Year: 1888

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
The object of my invention is to make an apparatus for treating molten slag and
other material from smelting furnaces to separate the metal, matte, and other
substances of value from their molten slag by the action of centrifugal force; and my
invention consists in the features and details of construction hereinafter described and
claimed.
In the drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a vertical section of my
apparatus; Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of a slag removing table; Figure 3
is a side elevation of a vertical section of a slag receiving vessel with double walls,
together with means for supplying heat to the same as desired; and Figure 4 is a
side elevation of a slag receiving vessel of modified form.
In making my improved apparatus for treating molten slag, or material from
smelting furnaces, to separate the metal and other substances of value from the slag,
I make a slag receiving vessel A, with an opening at the top, of boiler iron or other
metal capable of being revolved at a high speed and of resisting a powerful internal
pressure. This vessel is preferably provided with a cast iron lining B, made with
an external form to fit the interior of the vessel A. The lining when in place is
intended to be revolved with the vessel A. Both the vessel and its lining are made
separable in horizontal planes in two or more parts, and are preferably formed with a
greater internal diameter at the point of separation or near thereto, so that they will
taper or incline slightly towards the plane of separation. This construction will enable
the vessel to be taken apart, and the solidified or partially solidified slag to be easily

page_text: removed or slid out. As shown in some of the figures of the drawings, the lower
end is made with a greater diameter, and this is the form which I prefer. When
made in this form the lower or larger ends of both vessels are made open, so that a
bottom or end piece which, in such case, forms one of the parts of the separable vessel,
can be fitted to them to be removed as occasion may require. As shown in Figure 1,
the removable ends B', are keyed in place by keys b. The bottom or end of the slag
receiving vessel proper, by which I mean the external shell, is preferably provided
with a supplemental piece B2, which bulges or extends down somewhat below the
bottom proper, and affords additional means for fastening the slag receiving vessel to
a spindle or shaft on and with which it revolves. To effect its connection with such
spindle or shaft, I make a collar C, C', preferably of two parts, provided with a hole
in which the end of the spindle or shaft may be inserted. This collar is provided
with flanges c, to enable it to be riveted or bolted to the bottom proper of the slag
receiving vessel, and to the supplemental bottom B², as shown in Figure 1. A vertical
shaft or spindle D is provided with suitable bearings to give it the necessary support
and maintain it in its proper position, and to permit it to be revolved by means of a
belt and pulley D. The collar C, C', which, as above stated, is rivetted to the bottom
and supplemental bottom of the slag receiving vessel, is fastened to the shaft D when
in place, so as to revolve therewith. I have shown it as fastened by means of a
supplemental collar C2, fixed to the shaft by means of a set screw and connecting
with the collar C. C¹ by means of an upward projecting stud c². This arrange-
ment, while causing the slag receiving vessel to revolve with the shaft D, enables
it to be lifted off for any purpose, and particularly for the purpose hereinafter
described.
The shaft D is preferably supported in a flexible mounted bearing E, supported
laterally by cushions of rubber or other slightly yielding material, so that as the
shaft D with the slag receiving vessel revolves the vessel may adjust itself to a true
center. The slag receiving vessel is preferably reinforced or strengthened by
hoops F, provided with outwardly extending flanges f. The object of having these
flanges on the hoops is to enable them to be the more readily kept cool or at a low
temperature by spraying them with water, as hereinafter described. As the object
of these hoops is to strengthen the slag receiving vessel they may be dispensed with
if the vessel be made sufficiently strong, but even when they are dispensed with I
prefer to provide the vessel with outwardly extending flanges or ribs to enable me to
keep it at a low temperature as above said. These ribs are of themselves more readily
kept cool or at a low temperature than the flat surface of the vessel, which is in
closer contact with the source of heat, and so will themselves greatly strengthen the
slag receiving vessel. I provide means, as shown in Figure 1, for spraying the
exterior of the slag receiving vessel with water or wet steam to keep it cool when in
operation or to prevent it from becoming overheated by the heat of the molten slag,
and to this end, and as one of the means that may be employed to cool the slag
receiving vessel, though others may be used, I have shown a pipe G, through which
water or steam may be forced, and which is provided with a number of openings to
enable the water or steam in small streams or jets to be directed against the side of
the slag receiving vessel. A branch g, is preferably extended under the vessel with
holes or perforations on its upper side so that the water or steam will be directed
against the bottom of the vessel. The supplemental bottom B², is provided with
holes to enable the water to pass between it and the bottom proper of the vessel,
as shown in Figure 1; and fill or partially fill the space between them. And to
more effectually secure the benefit of the spray from the pipe g, I prefer to provide
a flange, H, which is secured to the bottom of the vessel and operates to assist in
retaining the water thrown from the pipe g. If desired similar cups or flanges can
be arranged around the slag receiving vessel. As the bottom or part of the slag
receiving vessel, where it is keyed or fastened together by the keys b, extends out
some distance beyond the sides of the slag receiving vessel (shown at S), it affords
additional means for keeping the vessel cool and the water will act on it as in the case
of the flanges or rib, f.

