Improvements in Brick and Tile Kilns Combined with Artificial Drying Chambers.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 28th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Brick and Tile Kilns Combined with Artificial
Drying Chambers.
I, JACOB BÜHRER, of 17, Schottenstrasse, Constanz, in the Grand-Duchy
of Baden, German Empire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven
tion to be as follows:-
This invention relates to brick- and tile-kilns with artificial drying-chambers
and has for its object various improvements in the construction of the same.
The necessity for the employment in brick-fields of artificial drying increases
from year to year for the reason that an artificial drying renders it possible that
the work can be carried on the whole year instead of only during the half year
or season, which artificial drying, as is apparent, would thus double the efficiency.
of. a brick-field or a brick-making plant.
The drying plants hitherto known are almost entirely employed for ordinary
bricks, whereas for finer goods, such as roof, and ornamental tiles and the like,
artificial drying has hitherto not been successful, more especially because such
goods require especially careful treatment.
A rational drying kiln working uninterruptedly should produce the greatest
possible efficiency with the smallest possible, section of the flues. Furthermore
articles, which have been burnt, should (in a properly constructed kiln) quickly
cool, so that the same may be removed at not too great, a temperature, and lastly
the heat contained. in the cooling kiln parts should be available either to parch
fresh articles placed in the kiln or for use in separate drying chambers or in a
separate drying plant.
'
In the present invention I have endeavoured to obviate the previous draw-.
backs and to attain the objects mentioned in the previous paragraph. My inven-
tion relates to a construction, one of its objects being to lead all the available
warmth of the burning kiln over to a drying-plant in immediate proximity to
the burning kiln and furthermore to employ this heat in the most economical
manner within the said drying plant. I attain this object, by a peculiar system
of flues and channels whereby all the available heat of the cooling portion of
the kiln is conveyed to the drying, plant, in which by suitable devices the said
heat is so finely distributed. that articles, produced from clay, of a character
which usually offers peculiar difficulties in its completion to finished articles
may in my improved drying chambers be dried with complete success and without
breaking.
In my improved drying plant attached to the kiln the drving-chambers are,
as indicated, provided with a widely branched system of flues by means of which
the currents of hot air are led in the most advantageous manner to the articles
under treatment.
I prefer to arrange the chambers of the kiln and also the chambers of the
drying plant approximately parallel to each other in two, mwe, whereby loss of

page_text: heat is avoided, on account of the said heat being led over a short path. Hereby
the conducting of the heat is effected in a very complete manner, as hereinafter
more fully described.
I will proceed to illustrate my invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the different
views, and in which:
Figure 1 shows the plan of a brick or tile kiln and drying plant arranged
for uninterrupted operation,
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section upon the dotted lines A-B of Figure 1,
Figures 3-6 show sections upon the lines C-D, E-F, G-H, and I-K;
Figures 7 & 8 show partly cross- and partly longitudinal sections upon the
lines L M and 0-1, whereas
Figure 9 shows a part of a cross-section through the line P-Q.
Proceeding to describe the drawings, the kiln I have shown, is provided with
chambers a¹, a²
a arranged parallel to each other, the number
of these chambers a is of course optional, and they are separated firstly by a
double T-shaped flue b, said flue extending at its centre to a rectangular space
enclosed by the wall b¹, in which space the smoke-collecting channels or flues c
are located. To further separate the said chambers a, four tongues d of brick-
work are provided. Both the flue 6 and also the four brick-work tongues d
(separated by chambers (2) assist in conducting the available heat of the
kiln over to the drying-chambers or drying plant, said brick-work tongues having
suitable hollow spaces for this purpose.
Proceeding to describe the general arrangement of the kiln and drying plant,
I remark that the said drying plant is attached to or in the immediate proximity
of the kiln said drying plant consisting chiefly of drying chambers k arranged
in two rows parallel to each other. The two rows ¹-16 and 7-12 are separ-
ated from each other by the hot air collecting channel 7 (Figure 1) and further-
more by the moist air-collecting-channel m (Figure 6) the said channel m being
above the channel as also shown in Figure 6. With these two channels and m
the chambers are connected by means of various branch flues which may be
opened and closed at will. Furthermore the drying chambers k are so arranged
that they may be coupled in groups, so that the hot air currents can pass into
various chambers or more precisely, into various groups of chambers having
varying degrees of heat, before the said hot air is conducted away through the
moist air-collecting channel m.
I will proceed to describe the arrangement by which the available heat in
the kiln is conducted over to the drying plant in which drying plant the hot
air firstly enters the collecting channel 7, before being distributed to the various
chambers. To make this clear, I will remark, that the beforesaid double T-shaped
flue is on the one side connected to the said hot air-collecting channel
on the other side by flues and dampers with the separate kiln-chambers 'a'
a²
17.12
and
The said kiln-chambers in which the burning has been finished, and which
are gradually cooling, are now placed in connection with the flue and further-
more in known manner atmospheric air is conducted into these kiln-chambers
by the employment of a fan operating in the drying plant, the hot air being thus
drawn by suction through the Hue into the said drying plant, or more precisely,
through the channel into the drying chambers k.
