IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF THE CHARGE FOR ZINC FURNACES
Year: 1885

page_text: Furnaces.
. I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, do, hereby declare the nature of said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE PREPARATION OF THE CHARGE FOR ZINC FURNACES, a communication to me
from abroad by Enoch Phillips and Thomas Jones both of Pulaski, United States,
Manufacturers, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
"
This invention consists in pressing said charge in a solid mass or "cartridge'
fitted to enter the retorts, and in the formation of such cartridge, with a longi-
tudinal flue or passage.
In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical section of furnace drawn longitudinally
through the retorts. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of furnace, and Fig. 3 is a detail
perspective view of one of the charging cartridges.
The furnace is provided with the retorts A.
In the usual treatment of the ore, the charge consisting of ore, flux, skimmings
and dross is mixed on the floor in front of the furnace, and is shovelled into the
retorts. This shovelling of the ore into the retorts requires skilled labor to properly
charge the retorts, and large quantities of the ore is wasted by being spilled on the
floor, trampled upon and swept upon the ash-pit.
In our improvement, we take the charge, consisting of ore, flux, skimmings and
dross and mix it with lime or flour or similar binding agents. It is then com-
pressed in a solid mass, or as we commonly term it, a "cartridge," B, forming a
cylindrical retort charge, having a central longitudinal opening or flue. These
cylinders are made slightly smaller than the retorts, so as to be readily introduced
into the same, and in which they are subjected to the action of external heat.
The longitudinal flue 6 permits the circulation of the heat through the parts,
resulting in a speedier and more complete reduction of the charge.
The flue b may be formed in compressing the charge into the cartridge form, or
Bubsequent to such compression as desired, though we prefer to form it at the time
of compression.

page_text: We do not desire to be limited to the manner of compressing the cartridge, such
result may be effected by ramming with suitable hand implements, or hydraulic,
steam, horse or other power may be employed.
This method of preparing the charge possesses many advantages over that now
commonly practiced.
In the first place, the cartridge being fitted to the retort can be properly placed
therein by any ordinary laborer not requiring the aid of a mechanic as in the use
of the loose charge. Again, the charge by reason of the compression is in a more
compact form, and a heavier charge can therefor be supplied to each retort than
heretofore. The ordinary retort will suffice to contain a loose charge of 81 pounds,
while a charge of 115 pounds in the form of a cartridge, may be supplied to the
same retort, and will be reduced by the same fuel as the loose charge. This,
manifestly, in a furnace provided with many retorts, results in a large saving in a
very short time.
·
The cartridge may be prepared in a separate building from the furnace and
conveyed thereto in cars or any other suitable manner.
While the cartridge may be formed of a sufficient length to serve as a charge it is
preferred to make each charge in two or more sections for convenience in the
preparation and in the handling of such cartridges.
In compressing the charge it is frequently found desirable to mix therein lime,
flour or other binding agents to cause the parts to adhere.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The method of distilling zinc from fine ores, which consists in mixing the zinc
ore with lime, flour and flux, forming the same into a cylindrical retort charge,
having a central longitudinal flue, and subjecting these cylinders in suitable zinc
retorts to the action of external heat, as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The method of distilling zinc from fine ores, which consists in forming the
zinc ore into a cylindrical retort charge, and in subjecting these cylinders in
suitable zinc retorts to the action of external heat, as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The method of distilling fine ores, which consists in forming the zinc ore into
a cylindrical retort charge, having a central longitudinal Blue, and subjecting these
cylinders in suitable zinc retorts to the action of external heat, as and for the
purpose set forth,