page_text: To keep the spindle or shaft D cool while revolving and in operation I prefer to
make it hollow and to run a pipe G¹ up it, as shown in Figure 1, through which a
stream of water may be forced, emerging at the top and flowing down through the
shaft and escaping at the bottom, though other means of supplying the shaft with
water may be employed if desired.
•
The slag receiving vessel is preferably surrounded by a curb I, which catches the water
spraying onto the slag receiving vessel and through which it may be carried off
by the pipe i, as it accumulates in the bottom. The bottom of this curb is preferably
extended and turned up at the outer edges, as shown in Figure 1, so as to receive
any water that may pass down upon it from that used to spray or cool the slag,
as hereinafter described. The water thus dripping or falling onto the extended
bottom flows into the curb through holes, as shown, whence it is carried off through
the pipe . Around the curb I, is provided a slag removing table J, which is
intended to entirely surround the curb and to be constantly rotated by means of a
row of teeth on its bottom and a pinion j, which may be rotated in any desired
manner. Around this slag removing table is provided another curb K or wall to
receive the slag as it is discharged out of the top of the slag receiving vessel, as
hereinafter described, and cause it to fall down upon the slag removing table. A
hood L is also preferably provided around the curb I, to assist in directing the slag
upon the removing table. As the table revolves the slag accumulating on it is
carried around until it reaches a scraper 1, which extends obliquely across the table
and directs the slag into a spout opening or exit, whence it falls into a convenient
vessel or receptacle to permit of its removal. As it is discharged and falls on the
removing table J, jets or sprays of water or wet steam from the pipe G2, are
preferably directed upon it and upon the wall or curb K, to cool the slag or reduce
its temperature and to prevent the curb or wall from becoming overheated by the
heat of the molten slag. Of course it will be understood that the slag receiving
vessel is supported upon suitable standards or framework so as to permit all of the
parts to operate and perform their intended office.
In Figure 3 I have shown the slag receiving vessel somewhat modified. I have
provided it with double walls with an annular space between them so that a stream
of water or wet steam may be directed into such space and thus prevent the slag
receiving vessel from becoming overheated. And as there will be occasions when
there will be an interruption of the flow of the slag from the smelting furnaces, I
have shown in Figure 3 a pot or vessel M, adapted to contain fuel and supported
on a crane so that it can be turned into a position immediately over the mouth of the
slag receiving vessel. A blast pipe m, leading from a force blower, or other means
of creating a blast, enables me to drive a blast of air through the burning fuel in
the pot M and into the slag receiving vessel. By this means I can heat the interior
of the slag receiving vessel preparatory to receiving the first charge of molten slag
and prevent it from becoming chilled or cooled when it is desirable to maintain its
temperature at a high point until a second or other charge of slag is ready to be
flowed into it.
In Figure 4 I have represented the slag receiving vessel as formed of parts which
are of a greater diameter at the middle of the vessel where they are fastened together
than at the ends so that they can be connected at this point and enable the cooled
or partially cooled slag, which has in a measure become solidified, to be slid or
dumped out of them when separated, and thus removed, as where the end of the.
vessel shown in Figures 1 and 3 is detachable.
•
In operation the slag receiving vessel, through the means described above, or
similar means, is caused to revolve at a very high speed. The higher the speed,
within the limits of safety, the more rapid and perfect will be the results. As it is
revolved it is preferably heated by the means shown in Figure 3, so that it will be
in good condition to receive the first charge of the molten slag from the smelting
furnace. After it has become sufficiently heated, and has attained a sufficiently high
speed in its revolutions, the molten slag is adimitted through a spout or pipe so as to
fall preferably in the center of the slag receiving vessel... As it strikes the bottom the

page_text: .centrifugal force produced by the revolution of the vessel will cause the particles of
metal, matte, and other substances in the slag, which are of greater specific gravity
than the slag proper, to fly to the outer edge of the slag receiving vessel. The slag
itself thus separated from the metal will flow upward around the central portion of
the vessel until it reaches the top, where it will be discharged and fly off at a
tangent as shown in Figure 1, until it strikes the curb K, when it will be
thrown back and fall on the slag removing table. After a sufficient quantity of
slag has been operated upon to fill the slag receiving vessel as far as practical
with the metal, matte, and other substances which have been separated in most part
from the slag, the slag receiving vessel can be removed by lifting it off from the
shaft or spindle D, and emptied into a convenient receptacle for further smelting.
As this action is continued a certain quantity of the metal will become more
or less solidified around the sides of the vessel so that it cannot be poured out.
After this solidifying has proceeded until it begins to interfere with the action, the
bottom of the slag receiving vessel may be detached, or the vessel separated at the
line of separation provided, and the partially solidified mass allowed to slide out into
the vessel or receptacle for receiving the metal for further smelting. The vessel
may then be put together and the action continued until it has again accumulated
around the sides of the vessel when it may be again removed as
described.
above
I have found that the particles of metal, matte, and other substances of value,
which now pass off with the slag, and are, to a great extent lost, can be in
most part separated from the slag and saved so as to be submitted to further
smelting, by which most of the metal and other substances of value of any given
ore can be obtained. This desirable result I have found can be secured by the
employment of the apparatus and means above described, but as the essence of my
invention consist in the employment of an apparatus in which a slag receiving vessel
may be revolved at a high speed and yet its exterior kept at a sufficiently low
temperature for practical work while receiving and operating upon a material
containing the intense heat of molten slag, and which permits such portion of the
slag as becomes partially cooled or solidified therein to be removed, or slid out by
the separation of the vessel, I do not desire to confine myself to all the details of con-
struction as various modifications will readily suggest themselves without departing
from the essential features of my invention.
I shall not herein claim the process of treating the slag of metals while in a molton
condition to the action of centrifugal force to remove the metal, matte, and other
substances of value from the slag, as 1 make that the subject of another
application.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
1. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molton slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel, means for revolving the same
and means for cooling the exterior of the slag receiving vessel while containing
molten slag, by which means the metal and other substances may be separated
from the molten slag by the action of centrifugal force, substantially as
described.
2. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag; the
combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel separable in the plane of its
largest diameter and having its interior sloped or inclined toward such plane,
whereby solidified or partially solidified slag may be removed on the separation of
the vessel, means for (revolving the slag receiving vessel, and means for) cooling
the exterior of such vessel, substantially as described.
3. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from the molten
slag, the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel, separable in the plane of
its largest diameter and having its interior sloped or inclined toward such plane; a

page_text: lining for such vessel having its exterior of a size and shape to fit the interior of
the covering shell, and correspondingly separable, whereby solidified or partially
solidified slag may be removed on the separation of the vessel, means for cooling
the exterior of such vessel, and means for revolving the slag receiving vessel,
substantially as described.
4. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel separable in the plane of its
largest diameter and having its interior sloped or inclined toward such plane, a
lining for such vessel having its exterior of a size and shape to fit the interior of
the covering shell, and correspondingly separable, whereby solidified or partially
solidified slag may be removed on the separation of the vessel, means for cooling
the exterior of the slag receiving vessel while containing molten slag, and means for
revolving the slag receiving vessel, substantially as described.
5. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel consisting of a shell and a
lining thereto, adapted to receive molten slag, and having its exterior of a size and
shape to fit the interior of the shell, means for cooling the exterior of the slag
receiving vessel while containing molten slag, and means for revolving the slag
receiving vessel, substantially as described.
6. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel, means for cooling the exterior
of the slag receiving vessel while containing molten slag, projecting flanges or ribs
extending out from the exterior of such vessel, and means for revolving such vessel,
substantially as described.
7. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag, the
combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel means for revolving the same, and
means for cooling the slag as it is discharged from the top of the slag receiving
vessel by the action of centrifugal force, substantially as described.
8. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel, a curb against which the slag is
thrown as it is discharged from the top of the slag receiving vessel by the action of
centrifugal force, and means for preventing such curb from becoming overheated
by the heat of the molten slag, substantially as described.
9. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel having an outer and an inner
shell with an annular space between them, means for revolving such slag receiving
vessel, and means for introducing water (or wet steam) into the annular space
between the walls of the slag receiving vessel, whereby the same is prevented from
becoming overheated by the heat of the molten slag, substantially as described.
10. In an apparatus for separating metal and other substances from molten slag,
the combination of a revoluble slag receiving vessel, means for revolving the same, a
rotating slag removing table receiving the slag as it is discharged from the top of
the slag receiving vessel by the action of centrifugal force and carrying it to an
opening or exit, means for scraping the slag from the table and directing it to the
opening or exit, and means for rotating the slag removing table, substantially as
described.
1
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.