Improvements in Apparatus for Use in Decomposing Chemical Compounds, Metallic Salts, and Desulphurizing Ores.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Use in Decomposing Chemical
Compounds, Metallic Salts, and Desulphurizing Ores.
We, PHINEAS HAZEU ADAMS, Jr., Mechanic, and ORSEMAS THEOPHILUS XENOPHON
ADAMS, Mechanic, both of 31 South Canal Street Chicago, Illinois, in the United
States of America, 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 our invention is the construction of an improved apparatus for
mechanically decomposing chemical compounds, metallic salts, and desulphurizing
ores or their resulting material, when the substances treated are in a molten condition,
by the action of centrifugal force; and our invention consists in the features and
details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure is a vertical section of apparatus showing the lower portion of the
running gear in elevation.
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus, with the cover or top removed, and
Figures 3 and 4 represent modifications of a feature of construction hereinafter
described.
In making our improved apparatus for decomposing chemical compounds, metallic
salts or salts of metal, and desulphurizing ores, we make a receiving vessel V, adapted
to receive the substance to be treated, when in a molten condition. This receiving
vessel is mounted and rests upon an actuating shaft, to which it is fixed or keyed in
such a way that by the rotation of the shaft the receiving vessel will be revolved.
The receiving vessel may be made in such a way as will secure the required strength,
and reduce the conduction of heat from the interior to the exterior. It may be
surrounded by curbing and have a removable bottom, to facilitate the removal of the
material which is not thrown off at the top by the action of centrifugal force. And,
in other respects, it may be made as will be calculated to subserve the end. in view,
and permit of its being rotated at a high rate of speed, for the separation of particles
of different degrees of density in the matter treated. Many of its parts, and the
details of their construction and particularly the running gear by which the receiving
vessel is supported and rotated, as they do not form the subject matter of our present
claims, need not be more fully described, as they will be sufficiently understood from
an inspection of the drawings.
In making the receiving vessel, however, we prefer to provide it with a mouth or
neck A, of a refractory material, that will be capable of withstanding the action of
the great heat to which it will be subjected, as the molten material treated is
discharged past and in contact with it, and we regard this as being of the more
importance from the fact that the intensity of the heat to which it is subjected is
greatly increased by the presence of a body of molten material accumulating around
the outside of the neck or mouth of the receiving vessel as it is discharged therefrom,
as hereinafter described, and from the fact that means, as hereinafter described are
provided for covering the mouth of the receiving vessel and retaining the heat

page_text: therein. We regard cast iron and similar material as lacking sufficient durability
for the purpose. When therefore we speak in the claims of a refractory neck or
mouth, we mean one composed of a composition of material of greater refractory
quality than cast-iron, as fire-clay for example. We also prefer to arrange a cover
or plate B, immediately above the mouth or neck of the receiving vessel, with a hole
in it of sufficient size to permit the molten material to pass through as it is introduced
into the receiving vessel. This plate or cover is preferably suspended by tie rods
extending up through the top, and provided with nuts b, by which they may be
adjusted up or down to secure the desired space between the mouth of the receiving
vessel and the covering or plate through. which the molten material passes as it is
discharged from the receiving vessel by the action of centrifugal force. This space
may be very small as the molten material constantly discharges in fine streams or
particles in every direction, as the receiving vessel is rotated. By the use of this
covering or plate much of the heat is retained in the receiving vessel which is very
desirable during certain stages of its operation, as hereinafter described.
In figure 3 we have shown the cover B as a suspended and removable section of
the general cover C depressed below its surface. As shown, it is provided with a rim
resting in a ring around the hole or opening in the general cover in which it is placed
and which suspends it the required distance above the mouth of the receiving vessel.
It is of course provided with a hole for the introduction of the molten material into
the receiving vessel. In figure 4 the covering B consists of an annular flange
depending from the under side of the general cover over the walls of the mouth or
neck of the receiving vessel leaving the required space between them for the discharge
of the molten material. In this case the cover B is provided with a hole in its
central portion in which preferably a removable spout, hereinafter described, is
inserted so as to extend down to the opening of the mouth of the receiving vessel.
It is obvious that the cover B is capable of various modifications in arrangement and
form, of which we have shown three as illustrations, and yet operate to prevent the
beat from escaping from the receiving vessel, and so we do not wish to confine
ourselves to precise details of construction.
We also prefer to provide the top or cover C, which serves as the general cover of
the apparatus, with what may be termed a bowl D, with a hole over the mouth or neck
of the receiving vessel, and to employ a reinovable spout E adapted to set in the hole
in the bottom of the bowl and direct the molten material into preferably the centre of
the mouth or neck of the receiving vessel. This removable spout may also be made
of refractory material, so as to preserve it from injury from its contact with the
molten material flowing into the receiving vessel.
We also prefer to make what may be termed an annular tub F, adapted to fit
around preferably the upper part of the mouth or neck of the receiving vessel, and
extending down some distance below the top, as shown in figure 1. This annular tub
may be supported in brackets G or other suitable supports. It may be of such depth
and capacity as to receive and retain a considerable quantity of molten material and
it may be supplied with a discharge spout or orifice near the top, through which the
molten material can flow off, as it reaches the same, into a car or other means for
conveying it away. Means may also be provided for removing the annular tub when-
ever desired and to this end we prefer to provide it with ears e, in which a hook or
bail operated by a crane or other convenient means, may be inserted whenever it is
désired to remove the tub, in which case the top or cover of the apparatus must of
course, first be removed.. We prefer to provide the walls of the tub with annular
spiral enclosed channels or grooves H, although it may be made with double walls,
affording an undivided space between them, if preferred. These channels or spaces
afford means for driving a current or blast of air into and around the annular tub
heated by the molten material being discharged into it from the receiving vessel, so
that the air will become heated to a very high temperature, to be carried through a
pipe I, to any place of use desired. We also prefer to provide the underside of the
top or cover of the apparatus C, with a series of pipes J, through which a current or
blast of air may be driven, so as to heat it to a very high temperature.. Although we

