Improvements in and relating to China Clay Kilns.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left 25th Nov. 1808 Scented 4th Fah 1800
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to China Clay Kilns.
I, GEORGE MIDDLETON HENLEY, of Roche, in the County of Cornwall, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to china clay kilns and has for its object the more equal
distribution of heat from the furnace, the more economical drying of the clay
and the prevention of the burning of the china clay as often occurs in china clay
kilns as now commonly used.
My invention consists first in interposing between the furnace and the kiln
a combustion chamber where the heat becomes expanded and equalised and
secondly in an arrangement for connecting the flues with the main culvert of
the kiln.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct at the front end of a china clay
kiln a combustion chamber from about ten to twenty feet in length in proportion
to the length of the kiln. The combustion chamber is covered preferably with
a brick arch and suitably connected with the corresponding furnace so as to receive
the heat from the furnace, a bridge being placed between the furnace and the
combustion chamber. The heat is expanded and equalized within this chamber
and passes thence into the body of the kiln instead of being forced direct from
the furnace into narrow flues as is now the usual practice. I prefer that the top
of the arch of the combustion chamber should be covered with a course of thin
tiles thus forming a level floor to the kiln above.
I arrange the flues which are to conduct the heat from the combustion chamber
to the main culvert of the kiln in such a way that each flue has a direct and
separate discharge into the main culvert.
By my invention the process of drying china clay is more economically per-
formed, less time is occupied and the risk of damaging any portion of the clay
by over heating and burning is reduced to a minimum.
Dated thin 25th dar of Tahmame 1909
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.

page_text: be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to china clay kilns and has for its object the more equal
distribution of heat from the furnace, the more economical drying of the clay, and
the prevention of the burning of the clay, as often occurs in china clay kilns as
now commonly used.
My invention consists first in interposing between the furnace and the kiln
a combustion chamber, where the heat becomes expanded and equalized, and
secondly in an arrangement for connecting the flues with the main culvert of
the kiln.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct at the front end of a china clay
kiln a combustion chamber from about 10 to 20 feet in length in proportion
to the length of the kiln. The combustion chamber is covered preferably with
a brick arch and suitably connected with the corresponding furnace so as to receive
the heat from the furnace, a bridge being placed between the furnace and the
combustion chamber. The heat is expanded and equalized within this chamber
and passes thence into the body of the kiln instead of being forced direct from
the furnace into narrow flues as is now the general practice. I prefer that the top
of the arch of the combustion chamber should be covered with a course of thin
tiles, thus forming a level floor to the kiln above.
I arrange the flues which are to conduct the heat from the combustion chamber
to the main culvert of the kiln in such a way that each flue has a direct and
separate discharge into the main culvert.
The accompanying drawings represent so much of a kiln constructed in accord-
ance with my improvements as is necessary to enable my invention to be under-
stood.
Figure 1 is a horizontal section of the kiln taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 2 at
the level of the top of the combustion chambers, the heating flues E being broken
to indicate that their length may vary. Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section
taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 of one of the furnaces and its combustion
chamber, and showing the course of tiles constituting the floor of the kiln.
Figure 3 is a compound section on the lines 3-3 and 31-31 of Fig. 2. Figure 4
is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1. This section together with the
rear portion of Figure 1 illustrates the method of connecting the flues with the
main culvert of the kiln.
Referring to these drawings a aa are the furnaces of the kiln, which is shown
as constructed with three furnaces. From the furnaces a the products of com-
bustion pass over the bridges D to the combustion chambers A, which are pre-
ferably covered with brick arches b. The heat is expanded and equalized within
the chambers A, and the products of combustion pass thence to the flues E of the
kiln, which they enter with increased energy, ensuring perfect combustion and
equal distribution of heat throughout the kiln. C is a course of tiles laid along the
top of the combustion chambers and continued over the flues E, and constituting the
floor of the kiln above.
F (Figures 1 and 4) is the main culvert of the kiln. The flues E each have a
distinct and separate discharge into same as shown. Counter action of the flues
one upon the other is thus avoided.
By my invention the process of drying china clay is more economically per-
formed, less time is occupied, and the risk of damaging any portion of the clay
by overheating and burning is avoided.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In kilns of the kind herein referred to, the interposition of one or more
combustion chambers terminating in heating flues, each of said heating flues

page_text: having a separate connection with the main culvert of the kiln, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
2. The improved kiln substantially as described and represented in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of November 1898.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents.