An Improved Drying Chamber for the Hardening of Bricks, Artificial Stone, and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1900-Accepted, 17th Mar.,
j
1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Drying Chamber for the Hardening of Bricks, Artificial
Stone, and the like.
1114
I, HERBERT. ALEXANDER, of Queen's Works, Water Lane, Leeds, Yorkshire, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of drying or steaming chambers as
used in the manufacture of bricks, artificial stone, and the like goods, made with
a binding material of cement, lime, and such like materials, which do not require
burning in a kiln to harden them.
°
Such goods if dried naturally-in the open air would take from two to three weeks
before the bricks would be properly set or hardened.
...Several attempts have been made to expedite the hardening process with more or
less success, by means of chambers in which lime, either slaked or quick- is used
in order. to. absorb the moisture from the bricks, but up to the present so far as
I am aware no one has succeeded in completing the hardening process in less
than. about three days, and the bricks made by the afore-mentioned processes
are frequently. very brittle
.
Now the object of my invention is to construct a chamber which will complete
the hardening of the bricks, or other goods, in about twenty-four hours, and
which especially has the additional advantage that, the bricks are rendered much
tougher and stronger in the process.
1.
My improved chamber consists of a receptacle, preferably, of a cylindrical shape,
of such strength as to be capable of withstanding a steam pressure of from 100 lbs:
to 200 lbs. per square inch, or even more, and constructed of such a size that
trolleys or other vehicles loaded with bricks may be placed inside, being also
constructed with an opening or openings, preferably at the ends, so that the
trolleys. may be run in, and left for the drying process without being unloaded?
They may either be run in-and withdrawn through the same opening, or run in
through one opening and withdrawn through the other:...
Along the bottom, and if necessary all round-the receptacle, I provide a series
of pipes, either ribbed or otherwise, containing hot water, low pressure steam,
or hot air The receptacle having been filled with bricks, the openings are
closed; -hot air;-low-pressure steam, or hot water is now admitted into the pipes,
and the bricks are submitted first to a mild heat, and gradually to the full heat.
I also provide a perforated pipe which is-fixed within the receptacle in such a
manner that after the bricks are sufficiently dry, steam of any desired pressure
+

page_text: can be admitted from a suitable boiler, and the aforesaid perforated pipe, into
the receptacle, and in such a way as to submit the bricks within the receptacle to
any desired pressure of steam, until they are rendered hard and tough, when they
are withdrawn, and are then ready for use
By the employment of this invention the output from a plant for the manufac-
ture of artificial bricks or stone is very considerably increased, and the product
improved.
Dated this 4th day of May 1800
An Improved Drying Chamber for the Hardening of Bricks, Artificial
Stone, and the like.
I, HERBERT ALEXANDER, of Queen's Works, Water Lane, Leeds, in the County
of York, Engineer, 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 relates to the construction of drying or steaming chambers as
used in the manufacture of bricks, artificial stone, and the like goods, made with
a binding material of cement, lime, and such like materials, which do not require
burning in a kiln to harden them. Such goods if dried naturally in the open air
would take from two to three weeks before the bricks would be properly set or
hardened.
The object of my invention is to construct a chamber which will complete the
hardening of the bricks or other goods in about twenty four hours or less, and
which especially has the additional advantage that the bricks are rendered much
tougher and stronger in the process.
My improved chamber consists of a receptacle, preferably of a cylindrical shape,
of such a strength as to be capable of withstanding a pressure of from 100lbs. to
200 lbs. per square inch, or even more, and constructed of such a size that trolleys
or other vehicies loaded with bricks may be placed inside, being also constructed
with an opening or openings preferably at the ends, so that the trolleys may be
run in, and left for the drying or hardening process without being unloaded.
The bricks or other goods are brought on the trolleys from the machine or other
source where they are made into shape, and the trolleys may be run in and with-
drawn through the same opening, or run in through one opening and withdrawn
through another.
Around the bottom, and if necessary all round the receptacle, I provide a
series of pipes either ribbed or otherwise, through which can circulate hot water,
steam, or hot air. The receptacle having been filled with bricks the openings
are closed; hot air, steam, or hot water is now admitted into the pipes, and the
bricks or other goods are submitted first to a mild heat and gradually to the full
heat.
I also provide a perforated pipe which is fixed within the receptacle in such
a manner that after the bricks are sufficiently dry, steam or any other gas of the
desired pressure and temperature can be admitted from a suitable generator
through the aforesaid perforated pipe into the receptacle, and in such a way as to
submit the bricks or other goods within the receptacle to any desired pressure

page_text: and temperature, until they are rendered hard and tough, when they are with-
drawn and are ready for use.
The accompanying drawings illustrate one form of my invention, similar letters
referring to similar parts in both the views.
Fig. I is a longitudinal section of the drying and hardening chamber, which
may be of any convenient length.
Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line X, Y..
A is the outer shell of the receptacle, built preferably of wrought iron plates,
and closed at one end by a domed end plate C, which may be a fixture if the trucks
are both inserted and withdrawn at the same opening, in which case the opposite
end is closed by a dome end plate B, arranged with a recess N containing packing,
and suitable bolts, so that this end may be taken on and off to allow of the ingress
and egress of the trolleys containing bricks or other goods, and may at the same
time be secured so as to make a pressure tight joint.
At E, E the circulating pipes D enter the chamber, and the heating medium
whether water, air, or steam after passing through the coils D, D leaves the
chamber by the pipes F, F which return the contents of the pipes depleted more
or less of their heat, to the generator, or to adjoining chambers where heat is
required. G, G is a pipe whose surface is perforated with holes as soon as it
reaches the interior of the chamber A; it is connected at its outer end to a
generator of steam, hot air, or other gas, under a pressure of from 100lbs. to
200 lbs. per square inch or more, and is for the purpose of introducing the medium
of this pressure at a high temperature into the chamber A. There may be one
or more of these perforated pipes introduced in various positions round the
receptacle such as G₁, G, G3, or otherwise. O is a plate covering the width of
the trolley and extending along the whole length of the receptacle A, for the
purpose of preventing condensed water, or other injurious products, from falling
out of the perforated pipe on to the bricks or other goods, when introduced in the
top position G, as shown. L, L (shown broken off) are rails laid on the angle
irons M along the whole length of the receptacle, and at such a level that they
can be continued along the ground outside.
The wheels K of the trolley J run on these rails, and enable a load of bricks
such as I to be easily and quickly taken in and out of the receptacle. There may
be as many trolleys as the receptacle will accomodate, and it will be of advan-
tage to have several of these receptacles arranged side by side for the more
economical use of the pressures, and heat employed.
The apparatus above described is used as follows. The receptacle having been
filled with bricks or other goods brought on the trolleys, from the machine or
other source where they are formed, is first closed tightly at all its openings;
hot air, steam, or hot water is then admitted to the circulating pipes, from a
suitable source, and gradually the temperature of the receptacle is raised and
the surplus moisture in the bricks or other goods is evaporated. This moisture
is held in suspension in the enclosed air in which it forms a certain. amount
of steam and consequently the pressure is raised.
In some cases however it is found advisable to commence the drying process
with the receptacle more or less open to the surrounding atmosphere which
then absorbs the moisture.
After this drying action has proceeded until sufficient moisture has been taken
out of the bricks or other goods to enable them to withstand a high pressure,
the connection of the perforated pipe to the generator is opened and live steam,
or other gas, is admitted to the receptacle A, percolating in and around the
bricks I. This is continued gradually until the pressure in the receptacle
reaches from 100lbs. to 200lbs. per square inch, and a temperature of from 300°
to 350° Fahrenheit or more, depending upon the materials being used.
The bricks are submitted to the full pressure and temperature for the space
of from one to five hours, when they are rendered hard and tough, and may
be withdrawn ready for use.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained' the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I desire to have it
understood that I am aware that it is not novel to employ a steam chamber
containing high pressure steam in the manufacture of artificial stone; or to
submit a mixture of slaked line and sand to the action of high pressure steam
in a closed chamber, or to construct such chambers with heating coils or pipes,
or with pipes for admitting steam, and I make no claim to such processes or
apparatus per se, but what I do claim is:-
.
"
.
In combination with a closed receptacle for the purpose of drying and hardening
artificial stone, bricks, and the like, placed within it, a series of pipes within
but not open to the receptacle, through which, hot water, steam, or hot air can
circulate, and a perforated pipe or series of pipes through the openings of which
steam or other gas at a high, pressure and temperature can be admitted to, the
interior of the receptacle, substantially as described herein.
SYDNEY E. PAGE, A.M.L.C.E.,
28, New Bridge Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Dated Lins ord day of Februar 1900.
: "1
SYDNEY E. PAGE, A.M.I.C.E.,
28, New Bridge Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.