US1236885A - Apparatus for destructive distillation. - Google Patents

Description

S. E. SEAMAN.

APPARATUS FOR DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, I916.

1,236,885 Patented Au 14, 1917.

S. E. SEAMAN.

APPARATUS FOR DESTRUCTIVE msnumom.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, I916- Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFTQE.

STEWART E. SEAMAN, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SEAMAN WASTE WOOD CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION.

Application filed May 27, 1916.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, STEWART E. SEAMAN, a citizen of the United States, and'a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Destructive Distillation, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements 1n apparatus for the destructive distillation of wood, preferably more or less finely divided, such as sawdust, shavings, chipped wood and the like, and also the destructive distillation of hull bran, nut shells, cotton-seed hulls, cellulose, lignum, and other materials which produce distillates worth recovering. The material treated usually produces a charcoal which is also valuable. Heretofore great difficulties have occurred in the continuous distillation of products of the kind memtioned, principally from the fact that it has been found difiicult toexclude oxygen from the retort in which the materials are heated, so that explosive mixtures are formed or serious fires have occurred, and furthermore difficulties have arisen in properly separating the gases and in getting the non-condensable gases back to the furnace where they could be suitably used for fuel to heat the retort. The gases and vapors liberated in the retort have a great tendency to work back through the charge and become mixed with atmospheric air, thus producing combustion or explosion and there has been a tendency for the gas fed to the furnace to flare back and do damage. The object of my present in vention is to overcome these difficulties and provide a simple, safe and efficient means of.

carrying on distillation, preferably continuous. More specifically the object of my invention is to produce an apparatus in which a rotaryretort is highly-heated, and in which the charge as it is fed to the retort is compressed so as to seal the intake end of the retort, and further to exclude most of the oxygen from the charge by compression. F urthermorel carry out the same idea by using the charcoal carbonized or residue ma terial which is discharged from the retort in such a way as to seal the discharge end of the retort, thus preventing the escape of all the vapors and gases except through their proper outlet t0.a suitable condenser. An-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. ML, 1917.

Serial No. 100,191. I

for condensing the gases and vapors so far as possible, using the uncondensed gases for fuel to heat the retort, and interposing a seal, preferably a water seal, in the track of the uncondensed gases between the furnace and the condenser so that there can be no flareback to the condenser from the retort. Another object of my invention is to improve the construction of such apparatus to the end that the work may be carried forward rapidly and economically.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts i-n'all the views.

Figure l is a longitudinal section of the apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. Q-is a cross section showing the arrangement of the plural retorts in the form of a battery.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line 33 of 'Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of a plunger and conveyor mechanism at the discharge end. of the apparatus.

The apparatus utilizes a rotary retort 10 which is preferably cylindrical, having a reduced or neck portion 10 at the intake end which is preferably integral with the body of the retort and serves the purpose of a driving shaft as well as an inlet. The neck while structurally a part of the retort, is not so functionally as no reduction takes place therein. It is an extension of the feed pipe and removes the feeding means from the heat zone of the retort, interposing a quantity of compressed matter in the form of a seal between the hot gases of the retort and the feed. This simplifies the end construction of the retort and makes it exceedingly strong. The retort is mounted in suitable brickwork 11 or the like, and in Fig. 2 I have shown a battery of two retorts and accessory apparatus, though obviously batteries of any desired number can be arranged.

The retorts are provided with internal blades 12 to keep the stock or material in the retort agitated, and each retort is mounted in a heat distributing chamberl2 which receives its heat from a heating chamber or flue 13 connecting with the firebox 14 of the furnace, and numerous ports 15 open other object of my invention is to provide 1 through the wall of the chamber 13 into parting from the principle of the invention.

The neck 10 of the retort is mounted in a suitable bearing 17 as shown in Fig. 1, and the discharge end of the retort is preferably unreduced and turns in the gland 18 connecting with the hollow head 19, and by reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that this arrangement provides for the longitudinal eX-- pansion of the retort while preserving a tight oint.

The retort can be rotated in any suitable manner, and I have shown the neck 1O provided with a worm-wheel 20 meshing with a worm 21 which can be turned in any suit able way, and behind the worm-wheel 20 is a collar 22 adapted to abut with an arm 22 on the support of the bearing 17, and also provided with an arm 22 adapted to abut with the support of the bearing 17, thus providing for the end thrust of the retort. This is a simple and suitable means for taking up the thrust of the retort, but any suitable thrust bearings can be. substituted. It will be observed that some sort of thrust bearing is desirable, as the retort is inclined so that the material within it as it carbonizes will gravitate to the discharge end of the retort.

The neck 10 ofwthe retort terminates at its outer end in a gland 23 which receives the feed pipe 24 which discharges into the neck 10 The feed pipe is supported in a suitable bearing 25 on a bracket 25 which is carried by the brickwork 11, although the pipe can be supported in any suitable manner. The feed pipe 24 receives the material to be treated from a hopper 26, and a plunger 27 reciprocates below the mouth of the opper and rams the charge into the pipe 24 and neck 10 of the retort, and the material drops from the neck into the body of the re tort. The above arrangement is very important, and care should be taken to have the stroke of the plunger 27 of such length that it will not quite reach the back wall of the hopper 26 where it enters the pipe 24, so that there will be a little clearance at the hopper mouth from which the oxygen expelled by the ramming of the charge can pass out through the loose material in the hopper. The back stroke of the plunger 27 should bring the inner end of the plunger just back-of the front wall of the hopper 26,

so that at each stroke the dust and finely divided material of the charge will be wiped oil' the plunger, otherwise the plunger would soon clog.

I have found from actual experience that the ramming of the. charge is the surest and safest way to expel the oxygen from the charge and to seal the intake end of the retort. My experience has shown that the charge becomes so thoroughly compressed in the neck 10 and pipe 24 that an effective seal is made, and none of the vapors from the retort pass back through the compressed charge. I believe that it is novel to efi ect the seal of a retort in this manner, and I do not limit my invention to the particular plunger arrangement, although I have found this to be desirable. The plunger 27 can be operated in any convenient manner, and I have shown it provided with a connecting rod 28 leading to an eccentric 29 working in a casing 30 at the outer. end of the pipe 24, and driven by a pulley 31 or equivalent means of driving. 1

At the discharge end of the retort the latter is preferably supported on a spider 32 which is attached to a shaft 33, and the shaft extends through a gland 19 in the head 19 and is supported in a bearing 34 which is carried by the bracket 35 attached to the head 19, and the bearing 34 is pref erably an adjustable one as shown in Fig. 3,

any suitable form of adjustment being used.

At the lower portion of the hollowhead 19 a pocket 36 is formed which discharges into a pipe 37 extending transversely of the retort as shown in Fig. 3, and in this pipe is a conveyer 38 which carries the carbonized product, usually charcoal, from the retort into a hopper 37*, .this havingpreferably a removable cover 37 and delivering into a pipe 39 in which operates a plunger 27 this working like the plunger 27 already referred to and serving to ram the. material discharged from the pipe 37 and compress it in the pipe 39, and thus it will be seen that the material discharged from the retort is compressed so as to make an effective seal against the escape of gases or vapors.

I have shown the pipe 39 having at one end a casing 40 to incase the plunger working mechanism, this arrangement being similar to that of the casing 30 at the' intake end of the apparatus. The pipe 39 discharges into a suitable receptacle 41. The gases and vapors freedfrom the material in the retort pass out from the upper part of the head 19'through a pipe 42 and into a condenser 43 which can be of any preferred type. This is provided with a gooseneck 44 through which the distillates or condensed materials are drawn, and a pipe 44 carries off the uncondenscd gases and delivers them to a water seal '45. The gases bubble through the seal and continue on through a pipe 46 to the fire-box'14 ofthe furnace. These gases contain tarry matter,

and it is desirable to mingle air with the gases as they enter the furnace,'and to this end the pipe 46 enters the furnace through an air pipe 47, thus getting aBunsen burner efi'ect. With some materials I find that the gases are sufficient to provide all the heat necessary for carrying on the distillation, that is the thorough heating of the retort and in any event they assist in providing the necessary fuel. IVhere attempts have been made to utilize these uncondensed gases for heating retort furnaces, in some cases the flare back from the furnace will pass through the condenser or at least into it, and will result in damage to the apparatus, but the water seal absolutely prevents any flare back.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide a comparatively simple, safe, rapid, and efficient means for carrying on the destructive distillation of many kinds of material, of saving the distillates, of utilizing the non-condensable gases for fuel, and of preserving the carbonized material.

IYhile I have shown my improvement as applied to the destructive distillation of finely divided cellulose material, it will be understood that in some of its broader aspects it is not limited to the destructive distillation, in which case the residue products after the vapors and gases are withdrawn from the retort may not be carbonized, and while my invention is best carried out in a continuous process, it will be seen that if the process is not continuous still it may involve many features of my invention.

