WO2003098140A1 - Continuous furnace - Google Patents

Continuous furnace Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003098140A1
WO2003098140A1 PCT/ZA2003/000066 ZA0300066W WO03098140A1 WO 2003098140 A1 WO2003098140 A1 WO 2003098140A1 ZA 0300066 W ZA0300066 W ZA 0300066W WO 03098140 A1 WO03098140 A1 WO 03098140A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
crucible
furnace
carrier
pathway
space
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2003/000066
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Boyne Friedrich Hohenstein
Original Assignee
Innovative Met Products (Pty) Limited
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 Innovative Met Products (Pty) Limited filed Critical Innovative Met Products (Pty) Limited
Priority to AU2003238317A priority Critical patent/AU2003238317B2/en
Publication of WO2003098140A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003098140A1/en
Priority to ZA2004/09330A priority patent/ZA200409330B/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27B—FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS, OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • F27B9/00—Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity
    • F27B9/14—Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatment; characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment
    • F27B9/16—Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatment; characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment the charge moving in a circular or arcuate path
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/44—Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
    • B01L2300/1805—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
    • B01L2300/1827—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks using resistive heater
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/04—Crucibles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27B—FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS, OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • F27B9/00—Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity
    • F27B9/06—Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity heated without contact between combustion gases and charge; electrically heated
    • F27B9/062—Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity heated without contact between combustion gases and charge; electrically heated electrically heated
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0439—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/025—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to a continuous furnace particularly suitable for the
  • handling mechanism is adapted for use with a stationary furnace.
  • a crucible or the like contained in a crucible or the like comprises an outer wall structure enclosing an
  • induction heating means or the like.
  • the carrier will be in the nature of a rotating platform or
  • the wall of the furnace could for example be in the
  • access means to the interior of the furnace could be in the form of an interruption in the annular wall of the
  • Also included within the scope of the invention is a method of processing a mineral
  • the method may include the step of
  • furnace preferably in a circular pathway.
  • a crucible may be transported through the furnace through a predetermined number of circuits as a preheating step before receiving a
  • a crucible may be retrieved from the carrier
  • a crucible may be replaced after serving for a
  • the method includes the steps of
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a furnace in accordance with the
  • Figure 2 is a sectioned plan view of the furnace in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a sectioned elevation of the furnace in Figure 1.
  • a furnace 10 in accordance with the invention comprises
  • annular wall structure 11 which defines an annular interior furnace space 12
  • the furnace includes a moving carrier 14 which
  • such a moving carrier 14 comprises a
  • the furnace of the invention further includes access means 16 to the interior space
  • the furnace 10 for a predetermined number of circuits, usually one.
  • the mineral sample will be deposited into the crucible 15 via the access means 16, and thereafter the crucible will again be conducted through the annular
  • sample has been treated, for example by way of fusion for a fire assay process, or
  • the crucible 15 will be retrieved from the moving carrier 14 via the access
  • crucible 15 can be reintroduced onto the moving carrier 14 and after being
  • the carrier 14 After serving for a predetermined number ore treatments, the

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Non-Biological Materials By The Use Of Chemical Means (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a furnace suitable for treating mineral samples contained in a crucible comprising an outer wall structure enclosing an interior furnace space preferably an annular space which is adapted to be heated by heating means, a moving carrier within the interior furnace space which is adapted to carry a crucible or the like along a predetermined pathway preferably a circular pathway within the interior furnace space, the moving carrier preferably comprising a rotating ring member; and access means for locating and retrieving a crucible on and from the carrier.

