IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING SEPARATING AND TREATING ORES AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1884

page_text: I PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents. do hereby declare the nature
of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING
SEPARATING AND TREATING ORES AND OTHER SUBSTANCES to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements upon apparatus for pulverizing ores and
other substances by concussion or impact of said substances when carried in a
current or opposing currents of superheated steam, compressed air, water, or other
aeriform fluids under suitable pressure to a focal or central point. The said
Invention consists in the main of improvements upon a former invention for a
similar purpose, shown and described in Specification No 5104 of 1880.
According to the said former invention there were certain tubes through which
the ores or other substances to be pulverized were drawn or forced by steam or
other fluid; and these tubes were so arranged that the opposing currents of
material would be driven against one another, and the tubes through which the
steam or fluid passed, formed an annular opening around the central supply tube
through which the material was drawn the steam from the annular opening
drawing the material from the central supply into its current and forcing it into a
wearing tube, from which it was discharged to meet the opposing current. It has
been found in practice that these tubes are somewhat difficult to adjust, and that
when worn out by the abrasion of the ores the expense of réplacing them is very
great; and it has been found that the distance between the nozzles of these steam or
air tubes and the point of impact was too great, thereby weakening the force of
the current, and that the passage of the steam or other Huids through annular
nozzles weakened the force of the steam by friction, and such annular nozzles were
difficult to construct with accuracy and it was also found that the means employed
for discharging the pulverized material and the exhaust steam, air, or other gases,
were imperfect The objects of this invention are to remedy these defects first, by
providing an improved arrangement and form of the tubes and nozzles for

page_text: discharging the steam and ores by which their length may be more readily adjusted,
and the working made more efficient; second, by providing improved .wearing
parts for the tubes, which can be easily removed and more cheaply constructed;
third by providing an improved exhaust extension connected with the pulverizing
chamber; these objects are accomplished by the mechanism hereinafter described.
Upon a suitable frame work is erected the main hopper for the ore or other
material to be pulverized as also two secondary hoppers which are supplied by two
branches of the main hopper. Below the secondary hoppers are the ore. chambers
between which is the pulverizing chamber into which open the wear conducting.
tubes through which the steam or other fluid and the ores or other material to be
pulverized, are discharged as described in the said former specification.
The main steam or other fluid supply pipe is branched or divided' with as few
angles as possible and terminates in the ore chambers in adjustable nozzles with
reduced openings screwed to their extremities. The said nozzles project toward
one another upon opposite sides of the machine The discharge of steam through
the nozzles draws the granulated ores from the ore chambers into and through the
wear conducting pipes into the pulverizing chamber where said ores meet and are
pulverized.
The ore chambers I prefer to have annular, and completely surrounding the
nozzles so that their lower parts form a sort of pocket below these nozzles in which
the heavier particles of the granulated material (which might close the wear
conducting pipes) naturally gravitate and are retained in said pockets, from which
they may be drawn in any convenient manner.
These chambers may however be formed so as to surround only the upper
portions of the nozzles, the bottom pockets being omitted The nozzles with
reduced ends extend into said charging chambers and terminate near the inner
ends of the wear conductors.
The exteriors of the nozzles are preferably made tapering toward their exit ends
so that the passage of the granulated substances toward the pipes may be
facilitated, and at the end of each of these nozzles is a reduced cylindrical passage
forming a small aperture for the passage of the jet of steam or other fluid Instead
of being tapering throughout their length and formed of one piece of metal, the
parts may be formed of a straight piece of pipe with a small nozzle having a
reduced opening screwed to their ends. The size and form of the inner construction
of the apertures at the ends of the nozzles, may be varied to suit special require-.
