Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for charging particulate material of varying sizes into a shaft furnace, such as an oil shale retort or blast furnace, in which a highly uniform distribution of particle sizes of charge material and a desired height and level of stockline are obtained. The apparatus comprises a non-rotatable distribution hopper having a dividing means beneath choked feed means to substantially equally divide the material into a plurality of port means. The apparatus also includes partially movable distributor means and spreader means having surfaces of different inclinations to thoroughly mix the variously sized particles. Also disclosed is apparatus for providing gas lock means to prevent loss of gas pressure from the furnace, sensing the stockline level in the furnace, weighing the material in a hopper, temporarily storing certain amounts of charge material, and controlling the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cooling hot agglomerates containing metallic iron resulting from prereduction of iron oxide, by moving ambient atmospheric air rapidly over the agglomerates so that little if any reoxidation of the metallic iron results.Also disclosed is apparatus comprising a gas permeable support movable in a generally horizontal generally circular path and having a feeding station at which hot particulate material is deposited on the support in a bed of substantially uniform thickness in which the particles are at rest relative to each other, discharge means at another station angularly spaced along the path of travel of said support for lifting the particulate material from the support, means for passing cooling gas through the bed of material on the support as the support travels from the feeding to the discharge station, and means for receiving the discharged cooled material.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method according to which a bell in a charging apparatus comprising a bell and surrounding hopper portion may be removed laterally out of the enclosure in which the bell and hopper are located, by removing a closure from an opening in the side of the enclosure that is aligned with bell and hopper portion, temporarily supporting said bell, disconnecting the bell from its bell rod and the hopper portion from its supporting means, and moving the bell and surrounding hopper portion laterally out of the enclosure. A bell and a mating hopper portion may thereafter be moved laterally into the enclosure into positions in which the bell can be connected to its bell rod and the hopper portion to its supporting means, the temporary supporting means is removed and the enclosure is closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is charging means for a shaft furnace such as an oil shale retort or blast furnace comprising a stationary outer distributor member having a donwardly converging inner wall and a movable member having upwardly converging upper wall, which latter member is adapted to move in an upright path between positions below and above the bottom of the distributor. A plurality of port means are fixed in the top wall of the furnace above the distributor members, each port means having a gas sealing valve and a material holding gate. Above the port means is a distribution hopper having a number of downwardly extending legs each connected to one of the port means, and adapted to distribute to each of the port means charge material that is supplied to the top of the distribution hopper through a material holding gate and a gas seal. The distribution hopper is supported by load cells which measure the weight of the charge material delivered to the distribution hopper.