Abstract: Apparatus for blending solid particulate material which includes a center lift or blending column with gaseous fluid under pressure supplied to the bottom of the column for entraining material in the vessel and lifting it up through the column to circulate material within the vessel. Recycle channels are provided on the periphery of the vessel for withdrawing material at various heights and supplying it to the bottom of the vessel for recirculation through the lift column. Each of the recycled channels includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart inlet openings each with a baffle positioned therein to permit material to simultaneously enter the recycle channel at more than one point along the height of the vessel. These baffles may be equipped with operators to selectively position the baffle to control the flow of material into the recycle channel. The apparatus also includes an arrangement defining a seal leg at the bottom of the vessel to ensure proper recycle of material through the apparatus.

Abstract: A rotary kiln device for incinerating combustible materials such as municipal and commercial waste materials. The kiln is a co-current gas-material flow apparatus. The kiln is divided by means of a dam into a drying zone and a combustible zone. Waste material is retained within the drying zone sufficiently long so that that moisture contained in the material is driven off. Air for combustion is supplied directly to the combustion zone, bypassing the drying zone so that self-sustaining combustion may take place.

Abstract: An improved vertical roller mill for comminuting solid materials which includes a horizontal grinding table and cooperating grinding rollers and an improved apparatus for exerting a downward force on the grinding roller. This apparatus includes an external hydraulic piston-cylinder force exerting apparatus with a pair of link members external to the mill with a first link member in tension and a second link member in compression. The compression link is pivotally connected to the mill body and the force exerting apparatus and the tension link is pivotally connected to the force exerting means so that when the cylinder of the piston cylinder means moves down, the linkage mechanism results in a downward force on the grinding roll.

Abstract: A high capacity withdrawal system for a pellet blender which includes a venturi shaped gas supply nozzle mounted in the gas inlet, material outlet of the vessel. The venturi nozzle allows high velocity gas to be supplied to the bottom of the vessel for circulating material through a vertical lift column in the vessel. When it is desired to discharge material from the vessel, the flow control nozzle is moved away from the discharge opening to increase its effective size to allow rapid withdrawal from material from the vessel.

Abstract: A fluidizing gravity conveyor for hot particulate material which includes a heat resistant plate having a plurality of holes for receiving bubble caps or nozzles to disperse air flow from a lower plenum chamber to the upper material chamber. The upper material chamber is suitably lined with heat resistant material. Provisions are made for differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: A system for supplying a gas under pressure to a vessel such as a blender for particulate material which includes a central vertical lift column for recirculating material through the vessel to achieve blending. The system uses a first source of gas under pressure which may be a low pressure source suitable for a continuous operation of the blending apparatus. The system also is connected to a high pressure source of air such as plant air which is utilized as a supplemental source of air under pressure for initial start-up of the apparatus. A control system is provided which regulates the flow of the high pressure air to the gas supply conduit which acts as a reservoir for high pressure air. The control system allows the gas supply conduit to be pressurized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing undesired compounds such as alkali compounds from a shaft furnace such as a blast furnace. The process and apparatus includes providing a plurality of intermediate exhaust conduits or manifolds within the shaft furnace for withdrawing some of the furnace gases which may be rich in alkali or other undesirable compounds from the furnace while allowing the balance of the gases of combustion to rise through the furnace. These conduits are positioned so that the temperature below the conduits is higher than the temperature at which the alkali compounds will volatilize and the temperature above the conduits is lower than the temperature at which the alkali compounds will condense so that the undesirable alkali compounds are in a vapor state when they are withdrawn from the furnace through the intermediate exhaust conduits.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher of the type including a frame with a bowl mounted on the frame and a head cooperable with the bowl in crushing operations. The head is rotatably mounted on an eccentric which is driven through suitable gearing. The head is positively rotated by a drive means either independent of or integral with the drive for the eccentric. The bowl is free to rotate about the frame. The rotary motion imparted to the head serves to induce centrifugal force to the particles of material within the crushing chamber. This centrifugal force, when combined with the gravitational force acting on the particles of material, results in the material moving through the crushing chamber in a trajectory which follows the configuration of the crushing chamber.

Abstract: A releasable clamping apparatus for securing cartridge filter elements to a tube sheet of a dust collector apparatus. The clamping apparatus includes a clamping band which surrounds the filter element. The tube sheet includes a plurality of spaced apart J-shaped support clips surrounding each opening in the tube sheet. A plurality of latches are attached to the clamping band and cooperate with the support clips to secure the clamping band and the filter element to the tube sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning fly ash discharged from a silo to prevent the material from excessively dusting during discharge and transit to a storage or dump site. Apparatus includes a level box flow connected to the outlet of the silo with a modulating valve positioned between the outlet of the silo and the inlet of the level box for controlling the flow rate of material into the level box. The level box is a gas permeable bottom with air under pressure being passed upwardly through the material therein to aerate the material and improve flow characteristics of the material into an ash conditioner which is flow connected to the outlet of the level box. The ash conditioner is a conventional type including a rotating drum with an internal spray system for spraying water onto the ash to wet the ash. Wetted fly ash is relatively dust free when discharged from the conditioner.

Abstract: A rotary assembly for rotating a vessel such as a rotary kiln with a minimum amount of heat transfer to the driving element. A pluraltiy of coupling assemblies are provided which include a first bracket attached to the vessel. Pivotally connected to the bracket is a link member having an opposite pivot point on the driving element. With the coupling arrangement, heat from the inner rotating element which causes different rates of thermal expansion with respect to the girth gear does not produce high stresses on either element.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing low sulfur cement clinker from cement raw meal containing sulfur or with fuel containing high levels of sulfur or a combination thereof. The process is carried out in an apparatus which includes a preheater, calcining furnace, clinkering furnace and clinker cooler. A separate source of fuel is added to the feed end of the kiln to maintain reducing conditions and temperatures for decomposing the sulfur compounds. Fresh air is added to the riser duct connecting the clinkering furnace with the calcining furnace and the preheater for converting sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. Calcium oxide is added to the riser duct for absorbing the sulfur trioxide to form calcium sulfate. The calcium sulfate is then removed by a gas solid separator from the system. Excess fuel added to maintain reducing condition at the feed end is utilized in the calcining furnace.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for roasting fine material which includes recirculation of at least partially roasted material through the roasting furnace for further roasting. An adjustable gate is included in the recirculation system for controlling the quantity of material recirculated. A high temperature fluidizing gravity conveyor is used in the recirculation system to maintain a low profile for the system. The invention utilizing a system for classifying large particles so that they may be removed from the recirculation system. Gas locks are included for preventing the short circuiting of hot gases. The system also includes overflow conduit in the event of a plug or blockage in the system.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for exerting a downward force on a roller mechanism of a roller mill which includes a fluid actuated piston-cylinder device connected to the rocker arm of the roller by means of a link element pivotally connected at its one end to the piston-cylinder means and pivotally connected at its other end to the rocker arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing cement which includes intermixing the cement forming raw materials with water, coal or coke cement as a binder and forming this mixture of materials into nodules by pelletizing or extrusion. The system is particularly designed for use in making white cement where raw materials low in coloring compound are used as raw feed. The nodules are then sized to obtain a feed material having a size range on the order of one quarter inch by 14 mesh which is suitable for use in a fluidized bed reactor. The nodulized raw material is thermally processed in a fluidized bed reactor at temperatures in the range of approximately 2500.degree. to 2700.degree. F. for white cement and 2350.degree.-2450.degree. F. for typical gray Portland Cement. The coal or coke mixed with the raw material serves to supply between 60% and 90% percent of the fuel required for the process with the remainder being supplied directly to the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of particulate material through a conduit which may be referred to as a clam shell valve including and arcuate valve plate. The valve includes a seal block having a recess for receiving the leading edge of the valve plate to assure a seal between the conduit and the valve element. The seal block is shaped to inhibit the entrance of material into the seal block and allow for the easy discharge of that material on opening of the valve element. The valve also includes an upper wiper seal element for cleaning the surface of the valve.

Abstract: An improved annular shaft kiln for burning particulate material such as limestone which adds a bridge to the lower part of the annular material zone between the burning zone and the cooling zone. This bridge permits heated cooling gas and at least some of the spent cooling gas to be withdrawn from the annular zone and be supplied directly to the combustion chamber of the kiln.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing low sulfur cement clinker from cement raw meal containing sulfur or with fuel containing high levels of sulfur or a combination thereof. The process is carried out in an apparatus which includes a preheater, calcining furnace, clinkering furnace and clinker cooler. A separate source of fuel is added to the feed end of the kiln to maintain reducing conditions and temperatures for decomposing the sulfur compounds. Fresh air is added to the riser duct connecting the clinkering furnace with the calcining furnace and the preheater for converting sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide. Calcium oxide is added to the riser duct for absorbing the sulfur trioxide to form calcium sulfate. The calcium sulfate is then removed by a gas solid separator from the system. Excess fuel added to maintain reducing condition at the feed end is utilized in the calcining furnace.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pneumatically conveying solid particulate material which includes a vessel or blow tank which is supplied with particulate material to be conveyed from a suitable source. A riser pipe extends into the vessel and has a material inlet near the bottom of the tank with its other end flow connected to a transport line. A bottom discharge arrangement is also contemplated. Gaseous fluid under pressure is supplied into the vessel to pressurize the vessel and entrain and convey material through the riser pipe to the material transport line and to a remote use point. A by-pass line is provided for selectively connecting the pressurized inside of the vessel with the riser pipe/transport line at a point downstream of the inlet for material. This by-pass line serves to selectively vent gaseous fluid under pressure in the vessel to the material conveying line when system pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A door and hinge mechanism particularly adapted for use in a conical hopper where the door may be on the down side of the hopper. The hinge pin connecting the fixed hinge element with the movable hinge element is placed under tension by springs such as Belville washers so that the hinge pin is not freely rotatably in the fixed hinged element. The movable hinge element includes a cam member which rotates about an off-set axis until the cam surface engages the hinge pin to prohibit further free rotation of the movable hinge. A force must then be applied to the door supplementing gravity to rotate the movable hinge element and hinge pin relative to the fixed hinge element to thereby open the door.