ments, so long as it constitutes essentially, a pipe of reduced size; but the size which
has proved the most effectual for general purposes is a cylindrical opening five
sixteenths of an inch long by five thirty seconds of an inch in diameter. The
form of nozzle herein described gives great force to the current, with much economy
of the power employed, together with simplicity of construction and ease of
adjustment The interior of the nozzle may be formed tapering up to the small
aperture at the extremity, but when working with superheated steam or compressed
⚫ air under a pressure of one hundred and fifty or two hundred pounds to the square
inch the inside end of the tubes forming the nozzles should preferably be made
so as to produce as little friction as possible The nozzles are adjustable in their
length by one or more loose rings that may be packed behind them at the points
where they are screwed into the backs of the chambers, the nozzles themselves
being formed to be turned by a wrench within the chambers by removing the
hoppers By this means they may be brought nearer to or farther from the wear
conducting pipes, as the case may require.
The said pipes are composed of hard metal preferably cast upon a chill and are
preferably joined to the charging chambers by the bushings, in which they aro
suitably secured by screws, and they open into said chambers with conical or
flaring mouths, into which the ore and steam easily pass. The inner diameter
of these tubes is such that whether steam or air be discharged from the
nozzles, the force and expansion of the currents are sufficient to displace
the atmospheric pressure within the tubes, which causes a partial vacuum

page_text: within the charging chambers and draws the ores or granulated substances into
the tubes I prefer to use the bushings to hold the tubes because those tubes
are the only parts subjected to wear; and by making them separate from the
bushings they may be removed when worn out, without throwing away any great
amount of material The bushings are made to taper at the ends toward the inner
nozzles so that their inner ends form parts of the sides of the conical chambers and
thus suitable space is left around the outer nozzles for the passage of the granulated
substances into the conducting tubes. The bushings are removable and are held in
place by screws, passing through projections cast upon the sides of the pulverizing
chamber This feature of the removable bushings and pipes is of great advantage,
as it allows the wearing parts of the apparatus to be made of much less weight
The bushings may however be dispensed with, though with less economy, by
making the tubes much thicker, and attaching them directly to the sides of the
pulverizing chamber by the screws. The tubes are provided with flanges at the
discharging ends which overlap the bushings and prevent their abrasion by stray
particles.
I have found the best distance from the discharging ends of the tubes to the
point of impact to be about an inch and a half and that the best distance from the
nozzles to the point of impact is about from four to five inches, though I do not
confine myself to any particular distances In the before mentioned specification,
the means employed for discharging the pulverized material and the exhaust steam,
air, or other gases from the pulverizing chamber were imperfect. The present
improved apparatus renders this important part simple and effectual. It consists
of an exhaust extension part at the top of the chamber with a steam or air jet
exhauster, consisting of a suitable second chamber, connected with the first
chamber by a pipe or in any other suitable manner in which second chamber is a
jet pipe provided with a small nozzle, which pipe being supplied with a suitable
fluid under pressure draws up or exhausts from the apparatus the finely pulverized
substances together with the exhaust steam, air, or other gases employed depositing
the finely pulverized material into a suitable receiving chamber provided with
screen outlet, and suitable discharge hopper valves. When superheated steam or
other dry fluid is used the jet exhauster should also be supplied with the same fluid.
An opening under the pulverizing chamber allows the coarser pulverized
substances to fall or pass through into a conducting spout .leading to suitablo
receptacles for bolting and sizing the materials. A steam escape pipe is provided
to allow wet steam to pass through when required as occurs by condensation when
starting the apparatus. A damper provides for opening or closing escape pipe, and
exhaust-extension part when required. The pulverizing chamber is provided with
a suitable opening for obtaining easy access to the wearing and removeable parts
of the apparatus, which is provided with a cover, a discharge regulator suitably
arranged in an opening and made adjustable by a set screw provided for a free
discharge of material and prevents an excess of air being drawn into the pulverizing
chamber The improved apparatus having two opposing current pipes or nozzles
and charging chambers can easily and quickly be changed into an apparatus having
but one current pipe or nozzle and charging chamber; or special apparatus may be
constructed having several current pipes with nozzles and charging chambers in
position parallel with each other and one or all arranged to discharge their currents
against a solid substance instead of against an opposing current This can be
accomplished in the opposing current apparatus by removing one nozzle and
inserting in its place a tight fitting plug to close the steam or air current from
discharging on that side, and by dispensing with one bushing and tube, and
inserting in their place a solid plug or bushing for the one current to be discharged
against This arrangement of currents and impact may be adopted for pulverizing
soft or easily friable substances having no hard or gritty character that will abrade
or wear the solid bushing or impact base; but it is not adapted nor economical for
ores or other hard minerals on account of the great wear and destruction of the
impact base. In the practical, working of the improved apparatus I deem it very

page_text: essential that the steam or other compressed gases employed should be introduced
into the apparatus in a thoroughly dry condition, in order to prevent any moisture
upon the substances during the time of their passage through the process of
pulverization and sizing This important requirement is accomplished successfully
and economically by employing suitably constructed superheating apparatus which
is suitably arranged in connection with the improved apparatus and a steam
generator The superheating apparatus may be placed directly within a suitable
part of the steam generator, or it may be constructed and arranged separately with
suitable connections by pipes and valves between the generator and the pulverizing
apparatus. The temperature of the superheated steam may be varied according to
the requirements For simply pulverizing purposes 600° to 700° Fahrenheit is
sufficient to render the pulverized substances dry when discharged from the
apparatus. A much higher temperature is required when it is desired to effect or
partially volatilize and eliminate sulphur, arsenic, antimony &c Suitable non
conducting coverings should be provided for the supply pipes, to retain the heat.
The operation of my said invention is as follows:-
The main hopper, and from it the secondary hoppers, and the ore chambers
being filled with the ore or other material to be pulverized suitably granulated to
allow its passage through the apparatus, and the supply pipe being connected with
the source from which is obtained the superheated steam, or compressed air or
other fluid, the steam or fluid will then pass through the branch pipes and be
discharged through the outer nozzles, into and through the ore chambers and
directly into and through the wear pipes creating a partial vacuum in the said ore
chambers, and drawing into the current of fluid in the pipes, the granulated
material from the said chambers. The said material is then discharged by the
force of the steam into the pulverizing chamber, and is pulverized by the impact
and attrition of the two opposing currents The heavier particles of the pulverized
material will fall into the lower opening and thence into the conducting spout
leading to suitable receptacles while the lighter particles will be carried into the
exhaust extension and thence through the jet exhauster, into suitable receptacles
The coarser particles can if desired be passed through the apparatus more than
once in order still further to pulverize them.
Dated this 21st day of January 1884.

page_text: I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55. & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING SEPARATING
AND TREATING ORES AND OTHER SUBSTANCES" 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 improvements upon apparatus for pulverizing ores and
other substances by concussion or impact of said substances when carried in a
current or opposing currents' of superheated steam, compressed air, water, or other
aeriform fluids, under suitable pressure, to a focal or central point.
The said invention consists, in the main, of improvements upon a former
invention for a similar purpose shown and described in Specification No 5104
of 1880. According to the said former invention there were certain tubes through
which the ores or other substances to be pulverized were drawn or forced by steam
or other fluid; and these tubes were so arranged that the opposing currents of
material would be driven against one another, and the tubes through.which the
steam or fluid passed formed an annular opening around the central supply tube,
through which the material was drawn, the steam from the annular opening
drawing the material from the central supply into its current and forcing it into a
wearing tube, from which it was discharged to meet the opposing current. It has
been found in practice that these tubes are somewhat difficult to adjust, and that
when worn out by the abrasion of the ores the expense of replacing them is very
great; and it has been found that the distance between the nozzles of these steam
or air tubes and the point of impact was too great, thereby weakening the force
of the current, and that the passage of the steam or other fluids through annular
nozzles weakened the force of the steam by friction, and such annular nozzles were
difficult to construct with accuracy; and it was also found that the means employed
for discharging the pulverized material and the exhaust-stean, air, or other gases
were imperfect.
