Removable seal for ash hoppers and the like

In combination with an ash producing facility having a downwardly directed ash opening in the lower region thereof, an ash receiving means below said opening and laterally movable with respect thereto, and means providing a removable seal between said facility and said receiving means the improvement wherein said seal means comprises a liquid retaining trough carried by said ash receiving means and disposed about a downward projection of said opening, and a floatable seal curtain disposed in said trough and movably in accordance with the liquid level therein to and from a position sealingly engaging said facility and a position spaced therefrom, and means to control the liquid level in the trough.

An ash producing facility having a bottom ash opening, a submerged scraper type, laterally movable ash hopper beneath said opening adapted to be filled with water to a predetermined level, and means providing a removable substantially gas-tight seal between the furnace and the hopper, said seal means including an endless trough mounted on said hopper and sealed with relation thereto, said trough extending around a downward projection of said ash opening, an endless float positioned in and extending throughout said trough, a corrugated sheet member extending up from said float throughout the extent thereof engaging the furnace bottom when in an upper position and spaced therefrom when in a lower position, resilient means providing a general fluid-tight seal between said sheet member and said furnace bottom when the former is in its upper position, and means for controlling the admission and discharge of water to said trough to control the position of said metallic member by said float.