2283556

Extracted document text. Layout, formulas and symbols may not survive extraction; consult the preserved PDF for the original presentation.

Text extraction covers 5 pages, including 5 transcribed by optical character recognition.

Page 1

May 19, 1942. L.-C, KARRICK 2,283,556

VALVE
Original Filed Dec. 1], 1933.

INTRODUCING HOT
OMBUSTION GASES TOHEAT
COAL IN BINS

23. 25
a © :
Ez 70
4
69 ;
@ 5 Loy 65 4
3 QS 62 5,Oup 63
pea Se 8i
ae ah q a xq
ZAIN Mee 7B 66
a. : ee 7 4 NY 75
z 1% 61 or .
” “pewwwaro } Bed - 7B
Stic Bibves EEA) eS mi 6 a ES
; ae
OS : — %
HM
0, : =
j Lay
wo. 4 "20 wh 78,
62. \ ;
é : . —=
z JB ge BF

Ss Gl fom roeae Ss denention
4 Lewis CKarrick

Page 2

Patented May 19, 1942

2,283,556

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,288,556
VALVE
Lewis C, Karrick, Salt Lake City, Utah
Original ppplication December : 11, 1983, Serial No.

701,838.

Divided this
ber 5, 1938, Serial No. 244,071

pplication Decem-

14 Claims. (Cl. 221—145)

This invention relates to apparatus for treat-

ing coal and other carbonaceous materials to ob-

_ tain solid, liquid and gaseous products therefrom,
and more particularly it has reference to a valve
for controlling the feed and discharge openings
of the apparatus.

This and other features of the invention will
be described in connection with the accompany-
ing drawing in which similar reference charac-
ters indicate ‘corresponding parts in the several
views, and in which:

Fig, 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of car-
bonizing apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a quick-acting gas-
tight valve: for controlling the supply of solid
material; and .

Fig. 3 is a plan view partly in section thereof.

Arrows are shown on the drawing with full

. lines to indicate the movement of the solid car-
bonaceous material in the chamber, and with
dot-and-dash lines to indicate the flow of steam,
and with dotted lines to indicate the flow of air
and fuel gas or products of combustion.

In Fig. 1 the metal reaction chamber i is sur-
rounded by a system of flues 2 enclosed in heat
insulating walls 3. Dust-free coal of substan-
tially uniform size is charged into bunker 4 and
is then fed through valve 5 into magazine 6 from
which it flows continuously by gravity through
valve T-into the reaction chamber ¢ which re-
mains full of coal at all times. At the bottom
of the reaction chamber is a discharge device
comprising a wheel having pockets 8 which is ro-
tated continuously in the direction of the arrow
by means of any suitable power device, not
shown, which withdraws coke from the reaction
chamber and drops it into receiving bin 9
through valve {0 which normally remains open.
At the-bottom of bin 9 is a valve {f which re-
mains closed while bin 9 is being filled. After
the bin 9 has been filled the valve 10 is closed
and valve {1 opened momentarily to permit the
contents to be removed, after which valve f{ is
again closed and valve 10 opened and the opera-
tions repeated.

Superheated steam, or superheated steam and
water-gas, for use in distilling the coal is prefer-
ably introduced into the reaction chamber by
Means of insulated pipe 12. This steam rises
counter-flow to the descending column of coal
while giving up its superheat to the coal, and is
drawn off together with the volatiles from the
coal by vapor pipe 13 and thence passes into main
{4 leading to suitable fractionating condensers.
Leading into the top of the reaction chamber

10

are insulated pipes 15 by which superheated
steam may be directed into contact with the in-
coming coal. I have found that some coals sof-
ten excessively when subjected to the dissolving
and disintegrating effect of heavy condensates
from the tar-oils which may precipitate or con-
dense on the coal lumps which are at lower tem-
perature toward the top of the chamber. Steam
may be admitted through the pipes 16 to remove
such heavy tar-oils and prevent them from con-
densing on the coal in the- upper zone of the
chamber. Superheated steam which may con-
tain water-gas at very high temperature may
also be admitted through pipes {5 in order to
quickly carbonize the outer surface of the coal
and thereby produce a shell or protective layer
of coke on the lumps of coal. This latter pro-

_ cedure is used when the coal is of a fusing or

20

25

30

oo
a

40

weak type. In some cases the steam introduced -
through pipes 15 may be drawn off either partly
or entirely at pipe !2 and is then carried to con-
densers by means of suitable conduits, not shown.