·
The objects of this invention are to remedy these defects first, by providing. an
improved arrangement and form of the tubes and nozzles for discharging the steam
and ores, by which their length may be more readily adjusted, and the working
made more efficient; second, by providing improved wearing parts for the tubes;
which can be easily removed and more cheaply constructed; third, by providing
an improved exhaust extension connected with the pulverizing chamber.
To more clearly explain the nature of the invention reference is had to the
accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure I represents a central vertical front section, partly in elevation, of the
improved apparatus.
.'
Fig II, a central vertical side section of the same, with parts in elevation and
Figs III. IV and V enlarged views of details.
Similar letters referring to similar parts throughout the several views.
✗X represent the frame work of the machine.
P the main hopper for the ore or other material to be pulverized, and
D¹ D¹ the secondary hoppers supplied by the two branches of the main hopper.
DD are ore-chambers at the bottoms of said hoppers.
B is the main supply pipe for the superheated steam or other fluid having two
branches A A, which should be made with as few angles as possible.
th
___
:
;

page_text: F is the pulverizing chamber, into which open the wearing conducting-tubes E E.
through which the steam or other fluid and the ores or other material to be
pulverized are discharged together, as in said former patent.
00 represent adjustable nozzles, having reduced openings G G, screwed into
their extremities. These nozzles are attached to the supply pipes A A and form
their discharging ends and project toward one another through the charging ore
chambers D. D. which chambers form the bottoms of the hoppers D¹ D¹. The
discharge of steam from the nozzles OO draws the granulated, ores from the
chambers D D, and chiefly from the upper. part of said chambers, and draws them.
into the pipes E E. These chambers D D, I prefer to have annular and completely
surrounding the nozzles O, O, so that their lower parts form a sort of pocket below
those nozzles, as shown in Fig I, in which the heavier particles of the granulated
material (which might close the pipes E E) naturally gravitate and are retained in
said pockets, from which they may be drawn in any convenient manner. These
chambers D D may, however, be formed so as to surround only the upper portions
of the nozzles OŎ, the bottom pockets being omitted. The nozzles O, O, with
reduced ends, extend into said charging chambers D D, and terminate near the
inner ends of the tubes E E.
The exteriors of the nozzles are preferably made tapering toward their exit
ends, so that the passage of the granulated substances toward the pipes E E may
be facilitated, and at the end of each of these nozzles O, O, is a reduced cylindrical
passage g, forming a small aperture for the passage of the jet of steam or other
fluid. Instead of being tapering throughout their length and formed of one piece
of metal, the parts O O, may be formed of a straight piece of pipe with a small
nozzle having a reduced opening screwed to their ends. The size and form of the
inner construction of the apertures at the ends of the nozzles O may be varied to
suit special requirements, so long as it constitutes, essentially, a pipe of reduced
size; but the size which has proved the most effectual for general purposes is a
cylindrical opening five sixteenths of an inch long by five thirty-seconds of an inch
in diameter. The form of nozzle shown in the drawings and herein described,
gives greater force to the current, with much more economy of the power employed,
together with simplicity of construction and ease of adjustment. The interior of
the nozzle may be formed tapering up to the small aperture at the extremity; but
when working with superheated steam or compressed air under a pressure of one
hundred and fifty or two hundred pounds to the square inch, the inside end of the
tubes forming the nozzles O O, should preferably be made as shown in the
drawings, as there is less friction produced with this construction.
The nozzles O O, are adjustable in their length by one or more loose rings cc,
that may be packed behind them at the points where they are screwed into the
backs of the chambers D, the nozzles themselves being formed to be turned by
a wrench within the chambers D D by removing the hoppers D' D¹
By this means they may be brought nearer to or farther from the pipes E E as
the case may require.
.
