Improvements in Regenerative Kilns.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 15th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Regenerative Kilns.
We, EDWARD BROOK of Rashcliffe, Huddersfield, Engineer and JOHN JOSHUA
BROOK, Colne Road, Huddersfield, Lead Merchant do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for object a better and more even distribution of heat in
regenerative kilns, together with greater economy of fuel and a more durable con-
struction than heretofore. To this end the kilns, which are by preference side by
side, and of square or rectangular form with strong division walls and arched roofs,
are each provided at or near the top with connections to a main gas flue and an air
flue or channel, and at the bottom with perforations communicating with a flue or
channel which may be connected at will to the chimney or to the outer air. These
flues or channels are provided with suitable valves by which the air, the gas and the
products of combustion may be so directed that the heat accumulated in a kiln which
bas just been fired may be transferred to any other kiln of the series, or to more than
one kiln. For instance, when there are four kilns, which is the minimum number
which should be employed when arranged according to this invention, air will be
drawn into the kiln in which the firing process has just been completed, through the .
perforations in the floor, and passing upwards through the hot bricks or other articles
will become highly heated. On reaching the roof of the kiln it will pass through
ports into a passage leading to the inain air flue, whence a part will be directed into
the upper part of another kiln to enter into combination with gas supplied from the
main gas flue, while another part may be directed into another kiln which is filled with
goods undergoing the steaming process. The air. is drawn into the two last named
kilns by the chimney draught, which is caused by the waste gases from the burning
kiln. These gases pass out through perforations in the floor, and thence go direct
into the main flue to the chimney or else pass first through another kiln to heat
it up.
The system of transferring the heat from one kiln to another by means of a current
of air is also applicable to the round or isolated kiln, by providing a connecting tube
or flue from one to the other with regulating dampers, and forming the necessary
annular gas and air flue with their nostrils or openings near the top of such kilns, the
waste gases passing off through the perforated floor as at present.
It will be evident that regenerative kilns according to this invention may be
variously constructed and worked without departure from the essential principles of
this invention.
uy or Decom
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.O., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Regenerative Kilns.
We, EDWARD BROOK, of Rashcliffe, Huddersfield, Engineer, and JOHN JOSHUA
BROOK, of Colne Road, Huddersfield, Lead Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object a better and more even distribution of heat in
regenerative kilns together with greater economy of fuel and a
constration then herets
more durable

page_text: "
According to this invention a compound kiln for the burning of bricks, pottery, or
other ware, is composed of a series of kilns of any suitable shape such as square or
circular, but preferably rectangular, either isolated or grouped together in a line with
each other, or in an annular form, the construction and arrangement being such that
1st the said kilns are fired with gaseous fuel; 2nd, the flame is generated in passages
or ignition or combustion chambers at the top, and the fire gases are drawn down the
kilns through perforations in the floors by what is known as "down draught;'
and 3rd, air is admitted through perforations in the floor by a valve or other regulating
device into a kiln in which the firing process has been just completed, rises through
and is heated in this kiln, and thence is conveyed by means of an overhead tube or
flue to burn the gas in another kiln. The kilns, which are arranged by preference
side by side and are constructed with strong division walls and arched roofs, are each
provided at or near the top with connexions to a main gas flue, and an air fluc or
channel, and at the bottom with perforations communicating with a flue or channel
which may be connected at will to the chimney or to the outer air. These flues
or channels are provided with suitable valves by which the air, the gas, and the
products of combustion may be so directed that the heat accumulated in a kiln which
has just been fired may be transferred to any other kiln of the series or to more
than one kiln. For instance where there are four kilns-which is the minimum
number that can be employed with advantage when arranged according to this
invention-air will be drawn into the kiln in which the firing process has just been
completed, through the perforations in the floor and passing upward through the hot
bricks or other articles, will become bighly heated. On reaching the roof of the
kiln it will pass through a port or ports into a passage leading to the main air
flue and constituting an ignition or combustion chamber; from the main air flue a
part will be directed into the upper part of another kiln to enter into combustion
with gas supplied from the main gas flue, while another part may be directed into
another kiln which is filled with goods undergoing the steaming process.
The air is drawn into the two last named kilns by the chinney draught which is
caused by the waste gases from the burning kiln.
These gases pass out through perforations in the floor and thence go direct
into the main flue to the chimney or else pass first through another kiln to heat
it
up.
The passages or ignition or combustion chambers at the top facilitate the safe and
more certain ignition of the gas, as well as aiding an even distribution of heat; they
also materially increase the working capacity of the kilns by reason of the absence of
the usual flues or "bags" and their position at the top also lends itself to a very
convenient and efficient transference of heat from one kiln to another by reason of
the upward current of heated air passing through the newly fired kiln naturally rising
to the top when it passes into the overhead air flue and forwards into the ignition or
combustion chamber at the top of the next kiln where it meets with its supply of gas.
