IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID OR SEMI-LIQUID FUELS TO FURNACES TO HEAT THEM
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID OR
SEMI-LIQUID FUELS TO FURNACES TO HEAT THEM." A communication from
abroad by John Rogers, of Columbus, in the County of Franklin and State
of Ohio, United States of America.
Sealed the 26th August 1879, and dated the 1st July 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st July 1879.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID OR SEMI-LIQUID FUELS TO FURNACES TO HEAT
THEM. A communication from abroad by John Rogers, of Columbus, in the
County of Franklin and State of Ohio, United States of America.
"
The Invention relates to apparatus for supplying and burning suitable hydro-
carbon fuels for heating furnaces of various kinds. Coal-tar, gas-tar, or any other
suitable liquid or semi-liquid fuel, such, for instance, as petroleum, may be employed.
The liquid fuel is supplied commingled with steam and air by an injector.
The objects generally are to provide simple and perfect apparatus for supplying
and burning hydrocarbons, and especially to provide means by which to accomplish
a proper feed or supply of the fuel to the furnace or igniting chamber by an injector,
means by which the injector may be prevented from clogging or be cleaned in
event of clogging or partial obstruction by the baking or hardening of the fuel or
by any foreign substance, and means by which to clear out the fuel supply tube
or passage which feeds the injector.
The Invention may be defined as in part consisting of the following specified
improvements which are among those herein after specifically designated by the
claim, vis,
The combination with an injector having an inner and an outer tube forming
concentric fuel and steam passages of a plunger or reciprocating clearing rod working
in the injector and through the jet nozzles or ports of both the inner and outer
tubes

page_text: Also the combination with the injector and the clearing rod working endwise
in the central tube thereof of a handlo or lever for working said clearing rod
without interfering with the connections by which steam and fuel are supplied to
the injector.
Also the combination of the injector having the steam and fuel passages the
clearing rod supported by the shank or extension of one of the injector tubes a fuel
feed pipe connecting with the injector and a steam pipe connecting with the shank
of the injector tubo in which the clearing rod works and in advance of the handle
by which said rod is operated.
Also the combination of the injector having fuel and steam tubes or passages,
a fuel feed pipe connected with said fuel passage, a pipe for supplying superheated
steam to the injector steam passage, a pipe for supplying live steam to the injector
fucl passage, and cocks in the fuel feed pipe, superheated steam pipe and livo steam
pipe, whereby the fuel and the superheated steam may be admitted to the injector
passages, or either or both be shut off, and live steain may be admitted to the
injector fuel passage when the fuel supply is stopped to clear it and its jet opening
or nozzle.
Also the combination of the injector having the inner and outer tubes forming
the concentric passages or chambers for steam and fuel, a fuel feed-pipe connecting
with the fuel chamber of the injector, a steam-pipo connecting with the steam
chamber for supplying superheated steam thereto, a steam pipe for live steam
communicating with said steam chamber, and a series of cocks in the pipes by
which to regulate or shut off the supply of fuel and steam and to direct either the
live steam or the superheated steam to the injector at will, whereby the superheated
steam may be used in connection with the hydrocarbon fuel, and both nozzles of
the injector may be cleared out by the live steam admitted to the steam passage
either when the superheated steam is being supplied or is cut off.
Also the combination of the injector having the inner and outer tubes or con-
centric steam and fuel passages, a fuel feed-pipe connected with said fuel passage, a pipe
for supplying superheated steam connected with the injector steam tube or inuer
passage, a pipe for supplying live steam connected both with the fuel feed-pipe and
the superheated steam-pipe, and a series of cocks in the several pipes and their
connections by which to regulate and shut off the supply to the injector of the
fuel, superheated steam, and live steam, and admit of directing the live steam
either to the steam passage or to the fuel passage of the injector by the superheated
steam pipe and the fuel feed pipo respectively, whereby when the fuel has clogged
or become baked in the injector by the intense beat of the superheated steam it
may be softened and entirely removed by directing the live steam first to one
passage and then to the other passage of the injector, or to both passages at the
same time, so as not only to clear the fuel passage but also clean out thoroughly
both jet openings or nozzles.
