving andrcarr ing means an degices, such as chains or ca les,

for propellingthe ore carriers. There can be modification in many respec as concerns these devices, and it will be understood that those which are. shown and are herein described are merely selected for the purpose of illustration. In the mechanism shown in the last said figures, A, A indicate two endless chains which are mounted u on and fitted to sprocket wheels O, C, C B, B indicate ore carrying receptacles, suitably connected to the chains A. Each of these receptacles, buckets, pans or allets is connected to the chains in suitab e manner, as for instance, by pintles at b, the connections being preferably such that the buckets or pallets shall be allowed to drop at certain points in their circuit for the purpose of discharging their contents. 1), 1) indicate antiiriction rollers, each bucket or pallet being provided with two of these. The buckets or pallets can be formed of any suitable material, I, at present, preferring to cast them in the manner shown in elevation in Fig. 1 and in section in Fi s. 2, 3 and 4. When made as illustrated t ey have side walls and a grated bottom which can be cast inte ral with thewalls. It will be understood t at, in this carrying system, there is provided a substantially continuous ore sup ort. When the parts are constructed and re ated in the way shown in these figures, the buckets or pellets are situated in horizontal planes below the horizontal planes of the chains, when they are traveling through that part of the circuit where they are in action.

To support these buckets or pallets properly I prefer that they should rest upon and move along ways or rails E in the lower part of the system, and Iarrange rails E in the upper art thereof in position to have the wheels I), t travel along the same. For the upgoin leg of the system track rails are provide such as shown at E these leading to and being substantiall continuous with the uper rails E. An at the down leg there are rails E on the under sides of the rollers, and retaining rails or bars E which lie on the ;outside of the rollers as they move downward, the rails E connecting with those at E above. In this mechanism, a continuously progressive movement or advance of the carrier system is effected by the driving devices indicated as an'entirety by D, and

' having ratchet pawls d or-equ valents, the

teeth or serrations of which areada ted to engage with lugs d projecting lateral y from the buckets or pallets or other suitab e part of the carrier. The speed of advance can be regulated as occasion requires.

The material to be treated is delivered to the ore receiving and carrying devices in any. suitable way. I prefer to employ a hopper or bin-like device, such as indicated at 1 from which the ore can pass either in a continuous regulated stream, or from which it can be delivered by any well known feeding apparatus. It is desirable to so deliver the ore to the carrier that a stream or mass thereof shall be formed which is substantially uniform in depth and width, and this end can be reached either by properly regulating the downward movement of material from the hopper, or by su lying distributing devices. In practice, l lave found that under all ordinary circumstances it is sufficient to have the bottom opening of the hopper of proper size and to extend downward the front hopper wall at the bottom so as to serve as a leveling or scra ing flange or lip f which insures the proper epth of the ore.

It will be understood that the mechanism and process of this case are mainly. designed for the treatment of fines or reduced ore, and when such material is being passed into the carrier, the particles being substantially uniform in size, the hopper bottom can be so regulated as to permit the passage of a constant stream which can be leveled off as described. Immediately after the material has been delivered properly to the carrier, it is ignited at the top surface. This igniting can be accomplished in any suitable way. As illustrated in the drawings, 1 provide an ignition pipe at G, which may be connected to a gas suppl of any available sort; and adapted at wil to throw a flame or jets of flame u on the top surface of the ore as it passes elow. This igniting device is arranged transversely across and close to the exposed surface of the ore layer, so that the latter is rapidly, uniformly and thoroughly ignited as it moves past the igniter.

The bottoms of the buckets, pans, or pallets B, as above described, are formed with openings. If formed with cast grate like bars such as already described, these may,

' in some cases, be used to directly support the ore, but I prefer to utilize them rather as supports for sheets of perforated reticulated metal M. As will be explained more fully below the bottom parts of the carriers are liable to rapid impairing and destruction from corroding and other causes. By sup-. plying separately formed detachable bottom elements they can be readily removed after they have become impaired, without 'requiring the removal of the entire bucket or pallet. The apertures or openings through the bottom of the bucket are for the purpose be used for this purpose. When employed it is drawn from the box or trunk H through the duct at h by any suitable exhaust apparatus, such as a suction fan or chimney stack. The air that is thus drawn into the" box or trunk H comes from the region above the mass of ore which is slowly traveling over the trunk. This air enters the mass of ore and passes down through the interstices therein supplying the oxygen necessary for the combustion of the combustible elements. It is desirable in most cases to retainas much as possible of the heat which is generated by the combustion referred to, and to prevent its loss by radiation upward I employ a hood or shield I of suitable material such as a sheet of steel or iron which is arranged a short distance above the tops of the buckets or pallets and can to advantage be in plan area approximately commensurate with the plan areaof the air box or trunk H. This shield or hood may be supported in any suitable way. I have shown it as being carried by hanger rods t which at their upper ends are secured to frame bars or beams at J. The air which is drawn into and through the mass of ore can enter with sufficient freedom into the space below the shield or hood.

After the ore has been subjected to the treatment, whichwill be more fully referred to, it reaches the discharging point. At a suitable distance beyond the trunk or air box H the supporting tracks E terminate and when the sections of the endless carrier reach the ends of the track rails they drop, turning upon their hinges or pintles b which, as will be seen, are at the front end of each of the buckets or pallets. Preferably the parts are so arranged and related-that the dropping will be accompanied by more or less of a shock or jar which insures the'complete emptying of the contents. If desired a chute or apron-like plate can be. employed as shown at K against which the dropping orecan fall as it leaves the pallet and by which it can be guided to any desired place of deposit.

Under some circumstances, and forpurposes which will be more fully referred to, it 1s desirable to provide the grate like bottom of each bucket or pallet with a layer at of inert or refractory material for the purpose of as-' sisting in preserving the bottom part'of the carrier from destruction. At present I will i mention lime rock as a substance which can fore they are c iargpd with the ore.

is placed in a suitably thick layer upon the bottoms of the I allets or buckets at times be- In the apparatus which I ave been describing provlsion is made for supplying a material of this character automaticall although it will be understood that the en aimed at by the characteristic features of my process can be reached if this material were applied manually. L indicates a hopper or bin also arranged -and supported directly above the lower part of the carrier. It is supplied with a requisite amount of the material that is to be de osited on the bottom of the carrier, and t e layer that is there placed is ready to receive the superincumbent mass of ore which is subsequently introduced from the hop er F in the way above described.

I aving thus set forth the principal matters incident to the construction and arrangement of the parts I have illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the following is to be noted with respect to the mode of operation. If it be assumed that the hopper or bin at F is charged Withthe ore that is to be treated, and that the hopper at L is charged with the refractory material to be employed, and that the movable and operative parts of the mechanism are set in proper motion the following will. be the results. As each pallet or bucket passes beneath the hopper L it is provided with a shallow layer of the refractory material which while covering the grated or reticulated bottom element of the bucket is sufficiently porous or open to permit the downward passage of gases and products of combustion. Then as the buckets or pallets successively reach the vertical lines of the helpper or bin'F they are next supplied with t e ore whichlies upon the layer of refractory material and is of a depth made as uniform as ossible through the series. Then as the palets or buekets'successively reach the transverse line of igniting the up er part of'the mass of ore is ignited by suc means as are adopted. At an early moment after the ignition the newly ignited area at the top of the advancing stream comes into the vertical planes of the area of downward air suction, whereupon the ignition is insured and continued so lo asgthe material is above the air box or trunk H or until the oxidizable components 'h ave been exhausted. Let it be assumed thatthe material which is to be,

treated is a copper sulfid ore of average natural character. The firing having been commenced in the way described itwill continue, the fire extending gradually deeper and deeper into the mass until it has reached the bottom. 7 The various factors including the speed of travel of the carrier, the depth of the mass thereon, and the proportion of oxidizreaches the remote end of the air box or trunk H.

Inasmuch as man process such as is fol owed in emplo ing this apparatus have been fully presente and described in the applications for patent heretofore filed by myself jointly with Richard L. Lloyd, namely Serial No. 307,431, filed March 22, 1906, and Serial No. 328,387, filed July 30, 1906, which have matured respectively into Patents Nos. 882,517 and 882,518, dated March 17, 1908, it is not necessary to here repeat the description thereof.

