Abstract: A rotating kiln or cooler for use in the manufacture of cementitious materials comprises a tubular body (1) mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof, a material being fed into the body at one end and removed at the other end. Air or combustion gases flow through the body (1) in the opposite direction to the material.In order to improve the heat transfer between the material and the air or gases, at least one ring (12) of lifting members (34) is provided on the interior periphery of the body (1). The members (34) lift the material and allow it to drop back to the bottom of the kiln, thus increasing the surface area of the material in contact with the air or gases.

Abstract: In a calciner having a rotatable cylindrical retort, an improved material feed spiral has a final turn and a 3/4 turn ending immediately adjacent the retort and a next to final turn connected to the final turn and extending outwardly therefrom away from the cylindrical retort. The final turn and 3/4 turn are of a height substantially equal to a given percentage of the inner diameter of the retort and the next to final turn tapers from a height substantially equal to the given height of the final turn to a height less than the given height.

Abstract: A calciner includes a rotatable cylindrical retort which is indirectly heated and has material receiving and material discharging ends. A reverse pitch tapered spiral is affixed internal of the material discharging end with the spiral tapering toward the material discharging end whereby uniformity of material discharge over 300 degrees of rotation is achieved and whereby uniformity of agitation and increased residence time are achieved.

Abstract: A calciner has a rotatable indirectly-heated cylindrical retort with a material receiving end and a material discharge end and a reverse pitch spiral is affixed internal of the cylindrical retort at the material discharge end.

Abstract: An apparatus for metallurgically heat treating workpieces, the apparatus comprises a rotatable retort having an elongated treating chamber. A workpiece conveyor is within the treating chamber whereby the workpieces can be moved from the entrance end to the exit end of the treating chamber. A plurality of partitions within the treating chamber cooperate with the conveyor and treating chamber to divide the treating chamber into a plurality of distinct atmospherically isolated chambers and to allow for the movement of the workpieces into and out of the chambers. A gas distributor is within the treating chamber. The gas distributor is operatively connected to a reactive gas source and has gas outlets in selected ones of the chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for carbonizing an agricultural product utilizes a horizontally rotatable cylindrical vessel in which a pair of helical barriers are used to cause hot gases and combustion air to turbulate in a vortex about a central support member to cause various volatile constituents and organic matter of the agricultural product to evolve leaving the carbon constituents remaining on the skeletal silica through controlled burning at a temperature below the fusion point of the skeletal silica of the agricultural product.

Abstract: A process for treating an agricultural product having a high silica content utilizes the steps of supplying hot gases and combustion air to a combustion zone, dispersing the agricultural product in the hot gases and combustion air for controlled burning thereof and then arresting the combustion process after evolution of the volatile constituents and organic matter and prior to oxidation of the carbon constituents remaining in the agricultural product.

Abstract: A system for drying and preheating small metallic particles such as chips, turnings, borings and the like to remove volatiles therefrom which includes a dryer working in conjunction with a briquetting press. The dryer includes a drying and preliminary combustion chamber includng a revolving drum therein through which the chips pass. The drying and preliminary combustion is heated and is atmospherically sealed and operated with a reducing atmosphere. The volatiles driven from the metallic particles are passed to a combustion completion chamber which is maintained at a temperature sufficient to burn the combustibles and into which air is injected to complete the combustion. The hot metallic particles are thermally insulated and sealed from the atmosphere while being conveyed from the drying and preliminary combustion chamber to the briquetting press where they are compressed into briquettes for subsequent introduction into induction furnaces and the like.

Abstract: A rotary retort has an open discharge end located within a furnace. An axle assembly extends into the discharge end to support it for rotation in the furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to an incinerator for crematories, including a combustion chamber provided with charge inlet, flue gas outlet, supply means for combustion air, heat supply means and ash outlet. The novelty resides in the fact that the combustion chamber is placed in a unit which is movable, between two positions, relative to at least one stationary end wall in which the charge inlet and the flue gas outlet are provided, and is divided into at least two compartments which communicate with each other at some distance from the flue gas outlet and are adapted to be positioned, one at a time, at respectively the charge inlet and the flue gas outlet. The heat supply means works in the compartment present at the charge inlet at just that moment, and the combustion gases from said compartment will pass the other compartment on their way towards the flue gas outlet.

Abstract: A chain for use with kilns defines links, each with a flat area. The connection between the links is such that the flat areas in adjacent links tends to align with each other in the hanging attitude of the chain whereby the chain may be hung with the flat areas facing axial flow of materials in the kiln and acting as an impediment thereto. Arrays of such chains are hung from the wall of the kiln to collectively impede the flow of gas-borne particulate material.

Abstract: A smoke conducting apparatus for use particularly with continuous ring furnaces (e.g., Hoffman furnaces) wherein each furnace chamber is connected to the smoke channel, the latter being a metal pipe inclined slightly from horizontal and provided with one or more traps along the length of its bottom surface, each trap containing a removable receptacle, and heating means being disposed along the bottom of the channel to fluidize tarry deposits of combustion products so that such deposits will flow by gravity into the removable receptacle.

Abstract: A rotary kiln or combustor having a plurality of water cooled pipes secured together to define a cylinder in which material is burned. The cylinder slowly rotates about its axis, and the pipes are secured together so as to define a plurality of intermediate openings making the cylinder gas porous and through which combustion air is introduced. The improvement comprises providing a plurality of pins, secured directly to the pipes on the inside of the cylinder, that create a pattern of projections to support burning material slightly spaced from the inner cylinder wall.

Abstract: Agglomerating apparatus in the form of a rotating drum and a method for agglomerating and controlling the size consist of carbonaceous material, such as particulate coal, finely divided char and, optionally, a binder such as pitch. Control of the agglomerate consist size distribution discharged from the drum is achieved by increasing the relative residence time of the small or growing agglomerates and by limiting contact between the large formed agglomerates and the small forming or growing agglomerates. The preferred means to insure adequate growth time for the small agglomerates consists of a plurality of annular ribs spaced about the inside wall of the drum and a cooperating scraping mechanism. The scraping mechanism comprises a plurality of scraper blades projecting radially from a rotating shaft throughout the length thereof of the agglomerate-forming section of the drum. However, at the annular paths wherein a rib is found the scraping blades are shorter in length.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring heat between solid particles includes a rotatable cylindrical drum which includes plates mounted on the interior surface of the drum wall to extend inwardly thereof. Also included is an elongate vibratory screen disposed within the drum but supported independently of the drum. The screen includes a plurality of apertures of generally uniform size and is inclined with respect to the horizontal. A plurality of vanes are located underneath the screen to guide material falling from the screen toward one end of the drum. A feed bin is provided to introduce a first granular material onto the screen near said one end of the drum, with the particles of such granular material generally being of a size greater than the size of the apertures in the screen. A second feed bin is provided to introduce a second granular material into the other end of the drum, with the particle size of the second granular material generally being less than the size of the apertures.

Abstract: A flue gas scrubber for removing sulfur dioxide from hot flue gas includes a scrubbing section within which wet lime or limestone slurry is tumbled through the flue gas and a drying section incorporating agitating and nodulizing portions. A chain assembly and lifting scoops in the scrubbing section tumble the wet lime or limestone slurry in intimate contact with the flue gas to react with and remove the sulfur dioxide from the gas and form a slurry reaction product. A demisting zone in the scrubbing section assists in the removal of particulate matter. An annular baffle or dam separates the scrubbing and drying sections, and the agitating portion of the drying section from the final nodulizing portion. Low dams help impede rapid passage of the slurry through the scrubber.

Abstract: Heating apparatus is disclosed that is particularly suited for use in combination with a drum mixer for treating asphalt aggregate materials to make such materials suitable for being applied to the ground surface. The heating apparatus generally comprises a plurality of flame-emitting gas burners and a combustion chamber for producing hot gases. A refractory lined plate assembly with an array of gas distributing ports is provided for spreading out hot gases discharged from the combustion chamber over the surface area of the plate assembly and also for inhibiting the open flames from passing from the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is constructed to withstand the impacts and high temperatures encountered during operation of the mixer, as during transport, by attaching refractory bricks with metal backing plates to a rigid framework. The plate assembly is constructed in sections that are movable relative to one another to permit expansion and contraction with temperature variations.

Abstract: The rotatable dryer drum in a dehydrator for crop material is provided with a plurality of centrally disposed flighting panels for escalating turbulence in the material-entraining heated airflow passing through the drum as well as to increase the available heat transfer area, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of the dehydrator. The panels are supported in offset, thermally isolated relation to the sidewall of the drum by a series of elongate struts spaced along the length of the drum and extending between the sidewall and the panels such that the flighting resists thermal warpage and requires only a minimum amount of welding for installation. In preferred forms there is provided a dropout chamber adjacent the drum outlet for collecting material separated from the airflow, the chamber having a mechanical conveyor for bulk discharge of the collected material.

Abstract: A burner and associated rotating drum dryer for drying loose material, such as aggregates, is provided in which the burner directs a flame into the middle of the dryer drum, which has flights therein which lift the loose material in the rotating drum and drop it to either side of the center of the flame while preventing its falling through the center. A plurality of flights are mounted around the drum and each captures loose material as it passes through the loose material on the bottom of the drum and drops the material in a pattern in the drum for more rapid drying of the material. The material is spread through the open space of the drum except for that portion in the middle of the flame so as not to interfere with complete combustion.

Abstract: A freely rotating rod or rods to be used in a high temperature rotary kiln, especially a cement kiln, to provide a combination of mixing and heat transfer is disclosed. The heat stable construction material and design of the rod permit heat in the kiln to be transferred more readily to the core of a feed material in a pyro-processing process, resulting in a more homogeneous end product.The rod has a unique and critical tapered structure of gradually enlarging transverse cross section. The rod, because of its tapered design, may be placed in the kiln oriented with the smaller cross section lying uphill to offset its tendency to travel downhill with the moving feed. The rod then remains generally stationary in its section of the kiln. Alternately, the rod may be sized and oriented so that it will travel through the kiln with the feed if such is desired. In the latter example, the degree of taper determines the speed of travel.

Abstract: A long rotary kiln which slopes and wherein the particulate material travels downwardly from the inlet toward the outlet end and counter flowing gas travels upwardly therethrough, is provided with a preheater between the inlet end and the main operational zone. The preheater provides lifting devices at its end farthest from the inlet to deposit the particulate material in the gas stream, and an impingement separator zone at its end nearest the inlet to cause the particulate material to lose its momentum and fall from the gas.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing hot mix asphalt wherein flights provided in a mixer drum for cascading aggregate and asphalt across the mixer drum are constructed to establish a plurality of cascade zones, having differing cascade densities, in different portions of the mixer drum. High density cascade zones are provided to maximize the transfer of heat to aggregate; to shield cooler portions of the drum from hotter portions thereof, and to capture fines which would otherwise pass through the drum.

Abstract: A mounting device for kiln hardware comprises two standards connected to the kiln wall and projecting inwardly through the refractory. One standard is connectable to the hardware through a removable pin. The hardware and the other standard are provided with cooperating means which prevent rotation of the hardware about the pin when the pin is installed. The members are designed so that removal of the pin allows removal and replacement of the hardware.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing operations of agitating a material to be treated in a rotary kiln and scraping away substances adhering to the inner wall of the rotary kiln effectively at a high efficiency so as to operate the rotary kiln continuously for a long time and perform the heat treatment in the rotary kiln very smoothly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for drying and pelletizing organic material such as animal waste, sewage and the like. The organic material is dried in two stages using a high temperature, rotating primary drying drum, and a lower temperature secondary louvred drying drum. The primary drum includes an inlet section and an outlet section. The inlet section includes a plurality of transverse chain curtains for increased heat transfer to the organic material, for breaking up the organic material and for cleaning the sides of the drum. The primary drum outlet section includes a plurality of vanes angularly attached to the inside of the drum to form an auger to retain the material in the drum until it is partially dried to a desired level. The organic material is then transported to the secondary louvred layer. The louvred dryer includes an input section, an output section and a central pelletizing section formed by adjacent portions of the input and output sections.

Abstract: A mixer block used in rotary drums to improve the efficiency of mixing, drying, cooling, heating, or calcining of solid materials such as gravel, stone, fluxes and the like to produce a more uniform product with minimal production of fines and dust is described. The mixer block is especially useful when used as part of the refractory lining in a rotary kiln to calcine fluxstone such as limestone, dolomite, dolomitic limestone, magnesite and the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting fused solid materials with solid, liquid or gaseous materials, comprising a rotary drum, longitudinal baffles along the inner drum wall inside the apparatus, coaxial consoles being joined in a liquid- and gas-tight manner to faceplates of the drum, for lodging feeding and removing mechanisms. It is a major feature of the invention that a diverter baffle system is mounted from the consoles throughout the interior length of the drum. Two preferred embodiments are described: one for formulating plant protecting agents, wherein the baffle system includes a row of diverting baffles that can be pivoted inside the drum. The other preferred embodiment is suitable for extracting vegetable materials, and here the baffle system is constituted by a stationary drum having a slanting lapping formed therein, similarly pivotable diverting baffles being arranged along the lapping. Various additional and some optional structural features are disclosed for both apparatus embodiments.

Abstract: An incinerator or dryer for sewage sludge and the like includes a horizontal rotating combustion chamber with a protruding internal helical conveyor. The wet sludge enters at one end and dry ash is discharged from the other end. Heat scavenging devices include lengths of chain having ends which are secured to the helical conveyor. These chains dip into the wet sludge when the drum rotates. As the drum rotates further, the chains move to a hanging position exposing the wet sludge to the combustion gas stream which flows through the drum. The dry ash lies in the bottom of the drum and is transported by the helical conveyor to an ash wheel at the opposite end of the drum. This wheel separates the ash from the combustion gases by rotating a series of ash holding plates which pick up the ash at the bottom of the drum and discharge it at the top of the rotation of the ash wheel.

Abstract: A rotary drum for treating materials comprises a drum shell having a generally tubular configuration wall and one or more unitary material treating members forming a portion of the wall. In a preferred embodiment, the drum shell comprises a plurality of ring-shaped sections mechanically joined together in axial alignment wherein at least one of the sections has a unitary material treating member forming a portion of the section wall. In typical applications the treating members are cast steel members and the remaining portions of the drum shell are predominantly plate steel.The advantages of this drum include easier fabrication with a reduction in the extent of welding, avoidance of welding in inaccessible locations, elimination of abrupt changes in thickness and, in operation, a reduction of unwanted shearing stresses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for roasting a product with a heated granular bed are disclosed. A granular bedding, heat transfer material such as salt or the like contained within a rotatable heating chamber is directly exposed to a heat source which directs heat into the interior of the heating chamber. Heated granular material is then conveyed to a separate product roasting chamber and mixed with incoming particles of a product to be roasted. Internally disposed auger and flighting means facilitate movement of the commingled granular material and product through the roasting bin in response to rotation thereof. Separation means at the output of the roasting bin separates the processed product from the granular heating medium, and continuously returns the granular material to the heating bin for repetition of the process cycle. In one form of the invention the heating chamber is coaxially disposed internally of the rotatable roasting chamber to maximize thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A rotary kiln for treating material (e.g., for burning lime). The kiln includes a rotatable, hollow body for receiving material such as wet lime mud (i.e., limestone). The body has an opened end to allow the material to exit the body after it has been treated.A shroud is provided to cover the opened end of the body. The shroud includes a grate for allowing particles of the material of a certain maximum size to pass therethrough and includes a chute for allowing particles of the material of a size greater than the maximum size capable of passing through the grate to pass therethrough. A pair of outwardly extending arm members are fixedly attached to the opened end of the body for rotation therewith and for moving any particles of the material of a size greater than the maximum size capable of passing through the grate to the chute of the shroud for passage therethrough.

Abstract: A rotary dryer in which the rate of the bed transport is adjustable. The dryer shell is provided with at least one set of flights and a dam ring with the dam ring being spaced downstream of the flights to provide a flight-free area. Adjustable means are provided to transport material from the flight-free area over the dam ring to the downstream side thereof upon rotation of the shell to vary the amount of material retained upstream from the dam ring. In addition, means are provided to convey material from the flight-free area to a point adjacent the upstream end of the flights. Further, a cooling section is also included comprising a plurality of flights. Means for supplying co-current drying gas may be provided at the feed end of the dryer and means for supplying counter-current cooling gas may be provided adjacent the discharge end.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the drying of coke fines without the generation of noxious quantities of dust by means of a burner flame and associated flue gases extending along an axis. The wet loose material is moved along the axis toward the burner and rotated to expose it to the flue gases for predrying the material. The major quantity of moisture is removed during the predrying and entrained in the discharged flue gases. The moisture level of the predried material is maintained sufficiently high to prevent dust generation. Thereafter, the movement and rotation of the predried material is continued in an enclosed space heated by the flame and gases, to complete the drying of the material with little or no dust generation.

Abstract: My continuous drier comprises an inclined tubular casing having a feed tube concentrically disposed therein via which the product, such as grain or seed, to be dried is delivered to the lower end of the casing. Circumscribed about the feed tube and in a fixed relation thereto is an auger having its peripheral edge secured to the interior of the tubular casing. Most of the flights of the auger are perforated, the holes being of a size sufficiently small so that the granular product will not pass therethrough, yet large enough to allow a heat conductive media, such as salt particles, to sift downwardly as the drier is rotated about its inclined axis. Whereas most of the auger is perforated, two flights adjacent the closed lower end of the casing are imperforate.

Abstract: A rotary furnace includes a tubular body rotating slowly with a slight rake, having an opening for charging the materials at its higher end, a burner at its lower end and several rectangular or squared holes for discharging the product in the lower end of its side wall. In the discharging holes are exteriorly fitted several interchangeable refractory bushings havig different passage sections to regulate the product discharging rate according to the viscosity thereof. Preferably, the bushings are made up of two halves and means are provided on the outside of the furnace wall for retaining and positioning the bushings.

Abstract: The kiln comprises a slowly rotating drying-kiln section and a relatively quickly rotating kiln-section, a transition zone being arranged in the middle of the kiln. The transition zone comprises shovel-shaped bricks and intermediate bricks. The shovel-shaped bricks comprise projecting portions provided with especially shaped surfaces.

Abstract: A process for reactivating or regenerating catalysts which have become inactivated due to accumulation of carbon deposits or sulfur-containing carbon deposits on the catalyst surface during the course of use in catalytically refining various petroleum oils is described.

Abstract: A rotary retort furnace wherein the retort is supported for rotation at only one end outside of the heated furnace shell such that the retort is cantilevered into the shell. The rotary retort has a charging door mechanism that cooperates with a skip hoist loading mechanism to provide charges of the parts to be heat treated that are of a uniform size and are introduced into the retort so as to minimize the loss of any controlled atmosphere. The skip hoist loading mechanism has a vibrating feed hopper that dispenses a weight controlled charge into a skip hoist bucket which, after receiving the predetermined charge of parts, is held in a ready position until such time as a cam mechanism controlling the opening and closing of a door on the charge end of the retort causes the door to open and the skip bucket to be moved to a position wherein the parts are dumped into the retort for heat treating.

Abstract: A rotary kiln for producing an expanded clay product from clay or clay slate, the kiln having a lining provided with ribs. These ribs are built of refractory bricks partly reinforced. Each brick is preferably constituted by two portions, one of which is provided with reinforcing bars extending within and protruding from said portion. The protruding bars serve as guide for the second brick portion during the securing of the two brick portions to each other. The advantage of such a rib construction is that it allows an easy and cheap restoration of the rib when part of the rib is worn down without simultaneously necessitating a replacement of the lining.

Abstract: A rotary kiln comprises a rotary drum having a large number of lifters along its inner wall. The end portion of each lifter which is extended interiorly of the rotary drum is bent in the rotational direction of the rotary drum. To the end of each lifter are attached a number of chain like fittings which makes sliding movements along the inner wall surface of the rotary drum and along the upper and lower faces of each lifter in accordance with the rotation of the rotary drum. The chain like fittings so act as to prevent a substance to be dried from adhering to the inner wall of the rotary drum and to the lifters through making sliding movements in accordance with the drum rotation. Further, since the chain like fittings act to break the substance into small pieces and to release it upon dropping due to their own weights, it is dried effectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a conveyor tube in a furnace for rotation so as to translate particulate matter axially along the tube, and for axial movement of the tube to withdraw it from a device into which the particulate material is delivered from the tube.

Abstract: There is provided a rotary dryer having an elongated rotatable tubular shell, the shell being axially subdivided into zones including a feed zone, a material distribution zone and at least one drying zone. In the drying zone there is provided a plurality of radially inwardly extending flight support members, the leading edges of which face the inlet end of the shell and extend inwardly and rearwardly from the inner surface of the shell toward the central axis thereof whereby hang up of fibrous material on the leading edges thereof is minimized. A plurality of longitudinally extending flights is secured to each of the support members.

Abstract: A baffle for an automatic clothes dryer of a rotating drum type is adjustable in height to compensate for differences in load characteristics and to provide optimum tumbling characteristics for different kinds of loads.