IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR BURNING PORCELAIN, CHINA WARE, BRICKS, TILES, LIME, CEMENT, ORES, AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company,
Patent Solicitors, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS FOR BURNING PORCELAIN, CHINA
WARE, BRICKS, TILES, LIME, CEMENT, ORES, AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES." A
communication from Hermann Escherich, Managing Director of the Thon-
waarenfabrik Schwandorf, of Schwandorf, in the Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th October 1878.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS
FOR BURNING PORCELAIN, CHINA WARE, BRICKS, TILES, LIME, CEMENT, ORES, AND
THE LIKE SUBSTANCES." [A communication from Hermann Escherich, Managing
Director of the Thonwaarenfabrik Schwandorf, of Schwandorf, in the Empire of
Germany.]
This Invention relates to improvements in kilns for burning porcelain, china
ware, bricks, tiles, and the like, also for lime, cement, ores, and similar substances.
A kiln constructed according to the said Invention consists of a system of tunnel
canals connected with and running into each other, the said canals being built
either round, oblong, square, or of any other suitable shape. Removable doors or
slides are provided, the number being regulated according to the length of the
apparatus. The burning is effected by means of gas made from any material in
any suitable generator.
Around the kiln is placed a canal which can be subdivided by bell caps or slides
into divisions, each of which is alternately connected with the chimney or gas
generator. Each division of the chief canal above described is connected by several
bell caps to several subdivisional canals or pipes which lead to the several compart-
ments of the kiln, and either terminate in pipes or holes in the floor. The pipes

page_text: are placed vertically to the floor and are provided with holes, either large or small,
placed in any position and made of any shape. The pipes are provided with
sliding lids, and are situated in any part of the kiln chamber.
The pipes and holes or slits in the floor, as also the canals, serve not only to
introduce the gas, but also to carry off the smoke, which can be effected without
any relaxation in the working as the two operations go on in separate compartments
and are quite distinct from each other. Each branch canal is provided with a
regulating apparatus, bell valve, slide, or the like, by which the introduction of
gas and the drawing off of smoke can be commenced, regulated, or stopped at any
time.
The air required for combustion passes through the burnt ware and so mingles
with the gas in a highly heated state, thus producing a rapid combustion.. The
products of combustion pass, as in the so-called “Hoffmann" circular kiln, between.
the ware placed in position to be burnt until they have lost their heat; they are
then drawn into the before named canals by the pipes, floor slits, or by similar
means. The fire moves as in a circular kiln, always forwards, the time occupied to
go round the kiln being from four to twenty-four days.
A change valve is provided consisting of a water valve, drum, or similar appȧ-
ratus, and when this change valve is placed in a certain, position the gases are
carried from the generator into one compartment of the chief canal, and passing
through bell valves enter branch canals and pipes within the kiln. The air for
combustion enters a compartment of the kiln from which the burnt ware is being
.removed, and passing through the still hot ware arrives at the gas pipes. The
products of combustion are drawn in by pipes or slits, and passing through the
branch canals arrive in the chief canal, by which they are conducted to the chimney,
passing on their way through the other half of the aforesaid change valve. If the
change valve be reversed the gases, air, products of combustion, and the like will
take the opposite direction. By use of the regulating valves in the cross canals the
draught can be exactly regulated and the flame drawn to the right, left, or down
the centre of the compartment. Two passages serve to conduct the flame from one
half of the kiln to the other, one passage taking that part of the flame drawing
along the outside wall, and the other passage the flame drawing along the inside
partition wall; as both these passages can be regulated with slides the flame can be
drawn to the inside or outside as desired. In order to thoroughly hot dry the ware
before the fire arrives at the same a hot air canal is placed at the top of the kiln
connected with each compartment by a pipe. The hot drying is accomplished as
follows, that is to say:-A compartment of unburnt ware is put into connection
with the said hot air canal; at the same time the valves connecting the same with
the chimney are operated, a connection between the hot air canal and a burnt out
but still hot compartment having been effected, the hot air is drawn through by the
draught in the chimney. This arrangement is especially to be used when china
ware is being burnt, as the large quantity of air drawn through the burnt goods
cools them rapidly, and this to advantage. The hot air canal is also connected
directly with the chimney by a slide, so that in case more air is used for cooling
than for hot drying the surplus is passed direct up the chimney. An important
improvement in my kiln also consists in providing a canal constructed to carry cold
fresh air to the gas generators, also metal separators which take up the dust and
gases caused by slacking the generator fires. Observation holes are provided for
watching the progress of the fire. Larger openings are also provided serving to
introduce slides to observe the burning and to connect any compartment of the kiln &
with the hot air canal by fitting on pipes. "Tar pots are connected with the chief
canal, and which serve to receive the tar deposited by the gases in their progress
through the canal,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th April
1879.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at
Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.
" "IMPROVEMENTS IN KILNS
FOR BURNING PORCELAIN, CHINA WARE, BRICKS, TILES, LIME, CEMENT, ORES, AND
THE LIKE SUBSTANCES." A communication from Hermann Escherich, Managing
Director of the "Thon waarenfabrik Schwandorf," of Schwandorf, in the Empire of
Germany.
This Invention relates to improvements in kilns for burning porcelain, china
ware, bricks, tiles, and the like, also for lime, cement, ores, and similar substances.
A kiln constructed according to the said Invention consists of a system of tunnel
canals connected with and running into each other, the said canals being built
either round, oblong, square, or of any other suitable shape. The said kiln is
provided with removable doors or slides, the number of which is regulated according
to the length of the said 'kiln. The burning is effected by means of gas made from
any material in any suitable generator.
Around the kiln is placed a canal which can be subdivided by bell caps or slides
into a greater or smaller number of divisions, each of which is alternately connected
with the chimney or gas generator. Each division of the chief canal. above
described is connected by several bell caps to several subdivisional canals or pipes
which lead to the several compartments of the kiln, and either terminate in pipes
or holes in the floor. The pipes are placed vertically to the floor, and are provided
with holes, either large or small, arranged in any position, and made of any shape.
The pipes are provided with sliding lids, and are situated in any desired part of the
kiln chamber.
The pipes and holes or slits in the floor, as also the canals, serve not only to
introduce the gas but also to carry off the smoke, which can be effected without
any relaxation in the working, as the two operations take place in separate
compartments, and are quite distinct from each other. Each branch canal is
provided with a regulating apparatus, bell valve, slide, or the like, by which the
introduction of gas and the drawing off of smoke can be commenced, regulated, or
stopped at any time.
The air required for combustion passes through the burnt ware and so mingles
with the gas in a highly heated state, thus producing a rapid combustion. The
products of combustion pass, as in the so called "Hoffinann" circular kiln, between
the ware placed in position to be burnt until they have lost their heat; they are
then drawn into the before named canals by the pipes, floor slits, or by similar
means. The fire moves as in a circular kiln, always forwards, the time occupied to
go round the kiln being from four to twenty four days.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a kiln constructed according to this Invention
with square canals opening into each other.

page_text: spaces connecting the chief canals with the branches are shewn at G, the pipes at
p, and the floor slits or holes at 8.
When the change valve is placed as shewn in the Drawing the gases are carried
from the generator into the compartment K¹ of the chief canal, and passing through
the bell valves g¹ enter the branch canals k' and pipes 2 within the kiln: The air
for combustion enters. a compartment of the kiln from which the burnt ware is
being removed, and passing through the still hot ware arrives at the gas pipes.
The products of combustion are drawn in by the pipes or by slits or holes, and
passing through the branch canals arrive in the chief canal K by which they are
conducted to the chimney, passing on their way through the other half of the
change valve W. If the change valve W be reversed the gases, air, products of
combustion, and the like, will take the opposite direction. By the use of the
regulating valves in the cross canals the draught can be exactly regulated and the
flame drawn to the right, left, or down the centre of the compartment. The
passages i and a serve to conduct the flame from one half of the kiln to the other,
the passage a taking that part of the flame drawing along the outside wall, and the
passage the flame drawing along the inside partition wall; as both these passages
can be regulated with slides the flame can be drawn to the inside or outside as
desired. In order to thoroughly hot dry the ware before the fire arrives at the
same a hot air canal H is placed at the top of the kiln connected with each
compartment by a pipe E. The hot drying is accomplished as follows, that is to
say: A compartment of unburnt ware is put into connection with the hot air
canal H, at the same time the valves connecting the same with the chimney are
opened, a connection between the hot air canal H and a burnt out but still hot
compartment having been effected, the hot air is drawn through by the draught in
the chimney.. This arrangement is especially to be used when china ware is being
burut, as the large quantity of air drawn through the burnt goods.cools them
rapidly and to advantage. The hot air canal H is also connected directly with the
chimney by the slide S, so that in case more air is used for cooling than for hot
drying the surplus is passed direct up the chimney. An important feature in my
kiln consists in the canal M constructed to carry cold fresh air to the gas generators,
also the metal separators N which take up the dust and gases caused by slacking
the generator fires. Observation lioles are provided for watching the progress of
the fire. Larger openings are also provided serving to introduce slides to observe
the burning, and to connect any compartiment of the kiln with the hot air canal H
by fitting on pipes E, as shown in Figure 3. Tar pots T are connected with the
canal K and serve to receive the tar deposited by the gases in their progress
through the canal.
"
Figure 4 is a horizontal section, Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section, and
Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section illustrating slight modifications in the
construction of the said kiln. The corresponding letters in these Figures illustrate
the same parts as in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. The pipes as described, each being connected with a branch canal and a
separate regulating apparatus, the said pipes serving to introduco and scatter the
gas, the combustion chambers serving to draw off the smoke and products of
combustion, and to draw off hot air and introduce cold air.
Second. The dividing of the chief canal surrounding the kiln into several
compartments or lengths, the introduction of a change apparatus and the canal in
the top of the kiln, which can be used in place of the said chief canal to carry off
the products of combustion, thus enabling the latter to be used solely for the intro-
duction of gas.
Third. The improved arrangement whereby the flame is conducted from one half
or side of the kiln to the other.
Fourth. The arrangement of the cross canals connected to the chief, canal and

page_text: provided with bell traps, so that any part of the kiln may remain in work while
the remainder is not working.
Fifth. The method of using the cooling air which has become hot in one compart-
ment by taking it from the said compartment to dry the ware placed in any other
compartment.
All for the purposes and substantially in the manner above described and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frank Wirth, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
TITRATT
FRANK
NK
WIRTH (L.S.)