CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL FUEL
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PIERRE
ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of Skinners Place, Size Lane, in
the City of London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eleventh day of November, One thousand cight hundred
and forty-five, and in the ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Pierre Armand Le Comte
de Fontaine Moreau, my executors, administrators, or assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Pierre Armand
Le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, my executors, administrators, or assigns, or
such others as I, the said Pierre Armand Le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and. no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in the
Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL FUEL," communicated to me from
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said
Pierre Armand Le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, shall particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be
inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months

page_text: next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
of
my
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
.Pierre Armand Lecomte de Fontaine Moreau, do hereby declare the nature
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, is
particularly described and ascertained by the following instrument in writing,
reference being made to the letters and figures therein contained, and to the
Drawings thereunto annexed, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in producing an artificial fuel, burning without smell
or smoke, and more capable especially of replacing charcoal in all its different
applications, either for domestic or commercial purposes, without being subject
to the noxious and dangerous gases emanating from the latter. The principle
of my Invention is based,-
Firstly, on the amalgamation of every kind of ligneous substance previously
reduced into dust or well pounded (giving, however, the preference to spent
bark as it comes from the tanner's pit), with coal dust and mineral or vege-
table tar, pitch, or any other similar highly carburetted vegetable or mineral
.substance.
Secondly, on the complete carbonisation of these amalgamated substances
to obtain their perfect epuration. The proportions I generally use are twelve
parts of ligneous substance, previously reduced into dust, or pounded spent
.bark, &c., two parts of coal dust, one part of mineral or vegetable tar, pitch,
or any other highly carburetted substance..
As I submit these three components to various operations before obtaining.
the fuel in a fit state for use, I will successively describe the several processes
and the apparatus or machines by which these operations are performed.
First operation: the breaking and pounding the coal.-Drawing I,
Figures I. and II., represent a view of the machines by which I break and
pound the coal. Figure I. is a section of an elevation of the pounding rollers..
Figure II. is a section of the breaking rollers. The coal is thrown into the
trough A, Figure 1, which is at its lower part in communication with the two,
cast-iron rollers B, B, Figures I. and II., provided on their circumference with
jutting out cones, cut diamond like, by which the coal is broken into small
pieces. These two cylinders feed two other cast-iron rollers C, C¹, Figure .I.,
which are smooth on their surface, that they may reduce into dust the pieces
of coal coming from the feeding cylinders B, B'. The motion is given to the
rollers C, C¹, by means of the cast-iron pinion D, Figures I. and II., fixed on
the shaft D, Figure II., provided with pullies and fliers, by the means of which

page_text: the moving power is given to the whole apparatus. The pinion D transmits ⚫
its motion to the wheel e, Figures I. and II., placed on the shaft of the smooth
rollers C, Figure I., which gives a rotative movement at the rate of 1:4 to
the other roller O of the same Figure, by means of the two cast-iron catching
wheels f, f¹, Figures 1 and II. The breaking cylinder B, Figures I. and II.,
receives its motion from the roller C, Figure I., from the three cast-iron
catching wheels G, G¹, G, Figures I. and II. Two of these wheels, G and G",
are fixed upon the shafts of the rollers B and C, Figure I.; and the third
intermediate catching wheel G, is fixed upon the shaft H, Figure 1. The
speed of each of the two breaking cylinders B, B, is the same.
Second operation: the mixing of two component substances together.-
Drawing II. represents the apparatus for mixing the three substances hercin-
before mentioned. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus;
Figure II. is an end view and a transverse section of the same; Figure III. is
the plan or bird's-eye view of the apparatus. The spent bark is poured into the
trough A, Figures I. and II., and from A it is forced into the vat B, Figures I.,
II., and III., by the two cast-iron toothed rollers C, C, Figures I., 11., and III.
The coal dust, prepared by the first operation, as herein-before described, is
thrown into the trough e, Figure II., and is introduced into the said vat B by the
cast-iron toothed rollers F, F, Figures II. and III. The four rollers C, C¹, and
F, F, are put in motion by the ordinary means of pullies and flier. The vegetable
or mineral tar is poured into B, through the aperture G, Figure II. The vat B,
Figures I., II, and III., is constructed of sheets of iron, and has the shape
of a semi-circumference. It is provided at its top with a moveable wooden lid,
A reservoir B', Figures 1 and II., placed at the lower part of the vat B, serves
to receive the steam conveniently introduced into B', and necessarily facilitates
the mixture of the three substances by the heating of the tar. The vat B is
supported by four cast-iron supporters Q, Q1,Q", Q, Figures 1 and 11., which
are provided with chairs, and receive a shaft H, Figures I. and II., provided
with a certain number of iron arms, such as H', A", H, Figures I. and II.,
having an helicoid-like shape. Six iron pegs or pins o, Figure I. and II., are
fixed to each of these arms. It is easy to conceive that if a rotative movement
is given to the shaft H, and by H to the arms H¹, H", H, by means of the
cast-iron catching wheels I, I', Figures I. and II., the substances introduced
into B must necessarily be mixed together, and receive an onward propulsion
of a given speed. An iron comb or rake R, Figures I. and II., fixed upon the
vat B, serves to separate the bitumen from the iron pegs of the arms H, H¹, H".
When the mixed substances arrive at the other extremity of the vat B, opposite
that one to which they have been introduced, the trap-door Vis lifted up, and

page_text: they necessarily fall within the grooves of two cast-iron pounding cylinders J, J',
Figures I. and III., which serve to impregnate the large pieces of spent bark
with tar and coal dust, and to force, by their rotative motion, the mixed sub-
stances to be introduced into a second vat K, Figure I., which is also con-
structed of sheets of iron. From that vat K they are taken out, in order to
be put into the moulding machine, as herein-after described. For more con-
venience and speed, the vat K can be internally provided with pullies, giving
the motions to an endless chain with buckets, and by such contrivance the
mixing substances may at once and by the same operation be poured into the
trough A of the moulding machine.
Third Operation.-Drawing III. represents the moulding machine of the
component mixed substances. Figure 1 is an elevation of the machine, seen
half externally and half in a longitudinal section. Figure II. is a transversal
section of the machine. Figure III., a bird's-eye view, half externally; the
other half is a section according to the moulds. The component substances
having received the two preparations herein-before successively described, .by
which they are so well pounded and mixed that they form together a compact
and homogenous body, are afterwards thrown in the most convenient manner,
or by the means already described, into the trough A, Figure II., moving upon
hinges, so as to be lowered or raised. An ascending or descending motion is
given to the cast-iron piece B, Figures I., II., and III., by means of the two
connecting rods F, F1, Figure 1, in communication with the trunnions of the
piece B. The cast-iron rammers C, and the cast-iron unstoppers C¹, Figures I.
and II., are fixed to the piece B, and follow its course. The motion is given
to the connecting rods F, F, by the cast-iron bevil wheels D, D', Figures I., II.,
and III., provided with crank arms. These receive their motion from the cast-
iron pinions E, E, Figures I. and II., placed on the iron shaft Q, Figures I.
and II., provided with pullies and flier, which give them the rotary motion. The
rammers C, by their descending motion, ram into the recesses G, G³, Figures I.
and II., the mixed substances contained in the trough A, and compress them into
the mould H. The piece B, by its ascending motion, closes the trough A from
A to A, and compels the mixed substances to enter the moulds H. When the
substances are compressed into the moulds H, and when the unstoppers C³, in
consequence of the ascending motion given to them by B, are separated from the
moulds E, the excentric wheel I, Figures I. and III., displace the moulds, and
causes the rammed and filled moulds H, Figures I. and II., to be set at Il³, that
is to say, to receive the action of the unstoppers C' at the same time and by the
same motion. The moulds at H¹ receive then at H the action of the rammers C,
and by such a contrivance the moulds are alternately filled with the mixed sub-

page_text: stances, and emptied of the moulded cakes ready for the carbonizing opera-
tions. The motion is given to the excentric wheel I, Figures I. and III., by
the cast-iron bevil wheels J, J', Figures I. and II., in the ratio of 1:2. Four
cast-iron columns K, Figures I. and III., unite the frame of the machine, and
serve to guide the piece B. The empty part R of the mould supporter,
Figure III., contains at its extremity a pipe with a stuffing box, by which a jet
of steam is introduced into it, and causes the surface of the moulds to be
heated. That has the effect of preventing the tar from adhering, to them. I
also perform the operation. of moulding by means of the following machine:-
Moulding Machine with an Archimedian Screw.-Figure III., Drawing I., is
a longitudinal section of the machine. Figure IV., Drawing 1, is a transversal
section of the same. The component mixed substances, being prepared as
herein-before described by the two operations of the pounding and mixing
machines, are thrown into the trough A, Figures III. and IV. From it they
are introduced into the cylindrical vat B, Figure III. In that cylinder an
Archimedian screw E, Figure I., is conveniently fitted, so as to move freely in it.
The cast-iron wheels D', D', Figures III. and 1V., receiving their motion from
any suitable power, give to E its rotative motion. By the screw E the mixed
substances introduced from A into B are forcibly conducted into the cylindrical
mould C, Figure III., placed at the extremity of B. An excentric wheel, placed
on the shaft of the pinion, causes the valve H, Figure IV., to act. By that
action the moulded substances or cakes are thrown out from the mould C, and
are immediately replaced by another portion forced into the said mould C by the
revolving motion of the Archimedian screw E. The axis I, Figure III., of the
screw E, is hollow, in order to receive a filet of steam, which is introduced
from the stuffing box Q, Figure 11I. That steam heats the surface of the
Archimedian screw E, and prevents the tar from adhering to it. The moulds
used in the two operations of moulding herein-before described have a
cylindrical form, but, if required, any other shape can be given to them.
Fourth Operation: the carbonisation of the substances, after having been
moulded to procure their complete epuration, and to disengage them from the
gases they contain.-I perform the carbonisation of the moulded substances by
two different or separate, modes and machines.
First mode of carbonizing the moulded substances.-The first mode is
represented in Drawing I. by Figure V, which shews a longitudinal section of
the furnace for carbonizing. The moulded cakes, prepared as herein-before
described by either of the moulding machines, are placed in the interior of the
cast-iron cucurbit A, Drawing I., Figure V, provided with a convenient air-
tight door or lid, well luted, to prevent the internal gas escaping. The cucur-
:

page_text: bit A is heated by the hearth B, Figure V, placed conveniently under the
furnace, and also by the gas caused by the action of the carbonizing of the
cakes themselves. The gas which is not then consumed egresses through the
pipe. C, Figure V, and is conducted through it into the condenser D, and from
that condenser it is sent into the refrigerent F, Figure V, by means of the
pipe e; from the gas can be re-conducted, by means of the educt pipe M, into
'the cucurbit A, at G, where it is used to vivify the action of the carbonization;
or it can be made to leave the refrigerent by the educt pipe P, Figure V,
adapted to F, and be employed for lighting. When the moulded cakes are
entirely carbonized, which is known when no more flame is seen, they are
taken from the cucurbit A, and are put during a certain time into a proper
extinguisher, and allowed to cool without being put in contact with the external
air. As soon as the cucurbit A is emptied of the carbonized cakes, another
quantity immediately replaces the first, and the operation is continued as
before described, without any interruption whatever.
.
Second mode of carbonising the cakes of moulded substances.-Figure I.,
Drawing IV, represents a section of the carbonizing furnace, with chimnics,
carriages, and railways. Figure II., Drawing IV., represents a longitudinal
section of the same furnace, furnished also with the same apparatus. The
moulded cakes of the three substances are placed in cast-iron or refractory
earthen pots, K, K, Figure II., which are placed upon cast-iron carriages, Q, Q',
Figures I. and II. These are introduced into the refractory furnaces by the
iron railways, A, A, Figure I. The doors of the furnaces are then carefully
Inted to avoid the escape of the gas. They are heated by means of fire put
into the stove V, Figure II., placed under their entrance. The gases produced
by the carbonisation of the moulded cakes, after the fire has been applied,
egress through the main chimney R and the galleries R, Figure 1, and are
made to heat the boiler of the steam engine, seving as moving power to all
the several machines I have herein-before described. When the cakes are
perfectly carbonised, the doors of the furnaces are unluted, and the carriages
Q, Q', loaded with the pots full of moulded cakes, are drawn over the iron
railway P, Figure 1. This runs upon the railway D, and conducts the
carriages Q, Q, on the iron railway M, and from thence on the railway N,
where they are unloaded. The moulded cakes are then placed in a proper
extinguisher, and there allowed to cool slowly without being in contact
with the external air. The above operation is repeated without interruption,
to prevent the cooling of the furnaces.
And having now fully described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not

page_text: confine myself rigidly to the exact proportions of the three substances of
which I prepare my artificial fuel; but that I can vary these proportions
according to the several qualities of each of their component parts. Nor do I
claim as my Invention the several machineries or apparatus, or any of the
component parts of the said machineries, except so far as they may be
employed in the same manner as I have employed them in carrying out my
Invention. But what I consider and claim as the Invention communicated to
me Invention is,-
Firstly, the amalgamation or union of the three combustible component
substances herein-before described, forming by their combination a solid and
homogenous fuel, burning without smell or smoke.
Secondly, the complete and perfect carbonization of the said component
substances, by which the noxious and dangerous gases are separated from
them.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Armand Lecomte de Fontaine
Moreau, have hereunto set my band and seal, this Eleventh day of
May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
forty-six