Furthermore, as hereinbefore indicated, the said hollow brick-work tongues d
assist in conducting the heat arising from the burning within the kiln. Describ-
ing more fully the construction of these tongues I remark that the same are
formed (see Figure 1) by two parallel walls, the intermediate space being again
divided by a thin wall into two compartments and ³, said spaces and d
being in connection with the angular extension of the channel b by means of
a flue or channel d, (Figure 2). As shown also in Figures 2 & 3, dampers d
and render, as required, the connection of either one or the other or simul-

page_text: taneously of both of said channels and with the double T-shaped flue b,
possible, (Figures 2 & 3).
In the walls are a large number, (Figure 1,) of slots provided, so that upon
the opening of the dampers and hot air can pass from the kiln-chambers
through the slots in the walls d and then through or and to the channel b.
Igniting the kiln takes place in known manner through kindling apertures
arranged in the arch of the kiln. The combustion gases being conducted to the
smoke-collecting flues c, by the flues controlled by the dampers and ².
Figure 4 also shows the smoke-collecting flues c in section, and simultaneously
the dampers and c which draw the combustion gases from the kiln-chamber a.
Furthermore Figure 1 also shows that the two walls of the smoke-flues c
divide the double T-shaped flue b into two symmetrical parts. A connection
between these two is effected by longitudinally perforated tiles . These tiles
are ribbed, are furthermore thin and have three longitudinal slots. Beside these
tiles the two parts of the flue are connected by low flues 63, Figure 4, located
over and under the smoke-flue. Figure 4 also shows the smoke-collecting flues c
in longitudinal section together with the said dampers c¹ and also the correspond-
ing flues c. Furthermore Figure 4 shows that these flues are located over and
under the said smoke collecting flues c. To the right of Figure 1 the flue b
passes (or is continued) under the bottom of the kiln and over the top of the
arch of the kiln, thus it will be seen that the said flue is in direct connection
with the hot-air collecting channel /.
When using only one side of the kiln, (say for instance the right-hand por-
tion of Figure 1 is placed in operation and that from the lefthand side no hot
air is conducted through the flue b), then in such a case the heat contained in
the smoke-chamber, or more precisely, enclosed by the wall b₁ would be con-
nected with the outer air by means of upright detachable shafts 62, Figure 2,
provided with suitable closing dampers. Thus by opening the dampers of these
shafts 6 atmospheric air can be drawn by suction through the tiles to the hot
air collecting channel l.
Proceeding with the description of Figures 2 & 3, I remark that these figures
show, above the brick-work tongues d a spiral-shaped flue or channel e, which
as will be seen from Figure 2, consists of three branches; said channel having.
on the one side connection with the outer air by means of an inserted shaft
(provided with a damper) and, on the other side, connection with the T-shaped
Hue b, so that the heat radiating above the brick-work tongue d can, (in con-
sequence of this conducting of atmospheric air into the flues e) be fully utilized.
Also the heat radiating to the bottom of the kiln is rendered useful for the
drying chambers in the following manner:
An asphalt layer f first divides the kiln-floor from the earth, after then comes
a cement layer situated above the asphalt layer, and in said cement layer are a
number of parallel tubes g (see the under portion of the left-hand side of
Figure 2). These tubes have cross-channels and air-inlets 92 and on the other
side have cross-channels g³, (Figure 2, lower left-hand portion). Atmospheric
air entering g², passes through these tubes g and also reaches eventually through
g the hot air collecting channel connected with the same. By this arrange-
ment the heat emanating from the bottom or fire-portion of the kiln is rendered
of use for the drying-chambers, and on the other hand, an evaporation of the
moisture of the earth upon which the kiln is built, is obviated, thus, all serious
loss of heat or injury to the articles within the kiln is prevented.
I will now proceed to describe the special arrangement for the distribution of
the hot dry-air, and for the conducting away of the moist discharge air. Upon
the hot air-collecting flue 1, a channel n (Figure 2 and dotted lines, Figure 1)
branches off to each drying-chamber. These branch-channels n (see also Figure 6)
can by dampers n be placed in and out of connection with the hot air flue
and extend over the whole length of the walls which separate the difying chambers
from each other as will be clear from the drawing.

page_text: To conduct away the moist air, however, there are at the side of these before
mentioned flues or channels » other channels o (Figures 2 & 7) which conduct
moist air and which can be closed by dampers o'.
The before mentioned fan or blower operates at the end of the moist air-
channel m (the main moist-air-channel) at the point (see upper portion of
Figure 2, righthand side), the action of the fan causing the damp air to pass
away into the outer atmosphere.
The arrangement for the distribution of the air is such, that in accordance
with the kind of goods which are to be dried in the drying-chambers, the said
air can either be conducted in a horizontal, or in a diagonal direction to such
articles.
Both the horizontal and the diagonal conducting of the air are hereinafter
separately more fully described.
Before doing so, several remarks are desirable, as to the coupling together of
the drying chambers in groups.
It has already been stated that the drying-chambers can be connected together
in groups one behind the other; this can be so effected that say for instance
the chamber k has been connected with the preceding chamber 6, (said
chamber having been in operation about 12 hours as a drying-chamber);
This chamber know feed with hot air directly from the hot air flue or shaft (,
whereby, as is clear, the hot air will now be led from to and then to ".
As soon, however, as the drying in the chamber is complete, the same is shut
off from and now is directly connected with the hot air flue 1. After this k
is cut off from the moist air-channel m and placed in connection with 10, which
chamber has in the mean-time been refilled with goods. The freshly intro-
duced goods are thus, as is clear, first operated upon or exposed to, the hot air
which has already passed through two drying chambers.
The proper distribution of the air is of especial importance for the obtaining
of a good effective and reliable drying of the goods. In this connection I state,
that when coupling together various chambers in groups for the purpose of
allowing hot air to pass at decreasing degrees of temperature from chamber to
chamber, it is absolutely necessary to conduct the air-current in a cross direc-
tion, for if the air-current enters the chambers in a longitudinal direction,
dampness or moisture must settle during the passage of the hot air over the
long path and tend to a greater or less extent to injure the goods being dried.
Now, as to the horizontal conducting of the warm air: I now proceed to
described the necessary details of my method for conducting hot or warm air
horizontally. At the hot air channels or flues », a number of small flues
(Figures & S) are arranged. These ascend at the intermediate walls of the
drying-chamber, as clearly shown in Figure 7, from the hot air channels. n up
to the top of the said drying chambers.
In the example shown in the drawing I have employed 7 of such flues 9.
Furthermore, Figure 8 shows, that these flues are in connection with the corre-
sponding drying-chamber by means of a large number of perforations or
apertures in the intermediate or separating walls. Thus, the hot air coming
from the main hot air-flue n and ascending the said flues 7 must pass through
the sieve-like perforations of the brick-work into the drying chamber and
become distributed over the whole wall-surface of the same.
Figure 7 however, further shows, that between each two of the before said
flues another upright fluer is provided. Said upright flue or flues r termin-
ates in the moist air channel or flue .
These flues r communicate with the moist-air-channel on the other side of
the drying-chamber in exactly the same manner as the flues q, viz. by means
of small perforations rl, (Figures 6-8).
For the drying-chamber 10, therefore, hot air can enter from the right hand
flue or channel n through the flues q or more precisely, through the perfora-
tions in the direction of the arrows, into the drying chambers and after passing

page_text: through the chambers, the hot air (or warm air) finds its exit through the
perforations, and from thence into the fluer and into the flue o.
This is clearly shown in Figure 7 and will probably need no further description.
I will now explain another point, viz. the coupling together of an optional
number of chambers one behind the other.
I can do this by employing the channels or flues (shown in Figure 8).
These flues connect the warm air-fiues q and the moist air-flues r.
By controlling the said Hues in suitable manner by dampers, it will be
clear, that an optional number of drying-chambers may be connected together.
The horizontal conducting of air: i will proceed to describe by means of the
example shown in the drawing the manner in which hot air can be conducted
from one chamber to another in a horizontal direction. It it is required to
conduct hot air out of the chamber into the chamber 10, it would be necessary
to close the dampers and o' of the flues or channels and o of the inter-
mediate separating wall of the chamber as shown in the drawing Figures 6 & 7,
and then to open the dampers of the said crossed channels or flues u. It will
be clear that the air can now enter through the flues r direct to the flues q
and can then pass from the same into the chamber
A distribution of the hot air in the manner just described, viz. over the whole
surface of the longitudinal walls is more especially suitable for drying fat goods
such as roof- and ribbed tiles, and perforated tiles, as above mentioned.
To dry say bricks it is desirable to employ an arrangement which renders it
possible to conduct the hot air in a diagonal direction through the corresponding
chambers. In this latter case, viz. by a diagonal air-service, as soon as the
several chambers are coupled in groups, the hot air rises in the first chamber
from bottom to top and in the second chamber from top to bottom, and so forth.
To bring about this result, the flues 9 and need only to be conducted below
the roof of every alternate intermediate chamber or wall, whilst, at the other or
following intermediate wall between the several drying chambers (always pre-
suming that the diagonal conducting of the air is still in question) it will be
clear, that at these said other intermediate walls the flues y and need only
enter the drying chamber without being carried to the top of the said chamber.
Figure 7 illustrates the statements just made, and shows that the short flues
terminate at ², whereas at the left wall of the corresponding short flues r
terminate at 12.
Still proceeding with the description of the diagonal conducting of the air I
remark, that in this construction the moist air flue o is on the lefthand side, and
passes under the main hot air collecting flue 7 into the hot air-channel n of
the chamber, thus permitting the coupling together of the chambers and k¹.
A similar arrangement or construction can of course, be made at the other side
of the drying chamber between the chambers and .
Furthermore the same figure (Figure 7) shows, that between 1 and 12 cer-
tain open flues are provided, these flues y being conducted to the top of the
chamber 2, and have openings q³, whilst in the same intermediate wall corre-
sponding flues r terminate with openings towards the chamber & said flues r
conducting away the moist air, as hereinbefore indicated..
Still continuing the illustration of the diagonal conducting of the air, as illus-
trated in Figures 2 & 7 I remark, that the hot air reaches the chamber ku
through the corresponding hot air flue », the damper of which is of course open
towards the main hot air flue 1.
The hot air passes in an upward direction to the left opening of the flue rand
passes through other channels again in a downward direction to 12.
Hereby of course the damper o of the moist air-flue must be closed, as
otherwise a direct suction of the hot air passing out of " towards the main
moist air-collecting flue m would be possible.
The hot air therefore passes in 2 in a downward direction, as shown by the
arrows, and, again reaches the short flues r, and from thence into the moist air-

page_text: flue o, passes from thence into the flue of the chamber k', in order to again
descend from here diagonally, and to pass out through, and o to the main
moist air-collecting channel m, when the damper of is open.