As remarked at other places herein the present process embodies features of improvement u 'on the matters set forth in the aforesaid ear ier patents, and the present description is related more directly thereto. In one of the said earlier patents provision was made for passing pallets or bucket like carriers in continuous series through the region of treatment; and while the process carried out by devices of that sort is of great imporfrom further experience that variations in speed can to advantage be provided for to correspond to the varying factors in the material to be treated, and that the ore and its protecting layer can be more advantageously deposited with means substantially such as those herein set forth.

Of course it will be understood that there can be many modifications without departing from the essential features of the invention, both in respect, as above remarked, to the construction and arrangement of the de- Vices, and also in respect to the manner of using. i

I above referred to the use of lime rock as a suitable material for the initial layer at the bottom of the ore mass; and in this connection the following is to be noted.

The bottom element of the ore carrier,

whether it be an integral grate or a se arately,

formed apertured bottom element, s ould be constructed of a material capable of economof the incidents to a able ingredients, are so adjusted and related may liquate down from the mass of superthat the process of combustion shall continue incumbent material that is undergoing treat- 65 until just about the time when the material ment. They are also liable to impairment can be used for this from sudden changes in temperature. The severity of these conditions varies with different kinds of material, being the greatest when the proportion of sulfur is high. With a low content of sulfur the temperature generated during the operation and the temperature of the resulting gases does not rise very high, and a grate of cast iron or of porforated wrought iron plate will suffice. Where higher temperatures are generated perforated copper lates have been used to advantage and a so perforated asbestos board. Use may be made also of grates formed of bars or plates of refractory earth material, bricks, fire clay, porcelain or the like. Water cooled pipes or grate bars may be used. But whatever materials or devices are used to serve as bottom elements for the carrier it is of advantage to protect them as far as possible from the action of the heated gases and fluid. And hence it is that I make provision, as above described, for supplying a ayer of inert or refractory character to lie between the bottom support, proper, and the su erincumbent mass of ore.

have above referred to lime rock suitably reduced in size of particles as one body that purpose; but here also there can be variatlon as desired. Good practice requires that the material chosen for this ur ose of protecting the carrier bottom s ou d be of such composition that it can be present together with the treated ore during the later steps of treatment, for example during the smelting operation, Without impeding such operation or impairing its results, commerical or metallurgical. Instead of the limestone mentioned use can be made of oxid iron ore, silicious or earthy ores, poor in sulfids, which ores may be not only not hurtful but desirable ingredients in the blast furnace mixture. Or in lieu of these or any of them use may be made of a layer of sintered oresuitably reduced.

As heretofore remarked the continuity of' the process and the continuous motion of the carrier do not depend upon details identically similar to those that have been above described. The different sections of the carrier or ore support may be rigidly connected together, in which case they should be arranged to rotate around a common center. In that event the carrier becomes of the nature of a drum which can have its parts so constructed and related that the material to be treated can be-fed to the interior or concave side of the structure, or can be fed to the exterior or convex side. A mechanism such as last referred to is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Here as above remarked the carrier consists of a circular series of sections forming what may be regarded as a drum. As an entirety it is indicated by T. It has the external flanged Walls t, the inward projecting ring sections t, and the ore suppor'tin parts at N. The latter preferably consists o perforated or barred sections which are clamped in place.

The support for the drum structure con- I tending flanges by means iof which the flanges ofxth'e out'er wall pieces t are bolted in place.

Between the inner drum. skeleton formed of the parts R and t and the outer walls or flanges t are clamped the sections N which serve as a grating or bottom support for the ore. At t spacers are introduced which relieve the parts N from undue weight and pressure.

It will be seen that an ore carrying structure'made and sup orted in the way last described can be uti ized in a manner uite similar to that in which is used the on less carrier first above described. At L there is a hopper for refractory material and at F a hopper for the ore. These are supplied with their respective materials and supply the same to the apertured support in a-manner substantially similar to that above described. I indicates a hood or shield suspended above the forward traveling ore mass, it conformto the curved path of the material instead ying in a plane as in the other mechanism. There is here a firing or igniting duct at G corresponding to the one in the other construction.

