The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

2^8 THE MECHANICAL HANDLING OF MATERIAL Fig. 335. Ship’s Side Valve of Ash Ejector. shows, there is a by-pass branch and a pressure gauge. The whole apparatus connecting the pump to the nozzle must stand a pressure of 200 lb., and the hydraulic mains must have as few bends as possible. t Having now dealt with two of the principal forms of receiving terminals, we will see some of the equally important delivery terminals. Fig. 335 represents the construction of a ship’s side valve, which dispenses with the usual bend shown in Fig. 329 at the top of the ejector pipe, as the ashes are deflected in the desired direction by a plate inside the valve; renewable side and bottom plates are also provided. 1 he principal feature of . the valve is the elimination of the bend and the curved sliding shutter which closes the discharge opening between the deflecting plate and the ship’s side. A hydraulic cylinder is sometimes used in connection with this to open the valve automatically when the ejector is working, and which closes by a weight as soon as the apparatus becomes idle. Figs. 336 and 337 show a patent revolving cock outlet, fitted with a deflecting plate, which answers the same purpose as that in Fig. 335. This type is used for destroyers where lightness is a consideration, and for small steamers. I he two illus- trations show the cock open and closed. Fig. 338 is yet another type of outlet with deflectors to discharge the ashes close to the sides of the vessel. The illustration explains itself. The apparatus is quite housed within the ship when out of use and closed. The same ejector with slight modifications is used on steamers carrying horses to discharge the dung from the lower deck. Fig. 339 shows the application of the ejector. The refuse is swept or swilled to the ejector where it is sucked up and ejected overboard. Stone’s Ash Expeller.—The latest type of Stone’s ash expeller is exclusively worked by hydraulic means, the apparatus being known as Stone’s Patent Hydraulic Ash Expeller. Figs. 340 and 341 show the construction. The first illustration shows the expeller shut off,‘and the second when in use. The working part of the machine is entirely below the stokehold floor, the receiving hopper being on the level with the floor, so that the ashes and clinkers can be swept into it. . The expeller consists of the receiving hopper already mentioned, and this is fitted with a grating reaching into the hopper to within a few inches of the sloping bottom of the hopper, thus preventing larger pieces entering the apparatus than can be conveniently and safely expelled. A number of auxiliary water jets play upon the ashes so as to swill them down the gentle slope of the hopper, and bring them to the point where they come in contact with the induced current. A copious water supply at a pressure of from 15 to 20 lb. per square inch from a centrifugal pump is used in the ejector, which is sufficient to eject the ashes, etc., at a rate of 20 ft. per second from the ship’s side. It is of importance that this speed should be maintained, and it is one of the functions of the apparatus to do this automatically. The modus operandi is as follows : The ashes are swept so as to fall through the grating a into the hopper B, and proceed from this as already mentioned by the aid of