The hot air flue should be thickly lined with non-conducting material to avoid loss of
heat; and the ignition or combustion chamber is preferably supported as far as possible
by iron beams or girders resting on the side walls so as to relieve the crown or arch
of as much weight as possible; the latter is especially desirable in cases where a short
chimney is used on the top of each in preference to one large one for the purpose
of giving draught.
Where a short chimney is used on the top of each kiln, the waste gases from
a kiln undergoing the firing process are conducted by an underground flue (having
a damper for closing it when necessary) to the underside of the floor of the next
kiln, and are passed up through the perforations in the floor, drying and heating
the goods contained in the said kiln and eventually escaping by the aforesaid chimney
at the top which has a damper for closing or regulating purposes. On the other hand
where a main chimney is used each kiln is provided with an up draught flue or passage,
and the waste gases from a kiln undergoing the firing process are conveyed by an
underground flue as before, and passed into an up draught flue where on arriving at

page_text: the top they spread over the area of the kiln and are drawn down through the goods
or ware, eventually escaping by an exit flue into a main flue to the chimney. The
down draught when firing affords the desired even distribution of heat and regularity
of burning, whilst on the other hand the updraught current of air, especially when
admitted according to this invention, effects an even and regular cooling throughout
the kiln with an efficient transference of heat to the next kiln.
The sectional area of the hot air tube or flue tube should be at least three times
that of the cold air inlet valve to allow for the increased volume of the air when
heated; also the perforations in, and the flues and passages underneath, the floors
of the kilns should be of ample dimensions to allow of a free passage of the heated
products of combustion when in "full fire." It will be evident that compound kilns
according to this invention may be constructed so that the end or last kiln of the
series, when built in a row or line, may be made to communicate with the first
kiln so that the waste heat from the end or last kiln may be conveyed to the first
kiln by means of a flue provided with a damper.
The system of transferring the heat from one kiln to another by means of a current
of air is also applicable to round or isolated kilns by providing a connecting tube
or flue from one to the other with regulating dampers and forming the necessary
annular gas and air flues with their nostrils or openings near the top of such kilns,
the waste gases passing off through the perforated floor."
As will be evident regenerative kilns according to this invention may as above
set forth he variously constructed and worked. Two arrangements are illustrated
in the annexed sheets of illustrative drawings in which the same reference numerals
indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a sectional elevation illustrating the
application of the present invention to a series of four kilns or chambers grouped
together.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the same and
Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the centre of ono of the kilns or chambers.
1, 1, 1, 1°, are four kilns arranged side by side, communicating by ports 2 in their
arched roofs with overhead ignition or combustion chambers 3, 3, 3, 3º, each of which
communicates at its rear end with a main hot air flue 4 arranged transversely above.
the ignition or combustion chambers.
Communication between the ignition or combustion chambers and the hot air flue is
controlled by dampers 5, 5º, 5º, 5º.
The kilns also communicate by the usual perforations 6, 6ª, 6º, 6º, in their
floors 7, 7, 7, 7°, with flues 8, 8, 8, 8° underneath, which communicate by
flues 9, 98, 96, 9, with an underground main waste gas flue 10 leading to the chimney.
(not shown).
Communication between the flues 9, 9ª, 9b, 9°, and the main flue 10 is controlled
by dampers 11, 11ª, 11, 11°.
12, 120, 12, 12°, are valves for admitting cold air to the fines 8, 8º, 8b, 8°.
The flues 8, 8, 8b, 8°, also communicate on one side by flues 13, 13ª, 136, 13,
with uptakes 14, 14, 146, 14°, respectively, each of which passes up along the
inner wall on one side of its respective kiln and opens out into such kiln at or
about the height of the spring of the arch of the roof.
Each kiln can be placed by the means described in communication with the next
following kiln, the last kiln 1 of the series communicating with the first kiln 1 of the
series by a return flue 13 passing underneath the series of flues 8, 8ª, 8, 8°, and the
other flues 13, 13, 13b, and opening into the uptake 14° of the first kiln.
Communication between the flues 13, 13ª, 13, 13, and the uptakes 14, 14ª, 14, 14°,
is controlled by dampers 15, 15º, 156, 15, adapted to be operated by means of
rods 16, 16° 16, 16, and levers 17, 17, 17, 17°, placed conveniently outside.
Gas is supplied to the kilns from an underground main gas conduit 18 by means
of branch gas conduits 19, 19", 196, 19° opening into the ignition or combustion
chambers at their junction with the main hot air flue 4. Communication between.

page_text: the
branch conduits 19, 19, 19", 19° and the main gas conduit is controlled by
valves 20, 20°, 20°, 20º.
Projecting tongues 21 serve to direct the course of the gas and air.
Doorways 22 are provided where convenient.
The mode of working the series of kilns constituting the compound kiln arranged
as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is as follows:
Let it be assumed that the process of firing the goods in kiln 1 has been just
completed, that kiln 1ª is being "fired,"-that kiln 1 is "steaming" or heating up;
and that the last kiln 1° is shut off from the other kilns, and also from the hot air
flue and the main gas conduit by means of the respective dampers 5°, 11°, 15, 15°,
and gas valve 20°. Then air will pass in through the opened air valve 12, through
the flues 9, 8 and up through the perforations 6 in the floor 7 of the kiln 1, up
through the hot goods or ware contained therein, and after abstracting heat there-
from will escape up through the ports 2 in the arched roof, through the chamber 3,
through the opened damper 5 and along the hot air flue 4. If the dampers 5* and 56
be open part of the hot air will flow past the open damper 5ª into the
chamber 3 where it will meet and enter into combustion with the gas coming from
the branch gas flue 19" to "fire" the goods contained in kiln 1°, whilst another part will
flow past the open damper 5° and through the ignition chamber 3b into the kiln 1b
which is filled with goods undergoing the steaming or heating up process. The air
will be drawn into the kilns by the chimney draught caused by the waste gases from
the burning kiln.
These gases will pass out of the kiln 1 after "firing" the goods therein, through
the perforations 6 in the floor 7* into the flue 8" and thence go direct to the main
waste gas flue 10 through the flue 9*, and the open damper 11ª, or if the dampers 11°
and 15 be open they may be allowed to pass through the flue 13 up through the
uptake 14 into the kiln 1 where after imparting heat to the goods undergoing
the process of steaming or heating up, they will escape through the perforations 6 in the
floor 7, the flues 8 and 9b through the open damper 11 into the main waste gas flue 10
on their way to the chimney. It will be seen that each of the ignition or combustion
chambers 3, 3, 3b and 3°, also forms a collecting passage for enabling the hot air
from the upper part of a kiln to pass to the hot air flue when such kiln is being
cooled.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation illustrating the application of the present invention
to a series of three round isolated kilns, each provided with its own chimney; and
Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevation through one of the kilns shewing the
ignition or combustion chamber and the connexion therefrom with the main
gas flue.
Fig. 6 is a sectional plan of the same.
It will be understood that although only three kilns are shown in the drawing, a
fourth kiln would be desirable for carrying on the process without interruption.
4 is the hot air tube or flue with its dampers 5, 5ª and 5b; 3, 3, and 3b are the
ignition or combustion chambers; 23, 23, and 23 are the chimneys provided with
dampers 24, 24 and 24°. 6, 6, 6b, are the perforations formed in the floors 7, 7, 7°
of the kilns in any of the well-known ways. 13, 13" 13b are the waste heat flues
conveying the spent gases from kiln to kiln and provided with dampers 15, 15 for
closing the connexion when desired, and 12 12 12 are the regulating valves for
admitting cold air to the waste heat flue 13 on its way to the kiln that is being cooled.
20, 20°, 20° are the gas valves for admitting gas from the main gas flue 18 to the
ignition or combustion chambers 3, 3" 3b where it mingles with the hot air coming
from a newly fired kiln.
It will be noticed that by using a chimney on the top of each kiln. as shewn in
Figs. 4 and 5, the uptakes 14, 14, 14 shewn on sheet 1, in Figs. 1 and 2 are not
required, the waste gases coming from the kiln that is being fired being distributed
under the floor of the next kiln and passing up through the goods therein, escape by
the chimney at the top.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that we are aware that
overhead air tubes have before been used in kilns not of the downdraught gas fired
type, that an ignition and combustion chamber has been placed under the floor of a
kiln; and that it has been proposed to ignite gas at the top of a kiln inside of the
kiln itself, but what we claim is :-
1. A compound regenerative kiln comprising a series of downdraught regenerative
kilns adapted to be fired with gas and an overhead air tube or flue in connexion with
each kiln the arrangement being such that the said air tube or flue can be caused to
conduct heated air from a kiln of the series that has been newly fired to one or more
of the other kilns as described with reference to the drawings.
2. A gas fired, downdraught kiln having at or near its top an ignition or
combustion chamber arranged and operating as described with reference to the
drawings.
3. In a gas fired downdraught regenerative kiln the combination of an ignition or
combustion chamber and an overhead air flue in connection with another kiln or kilns
as described.
4. In a compound gas fired downdraught kiln the construction of the kilns with
ignition or combustion chambers at their tops in combination with the means herein
described for passing the waste gases from a kiln undergoing the firing process through
the goods in a second kiln as described.
5. In a compound gas fired downdraught kiln a series of kilns each provided at its
top with a chimney in combination with the means herein described for passing the
waste gases from a kiln of the series undergoing the firing process through the goods
in a second kiln.
6. In a gas fired downdraught regenerative kiln the means herein described for
admitting and distributing a current of air in a newly fired kiln of a series for the
purpose of cooling such kiln and of obtaining a supply of hot air for the gas in
another kiln.
7. Our improved regenerative kiln as described with reference to and shewn in
Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the drawings.
8. Our improved regenerative kiln as described with reference to and shewn in
Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive of the drawings.
Dated thin 14th f
L1000
W. Lloyd Wise,
E. BROOK.
JNO. J. BROOK.
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.