Document 4RVakxD9RY3zg4L9pvqJ0wqe

Oct 14, 1947. e. r. powell 2,428,810 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOB F1BBBIZINO MOLTEN MATERIAL Filed April 29, 1943 MTC 017027 Patented Oct 14, 1947 2,428,810 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,428,810 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FIBERIZING MOLTEN MATERIAL "' Edward R. Powell, North Plainfield, N. J., assignor to Johns-Manville Corporation, New York, N. Y,, a corporation gf New York. Application April 29,1943, Serial tjo. ^85,009| 10 Claims. (CL 18--2.6) 12 The present Invention relates to the manu charged in position for fiberization. The raw facture of mineral wool and particularly to im material melted in furnace 10 may comprise rock, proved apparatus for converting molten raw ma slag, giass'and mixtures thereof or other thermo- terial into fibers. The term "mineral wool" Is pi^tic materials employed in the manufacture of employed herein in a generic sense to include 8 mineral woo glass' wool'and the like. wool or fibers formed from rock, slag, glass, mix " Helper the end of trough 12 and positioned to tures thereof and like raw materials. receive the'moiten material is a fiberizing device Heretofore mineral wool has been made in a indicatedgeherally at 16 and, in accordance with number of ways Including the conventional meth the invention! comprising a plurality of rotors. od of disintegrating molten material into a mul 10 The rptors"are indicated' at 18 and 20 and are tiplicity of fibers by the action of a high pressure preferably of cylindrical shape though they may steam jet. More recently it has been proposed to be slightly coned if desired. Rotor IB is affixed flberize the molten material by the use of a to a shaft 22forrcitation therewith, the shaft be spinner or rotor rotated at high speed upon ing sujgippted in suitable bearings 24, carried by which the material impinges and by which it is 15 any desired mounting. "Rotor 18 is positioned to broken up into drops or masses which are thrown have its peripherai surface contacted by molten from the spinner by centrifugal force to be material stream 14.' Rotor 18 is tilted with re drawn into fiber or thread form. The principal spect to rotor 20. The particular degree of tilt object of the instant invention is the provision of of rotor 18 is npt critical within reasonable lim- an improved apparatus and-methad. of the lat- 20 its but, for the purposes of example, it may be ter type. " stat,ed`that a tilt of 12 degrees from the vertical, Another object of the invention is the provi where rotor "20 is supported on a horizontal axis, sion of a rotor type fiberization apparatus of ln- lias "been found satisfactory in service. Rotor 20 creasecLflber yield, and which will produce a finer, is carried by a shaft 26! for rotation therewith, more uniform fiber than obtained by prior prac 25 the shaft being supported in bearings 28, also tice. Further objects of the invention are the pro carried by any suitable mounting. Shafts 22 and 26 are driven by a motor or other suitable vision of an apparatus including multiple rotors means".(not shpwn) for rotation in opposite di acting in succession on the molten material"SficTof rections and so that points on the upper arcs of improved rotor constructions and arrangements. 3{i the pertpheries of the rotors approach each other, My invention will be more fully understood end gs Indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. The mount further objects and advantages thereof will be ing of the" shafts'is such that the spacing be come apparent when reference is made to the tween the rotors, as well as the angle between more detailed description thereof which is to fol the planes of their faces, may be varied as found low and to the accompanying drawings, in which: 35 necessary or desirable. ' Fig. 1 Is a diagrammatic elevational view il Referring now particularly to Fig. 4, the pe lustrating the arrangement of the material melt ripheral surfaces of the rotors are provided with ing and fiberizing means; a succession of annular grooves 28. The grooves Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of rotor 20 are suitably V-shaped in cross-section taken on a line 2--2 of Fig. 1; 40 and of relatively small uniform size. Rotor 18 Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of is provided with a few somewhat larger and deep Fig. 2; er annular grooyes 30, preferably rectangular Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale in cross-section, on and adjacent that portion of taken on a line 4--4 of Fig. 2; and the rotor surface impacted by the stream of mol- Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 il 45 ten slag or other material 14, with which the lustrating the condition of the rotor surfaces dur molten material forms a relatively permanent, ing operation. bond'/' The" remainder of the peripheral surface Referring now to the drawings there is shown of the rptor is'grooved similarly as rotor 20. It an apparatus comprising a melting furnace 10. has been found that where the rotors have a pe The furnace illustrated is of the cupola type but so ripheral velocity of about 13,000' ft/mmute (4500 it will be understood that any other suitable melt R. P. M. for an 11-inch diameter rotor) the fine ing furnace such as a tank furnace may be em grooves 28 should run about 20 to 40/inch. The ployed, if desired. The furnace includes a dis grooves serve to retain the molten slag or other charge trough 12 by which a stream of molten material tp build up incandescent rings on the material 14 is drawn from the furnace and dis- -5 peripheral surfaces of the rotors. It is pointed out MTC 017028 2,428,810 34 that the particular size and character of the given conditions. It will be understood that there grooves will depend upon the several operating is, in effect, a relationship between these several characteristics, such as the peripheral speed of factors which must be maintained within reason the rotor surfaces, the viscosity of the molten able limits. Also the molten material must be material and the like. s at a sufficiently high temperature to maintain the In the operation of-the apparatus described bonded rings in an incandescent state to permit above the position of rotor 18 is adjusted so tiiat the flberization to take place. the molten material stream 14 impinges against The fiber formed, as described above, may be llts peripheral surface somewhat to the left of a collected in any suitable manner. Also, a binder 'vertical line drawn through the rotor axis, as 10 may be introduced into the fiber, if desired, the Wiewed in Fig. 2. The adjustment also provides: particular construction and operation of binder for the impingement of the molten material addition and felting means not forming a part stream on that part of the rotor surface having of the instant invention. / ) gjsfs the relatively deep grooves 3D. Rotors 18 and The construction, as explained above, has been 1 20 are adjusted to provide a Eight or space there- j5 found to deliver a greatly increased fiber yield {.between of approximately the combined thickness ., over other rotor type fiberizing means as hereto-^ | of the molten material built up on the rotors, fore proposed. Also, a relatively fine and uniform | i say, Vs" to A" and rotor 18 is tilted to lie in a fiber is obtained adapting the product for many! plane at an angle to the plane of rotor 20. Rotors different uses. (8 and 20 are driven in opposite directions, as 2o . Having thus described my invention in rather previously explained, and at suitable peripheral full detail, it will be understood that these details speeds, depending upon the particular operating need not be strictly adhered to, but that various conditions such as the fluidity of the molten ma changes and modifications will suggest them terial. Fljr purposes of example, it may be stated . selves to one skilled in the art, all falling within that in employing a conventional mineral wool 25 the scope of the invention as defined by the sub melt, successful operation was obtained by driv joined claims. ing rotors, approximately 11" in diameter and grooved as previously described, at 4500 R. P. M. The molten material impinging on rotor 18 is What I claim is: 1. In a mineral wool apparatus including means for discharging a molten material stream many partially bonded to the rotor in grooves 30, the 30 times larger than the fibers to be formed there bonded material forming a relatively permanent from, a rotor of a character to withstand the non-stripping annular ring or rings 32 (see Fig. heat of the molten stream positioned to receive 5) revolving with the rotor. Most of the stream. said stream, means for rotating said rotor at high . ,, however, is promoted hv the riotor almost t.an- speed, a second, similar rotor adjacent said first ' gentiaHy to the surface thereof, at a greatly ac- 35 rotor but spaced therefrom and positioned to re , celerated speed and in a slightly spread condi ceive molten material discharged from said first tion, onto the peripheral surface of the second rotor, means to rotate said second rotor at high rotor, as liidTOiUea in -Fig. 2: The molten ma speed and in a direction opposite to the rotation terial bonds in the grooves of rotor 20 to provide of said first rotor, and means on said rotor sur an annular ring 34, the excess unbonded material 40 faces to retain rings of the molten material being proTedtedTangentially back to the first ro- thereon. i ; tor. The bond of the matgrlalin-ttfe~finer grooves 2. In a mineral wool apparatus including means 1 Av-' _28 is of a relatively temporary nature ana rrbm for discharging a molten material stream many i- time to time the material may strip from these times larger than the fibers to be formed there grooves. However, after stripping, bonding of 45 from, a rotor of a character to withstand the the material in the grooves will immediately be heat of the molten stream positioned to receive resumed. Due to the tilt of the first rotor rela said stream on its peripheral surface, means for tively to the second, the material projected back rotating said rotor in one direction at high speed, strikes rotor 18 at a location laterally removed a second, similar rotor adjacent but spaced from from the location of impact of the original stream 50 said first rotor and positioned to receive on its i to form a second annular bonded slag ring 38 on peripheral surface molten material discharged by rotor 18 (see Fig. 5). ~ said first rotor, means to rotate said second rotor The projection of the unbonded molten mate- at high speed in a direction opposite to the rota rial from one rotor to the other may continue to tion of said first rotor, and means on said rotor tform a third bonded ring 38 on rotor 20, as in- 55 surfaces to retain rings of the molten material dicated in Fig. 57aHcTlikewise in somfrnstances thereon. may again be projected back onto rotor 18. In 3. In a mineral wool apparatus including means each case the additional ring will be laterally re for discharging a molten material stream many moved from the previous rings due to the relative times larger than the fibers to be formed there tilting of the rotors. 60 from, a rotor of a character to withstand the When the remaining unbonded molten mate heat of the molten stream positioned to receive rial reaches the bite between the rotors it is lev said stream, a second rotor of similar character eled cff and admixed instantaneously with the and tilted with respect to said first-mentioned material which has been carried around each ro- rotor and positioned to receive material discharged ,tor. As the rotor surfaces separate considerable 65 by said first rotor, means for rotating said rotors flberization Jakes placeljyTBEjgillinft~OI Th'ema- at high speeds and in opposite directions and MTC 017029 terjal irom the surfaces of theopposite rotors, means on said rotors to retain rings of the molten .the fi5ers"6eIHgr'iKomentarily attached to both. material thereon. The molten incandescent material on tEe outer 4. In a mineral wool apparatus including means surface of rings 32, 34, 36 and 38 is thrown off by 70 for discharging a molten material stream many centrifugal force and drawn out into fibers due to times larger than the fibers to be formed there the velocity of movement. from, a cylindrical rotor having a forward face As has been referred to above, the peripheral and including a peripheral surface of a charac ' speeds of the rotors, the fluidity of the melt and ter to withstand the heat of the molten stream the grooving of the rotors, may be varied to meet 75 positioned to receive said stream on its peripheral ,2 438,810 56 surface, means for rotating said rotor at high 8. In a mineral wool apparatus including means speed In one direction, a second cylindrical rotor for discharging a molten material stream many of similar character adjacent but spaced from times larger than the fibers to be formed there said first-mentioned rotor and having a forward from, a rotor of a character to withstand the face lying In a plane at an angle to the plane of the forward face of said first rotor, the line 6 heat of the molten material, means supporting said rotor on an axis at an angle to the horizon of intersection of said planes passing through the tal and in position to receive said stream on its axes of said rotors, said second rotor being posi peripheral surface, said surface including annu tioned to receive on its peripheral sin-face molten lar material-retaining grooves, means for rotat material discharged from said first rotor, means 10 ing said rotor at high speed in one direction, a for rotating said second rotor at high speed in second rotor of similar character, means support a direction opposite to the rotation of said first ing said second rotor on a substantially horizontal rotor, and means on said surfaces of the rotors axis lying in a vertical plane substantially paral to retain rings of the molten material thereon. lel to the vertical plane of the axis of the first 5. In a mineral wool apparatus including means to discharge a molten material stream many times 15 rotor and in position to receive on its peripheral surface material discharged by said first rotor, larger than the fibers to be formed therefrom, a said surface of said second rotor including annu rotor of a character to withstand the heat of the lar material-retaining grooves, and means for ro molten stream positioned to receive said stream tating said second rotor at high speed in a direc on its peripheral surface, said surface including annular material-retaining grooves, means for ro 20 tion opposite to the rotation of said first rotor. 9. In a mineral wool apparatus including tating said rotor at high speed in one direction, means for discharging a molten material stream a second rotor of similar character adjacent but many times larger than the fibers to be formed spaced from said first rotor and positioned to therefrom, a rotor of a character to withstand the receive on its peripheral surface molten mate rial discharged by said first rotor, said surface of 25 heat of the molten material, means supporting said rotor on an axis at an angle to the horizontal the second rotor having annular material-retain and in position to receive said stream on its pe ing grooves, and means for rotating said second ripheral surface, means for rotating said rotor rotor at high speed in a direction opposite to the at high speed, a second rotor of similar character, rotation of said first rotor. 6. In a mineral wool apparatus including means 30 means supporting said second rotor on a substan tially horizontal axis lying in a vertical plane for discharging a molten material stream many substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the times larger than the fibers to be formed there axis of said first rotor and in position to receive from, a cylindrical rotor having a forward face on its peripheral surface molten material dis and including a peripheral surface of a character to withstand the heat of the molten stream posi 35 charged by said first rotor, and means to rotate said second rotor at high speed in a direction op tioned to receive said stream on its peripheral posite to the rotation of said first rotor. surface, said surface having relatively large an 10. A method of making mineral wool from a nular retaining grooves at the location of contact molten mineral material comprising discharging with said stream and relatively fine annular grooves on the remainder of said surface, means 40 said material onto a peripheral surface of a rotor having means on said surface for retaining mol for rotating said first rotor at high speed, a ten material thereon and rotating on an approx second rotor of similar character adjacent but imately horizontal axis, whereby a portion of the spaced from said first rotor and positioned to material is retained on said surface by said means receive on its peripheral surface molten material discharged by said first rotor, said surface of the second rotor having annular relatively fine ma terial-retaining grooves, means for rotating said second rotor at high speed in a direction oppo site to the rotation of said first rotor, said second rotor having a forward face lying in a plane at a slight angle to the plane of the forward face of said first rotor. 7. In a mineral wool apparatus Including 45 60 in the form of ^n incandescent ring, and another portion is thrown off, intercepting said other por tion on the peripheral surface of another rotor similar to said first rotor whereby an incandes cent ring is formed on said second Totor, and ro tating said rotors at sufficiently high speeds aiid in opposite directions to form fibers from said incandescent rings. EDWARD R. POWELL. means for discharging a molten material stream many times larger than the fibers to be formed therefrom, a rotor of a character to withstand the heat of the molten material supported on an 55 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record file of this patent: in the axis at an angle to the horizontal and positioned UNITED STATES PATENTS to receive said stream on its peripheral surface, means for rotating said rotor at high speed, a second rotor of similar character adjacent but spaced from said first rotor and supported on a substantially horizontal axis and positioned to receive on its peripheral surface molten material discharged by said first rotor, means to rotate said second rotor at high speed, and means on said rotor surfaces to retain rings of the molten 60 65 Number 998,358 1,459,947 2,150,945 2,243,122 674,718 2,176,808 2,315,735 Name Date LessingJuly 18, 1911 CronemeyerJune 26, 1923 SlayterMar. 21, 1939 RamseyerMay 27, 1941 WegerifMay 21, 1901 YoungOct. 17, 1939 RichardsonApr. 6, 1943 material thereon. MTC 017030