The air which is drawn through the ore is collected in a box or trunk at H situated in the chamber'or space in the interior of the drum. The inwardly extendin cross plates or bars Rare utilized as cut 0 s for the air. They successively rotate over the air box or trunk and as they approach it move in close proximity to a plate h As they recede rom it they move in proximity to the plate It at the other edge of the trunk, there being at all times one of'these cross bars or girths close to each of these plates and conse uently the entrances for air are cut off in al directions except through the mass of ore. The air is withdrawn from the box H b a suc tion apparatus such as above descri ed. It will be seen that the inner drum skeleton already referred to, and consisting of the ring sections t and the cross plates R, form a series of movable air chambers arranged in side the grate-like ore support and adapted to be brought successively into communication with the stationa carrier.

leo

. With the'presentmechanism the ore, after treatment, can be removed in any suitable way. Preferabl there is a chute at K arranged to come 0 ose to the bottom of the ore receptacle. As the different parts of the latter reach this'chute the ore is taken off automatically and 'ded by the chute to an suitable place 0 deposit or to a suitable ve 'cle.

Numerous other modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. An endless carrier can be made in either of several ways, two of which have already been set forth. Instead of these a horizontally rotated table-like or ring-like structure can be used, the table or ring part of which can be made as an ore receptacle with an apertured bottom rotating in horizontal p anes instead of in vertical.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated by a diagram matic view the process that is carried on in an apparatus such as I have described. The ore mass there represented is fed in the direction of the arrow at, and the grate M upon which it is supported is supposed to move therewith. At n there is represented a thin layer of refractory material resting directly upon and serving to protect the grate. Upon this is fed, through the hopper F, the ore mass 2, which is preferably in a moist condition. Along a line just in'advance of the front edge of the air or suction box H, the top of the ore mass is ignited, as by means of the burner G. Combustion thus l being started is maintained b the atmospheric 'air, which is freely supp icd thereto and is caused to pass transversely through the moving ore mass, as indicated by the small arrows. As the ore mass advances in the direction of the arrow as, the line of combustion, desi natedin a general way by the diagonal line 3, gradually advances downward or toward the grate surface M. The speed of movement of the ore mass is so regulated, with reference to the length of the air trunk II, that by the time the mass arrives at, the rear or farther edge of the trunk the line of combustion has reached the bottom of the ore mass, when the entire bod of orewill have been chan ed from a pu verulent condition indicate at 2, to a sinteredjmass, indicated at 4, which latter may be broken into conveniently sized pieces 5,

for subsequent handling and treatment.

;In the application Ser. No. 377,056 which I filed June 3, 1907, I illustrate a construction having a series of air chambers'connected to "and rotating with a horizontally arranged ore carrier, and therein I present claims which are s ecific to the construction there disclosed. n the present case, I present claims relating to such air chambers which are not intended to be limited either to the details of construction shown in said application Ser. No. 377,056, or to the specific forms of invention disclosed in this case.

In another application filed by me, originally numbered serially 376,138, filed May 28,

1907, I present description and claims for a process relatin to the sintering in one mass of a body of relatively fine ore and a bodyof other matter, such as coarse ore, rock, or the like; and, herein present claims relating to the mechanism by which such a process can be carried out and the product thereof obtained. In still another application, originally numbered serially 377,058, filed by R. Ll Lloyd and m self jointly, on the 3rd day of June, 1907, t ere is presented an apparatus comprising, with other elements, an endless ore carrier made up of sections flexibly connected together, and in' application, originally numbered serially 379,809, filed b us jointly, on the 19th day of June, 1907, t iere is presented a mechanism having an'ore support, which is therein illustrated as of drumike character and mounted on a horizontal axis; and in the said joint a plications respectively, are resented the roader claims relative to sue 1 mechanisms respectively, the claims herein made involving such structures relating to improvements thereon and parts combined therewith.

What I claim is 1. In an apparatus for treating ores, substantially as described, the combination with a movable ore support adapted to have streams of combustion-supporting gas pass through the ore mass on lines transverse to its line of travel, of a hood or reflector for the heat arranged above the upper surface of the ore mass as it is carried by the said support; substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus for treating ores, substantially as described, the combination with a. movable'ore sup ort, of air inducing apparatus 011 one side of the ore support for causing currents of air to pass through the moving mass of ore on the said support, and a hood or reflector for the heat generated in the said ore mass, and arranged on the'o posite side of the ore support; substantial y as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for treating ores, sub; stantially as described, the combination of a movable ore support adapted to carry a bed or layer of ore', air inducmg apparatus on one side of the ore support adapted to cause currents of air to pass'through the ore mass, and a hood or reflector for the heat arranged adjacent to the ore mass and substantially arallel with the line of travel thereof an on the side of the ore support opposite the said air inducing apparatus; su stantially as set forth.

4. In an apparatus for treating ores, substantially as described, the combination with a movable ore support, of means for feeding a stream or layer of ore thereto, and means for supplementally feeding a layer or stream of material to the support in contact with the layer or stream of ore, substantially as'set forth.

5. In an apparatus for treating ores, the combination with the moving ore support, of means for supplymg a stream or layer of relatively coarse material to the said ore support and supplemental means for supplying a stream or layer of relatively fine ore and depositing-it upon the aforesaid L stream or layer of relatively coarser material, substantially as set forth.

6. A supporting and carrying device for holding ore while being subjected to treatment having, in combination, an apertured bottom, an ring-like or tire-like supports detachably connected with the ore holder and adapted to be supported on rollers.

. 7. An apparatus for supporting and conveying ore while it isunder treatment having, in combination, an apertured bottom or floor element concentrically arranged about a center or axis of rotation, flan es or projections extendin inward toward the center, flanges or hol ers for the sides of the ore mass, and supplemental ring-like or tire-like supports secured to the inwardly projecting parts and adapted to restupon anti-friction rollers, substantially as set forth.

8. In an a paratus for holding and conveying ore, t e combination with an apertured support arranged substantially cylindrically, supporting devices for the apertured support extending inward therefrom,

.ring-like or tire-like carriers attached to the supporting devices and adapted to rest upon anti-friction rollers, and an air chamber in the interior of the apertured support.

9. In an apparatus for holding and conveying ore during treatment, the combination of a cylindrically arranged apertured ore su port, ore retaining flanges or walls secure to and extending. outward from the ore support, holding devices for the ore su port extending inward therefrom, ring-1i re or tire-like carriers for the holdin devices detachably secured thereto and a apted to rest upon anti-friction rollers, and an air chamber in the interior of the apertured support, substantially as set forth.

10. In anapparatus for holdin and conveying ore wh e it is bein treate the combination of a cylindrica y arranged a ertured ore sup 'ort, a series of air cham ers inside of the ines of the ore support and moving therewith, and a stationary air chamber inside of the movable air chambers,

11. In an apparatus veying ore while it is bein treated, the com bination of a cylindricalIy arranged a ertured ore support, annular walls exten ing inward from the ore support, radially arranged partitions extending-across the space between said annular walls and a stationary air chamber inside of the said partitions.

12. In an apparatus for conveying ore while being roasted, the combination of a rotatable, apertured ore support, a stationary air box in close proximity to which the o re support is mover and air cutoffs at the front and rear edges of the air box, substantially as set forth.

13. In an apparatus for conveying ore while being roasted, the combination of a rotatable, apertured ore support, a stationary air box in close proximity to which the ore support is movec, air cut off plates arranged at the front and rear edges of the air box, and cross pieces carried by the-fine support'arranged to move across the surfaeg of the said air cut off plates, substantially" as set forth.

14. In an apparatus for treating ore, the combination of a supporting frame rotatable about an axis and carrying perforated gratelike supports for the ore, a series of air ch ambers arranged adjacent to the ore supports and rotatable therewith, and means for causing air to pass through the ore being treated to maintain active combustion therein, connected with the several air chambers, substantially as set forth.

15. In an apparatus for treating ore, the combination 0 perforated grate-like sections for supporting the ore arranged in a circular series about an axis, means for moving the grate sections around the axis, air chambers arranged respectively adjacent to the oresup orting grate sections and movable therewit and means for causing air to pass through the ore, the air chambers and the grate sections while these are in motion in order to maintain combustion in the ore being treated, substantially as set forth.

