Patent GB-167917-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the drying of china clay and arrangements connected therewith
IPC: F26B25/00
Filed: 1920-06-14
Abstract: 167,917. Adair, J. June 14, 1920. Buildings and chambers; charging and feeding; heating-fittings. -Comprises a combination of steam-heated chambers contained within a closed wooden structure, means for transferring the wet clay from a settling-tank to the structure, and means for discharging the dried clay therefrom. According to the invention the wet clay is transferred from the tanks 59, Fig. 17, to the hoppers H by means of buckets attached. to an endless chain which is contained within a frame 61 mounted upon a travelling windlass 66. The position of the frame may be adjusted by means of the chains 62 and the rotatable platform 67. The hoppers travel upon rails to the drier into which the clay is charged. The drier comprises a number of heated chambers which are formed of steel plates covered with aluminium sheeting so as to prevent rust from damaging the clay, and which are arranged in an inclined or vertical position so as to facilitate the discharge of the clay from between the chambers. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the heated chambers 12 are supported within a structure consisting of channel-iron standards 9 braced by angle-irons 10, 11 to which the side timbers C are secured and having doors D<2>, D<3>, the wet clay being passed from the hoppers through openings 19 into the spaces between the chambers. The structure is supported upon a wall 20 which carries joists for supporting a platform in front of the drier. Steam may be passed in either direction through the chambers from the steam-pipes 14 which are arranged on either side of the structure, the pipes having steam and exhaust cocks 15, 16 respectively, and outlet cocks and having connections dipping into water tanks. The passage of steam into the chambers is controlled by valves 23 placed at the lower ends of the chambers, and the steam pressure is regulated by control valves fitted at the tops of the steam pipes and the depths of the outlet connections below the surface of the water in the tanks. In a modification, the chambers 12, Fig. 10, are supported by the angle-irons 10<a> and bracing-irons 10 within the structure which has doors D<4>, D<5>, formed of angle-iron frames 41 covered with aluminium plates 42 and mounted upon wheels travelling upon rails 18, which may be inclined. In a further modification, the chambers 12, Figs. 12 and 14, are supported by the timbers 9, 10 within the structure which has side doors and a bottom discharge door D<6> which is hinged to the structure and operated by chains passing over drums 38 mounted upon a screwactuated shaft 45. The steam-pipes 14 are arranged horizontally and the connections to the chambers are supported in the timbers 37. A modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 14 consists in placing the chambers vertically within the structure and in operating agitating-plates between them. In a further arrangement, the chambers are replaced by tubes 12, Figs. 20 and 22, which may be enclosed in aluminium casings, wound with aluminium strip or galvanized and which are supported in the timbers 50 within the structure. Steam is passed continuously through the tubes, the bends of which are enclosed within an aluminium casing 57. Means are provided for agitating the clay consisting of timber arms 53 arranged between the tubes and carried in sockets 52 which are held by a cross-bar 55 and which are pivoted upon a cross-bar 56 on the travelling frame 51. The arms may be swung clear of the spaces between the tubes upon the bar 56. Specification 142,161 is referred to.