Abstract: A process and apparatus for the preparation of green briquettes for the production of silicon or silicon carbide or ferrosilicon in electric pit furnaces, quartz sand, a carbon carrier and a bituminous binder being mixed together, the mixture being shaped into blanks from which the green briquettes are formed by heat treatment. The process is performed with the use of blanks which are free from melted bituminous caking coal and whose specific weight is made greater than the bulk density of quartz sand by adjustment of the proportions of the mixture and by compacting. The blanks are introduced for the heat treatment into a heated rotating drum furnace whose lower part is filled with quartz sand to an extent such that the heat treatment proceeds in a dip bed of quartz sand.

Abstract: A watercooled rotary combustor comprising a plurality of pipes or tubes secured together, means mounting the plurality of pipes or tubes for rotation about the axis of the inner surface with the axis being horizontally tilted so as to have a high end and a low end, means for rotating the plurality of pipes or tubes on the mounting, a feeding chute into which burnable waste material can be stacked which opens into the high end of the combustor, the pipes or tubes being interconnected for circulating water flow and having a water input line and a watersteam discharge line, means for circulating water through the lines including a steam drum connected to the discharge line for separating steam from the water, the pipes or tubes being secured so as to define a plurality of intermediate openings so that the inner surface of the combustor is gas porous, and means for delivering controlled amounts of combustion air for burning through selected portions of the porous surface, the improvement comprising, a combustor f

Abstract: A rotary reactor of the type having a cylindrical, horizontally-oriented chamber lined with a refractory for burning materials therein and a plurality of trough-like lifters, extending along the interior surface of the chamber, for lifting and dumping sand in the chamber as the chamber rotates, a long-wearing lifter assemble which minimizes intrusion of contaminants between the lifter and the refractory.

Abstract: A rotary kiln having a material processing drum rotatably supported by a shaft. The shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing structure having a radial bearing and a thrust bearing. A radial bearing aligner and a thrust bearing aligner are provided for, respectively, aligning the radial bearing and the thrust bearing with the shaft of the drum if the shaft moves relative to the radial bearing and the thrust bearing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having combustion chambers with ceramic linings. These ceramic linings have webs between inner and outer surfaces for forming sealed cavities therein.

Abstract: A reaction furnace includes a rotating core within a heated shell, the core and shell defining an active annular zone. An interrupted helical screw carried by the core conveys material from an inlet at one end of the zone to an outlet at the opposite end of the zone. The furnace is operated with the annulus only partially filled. Volatiles rise to a void space at the top of the annulus and are drawn off.

Abstract: This invention aims to offer an external heating rotary furnace for indirectly heating materials such as ore, coke, etc. which are liable to be oxidized, by insulating then from an oxidixing combustion gas atmosphere. The furnace comprises the following members: are reaction chamber (5) in which materials are heated to high temperature, defined by heat resistant ceramic means 4 from the combustion chamber (10) in which the fuel burns out.The fuel burns out in the combusion chamber, and combustion gas does not pass through the reaction chamber (5). Materials to be treated are heated indirectly in the reaction chamber (5) through the insulating ceramic wall (4).According to this invention, materials to be treated can be heated indirectly over 1,400.degree. C. effectively isolated from the combustion gas atmosphere, and inexpensive fuel can be used. Particularly, this invention is useful for the reduction of ores.

Abstract: A finned tube rotary combustor for a municipal solid waste incinerator having a plurality of finned tubes disposed in a circular array so that the fins of adjacent tubes register, but are separate and form a gap for combustion air to pass from a divided windbox into the rotary combustor, the finned tubes being connected at each end to a ring header and at intermediate locations by channel shaped circumferential bands that have an outer peripheral surface that is utilized as the running surface for windbox radial seals and has legs with scalloped distal margins fitted and welded to the outer periphery of the finned tube array.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cooling of a rotary kiln with a liquid cooling agent. According to the invention, the cooling agent is distributed to form an essentially even liquid blanket above the rotary kiln (1). In order to achieve this, a number of baffle plates (6) and/or nozzle pipes (9) is arranged at an equal height with respect to the surface of the rotary kiln (1).

Abstract: Perforated plugs fitted into combustion air holes in a rotary combustor in which combustion air for burning municipal solid waste passes through the perforations to prevent molten aluminum and fines from passing through the perforations and the method of preventing molten aluminum from passing through the perforations using the plugs.

Abstract: A method of heating reclaimed asphalt paving is shown and described. An air sorter removes fine materials from the reclaimed asphalt paving, and an air circulating dryer which utilizes high velocity air impingement, removes the moisture from the material. A conventional combustion heating tunnel is used to raise the temperature of the material to a first desired temperature and a microwave heating tunnel is used to raise the temperature to a final desired temperature.

Abstract: A plurality of variable pitch baffles for diffusing hot combustion gases flowing through an asphalt drum mixer is provided. Each baffle, which is internally mounted at an intermediate location within the drum mixer, includes a plurality of opening therethrough.

Abstract: An improved attachment for positioning a rotary waterwall combustor within a tire so it rotational axis is fixed and the rotary waterwall combustor, the tire and the attachment linkage are free to expand independently without inducing stresses due to differential thermal expansion; the attachment linkage comprises a plurality of support blocks attached to the rotary waterwall combustor and a plurality of support lugs attached to the tire with a plurality of links pivotally connected to the blocks and lugs with an elongated opening cooperatively associated with one of the pivotal connections to allow pivotal and axial movement and eliminate stresses caused by differential thermal expansion.

Abstract: A kiln for reclaiming quick lime from calcium carbonate sludge formed in the production of cooking liquors in a wood pulping process for the production of paper. The kiln provides increased output with lower energy input due to: measurement and control of oxygen content in the kiln; non-air mixing burner; castable refractory liner with tumbler ribs; a heat transferring chain system; and a variable speed exhaust fan and air flow control. The output of the kiln was increased by more than ten percent along with a forty-five percent improvement in energy efficiency at substantial cost reduction due to its efficient use of energy.

Abstract: A novel high-temperature, gas-burning furnace has a rotating porous-ceramic bed, which serves the integral functions of wall insulator, thermal regenerator, combustion chamber, and radiant heater. The configuration permits high chamber temperatures (up to 1400.degree. C.), large temperature gradients across the bed (typically, 600.degree. C. across 2.5 cm), and low stack losses (exhaust stream on the order of 250.degree. C.).

Abstract: In a thermal reductor unit for decontaminating soil of combustible and volatile fluids, as interior drum is mounted concentrically within a shell in surrounding relation to an ignition chamber. An annular space between the drum and shell provides a compartment wherein soil being processed is received to serve as an insulating medium for the ignition chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and to a method for the heat treatment of fine-grained material using a multi-stage cyclone preheater and a combustion chamber supplied with tertiary air from the cooler, in which the branched part of the tertiary air pipe extends upwards and the material discharged from the second-lowest stage of the cyclone preheater is introduced into one branch pipe at a point which lies lower than the point at which this branch pipe is connected to the combustion chamber. In this way good dispersal of the material which is delivered pneumatically to the combusion chamber and excellent combustion conditions are achieved at the same time as a considerable reduction in the overall height of the entire cyclone preheater.

Abstract: An air cooled rotary kiln collar for use in improving the delivery of preheated charge material from the rotary kiln to the second stage of a multi-stage heating process. Adjustable rate fans circulate air through an annular collar at the discharge end of the rotary kiln to remove heat from the charge material and prevent it from agglomerating and sticking to the kiln.

Abstract: A calcining kiln for decontaminating and detoxifying materials, such as earth, contaminated by hazardous chemicals and substantially incapable of autogenous combustion, consisting of an elongated kiln body through which the material to be treated is conveyed in the form of a tumbling bed, and apparatus for directing flame jets of high temperature against and into the tumbling bed at closely spaced intervals along the length of the kiln body to stir and agitate the material. The tumbling and the stirring and agitation reduce the material to a pulverized form of fine particle size so that all of the contaminating chemicals may be reached and destroyed by the high temperature flame jets. Various fuel gases may be used depending on the heat producing capacity required under any particular circumstances, and the heat produced in successive longitudinally spaced zones of the kiln body may be independently controlled according to the heat requirements in each zone.

Abstract: A pulse combustion dehydration apparatus includes a pulse combustor designed to operate with a low pressure fuel gas supply and having valve means to stop the supply of gas to the combustion chamber during high pressure portions of the pulse combustion cycle. Gas enters the combustion chamber through a fuel distributor having a series of radial gas outlets downstream of an annular flame trap through which combustion air is admitted to the combustion chamber from an air cushion chamber. These features increase the amplitude of the combustion cycle and reduce the amount of residual flame in the combustion chamber, resulting in a strong cycle. An air bypass pipe from the air cushion chamber to the exhaust pipe apparently increases the compression in the combustion chamber from the returning pressure waves. The deydration apparatus further includes a rotary drum into which material is to be dehydrated is delivered in the exhaust gas stream from the exhaust pipe of the pulse combustor.

Abstract: A drum dryer for use in the manufacture of bituminous concrete asphalt is provided with a jacket including a layer of ceramic fiber insulation bonded to an outer sheath of aluminum, the jacket being wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the wall of the drum and secured in place with bands of stainless steel strapping so as to reduce to a minimum heat loss due to dissipation of heat from the outer peripheral surface of the drum wall, thereby enabling conservation of energy, while affording protection to personnel and equipment in the vicinity of the dryer drum against excessive heat.

Abstract: An improved rotary combustor has side walls with slanted openings. Air used to support combustion passes through the slanted openings and is directed at an acute angle to a vector in the direction of rotation of the combustion barrel. As a result, the air is directed towards the combustion area within the barrel.

Abstract: A rotary combustor for incinerating solid waste material, such as municipal trash, includes a combustion barrel supplied by air through windboxes underneath the barrel. Molten metal, such as aluminum, which is commonly present in the waste material, drops through perforations in the side wall of the combustion barrel and collects on a heated contact surface in each of the windboxes. The heated contact surface may have a funnel shape and be connected to a heated pipe for transferring the molten metal out of each windbox. Alternatively, the heated element may be attached to the interior surface of each windbox and separated therefrom by heat insulation. In this case, heated airlock doors at the lower end of the windboxes are used to discharge the molten metal from the windboxes.

Abstract: A kiln is disclosed which includes an elongated housing formed by a plurality of interconnected longitudinally extending sections each forming an independent housing module. Each housing module has support means for rotatably supporting that housing module independently of any other module and power means for moving the support means of each housing module into contact engagement therewith for compensating for load variations applied to the support means and uniformly distributing the loading forces imposed thereon by the housing modules and their respective contents.

Abstract: A system for pyrolysing/drying biological sludge by indirectly heating the same by means of hot fumes, characterized by the fact that it incorporates a rotary furnace secured angularly to a cover skirt and defining, with the same, a cavity in which to circulate the aforementioned heating fumes; the aforementioned skirt being supported in rotary manner on powered rollers and connection to the utility pipes and to the sludge loading/unloading means fixed to the floor being made by means of devices consisting of a first frame turning together with the furnace and the respective skirt and supporting, in idle manner by means of rolling bodies, and a second frame connected to the aforementioned pipes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of measuring the temperature of a hot crystalline material. It is especially well adapted for measuring the temperature of mineral products within or being discharged from rotary or other types of kilns. The mineral material entering the kiln is doped with a rare earth compound at a level of at least 0.001 molar percent, preferably about 0.01 molar percent. During the process of calcination in the kiln, the rare earth is incorporated into the crystal lattice of the host mineral to form a phosphor. This is excited by laser light of an appropriate wavelength. The flourescence emitted by the excited hot material is then measured and can be accurately related to the temperature. In one version of the invention the mineral material is used in a chemical process where it is recycled to the kiln for recovery. The lime cycle in a kraft pulping operation is such a process.

Abstract: A rotary combustor, in which material is burned in a gas porous cylinder, having a sectioned and compartmented wind box permitting selective delivery of air through the burning material, above the burning material, at the start of the burning process, and after burning has been well initiated.

Abstract: A mounting structure for use in rotationally supporting a rotatable drum dryer is provided which prevents spauling, flaking and pitting of the dryer tracks, which supports the rotational movement of the dryer, and which prevents axial shifting of the dryer. The mounting structure preferably includes a fixed base, at least a pair of proximal, continuous, annular tracks fixedly secured to the dryer, and a corresponding pair of trunnion rollers rotatably coupled with the base and adapted for contacting the faces of the tracks respectively. The mounting structure also advantageously includes at least one thrust wheel for engaging the side of one of the tracks to prevent axial shifting of the dryer. More particularly, two mounting structures are provided, one for each end of the dryer, and each mounting structure includes two pairs of thrust wheels, one pair engaging the side of each track and opposedly configured to prevent axial shifting of the dryer in either direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the thermal treatment of a batch of raw material has a casing and a drum rotatably mounted in the casing, the drum being made of good thermally conductive material and being substantially closed off from the open atmosphere. A drive is provided for rotating the drum and a feeder can introduce a bath of raw material into the drum and a device is provided for discharging a said batch which has been heated in the drum. A conduit conveys hot gases in heat exchange relationship with the drum.

Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus is provided for use in a rotary kiln having a bed therein for introducing thermal energy directly into central portions of the bed without lifting or tumbling thereof. In this manner, efficient heat transfer is effected from hot upper portions of the kiln to within central portions of the bed without causing significant dust generation which results in unwanted loss of heat and raw materials from the kiln. A plurality of tubular refractory members are held in a spaced apart relationship with the rotary kiln wall which are heated in the upper portions of the kiln and cooled as they pass through the bed when the kiln is rotated.

Abstract: A pre-expander for polymer beads is disclosed which includes a pre-expansion chamber having an agitator therein. The agitator is driven by an electric motor. The power requirements of the motor are monitored to determine the resistance which the beads are offering to motion of the agitator. The resistance to motion increases as the beads expand. Pre-expansion is stopped when the resistance offered by the beads results in a predetermined power requirement.

Abstract: It is provided as shown in the drawing with a waste gas guiding duct, a rotating duct, an inserting duct, a connecting duct, a stationary duct, and a branch tube including a feed chute and a gas exhaust duct, and is adapted to preheat a main raw material consisting of direct reduced iron or small lumps of pig iron, or of auxiliary raw materials consisting of ferro-alloy and quick lime by utilizing the waste heat of a waste gas generated in a steel making furnace, weighing the total raw materials, and charging these raw materials into the electric furnace. This enables the energy to be utilized efficiently, and the quality and productivity to be improved.

Abstract: In a mixer having an elongated rotatable drum surrounded by coaxial front and rear tires, the invention facilitates adjustment of the positions of the two trunnion units that supportingly and drivingly engage each tire. Each trunnion unit comprises a base member horizontally shiftably slidable on the mixer frame and a tire engaging roller confined to rotation relative to the base member. Opening to front and rear ends of each trunnion unit are holes that are coaxial with its roller axis. Fixed to one side of the mixer frame are two locating fixtures, each having holes opening to front and rear end surfaces thereon, all of those holes having coinciding axes. Three U-shaped gages are provided, each having tangs which are closely receivable in said holes and which project laterally from opposite ends of an elongated lengthwise adjustable body portion. Two of the gages are used with the locating fixtures to position their adjacent trunnion units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing calcined aluminum fluoride, AlF.sub.3, from aluminum fluoride hydrate, especially aluminum fluoride trihydrate, AlF.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O, by drying and calcining. It is characterized in that(1) the hydrate is pre-dried or pre-calcined,(2) the pre-dried or pre-calcined hydrate is freed of the fine portion and(3) is totally dehydrated and calcined.The advantage of the method lies in the prevention of the adhesions on the walls of the calcining apparatus, which restrict transmission of heat, which hitherto made continuous operation impossible, and in the increase of the purity of the product produced.A variation of method lies in the fact the fine component arising from the second method step is prepared into a coarser material, possibly added again to the product of the second method step which is free of fine component, and according to the third step of the method is dehydrated and calcined.

Abstract: A rotary kiln construction of the type where a cylindrical kiln is supported for rotation on an annular bearing ring wherein the ring has an inner circumference larger than the outer circumference of the kiln cylinder and a plurality of spacing plates are arranged around the circumference of the cylinder to support the bearing ring concentrically with the cylinder, supporting assemblies for the spacing plates including a support element welded on the cylinder with abutment strips preventing axial displacement of the bearing ring and angle lugs preventing axial displacement of the spacing plates with the support assemblies located axially opposite each other so as to hold the plates between them and permit withdrawal of the plates from either axial direction.

