IMPROVE- MENTS IN REGENERATIVE KILNS FOR BURNING FIRE BRICKS, POTTERY, OR OTHER ANALOGOUS MATERIALS, THE SAME BEING APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES" PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Dunnachie, of Glenboig Star Fire Clay Works,
in the County of Lanark, North Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REGENERATIVE KILNS FOR BURNING FIRE BRICKS, POTTERY, OR
OTHER ANALOGOUS MATERIALS, THE SAME BEING APPLICABLE FOR OTHER
PURPOSES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Dunnachie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th September 1881.
JAMES DUNNACHIE, of Glenboig Star Fire Clay Works, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGENERATIVE KILNS FOR BURNING
FIRE BRICKS, POTTERY, OR OTHER ANALOGOUS MATERIALS, THE SAME BEING
APPLICABLE. FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention which relates to improvements in regenerative kilns for burning
fire bricks, pottery, or other analogous materials has for its object to more
thoroughly mix the air and gas burnt in such kilns, and to effect a better diffusion
of the heat obtained from their combustion as well as to more thoroughly regulate
and equalize the same.
These objects are effected by constructing in the walls of adjacent kilns duplex
hollow spaces or flues, the alternating portions of the opposite sides of which have
slits or perforations formed therein, so as to enable. the heated products of com-
bustion to be passed or discharged from the lowest part of one kiln into the lowest
part of the next kiln, that is to say, the kiln which is being heated preparatory to
being fired. These flue spaces are provided with vertical or horizontal dampers, so
as to shut off the communication between the kilns, the slits or perforations in the
flue spaces effecting the improved diffusion.
In place of forming such flues in the walls of adjacent kilns, flues may be formed
in the brickwork outside the wall, in which case the air descends down some
distance below the floor of the kiln, where it passes through ports regulated by
dampers into a still lower flue, from which it escapes through slits or perforations
formed in the lower part of the walls into the burner, or chamber, or opening,
wherein it mixes with the gas.

page_text: For the purpose of admitting either hot air into the upper part of the kilns from
an adjacent kiln, or for the purpose of admitting cold air to the upper part of a
kiln being fired, a similar flue, that is to say, either.duplex or single, is provided
with dampers and with slits or perforations in its opposite sides, is also constructed
in the walls at or near to the upper part of the kilns. Either hot or cold air is
admitted through these upper flues and slits or perforations, when the air admitted
at the lower part of the kilns with the gas may be either deficient in quantity to
produce complete combustion, or when the temperature of a kiln at its upper part
may be either too high or too low.
In place of making the flues duplex with slits or perforations, as hereinbefore
described, they may be made single with one side, namely, that through which the
discharge takes place, constructed with one, two, or more larger openings in lieu of
slits or perforations above, or at, or level with, the bottom of the kiln, and with
slits or perforations at the opposite side.
The improvements herein before described may also be applied to calcining kilns
and other analogous apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Dunnachie in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th March
1882.
1
JAMES DUNNACHIE, of Glenboig Star Fire Clay Works, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGENERATIVE KILNS FOR BURNING
FIRE BRICKS, POTTERY, OR OTHER ANALOGOUS MATERIALS, THE SAME BEING
APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
My said Invention which relates to improvements in regenerative kilns for
burning fire bricks, pottery, or other analogous materials, has for its object to more
thoroughly mix the air and gas burnt in such kilns, and to effect a better diffusion
of the heat obtained from their combustion, as well as to more thoroughly regulate
and equalize the same.
These objects are effected by constructing in the walls of adjacent kilns duplex
hollow spaces or flues, the alternating portions of the opposite sides of which have
slits or perforations formed therein, so as to enable the heated products of com-
bustion to be passed or discharged from the lowest part of one kiln into the lowest.
part of the next kiln, that is to say, the kiln which is being heated preparatory to
being fired. These flue spaces are provided with vertical or horizontal dampers so
as to shut off the communication between the kilns, the slits or perforations in the
Hlue spaces effecting the improved diffusion.
In place of forming such flues in the walls of adjacent kilns, flues may be formed
in the brickwork outside the wall, in which case the air descends down some
distance below the floor of the kiln, where it passes through ports regulated by
dampers into a still lower flue, from which it escapes through slits or perforations
formed in the lower part of the walls into the burner, or chamber, or opening,
wherein it mixes with the gas.
For the purpose of admitting either hot air into the upper part of the kilns
from an adjacent kiln, or for the purpose of admitting cold air to the upper part of
a kiln being fired, a similar flue, that is to say, either duplex or single, is provided
with dampers, and with slits or perforations in its opposite sides in the walls at or
near to the upper part of the kilns. Either hot or cold air is admitted through
these upper flues and slits or perforations, when the air admitted at the lower part
of the kilns with the gas may be either deficient in quantity to produce complete
combustion, or when the temperature of a kiln at its upper part may be either too
high or too low.
In place of making the flues duplex with slits or perforations, as herein before
described, they may be made single with one side, namely, that through which the
discharge takes place, constructed with one, two, or more larger openings in lieu
of slits or perforations above, or at, or level with, the bottom of the kiln, and with
slits or perforations at the opposite side.
The improvements hereinbefore described may also be applied to calcining kilns
and other analogous apparatus.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to
the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say-
The accompanying four Sheets of Drawings represent my Invention as applied
to kilns arranged in two opposite rows or series of five, less or more, each, the end
kilns of each series being connected to the corresponding end kilns of the other
series by means of flues, but it is to be understood that it may be applied to kilns

page_text: otherwise arranged. Figure 1 is a general plan of the series of kilus; Figure 2 is
an end elevation of the same; Figure 3 is a front elevation of one of the series or
rows; Figure 4 is a view of the same partly in longitudinal vertical section, and
partly in front elevation; Figure 5 is a plan of the same partly in section on the
line 1, 2, Figure 4. The following Figures are drawn to a larger scale the better
to exhibit the Blues and passages; Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a
kiln of the series with portions of the adjacent kilns on either side; Figure 7
shews one half of a horizontal section of the same taken on the lines 3, 4; Figure 6 ;
Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section on the line 5, 6, Figure 6, shewing the
side wall of the kiln indicated by the arrow 7; Figure 9 is a section on the
line 5, 8, Figure 6, but shewing the other side, wall of the kiln indicated by
the arrow 9; Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13 represent a modification of my said
Invention, hereinafter described.
The gas to be employed for the burning process is obtained from any convenient
source; for example, it is produced in gas producers indicated at A, Figure 1, and
is led therefrom by the main passage a, wherefrom lead branch passages a' for the
gas to each kiln, a valve a² being upon each such passage to regulate the supply of
gas to each kiln. The gas passes into the kilns by openings a³ and a¹. In the
division walls which separate the kilns are duplex hollow spaces or flues marked
respectively B and C, communicating the one with the other by openings b, which
openings are regulated or closed by dampers c. In the side of the flue C are
passages c opening from the said flue just above the outlets for gas a' in the one
kiln, the flue B being in communication by the slots b³, passage or flue 63, and
slots with the lower part of the adjacent kiln. A duplex passage consisting of
flues D and E is also formed in the upper part of the walls of the kilns, the one
passage D communicating by means of the openings d with the one kiln, and the
other passage E communicating by means of the openings e with the adjacent kiln.
The said flues D and E communicate with each other by openings 2, which can
be regulated by dampers e². Openings fare made in the roofs of the kilns, which
openings are covered by slabs or dampers f'.
When the
In operation, when one kiln is in fire the effluent gases produced therein are
passed into the adjacent kiln through the openings 64, passage 6³, openings b²,
passage B, openings b, and passage C, into the adjacent kiln next in the series
through the openings c, and will heat the contents of the said kiln.
-first-kiln-has-been-fired-off-the-air-passes-through-the-said-kiln-into-the-adjacent
kiln through the passages B and C, as before described, issuing thereinto by the
openings Gas is then turned on to this kiln, and meeting with this hot air
burns and bakes the bricks in the said kiln; the quantity of air passing through
the one kiln to be heated on its passage to the adjacent kiln is regulated by the
dampers c, and the quantity of gas admitted to this kiln is regulated by the
valve a.
When this last mentioned kiln is burned off the supply of gas is turned
off therefrom, and this said kiln becomes in its turn the regenerator or heater of air
for the next kiln of the series, and so on through the series; the passages
marked B and C2, in Figures 1 and 4, giving communication between the respective
end kilns of each row of kilns. If it is desired to admit hot air to the upper part
of any kiln this may be done by opening the dampers e² at the top of a fired off
kiln, and air heated by the said kiln thus be caused to pass from the said kiln
through the openings d, passage D, openings d, and passage E, and into the
adjacent kiln through the openings e to raise the temperature of the upper part of
the kiln or to assist in the combustion of the gas. Where cold air is to be
admitted into a kiln, air passes into the kiln through the flue E which is open to
the atmosphere at both ends. The outlet passages from each kiln and the main
flues to the chimney into which these passages open, are indicated in Figure 1, and
are there marked g. Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, represent views corresponding
respectively to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, of a modification of my Invention, wherein
the flues B and C for the admission of hot air to mix and burn with the gas are
made in the brickwork outside of the kiln walls in place of in in the walls themselves.

page_text: Figure 11 is a horizontal half section on the line 10, 11, Figure 10; Figures 12.
and 13.are transverse vertical sections taken on the line 14, 15, Figure 10
shewing the opposite side walls as indicated respectively by the arrows 12 and 13.
The air from the fired off kiln and heated thereby passes down by the openings b*
into the flue B, through openings 6 (one on each side), regulated by dampers c, into
the flue C, and therefrom by the slotted passages 3, in the lower parts of the kiln
wall into the passage a³, where it mixes before passing into the kiln with the gas
introduced into the said kiln through the gas passage a and openings a³.
The flues either in the lower part or in the upper part of the kilns may be made
single instead of duplex, the one side communicating by a number of openings with
the one kiln, and with the other kiln by openings at the ends of this single flue,"
these said openings being regulated and closed by dampers.
Single flues of this construction marked H are shewn in the upper part of the
kiln walls in Figures 10, 12, and 13. The openings by which the said flue com-
municates with the one kiln are marked h, and the openings at either end of the
other side of the said flue to give communication to the other kiln are marked h²,
their opening being regulated by dampers h³. A similar arrangement may be
applied at the lower part of the wall in place of the duplex flues, but I prefer the
arrangements of duplex flues shewn.
To give as perfect a diffusion of air as possible, it is preferred that where a
continuous series of slots is employed for the passage of air into and from the
various flues, that the said slots should break, bond, or be placed alternately so that
the slots in one side are opposite the slot divisions in the other side.
My Invention may be applied essentially in the manner hereinbefore described
to calcining kilns, coke ovens, or other analogous apparatus.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or
may be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. In regenerative kilns for burning fire bricks, pottery, or other analogous
materials, and analogous apparatus, the flues or passages B, C, for passing the
heat from one kiln or chamber into another adjacent kiln or chamber, as here-
in before described.
Second. In regenerative kilns and analogous apparatus, the arrangement of
flues B, C, 63, openings b*, b², b, c, and dampers c for giving communication from
kiln to kiln, or chamber to chamber, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 9
of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In regenerative kilns and analogous apparatus, the arrangement of
flues B, C, dampers c, and openings b, b, and c³, for giving communication from
kiln to kiln, or chamber to chamber, as described with reference to Figures 10, 11,
12, and 13 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. In regenerative kilus or chambers and analogous apparatus, the com-
bination of the flues B, C, dampers c, openings b, b, and c³, with a flue or
chamber 5, in which the air heated by the regenerated heat of a kiln or chamber.
is mixed with the gas about to enter another kiln or chamber to be burnt therein,
as herein before described with reference to Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifth. In regenerative kilns or chambers for burning brick, and in analogous
apparatus, the flues D and E, and openings d, d, e, and chambers c* in the upper
parts of the communicating walls of the kilns or chambers, Figures 6 to 9, and also
the flue H, openings h, h, and dampers h³, whether employed to admit cold or hot
air to the upper part of the kiln or chamber, or to admit the heat from one kiln to
another at the lower part thereof, as described with reference to the upper wall of
a kiln in Figures 10, 12, and 13 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. In regenerative kilns and analogous apparatus, the employment of
openings for the passage of air from kiln to kiln, or chamber to chamber, so

page_text: arranged that they break joint and cause the diffusion of air, as hereinbefore
described.
Seventh. The combination of parts constituting the improved regenerative kilns
or chambers or analogous apparatus, consisting of the kilns communicating with
each other by regenerative passages B, C, (or passages H), and provided with
passages a, a¹, and regulating valves a² for supplying gas to be burnt in the said
kilns or chambers in conjunction with the hot air admitted by the passages B, C,
(or passage H), as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, whether the same be arranged in accordance with the arrangement
Figures 1 to 9, or with the arrangement Figures 10 to 13, of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Dunnachie, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JAMES DUNNACHIE. (L.S.)