Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting thermal reclamation of granular materials, particularly foundry sand and contaminated soil. In a first embodiment, a sand calciner system (10) includes a refractory-lined drum (12) mounted for oscillation about its longitudinal axis (14). An arrangement of plows (76) are provided along the bottom inside of the drum (12) for mixing the sand received through an inlet (54) and advancing it toward a discharge outlet (56) responsive to oscillation of the drum over a predetermined arc about the axis (14). The plows (76) are arranged in staggered rows with each plow having a transverse front surface facing the inlet (54), an inclined top surface, and an angled back surface facing the outlet (56). An aerator pipe (78) is provided in conjunction with the plows (76) to fluidize the sand and thereby effect more thorough mixing and exposure to burners (58) positioned along the upper side of the drum (12) for complete calcining.

Abstract: A sand calciner system (10) includes a refractory lined drum (12) mounted for oscillation about its longitudinal axis (14). An arrangement of plows (76) are provided along the bottom inside of the drum (12) for mixing the sand received through an inlet (54) and advancing it toward a discharge outlet (56) responsive to oscillation of the drum over a predetermined arc about the axis (14). The plows (76) are arranged in staggered rows with each plow having a transverse front surface facing the inlet (54), an inclined top surface, and an angled back surface facing the outlet (56). An aerator pipe (78) is provided in conjunction with the plows (76) to fluidize the sand and thereby effect more thorough mixing and exposure to burners (58) positioned along the upper side of the drum (12) for complete calcining.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of automatically opening and emptying bags. The apparatus includes a bag outlet, a bag inlet, and a bag contents collection hopper. The housing has a cutting zone, a bag emptying zone, and a bag ejection zone to cut through opposite sides of the bags as the bags are transported lying generally horizontally. A conveyor is disposed within the housing for transporting the bags between the inlet and outlet. The conveyor includes a track member and a carrier member. Elongated piercing members are mounted on the carrier member to positively engage the bags along opposite lateral edges thereof. A ramp member is provided on the track member to tilt the opposite lateral edges of the bag upward and toward each other as the carrier member rides thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically opening and emptying bags. The apparatus includes a substantially enclosed housing with a bag inlet, a bag outlet and a bag contents collection hopper. A conveyor is disposed within the housing to carrying the bags between the inlet and outlet with the bags lying generally horizontally. The bags are positively engaged along opposite lateral edges by elongated piercing members on the conveyor. A cutting disc is mounted in a substantially vertical plane to cut through opposite sides of the bags between the bag lateral edges. The disc is rotatably driven. The conveyor is adjustable such that the elongated piercing members may be accurately positioned to engage bags of various sizes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reclaiming sand from foundry molds and forms. A drum is mounted in a frame for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The frame is hinged at its rearward end so that the longitudinal axis of the drum may be adjustably inclinedfrom the horizontal. The drum is provided with first and second breaking zones for reducing large pieces of material in the drum as the drum rotates. The first breaking zone contains longitudinal rib members and spikes attached thereto while the second breaking zone contains longitudinal rib members only. A perforate partition separates the first and second breaking zones and prevents the movement of material from the first breaking zone to the second breaking zone until it has been sufficiently reduced. There is also provided a grinding zone for further reducing particles having a predetermined maximum size by means of grinding balls.