Abstract: In the repair of a refractory lining of a shaft furnace having a steel shell, a worn residual refractory lining inside the shell and cooling plates extending through the shell into the refractory lining, the worn lining is retained and an additional lining structure is added by(a) forming a refractory concrete layer with a flat upper surface at a ring of said cooling plates,(b) building up on the flat upper surface a refractory brickwork of blocks which is self-supporting and which has recesses in which cooling plates are located with clearance, the blocks being selected in accordance with the amount of wear locally,(c) filling space between the brickwork and the residual lining with concrete, and(d) filling the clearance space between the brickwork and the cooling plates in the recesses with a thermally conductive rammed mass.

Abstract: A bottom construction for a shaft furnace, has a plurality of horizontal layers of refractory material, and a gastight metal membrane located above at least the lowest layer of refractory material. So that the membrane is easily constructed, can accommodate thermal movements and has a level upper surface, the layer of refractory material immediately underneath the metal membrane is formed of blocks and has a level top surface and the metal membrane is formed of loosely laid, mutually abutting metal plates which are stacked in at least three layers. The pattern of the joints of the plates of each of these three layers is offset, as seen in plan view, with respect to the pattern of the joints of both the other two layers. The plates may be copper sheets. The membrane may have a peripheral flange cemented in a slot at the furnace wall.

Abstract: An installation for charging a shaft furnace equipped with a distribution spout, several storage containers, a sluicing system and a valve cage is presented. The containers are arranged next to each other and are horizontally displaceable between a first position aligned on the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the material is unloaded; and a second position laterally separated from the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the containers are filled.

Abstract: Fine particulate solid fuel is utilized in the calcining or uniflow shaft of a uniflow regenerative shaft furnace having outlet openings of fuel lances of the furnace arranged with a uniform distribution over the cross-section of the furnace shaft in a horizontal plane between the preheating zone and the calcining zone of the furnace. The fuel feed is maintained constant with time by a dosing system through which fuel is supplied through feed lines to the fuel lances. Due to the uniform distribution of solid fuel which is accomplished, a calcined material is obtained which has a quality comparable to that which may be achieved through calcining with gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A preheater for cullet is disclosed, in which hot gas coming from a hot supply duct can be passed through the cullet while yielding heat to the latter and can be carried away through a hot gas exhaust duct. The cullet is guided between guiding walls forming a cullet shaft and permitting gas entry as well as gas exit. Means are provided for repeatedly moving at least one of the guiding walls (23, 24,25,26) laterally relative to another guiding wall (23-26) so as to change the spacing between them.

Abstract: Method of preparing a melt for the production of mineral wool wherein suitably composed raw material and coke are fed into a preheating zone in the upper portion of a shaft furnace and are caused to descend down through the oxidation zone in which air is introduced to effect a combustion of the coke and to heat the raw material to a temperature not exceeding 1000.degree. C., and wherein the actual melting is effected by plasma heating in the lower portion of the shaft furnace where which the melt formed is discharged.

Abstract: An installation for evacuating emanations in the taphole region of a shaft furnace (e.g. blast furnace) of the type having a blast connection arrangement around the furnace bosh, together with a blast connection stage or platform for the inspection and servicing of the blast connections, and in which the molten metal is periodically tapped with the aid of tapping means and run off through a main tapping runner or spout includes the feature wherein a portion of the blast connection platform is adapted to be tilted away in the upward direction. This tiltable platform portion, when in its untilted position forms, together with vertical side walls which extend from the two side ends of the platform portion, a flue-like exhaust duct for the emanations produced directly in the taphole region. The present invention further comprises a movable exhaust hood connected to a stationary suction line and a mobile tapping spout hood having at the top an exhaust opening situated under the exhaust hood.

