Kiln for the thermal treatment of slurry type materials such as magnesite

#The invention relates to an improved kiln for heat treating slurries of material such as magnesite hydrate slurries.

#In kilns which have been provided heretofore, overlying beds have been provided for the thermal treatment of materials, but in order to obtain adequate treatment, the kilns have been very tall requiring a great deal of space and requiring expensive construction. This type of construction has also required a high expenditure of thermal energy. In accordance with the concepts of the present invention, the height of the kiln chamber is greatly reduced, and the thermal energy and mechanical energy requirements are reduced with a commensurate improvement in operation and in the product obtained.

#It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved thermal treatment kiln for the treatment of material such as magnesite hydrate wherein the operation is such that the required height of the kiln is reduced considerably over that which was necessary by methods heretofore practiced.

#Other objects, advantages and features of the invention, as well as equivalent structures and methods, which are intended to be covered herein, will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiments in the specification, claims, and drawings, in which:

#The single FIGURE of the drawing is a somewhat schematic elevational view shown in section of a kiln constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

#The drawing shows a kiln with an outer housing wall 1 of fireproof material which is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a flat roof. The cylindrical housing wall 1 forms a kiln chamber therein which has an upper chamber portion 7 which is the spray chamber, and a lower chamber portion. Within the lower chamber are a plurality of tiers formed by hearths 2 which are supported on the wall 1 of the chamber and have openings such as illustrated at 3 and 4 which are staggered. As illustrated, the openings for one tier will be at the center, and for the next successive tier, will be outwardly thereof so that the material must pass back and forth and travel transversely over each hearth surface as it moves downwardly.

#To aid in processing the material as it passes through the lower portion of the chamber over the hearth, is a central rotor which has a hollow central shaft 5 and a plurality of radially extending arms 6. The arms will be provided with blades, not shown, which will aid in moving the material across the hearth.

#The kiln is mounted on a support floor, and at the lower end of the kiln, it is open to remove the treated material which flows downwardly as shown by the arrowed line 4a.