Page 1 of 49

FABRICATION OF FLIDISATION COLUMMN

CONTENTS

no

Name of the content

Page no

What is fluidization

05

Reason for choosing this project

10

Scope for doing this project in future

10

Raw material procurement

11

Process details

16

Details about fluidization column

21

Equipments needed

59

Chemical Reactions involved

61

Material balance

61

10 Cost of the project

61

11 Conclusion

62

Page 2 of 49

FLUIDIZATION

Fluidization is defined as

-- an operation through which fine solids are transformed into a fluid like state
through contact with either a gas or a liquid.

Under the fluidized state, the gravitational pull on granular solid particles is
offset by the fluid drag on them. Thus the particles remain in a semi-suspended
condition. A fluidized bed displays characteristics similar to those of a liquid, as
explained below with the help of Figure 1.

Figure 1 A fluidized bed demonstrates all the characteristics of a fluid.

1. The static pressure at any height is approximately equal to the weight of
bed solids per unit cross section above that level.
2. The bed surface maintains a horizontal level, irrespective of how the bed
is titled; also the bed assumes the shape of the vessel.
3. The solids from the bed may be drained like a liquid through an orifice at
the bottom or on the side.
4. An object denser than the bulk of the bed will sink, while one lighter than
the bed will float. Thus, a steel ball sinks in the bed, while a light
shuttlecock floats on the surface.

Page 3 of 49

5. Particles are well mixed, and the bed maintains a nearly uniform
temperature throughout its body when heated.

An increase in the gas velocity through a bed of granular solids brings about
changes in the mode of gas-solid contact in many ways. With changes in gas
velocity the bed moves from one state or regime to another.
These regimes arranged tentatively in order of increasing velocities are
packed bed (fixed)
bubbling bed
turbulent bed
fast bed
transport bed (pneumatic or entrained bed).

Under certain conditions one may also attain slugging or dense phase
suspension flows.

Figure 2 presents a regime diagram illustrating the presence of those

regimes in different types of boilers. It shows that the volume fraction of solids in
the combustion zone decreases continuously with superficial gas velocity in the
furnace or the combustion zone. Stoker-fired boilers use the densest combustion
zone, while pulverized boilers use the leanest. The furnace of a Bubbling or
Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) boiler lies between these two extremes.

Page 4 of 49

Figure 2. Different commercial combustion systems operate under different

gas-solid flow regimes.

Table 1. Comparison of principal gas-solid contacting combustion

Page 5 of 49

processes.
Property

Packed Bed

Fluidized
Fast Bed
Bed

Application in
boilers

Stoker Fired

Bubbling Circulating Pulverized

Fluidized Fluidized Coal fired

<300

0.03-3

0. 05-0.5

0.02-0.08

0.5-3

3-12

15-30

0.01

0.3

40

Gas motion

Up

Up

Up

Up

Gas mixing

Near plug
flow

Complex
Dispersed Near plug
Two
Plug flow flow
phases

Static

Up &
down

Mostly up,
Up
some down

Negligible

Usually
near
Perfect

Near
Perfect

Mean particle
diameter

Pneumatic
Transport

(mm)
Gas velocity
through
combustor zone 1-3
(m/s)
Typical
U/Ut

Solids motion
Solid-solids
mixing

Near Plug
flow

Page 6 of 49

Overall voidage 0.4-0.5

Temperature
Gradient

Large

Typical bed-tosurface.
Heat transfer 50-150
coefficient

0.5-0.85 0.85-0.99 0.98-0.998

Very
Small

Small

Maybe
Significant

200-550 100-250

50-100

Some

Some

Considerable

No
problem

No problem

(W/m2K)
Attrition

Little

Agglomeration Considerable Some

Each of
the above gas-solid process has its distinct character. Table 1 presents a
comparison of some characteristic features of different gas-solid processes
used in various types of boilers. It should be noted that the term bed has been
used loosely in the Table 1 and elsewhere in the text. It refers to a body of
gas-solid in one of the above contacting modes.

REASON FOR CHOOSING THIS PROJECT

We Can learn a lot things from this experiment

Page 7 of 49

We can measure the mass flow rate of water, volume flow rate of water to
keep the quality of the product in industries.
A base for doing very big projects.
Low cost of the project
No raw materials are required
It is like training in the fabrication of equipments.

SCOPE FOR THIS PROJECT IN FUTURE

We could get opportunities to get a job in chemical field in chemical
industries. This leads to get a job in laboratories.
We could a lot of opportunities in construction field (construction of
equipments).

RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT:

Pipe fittings

Page 8 of 49

a. M seal,
b. Bend (1 GI Pipe)
c. M.T (6 pieces)
Adhesives
a. Fevicol
b. Fevi qwick
c. Thread
Pipes
a. Pipe (1 dia - Elastic pipe)
b. Hose (1.5 dia Plastic Pipe)
Glass Beads.

FLUIDIZATION
Last updated on 6 October 2008

The Fluidized State and Its Early Application

When a gas or a liquid passes upward through a packed bed of granular

particles, its motion creates friction against the particles, tending to lift them. This
lifting force increases as the velocity of the gas or liquid increases, until, at some
velocity, the fluid lifts all particles from contacting their neighbors to move freely,

Page 9 of 49

that is, they are fluidized. Segregated into a multiplicity of small particles, a
solid presents more surface to transfer heat and mass or to react with the
surrounding gas or liquid as compared to the original lumpy state.

Since the 1930s, fluidization has therefore become a significant technique

in the processing of solid materials. In the earlier years, the Oxford dictionary[1]
listed under the word fluid the verb fluidify meaning to make fluid, but
nowadays there is a second verb, fluidize, meaning to make like fluid.

In the West, Georgius Agricola[2], a German philosopher-physicianscientist, was credited for the first description of the use of fluidization, in his book
De Re Metallica (1556, Latin), to upgrade run-of-mine ores. Song Yingxin[3]
(born 1587, and called by the noted sinologist, Joseph Needham, Chinas
Agricola) also illustrated in his work, Tiengongkaiwu applications of
fluidization, not only in ore dressing but also in winnowing of grain, as shown in
Figure 1.

Page 10 of 49

Figure 1. Early application of fluidization illustrated by Song Yingxin in

Tiengongkaiwu

Left: in Volume 14, , dressing of iron ore

Right: in Volume 4, winnowing of grain

The Winkler [4] pulverized brown coal gasifier invented in the 1920s to produce
synthesis gas (H 2, CO, CO 2) was probably the first to use fluidization on an
industrial scale, starting from an initial model of 2m dia.-13m h and producing
some 2,000 m 3./h of gas, as shown in Figure 2 Up, and improved to 5.5m dia.23m h processing some 700 t/d of coal, as shown in Figure 2 Down.

Figure 2. Winklers fluidized coal gasifier

Up: Early Winkler gasifier (Amer. Gas Assoc.[7] 1945)

Page 11 of 49

Page 12 of 49

Down: Industrialized gasifier, (Nowacki, p. 204)

Nowacki[5] estimated that from its inception to the 1980s there were some
63 Winkler gasifiers in 22 plants, distributed in 9 countries. The British Ministry of
Fuel[6] and Powder estimated that from the downstream Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
of the Winkler gas some 5,000,000 tons of petroleum were produced in 1944.
From April to August of that year allied bombardment disabled most of these FT
plants to some 120,000 t/y, contributing to victory in WW2.
Through distillation of virgin petroleum only about 20% of its weight

could be recovered as gasoline. Although catalytic means to increase gasoline yield

was started in the 1920s, it was as late as 1938 that eight companies joined hands
forming Catalytic Research Associates to study catalytic cracking of petroleum by
using fluidization, leading to the first of a series of processes, SODI in Baton
Rouge[8], as shown in Figure 3.

PROCEE DETAILS

FABRICATION FLUIDISIDATION COLUMN:

AIM OF THE EXPRIMENT:

To study the characteristics of solid bed during the fluidization.

DESCRIPTION:

The fluidization column experimental setup is shown in figure. It consists of a

vertical transparent glass tube and at the inside of the glass tube, glass beads
(Spherical) are filled upto the particle height as a packing. Water can be admitted
from the bottom of this glass tube and the rate of flow of water can be controlled

Page 13 of 49

by a globe valve provided at the bottom of this unit. A wire mesh is provided at the
bottom the bed to support the glass particles. Similarly at the outlet also a wire
mesh is provided which will prevent, the entrainment glass particles.

When water is flowing upward through this column at lower velocities, the
solid bed will a main intact without expansion and behaviors of the bed will be
similar to that of fixed bed. However, as and when the fluid velocity is of gradually
increased, the bed will expand, causing an increase in the porosity of the bed.
When water velocity is further increased, the solid particles will be little up and
gradually. The particles will be behaving like a fluid. The minimum velocity of
water under fluidization starts can be determined.

When water velocity is further increased, the solid particles will be lifted up,
carried over to certain distance upward and then by the action of gravity they will
try to return to the bed. During such lifting the solid particles will be moving in a
random direction swirling of the particles can also place. When water velocity is
further increased, the solid particles will exhibit a tendency to go along with the
exit water and this condition is known as entrainment during fluidization
expansion of the bed takes place, increasing the porosity of the bed, and this causes
a decrease in pressure drop for water flowing upward through the bed.

PROCEDURE:

Water is filled up to the top surface of packing and then volume of water is
measured using measuring jar this water is equivalent to the volume of the voids in
the bed. From this the initial porosity of the bed is calculated.

Water is admitted in to the bed and with a natural rise in velocity. For each
velocity of water, the manometer recording is noted and the average height of the
bed is determined, also the weight of the water of water collected, and time taken
for collection are noted for each reading. Then the collection is made as shown.

Page 14 of 49

ABULATION:

eight of empty bucket

Manometer
reading

= 2.7 Kg

(Hg)H=
(R1-R2) m

Mass of
Water
collected
(Kg)

Time of
collection
(sec)

Mass flow
rate
(Kg/sec)

cm R2 cm

Volume Average
flow rate velocity
( 10-3)
( m/sec)
m3/sec

Reynolds
number
NRe

Height Volume Porosity

packed of packed
bed (m)
bed
( 10-4)
(m3)
0.09
1.021
0.9549

22

21

0.01

10

0.2

0.2

0.1764

6703.2

2.5

20.5

0.01

2.9

10

0.29

0.29

0.2557

9716.6

0.17

1.928

0.9552

23

19.9

0.031

3.4

10

0.34

0.34

0.2998

11392.4

0.36

4.082

0.9554

3.8

18.8

0.05

10

0.4

0.4

0.3527

13402.6

0.44

4.989

0.9555

27

15.5

0.115

4.4

10

0.44

0.44

0.3880

14744

0.60

6.804

0.9556

29

13.5

0.155

4.7

10

0.47

0.47

0.4144

15747.2

0.70

7.938

0.9571

1.1

10.5

0.206

10

0.5

0.5

0.4409

16754.2

0.81

9.186

0.9580

OBSERVATION:
Inner diameter of the glass tube (Di)

= 3.8 cm
= 0.038 m

Weight of the empty bucket

= 2.7 Kg

Viscosity ()

= 0.001

Volume of empty space

= 1.8144 10-5 m3

Model calculation:
Manometer reading

R1 (Hg)

= 31.1 cm = 0.311 m

Manometer reading

R2 (Hg)

= 10.5 cm = 0.105 m

H (Hg)

= 0.311 - 0.105
= 0.206 m

Mass flow rate

Mass of water collection Kg

Time of collectionsecs

Page 15 of 49

Volume flow rate

Area

5
10

Mass flowrate Kg/ sec

Density Kg/ m

0 .5
1000

Di2 m2

(0.038)2

= 0.5 Kg/sec

= 0.5 10-3 m3/sec

= 0.001134 m2
Average velocity

Volume flow rate

Area
3

0. 5 10
0 .001134

= 0.4409 m/sec
Reynolds number, NRe

Di V o

0. 038 0. 4409 1000

0 .001

= 16754.2
Height packed bed (h)
Volume of packed bed

= 0.81 m
=
=

Di2 h
(0.038)2 0.81

Page 16 of 49

= 9.186 10-4 m3

olume of packed bed (glass beads)

2
i

= Height glass beads (m) D

= 0.04 (0.038)2

= 4.536 10-5 m3
Volume of empty space is assumed as 15% in volume of packed bed (glass beads).
Volume of empty space

= 4.536 10-5 15% m3

= 4.536 10-5

15
100

= 0.6804 10-5

olume of solids = Volume of packed bed (glass beads)-Volume of empty space

= 4.536 10-5 0.6804 10-5
=3.8556 10-5 m3
Porosity

Total volumeVolume of solids

Total volume

9. 186 104 m3 3 .8556 105

4
9. 186 10

8. 8004 104
9 .186 104

= 0.9580

ESULT:

1.

As the velocity of water increases through the bed, the porosity is found to increase.

Page 17 of 49

2.

As the velocity increases in the pressure drop for flow of fluid through the column is found t
increase.
3. The minimum fluidization velocity is found to be = 0.9704

DETAILS ABOUT FLUIDIZATION COLUMN

A CONTINUOUS FLUIDIZATION COLUMN

A continuous fluidization-type powder drying plant having a plurality of

drying columns transversely, parallelly connected thereto, said plant being of the
structure in which a plurality of fluidization-type powder drying columns are
connected and disposed parallelly at the same height, said columns have porous
plates respectively on the same horizontal level, the neighboring columns of said
columns communicate with each other only through the gaps between the upper
sides of said porous plates and the lower ends of the sidewalls partitioning two
drying columns, a first drying column is provided on one side of the upper portion
thereof with a moist powder feeder, a last drying column is provided on the dried
powder outlets respectively, any of said drying columns is selectively provided
therein with heat exchangers, the heated gas communication chamber of said first
column is supplied under pressure with a gas of relatively high humidity, and the
other drying columns are provided with a means for feeding a gas of relatively low
humidity.

Primary Examiner:

Camby, John J.