Also the combination of a fuel-reservoir or pipe, a steam-pipe passing there-
through to warm the fuel, a feed-pipe leading from said reservoir to supply the
injector with fuel, a connecting steam-pipe communicating with the reservoir steam-
pipe and fuel feed-pipe and cocks in said pipes by which to cause the steam to pass
from the reservoir steam pipe to the fuel feed-pipe to clear it or to soften the fuel.
Also the combination of the fuel reservoir, the fuel feed-pipe lending therefrom
to the injector, the steam-pipe in the reservoir, its connecting steam-pipe leading
to the fuel feed-pipe, the superheated steam pipe connecting with the injector
steam passage, the connecting pipe between the superheated steam-pipe and steam-
pipe leading from the reservoir steam pipe to the fuel feed-pipe and cocks in the
several pipes by which to shut off the superheated steam or direct it to the injector
or to the live steam-pipe and by it to the fuel feed-pipe or to the fuel-reservoir, and
also to admit of shutting off the supply of live steam from the reservoir steam-pipe
or to direct it to the fuel feed-pipe, and by it either to the fuel reservoir or to
the injector, and also allow of the live steam being admitted to the injector by the
superheated steam-pipe.

page_text: The improvements are designed to be used in connection with any number of
furnaces for heating boilers, manufacturing iron, etc., it being only necessary to
duplicate the parts shown by the accompanying Drawings for each additional
furnace in an obvious way.
In the Drawings which show the best way now known to my correspondent of
embodying these improvements in apparatus suitable for carrying out or practising
the Invention,-
Figure 1 is an elevation of the injector and its immediate connections.
Figure 2, a horizontal central section through the injector showing its internal
construction and the points of connection with it of a fuel supply-pipe and a
superheated steam pipe.
Figure 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing
enough of the apparatus including a portion of the furnace to illustrate the manner
of supplying the commingled gas-tar or liquid fuel, steam, and air to the furnace
over the incandescent bed of fuel therein.
Figure 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, the parts
shown being similar to those represented in the preceding Figures, except that
hot air from a suitable source is supplied to the furnace instead of cold air, as in
Figure 3, and that a handle on the plunger or clearing-rod serves to work it instead
of the lever represented in the other Figures.
In this instance the apparatus is especially designed for burning gas-tar which is
supplied to a tank or reservoir shown as consisting of a large suitably located pipe A
having a fuel feed-pipe B passing out from its bottom. There is a feed pipe B for
every furnace.
A steam pipe C for beating the fuel passes longitudinally and centrally along the
reservoir pipe A and takes its steam from any suitable source. This pipe O should
pass out at one end of the reservoir and be provided with a blow-off cock, and should
also have a cock to regulate the admission of steam. One of the objects of providing
this pipe is to enable the fuel to be readily warmed to a sufficient degree to reduce
it to a fluid or semi-fluid condition so as to flow by way of the feed pipe B.
A steam pipe D, one for every fuel feed-pipe, connects with the reservoir steam-
pipe C at one end, and at the opposite end is connected with the feed pipe at a
suitable point as at b between two cocks a, a', of the feed pipe, for a purpose here.
after to be explained. A cock d is provided in the vertical portion of the connecting
steam pipe D, so that the live steam from the reservoir pipe C may be admitted to
or shut off from the fuel pipe.
A pipe E for superheated steam taken from a coil of pipes heated in suitable
manner designed to be arranged in the furnace E' in this instance communicates
with an injector presently to be described, and is provided with a cock F¹ above
the injector and with a blow off cock or exhaust nozzle F.
A connecting pipe & between the superheated steam pipe E and live steam pipe D
and the cocks eg, and d' enable the attendant to direct the superheated steam to
the fuel supply pipe B or to the injector at will or even to cause the superheated
steam or a part of it to pass to the reservoir steam-pipe should there be any
interruption of the usual supply of live steam to the pipe O. In some cases it may
be found advisable to use the superheated steam in the pipe O.
It will be understood that there is a pipe E and when used a connection G, and
suitable cocks for every pipe D and B.