If reference is made to Figure 6 it will be seen, that the following arrange-
ments are made to avoid other possible losses of heat;
In the drying-chambers, the intermediate walls between the hot and moist
air collecting flues are provided with longitudinal tubes which on the one
side are in connection with the outer atmosphere by perforated tiles inserted in
an upward direction, whilst the said longitudinal tubes at their other end
terminate in the main hot air-flue 1. The air suction through the said perfor-
ateu tiles effects the conducting away (or rendering available) of any heat or
waste-gases within the moist air-flue in that the said heat by the air-suction
is conducted to a greater or less extent back again to the main flue .
Some kinds of clay-goods require for purposes of drying, either only atmos-
pheric air or atmospheric air mixed with warm air (from the flue /).
This mixture of warm or Lot air with atmospheric air I effect in a simple
manner by the employment of flues 7 (see centre of Figure 1, drying chambers).
One of the said flues 7 enters cach drying chamber and is conducted directly
to the hot air fiue n. Upon the top of the drying chamber these flues p can
be shut by the employment of sand or in any other suitable manner.
It is a recognised fact that some goods require a high and some a low drying
temperature. When goods requiring a low drying temperature are to be burnt
in the kiln, or to be dried, it may happen, that the heat obtained from the kiln
may not be sufficient for the drying chambers, in which case it would be
necessary to employ an auxiliary fire.
This auxiliary fire would be most advantageously arranged between the kiln
and the drying chambers, Figure 1 & 2.
Such auxiliary firing plant is shown in longitudinal section in Figure 5; w
is the grate, the flame from which spreads firstly towards w¹, from here the
same passes through a number of perforated tiles, Figure 5, said perforated
tiles being built in and leading to a cross flue w², this flue 2 is connected
to the flue 3 by several iron tubes a¹, Figure 5, from which once again a
number of perforated tiles, one behind the other, lead to a flue 4, Figure 5,
from which the waste gases escape into the atmosphere through a ventilator.
The before said iron tubes a penetrate, as shown in the drawing (Figure 5)
the main hot air-collecting flue and impart to a greater or less extent their heat
to the same.
The spaces on both sides of the said main flue I divide by means of cross
walls into a larger number of cross-chambers ¹, Figure 5, which chambers
are consecutively traversed by atmospheric air entering through the apertures
This atmospheric air causes the perforated tiles to become heated, the said
heated air subsequently passing into the main flue 1.
Figure 9 shows clearly the flue i, the purpose of which is to place the moist
air cooling-channel m in direct connection with the smoke-fluc c.
This last mentioned flue i can be shut off by detachable superposed pipes, as
shown in Figure 9, the purpose of the flue i being to increase the draught when
(for instance as in summer and at high temperatures), the draught of the chimney
or stack does not produce a sufficiently rapid draught.
The said flue i connects the smoke-flue c with the moist air-channel m (the
main moist air-channel), the increased draught thus co-operating with the fan
working at e. In some cases it may be possible by a suitable arrangement of
a fan operating in conjunction with the flues as described, to possibly dispense
with a stack, so that in such cases the draught of the kiln would be dependent
upon the fan.
I have only to remark, that I am aware that the conducting of the heat of
the waste gases of the kiln to collecting channels or flues and the subsequent
utilization of such heat for drying chambers is not new, the characteristic features

page_text: of my invention residing in an improved arrangement of the devices and parts,
by means of which a better utilization of the hot air emanating from the kiln
is desired to be effected.
.
1000
Improvements in Brick and Tile Kilns Combined with Artificial
Drying Chambers.
I, JACOB BÜHRER, of 17, Schottenstrasse, of Constanz, in the Grand-Duchy
of Baden, German Empire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement: —
This invention relates to brick- and tile-kilns with artificial drying-chambers
and has for its object various improvements in the construction of the same.
The necessity for the employment in brick-fields of artificial drying increases
from year to year for the reason that an artificial drying renders it possible that
the work can be carried on the whole year instead of only during the half year
or season, which artificial drying, as is apparent, would thus double the efficiency
of a brick-field or a brick-making plant.
The drying plants hitherto known are almost entirely employed for ordinary
bricks, whereas for finer goods, such as roof, and ornamental tiles and the like,
artificial drying has hitherto not been successful, more especially because such
goods require especially careful treatment.
A rational drying kiln working uninterruptedly should produce the greatest
possible efficiency with the smallest possible section of the flues. Furthermore
articles, which have been burnt, should (in a properly constructed kiln) quickly
cool, so that the same may be removed at not too great a temperature, and lastly
the heat contained in the cooling kiln parts should be available either to parch
fresh articles placed in the kiln or for use in separate drying chambers or in a
senarate drying plant.
In the present invention I have endeavoured to obviate the previous draw-
backs and to attain the objects mentioned in the previous paragraph. My inven-
tion relates to a construction, one of its objects being to lead all the available
warmth of the burning kiln over to a drying plant in immediate proximity to
the burning kiln and furthermore to employ this heat in the most economical
manner within the said drying plant. I attain this object by a peculiar system
of flues and channels whereby all the available heat of the cooling portion of
the kiln is conveyed to the drying plant, in which by suitable devices the said
heat is so finely distributed, that articles, produced from clay, of a character
which usually offers peculiar difficulties in its completion to finished articles
may in my improved drying chambers be dried with complete success and without
breaking.
In my improved drying plant attached to the kiln the drying-chambers are,
as indicated, provided with a widely branched system of flues by means of which
the currents of hot air are led in the most advantageous manner to the articles
under treatment.
I prefer to arrange the chambers of the kiln and also the chambers of the
drying plant approximately parallel to each other in two rows, whereby loss of
hat is avoided, on account of the said heat being led over a short path. Hereby

page_text: the conducting of the heat is effected in a very complete manner, as hereinafter
more fully described.
I will proceed to illustrate my invention with reference to the drawings sent in
with my Provisional Specification, in which similar letters denote similar parts
throughout the different views, and in which:
Figure 1 shows the plan of a brick or tile kiln and drying plant arranged
for uninterrupted operation.
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section upon the dotted lines A-B of Figure 1.
Figures 3-6 show sections upon the lines C-D, E-F, G—H, and J—K.
Figures 7 & 8 show partly cross- and partly longitudinal sections upon the
lines LM and N-O, whereas
Figure 9 shows a part of. a cross-section through the line P-Q.
Proceeding to describe the drawings, the kiln I have shown, is provided with
chambers a a²
a2 arranged parallel to each other, the number
of these chambers a is of course optional, and they are separated firstly by a
double T-shaped flue b, said flue extending at its centre to a rectangular space
enclosed by the wall b, in which space the smoke-collecting channels or flues c
are located, the wall b¹ itself being solid and not perforated. To further separate
the said chambers a, four tongues d of brick-work are provided. Both the flue
and also the four brick-work tongues d (separated by chambers (23) assist
in conducting the available heat of the kiln over to the drying-chambers or
drying plant, said brick-work tongues having suitable hollow spaces for this
purpose.
Proceeding to describe the general arrangement of the kiln and drying plant,
I remark that the said drying plant is attached to or in the immediate proximity
of the kiln, said drying plant consisting chiefly of drying chambers arranged
in two rows parallel to each other. The two rows and are separ-
ated from each other by the hot air collecting channel 7 (Figure 1) and further-
more by the moist air-collecting-channel m (Figure 6) the said channel m being
above the channel as also shown in Figure 6. With these two channels and m
the chambers are connected by means of various branch flues which may be
opened and closed at will. Furthermore the drying chambers are so arranged
that they may be coupled in groups, so that the hot air currents can pass into
various chambers or more precisely, into various groups of chambers having
varying degrees of heat, before the said hot air is conducted away through the
moist air-collecting channel m.
I will proceed to describe the arrangement by which the available heat in
the kiln is conducted over to the drying plant in which drying plant the hot
air firstly enters the collecting channel, before being distributed to the various
chambers. To make this clear, I will remark, that the beforesaid double T-shaped
flue is on the one side connected to the said hot air-collecting channel of
the drying chambers and on the other side by flues and dampers with the separate
kiln-chambers a¹ a². . . 12
-
The said kiln-chambers in which the burning has been finished, and which
are gradually cooling, are now placed in connection with the flue and further-
more in known manner atmospheric air is conducted into these kiln-chambers
by the employment of a fan operating in the drying-plant, the hot air being thus
drawn by suction through the flue into the said drying plant, or more precisely,
through the channel into the drying chambers k.
Furthermore, as hereinbefore indicated, the said hollow brick-work tongues d
assist in conducting the heat arising from the burning within the kiln. Describ-
ing more fully the construction of these tongues d, I remark that the same are
formed (see Figure 1) by two parallel walls, the intermediate space being again
divided by a thin wall into two compartments and ³, said spaces and d³
being in connection with the angular extension of the channel by means of
a flue or channel № (Figure 2). As shown also in Figures 2 & 3, dampers &
and № render, as required, the connection of either one or the other or simul-

page_text: taneously of both of said channels and with the double T-shaped flue b,
possible (Figures 2 & 3).
In all the walls & a large number of slots are provided although only shown
in one wall, Fig. 1, so that upon the opening of the dampers and hot air
can pass from the kiln-chambers through the slots in the walls d and then
through or and to the channel b.
Igniting the kiln takes place in known manner through kindling apertures
arranged in the arch of the kiln. The combustion gases being conducted to the
smoke-collecting flues c, by the flues controlled by the dampers e¹ and ².
Figure 4 also shows the smoke collecting flues e in section, and simultaneously
the dampers and, which draw the combustion gases from the kiln-chambers a.
All burning chambers are brought into connection with the hot air collecting
channel as well as with the smoke collecting flue. This connection is effected
in the known manner by underground channels (not shown) leading from the
separate burning chambers to the hot air and to the smoke collecting flue, the
entrance to the smoke collecting flue being controlled by dampers, as represented
in the drawing.
Furthermore Figure 1 also shows that the two walls of the smoke-flues c
divide the double T-shaped flue 6 into two symmetrical parts. A connection
between these two is effected by longitudinally perforated tiles 3. These tiles
are ribbed, are furthermore thin and have three longitudinal slots. Beside these
tiles the two parts of the flue bare connected by low flues 63, (Figure 4,) located
over and under the smoke-flue. Figure 4 also shows the smoke-collecting flues
in longitudinal section together with the said dampers e¹ and also the correspond-
ing flues c. Furthermore Figure 4 shows that these flues 63 are located over and
under the said smoke collecting flues c. To the right of Fig. 1 the flue
passes (or is continued) under the bottom of the kiln and over the top of the
arch of the kiln, thus it will be seen that the said flue is in direct connection
with the hot air collecting channel 7.
When using only one side of the kiln, (say for instance the right-hand. por-
tion of Figure 1 is placed in operation and that from the lefthand side no hot
air is conducted through the flue ), then in such a case the heat contained in
the smoke-chamber, or more precisely, enclosed by the wall b¹ would be con-
nected with the outer air by means of upright detachable shafts 62, Figure 2,
provided with suitable closing dampers. Thus by opening the dampers of these
shafts atmospheric air can be drawn by suction through the tiles to the hot
air collecting channel 7.
Proceeding with the description of Figures 2 & 3, I remark that these figures
show above the brick-work tongues da spiral-shaped flue or channel e, which
as will be seen from Figure 2, consists of three branches; said channel a having
on the one side connection with the outer air by means of an inserted shaft
(provided with a damper) and, on the other side, connection with the T-shaped
flue b, so that the heat radiating above the brick-work tongue d can, (in con-
sequence of this conducting of atmospheric air into the flues ) be fully utilized.
Also the heat radiating to the bottom of the kiln is rendered useful for the
drying chambers in the following manner:
An asphalt layer f first divides the kiln-floor from the earth, hereafter comes
a cement layer situated above the asphalt layer, and in said cement layer are a
number of parallel tubes (see the under portion of the left hand side of
Figure 2). These tubes have cross-channels and air-inlets g² and on the other
side have cross-channels g³, (Figure 2, lower left hand portion). Atmospheric
air entering ², passes through these tubes y and also reaches eventually through
the hot air collecting channel connected with the same.
By this arrange-
ment the heat emanating from the bottom or fire-portion of the kiln is rendered
of use for the drying-chambers, and on the other hand, an evaporation of the
moisture of the earth upon which the kiln is built, is obviated, thus, all serious
loss of heat or injury to the articles within the kiln is prevented,

page_text: I will now proceed to describe the special arrangement for the distribution of
the hot dry-air and for the conducting away of the moist discharge air. Upon
the hot air-collecting flue 7, a channel n (Fig. 2 and dotted lines, Figure 1)
branches off to each drying-chamber. These branch-channels n (see also Figure 6)
can by dampers n' be placed in and out of connection with the hot air flue
and extend over the whole length of the walls which separate the drying chambers
from each other as will be clear from the drawing.
To conduct away the moist air, however, there are at the side of these before
mentioned flues or channels n other channels (Figures 2 & 7) which conduct
moist air and which can be closed by dampers o¹.
The before mentioned fan or blower operates at the end of the moist air-
channel m
(the main moist-air-channel) at the point (see upper portion of
Figure 2, righthand side), the action of the fan causing the damp air to pass
away into the outer atmosphere.
The arrangement for the distribution of the air is such, that in accordance
with the kind of goods which are to be dried in the drying-chambers, the said
air can either be conducted in a horizontal, or in a diagonal direction to such
articles.
Both the horizontal and the diagonal conducting of the air are hereinafter
separately more fully described.
Before doing so, several remarks are desirable, as to the coupling together of
the drying chambers in groups.
It has already been stated that the drying-chambers can be connected together
in groups one behind the other; this can be so effected that say for instance
the chamber has been connected with the preceding chamber 6, (said
chamber having been in operation about 12 hours as a drying-chamber);
this chamber I now feed with hot air directly from the hot air flue or shaft 7,
whereby, as is clear, the hot air will now be led from 7 to and then to k³.
As soon, however, as the drying in the chamber is complete, the same is shut
off from and now is directly connected with the hot air flue 7. After this "
is cut off from the moist air-channel m and placed in connection with 10, which
chamber has in the mean-time been refilled with goods. The freshly intro-
duced goods are thus, as is clear, first operated upon or exposed to, the hot air
which has already passed through two drying chambers.
The proper distribution of the air is of especial importance for the obtaining
of a good effective and reliable drying of the goods. In this connection I state,
that when coupling together various chambers in groups for the purpose of
allowing hot air to pass at decreasing degrees of temperature from chamber to
chamber, it is absolutely necessary to conduct the air-current in a cross direc-
tion, for if the air-current enters the chambers in a longitudinal direction,
dampness or moisture must settle during the passage of the hot air over the
long path and tend to a greater or less extent to injure the goods being dried.
Now, as to the horizontal conducting of the warm air: I now proceed to
describe the necessary details of my method for conducting hot or warm air
horizontally. At the hot air channels or flues », a number of small flues
(Figures 7 & 8) are arranged. These ascend at the intermediate walls of the
drying-chamber, as clearly shown in Figure 7, from the hot air channels n up
to the top of the said drying chambers.
In the example shown in the drawing I have employed 7 of such flues
Furthermore, Figure 8 shows, that these flues y are in connection with the corre-
sponding drying-chamber by means of a large number of perforations or
apertures in the intermediate or separating walls. Thus, the hot air coming
from the main hot air-flue n and ascending the said flues 9 must pass through
the sieve-like perforations of the brick-work into the drying chamber and
become distributed over the whole wall-surface of the same.
Figure 7 however, further shows, that between each two of the before said

page_text: flues another upright flue is provided. Said upright flue or flues r termin-
ates in the moist air channel or flue v.
These flues communicate with the moist-air-channel o on the other side of
the drying-chamber in exactly the same manner as the flues q, viz. by means
of small perforations (Figures 6-8).
For the drying-chamber o, therefore, hot air can enter from the right hand
flue or channel n through the flues 7 or more precisely, through the perfora-
tions in the direction of the arrows, into the drying chambers and after passing
through the chambers, the hot air (or warm air) finds its exit through the
perforations, and from thence into the flue and into the flue o.
This is clearly shown in Figure 7 and will probably need no further description.
I will now explain another point, viz. the coupling together of an optional
number of chambers one behind the other.
I can do this by employing the channels or flues (shown in Figure 8).
These flues connect the warm air-flues and the moist air-flues r.
By controlling the said flues in suitable manner by dampers, it will be
clear, that an optional number of drying-chambers may be connected together.
The horizontal conducting of air: I will proceed to describe by means of the
example shown in the drawing the manner in which hot air can be conducted
from one chamber to another in a horizontal direction. If it is required to
conduct hot air out of the chamber into the chamber 10, it would be necessary
to close the dampers ¹ and o' of the flues or channels n and o of the inter-
mediate separating wall of the chamber as shown in the drawing Figures 6 & 7,
and then to open the dampers of the said crossed channels or flues u. It will
be clear that the air can now enter through the flues direct to the flues q
and can then pass from the same into the chamber 10
A distribution of the hot air in the manner just described, viz, over the whole
surface of the longitudinal walls is more especially suitable for drying flat goods
such as roof- and ribbed tiles, and perforated tiles, as above mentioned.
soon as the
To dry say bricks it is desirable to employ an arrangement which renders it
possible to conduct the hot air in a diagonal direction through the corresponding
chambers. In this latter case, viz. by a diagonal air-service, as
several chambers are coupled in groups, the hot air rises in the first chamber
from bottom to top and in the second chamber from top to bottom, and so forth.
To bring about this result, the flues and need only to be conducted below
the roof of every alternate intermediate chamber or wall, whilst, at the other or
following intermediate wall between the several drying chambers (always pre-
suming that the diagonal conducting of the air is still in question) it will be
clear, that at these said other intermediate walls the flues and need only
enter the drying chamber without being carried to the top of the said chamber.
Figure illustrates the statements just made, and shows that the short flues
terminate at g, whereas at the left wall of 12 the corresponding short flues r
terminate at 2.
Still proceeding with the description of the diagonal conducting of the air I
remark, that in this construction the moist air flue is on the lefthand side, and
passes under the main hot air collecting flue into the hot air-channel n of
the chamber, thus permitting the coupling together of the chambers 12 and k¹.
A similar arrangement or construction can of course, be made at the other side
of the drying chamber between the chambers and .
Furthermore the same figure (Figure 7) shows, that between 1 and 2 cer-
tain open flues are provided, these flues q being conducted to the top of the
chamber and have openings g, whilst in the same intermediate wall corre-
sponding flues terminate with openings towards the chamber ; said flues ↑
condcting away the moist air, as hereinbefore indicated.
Still continuing the illustration of the diagonal conducting of the air, as illus-
trated in Figures 2 & 7 I remark, that the hot air reaches the chamber All

page_text: through the corresponding hot air fue n, the damper of which is of course open
towards the main hot air flue 1.
The hot air passes in an upward direction to the left opening of the flue and
passes through other channels again in a downward direction to k¹².
Hereby of course the damper o of the moist air-flue must be closed, as
otherwise a direct suction of the hot air passing out of towards the main
moist air-collecting flue m would be possible.
The hot air therefore passes in 12 in a downward direction, as shown by the
arrows, and again reaches the short flues r, and from thence into the moist air-
flue o, passes from thence into the flue n of the chamber ¹, in order to again
descend from here diagonally, and to pass out through 2, rand o to the main
moist air-collecting channel m, when the damper
is open.
If reference is made to Figure 6 it will be seen, that the following arrange-
ments are made to avoid other possible losses of heat;
In the drying-chambers, the intermediate walls between the hot and moist
air collecting flues are provided with longitudinal tubes which on the one
side are in connection with the outer atmosphere by perforated tiles inserted in
an upward direction, whilst the said longitudinal tubes at their other end
terminate in the main hot air-flue 7. The air suction through the tiles effects
the conducting away (or rendering available) of any heat or waste-gases within
the moist air-flue in that the said heat by the air-suction is conducted to a greater
or less extent back again to the main flue 7.
Some kinds of clay-goods require for purposes of drying, either only atmos-
pheric air or atmospheric air mixed with warm air (from the flue 7).
This mixture of warm or hot air with atmospheric air I effect in a simple
manner by the employment of flues 2 (see centre of Figure 1, drying chambers).
One of the said flues enters each drying chamber and is conducted directly
to the hot air flue n. Upon the top of the drying chamber these flues » can
be shut by the employment of sand or in any other suitable manner.
It is a recognised fact that some goods require a high and some a low drying
temperature. When goods requiring a low drying temperature are to be burnt
in the kiln, or to be dried, it may happen, that the heat obtained from the kiln
may not be sufficient for the drying chambers, in which case it would be
necessary to employ an auxiliary fire.
This auxiliary fire would be most advantageously arranged between the kiln
and the drying chambers, Figure 1 & 2.
11:
Such auxiliary firing plant is shown in longitudinal section in Figure 5:
is the grate, the flame from which spreads firstly towards w¹, from here the
same passes through a number of perforated tiles .. Figure 5, said perforated
tiles being built in and leading to a cross flue 2, this flue is connected
to the flue by several iron tubes ¹, Figure 5, from which once again a
number of perforated tiles, one behind the other, lead to a flue, Figure 5.
from which the waste gases escape into the atmospheric air through a ventilator.
The before said iron tubes penetrate, as shown in the drawing (Figure 5)
the main hot air-collecting flue and impart to a greater or less extent their heat
to the same.
The spaces on both sides of the said main flue 7 I divide by means of cross
walls into a larger number of cross-chambers 1, Figure 5, which chambers
are consecutively traversed by atmospheric air entering through the apertures ³.
This atmospheric air causes the perforated tiles to become heated, the said
heated air subsequently passing into the main flue 7.
Figure 9 shows clearly the flue i, the purpose of which is to place the moist
air-collecting-channel m in direct connection with the smoke-flue c.
This last mentioned flue i can be shut off by detachable superposed pipes, as
shown in Figure 9, the purpose of the flue to increase the draught when
(for instance as in summer and at high temperatures), the draught of the chimney
or stack does not produce a sufficiently rapid draught.

page_text: The said flue i connects the smoke-flue e with the moist air-channel m (the
main moist air-channel), the increased draught thus co-operating with the fan.
working at v. In some cases it may be possible by a suitable arrangement of
a fan operating in conjunction with the flues as described, to possibly dispense
with a stack, so that in such cases the draught of the kiln would be dependent
upon the fan.
I have only to remark, that I am aware, that the conducting of the heat of
the waste gases of the kiln to collecting channels or flues and the subsequent
utilization of such heat for drying chambers is not new, the characteristic features
of my invention residing in an improved arrangement of the devices and parts,
by means of which a better utilization of the hot air emanating from the kiln
is desired to be effected.
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 a kiln with drying chambers_attached, the combination of kiln-walls
forming burning chambers around a T-formed hollow space, with tongues (d)
situated between these burning-chambers, and having perforated side-walls,
walls () separating said tongues in two halves, valves to open and to close
these valves of the tongues, means to convey the heat entering the tongues into
a hot air-collecting-channel (6) formed by the inner kiln-walls, tongues (e)
located above the tongues (d) and sucking fresh outside air through tubes (el),
a smoke-chamber (c) arranged within the hot air-collecting channel (b), tubes (3)
traversing said smoke chamber and means to suck hot air from the burning-
chambers, and to convey it to the drying chambers, substantially as described.
2. In a kiln with drying-chambers attached, the combination of kiln-walls
forming parallel burning-chambers around a double T-formed hollow space,
with tongues (d) having perforated walls and being separated in two compart-
ments, valves to open and to close these compartments, tubes (4) conducting
the hot air entering said tongues into the hollow space (6) forming the hot air-
collecting channel, a smoke-chamber (c) being traversed by tubes (c³) and
surrounded by the hot air-collecting channel, pipes (62) conducting fresh air
into the hot air-collecting channel and means to suck the hot air from the burning
chambers through the tongues (d) into the hot air-collecting channel (b), for the
purpose and substantially as described.
3. In a kiln with drying chambers attached, the combination of kiln-walls
forming parallel burning-chambers and a double T-formed hot air-collecting
channel, tongues (d) having perforated walls and consisting of two compartments,
tongues (c) located above the tongues (d) conducting fresh air to the latter,
tubes (4) forming the connection between the interior of the tongues (d) and
the hot-air collecting channel (b), for the purpose and substantially as described.
4. In a kiln with drying chambers attached, the combination of kiln-walls
forming parallel burning-chambers and a double T-formed hot air-collecting
channel with a smoke-chamber (c) arranged in the hot air collecting-channel (b),
tubes (3) traversing the smoke-chamber and means to convey to a hot-air col-
lecting channel of the drying-chambers attached to the kiln, substantially as
described.
5. In a kiln with drying chambers attached, the combination of parallel
drying-chambers (k) with a hot air-collecting channel (l), a moist air-collecting
channel (m) arranged above the hot air-channel and conducting outside the hot
air having passed through all or a part of the drying-chambers, substantially as
described.
6. In a kiln with drying chambers attached, the combination of chambers (k)
communicating between themselves and with a hot air-channel (7), means to close
these communications, a moist air-collecting channel (m), perforations (q¹) con-

page_text: ducting the air transversely through the chambers and outside to the moist air-
collecting chambers substantially as described.
7. In a kiln with drying chambers attached, the combination of different
drying-chambers changeably connected with a hot air-collecting channel (l) and
with a moist air-collecting channel located above the hot air-channel, substantially
as described.
8. In a kiln with drying chambers attached, the combination of walls having
perforations allowing the air to pass the chambers subsequently one after the
other, and effecting the initial heating, with a hot air-channel between these
drying chambers and a moist air-collecting channel (m) located above the hot
air-collecting channel, for the purpose as described.
Dated this 27th day of January 1899.
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester,
Agents for the Applicant.