Abstract: The rotary furnace has a generally cylindrical rotatable outer member that is driven by a belt and pulley arrangement. An inner member that defines the confines of the heating chamber is freely supported on the outer member to permit free expansion and contraction of the inner member with respect to the outer member. Insulating material disposed between the inner and outer members also joins the inner and outer members together during rotation of the outer member. The insulating material thus transmits the driving force from the outer member to the inner member to thereby cause rotation of the inner member. A cantilevered, non-rotatable heat supply structure extends into the inner member from one end thereof. An access opening to the heating chamber, that is normally sealed during furnace operation, is provided at the opposite end of the inner member.

Abstract: A commercial laundry dryer with a perforated drum for the laundry mounted in a housing to rotate on a horizontal axis and the drum is of the full width and length of the housing to maximize the load size for the floor space occupied by the housing. The fuel-fired burner is mounted below the drum and faces upward with a deflector preventing the flame from contacting the drum. The fan for circulating the drying air is mounted above the drum as are dampers for selectively causing the drying air to be recirculated to the burner and drum or exhausted after a single pass and a lint collecting and discharging arrangement. The drying air is introduced into the bottom of the drum at the center, passes upwardly through the laundry load and out through the top of the drum near the axial ends.

Abstract: A rotary kiln construction wherein the kiln cylinder has an annular bearing ring for supporting the kiln in rotation with spacer plates located between the ring and the outer surface of the cylinder and circumferentially spaced from each other with supporting assemblies at each axial side of the bearing ring secured to the outer surface of the cylinder having retaining elements projecting on both circumferential sides of the plates and being radially outward of the plates to provide a radial inward support to the plate ends constructed for retaining the plates and for ease of replacement and removal without rewelding the full plate assembly on the cylinder.

Abstract: Inerts, particularly flotation addles and/or middlings are burned as a fire material in a grate firing and form a solid slag which is mechanically comminuted during the firing process. Comminution is accomplished with grate elements which are movable with respect to the slag and which are cooled by feeding combustion air therethrough, the combustion air being directly injected from the grate elements into the firing material.

Abstract: In order to reduce the wear and to facilitate the replacement, a nozzle block comprises a mounting plate which is connected to the kiln shell, a nozzle tube which extends in the mounting tube and defines a clearance with the mounting tube and with the kiln lining, an abutment surface provided at the lower end of the nozzle tube and engaged by the orifice plate and which is clear of the body of the nozzle tube, a retaining tube which extends in the nozzle tube and defines a clearance with the nozzle tube and with the orifice plate, a gas feed duct attached to the side of the mounting tube and a cover on the mounting tube.

Abstract: A solar heated rotary kiln utilized for decomposition of materials, such as zinc sulfate. The rotary kiln has an open end and is enclosed in a sealed container having a window positioned for directing solar energy into the open end of the kiln. The material to be decomposed is directed through the container into the kiln by a feed tube. The container is also provided with an outlet for exhaust gases and an outlet for spent solids, and rests on a tiltable base. The window may be cooled and kept clear of debris by coolant gases.

Abstract: Gases are blown into the kiln through its shell by means of shell pipes or nozzle blocks. The rates at which gases actually enter the kiln are ascertained in that the pressure in each supply duct is pneumatically tapped at a constriction and is applied to a transducer, which is secured to the kiln. A differential pressure is ascertained by the transducer and converted to an electric signal, which is delivered to a control station via slip rings, which are secured to the kiln, and stationary taps.

Abstract: Pollution control apparatus and method are disclosed in which hot exhaust gas containing pollutants including solid particles and hydrocarbon vapors is treated by transmitting such exhaust gas through a container containing wood members, such as wood chips, which serve as a filter media for filtering out such pollutants by causing such solids to deposit and such hydrocarbon vapors to condense upon the surface of the wood members. The contaminated wood chips are discharged from the filter and further processed into chip board or other commercial wood products thereby disposing of the pollutants. Lumber may be used as the wood members of the filter in a lumber kiln by deposition of solid particles on the rough surface of such lumber. The contaminated surfaces of the lumber are removed by a planer which produces smooth finished lumber and contaminated wood chips that may be processed into chip board or other commercial wood products.