Near the bottom of the chamber | is another
insulated pipe 16 by which superheated steam
may be introduced into the reaction chamber
when it is desired to form water-gas by the re-
action of the superheated steam on the coke
formed in the upper distillation zone. When
super-heated steam is introduced into the reac-
tion chamber by pipe 16, the amount of super-
heated steam introduced through pipe {2 or pipes
15 may be reduced, or may be entirely shut off.

In order to dry-quench the coke formed by the
process, and impart highly. reactive properties
thereto, saturated steam is introduced into the
reaction chamber’ through pipe 17 located at the
bottom of the receiving bin 9. This steam rises
counter-flow to the coke and abstracts its heat,
thereby becoming superheated and assisting the
distillation of the coal in the upper part of the
reaction chamber. When valve {0 is closed mo-
mentarily for the purpose of permitting the bin
9 to be emptied the saturated steam is introduced
through supply pipe 18 while pipe {17 is shut off.
The reaction chamber { is heated externally by
burning’.gas in the flues 2 -which surround the
chamber. A plurality of gas burners 19 and 20
provides at different levels along the walls of the
chambers means for regulating the amount of
heat supplied to: the various flues, and serves to
control the temperature at different heights in
the flues.

The reaction chamber 1! is provided with atop-

58 ing supports 2! projecting from the side walls,

Page 3

2
and mounted in staggered relation at varying dis-
tances from top to bottom. i

Near the top of the reaction chamber 1! I pro-
vide coils 22 placed under the sloping supports
and carrying superheated steam. These coils
serve as a means of supplying internal radiated
or conducted heat to the contents of the reaction
chamber and thereby prevent condensation of
heavy tar-oils from the rising current of fluids.

The life and efficiency of the apparatus may be

ou

increased by constructing the lower portion of .

the metal reaction chamber ! of alloys of chro-
mium and iron, or of calorized steel, this portion
being in the zone of highest temperature. The
upper part of the chamber | may be of cast steel
or calorized steel plate. The chamber is made
gas-tight for operation under pressure, by weld-
ing or other suitable means. The space 2 is con-
structed with clearance to permit the walls of
the chamber { to move freely in a lateral direc-
tion as they expand and contract. Means are
provided for permitting the metal walls to move
freely in a vertical direction, and to insure that
such vertical movement will be substantially
linear, thus preventing warping or buckling due
to expansion in thé region of greatest tempera-
ture under the weight of the super-imposed
structure. This is accomplished by providing a
continuous upward tension on the walls of the
chamber. In the form illustrated in Fig. 1, beams
27 rest on fulerums 28 supported by the brick
walls 3. One end of each beam 21 engages a lug,
29, these lugs being fastened adjacent the top
on opposite sides of the walls {. The opposite
end of each beam 217 is counter-balanced by a
weight 30. The weight 30 is adjusted to cause a
slight tension in the metal in the hottest zone
so as to prevent any tendency of the metal to
warp or sag from downward pressure at any part
of the metal walls. The lower end of the maga-
zine 6 is connected to the top of the carbonizing
chamber by means of a gas-tight slip-joint 31
which permits the walls of the chamber { to ex-
pand and contract vertically without permitting
gas to leak out. A similar gas-tight slip-joint
$2 is provided in the insulated pipe 23. The sev-
eral supply pipes, such as (2, 15 and 16 which
penetrate the brick wall 3 are provided with am-
ple clearance around them to allow for expan-
sion. The openings through the brick work are
preferably provided with a yielding plug or bush-
ing 33 of asbestos yarn or other similar mate-
rial held in place by close-fitting metal discs or
shields 34 surrounding the pipe.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a gas-tight coal valve
suitable for charging and discharging the maga-
zines and receiving bins of the carbonizer. The
valve comprises an outer casting 59 with top and
bottom fianges 60 and 6f and an extended com-
partment 62. Flange coupling 63 cooperates with
flange 60 and has provided an opening 64 placed
off center and of such diameter that it is flush
with the interior wall of the valve on one side and
overhangs the interior wall of the valve by a
small distance on the other side as shown at 65.
Bottom flange 66 cooperates with flange 61 and is
similar to top flange 63. A sliding gate 61, pro-
vided with valve stem 68 is actuated by lever 69
and link 70 to move in and out of compartment
62. Stuffing box 71 provides means for oper-
ating the valve without leakage of gas. Within
the valve casting 59. are provided flanged steel
linings 12 and 73 which are cut at an angle to
cooperate with the respective sides of the valve

30

40

2,283,556

gate 61. The cooperating surface of the valve
gate and the linings are ground to form gas-tight
contacts.

The valve casting 59 is provided with a steam
channel or recess 74 on its inner surfacé on three
sides directly opposite the contiguous edges of
the valve gate. A sourcé of high pressure steam
is connected to steam channel 74 by means of
Pipe and fittings 15. A valve 16 which controls
the flow of high pressure steam is actuate@ by
the lever 68 and linkages 11 to deliver steam to
the interior of compartment 62 and into steam
channel 74 as the valve gate is forced downward-
ly into place. It will be noted that the scav-
enging effect of the steam in removing dust from
the valve seat is greatest as the gate approaches
its seat due to the tapered construction of the
gate 61,

In order to arrest the flow of coal prior to clos~
ing the valve gate, a means is provided compris-
ing a shaft 78 and a plurality of independent
flexible steel fingers 19 actuated by handle 80.
Prior to closing the gate 67 the handle 80 on
shaft 18 is set in a horizontal position, whereupon
the spring fingers 19 clearly adjust themselves
within the descending column of lumps and cause
it to arch well above the line of the gate 61. In
a few moments the lever 69 is forced inwardly
a short distance, thus opening the steam valve
16 and releasing the steam into the space 62 and
14, The further movement of lever 69 causes
the gate to move into its seat. In order to pro-
vide a simple adjustment for seating the valve,
I provide leaf shims 81! of any suitable material,
such as metal, which may be removed as the co-
operating surfaces of the valve gate 67 and lin-
ings 12 and 13 wear, to make a gas-tight fit. The
‘gate 67 comprises a tapered plate with flat: sur-
faces, as described above, and it is therefore
easily resurfaced. Likewise, the cooperating sur-

- faces of the linings 12 and 13 are flat plain sur-

50

60

13

faces and may be removed and ground smooth on
@ polishing table with little effort if adjustment
becomes necessary. I have found that the gate
operates with less binding if placed at an angle,
either downward or upward, when cutting
through a stream of lump material and I show
it in this form since it may be desirable at times
to quickly close the gate before the flow arrest-

. ing means 79, 80 have had time to function. The

valve is also suitable for use in conduits carry-
ing highly heated steam in which case the lin-
ings 12 and 13, and the gate 61 will be of alloys
such as chromium, fron and nickel. The valve
will be surrounded with insulating material to
prevent loss of heat.

This application is a division of my copending
application Serial Number 701,838, filed Decem-
ber 11, 1933, which is in turn a division of my
application Serial No. 285,426, filed June 14, 1928.
Said applications have issued as Patents Nos.
2,165,143 and 1,938,596, respectively.

T claim:

1, A quick-acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening for the passage of ma-
terial therethrough, a groove inside said casing,
a lining extending inside the upper portion of
said casing, a separate lining extending inside
the lower portion of said casing, the adjacent
ends of said linings having a space between them
registering substantially with said groove, a valve
gate acting in the space between the adjacent
ends of said linings, means for actuating said
valve gate to close said opening, means controlled
by said actuating means to admit a fluid under

Page 4

2,283,556

pressure through said groove to dislodge particles

of said material, and adjustable means interme--

diate said casing and said linings to permit ad-
justment of said space. .

2. A quick acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening of rectangular cross-
section for the passage of solids therethrough by
gravity into an enclosed space under super-at-
mospheric pressure, a reciprocating valve gate of

a width substantially equal to the internal width”

of the casing and a length not less than the
cross-sectional length of said casing having an
actuating means secured to one end thereof, said
gate being tapered toward the end thereof ‘re-
mote from said actuating means and being
mounted in said casing to slope downwardly
away from said actuating means, a compart-
ment communicating with said opening formed
integral with one wall of the casing extending in
an upward slope from said wall at an angle
which is an extension of the slope of said gate,
said compartment being formed to receive said
gate upon withdrawal thereof from the casing,'a
groove in the other three interior walls of said
casing corresponding substantially with edges of
said gate, an upper lining in the upper part of
said casing, a lower lining in the lower part of
said casing, the adjacent ends of said linings be-
ing formed to fit the respective sides of said gate
when in closed position to provide a seat there-
for, means controlled by said actuating means to
admit a fluid under pressure to said compart-
ment and said groove, and means interposed be-
tween said casing and said linings to permit rela-
tive adjustment thereof.

3. A quick acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening of rectangular cross-
section for the passage of solids therethrough by
gravity into an enclosed space under super-at-
mospheric pressure, a reciprocating valve gate of
a width substantially equal to the internal width
of the casing and @ length not less than the
cross-sectional length of said casing having an

actuating means secured to one end thereof; said’

gate being tapered toward the end thereof re-
mote from said actuating means and being
mounted in said casing to slope downwardly
away from said actuating means, a compartment
communicating with said opening formed inte-
gral with one wall of the casing extending in an
upward slope from said wall at an angle which is
an extension of the slope of said gate, said com-
partment being formed to receive said gate upon
withdrawal thereof from the casing, @ groove in
the other three interior walls of said casing cor-
responding substantially with the edges of said
gate, an upper lining in the upper part of said
casing, a lower lining in the lower part of said
casing, the adjacent ends of said linings being

formed to fit the respective sides of said gate ;

when in closed position to provide a seat there-
for, and means controlled by said actuating
means to admit a fluid under pressure to said
compartment end said groove.