Claims:

I claim

Page 18 of 49

1. A continuous fluidization-type powder drying plant for drying high density

chemical powders comprising in combination:

2. A plant as claimed in claim 1, including at least a third drying column after said
second drying column, said third drying column including an outlet pipe (7'") with
a throttle valve therein.

3. The method of fluidized drying of chemical powder material so that heated

drying gas is separated into a gas of high humidity and a gas of low humidity and
treating said gases in individual circuits, circulating a greater part of the heated gas
at a relatively high temperature and finish drying the material by cooling and
drying a small quantity of circulating gas at a low temperature, comprising the
steps of:

DESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

this invention relates to a continuous fluidization-type powder drying plant

having a plurality of drying chambers transversely parallelly connected thereto.

This invention has for its object the provision of a plant for drying powder, said
plant being of the structure in which, in a plant used for drying polyethylene of
high density, polypropylene and other synthetic resins or organic and inorganic
chemicals containing singly or in conjugate state hydrocarbon-based, alcoholbased, water and other solvents by a continuous fluidization system in a gas which
is in a single or azeotropic state of said organic solvents and in a nitrogen carrier
gas, an object of drying is attained by separating heated drying gas into a gas of

Page 19 of 49

high humidity and a gas of low humidity and treating the gases through individual
circuits and circulating a greater part of said heated gas in the form of the gas
treated at relatively high temperatures and which needs no special cooling, and an
object of efficient finished drying is attained by cooling and drying a small
quantity of circulating gas alone to low temperatures.

According to this invention, a cleansing column for finished drying for use in
the whole quantity of heated drying gas can be dispensed with, a refrigeration load
can be decreased to a very small degree, and a desired quantity of steam is not only
decreased but there is little or no need of nitrogen spent, with the result that cost of
operation can be reduced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a continuous fluidization-type

powder drying plant having a plurality of drying columns transversely parallelly
connected thereto, said plant being of the structure in which a plurality of
fluidization-type powder drying columns are connected and disposed parallelly at
the same height, said columns have porous plates respectively on the same
horizontal level, the neighboring columns of said columns communicate with each
other only through the gaps between the upper sides of said porous plates and the
lower ends of the sidewalls partitioning two drying columns, a first drying column
is provided on one side of the upper portion thereof with a moist powder feeder, a
last drying column is provided on dried powder outlets any of said drying columns
is selectively provided therein with heat exchangers, fine powder mixed gas outlet
pipes are respectively connected to the upper portions of the drying columns, said
pipes are led in one pipe to a cyclone collector and further to a gas cleansing and
dehumidifying column, the gas discharged from said cleansing and dehumidifying
column is separately led into a plurality of pipes, the heated gas communication
chamber of said first column is supplied under pressure with a gas of relatively
high humidity, and the other drying columns are provided with a means for feeding

Page 20 of 49

a gas of relatively low humidity.

Next, a description will be taken of the invention with reference to the

accompanying drawing illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is a diagrammatic view showing by way of example a continuous

fluidization-type powder drying plant having a plurality of drying chambers
transversely parallelly connected thereto.

DETAIL OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, continuous fluidization powder drying columns

I, II, III ... are disposed and connected in series at the same height, and provided
with porous plates 1', 1" and 1'" ... each placed on the same horizontal level,
neighboring columns I, II and II, III .... communicate with each other only through
the gaps between the upper side of the porous plates 1', 1" 1'" .... and the lower
ends of the sidewalls partitioning both columns.

A first continuous fluidization drying column I is provided on one side of the

upper portion thereof with a moist powder feeder 2, and a last fluidization powderdrying column III is provided on the side thereof with a fence 3, said fence 3 being
provided on the upper and lower edges with dried powder outlets 4 and 4',
respectively.

Any of the fluidization powder-drying columns I, II, III ... are selectively
provided therein with heat exchange devices 6', 6" ... and the columns are
respectively provided on the undersides thereof with heated drying gas
communication chamber 5', 5", 5'" ....

Page 21 of 49

The drying columns are respectively provided on the upper portions with fine
powder mixed gas outlet pipes 7', 7", 7'" ... which are connected and led in one
pipe to a cyclone collector 8 and the gas discharged from the cyclone 8 is fed to a
cleansing and dehumidifying column 9.

The discharged gas from the dehumidifying column is separately fed to a

plurality of pipes and the heated gas communication chamber 5' of said first drying
column I is supplied under pressure by pump 13, with a gas of relatively high
humidity which has been heated by a steam heater 10 and the heated gas
communication chamber 5' of the other drying columns II and III are provided
with a means for selectively supplying under pressure a gas of low humidity

(i.e. a gas of high degree of drying through a gas cooler 11 and a gas heater 12.
The apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of the drying columns
connected and disposed transversely parallelly to each other in the manner
described above).

The cleansing and dehumidifying column 9 is designed to collect heptane from

the spent liquid discharged from the column 9 and to feed the heptane at about 30
C. back thereto through a heptane cooler 9' by mean of the pump 15. The numeral
16 in the drawing designates a dehumidifier.

Next, a description will be made of the action of this invention with reference
to the case in which polyethylene of high density is used as a material to be dried.

Polyethylene granules to be dried are fed in a hexane content of 25 percent WB

to a continuous fluidization powder-drying column 1 through a humidifier 16, and
are dried on a porous plate 1' in a circulating nitrogen gas containing hexane C 6 H
14 of high humidity (45 C. dew point) to the first order balance moisture content of
1.5 to 20 percent WB in the presence of a heat exchange device 6'.

Page 22 of 49

Thereafter, the granules are moved to a porous plate 1" on the same horizontal
level with the plate 1' and to a fluidization powder-drying column II, into which a
nitrogen gas containing hexane C 6 H 14 of low humidity (a dew point of -10 to
-20 C.) is fed under pressure through a heated gas feed passageway different from
that through which the heated gas was fed to said drying column I, the granules are
dried to a higher degree of drying.

The granules thus dried to a higher degree in the drying column II are then
moved to the succeeding drying columns III--and dried to higher and higher
degrees until finally they are dried to a degree of less than 0.1 percent moisture
content in the final drying column III in the case of the plant shown.

Drying in the drying column II is reduced to be shortest necessary period of

time and the quantity of gas also is smallest in view of a separator being disposed.
The drying column III depends upon its object as a purger and upon the property
of material to be dried for its dimensions, a period of staying time allowed to the
materials
and
the
quantity
of
gas
used.

The heated gas discharged from each partitioned drying columns is fed through
each regulating valve or orifices to a cyclone collector 8 for purging and collecting
powder, and the gas is introduced into a cleansing and dehumidifying column 9.

By spraying a cooling hexane liquid from the top of the inside of the column
are effected purge of dust and dehumidifying to bring about saturation at about 40
C., and a greater part of gas is increased in pressure and elevated by a steam heater
10 to a temperature of 105 C. and circulated to the drying column I.

Part of the gas discharged from the cleansing and dehumidifying column 9,
after the increase in pressure, flows to a circuit different from said gas circulation
passageway and is circulated to the drying column II by mean of the pump 14.
This circulating gas is dehumidified by a gas cooler 11 (indirect heat exchange by

Page 23 of 49

the medium of brine from refrigerator) to a dew point of -10 C into a gas of low
humidity and elevated by a steam heater 12 to a temperature of 105 C and
circulated to the drying columns II or III.