Abstract: A substantially horizontal rotating drum mounted on roller pairs which drum is driven via some of the rollers, drive rollers, by means of a hydrostatic motor on each drive roller. In order to avoid problems, e.g., stoppage if the contact between the drum and one or more drive rollers ceases, each hydrostatic motor is part of a separate power circuit further comprising a hydrostatic pump and a squirrel-cage motor constantly ensuring essentially the same peripheral speed for drum and drive roller irrespective of the torque size.

Abstract: An indirectly heated rotary calciner or dryer for high temperature operation, whereby it is important to reduce cylinder stress to achieve a reasonable life expectancy of the heated section of a cylinder even when the most exotic of metal alloys is used for its construction.The present invention is able to reduce the stress in the heated section of an indirectly heated rotary calciner or dryer cylinder by the use of either long extensions beyond the cylinder's riding ring supports or by shorter, weighted extensions beyond said riding ring supports, which act as moment arms and thus permit a calciner to be operated at substantially higher temperatures than would be the case had the invention not been employed, while still achieving good life expectancy.

Abstract: A plant for manufacturing cement clinker from cement raw material includes a preheater first stage separated by a wall into a first chamber and a second chamber. Only raw material is passed through the first chamber while only hot exit gases are permitted to pass through the second chamber. Thus the raw material including any volatile, combustion components are kept isolated from direct contact with the hot exit gases. A heat exchange system is provided to permit the transfer of heat from the hot exit gases in the second chamber to the raw material in the first chamber. The heat exchange system preferably includes self-contained heat pipes extending into both the first and second chambers. The heat pipes contain a fluid medium which aids in the heat transfer as a consequence of cylical changes of the fluid medium from a liquid to a vapor state.

Abstract: A rotary kiln having a plurality of outlets for passage of material from within the kiln to associated cooler tubes mounted in use in planetary fashion around the outlet end of the kiln. Each kiln outlet has a tubular support to which the inlet end of the associated cooler tube is attached, and a steel reinforcing ring within the support. Insulation is provided between the ring and the support and the ring is lined internally with a wear-resisting ceramic material. An annular collar is formed of the same material as the ring and extends radially beyond the joint between the support and the kiln shell. The collar--which is bolted to the kiln shell--is insulated from both the support and the kiln shell and is coated with a wear-resistant ceramic material.

Abstract: The rate of calcining carbonaceous material in a rotary kiln is increased by introducing oxygen into the inlet of air fans mounted on the kiln. The introduction of oxygen is effected during a predetermined portion of each kiln revolution and is effective to enrich the oxygen content of air supplied to the kiln to approximately 23-25% oxygen. By so enriching the interior kiln atmosphere during calcining of material such as petroleum coke, greater temperatures are obtained than will be obtained by the use of air alone thereby accelerating the evolution and combustion of volatile materials during calcination. The accelerated evolution and combustion of such volatiles enables the rate at which carbonaceous materials can be calcined in a kiln of a predetermined length to be increased.

Abstract: A rotary kiln having a live ring is supported by a pair of rollers on shafts. The ends of each shaft are supported by bearings carried at the ends of a weigh beam having a rocking bearing so that the rollers can tilt to follow changes in the slope of the kiln. To allow the rollers to follow any axial movement of the live ring, upon thermal expansion or contraction of the kiln, the rocking bearing is slidable on a partly cylindrical segment.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for pyrolyzing waste materials and recovering useful chemical and energy rich materials therefrom. The apparatus of the invention comprises a specially designed, rotatable pyrolysis chamber and a cooperating rotatable moisture reduction chamber which pretreats the refuse prior to its introduction into the pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolysis chamber and the moisture reduction chamber are uniquely interconnected so that a portion of the heat of combustion of the refuse is taken from the pyrolysis chamber and controllably introduced into the moisture reduction chamber to reduce the moisture content of the refuse which is continuously received therein. The outlet of the moisture reduction chamber is interconnected with the inlet of the pyrolysis chamber so that, in operation, the refuse received into the pyrolysis chamber is controllably pre-dried prior to pyrolysis.