Improved Method of and Means for Charging Materials into Apparatus such as Cupolas, Blast Furnaces, Lime Kilns, Scrubbers, and Absorption Towers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 20th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Means for Charging Materials into
Apparatus such as Cupolas, Blast Furnaces, Lime Kilns,
Scrubbers, and Absorption Towers.
A communication from Messrs. SOLVAY AND COMPANY, of 19, Rue de Prince
Albert, Brussels, Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
It usually happens that apparatus of the cupola type, such as blast furnaces,
lime kilns and the like, are charged with materials having widely different
densities and volumes, whilst it is a primary requirement for the efficient operation
of these apparatus that there should be an intimate and homogeneous mixture
of the materials designed to react upon one another. So far as my correspondents
are aware, none of the devices heretofore employed as for examples charging
cones, "cup and cone apparatus" has completely fulfilled this important require-
ment. Such devices usually cause the upper surface of the charge in the furnace
to assume the form of cones or conical surfaces, the inclined surfaces of which
produce a classifying or grouping of the materials of the charge, the small sized
portions of which remain in place at the top, whilst the large pieces roll down
to the base. These local groupings of the various parts of a charge are directly
opposed to the object in view, and the regularity of the working of the furnace
or apparatus is consequently injuriously affected thereby.
The object of this invention is to obviate these serious disadvantages by
introducing the charge in such a manner that a practically plane surface is given
to the upper part of the charge, which is uniformly distributed over the
whole section of the furnace or apparatus, notwithstanding variations in the
dimensions or densities of its different constituents and the charge being introduced
through a single central charging opening.
If for
For this purpose we employ a movable charging cone whose base is bounded by
a special curve determined according to the conditions to be fulfilled.
instance it be desired to effect an absolutely uniform charging, so that each point
of the section shall receive an equal proportion of materials, the base of the cone is
formed by a spiral such that any two radii forming a constant angle between them,
shall describe, in their rotation, two circles, the difference in diameter between
which is constant. Each portion of the spiral, corresponding to a constant angle
at the centre, thus generates a constant annular surface. The equation of this
spiral is a√0, where r is the radius vector, and 0 is the angle formed between
that radius and the initial radius. The radius varies from 0 to a value equal to
or less than the radius of the section of the furnace. The charge falling upon this
spiral cone divides equally over its periphery, and if the cone makes a complete
revolution whilst the charge is falling over it, the charge will be equally distributed
over the whole of the upper surface of the furnace or apparatus.
}'
Therefore if different materials are charged into the furnace or apparatus in
succession, they will be arranged in uniform layers. If the materials are intimately
mixed before charging, they will be arranged in their mixed condition, in the
furnace, to a thickness or depth that is constant at all points of the section of the
furnace. By this means a thoroughly uniform and regular charging can be
effected.
Instead of causing the spiral cone to rotate during the introduction of a charge,

page_text: it may be allowed to remain stationary during the time, and then caused to rotate
through a constant angle for each succeeding charge. After a complete revolution
of the cone, and after a certain number of charges, have been introduced, a regular
and uniform charging will have been effected.
The form of the curve at the base of the spiral cone can be modified to suit
different requirements, as for instance for charging more materials either at the
periphery or at the centre, or at any desired part of the section of the furnace or
apparatus. The upper surface of the charging furnace or apparatus would not
then be level; I may also effect partial groupings of material, putting more small
sized material near the walls or other desired part than at other parts.
Apparatus constructed on the principle hereinbefore described can be used for
distributing a liquid, as for instance, to the upper part of a gas scrubber or an
absorption tower. For this purpose it is merely necessary to employ a rotary
distributing pipe, flattened and curved to the form of the spiral hereinbefore
described, and pierced with holes of uniform size, arranged at equal distances
apart.
Dated this 10th day of July 1890
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Means for Charging Materials into
Apparatus such ag Cupolas, Blast Furnaces, Lime Kilns,
Scrubbers, and Absorption Towers.
A communication from Messrs. SOLVAY AND COMPANY, of 19, Rue du Prince
Albert, Brussels, Manufacturers.
1, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, 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 :-
-
It usually happens that apparatus of the cupola type, such as blast furnaces,
lime kilns, and the like are charged with materials having widely different
densities and volumes, whilst it is a primary requirement for the efficient operation
of these apparatus that there should be an intimate and homogeneous mixture of
the materials designed to react upon one another. So far as my correspondents
are aware none of the devices heretofore employed, as for examples charging
cones, and "
cup and cone apparatus," has completely fulfilled this important
requirement. Such devices usually cause the upper surface of the charge in the
furnace to assume the form of cones or conical surfaces, the inclined surfaces of
which produce a classifying or grouping of the materials of the charge, the small
sized portions of which remain in place at the top, whilst the large pieces roll
down to the base. These local groupings of the various parts of a charge are
directly opposed to the object in view, and the regularity of the working of the
furnace or apparatus is consequently injuriously affected thereby.
The object of this invention is to obviate these serious disadvantages by
introducing the charge in such a manner that a practically plane surface is given
to the upper part of the charge, which is uniformly distributed over the whole
section of the furnace or apparatus, notwithstanding variations in the dimensions
or densities of its different constituents and that the charge is introduced through
a single central charging opening.
For this purpose a movable charging cone is employed whose base is bounded by
a special curve determined according to the conditions to be fulfilled. If for
instance it be desired to effect an absolutely uniform charging, so that each point
of the section shall receive an equal proportion of materials, the periphery of the

page_text: base of the cone is formed by a spiral such that any two radii forming a constant
angle between them, shall describe in their rotation, two circles, the difference in
diameter between which is constant. Each portion of the spiral, corresponding to
a constant angle at the centre, thus generates a constant annular surface. The
equation of this spiral is a √0, where r is the radius vector, a is the radius of
the section of the furnace or apparatus, and is the angle formed between the
radius and the initial radius. The radius » varies from 0 to a value equal to or
less than the radius of the section of the furnace. The charge falling upon this
spiral cone divides equally over its periphery, and if the cone makes a complete
revolution whilst the charge is falling over it, the charge will be equally distributed
over the whole of the upper surface of the furnace or apparatus.
"
Therefore if different materials are charged into the furnace or apparatus in
succession, they will be arranged in uniform layers. If the materials are intimately
mixed before charging, they will be arranged in their mixed condition in the
furnace, to a thickness or depth that is practically constant at all points of the
section of the furnace. By this means a thoroughly uniform and regular charging
can be effected.
Instead of causing the spiral cone to rotate during the introduction of a charge,
it may be allowed to remain stationary during this time, and then caused to rotate
through a constant angle for each succeeding charge. After a complete revolution
of the cone, and after a certain number of charges, have been introduced, a regular
and uniform charging will have been effected.
The form of the curve at the periphery of the base of the spiral cone can be
modified to suit different requirements, as for instance for charging more materials
either at the periphery or at the centre, or at any desired part of the section of the
furnace or apparatus, and is determined according to the requirements of each case.
The upper surface of the charge in the furnace or apparatus would not then be
level; may also effect partial groupings of material, putting more small sized
material near the walls or other desired part than at other parts.
In the annexed drawings,
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively an elevation, and a plan of charging apparatus
according to this invention shown applied to the upper part of a furnace which is
shown in vertical and horizontal section respectively.
A is a cone of the peculiar kind hereinbefore described; it is suspended from a
rotary part or toothed wheel A' at the upper part of the furnace B. C is a shaft
carrying a pinion C' for driving the wheel A, and also a wheel or pulley C by
which it can be rotated. D is the charging orifice.
Apparatus constructed on the principle hereinbefore described can be used for
distributing a liquid, as for instance, to the upper part of a gas scrubber or an
absorption tower. For this purpose it is merely necessary to employ a rotary
distributing pipe, flattened and curved to the form of the spiral hereinbefore
described, and pierced with holes of uniform size, arranged at equal distances apart,
and through which the liquid is discharged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. Charging materials into apparatus such as cupolas, blast furnaces, lime kilns,
and the like, by means of a rotary device having the general formation hereinabove
described, namely, a spiral form in profile as seen in plan or horizontal section and
tapering in vertical section, the particular form being determined according to the
purpose in view (by the formula =a√ as set forth in the case of a uniform
distribution) the said device being adapted to receive upon its exterior the falling
material or materials and to distribute the same in the manner set forth as it
rotates about a vertical axis, substantially as described.
2. Charging liquid into scrubbers, absorption towers and the like by means of a

page_text: rotary device having the general formation hereinabove described, namely, a spiral
form in profile as seen in plan or horizontal section and tapering in vertical
section, the particular form being determined according to the purpose in view
(by the formula ra√6, as set forth in the case of a uniform distribution) the
said device being adapted to receive upon its exterior the falling liquid and to
distribute the same in the manner set forth as it rotates about a vertical axis,
substantially as described.
3. For charging liquid substances into scrubbers, absorption towers, and other
analogous apparatus, the employment of a rotary apparatus formed of a tube
arranged horizontally bent on the same profile as above referred to, and perforated
with holes of equal size and spaced at equal distances apart for discharging
liquids.
Dated this 9th dar of Anril 1801
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.