Aluminum Company of America

Pullman Incorporated

Warren D Brown

Robert F Bennett

John C Sorensen

Clarence L Patterson

Means and method of operating a tunnel kiln in which green carbon articles are baked in the ware (article) space of a baking zone by heat produced by the combustion of fuel directed to chambers adjacent the zone. The combustion chambers are connected in fluid communication with flues extending lengthwise of the kiln, the flues having a pressure gradient that extends lengthwise of the flues. The method of the invention includes the step of changing the pressure gradient within the flues such that a pressure differential between the combustion chambers and the ware space is effected that causes products of combustion to flow into the ware space from the combustion chambers in amounts sufficient to impede and prevent the deposition of coke formations on the walls of the space without burning the carbon articles. This change in the pressure gradient is effected by (1) placing exhaust stacks in fluid communication with the flues at locations in the combustion chambers and, (2) regulating ware space pressures and flow with existing equipment to balance the ware space in relation to the flues.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Warren D Brown