US3759501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cyclonic smelting apparatus
Assignee: Kennecott Utah Copper LLC
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Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A cyclonic smelting apparatus developed especially for carrying out both smelting and converting operations on copper-bearing materials to produce blister copper. A closed cylindrical vessel is disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and has a discharge orifice at its lower end. At least one means is provided for injecting tangentially into the vessel a pressurized stream of particulate copper-bearing material and an oxygencontaining gas, so that a vortical flow of such stream takes place within the vessel toward the discharge orifice. At least one means is also provided for introducing a stream of copperbearing material and an oxygen-containing gas downwardly into the vessel along the axis thereof, so there is comingling of the tangentially injected and the axially introduced materials. Heating means are provided for raising the temperature within the vessel sufficiently to induce autogeneous or partially autogeneous smelting reactions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Foard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:57
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B5/00; C22B5/02; C22B5/12; C22B5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Cyclonic smelting apparatus for smelting and converting ore material, comprising in combination: a closed cylindrical vessel mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and having a discharge orifice at its lower end; means for introducing a pressurized feed stream containing a mixture of particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas tangentially into said vessel through its circumferential side, resulting in vortical flow of the mixture downwardly through the vessel; means for introducing a feed stream containing a mixture of particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas longitudinally into the vessel through the upper end thereof for intimate contact with the vortically flowing mixture; and means for heating the mixture within the vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Cyclonic smelting apparatus for smelting and converting ore material, comprising in combination: a closed cylindrical vessel mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and having a discharge orifice at its lower end; means for introducing a pressurized feed stream containing a mixture of particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas tangentially into said vessel through its circumferential side, resulting in vortical flow of the mixture downwardly through the vessel; means for introducing a feed stream containing a mixture of particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas longitudinally into the vessel through the upper end thereof for intimate contact with the vortically flowing mixture; and means for heating the mixture within the vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the vessel is tapered inwardly toward the discharge orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein means are provided for introducing a plurality of feed streams tangentially into the vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for introducing the plurality of tangential feed streams are equidistant from each other about the circumference of the vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for introducing the plurality of tangential feed streams are arranged, respectively, at different levels from the upper end of the vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein means are provided for introducing a plurality of feed streams longitudinally in the vessel from the upper end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the longitudinally directed feed streams are introduced near the circumferential walls of the vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for heating the mixture comprises at least one heater mounted at the upper end of the vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the apparatus has an additional heater mounted on the circumferential wall of the vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the discharge orifice of the vessel communicates with a receiving vessel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of smelting and converting ore material, comprising introducing a pressurized feed stream of material into a closed cylindrical vessel mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and having a discharge orifice at its lower end, said feed stream containing a mixture of particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas and being introduced tangentially into said vessel through its circumferential side, resulting in vortical flow of the mixture downwardly through the vessel; introducing a feed stream of material into said vessel through the upper end thereof for intimate contact with the vortically flowing mixture, this stream of material also containing particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas and being introduced longitudinally of the vessel; heating the mixture of materials within the vessel to effect combined smelting and converting of the ore material; and discharging the so smelted and converted ore material through the said discharge orifice at the lower end of the vessel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of smelting and converting ore material, comprising introducing a pressurized feed stream of material into a closed cylindrical vessel mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and having a discharge orifice at its lower end, said feed stream containing a mixture of particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas and being introduced tangentially into said vessel through its circumferential side, resulting in vortical flow of the mixture downwardly through the vessel; introducing a feed stream of material into said vessel through the upper end thereof for intimate contact with the vortically flowing mixture, this stream of material also containing particulate, ore-bearing material and oxygen gas and being introduced longitudinally of the vessel; heating the mixture of materials within the vessel to effect combined smelting and converting of the ore material; and discharging the so smelted and converted ore material through the said discharge orifice at the lower end of the vessel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |