Thermal reclaimer apparatus for a thermal sand reclamation system

Claim 1

A thermal reclaimer apparatus for effecting the removal of organic matter from used foundry sand, which contains organic matter, metal of either a ferrous or nonferrous nature, dust and fines, comprising: a. means including a plurality of surfaces defining a chamber having a first opening formed in one of said plurality of surfaces and a second opening formed in another one of said plurality of surfaces, said chamber being operative to retain the used foundry sand therein while the used foundry sand is being heated to a predetermined temperature for a preestablished period of time in order to accomplish the burning away of organic matter contained in the used foundry sand; b. feed means cooperatively associated with said chamber, said feed means including a member supported for movement within said first opening of said chamber, said member embodying a cross-sectional area substantially equivalent to the cross-sectional area of said first opening such that said member essentially seals off said first opening when said member is positioned therewithin, said feed means being operative as a consequence of the movement of said member in said first opening to effect the injection into said chamber through said first opening of used foundry sand containing organic matter; c. burner means cooperatively associated with said chamber, said burner means including a burner pipe supported so as to project through said second opening a predetermined distance into said chamber, said burner pipe having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of said second opening so as to provide an annular space surrounding said burner pipe through which the discharge of the used foundry sand from said chamber is effected, said burner means being operative to provide a hot gas flow into said chamber sufficient to selectively heat the used foundry sand to a first temperature when the used foundry sand contains metal of a ferrous nature and to a second temperature when the used foundry sand contains metal of a nonferrous nature for purposes of accomplishing the burning away of organic matter contained in the used foundry sand; and d. rotating means cooperatively associated with said chamber, said rotating means being operative to effect the rotation of said chamber as the used foundry sand in said chamber is being heated by the hot gas flow from said burner means.