Abstract: A vertical shaft kiln utilized in calcining limestone defines a series of processing zones including an upper preheating zone, a first calcining zone, a second calcining zone having a length twice that of the first calcining zone and a material cooling zone, Burners inject burnt gases intermediate the two calcining zones. Major heat transfer to the limestone is accomplished in the first calcining zone by directing a major portion of the burnt gases in counter-current to the material flow therethrough. Minor heat transfer is accomplished in the second calcining zone by directing a minor portion of the burnt gases therethrough in co-current relation with the material. Combustion air is provided through ducts in the material cooling zones and mixed with the minor portion of burnt gases externally of the shaft prior to injection into the burners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and system for properly and uniformly distributing fluids in upright vessels commonly called vertical shaft kilns or retorts. The distributors disclosed have a unique shape to facilitate movement of particulate matter passing by them and in addition have orifices which are recessed to keep each orifice free of solids with varying sized orifices as needed to provide the flow distribution uniformly across the lateral extent of the retort. Further the distributors are supported at each end by and protrude through nozzles built into the vessel shell to supply connection for external piping. The supports are so formed as to provide for thermal expansion through fluid-tight closures during high temperature operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reclaiming contaminated industrial sand including the steps of subjecting the sand to the influence of heat in a fluidizing bed, forcing sand fed to said bed to follow a flow path including a plurality of generally heightwise directed path portions including at least one generally upwardly directed path portion and at least one generally downwardly directed path portion. In an example of the invention, the heat is applied to the sand in a first group of path portions and the sand is cooled in a second group of path portions.

Abstract: In the process for the thermal and/or chemical treatment of grained, granular or lump material in plane heaps, the latter are transported with free intervals, in stages, from top to bottom through a shaft and are traversed by gases. The heaps lay on grates of which the bars may be taken out at least partially from the grate plane, temporarily and spatially, in such a way that the different heaps are disaggregated and fed in the form of a uniform gripping flow to the next stage so that a constant layer cross-section thickness is maintained. The introduction and evacuation of the gases are effected through side openings provided in the shaft wall in the cross-section which is not filled with the heaps.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging a shaft furnace for burning carbonaceous mineral material in at least two furnace shafts comprises a common feed container, which is connected to each furnace shaft by a separate charging duct. In order to provide a simple structure and to reduce the overall height, the feed container is designed to constitute a lock chamber, which is provided with a shut-off valve for controlling the inlet port of the feed container and with a plurality of shut-off valves for controlling respective outlet ports connected to the charging ducts.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the regeneration of adsorbent particles containing carbon in which the particles are introduced into downwardly moving shafts of a fluidized quartz sand bed spaced along a regenerator and are then deflected downwardly at the bottoms of the shaft by rhomboidal guide segments. The regenerated particles are withdrawn in a gas stream from above the bed and the gas is separated from the particles.

Abstract: A waste liquid is dripped down into a shaft chamber 1 of a shaft furnace 2 t the bottom of which chamber is a rotating conical grate 3 on which is an incandescent bed of carbon-rich material 6 than can be supplied from the top of the shaft. Oxygen is supplied through holes 17 of a raised head 15 of the grate. The liquid, vaporized as it reaches the incandescent bed, is drawn through the bed 6 where it is gasified and where high molecular weight components are cracked, forming a gas mixture that is drawn off through the duct 18 at the bottom of the shaft while solid residues of the liquid collect in the bed 6 from which ashes pass through a peripheral gap 5 and drop down through the duct 18 to a collecting hopper 21. The gas mixture then flows upward through a second incandescent bed 24 of carbon-rich material, such as coke or wood charcoal, where the oxygen, exhausted along with the gas mixture from the shaft 1, maintains a temperature between 900.degree. and 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: In a parallel flow regenerative shaft furnace having at least two furnace shafts and a transfer duct interconnecting the furnace shafts, limestone and similar mineral raw materials are calcined by operating the furnace shafts alternately, one as a calcining or parallel flow shaft and the other as a counterflow shaft, with burnt lime being discharged uncooled at the lower end of a calcining zone of the particular calcining shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for discharging solids from a shaft furnace comprises a lock chamber structure, the interior of which is connected to the shaft furnace by a conveyor duct, and a rotor, which is rotatably mounted in the interior of the lock chamber structure and adapted to be driven and arranged to receive solids from the furnace and seals the inlet of the lock chamber from the outlet of the lock chamber. To permit a continuous discharge of solids from the furnace without an escape of gas from the furnace, the rotor consists of a cellular wheel, which has cell-defining walls in a star-shaped configuration. The conveyor duct is connected to a source of a compressed blocking gas. An exhaust gas duct communicates with the interior of the lock chamber structure adjacent to the conveying portion of the cellular wheel between the inlet and the outlet of the cellular wheel.

Abstract: A shaft furnace for heat treatment of finely dispersed material has a casing of rectangular cross section with a hopper built into a cover thereof. The top of the casing accommodates pipes for drawing off resultant gases. The casing also houses two groups of plates equidistant from the vertical axis of the casing and having different lengths increasing in the direction from the vertical axis toward a narrow wall of the casing so as to form therebetween and the narrow wall of the casing passages for the flow of gases toward the pipes for exhausting resultant gases.

Abstract: A grain drier system is disclosed which includes means for collecting heated air which has passed through grain and conducting it to the inlet of the burners which supply the heated gas to dry the grain. The collected air is introduced into the inlet of the burner at the periphery of the air stream to the burner in an area where the contact between the collected air and the flame of the burner is minimized. This procedure enables the heat of the collected air to be utilized without the likelihood of subjecting any entrained material to the action of the flame of the burner.In order to further minimize the possibility of fire, prior to being conducted to the burner, the collected air is passed into a plenum where the velocity of the stream of collected air is decreased and its direction of movement changed so that a substantial portion of entrained dust and organic material is caused to fall out of the air stream.

Abstract: A shaft furnace comprises a body (2) made up of superimposed heated sections (3,4,5,6 and 7) each of which is provided with a tubular member (10,11,12,13 and 14) having its walls arranged at an angle of 3 to 4 deg. to the longitudinal axis of the furnace. The tubular members (10,11,12,13 and 14) are partially inserted one into another with a gap (15) formed therebetween; the opening area of the lower portion (16) of each tubular member (10-14) of each section (3-7) is 20 to 25 percent smaller than that of the upper portion (17) of the adjacent underlying tubular member (11) of the furnace section (4).In the area of the gaps (15), the upper portions of the tubular members are formed with pockets (30) which are connected with outlet pipes (20) intended for discharging gaseous and vaporous fumes from the furnace shaft.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for feeding heat carrying solids into a solids heater. A feed conduit is provided which may be removably attached to a solids heater shell. The mounted feed conduit includes an outlet portion disposed within a heating chamber which is defined by the heater shell. A jacket tube is sealed around the feed conduit to provide cooling against high temperatures. Further, inlets and outlets are provided for introducing and removing cooling medium from the cooling zone defined by the space between the jacket tube and feed conduit. The feed conduits are removably attached to the heater shell by way of mounting tubes located in the heater shell roof. For inclined heater shell roofs, the length of the mounting tubes are varied to provide common elevational mounting of a single uniform removable feed conduit.

Abstract: The refractory bottom of a shaft furnace, e.g. a blast furnace has a graphite layer, above it an intermediate layer of lower coefficient of thermal conductivity (.lambda.-value) and above the intermediate layer a third layer of yet lower .lambda.-value. To control the penetration of molten metal into the bottom and in particular to achieve a stable location of the solidification isotherm in the intermediate layer, the material of the intermediate layer is one having a .lambda.-value of 12 to 30 kcal/m.h. .degree.C. This material may be semi-graphite. Such material does not undergo a change of .lambda.-value when permeated by the molten metal.

Abstract: A solids-gas contact vessel, having two vertically disposed distinct reaction zones, includes a dynamic seal passing solids from an upper to a lower zone and maintaining a gas seal against the transfer of the separate treating gases from one zone to the other, and including a stream of sealing fluid at the seal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a grain dryer having a heat exchange assembly is provided. The grain dryer comprises a housing and a generally vertical granular-material conduit for conducting granular material through the housing. The heat exchange assembly of the dryer comprises heat exchange means having a gas passageway and at least one tubular radiator element disposed in the passageway. Means is provided for causing hot combustion gas to flow through the hollow interior of the radiator element to heat the element, with the temperature of the discharged combustion gas being reduced. A gas conduit directs the flow of discharged combustion gas from the tubular radiator element through the passageway of the heat exchange means externally of the tubular radiator element to increase the temperature of the discharged combustion gas.

Abstract: A pressure container forms a shaft gasifier for receiving coarse coal in the form of a coal bed. A burner extends through the pressure container into a chamber therein and produces at least one primary gas jet directed against the coal bed, thereby gasifying the coal and generating a product gas and forming liquid slag. The liquid slag collects in a slag bath tank having an overflow weir over which the collected slag flows and falls freely toward a cooling water bath beneath the chamber. A water jet nozzle directs at least one water jet against the liquid slag as it falls freely between the weir and the cooling water bath. This atomizes the liquid slag, thereby cooling the slag and generating steam. At least a part of the steam is supplied as process steam to the coarse coal.

Abstract: This invention deals with a method of burning crushed or lump-sized combustible material, such as limestone, dolomite, magnesite or a similar material, in an annular shaft kiln having an annular outer shaft and an inner shaft, where the annular and the inner shafts are alternatively charged with fresh air and combustion gases, or are connected with the exhaust gas system. Furthermore, the invention deals with an annular shaft kiln for carrying out this method, which has a shaft insert that is open at the top, whereby the combustion material is selectively fed into the annular shaft formed around the shaft insert, or into the inner shaft which is formed inside the shaft insert. In a first operating position, the inner shaft adjacent its upper end is connected with the exhaust gas system, and combustion gas and combustion air are fed into the outer annular shaft.

Abstract: An improved blast furnace for heating granular materials is provided of the "CCR" type which includes two similar stacks disposed side by side, one of which heats the goods by direct current while the discharging gases escape from the other parallel unheated stack in a countercurrent manner. Both of the stacks are provided with an annular channel between the heating and cooling zones thereof which is formed by hollow generally cylindrical members which are connected with each other by cross-intersecting channels. These cylinders are suspended in the enlarged bosh-like lower ends of the stacks by supports which do not extend below the cylinder members, so as to minimize damage to the supports.

Abstract: A device for producing abrasion-proof coke forms from bituminous or brown coal briquettes, charcoal or peat, comprising, a preheating stage, a dehydrating stage, a carbonization stage and a cooling stage, each stacked in a column to form a tower furnace. Each of the stages include an annular zone for receiving the coal or charcoal material and each stage is supplied with a separate and independent gas circuit. Each annular zone is formed between an inner substantially cylindrical jacket and an outer substantially cylindrical jacket with a shaft space defined in the inner cylindrical jacket. Heaters for the gas circuits of the preheating, dehydrating and carbonizing stages are disposed in the shaft space.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the feeding of particulate materials into a packed bed furnace such as a shaft furnace by locating thermowells each containing a thermocouple at the wall of the furnace, preferaby recessed therein, beneath the normal stockline of the furnace. The thermocouple determines the presence of feed material and in the absence of such material a signal is generated which may be an alarm.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus is used for burning crushed raw powder to effect deacidifying, sintering or melting minerals in said powder. The process comprises the steps of providing a closed, elongated furnace chamber and establishing and maintaining a current of gas from one end of the furnace chamber to the other end thereof at a negative pressure. Combustion is effected in at least one zone of the chamber for burning the raw powder to form a burnt reaction product. The burnt product is separated from the current of gas under negative pressure. The assembly used to effect the process includes a mixing tube fitted with a mechanism for introducing atmospheric air to be mixed with the raw powder before entering the elongated furnace chamber. Other specific mechanisms are used to transfer the raw powder through the entire assembly for treatment thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment and making of construction materials and the like having a rotary kiln. Calcined material from the rotary kiln is reduced in size by driven rolls and delivered as free-flowing material at an upper end region to a vertical shaft kiln having peripheral walls inclined from the vertical no more than 3.degree. and diverging downwardly. A sidewall of the shaft kiln has perforations inclined downwardly for flow of hot gases into the shaft kiln in the general direction of flow of material downwardly in said shaft kiln. The treated material from the shaft kiln is discharged from a lower end region and transported therefrom by a grate system having heaters for heating the treated material thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing form coke that is coke having pieces of substantially identical form comprises a heated shaft furnace comprises mixing fine coke with a caking coal and pressing the mixture at temperatures at which the mixture is plastic in order to form briquettes. The briquettes are permitted to harden and degasify and thereafter they are exposed to a high temperature after hardening for example to a temperature of from 400.degree. to 900.degree. C. from 60 to 120 minutes. Thereafter the briquettes are cooled. A first mixing substance is prepared by permitting a fine coal to fall in a non-compressed stream in the shaft furnace while heat is transferred thereto substantially by radiation. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a regeneratively fired shaft furnace which is provided with heating flues and which has a clear height of approximately 35 meters, a width of approximately 1 meter and a length of approximately 5 meters.