Description

CONTINUOUS FURNACE
Field of the Invention
THIS invention relates to a continuous furnace particularly suitable for the
treatment of mineral samples such as in a fire assay process, homogenisation
process, and loss of ignition processes.
Description of Prior Art
The Applicant's co-pending Patent Application No. 2001/2214 discloses a handling
means for introducing and removing crucibles into and from a furnace. Such
handling mechanism is adapted for use with a stationary furnace.
Object of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel furnace which will be
particularly suitable for the treatment of mineral ore contained in crucibles or the
like. Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention, a furnace suitable for the treatment of samples
contained in a crucible or the like comprises an outer wall structure enclosing an
interior furnace space which is adapted to be heated by heating means, a moving
carrier within the interior furnace space which is adapted to carry a crucible or the
like along a predetermined pathway within the interior furnace space, and access
means for locating and retrieving a crucible on and from the carrier. The heating
means could be in the nature of electric resistance heating elements, electric
induction heating means or the like.
In a preferred arranged, the carrier will be in the nature of a rotating platform or
ring member, which transports a crucible in a circular pathway through the furnace.
With such an arrangement, the wall of the furnace could for example be in the
nature of an annulus defining an annular interior furnace space.
With the arrangement above, it is contemplated that access means to the interior of the furnace could be in the form of an interruption in the annular wall of the
furnace.
Also included within the scope of the invention is a method of processing a mineral
sample contained in a crucible or the like comprising the steps of :
providing a furnace as disclosed above;
locating a crucible on the moving carrier of the furnace; and
transporting the crucible along a predetermined path through the
furnace.
Further according to this aspect of the invention the method may include the step of
transporting a plurality of crucibles containing mineral samples through the
furnace, preferably in a circular pathway.
Also according to the method, a crucible may be transported through the furnace through a predetermined number of circuits as a preheating step before receiving a
mineral sample.
Yet further according to the invention, a crucible may be retrieved from the carrier,
discharged and thereafter reintroduced onto the carrier for a repeat of a treatment
process. With such an arrangement, a crucible may be replaced after serving for a
predetermined number of treatment processes.
Thus, in one example of the invention, the method includes the steps of
transporting a plurality of crucibles in an endless pathway, preheating a crucible
through one or more circuits of the endless pathway, introducing a mineral sample
into the crucible, causing the sample to be heated during a further predetermined
number of circuits through the circular pathway, retrieving the crucible from the
pathway, discharging the heated contents of the crucible therefrom and
reintroducing the crucible onto the carrier. As previously mentioned a used
crucible could be discarded after serving for a predetermined number of tests. Brief Description of the Drawings
In order more clearly to illustrate the invention an embodiment thereof is described
hereunder purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a furnace in accordance with the
invention;
Figure 2 is a sectioned plan view of the furnace in Figure 1 ; and
Figure 3 is a sectioned elevation of the furnace in Figure 1.
Detailed Description of Drawings
Referring to the drawings, a furnace 10 in accordance with the invention comprises
an annular wall structure 11 which defines an annular interior furnace space 12
which is adapted to be heated by means of heating or induction coils 13, burners (not shown), or the like.
It is a feature of the invention that the furnace includes a moving carrier 14 which
is adapted to carry a crucible 15 or the like through the annular space 12 of the
furnace 10. In the arrangement illustrated, such a moving carrier 14 comprises a
disc or ring member which is rotatable about an axis which is concentric with the
oven structure 11. Doubtless variations are possible in this regard and the
invention is not limited to such a moving disc 14.
The furnace of the invention further includes access means 16 to the interior space
12 of the furnace 10 and in the arrangement illustrated, such access means 16
comprises an interruption in the annular furnace wall 11.
A method of treating a movable sample utilizing the furnace 10 of the invention
could thus comprise the steps of preheating a crucible 15 by locating it on the
moving carrier 14 and transporting the crucible 15 through the annular space 12 of
the furnace 10 for a predetermined number of circuits, usually one. Once
preheated, the mineral sample will be deposited into the crucible 15 via the access means 16, and thereafter the crucible will again be conducted through the annular
interior 12 of the furnace 10 for a predetermined number of circuits. Once the
sample has been treated, for example by way of fusion for a fire assay process, or
fusion for an homogenizing process, or in respect of a loss of ignition process or
the like, the crucible 15 will be retrieved from the moving carrier 14 via the access
means 16 and discharged into a suitable vessel for further treatment. Thereafter the
crucible 15 can be reintroduced onto the moving carrier 14 and after being
preheated could be charged with a fresh mineral sample upon such reintroduction to
the carrier 14. After serving for a predetermined number ore treatments, the
crucible 15 could be discarded and replaced with a new crucible 15. It will be
understood that the above method could be applied to a plurality of crucibles 15
simultaneously.
It will also be understood by persons skilled in the art that the furnace 10 of the
invention will permit continuous treatment of ore samples and will be suitable for
an automated process. Doubtless variations of the invention exist in detail without departing from the
principles set out in the consistory clauses.

Claims

Claims
1. A furnace suitable for the treatment of a sample contained in a crucible or
the like comprising an outer wall structure enclosing an interior furnace
space which is adapted to be heated by heating means, a moving carrier
within the interior furnace space which is adapted to carry a crucible or the
like along a predetermined pathway within the interior furnace space, and
access means for locating and retrieving a crucible on and from the carrier.
2. The furnace according to claim 1 wherein the carrier is a rotating
platform or ring member which transports the crucible in a circular
pathway through the furnace.
3. The furnace according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the outer wall
structure of the furnace is in the form of an annulus defining an annular
interior furnace space.
4. The furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the axis
means for locating and retrieving a crucible on and from the carrier
comprises an interruption in the wall structure of the furnace.
5. The furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the heating means comprises electrical resistance or induction heating means.
6. A furnace suitable for the treatment of samples contained in a crucible or
the like substantially as herein described and exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. A method of processing a mineral sample contained in a crucible or the
like comprising the steps of providing a furnace as claimed in any one of
claims 1 to 6; locating a crucible on the moving carrier of the furnace; and transporting the crucible along a predetermined path through the
furnace.
8. The method according to claim 7 including the step of transporting a
plurality of crucibles containing mineral samples through the furnace.
9. The method according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the crucible is transported through the furnace along a circular pathway.
10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the crucible is
transported through the furnace through a predetermined number of
circuits to preheat such crucible before receiving a mineral sample
therein.
11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein a crucible is
retrieved from the carrier, discharged, and thereafter reintroduced onto
the carrier for a repetition of a treatment process.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein a crucible is discarded after
serving for a predetermined number of treatment processes.
13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12 comprising the steps
of transporting a plurality of crucibles along an endless pathway,
preheating a crucible through one or more circuits of the endless
pathway, introducing a mineral sample into the crucible, causing the
sample to be heated during a further predetermined number of circuits
through the circular pathway, retrieving the crucible from the pathway,
discharging the heated contents of the crucible therefrom and
reintroducing the crucible onto the carrier.
4. A method of processing a mineral sample contained in a crucible or the
like substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
PCT/ZA2003/000066 2002-05-22 2003-05-22 Continuous furnace WO2003098140A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003238317A AU2003238317B2 (en) 2002-05-22 2003-05-22 Continuous furnace
ZA2004/09330A ZA200409330B (en) 2002-05-22 2004-11-19 Continuous furnace

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA02/4059 2002-05-22
ZA200204059 2002-05-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003098140A1 true WO2003098140A1 (en) 2003-11-27

Family

ID=29550642

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2003/000066 WO2003098140A1 (en) 2002-05-22 2003-05-22 Continuous furnace

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003238317B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2003098140A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA200409330B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102049324A (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-11 上海金发科技发展有限公司 Device for placing high-temperature crucibles
WO2014124484A1 (en) * 2013-02-12 2014-08-21 Imp Group (Pty) Ltd A furnace for preparing fused (homogenised) samples
EP2951519A4 (en) * 2013-01-31 2016-11-02 Imp Group Pty Ltd A furnace for preparing fused (homogonised) samples for sample analysis

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE466467C (en) * 1928-10-05 Anton Schauer Crucible melting furnace with ring-shaped fire channel
US4403953A (en) * 1980-10-21 1983-09-13 Furnace Industrial Co., Ltd. Apparatus and process of transferring the vessels in a tunnel furnace
JPH10300359A (en) * 1997-04-28 1998-11-13 Ngk Insulators Ltd Rotary continuous furnace
WO2002004919A2 (en) * 2000-07-12 2002-01-17 Innovative Met Products (Pty) Limited Method and apparatus for the assay of precious metals

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE466467C (en) * 1928-10-05 Anton Schauer Crucible melting furnace with ring-shaped fire channel
US4403953A (en) * 1980-10-21 1983-09-13 Furnace Industrial Co., Ltd. Apparatus and process of transferring the vessels in a tunnel furnace
JPH10300359A (en) * 1997-04-28 1998-11-13 Ngk Insulators Ltd Rotary continuous furnace
WO2002004919A2 (en) * 2000-07-12 2002-01-17 Innovative Met Products (Pty) Limited Method and apparatus for the assay of precious metals

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 02 26 February 1999 (1999-02-26) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102049324A (en) * 2009-10-30 2011-05-11 上海金发科技发展有限公司 Device for placing high-temperature crucibles
EP2951519A4 (en) * 2013-01-31 2016-11-02 Imp Group Pty Ltd A furnace for preparing fused (homogonised) samples for sample analysis
WO2014124484A1 (en) * 2013-02-12 2014-08-21 Imp Group (Pty) Ltd A furnace for preparing fused (homogenised) samples
EP2956726A4 (en) * 2013-02-12 2016-11-23 Imp Group Pty Ltd A furnace for preparing fused (homogenised) samples

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA200409330B (en) 2005-06-29
AU2003238317B2 (en) 2008-08-14
AU2003238317A1 (en) 2003-12-02

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