4. A quick acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening of rectangular. cross-
section for the passage of solids therethrough by
gravity into an enclosed space under super-at-
mospheric pressure, 2 reciprocating valve gate of
@ width substantially equal to the internal width
of the casing and a length not less than the
cross-sectional length of said casing having an
actuating means secured to one end thereof, said
gate being tapered toward the end thereof re-

20

30

a5

65

65

70

3

mounted in said casing at an angle to the axis
of said opening, a compartment formed integral,
with one wall of the casing extending outwardly
from said wali at an angle which is an extension
of the said angle of said gate, said compartment
being formed to receive said gate upon with-
drawal thereof from the casing, a groove in the
other three interior walls of said casing corre-
sponding substantially with the edges of said
gate, an upper Hning in the upper part of said
casing, a lower lining in the lower part of said__
casing, the adjacent ends of said linings being
formed to fit the respective sides of said gate
when in closed position to provide a seat there-
for, and means controlled by said actuating
means to admit a fluid under pressure to said
compartment and said groove.

5. A quick acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening of rectangular cross-
section for the passage of solids therethrough by -
gravity into an enclosed space under super-at-
mospheric pressure, a reciprocating valve gate
of a width substantially equal to the internal
width of the casing and a length not less than
the cross-sectional length of said’ casing having
an actuating means secured to one end thereof,
said gate being tapered toward the end thereof
remote from said actuating means and being
mounted in said casing at an angle to the axis of
said opening, a groove in at least three of the in-
terior walls of said casing corresponding sub-
stantially with the edges of said gate, an upper
lining in the upper part of said casing, a lower
lining in the lower part of said casing, the ad-
jJacent ends of said linings being formed to fit
the respective sides of said gate when in closed
position to provide a seat therefor, and means
controlled by said actuating means to admit a
fluid under pressure to said groove.

6, A quick acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening of rectangular cross-
section for the passage of solids therethrough by
gravity into an enclosed space under super-
atmospheric pressure, a reciprocating valve gate
of 2 width substantially equal to the internal
width of the casing and a length not less than
the cross-sectional length of said casing having
an actuating means secured to one end thereof,
said gate being tapered toward the end thereof
remote from said actuating means and. being
mounted in said casing at an angle to the axis of
said opening, a compartment formed integral
with one wall of the casing extending outwardly
from said wall at an angle which is an extension
of the said angle of said gate, said compartment
being formed to receive said gate upon with-
drawal thereof from the casing, a groove in the
other three interior walls of said casing corre-
sponding substantially with the edges of said
gate, an upper lining in the upper part of said
casing, a lower lining in the lower part of said
casing, the adjacent ends of said linings being
formed to fit the respective sides of said gate
when in closed. position to provide a seat there-
for, and: means controlled by said actuating
means to admit a fluid under pressure to said
compartment and said groove.

7. A quick acting-valve comprising an up-
right casing having an opening for the passage
of solids therethrough by gravity into an en-
closed space under super-atmospheric pressure, «
@ valve gate having an actuating means secured
to one end thereof, said gate being tapered toward
the end thereof remote.from said actuating means

mote from said actuating means and being 75 and being mounted in said casing to slope down-

ra i

Page 5

4

wardly away from said actuating means, & com-
partment formed to receive said gate upon with-
drawal thereof from the casing, a groove in the
other three interior walls of said casing corre-
sponding substantially with the edges of said
gate, an upper lining in the upper part of said
casing, a lower lining in the lower part of said
casing, the adjacent ends of said linings being
formed to fit the respective sides of said gate
when in closed position to provide a seat there-
for, and means controlled by said actuating
means to admit a fluid under pressure to said
“ groove.

8. In a valve for controlling the downward flow
by gravity of solid material through a substan-
tially vertical conduit; a reciprocating gate hav-
ing an actuating means connected to one end
thereof, said gate being tapered toward the end
thereof remote from said actuating means and
mounted in said conduit to slope upwardly from
the smaller end thereof, a compartment formed
in that wall of the conduit adjacent the end of
the gate to which said actuating means is con-
nected to receive sdid gate in withdrawn posi-
tion, an opening in the other three walls of the
conduit formed to contact the sides of said gate
along respective edges thereof when the gate is
in closed position, a channel in the walls of said
conduit adjacent and in open communication
with said opening, and means controlled by said
actuating means to admit fluid under pressure
to said compartment and said channel.

