US3645516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for preheating scrap metal
Assignee: Buell Engineering Co Inc
•
Filing: 1970-04-20
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-04-20
Abstract
Abstract Scrap metal contained in a receptacle is preheated, preparatory to charging it into refining apparatus, by circulating through it hot gases generated by burning a carbonaceous fuel in a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle. The hot gases from the heating chamber are conducted along a confined path into generally the center of the scrap in the receptacle and are withdrawn from the receptacle and returned to the heating chamber, a portion of the exhaust gases being recirculated back to the scrap. Part of the gases in the combustion chamber are vented to a stack to make way for the introduction of the oxygencontaining gas that supports combustion in the combustion chamber. A substantial part of the combustibles in the scrap are vaporized and withdrawn from the scrap and are delivered to and burned in the combustion chamber, thus limiting a significant pollution factor in the operation. The combustion chamber and gas circulating equipment constitutes a unitary furnace structure that may be moved into and out of position in operative relation to the scrap receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander J Turpin
- 👤 William T Yarnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:16
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B9/00; F26B9/10; F26B9/103; F26B23/00; F26B23/02; F26B23/022; F27; F27D; F27D13/00; F27D13/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S266/00; Y10S266/901; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6918; Y10T137/6921; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/8807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a mass of scrap to be preheated, a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle and having means associated therewith for burning a carbonaceous fuel in the chamber to produce heated gases, means for delivering heated gases from the chamber to the scrap receptacle including means for conducting the heated gases into generally the center of the mass of scrap, said means for delivering heated gases including an inlet conduit extending from exteriorly of the scrap mass to receive the hot gases from the chamber and extending at least into generally the center of the scrap mass, and having an opening at generally the center of the scrap mass to discharge heated gases into the scrap mass, and means for withdrawing the gases from a region of the vessel remote from the center of the scrap mass and recirculating at least a portion through the chamber and back to the scrap receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a mass of scrap to be preheated, a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle and having means associated therewith for burning a carbonaceous fuel in the chamber to produce heated gases, means for delivering heated gases from the chamber to the scrap receptacle including means for conducting the heated gases into generally the center of the mass of scrap, said means for delivering heated gases including an inlet conduit extending from exteriorly of the scrap mass to receive the hot gases from the chamber and extending at least into generally the center of the scrap mass, and having an opening at generally the center of the scrap mass to discharge heated gases into the scrap mass, and means for withdrawing the gases from a region of the vessel remote from the center of the scrap mass and recirculating at least a portion through the chamber and back to the scrap receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inlet conduit extends entirely through the receptacle and has a multiplicity of openings distributed over a substantial part of its length to discharge heated gases into the scrap mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inlet conduit is mounted on the receptacle, and further comprising a heated gas supply conduit leading from the chamber to a part of the inlet conduit exteriorly of the scrap mass, the supply conduit being mounted separately from the inlet conduit for selective coupling to the inlet conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the upper end of the receptacle has an opening through which it is loaded with scrap, and the inlet conduit extends from within the top opening down into the receptacle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 and further comprising a plug adapted to be removably received in the inlet conduit to block the intrusion of scrap into the inlet conduit when the receptacle is being loaded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the top of the receptacle has a loading opening through which it is loaded with scrap, and wherein the means for withdrawing gases from the receptacle includes a separate removable hood structure adapted selectively to be positioned over the opening to close the loading opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means for introducing heated gases into the receptacle includes a conduit extending through the hood structure and into the receptacle through the loading opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the combustion chamber includes a vent opening for release of a portion of the gases therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 and further comprising means for controlling the rate of release of gases through the vent opening in accordance with a pressure measurement indicative of the pressure in the combustion chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further compRising means associated with the withdrawing means for controlling the rate of withdrawal of gases from the receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle having a substantially fully open top to receive therethrough a mass of scrap to be preheated, a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle and having means associated therewith for burning a carbonaceous fuel in the chamber to produce heated gases, an inlet conduit extending from the upper end of the receptacle and mounted thereon, the inlet conduit having an inlet end adjacent the top of the receptacle and having at least one opening in generally the center of the receptacle so as to be within a mass of scrap received therein, means for withdrawing gases from the top of the vessel including a hood structure adapted to fit over the top opening of the receptacle and a return conduit communicating with the hood for circulating gases from the receptacle back to the chamber, and a supply conduit for conducting heated gases from the heated chamber to the inlet conduit of the receptacle, the supply conduit extending through the hood structure and being adapted to be positioned in substantially sealed relation to the upper end of the inlet conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle having a substantially fully open top to receive therethrough a mass of scrap to be preheated, a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle and having means associated therewith for burning a carbonaceous fuel in the chamber to produce heated gases, an inlet conduit extending from the upper end of the receptacle and mounted thereon, the inlet conduit having an inlet end adjacent the top of the receptacle and having at least one opening in generally the center of the receptacle so as to be within a mass of scrap received therein, means for withdrawing gases from the top of the vessel including a hood structure adapted to fit over the top opening of the receptacle and a return conduit communicating with the hood for circulating gases from the receptacle back to the chamber, and a supply conduit for conducting heated gases from the heated chamber to the inlet conduit of the receptacle, the supply conduit extending through the hood structure and being adapted to be positioned in substantially sealed relation to the upper end of the inlet conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a portion of the supply conduit extends within a portion of the return conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein all of the elements set forth therein, except for the receptacle and inlet conduit, constitute a unitary furnace assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the furnace assembly is mounted for movement relative to the receptacle so that the hood structure may be moved clear of the top opening of the receptacle to permit the receptacle to be loaded with scrap and to be lifted from above.