That is to say, a large quantity of gas of high humidity and 105 C is circulated
to the drying column I and a small quantity of gas of low humidity and 105 C is
circulated to the drying columns II and III.

In the plant of a conventional type in which one drying column was mounted,
it was necessary to cool a large quantity of circulating gas to low temperatures or
to spend pure nitrogen gas for purging in large quantities.

In contrast thereto, the plant of the invention which is constructed as described

above is free from such a disadvantage and functions in the manner described, and
therefore makes it easy to dry a material to final desired moisture content by use of
a small quantity of circulating nitrogen gas during a relatively short period of gas
staying.

That is to say, as a greater part of the circulating gas is circulated as a high

dew point, there is no necessity of effecting particular drying.

A greater part of the gas can be collected by cooling by use of general

inexpensive industrial water, and a small quantity of circulating gas alone needs
being cooled to low temperatures, but as percentage of the quantity of such a gas to
the whole quantity of gas is very small, both the quantity of steam for heating and
the quantity of nitrogen spent are very small.

Primary Examiner:

Camby, John J.

Page 24 of 49

Claims:

We claim

. Apparatus for preheating pulverized materials, comprising a preheating

chamber having means at the bottom communicating with gas-supplying means
and a conduit for discharging preheated material, both being connected to a kiln, a
tube for introducing the feed, and a discharge conduit for discharging gases at the
upper zone of the chamber, characterized in that in the upper zone of the
preheating chamber below the tube for introducing the material there is provided a
rotary separating shutter with a vertical axis of rotation, said rotary separating
shutter being in its bottom part equipped with a distributing plate and a rotary
entraining disc, distributing vanes, connecting said distributing plate and said
rotary entraining disc, said rotary entraining disc being arranged coaxially with and
superposed on said distributing plate and including a hollow rotatable shaft
opening into the space between said distributing plate and said rotary entraining
disc.

2. In the apparatus according to claim 1, said distributing vanes (17) extending

forwardly with respect to, and being deflected from, the direction of rotation of
said hollow shaft.

3. In the apparatus according to claim 1, a ring (15) being arranged coaxially with
and superposed on said entraining disc (13), discharge conduit means (12), and
separating vanes (16) connecting said entraining disc and said ring, said ring
having an inner circumference which helps define an annular passage therethrough
connecting the space between said ring and said entraining disc with said discharge
conduit means (12).

Page 25 of 49

4. In the apparatus according to claim 3, portions (22) at free ends of said

separating vanes (16) extending in directions opposed to the direction of rotation
of said rotary shutter (9), flow sections of channels (23) between adjacent
separating vanes (16) being narrowed at said free end portions (22).

5. In the apparatus according to claim 3, said separating vanes (16) being deflected
backwardly with respect to the direction of rotation.

6. In the apparatus according to claim 1, an exhaust wheel (21) mounted to act

upon the gases to be discharged from said preheating chamber, and an electric
motor (19) provided to drive said distributing plate (10), said distributing vanes
(17), and said exhaust wheel (21).

DESCRIPTION:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for preheating of pulverized materials,

more particularly cement raw materials in a dry process for the production of
cement clinker.

The invention includes a preheating process preceding the burning or sintering

process in rotary kilns or other heating equipment, which process is performed in a
dispersion preheating unit by means of flue gases discharged from the kiln. The
preheating unit is installed at the entry of the kiln.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the past, preheaters have been subdivided into two groups according to their

Page 26 of 49

structure and according to the way the heat exchange is to be performed.

The preheaters of one of the groups use preheater chambers, with the heat
exchange performed in a perfect or nearly perfect countercurrent manner. The
other group comprises cyclone preheaters, with the heat exchange between gases
and material performed successively in concurrent zones arranged counter
currently.

A common object of all types of preheaters is to separate flue gases from which
heat has been recovered from the fines that have taken up the recovered heat. This
will reduce the heat content in the flue gases, increase the heating efficiency of the
preheating unit and also increase the economy of purifying the exit gases before
they are discharged into the atmosphere.

The separation of fines from the gases is performed in cyclones located in the
upper part of the preheater chamber, to which they are connected through a
pneumatic line and through a line for returning the separated materials to the
preheating process. The separating cyclones make the apparatus complicated and
increase the building height of the whole equipment. Substantial quantities of
circulated materials, causing the heat content of the discharging gases to increase,
are disadvantageous and undesirable because the heat efficiency of the preheating
unit decreases as a result thereof.

The separating cyclones located in the upper part of the preheater adversely
affect the symmetry of the arrangement in case the preheaters are of a self-carrying
structure which is undesirable. In addition to this, the exit sockets of the separating
cyclones tend to form accumulations which clog the entire system with material
and easily and frequently lead to a breakdown of the equipment.

Page 27 of 49

The heating efficiency of the preheating unit depends on a perfect and uniform
dispersion of the preheated material into the gas stream throughout the entire
length of the chamber.

In the recent preheaters, the raw material has been dispersed into the gas
stream in such a way that the stream of material to be preheated is leaving a
conveying tube to pass onto a baffle plate or baffle cone. It is known that there
exist no methods that can guarantee a perfect and uniform dispersion immediately
after the material has entered the inner space of the preheater chamber. Portions of
the raw material fall down through the chamber in clumps and in the course of
their falling down they are imperfectly dispersed.

Every preheater has to be connected to an exhauster, which is indispensable to

enable the gases to pass through the equipment. In a structure comprising a selfcarrying dispersion preheater, the exhauster occupies considerable room, and this
is why it is difficult to position it properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

apparatus for overcoming the failings and disadvantages heretofore

encountered.

Another object is to provide an arrangement capable of accomplishing the

foregoing in a chamber of lesser height.

A further object is to provide apparatus which is capable of producing a perfect

dispersion of the material to be preheated and a better separation of the material
from the discharged flue gases.

Page 28 of 49

Still other objects of the invention will be fully understood from the following
description.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are generally
accomplished by providing apparatus which comprises a preheating chamber
having means at the bottom, communicating with gas-supplying means, and
conduit means for discharging preheated material, both being connected to a kiln, a
tube for introducing the feed, and discharge conduit means for discharging gases at
the upper end of the chamber, characterized in that in the upper zone of the
preheating chambers below the tube for introducing the material there is provided
a rotary separating shutter with a vertical axis of rotation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The equipment shown in FIG. 1 comprises an elongated vertical preheating

chamber 1 which has a bottom part shaped as a cone-shaped discharge hopper 2
connected to a kiln (not shown) by a conduit 3.

Hot flue gases from the kiln enter tangentially the bottom part of the preheating
chamber 1 through a channel 4 which opens into the preheating chamber 1 by two
branches 5 and 6.

In the upper part of the preheating chamber 1 there is a rotary separating

shutter 9 with a distributing plate 10 disposed on a hollow shaft 7 to which a tube 8
for introducing the pulverized material is connected.

The hollow shaft 7 is rotatably mounted in an extension piece 11 for

discharging gases from the upper part of the preheating chamber 1 to a discharge

Page 29 of 49

conduit 12. The other end of the discharge conduit 12 is connected to the suction
side of an exhaust fan 18.

The rotary separating shutter 9 comprises an entraining disc 13 with an

aerodynamic member 14 and a ring 15. Between the entraining disc 13 and the
ring 15 there are disposed separating vanes 16 (see FIG. 2) deflected backwardly
of the rotating direction, with their free ends 22 being bent in directions opposite to
the direction of rotation of the rotary shutter 9. The flow section of channels 23
between adjacent separating vanes 16 are narrowed in the direction toward the free
ends 22. The distributing plate 10 is provided with distributing vanes 17 which are
deflected from the direction of rotation (FIG. 3).

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, hot flue gases passing through the gas
supply channel 4 are divided into two branches 5 and 6 and enter tangentially into
the bottom part of the preheating column or chamber 1. They move on in a
generally upward direction and pass into the upper part of the preheating chamber
1 between the separating vanes 16 of the rotary separating shutter 9. The gases as
they pass between the separating vanes 16 change the momentum, which causes
the rotary separating shutter 9 as well as the distributing plate 10 to revolve in the
direction of rotation of the gases in the preheating chamber 1.

The gases continue to the extension piece 11 whence they are withdrawn
through the discharge conduit 12 by means of the exhaust fan 18 whereupon they
are recovered for further use. The pulverized raw material to be preheated is
introduced preferably pneumatically through the tube 8 which is in fluid flow
communication with the hollow shaft 7 above the distributing plate 10.

The raw material is uniformly distributed on the distributing plate 10 and

continuously dispersed at the circumference of the preheating chamber 1 into the
stream of upwardly rotating gases. In the upper part of the preheating chamber 1

Page 30 of 49

there is effected an intimate contact of the gases and the pulverized material. At the
beginning, most particles of the raw material are drawn along by the gases and
pass between the separating vanes 16 of the rotary separating shutter 9.

Because of the rotary movement of the shutter 9 and because of the centrifugal
action the raw material contained in the gases is after contacting the curved
surfaces of the separating vanes 16 continually thrown to the periphery of the
preheating chamber 1. The purified gases pass into the extension piece 11 and then
through the exhaust 18 to be ready for further use.

As raw material is continuously fed into the preheating chamber 1, the density
of the material in the gases will increase so that particles of the material will be
perfectly dispersed and caused to move downwardly counter currently with respect
to the heated gases. The material passing in a downward direction against a stream
of rising gases is gradually heated by absorbing the heat of the gases, and thus is
preheated. Upon being preheated, the material collects in the discharge hopper 2
and is conveyed through the tube 3 into the kiln to be burned.

The modified form of the structure, according to FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises

identical parts as the equipment according to FIG. 1, with identical parts
referenced by the same numerals and modified parts bearing the same numerals
with a prime. Additionally, there is an electric motor 19 connected to the hollow
shaft 7 preferably by means of V-belts 20.

On the hollow shaft 7 there is, also additionally, an exhaust wheel 21 besides
the rotary separating shutter 9 and the distributing plate 10. The extension piece 11'
is fashioned and adapted to function as a shell for the exhaust wheel 21. The
separating vanes 16' are deflected backwardly with respect to the direction of
rotation (FIG. 5).
In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, hot flue gases passing through the gas

Page 31 of 49

supply channel 4 are subdivided into two branches 5 and 6 opening into the bottom
part of the preheating chamber 1. The hot gases are given a rotary movement, due
to the tangential entry into the preheating chamber 1, in an ascending manner. In
the upper part of the preheating chamber, the gases pass between the separating
vanes 16' of the rotary separating shutter 9. The exhaust wheel 21 causes the gases
to be drawn through the equipment and to be pushed into the discharge conduit 12
for further use.

The function of the equipment according to FIG. 1 differs from that of FIG. 4
in that the rotary movement of the rotary separating shutter 9 and distributing plate
10 is effected by the change of momentum of the passing gases, due to the curved
shape of the separating vanes 16 of the rotary separating shutter 9, while the rotary
movement of the same elements in the case of FIG. 4 is effected by an electric
motor 19 through the V-belts 20.

Since the rotary movement of the rotary separating shutter 9 and distributing
plate 10 in the equipment according to FIG. 4 is effected by the electric motor 19,
it has been found advantageous to mount the exhaust wheel 21 for rotation with the
rotary separating shutter 9.

SUMMATION

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention
provides an improved arrangement for preheating pulverized materials.

Primary Examiner:

Grieb, Wm H.

Claims:

Page 32 of 49

We claim

1. An instructional apparatus for teaching or testing students with a series of

program cards having problems and a plurality of multiple choice answers thereon,
said apparatus comprising a teaching machine having a support, a rotatable drum
having a peripheral surface and end surfaces mounted on said support for turning
about its longitudinal axis, means on said drum for releasable fastening a series of
said program cards to the peripheral surface of said drum, a housing on said
support for covering said drum and position able to expose said drum for fastening
said program cards thereon and having a display window for exposing the program
card at a display position at which the student may view a problem and select one
of the multiple choice answers therefore, motor means for sequentially indexing
the drum to bring the program cards to said display position, a plurality of
manually operable answer switch selectors corresponding in number to and each
associated with the multiple choice answers on a card, said same plurality of
manually operable answer switch selectors being useable with each of said
program cards and for selecting a correct answer for a problem thereon, a set of
manually settable selector switch means disposed at an end surface of said drum
and associated with each program card and including selector pins settable to a
position corresponding to a right answer or a wrong answer, coding means
identifying each selector switch pin of each set of switch means with a multiple
choice answer on an associated program card whereby the apparatus may be
programmed by the user with a setting of the selector pins in accordance with right
and wrong answers for each program card, an electrical control circuit in said
teaching machine having means for operating in a first mode to condition said
teaching machine to index said drum in response to a right answer choice but not
in response to a wrong answer choice, a remote test control unit for grading the
student's answer selection, electrical connecting means extending from said remote
test control unit for detachably connecting the same to said teaching machine, said

Page 33 of 49

remote test control unit having a counter therein for grading and displaying the
grade of the student's answer selection, said electrical circuit having means for
operating in a second mode to cause said counter to operate in said test control unit
and to cause said drum to index with each right or wrong answer choice, and
switch means for causing said electrical control circuit to operate in said first mode
or in said second mode.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which visual indicators indicate

right and wrong selections on the teaching machine to the user and in which a
counter for wrong or right answers is provided at said teaching machine.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which a series of pin receiving

sockets are formed in an end surface of said drum and in which said coding
identifying means includes indicia on said drum extending between a series of said
pin sockets and a program card location on the peripheral surface of said drum.

DESCRIPTION:

This invention relates to an instructional apparatus used for teaching or testing

students and, more particularly, to a teaching machine of the automatic, electrically
controlled and motor driven kind.

The effectiveness of teaching machines has been demonstrated. One form of

electrically controlled and motor driven teaching machine displays questions or
problems, and the student operates an appropriate selector switch, such as a
pushbutton, to select an answer thought to be the correct answer from a series of
multiple choice answers. Learning of correct answers to the problems is reinforced
by suitable indication such as the flashing of a "correct" signal light and the
appearance of the next problem of a series of problems that constitute a program.

Page 34 of 49

A suitable counter may be employed to score the students correct or wrong

choices. Usually the teaching machine is furnished with a printed program of
problems, and the machine is controlled by electrical or mechanical controls, such
as, for instance, a perforated belt or sheet, so that the machine functions properly
in response to right or wrong answer choices for each problem.

Preestablished programs are suitable for many occasions and for many
students, but preestablished programs are inherently inflexible in failing to provide
individual or specialized programs an instructor may desire for some of his
students or for some esoteric subject matter. Often, the preestablished program is
made with the questions and answers displayed on extremely long rolls, webs or
belts which are difficult for the instructor to type on write on or otherwise pose his
questions.

Even if the instructor is able to draft his own set of problems and answers, the
electrical controls for the teaching machine may not be capable of being changed
and thus necessitate that the instructor structure the answers always in the same
answer location and in the same pattern if there is to be correct operation of the
machine. To change the prior art machine controls to conform the teacher's
program may be relatively impossible for the ordinary teacher or, if possible, so
time-consuming and burdensome that the teacher usually will not attempt to
change the controls.

Another shortcoming of conventionally known teaching machines from the

standpoint of a classroom teacher, is that the automatic, electrically controlled and
motor driven teaching machines are too expensive to be purchased in quantities
needed in a classroom, particularly when the cost of programs and auxiliary
equipment are included.

Thus, a definite need exists for a highly flexible and low cost teaching machine
of the automatic kind.

Page 35 of 49

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated

teaching machine which may be programmed easily and directly by an instructor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus suitable for both

testing and teaching students.

A further object of the invention is to provide a low cost, highly flexible, easily
programmed automatic teaching machine.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is

embodied in an instructional apparatus including a teaching machine 11 for
instructing a student in a given subject matter which is programmed on a series of
program cards 13 (FIG. 3) mounted on the periphery of a rotatable program drum
15 which is suitably driven to step each of the problems on the program cards into
an answering or display position in which the question may be viewed by the
student at display opening or window 17 (FIG. 1).

The program cards 13 are readily attached to or detached from the drum so that
the instructor may use either his own program cards or use a set of purchased
program cards. Sets of blank cards 13 are made available to the instructor who
may write his problem in a space 19 (FIG. 3) on the card and place a series of
multiple-choice answers within spaces in adjacent lines A, B, C and D.

The student views the problem and the multiple-choice answers on display at
the opening 17 (FIG. 1) and operates a selector means, such as pushbutton
switches 21 designated A, B, C and D, to indicate his choice which he believes is
the correct answer. The drum 15 steps automatically to the next problem if the
student chooses correctly. If the student does not choose correctly, the drum 15
remains stationary and the student must make another answer choice. A "wrong"

Page 36 of 49

light flashes or some other indication is given to the student that he has selected
the wrong answer. The student must continue to choose an answer and depress the
pushbuttons until he depresses the one associated with the correct answer, for only
then will the drum 15 index to the next question.

The instructor may make his program cards with the correct answers in the
same positions and sequence as established for a printed and purchased program of
cards. On the other hand, the instructor may make his program with the correct
answers located in a patterned or a random sequence, and then set the electrical
controls to correspond to his program.

The setting of the electrical controls involves merely the placing of an

addressor 23 carried on an end 25 of the drum to a radial position corresponding to
the correct answer for its associated problem. The addressors are in the form of
pins each insert able into one of four sockets 28 spaced radially on the drum end
25. The sockets are either color coded or coded with appropriate letters A, B, C
and D to indicate which socket is associated with which of the answers. The
addressors 23 operate appropriate switches in the control circuit for the machine,
as will be explained in detail.

When the teacher desires to test the student's knowledge of a given subject
matter and obtain an automatically scored test result, the teaching machine 11 is
interconnected with a test control unit 30 which may be placed on the teacher's
desk or mounted internally in the main console. When the test control unit is
connected for testing, each time the student operates one of the push buttons 21
associated with an answer, the program drum 15 automatically indexes to the next
question and if the answer selected is incorrect it operates wrong score counters 95
and 120 to visually display the number of wrong answers to the teacher and
student as the test progresses.

Page 37 of 49

The testing mode differs primarily from the teaching mode in that in the testing
mode the program drum 15 steps in response to operation of a pushbutton 21
associated with a wrong answer. It is in the teaching mode of operation that the
student must make repetitive choices to learn the right answer.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated apparatus, the teaching

machine 11 may be housed in various kinds of housings or cabinets and is, in this
instance, housed within a cabinet of a console 32 having legs 33 supporting a
worktable or surface 35 which is slightly inclined to the horizontal. Extending
upwardly from the opposite sides of the worktable 35 are a pair of side panels 37
which shield the user against observation by other students or distractions.

The program drum 15 is housed at the rear of the console behind a front,
almost vertical panel 39 which is hinged to a top panel 41 extending toward the
rear and generally horizontally to a vertically disposed, rear panel. To provide
rapid access to the program cards 13 on the drum 15 and to the electrical apparatus
disposed in the housing, the top panel 41 is provided with a long piano hinge 43
which permits swinging of the front panel 39 upward about a horizontal axis
through the hinge. A lock (not shown) may secure the panel 39 against
unauthorized opening by the student.

The display window 17 for the program problems and answers is disposed
generally centrally of the front panel 39 and is flanked on the left and right by
upper small windows for observation of a "wrong" or a "right" signal light. The
selector pushbuttons 21 are disposed on the table 35 in front on the display
window and are flanked by windows for a counter and a pilot light.

With the front panel 39 pivoted upwardly to expose the drum 15, the program
cards 13 may be quickly and easily detached from the peripheral surface of the
drum and replacement program cards 13 may be substituted therefor. Preferably,

Page 38 of 49

the program cards 13 are secured to the drum surface by releasable fastening
means in the form of clips or slides 45 which are fastened to the surface of the
drum and define channels into which the program cards may slide, from right to
left as viewed in FIG. 3. A suitable stop or guide in the form of a clip 47 limits the
insertion of the program card 13 at a position in which the cards are aligned for
display at the display window 17.

The drum 15 is a right circular cylinder mounted for rotation about its
longitudinal axis which is disposed in a generally horizontal plane. Fastened to and
projecting outwardly from the opposite ends walls 25 of the drum 15 are stub
shafts 49 which are journeyed for rotation in a suitable support such as a pair of
upstanding brackets 51 of channel-shaped cross section. The brackets are fastened
at their lower ends to the chassis of the console so as to provide a rigid support for
the drum and accurately locate the program cards 13 relative to the display
opening 17 in the front panel 39.

A motor drive means including a motor 53 is suitably connected to the

program drum 15 to index it through a predetermined arc when operated by a
control circuit such as shown in FIG. 4 or 5. Preferably, the motor 53 is a
commercially available form of gear motor which turns through a predetermined
increment each time an appropriate switch closure is made.

The increment is set by contacts 5 on the end of the drum 25 and switch 81.
The contacts 5 are arranged in a circular array and are spaced angularly from each
other at positions corresponding to each problem location and are aligned to
actuate the switch 81 to open the circuit energizing the motor 53 whereby the
motor stops turning the drum. On the other hand, the motor 53 may be a stepping
motor which turns through a predetermined arc each time it is energized. As
another alternative, the motor 53 may index the drum through a clutch mechanism,
a pawl and ratchet mechanism or other kind of mechanism to cause a stepping of
the drum through its various increments.

Page 39 of 49

The number of program cards 13 and questions on the drum surface may be
varied, and many teachers prefer a program of 20 or 25 questions so that each
wrong question may be easily calculated to be worth five or four points,
respectively The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular kind
or number of program cards, problems or answers on the drum.

Of particular importance to the present invention is the capability of an

instructor or some other person to readily understand and set the electrical controls
for the machine in accordance with the correct answers on the cards 13.

For example, if the instructor prepares his own program and does not wish to
be limited to a previously arranged answer sequence, the instructor will, after
placing the cards 13 on the drum, place each addressor 23 in the socket 28
corresponding to the correctly designated answer for each question. To assure that
the instructor understands which row of sockets 55 is associated with a given
problem and answer, it is preferred to provide lead lines 57 extending between the
answers to a given row of sockets 55. The preferred addressors 23 are in the form
of pins, commonly called jacks, which are generally cylindrical in shape and have
one end which has a sliding friction fit with the interior wall of the socket.

The addressor 23 will remain in a given socket until removed by a manual

force exerted parallel to the direction of the axis of rotation of the drum. The outer
ends of the addressors 23 extend outwardly of the drum end wall 25 to actuate
switches, as will be explained.

The outer sockets in each of the radially extending row of sockets are disposed
equidistantly from the rotational axis of the drum so that whenever an addressor 23
is in a radially outer socket, it will engage and actuate a leaf spring, contact
swinger 61 of a control switch 63. Three other control switches 65, 67 and 69 are

Page 40 of 49

disposed adjacent the switch 63 and are mounted in a bracket arm 71 extending
generally horizontally from the upper end of the mounting bracket 51 for the drum.

Each of the leaf spring, contact swingers 61 for these other three switches 65,
67 and 69 is aligned with one of the other circular arrays of sockets 28 and all the
sockets are spaced radially from the axis of the drum. Therefore, when an
addressor 23 in one of the B, C or D sockets revolves into a switching position, it
will actuate its respective contact swinger 61.

In this instance, the program drum 15 rotates upwardly and clockwise, as

viewed in FIG. 3, to bring the addressor 23 upwardly to engage the underside of
the contact swinger 61 which carries make and break contacts, as will be explained
infra. Once the contact addressor moves beyond a contact swinger, the latter
returns automatically from the position to which it was flexed by an addressor 23.

Proceeding now with a detailed description of the control circuit 75 illustrated

in FIG. 4 for use with a teaching machine 11 which does not have a connected test
control unit 30, the circuit includes an on-off switch 77 which when operated to its
closed position closes an obvious circuit for a pilot light 79 to ground indicating
that the unit is in condition for operation. To assist the instructor in indexing the
drum 13 for the purpose of loading the drum with the program cards or indexing
the first question into proper position for viewing, an index pushbutton switch 80
is disposed behind the front panel cabinet for operation by the instructor.

Momentary depression of pushbutton index switch 80 completes a circuit to

the drive motor 53 which rotates drum 15 and this rotates a contact 5 from
engagement with drum index control switch 81 (FIG. 4) which transfers from its
open to a closed position. Closure of index control switch 81 completes a holding
circuit for the motor when switch 80 is released and completes a circuit to index
the drum to the next question over a circuit including lead 83, now closed drum

Page 41 of 49

index control switch contacts 81, lead 85, the drive motor 53 to return line 86 to
ground.

The motor 53 turns the drum 25 until contact 5 on drum 25 opens switch 81
and disconnects motor 53 from line 83. Index switch 80, selector switches 21 in
association with switches 63, 65, 67 and 69, when properly activated, override
index control switch 81 and the above indexing position. Repetitive operation of
the index switch 80 may be made until the program cards are all loaded or the first
question is in alignment with the display window 17.

If the student makes the right choice for the answer which, in this instance, is
at line B, the student will depress the selector pushbutton B. The addressor pin 23
for this question will also be in the B or second most, radially outward position and
camping the contact swinger 61 to a position to engage a now closed contact 88
(FIG. 4) and complete a path over line 85 to energize the right light 89 and the
drive motor 53 which are connected by return line 86 to ground.

Thus, with the B pushbutton operated, the right light 89 and the drive motor 53
are simultaneously actuated and the drum will be automatically indexed to the next
position at which another problem is displayed. However, if one of the selector
pushbuttons A, C or D was operated for this same question, it would complete a
path from lead 83, through its control switch contacts, and the respective swingers
61 and a contact 90 on a common lead 91 to operate a wrong light 93 and also a
wrong counter 95 which are connected to the return line 86 which is grounded.
Since the driving motor 53 was not operated, the student must continue to depress
selector pushbuttons until he selects the proper pushbutton, namely B, associated
with the correct answer. Only then will the drum 15 index to the next question. The
same sequence of operation continues for each of the questions through the length
of the program with each wrong answer being counted in the wrong counter 95.
When the teaching machine 11 is to be used with a test control unit 30, the

Page 42 of 49

latter is detachably connected by a multiple plug connector 97 to the teaching

machine 11, and the control circuitry 98 is preferably of the kind illustrated in FIG.
5. As will be explained, the control circuitry 98 allows the teaching machine to be
operated in either of two modes, namely, the "teaching" mode in which the
program drum 15 indexes only in response to a right answer choice, or in the
"testing" mode in which the drum indexes irrespective of whether the answer
choice is right or wrong.

When testing, each wrong answer is counted on the console of the test control
unit 30 which is usually a location remote from the teaching machine 11, for
example, on the teacher's desk.

To choose between the respective "teaching" or "testing" modes, a manually

operable, mode selection switch 100, which may be carried on either the test
control unit or the t4aching machine, is operated to the desired position. Assuming
that the switch 100 is operated to the "testing" mode, it moves three contact
swingers to first positions, such as illustrated in FIG. 5. Wherever possible, the
same reference characters are used in FIG. 5 to indicate those elements which were
previously described in connection with FIG. 4.

Thus, operation of the on-off switch 77 operates the pilot light 79 and the
student may begin the test. With the first question before the student, the student
will choose the one of the selector pushbuttons A, B, C or D corresponding to the
answer which the student thinks is right for the problem being posed.

As before described in connection with the illustration of FIG. 4, the correct

answer is on line B and the addressor 23 is forcing the contact swinger 61 of the
control switch 65 against the contact 88. Assuming the student does select and
operate the B switch, the path for operation of the drive motor 53 is as follows:
from a positive lead 103; across a contact swinger 104 of an end-of-test switch 105

Page 43 of 49

to a contact 106 and lead 107; through the now closed selector push button contact
B; to contact swinger 61 of switch 65 and contact 88; over a lead; to the drive
motor lead 111, the drive motor 53; and a common return line 113 which is
connected through the now closed switch 77 to ground. Thus, the drive motor 53 is
operated, but the operation of the right light 89 is precluded by the open contacts at
the manually operated switch 100. However, the student will realize that the
answer is correct as the wrong "light" 93 has not operated with the stepping of the
drum.

If the student has selected one of the wrong answers such as an answer at line
A, he would have observed operation of the wrong light 93 and wrong counter 95
which would have operated through a circuit as follows: from the lead line 103;
across swinger 104 to contact 106, lead line 107, now closed, pushbutton contacts
A, contact swinger 61 to lead line 117, through wrong light 93, through wrong
counter 95, to the return ground line 113. Also, a parallel path for operation of the
wrong counter 120 at the test control unit 30 is established from the lead 117 at the
wrong light 93, through the fifth position on the connector 97, to a lead line 119,
the wrong counter 120, lead 121, third contact of the connector 97, and return line
113 to ground. Thus, the wrong counter 120 would be operated to score a wrong
answer.

Even though a wrong answer was selected, the drive motor 53 is also operated
simultaneously with operation of the wrong light 93 and wrong counters 95 and
120. Specifically, the circuit for operating the drive motor with depression of
switch A is as follows from the positive lead 103, end-of-test switch swinger 106,
swinger 125 of the test mode switch 100, a now closed, second set of contacts 127
of the switch A, to a lead line 129, lead 109, to the drive motor lead 111, the drive
motor 53 and return line 113 to ground. Thus, the drive motor 53 is energized and
the drum 15 is indexed to the next problem.

Page 44 of 49

The test will continue and the stepping of the drum 15 continues with each
depression of one of the selection pushbuttons A, B, C or D and the wrong counter
120 at the teacher control unit 30 keeps a running count of the wrong answers of
the student. When the student has completed the test which is usually at the end of
the complete revolution of the drum 15, and end-of-test pin 131 carried by the
drum 15 engages and moves the swinger 104 of the end-of-test switch 105 to
engage a contact 132 and complete a path for lighting the end-of-test light 135 at
the teacher control unit. The swinging of the end-of-test swinger 105 from the
contact 104 opened the previously described circuit for the pushbuttons A, B, C
and D. Hence, operation of a selector pushbutton A, B, C or D does not result in a
stepping of the drum 15.

However, the drum 15 may be automatically reset to begin another test with
operation of the reset switch 139 located at the test control unit 30. Operation of
this reset switch completes a circuit for energization of the drive motor 53 to index
the drum over a circuit as follows: from the lead 103, through the first position in
the connector switch 97, through now closed, reset switch contacts 141, through
the second position of the connector switch 97, common lead 111 for the drive
motor 53 and then to return lead 113 to ground. The drive motor 53 will thus drive
the drum so that the end-of-test pin 131 moves past the end-of-test switch 105
whereby its swinger 104 assumes its normally closed position with the contact
106. At this time, the drum 15 is usually at the first question position. If the
number of questions are relatively few and the drum is not at the first question
position in response to operation of the reset switch 139, the index switch 80,
illustrated in FIG. 5, may be operated to again energize the driving motor over a
circuit as follows: lead line 103, end-of-test swinger 104, lead 107, now closed
contacts of the drum index control switch 81, lead 111, drive motor 53 and return
line 113 to ground.

Page 45 of 49

Having described the testing mode of operation, the teaching mode of

operation will now be described in connection with FIG. 5. When the mode switch
100 is switched to the "teaching" position, its three contact swingers move from
the illustrated, solid line positions in FIG. 5. When the control circuit 98 is in the
"teaching" mode, operation of a wrong choice button, such as C, will complete
circuit paths for the wrong light 93 and the wrong counter 95 over a circuit lead
103, now closed contacts 143 of the mode switch 100, across lead 145, over
common lead 107, through the now closed, pushbutton contacts C, through contact
swinger 61 of control contacts 67, to the lead 117 and then through wrong light 93
and wrong counter 95 to the return line 113 leading to ground.

When the student makes the correct choice with operation of the pushbutton B,
the driving motor 53 is operated over a circuit from the common line 107, now
closed contacts B, the contact swinger 61 of switch 65, lead 109, and common line
111 for the drive motor 53 and to return line 113 to ground. Simultaneously, the
right light was operated over a circuit which is parallel the circuit for the drive
motor 53 and which includes the common line 111, lead 149, through now closed
switch contacts 151 and lead 153 through the right light 89 and return line 113 to
ground. Thus, a correct choice causes stepping of the motor and operation of the
right light which acts as a stimulation and a reinforcement of the right answer.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is particularly
applicable to programming by the instructor who can easily make up the cards and
insert them on the program drum. While the program drum illustrated herein is a
right circular cylinder, it will be appreciated that the drum may have other shapes,
e.g., an elongated endless belt, and still function and fall within the purview of the
present invention.

Page 46 of 49

The drum is easily addressed by moving addressors 23 to the proper position

for the correct answer for the problem being posed. Because of the relatively
simple and inexpensive arrangement, the instructional unit is of particular
importance to the ordinary classroom or other usage wherein initial cost is of
considerable importance. Also, preprinted programs as well as teacher prepared
programs are most economical. The addition of a test control unit 30 allows the
capability of testing students and automatically grading the test with the use of the
teaching machine.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be

understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure but,
rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

EQUIPMENTS NEEDED:

Hammer
Wrinch
Bench vice
Knife
Hacksaw frame with Blade
Stove

Page 47 of 49

APPLICATIONS OF LIQUID-SOLID FLUIDIZATION

Norman Epstein, University of British Columbia

Abstract

Liquid fluidization of particulate solids has a history which predates the now more
commonly applied gas fluidization. The broad range of operations to which liquid
fluidization has found applications are summarized in this paper. These include
classification of particles by size and density, a special case being sink-and-float
separation by density; backwashing of granular filters and washing of soils; crystal
growth; leaching and washing; adsorption and ion exchange; electrolysis with both
inert and electrically conducting fluidized particles; liquid-fluidized bed heat
exchangers and thermal energy storage; and bioreactors. Fluidized-bed bioreactors,
which have received much attention during the past thirty years, are usually
characterized by the catalytic use of enzymes or microbial cells that are
immobilized by attachment, entrapment, encapsulation or self-aggregation. The
most common application of such bioreactors is probably in wastewater treatment
and, as in the case of the other operations mentioned above; liquid fluidization
must in each case be weighed against competing schemes for achieving the same
objective before it is adopted commercially.

CHEMICAL REACTION:

Since it is an experimental machinery project, there are no chemical

reactions involved in this project.

Page 48 of 49

MATERIAL BALANCE:

Since it is an experimental machinery project, there is no material

balance involved in this project.

COST OF THE PROJECT:

Mercury (100 gm)

Rs.400/-

Pipe fittings

Rs.400/-

Adhesives (include extras)

Rs.200/-

Repair work (Plumber)

Rs.300/-

Total cost for fluidization column is about Rs.1300/-

Page 49 of 49

CONCLUSION:

The characteristics of a solid bed during the fluidization are studied and the
porosity is found out.