9, In a valve for controlling the downward
flow by gravity of solid material through a sub-
stantially vertical conduit; a reciprocating gate
having an actuating means connected to one end
thereof, said gate being tapered toward the end
thereof remote from said actuating means and
mounted in said conduit at an angle to the axis
thereof, a compartment formed in that wall of
the conduit adjacent the end of the gate to which
said actuating means is connected to receive
said gate in withdrawn position, an opening in
the other three walls of the conduit formed to
contact the sides of said gate along respective
edges thereof when the gate is in closed posi-
tion, a channel in the walls of said conduit ad-
jacent and in open communication with said
opening, and means controlled by said actuating
means to admit fluid under pressure to said com-
partment and said channel.

10. In a valve for controlling the downward
flow by gravity of solid material through a sub-
stantially vertical conduit; a reciprocating gate
having an actuating means connected to one end
thereof, said gate being tapered toward the end
thereof remote from said actuating means and
mounted in said conduit to slope upwardly from
the smaller end thereof, an opening in the walls.
of the conduit formed to contact the sides of said
gate along respective edges thereof when the gate
is in closed position, a channel in the walls of
said conduit adjacent and in open communica-
tion with said opening, and means controlled
by said actuating means to admit fluid under
pressure to said channel.

11. Ina valve for controlling the downward
flow by gravity of solid material through a con-
duit disposed at an angle to the horizontal; a
gate having an actuating means connected there-
to, said gate being tapered in a direction away
from the point of attachment of said actuating
means and mounted in said conduit at an acute
angle to the axis thereof and a seat for said gate

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

2,283,506

comprising an opening in the wall of the conduit
closed on the exterlor of the conduit with re-
spect to the atmosphere, said opening being
formed to closely contact the opposite sides of
the gate adjacent the edges thereof throughout
the entire length of the intersection of sald gate
with the conduit wall, and means to admit a
fluid under pressure to said opening along its
full extent to dislodge said material from the
seat and facilitate closing of the valve.

12. In @ valve for controlling the downward
flow by gravity of solid material through a con-
duit disposed at an angle to the horizontal; a
gate having an actuating means connected
thereto, said gate being mounted in said conduit
at an acute angle to the axis thereof and a seat
for said gate comprising an opening in the wall
of the conduit closed on the exterior of the con-
duit with respect to the atmosphere, said open-
ing being formed to closely contact the opposite
sides of the gate adjacent the edges thereof
throughout the full extent of the intersection of
said gate with the conduit wall, and means to
admit a fluid under pressure to said opening
throughout the full extent thereof to dislodge

said material from the seat and facilitate clos- °*~

ing of the valve. cn

13. A quick acting valve comprising an upright.
casing having an opening for the passage of ma-
terial therethrough, a groove inside said casing,
@ lining extending inside the upper portion of
said casing, a separate lining extending inside
the lower portion of said casing, the adjacent
ends of said lining having a space between them
registering substantially with said groove, a valve
gate acting in the space between the adjacent
ends of said lining, means for actuating said
valve gate to close said opening, and means to
admit a fluid under pressure to said groove to
dislodge particles of material from the edge of
said lining in said lower portion adjacent said
space,

14. A quick acting valve comprising an upright
casing having an opening of rectangular cross-
section for the passage of solids therethrough by
gravity to an enclosed space under super atmos- -
pheric pressure, a reciprocating valve gate of a
width substantially equal to the internal width
of the casing and a length not less than the
cross-sectional length of said casing having an
actuating means secured to one end thereof,
said gate being tapered toward the end thereof
remote from said actuating means and being
mounted in said casing to slope downwardly
away from said actuating means, a compartment
communicating with said opening defined by
means formed integral with one wall of the cas-
ing extending in an upward slope from said wall
at an angle which is an extension of the slope
of said gate, said compartmerit being formed to
receive said gate upon withdrawal thereof from
the casing, a groove in the other three interior
walls of said casing corresponding substantially
with edges of said gate, an upper lining in the
upper part of said casing, a lower lining in the
lower part of said casing, the adjacent ends of
said lining being formed to fit the respective sides
of said gate when in closed position to provide a
seat therefor, means controlled by said actuating
means to admit a fluid under pressure to said
compartment and said groove, and means. inter-
posed between said casing and said lining to
permit relative adjustment thereof. __ woN

* LEWIS C. KARRICK,