IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR DRYING MALT, HOPS, GRAIN, AND OTHER PRODUCE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Free, of Mistley, near Manningtree, in the County
of Essex, Merchant, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR
DRYING MALT, HOPS, GRAIN, AND OTHER PRODUCE." Partly a communication
from abroad by Messieurs Pruvost-Volant et fils, of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the
Republic of France.
Sealed the 31st March 1876, and dated the 9th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Free at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th February 1876.
ROBERT FREE, of Mistley, near Manningtree, in the County of Essex, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR DRYING MALT, HOPS, GRAIN, AND OTHER PRODUCE."
Partly a communication from abroad by Messieurs Pruvost-Volant et fils, of
Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the Republic of France.
The Invention has for its object improvements in kilns for drying malt, hops,
grain, and other produce. For this purpose I construct a shaft, preferably square,
in the centre of the kiln, at the lower part of which is placed the furnace which
through the flue formed in the shaft leads into a hot-air chamber above. By means
of this shaft a stong draft is always insured, which is of the greatest value in kiln
drying.
For the distribution of heat the shaft is domed over, or otherwise covered in the
hot-air chamber to prevent the heat therefrom passing direct to the drying floor,
and the heat is distributed therefrom to different parts by flues (preferable hori-
A number of
zontal) having openings at intervals for the outlet of the hot air.
cold-air flues or passages (preferably twelve) are constructed, say three on each
side of the shaft, and entering the furnace flue at the upper part of the shaft by
means of upwardly inclined passages.
By means of doors or dampers the draft of air passing through these flues may
be regulated, and by means thereof the heat can be regulated with the greatest case,
and distributed more or less as may be required to any part of the drying floor.
By the aid of this Invention the drying is more speedily, perfectly, and regularly
performed, economy in fuel is obtained as the heat is not wasted, whilst inalt and
other produce can be dried as pale as inay required, or if desired, it may be
high dried" without risk of damage by direct fire heat.

page_text: Figure 1 is a sectional clevation; Figure 2 is a sectional plan on the line 1, 1,
of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of a kiln constructed
according to the said Invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of part thereof
shown separately.
a, a, are the walls of the kiln, and b is a shaft, preferably square as shown, built
in the centre of the kiln. At the lower part of this shaft is placed the furnace c,
which through the flue b¹ formed in the shaft leads into a hot-air chamber d
above. By means of this shaft a strong draft is always insured which is of the
greatest value in kiln drying.
For the distribution of heat the shaft b is domed over, as shown at b², or otherwise
covered in or enclosed at the upper part in the hot-air chamber d to prevent the
heat passing direct to the drying floor g above, and the heat is distributed therefrom
to different parts by flues e (preferably horizontal) having openings e¹ at intervals
for the outlet of the hot air. These flues e are cach provided with a damper e² in
order to enable the heat to be regulated and directed, as may be required, to any
part of the hot-air chamber.
A number of cold-air flues or passages f (preferably twelve) are constructed, say
three on each side of the shaft b, and entering the furnace flue b₁ at the upper part
of the shaft b by means of upwardly inclined passages f¹, in order to facilitate and
not interfere with the draft up the flue b'.
By means of doors for dampers the draft of air passing through these cold-air
flues may be regulated, and by means thereof the heat can be regulated with the
greatest case in the hot air chamber.
The drying floor g is formed, as is well understood, of wrought-iron beams or
girders carrying a flooring of perforated tiles; quarries, or of wirework.
By the aid of this Invention the drying is more speedily, perfectly, and regularly
performed, economy in fuel is obtained as the heat is not wasted whilst malt and

page_text: other produce can be dried as pale as may be required, or if desired it may be
"high dried" without risk of damage by direct fire heat.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood, that what I claim is,-
First. The peculiar arrangement and combination of a central furnace shaft b,
flue b, domed over or otherwise covered in at the top, and distributing flues c, pro-
vided with dampers e, and opening into a hot-air chamber d, substantially as
and for the purpose herein shown and described.
And, Secondly. I claim in combination with a central furnaco shaft b and flue b¹
of cold-air flues or passages f, communicating with the flue b¹ by upwardly inclined
passages, and provided with doors or dampers, substantially as and for the
purpose herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Free, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
ROBERT FREE. (L.S.)