page_text: prefer to attach these pipes J to the underside of the cover C, it is obvious that any
arrangement may be adapted which will locate them over, and in proximity to the
molten material being discharged from the mouth of the receiving vessel, so that they
will be heated thereby. We have shown a pipe K, leading from this series of pipes
into the mouth of the receiving vessel, so that the heated air may be discharged into
such vessel, if desired. The object of this providing means for introducing a blast of
heated air into the receiving vessel, is to supply it with heated air, for the combustion
of fuel that may be introduced into the vessel, to maintain it at a sufficient tempera-
ture to prevent the molten material contained therein from becoming wholly or
partially solidified when the introduction of additional molten material is interrupted,
or at any time desired. When the heated air from the pipes J is not being discharged
into the receiving vessel, it may be carried to any other place for use. We have
shown a cock or valve I, on a portion of the pipe extending above the top or cover
of the apparatus by which its introduction into the receiving vessel may be permitted
or prevented.
It will of course be understood that suitable means are employed to force or drive
a current of air through the channels H and pipes J.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we wish it understood
that we claim :-
First. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated having its contracted neck or
mouth lined with refractory material capable of withstanding great heat, a cover for
the neck or mouth of the receiving vessel with space between the cover and the neck
or mouth to permit the discharging material to escape therefrom, and means for
rotating the receiving vessel, substantially as described.
Second. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated having its contracted neck or
mouth lined with refractory material capable of withstanding great heat, a cover over
the neck or mouth of the receiving vessel adjustable up or down to increase or
diminish the space between the cover and the neck or mouth through which the
material is discharged, and means for rotating the receiving vessel, substantially as
described.
Third. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, a cover over the neck
or mouth of the receiving vessel with space between the cover and the neck or
mouth to permit the discharging material to escape therefrom, a removable
spout directing the molten material preferably into the centre of the neck or mouth
of the receiving vessel, and means for rotating the receiving vessel, substantially as
described.
Fourth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, a cover over the neck or mouth
of the receiving vessel with space between the cover and the neck or mouth to
permit the discharging material to escape therefrom, a removable spout directing the
molten material preferably into the centre of the neck or mouth of the receiving
vessel, a bowl surrounding the removable spout, and means for rotating the receiving
vessel, substantially as described.
Fifth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, a removable annular tub
surrounding the same adapted to receive molten material discharged from the mouth

page_text: of the receiving vessel, and means for rotating the receiving vessel, substantially as
described.
Sixth. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated a removable annular tub
surrounding the same and adapted to receive the molten material discharged from the
mouth of the receiving vessel and provided with a space in its walling into and
through which a blast or current of air may be passed and heated by the molten
material discharged into the tub, and means for rotating the receiving vessel,
substantially as described.
Seventh. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and
desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving
vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, a series of pipes arranged
over the same and in proximity to the molten material discharged from the mouth of
the receiving vessel, and means for rotating the receiving vessel, substantially as
described.
31
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1000
HASELTINE, LAKE, & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.