The pipes E E are composed of hard metal, preferably cast upon a chill, and
are preferably joined to the charging chambers D D by the bushings H. H in
which they are suitably secured by the screws V, and they open into said
chambers D D with conical or flaring mouths into which the ore and steam easily
pass.
The inner diameter of these tubes is such that whether steam or air is
discharged from the nozzles O O the force and expansion of the currents are
sufficient to displace the atmospheric pressure within the tubes E E which causes
a partial vacuum within the charging chambers D D, and draws the ores or
granulated substances into the tubes E E.
I prefer to use the bushings H. H. to hold the tubes E E, because those tubes
are the only parts subjected to wear; and by making them separate from the
bushings they may be removed, when worn out, without throwing away any great
amount of material. The bushings H H, are made to taper at the ends toward the
nozzles GG, as shown in the drawing, Fig. 1, so that their inner ends form parte

page_text: of the sides of the conical chambers D D, and thus suitable space is left around
the nozzles 0, 0, for the passage of the granulated substances into the conducting-
tubes E E. The bushings H H, are removable, and are held in place by
screws H¹ H¹, passing through projections cast upon the sides of the pulverizing
chamber F, as shown. This feature of the removable bushings and pipes E E
is of great advantage, as it allows the wearing parts of the apparatus to
be made of much less weight. The bushings H. H may, however, be dispensed
with, though with less economy, by making the tubes E E much thicker,
and attaching them directly to the sides of the pulverizing chamber F by
the screws H¹. The tubes E E are provided with flanges E¹ at the discharging
ends, which overlap the busbings H H and prevent their abrasion by stray
particles. I have found the best distance from the discharging ends of the
tubes E E, to the point of impact to be about an inch and a half, and that
the best distance from the nozzles O O to the point of impact is about from
four to five inches, though I do not confine myself to any particular distances.
In the before mentioned specification the means employed for discharging the
pulverized material and the exhaust-steam, air, or other gases from the pulverizing-
chamber F were imperfect. The present improved apparatus renders this important
part simple and effectual. It consists of an exhaust extension part, F1, at the top
of the chamber F, with a steam or air jet exhauster; I, consisting of a suitable
chamber, F³, connected with the chamber F by a pipe or in any other suitable
manner, in which chamber F2 is a jet pipe, I¹ provided with a small nozzle, I³,
which pipe, being supplied with a suitable fluid under pressure, draws up or
exhausts from the apparatus the finely-pulverized substances together with the
exhaust steam, air, or other gases employed, depositing the finely pulverized
material into a suitable chamber T provided with screen U, outlet S, and suitable
discharge hopper valves. When superheated steam or other dry fluid is used, the
jet exhauster I should also be supplied with the same fluid. An opening J under
the pulverizing chamber allows the coarser pulverized substances to fall or pass
through into a conducting spout, K, leading to suitable receptacles for bolting and
sizing the materials.
A steam escape pipe L is provided to allow wet steam to pass through when
required, as occurs by condensation when starting the apparatus. A damper M
provides for opening or closing escape pipe L and exhaust extension part F1 when
required. The pulverizing chamber F is provided with a suitable opening for
obtaining easy access to the wearing and removable parts of the apparatus which
is provided with a cover, N, a discharge regulator, R, Fig 2, suitably arranged in
opening J and made adjustable by a set-screw provided for a free discharge.
of material, and prevents an excess of air being drawn into the pulverizing-
chamber F.
The improved apparatus, having two opposing current pipes or nozzles, O O, and
charging chambers D D, can easily and quickly be changed into an apparatus
having but one current pipe or nozzle O, and charging chamber D; or special
apparatus may be constructed having several current pipes with nozzles O Ô and
charging chambers D D. in position parallel with each other, and one or all arranged
to discharge their currents against a solid substance, instead of against an opposing
current..
This can be accomplished in the opposing-current apparatus by removing one
nozzle O and inserting in its place a tightfitting plug to close the steam or air
current from discharging on that side and by dispensing with one bushing H and
tube E and inserting in their place a solid plug or bushing for the one current to
be discharged against.
C
This arrangement of currents and impact may be adopted for pulverizing soft
or easily friable substances having no hard or gritty character that will abrade or
wear the solid bushing or impact base; but it is not adapted nor economical. for
ores or other hard minerals, on account of the great wear and destruction of the

page_text: impact base. In the practical working of the improved apparatus I deem it very
essential that the steam or other compressed gases employed should be introduced
into the apparatus in a thoroughly dry condition, in order to prevent any moisture
upon the substances during the time of their passage through the process of
pulverization and sizing. This important requirement is accomplished successfully
and economically by employing suitably-constructed superheating apparatus, which
is suitably arranged in connection with the improved apparatus and a steam
generator. The superheating apparatus may be placed directly within a suitable
part of the steam generator, or it may be constructed and arranged separately with
*suitable connections by pipes and valves between the generator and the pulverizing
apparatus. The temperature of the superheated steam may be varied according to
the requirements. For simply pulverizing purposes, 600° to 700° Fahrenheit is
sufficient to render the pulverized substances dry when discharged from the
apparatus.
A much higher temperature is required when it is desired to effect or partially
volatilize and eliminate sulphur, arsenic, antimony, &c.
Suitable non conducting coverings should be provided for the supply pipes B
and A A to retain the heat.
The operation of the said invention is as follows: The hopper P, and from it
the secondary hoppers D¹ D¹ and the chambers D D being filled with the ore or
other material to be pulverized, suitably granulated to allow its passage through
the apparatus, and the supply-pipe B being connected with the source from which
is obtained the superheated steam or compressed air or other fluid, the steam or
fluid will then pass through the branch pipes A. A. and be discharged through the
nozzles OO into and through the chambers D D and directly into and through
the pipes E E creating a partial vacuum in the said chambers D D, and drawing
into the current of fluid in the pipes E E the granulated material from the said
chambers D D. The said material is then discharged by the force of the steam
into the said chamber F and is pulverized by the impact and attrition of the two
opposing currents The heavier particles of the pulverized material will fall into
the opening J and thence into the conducting spout K, leading to suitable
receptacles, while the lighter particles will be carried into the exhaust-
extension F¹, and thence through the jet-exhauster I into suitable receptacles.
The coarser particles can, if desired, be passed through the apparatus more than
once, in order still further to pulverize them.
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. The combination, in a pulverizer of the chamber D, nozzle O; and wearing-
pipe E having flange E¹ constructed and arranged substantially as described:
2. The combination, in a pulverizer, of the chamber D, nozzle O, wearing pipe Ę
and bushing H, substantially as described.
3. The combination in a pulverizer, of the chamber F, chambers D, nozzles O,
wearing pipes E E, and bushings H H, substantially as described.
4. The combination, in a pulverizer, of the chamber F, wearing-pipes E E; having
flanges E¹, and chambers D D substantially as described.
5. The combination, in a pulverizer of the chamber F, wearing tubes E E,
chambers D D, and adjustable steam nozzles O O, substantially as described.
6. The combination in a pulverizer of the chambers D and F, communicating
with each other, and an adjustable steam nozzle, O; substantially as described.
7. The combination, in a pulverizer, of the steam nozzle O. with removable
reduced opening G, the tapering chamber D, and pulverizing chamber F, sub-
stantially as described.
8. The combination, in a pulverizer, of the chamber D, steam pipe A, and
adjustable steam-nozzle O; substantially as described.
,

page_text: 9. In a pulverizer and in combination with the pulverizing chamber F, the
chamber D, the steam nozzle O, and the jet-exhaust apparatus constructed and
arranged to draw the pulverized material, exhaust steam, &c. from said chamber
substantially as described.
.
10. The combination, in a pulverizer of the removable bushings H H, and
wearing pipes E E substantially as described.
Dated this fifteenth day of October 1884.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE.