IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND MEANS OR FURNACES FOR BURNING PETROLEUM AND OTHER LIKE LIQUIDS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Lafone, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, and James Nicholas, of the same Place, Oil
Refiner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
AND MEANS OR FURNACES FOR BURNING PETROLEUM AND OTHER LIKE
LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 25th September 1868, and dated the 2nd April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Lafoue and
James Nicholas at the Oflice of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 2nd April 1868.
We, HENRY LAFONE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Mer-
chant, and JAMES NICHOLAS, of the same Place, Oil Refiner, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MODE OF AND MEANS OR FURNACES FOR BURNING PETROLEUM AND OTHER
LIKE LIQUIDS," to be as follows:-
Qur Invention consists essentially in burning petroleum and other
liquid hydrocarbons and oils, hereafter called "liquid fuel" for
generating steam in steam boilers, and for heating purposes generally,
in a combustion chamber or so-called closed fire-place whereinto air
heated or at ordinary temperature is forced or allowed to enter at a
The said
pressure above that of the natural atmospheric column.
liquid fuel is supplied to the bed of the said combustion chamber

page_text: through openings, by pressure or by granitation, and is caused to flow
on to a plate perforated, if considered desirable, and distribute itself
over a large surface; or is supplied and diffused by capillary attraction
over a large surface or is placed in open trays, or otherwise, the object
being to get the vapour of the said liquid fuel minutely divided and
intimately mixed with atmospheric air so that more complete combustion
will be induced than hitherto has been attainable where air at
atmospheric pressure both with and without steam has been attempted
to be used to support combustion of petroleum for heating purposes.
Our Invention also consists in special means for carrying our improve-
ments into beneficial operation. The bed or what may be called the
grate of the furnace is made of metal, fire-clay, or other refractory
material, preferably perforated and formed with an angular or sloping
surface. Underneath the said grate a closed chamber or space is formed,
this serves the double purpose of keeping the grate cool and heating
the air which is to support combustion, the air above atmospheric
prossure being forced into or allowed to enter it. From the said closed
chamber or space, called by us the air chamber, one or several pipes
or ways lead upwards into perforated dead plate and bridge pieces and
perforated distributing pieces disposed around and in the combustion
chamber or furnace, these perforated pieces serve to disperse the air
equally all over the surface of the liquid fuel and through amongst
the vapour thereof in the combustion chamber or furnace. When it
is desired to "light up" the flow of liquid fuel, which takes place
through a pipe or pipes, is turned on and caused or allowed to reach
the grate of the furnace, at the same time the blast of air is turned
on and by the two mixing intimatoly tho desired combustion is
effected.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Hergell, Her heirs and successors,
give aud grant unto us, the said Henry Lafone and James Nicholas,
Her special license that we, the said Henry Lafone and James Nicholas,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Henry Lafone and James Nicholas, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
aud lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND MEANS OR
FURNACES FOR BURNING PETROLEUM AND OTHER LIKE LIQUIDS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that we, the said Henry Lafone and James
Nicholas, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under our, or their, or one of our or their hands and seals, should parti-
cularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal l'atent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent."
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Henry Lafone and James Nicholas
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in wliat manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Sheet of Drawings appended hereto and to the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say :-
Our Invention consists essentially in burning petroleum and other
liquid hydrocarbons and oils, hereafter called "liquid fuel," for
generating steam in steam boilers, and for heating purposes generally,
in a combustion chamber or so-called closed fire-place whereinto
air heated or at ordinary temperatures is forced or allowed to enter at
a pressure above that of the natural atmospheric column. The said
liquid fuel is supplied to the bed of the said combustion chamber
through openings by pressure or by gravitation, and is caused to flow
on to a plate perforated, if considered desirable, and distribute itself
over a large surface, or is supplied and diffused by capillary attraction
over a large surface, or is placed in open trays or otherwise, the object

page_text: being to get the vapour of the said liquid fuel minutely divided and
intimately mixed with atmospheric air so that more complete com-
bustion will be induced than hitherto has been attainable when air at
atmospheric pressure, both with and without steam, has been attempted
to be used to support combustion of petroleum for heating purposes.
Our Invention also consists in special ineans for carrying our improve-
ments into beneficial operation. The bed, or what may be called the
grate of the furnace, is made of metal, fire-clay, or other refractory
material, preferably perforated and formed with an angular or sloping
surface; underneath the said grate a closed chamber or space is formed,
this serves the double purpose of keeping the grate cool and heating
the air which is to support combustion, the air above atmospheric
pressure being forced into or allowed to enter it. From the said closed
chamber or space, called by us the air chamber, one or several pipes or
ways lead upwards into perforated dead plate aud bridge pieces, and
perforated distributing pieces disposed around and in the combustion
chamber or furnace. These perforated pieces serve to dispense the air
equally all over the surface of the liquid fuel and through. amongst the
vapour thereof in the combustion chamber or furnace. When it is
desired to light up" the flow of liquid fuel which takes place through
a pipe or pipes is turned on and caused or allowed to reach the
grate of the furnace, at the same time the blast of air is turned on
and by the two mixing intimately the desired combustion is effected.
From the foregoing statement it will be understood our improvements
are of a dual character. First. The combustion of the liquid fuel is
effected in whatever manner it is supplied to and distributed over
the bed or grate in a chamber into which air at pressure, preferably
heated air, is passed; and, second, special meaus or furnaces have been
devised. Hence on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings two arrange-
ments for supplying the liquid fuel to and distributing it over the
fire-grate have been illustrated; in the one, the said liquid fuel flows
nto an open tray in the combustion chamber, and in the other a
perforated plate is used. Two modifications of means or furnaces are
also illustrated.
transverse
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 2 a plan; Fig. 5
section at A, B; and Fig. 4 an end elevation of means
suitable for use in a marine boiler or other furnace with
aud for placing over the ordinary fire-grate, so that when desired or
or apparatus
vertical sides,

page_text: convenient the liquid fuel apparatus can be removed and coal or other
hard fuel consumed in the usual manner. It will be obvious that when
our apparatus is used over ordinary fire-bars the ash-pit and doors, if
any, must be closed air-tight. In this modification the liquid fuel is
contained in an open tray or space and is in direct contact with the
flames. In all the views like letters denote the saine parts.
a and a* are two castings secured together by bolts or otherwise.
These form the bed or grate. 7, pipe supplying the liquid fuel c; the
quantity allowed to enter so as to maintain the level at about the point
shewn is regulated by taps and guages or other suitable means.
supply pipe from a fan or other blowing engine.
d, air
The air enters into
the air chamber e between a and a*, passes thence through the
perforated distributing ridges f, sloping sides g, dead plate h, and
bridge i, and finally is dispersed amongst the vapours to support com-
bustion. In its passage through it is raised in temperature by heat
radiated from a and is thereby rendered more suitable for promoting
combustion; it also acts to keep a cool. In this arrangement, in
consequence of a body of the liquid fuel c being in direct contact with
the flames, we prefer to use the less costly and heavy liquid fuel, such as
"dead" and "tar" oil. The whole of the space over the bed or grate
and between it and the crown or top of the furnace serves as the
combustion chamber. The position of the dampers to regulate the
escape of the products of combustion is determined in each case by the
construction of the flues or the vessel, furnace, article, or substance to
be heated. When there is a bright white flame in the centre of the
furnace and no smoke issuing from the chimney the attendant may be
sure the combustion is satisfactory.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, Fig. 6 a plan, Fig. 7 a transverse
section at C, D, and Fig. 8 a front elevation, all of another modification,
and the one we prefer of apparatus adapted for the same purpose as the
arrangement above described. Here the liquid fuel is diffused by a
perforated plate. Like letters and figures denote the same parts.
a¹ and a² are castings secured together; they form the grate; b, liquid
fuel supply pipe; c', air supply pipe; d, air chamber; e', space formed
around the top through which the feed water or water from the boiler
is allowed to circulate. We prefer to pass the feed water as shewn, f¹
and being respectively the inflow and outflow pipes, because it
thereby becomes heated and the metal of a' is prevented froh being

page_text: damaged by the intense heat evolved during combustion. The liquid
fuel flows from 61 over the loose plate ', with the object of preventing
deposition of carbonaceous matter thereon, the liquid fuel is caused to
flow backwards at considerable speed in a zig-zag direction alternately
around opposite ends of raised strips 2. is a loose perforated plate
which. in consequence of being in direct contact with the flames,
becomes highly heated and serves as a vapourizer of the liquid fuel
contained on. The said. liquid fuel is thereby rendered fit for intimate
admixture and combustion with the air passing from a' through the
side apertures and bridge apertures Z¹. The pipe is made large
enough to allow of the removal of the plates
in this arrangement is not carried all the
plate with apertures used, but it will be obvious they could be pro-
vided, and the bridge could be raised as in the first modification. In
practice we have not found them requisite.
and . The air chamber
way round, nor is a dead
In the means or furnaces herein-before described the various parts
are metallic; it will be obvious they be made of fire-clay or other
refractory substance. It will also be obvious that the air from the air
chamber, instead of being led directly through apertures from the air
chamber into the combustion chamber, could be conveyed from the
former through two or more large pipes and there distributed by
perforated plates. The arrangements shewn are the best.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and
particularized the same, we would have it understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the employment of any particular pressure of air
above the atmospheric column, neither do we confine ourselves to
promoting or inducing combustion in the chamber under any particular
pressure therein, nor to apparatus of any particular outline or number of
parts; what we claim is,-
First. Burning so-called liquid fuel in a combustion chamber whereto
air is supplied at pressure for the purpose set forth.
Second. The combination of the perforated air distributors f, g, h,
andi, or either of them with the air chamber e.
Third. The combination of the air chamber e with a space for con-
taining the liquid fuel open to the flames.
Fourth. The combination of the perforated air distributors j' and k¹,
or either, of them, with the air chamber d'.

page_text: Fifth. The combination of the air chamber d' with the perforated
vapourizing plate i¹.
Sixth. The arrangement and combination of the whole of the parts
of the apparatus, substantially as herein described and illustrated on the
Drawings for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Lafone and James
Nicholas, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirtieth
day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-eight.
In the presence of
JOHN T. KING,
Patent Agent,
Liverpool.
HENRY LAFONE. (L.S.)
JAMES NICHOLAS. (L.S.)