Improvements in Furnaces for Distilling Zino, Cadmium, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Furnaces for Distilling Zino, Cadmium, and
the like.
I FREDERICK WILLIAM GOLBY of 36 Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, l'atent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention as com-
municated to me by Carl Francisci of Schweidnitz, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
Manufacturer, 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 furnaces for distilling zinc, cadmium, and the like, and
the objects of the improvements are first to increase the efficiency and durability
of the furnace itself and secondly to save the workmen from the poisonous
gases.
These objects are attained by the furnace illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section on the linear of Figure 2, and
Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line y y of Figure 1.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.
As will be seen from the drawing the retorts a do not form a single body as this
is possible only where fire clay is used in the manufacture. The inventor has found
that the retorts may be improved with reference to their conductivity of heat,
incombustibility and gaseous impermeability by using magnesia instead of fire clay.
The magnesia is subjected to pressure sufficient to form it into bricks from which
the retort is built up. The shape of the bricks allows the retort to be built with
the bottom a and the roof a of a vaulted shape as shewn in Figure 1. The side
walls as a of the retort are preferably arranged on a radius of the circle forming
the underface of the roof a².
The furnace illustrated in the annexed drawing shews three retorts of the above
mentioned kind. These retorts are heated by the gases escaping from a generator b.
These gases enter a channel e the branches ccc of which are in communication
with the combustion chambers d² d³. The combustion itself takes place in the
ordinary manner by admitting hot air, the gases resulting from it escape through a
channel e, provided with three branches ele2 e, through a chamber f situated above
the upper retort a and a channel g, Figure 1. At their front end these retorts are
fastened to the after wall h¹ of a vertical channel h. The latter contains the
condensers the after ends of which enter their respective retorts while the
front ends are supported by shaped irons l. The interior of these con-
densers is in communication with the vertical channel h. By reason of this
arrangement those gases which have not been condensed in the condensers
may be drawn off by a pump. At their after end the retorts are in communication
with a chamber n which is divided into three parts by means of two horizontal
walls m.
The upper faces of the walls m as well as the bottom face of the
chamber n are level with the bottom face of the retorts. If we suppose, that the
furnace is provided at its front end and opposite to each retort with a perforation h
and further with perforations m³ at its after end, the latter being level with the
retorts, the charging of the retorts can be effected in the most easy manuer.
walls m are provided with perforations m'. By means of valves o these perforations
can be shut during the charging of the retorts, but while the retorts are being
discharged the valves should be opened, so that the cinders may be discharged into
a channel P. This channel p should be closed by means of the valve p', while the
retorts are being charged, during the discharge however, the valve p¹ should be
opened so that the cinders may fall down into the channel p the lower end of which
communicates with an ashpit, not shewn in the annexed drawing. That the
The

page_text: charging and discharging of the retorts may be effected without the escape of the
poisonous gases, the chainber n is in communication with the suction pipe r of a
pump, not shewn in the drawings, a second suction pipes of which is connected with
the before mentioned channel 4. In charging the retorts singly the valve situated
above the corresponding part of the chamber n should be opened, but during the
discharge of a retort every one of the valves oop must be opened, so that the
poisonous gases may pass upward. The bars at the front end and after end of
the furnace serve to strengthen the respective, walls.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. A furnace for distilling zinc, cadmium, and the like' characterized by retorts a
consisting of bricks of magnesia, substantially as set forth and illustrated and for
the purpose specified.
2. A furnace for distilling zinc, cadmium, and the like, characterized by a
channel containing the condensers, by a chamber n at the after end of the
furnace and suction pipes rs, substantially as set forth and illustrated and for the
purpose specified.
3. A furnace for distilling zinc, cadmium, and the like, characterized by a
channel containing the condensers ¹³, by a chamber n at the after end of the
furnaces and of suction pipes rs this chamber n being divided in conformity with
the number of retorts by horizontal walls m provided with perforations m² to be
controlled by valves o, substantially as set forth and illustrated and for the purpose
specified.
Dated this 13th day of December 1893.