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the furnace structure is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a combustion chamber having means for burning a carbonaceous fuel therein to produce heated gases, a hood structure mounted in association with the chamber and in a position spaced generally laterally of the chamber, return conduit means communicating the hood structure with the chamber, supply conduit means communicating with the chamber at a place therein remote from the heating means to receive heated gases from the chamber and conduct them out of the chamber, the supply conduit including a portion passing through the hood structure and having an opening for discharging heated gases therefrom, and blower means in the return conduit means for maintaining flow of gases from the return conduit, through the chamber and out of the supply conduit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a combustion chamber having means for burning a carbonaceous fuel therein to produce heated gases, a hood structure mounted in association with the chamber and in a position spaced generally laterally of the chamber, return conduit means communicating the hood structure with the chamber, supply conduit means communicating with the chamber at a place therein remote from the heating means to receive heated gases from the chamber and conduct them out of the chamber, the supply conduit including a portion passing through the hood structure and having an opening for discharging heated gases therefrom, and blower means in the return conduit means for maintaining flow of gases from the return conduit, through the chamber and out of the supply conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle having a substantially open top and adapted to receive a mass of scrap to be preheated, a support structure mounted on the receptacle in the top opening thereof, and an inlet conduit for heated gas carried by the support structure, the inlet conduit having an intake opening adjacent the support structure and a body portion depending from the support structure and having at least one opening located generally centrally of the receptacle, whereby heated gases introduced into the inlet conduit are released from the conduit generally centrally in a mass of scrap contained in the receptacle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle having a substantially open top and adapted to receive a mass of scrap to be preheated, a support structure mounted on the receptacle in the top opening thereof, and an inlet conduit for heated gas carried by the support structure, the inlet conduit having an intake opening adjacent the support structure and a body portion depending from the support structure and having at least one opening located generally centrally of the receptacle, whereby heated gases introduced into the inlet conduit are released from the conduit generally centrally in a mass of scrap contained in the receptacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the inlet conduit extends substantially all the way to the bottom of the receptacle and has a multiplicity of spaced-apart openings distributed along in a portion constituting substantially all of the bottom part of its length, thereby to discharge heated gases into the scrap mass over a relatively large, generally centrally located zone within the scrap mass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising a plug adapted to be removably received in the top of the inlet conduit to block the intrusion of scrap into the inlet conduit when the receptacle is being loaded.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the inlet conduit extends only part way from the supporting structure toward the bottom of the receptacle and wherein the plug extends all the way to the bottom of the receptacle so as to be supported on the bottom of the receptacle and to resist deformation of the top structure and inlet conduit when the receptacle is being loaded.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of preheating scrap metal comprising the steps of loading a receptacle with a mass of scrap to be preheated, burning a carbonaceous fuel in a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle to produce heated gases, conducting the heated gases from the combustion chamber along a confined path into generally the center of the mass of scrap in the receptacle and releasing the heated gases into the scrap mass at generally the center thereof, withdrawing all of the gases from the mass of scrap at a zone outside of the mass and conducting all of such gases along a confined path back to the combustion chamber, circulating to the receptacle a portion of a mixture of the heated gases generated by burning fuel in the combustion chamber and the gases withdrawn from the scrap mass, and releasing from the combustion chamber the remaining portion of the gases therein.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of preheating scrap metal comprising the steps of loading a receptacle with a mass of scrap to be preheated, burning a carbonaceous fuel in a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle to produce heated gases, conducting the heated gases from the combustion chamber along a confined path into generally the center of the mass of scrap in the receptacle and releasing the heated gases into the scrap mass at generally the center thereof, withdrawing all of the gases from the mass of scrap at a zone outside of the mass and conducting all of such gases along a confined path back to the combustion chamber, circulating to the receptacle a portion of a mixture of the heated gases generated by burning fuel in the combustion chamber and the gases withdrawn from the scrap mass, and releasing from the combustion chamber the remaining portion of the gases therein.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 21 wherein the gases in the receptacle are withdrawn at a zone that generally surrounds the confined path along which heated gases are delivered to the scrap mass.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 21 and further comprising the steps of monitoring a pressure indicative of the pressure in the combustion chamber, and controlling the rate of release of gases from the combustion chamber in accordance with the monitored pressure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 21 and further comprising the step of controlling the rates of delivery of fuel and a combustion-supporting medium into the combustion chamber, thereby to control the rate of heat input into the combustion chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle for a mass of scrap to be preheated, a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle, means in the combustion chamber for burning a carbonaceous fuel to produce heated gases, means for conducting the heated gases produced in the combustion chamber along a confined path into generally the center of the mass of scrap in the receptacle and for releasing the heated gases into the scrap mass at generally the center thereof, means for withdrawing all of the gases from the mass of scrap at a zone outside of the mass and for conducting all of such withdrawn gases along a confined path back to the combustion chamber and means for releasing from the combustion chamber a portion of the mixture of heated gases and gases withdrawn from the mass of scrap.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for preheating scrap metal comprising a receptacle for a mass of scrap to be preheated, a combustion chamber remote from the receptacle, means in the combustion chamber for burning a carbonaceous fuel to produce heated gases, means for conducting the heated gases produced in the combustion chamber along a confined path into generally the center of the mass of scrap in the receptacle and for releasing the heated gases into the scrap mass at generally the center thereof, means for withdrawing all of the gases from the mass of scrap at a zone outside of the mass and for conducting all of such withdrawn gases along a confined path back to the combustion chamber and means for releasing from the combustion chamber a portion of the mixture of heated gases and gases withdrawn from the mass of scrap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3379425A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |