METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING MOLDING SAND Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: foundry. SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of moistening and agitating hot molding sand by water in housing with continuously moving conveyer; creating vacuum 1300-2000 Pa by means of vacuum pump and continuously maintaining vacuum with the aid of gate valves arranged at inlet and outlet of housing. In housing water supply is controlled in order to provide uniform temperature and moisture content by means of probes arranged at inlet of housing and computer. Water formed in the result of steam condensation is cooled and fed for remoistening molding sand. Conveyer may be in the form of shaft with vanes inclined in direction of molding sand motion. Gate valves have switching and discharging shutters, probes for determining level of molding sand and pressure equalizing valves. Apparatus may have two housings and two conveyers. In such variant first housing is used for moistening and homogenizing sand, second housing - for cooling it at constant vacuum degree at removing steam. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of process, lowered energy consumption, reduced area for manufacturing equipment. 10 cl, 2 dwg