Abstract: A mineral filler heater assembly for heating mineral filler by directing hot discharge gases from a regenerating system or a thermal oxidizer in heat exchange relation to the mineral filler, and including fluid fuel burners connected to maintain the temperature of the discharge gases above a predetermined minimum, the regenerating system including a modulating damper assembly responsive to the pressure of the discharge gases at the entrance to the heater to control the amount of recycled gases.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for preheating a charge of raw material, illustratively an alloying charge, with hot gases prior to application of such charge to a ferroalloying kiln or other electric furnace is described. The charge to be preheated is loaded into a main vertically disposed reservoir which communicates at its bottom end with a combustion chamber adapted to generate the hot gases for preheating. A perforated transition cylinder is vertically disposed within the combustion chamber. Hot gases flow into the interior of the transition cylinder through the apertures and are directed upwardly through the charge stored in the main reservoir, thereby effecting the desired preheating action. The gases emerging from the top of the main reservoir enter a smoke chamber, from which they are discharged into suitable scrubbing and ventilating facilities. The preheated charge is selectively introduced into the electric furnace from the main reservoir via the transition cylinder.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an outermost, an intermediate, and an innermost compartment, the outermost compartment being provided with burners, activated carbon being supplied into, treated in, and removed from the intermediate compartment, and there being communication for gas between the three compartments. In revivification by the direct heating process, reactor gas is supplied into the outermost compartment, heated by the burners, passed into the intermediate compartment to contact the activated carbon being treated, and is then passed into the innermost compartment and exhausted therefrom. In revivification by the indirect heating process, reactor gas is supplied into the innermost compartment, passed into the intermediate compartment for treatment of activated carbon, and then passed into the outermost compartment and is exhausted therefrom, the innermost and intermediate compartments and elements therein being indirectly heated by the burners of the outermost compartment.

Abstract: A shaft furnace for the thermolytic distillation of solid hydrocarbon fuel comprises a vertically disposed cylindrical casing whose upper part accommodates at least two vertical gratings which divide the casing into a heat carrying distributing chamber, a semi-coking chamber and a vapor-gas mixture chamber with a gasification chamber located underneath the three above-mentioned chambers. The lowermost edge of at least one of the gratings is provided with opposing cutouts such that the middle section of the edge is substantially lower than the sides of the edge adjoining the casing. In this manner, the solid fuel is more evenly distributed in the gasification chamber and a more uniform distillation of the fuel is achieved.

Abstract: The device and method of the invention embodies a shaft furnace containing no constrictions in the cross section of the shaft furnace that would unfavorably affect the movement characteristics in the filling. The arrangement of the pipes of the burning system in rings composed of closed arcuate pipe segments, adapted to the shape of the shaft furnace cross section and the provision of such pipes with a multiplicity of discharge openings for the fuel and the air of combustion which are uniformly distributed in intimate proximity to each other of horizontal rows of air and fuel pipes over the furnace periphery.According to the invention it is also feasible to arrange, in dependency on the furnace height and the material to be heat-treated, several pairs of ring pipe lines for fuel and air of combustion, either directly on top of each other in close proximity or in different combustion planes.

Abstract: Cement raw materials are precalcined prior to being sintered in a rotary kiln by feeding the materials in pelletised form downwardly through a gas or oil fired calciner in countercurrent to the flue gases drawn from the rotary kiln.

Abstract: A preheater for particulate material comprising a cylindrical refractory lined vessel with top feed and exhaust offtake. The preheater diameter is enlarged below the offtake so that the sloping material forms an area surrounded by ports which receive hot gases from the kiln. The lower portion of the preheater is conical, leading toward a small central discharge point. This portion constitutes a soaking zone in which heat is allowed to penetrate the material.