Abstract: In a process and apparatus for grinding and drying a solid fuel such as brown coal or lignite to form dust, in a fan type mill, in the presence of a hot drying gas with a low oxygen content, fine components of the fuel in dust form are separated out before the grinding step and dried. The remaining coarser portion of the fuel is introduced into the drying gas before the grinding step, in dependence on the grain size and moisture content of the fuel. The fuel is sifted or sieved before it is introduced into the mill and after the grinding operation, with the components which are not sufficiently fine then being recycled to the grinding operation, the recycled components being introduced into the circuit after the fresh fuel has been introduced.

Abstract: A lining for a furnace chamber which is at least approximately round in cross-section is divided into at least two layers in a radial direction and into at least two portions in an axial direction. A gas seal is disposed between the lining portions, the gas seal being in the form of a foil as of metal and being divided in a radial direction into at least two portions releasably connected together in such a manner as to permit the inner portion to be removed in an axial direction. The gas seal can therefore be composed of individual seal portions, in a radial direction, and can be fitted separately.