16f In an apparatus for treating ore, the combination of a series of air chambers, a series of grate sections located respectively above the said-air chambers, means for retaining ore upon the grate sections, a rotary holder for the said grate sections and air chambers, and means for causing air to pass through the said air chambers and through the said grate sections, and through the ore, said means comprising air conduits situated inside the circles of rotation of the ore bodies, substantially as set forth.

17. In an a paratus for treating ore, the combination 0 perforated grate-like sections for supporting the ore 'while being treated arranged in a circular series, means for moving t e grate sections in a circular path, means for feeding ore to the grate sections, means for igniting the combustible constituents of the ore after being placed on the caused within the ore mass, the combination grate sect-ions, air chambers arranged respectively adjacent to the ore-sup iorting grate sections, and movable therewit and means for causing air to pass through the ore, the air chambers and the grate sections while these are in motion, substantially as set forth.

18. In an a paratus for treating ore, the combination 0" perforated grate-like sections for supporting ore arranged in a circular series. means for moving the grate sections in a circular ath, means for feeding ore to the grate sections, air chambers arranged respel'tivelyndicaent to the ore-supporting grate sections and movable therewith, means for causing an to pass through the ore, the air chamber and the grate sections while these are in motion to maintain combustion in the ore, and means for cutting off the air chambers from the said means for causing movement of the air, after the ore has been treated, substantially as set forth.

19. In an a iparatus for treating ore, the combination of for sup orting ore arranged in circular series, means or moving the grate sections in a circular path, means for feeding ore to the grate sections, air chambers arranged respectively adjacent to the ore-supporting grate sections and movable therewith, means for causing air to pass through the ore, the air chambers and the grate sections while these are in motion to maintain combustion in the ore, means for cutting off the air chambers from the said means for causing movement of the air, after the ore has been treated, and means for removing the treated ore from the grate sections while out off from the means for causing air movements.

20. In an apparatus for treating ore, the combination of a series of grate sections for supporting the ore, a series of air chambers under said sections, and means adapted to be connected with each air chamber 'for causing air to pass through the ore mass on the grate sections, substantially as set forth.

21. In an ap aratus for treating ore, the combination 0 an endless ore support or carrier, a series of separate air chambers arranged under or adjacent to the ore support, and means for successively connecting the said air chambers with means for causing air to pass through the ore masses above the chambers, substantially as set forth.

22. In an apparatus for treating ore and transporting it while combustion is being perforated grate-like ,sections' of an endless movable ore support, and a series of air chambers communicating with the ore support and movable therewith, substantially as set forth.

23. In an apparatus for treating ore and transporting it whilecombustion is caused within the ore mass, the combination of an orc support, means for moving the support, a series of air chambers communicating with the support, means for causing movement of air to support combustion in the ore mass and connected with the said air chambers, and means for putting the said air chambers in communication with and cutting them off from the said airmoving means, successively, substantially as set forth.

24. In an a paratus for treating ore, the combination 0 ore supporting grate sections arranged in a circular series about a center, a series -of air chambers under the grate sections, means for turning the grate sections and air chambers together about the said center, and a means common to the said air chambers arranged to cause air to pass through the grate sections and the ore supported thereon, substantially as set forth.

25. In an apparatus for roasting and sintering ore, the combination of a movable su port for the ore having a grate surface, a lhyer of pervious and relatively inert and refractory material above the said grate surface, means for feeding the ore to be treated upon the said layer of material, and means for causing a current of air to pass transversely through the ore mass while upon the support to maintain combustion in the mass, substantially as set forth.

26. In an apparatus for roasting and sintering ore, the combination of an endless support having a pervious bottom, means for feeding alayer of inert material to the said pervious surface of the ore su port, means for feeding the ore to be treate upon the said layer of inert material, means for moving the support, and means for causing a current of air to pass transversely through the ore, the layer of inert material and the grate surface, substantially as set forth.

' In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR S. DIVIGHT. Witnesses:

J. S. BARKER, N. CURTIS LAMMOND.

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