I claim 1. An apparatus for continuous distillation of wood or other similar material comprising a continuously operating retort, a valveless passageway for feeding the retort, and mbans for compressing material while in a finely divided state in said passageway to expel air therefrom, and continuously to force such material while thus compressed through the passageway into the retort.

2. In an apparatus for the continuous distillation of wood or other similar material, the combination of a rotary retort, a valveless passageway leading to the retort, and means for compressing the material to be treated in such passageway to expel air therefrom and continuously to force .such material while thus compressed into the retort.

3. In an apparatus for the destructive distillation of wood or other similar material, the combination of a continuously operating retort and means for compressing such material to expel air therefrom and to force such material while thus compressed into the retort.

4. In an apparatus for the continuous distillation of wood or other material, the combination of a continuously operating retort inwhich gases or vapors are continuously generated, an exterior valveless inlet passageway to said retort, said passageway having its inlet portion spaced apart from the retort, and means for forcing such material while in a finely divided state into such passageway, compressing it tightly therein to form a seal in the passageway against the escape of said gases or vapors and forcing it therethrough into'the retort, whereby such material may be continuously fed to the retort Without the escape of gases or vapors back from the retort through the from the retort through the inlet passageway.

6. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a rotary retort, a stationary valveless feed pipe exterior of but delivering to the retort, a hopper for the feed pipe spaced apart from the retort to provide for a continuous seal between the hopper and the retort, and a plunger reciprocating in the feed pipe to ram the charge therein, seal the feed pipe, and arranged to feed .material while the retort is in operation.

7. In an apparatus for the destructive distillation of wood or other similar material, the combination of a rotary retort, a stationary exterior passageway leading to the retort having an inlet spaced apart fromthe retort, and means for utilizing the charge as it is fed through the passageway to the retort to continuously seal the passageway from the escape of gaseous products from the retort from said passageway.

8. In an apparatus for distilling Wood or other similar material, the combination of a retort, and means for utilizing the carbonized materialas it is Withdrawn from the retort to seal the outlet from the escape of gaseous products from the retort through said outlet.

9. In an apparatus for distilling woodor other similar material, the combination of a retort, means for drawing off the gaseous products from the retort, and means for utilizing the residue material as it is withdrawn from the retort to seal the outlet passage for the said residue material from the escape of gaseous products through such outlet.

10. In an apparatus for distilling wood or other similar material, the combination of a retort, a discharge passageway for the removal of the residue material after distillation, and means for compressing such residue material tightly into the discharge passageway and forcing it therethrough in such tightly compressed condition whereby the residue material will be discharged from the retort without permitting the escape of gases or vapors from the retort through the discharge passageway.

11. In apparatus for distilling wood or other similar material, the combination of a retort, an inlet passageway to the retort, a hopper for feeding the charge or material to the passageway, and a reciprocating plunger located beneath the hopper and in line with the passageway and adapted to force the said material into the passageway and to compress it in such operation to force out air from said material as it enters the passageway, and to force the compressed material through the passageway and into the retort, the said plunger in its forward or compressing movement stopping short of the-side of the hopper near the outlet of the passageway so as to permit the escape of a1r from the material as it is being compressed.

12. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination of a retort, an inlet passageway to the retort, means for feeding a charge or material to be treated in a finely divided form to the passageway and through an. opening in the'wall thereof, and a reciprocating plunger arranged to ram the material in the passageway and force the material into the passageway, and to compress it in such operation to force out air from the said material as it enters the passageway, and to force the compressed material through the passageway and into the retort, the sald plunger in its forward or compressing movement stopping short of the side of the opening in the passageway wall nearest the retort so as to permit the escape of air from the material as it is being compressed.

13. In apparatus for distilling wood or other similar material, the combination of a retort, an inlet passageway to the retort, a hopper for feeding the cellulose or other material in a finely divided form to the passageway, and a reciprocating plunger located beneath the hopper and in line with the passageway, and adapted to force the said material into the passageway and to compress it in such operation to force out air from the said material as it enters the passageway, and to force the compressed material through the passageway and into the retort, the said plunger in its forward or compressing movement stopping short of the side of the hopper near the outlet of the passageway so as to permit the escape of air from the material as it is being compressed, the plunger on its return stroke withdrawing underneaththe bottom of the other wall of the hopper to remove the material from the top of the plunger to prevent clogging of the plunger.

masses tinuously forcing such material into the.

passageway, compressing it tightly therein, and continuously forcing it therethrough while the retort is in operation, whereby the passage of such material through such passageway may be effected without the escape of gases or vapors from the retort.

15. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a retort, means for heating the retort, means for drawing off the vapors and gases therefrom, means for feeding a charge to the retort and utilizing the feed as a seal to prevent the escape of gases through the inlet, means for withdrawing residue material after the gases have been liberated, and means for utilizing the residue material as it is withdrawn to seal the outlet for such material against the escape of gases from the retort through such outlet.

16. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a rotary retort having a reduced neck rigidly connected with its body, and a gland in the neck, a valveless feed pipe entering the gland whereby the feed pipe and reduced neck form a continuous passageway, and means for forcing material to be treated through the feed pipe and neck to the retort.

17. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a rotary retort having a reduced rigid neck at one end forming a feed inlet, said neck having a gland therein, a feed pipe entering the gland of the neck so that the feed pipe and neck form a continuous pas-v sageway, means for compressing material in the feed pipeand neck to prevent the escape of gases from the retort and to expel air from the material, means for forcing the said compressed material intothe retort, and means for removing the treated material from the retort.

18. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a rotary inclined retort having a reduced pipe-like neck at its inlet end forming a part of the retort and provided with a gland, means for heating the retort, a feed pipe entering the gland of the neck, means for compressing material to be treated in a feed pipe and forcing it thus compressed through the feed pipe and neck to the retort, means for removing the gases from theretort, and means for removing the carbonized material from the lowerend of the retort.

19. An apparatus of the kind describ d comprising a rotary inclined retort, means for heating the retort, a stationary feed pipe entering the retort, means for continuously compressing the charge as it enters the retort thereby sealing the retort and expelling the oxygen from the charge, and means for withdrawingthe treated material from the retort.

20. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a rotary retort having a reduced pipe-like inlet end, a stationary feed pipe connected end to end with the reduced part of the retort whereby the feed pipe and reduced end form a continuous inlet, means for compressing the charge for the retort in said feed pipe while the retort is in operation, means for continuously forcing the material through the feed pipe and reduced end to the retort, and means for withdrawing the treated material from the retort.

21. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a retort, means for heating the retort, means for continuously compressing the charge as it enters the retort so as to seal the inlet and expel oxygen, means for withdrawing the treated materials from the retort, and means for continuously compressing'such materials while being withdrawn to seal the retort.

22. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a retort, a feed pipe entering the retort, means for ramming and thereby compressing the charge as it passes through the feed pipe-so as to seal the retort and expel air from the charge, means for withdrawing gases and vapors from the retort, an outlet pipe to carry away the residuum from the retort, and means for ramming the residuum in the outlet pipe as the material is withdrawn thereby sealing the retort.

23. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a retort, means for compressing the charge as it enters the retort thereby sealing the latter, means for drawing 01f vapors and gases from the retort, and means for collecting the carbonized material from the retort and sealing the retort therewith as such carbonized material is discharged.

24. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a rotary inclined retort, means for heating the retort, means for continuously compressing the charge as it enters the retort, means for withdrawing the vapors and gases from the retort, and means for compressing the carbonized material as it is discharged from the retort thereby sealing the latter.

25. An apparatus of the kind described comprising a retort, means for heating the means for heating the retort, means forv drawing ofl vapors and ases therefrom, and a plunger mechanism or compressing the carbonized material as it leaves the retort thereby sealing the retort.

27. In an apparatus of the kind described the combination with the rotary retort, of the stationary hollow head at the discharge end of the retort, means for withdrawing gases and vapors from said head, means for discharging carbonized material from the lower portion of said head, and means for compressing said carbonized material and thereby sealing the said discharge end of the retort.

28. The combination with the rotary inclined retort, of an enlarged stationary hol low head connected with the discharge end of the retort, apocket formed in the lower part of the head, a conveyer connected with the said pocket, and means for ramming and compressing the discharged material as it leaves the conveyer thereby sealing the discharge end of the retort.

29. An apparatus for the continuous destructivedistillation of wood or other similar material, comprisin a rotary retort, means for continuously eeding a chargeto the retort, means for continuously com ressing the charge in the inlet to expel tlib air and form a seal, means for continuously discharging the carbonized products from the retort, means for continuously compressing such carbonized products as they are withdrawn so as to seal the discharge end'of the retort, and means for drawing oif the gaseous products of the retort.

STEWART E. SEAMAN.

Witnesses: Rmmonns Barrows, A. B. JACKSON.

Images