The injector H for every fuel feed pipe B is made in adjustably connected sections
and of an inner tube chamber or steam passage h and a surrounding or concentric
outer tube having the fuel chamber or passage h', to the bottom of which the end
of the fuel supply pipe B leads. The superheated steam pipe E communicates with
the steam passage or inner tube h of the injector by a box or coupling I adjustably
connected with the shank extension or rear end of this tube h. A stuffing box J is
fitted to the coupling-box I and through it plays a clearing rod or plunger K
worked by any suitable handle or lever. In one instance the plunger is jointed to a
lover L provided with a handle at one end and linked at its opposite end to a rest,

page_text: or arm M secured by a screw to the threaded end of the coupling I. The
plunger or clearing rod may be reciprocated endwise in the steam passage or inner
tube h of the injector at any time, to clear the jet nozzles or perforated ends mand m³
of the injector. The small end of the plunger works through these nozzle openings
when the lever is properly worked and forcibly ejects any solid substance which may
have entered the openings.
A. simple handle or cross-arms P may be used to work the rod K as well as to
turn it to facilitate the clearing of the injector.
Practice has demonstrated the utility of the plunger not only to remove any
foreign clogging matter that may have by accident gotten jammed in the nozzles m¹
or m, especially the latter, which is very liable to be clogged when used about
metallurgic furnaces, but to clear away the fuel (gas-tar) when it becomes bakod
and clogs up the injector fuel chamber or passage h¹ and its nozzle m so firmly as
to render it extremely difficult to entirely remove the obstruction by the pressure
of the steam alone. In operation it is only necessary to occasionally work the
plunger to ensure the proper supply of the fuel and steam to the furnace over the
incandescent fuel on the grate N or to indicate that the fuel chamber in rear of the
injector nozzles is clogged. When so clogged steam is admitted under pressure to
the injector as presently explained.
An air inlet funnel or supply box O for cold air, as in Figure 3, or for hot air
from any suitable source, as in Figure 4, supplies the air to support and ensure
combustion of the commingled superheated steam and fuel sprayed into the fire
chamber of the furnace by the injector.
In operation the fuel in the reservoir having been sufficiently warmed by the
ateam in pipe C flows to the injector and into furnace, the cocks a and a¹ in the 1
fuel feed pipe B and the cocks F¹ and e of the superheated steam pipe being opened,
and the cock F of the superheated steam pipe, the cock g of the connecting pipe G
and the cock d of the steam pipe D being closed. Should the fuel become clogged in
the fuel passage h¹ of the injector the cocks a and d, and also d² when employed, are
all opened and live steam admitted to the fuel pipo B to warm and force out the
clogging matter in the fuel passage of the injector. If desired superheated steam
may be directed to the fuel passage of the injector for the same purpose by properly
adjusting the cocks. By closing the cock a and opening the cock a¹ in the feed
pipe B this pipe may be cleaned out between the point at which the pipe D connects
with it and the reservoir, and the steam may be allowed to pass into the reservoir
to facilitate the softening of the fuol in starting. By the arrangement of pipes and
cocks shown the operator is enabled, should it become necessary or expedient to
do so, to admit steam directly to the contents of the reservoir, and at the same timo
to heat at the centre by the pipe C. It will be seen also that live steam may be
directed to the injector steam passage by way of the pipes D, G, and E by manipu- 4
lating the cocks in the several pipes so as to clear the jet nozzle m¹ as well as the
nozzle m and the space between them at the same time. The live steam serves to
soften the tar, which sometimes becomes baked by the intense heat to which it is
subjected by the superheated steam and furnace fire.
Instead of employing the fuel feed pipe B to conduct the steam to the fuel 4
chamber of the injector during the intermission of the supply of fuel, as above
explained, it is obvious that a separate steam pipe, such for instance as a branch
pipe from a pipe E or the pipe D, may be connected with said chamber and be
provided with a cock or cocks to admit steam to the chamber to clear it. The
construction shown is however preferred. Obviously two or even more injectors &
and their adjuncts may be employed for a single furnace. When a large furnace is
to be heated two injectors answer better than one. It will of course be understood
that all co-operating parts (steam-pipes, feed-pipes, air boxes, etc.) are duplicated
for every injector added and properly connected with it.
The injector outer nozzle is adjustable by the screw coupling to vary the feed, 5
and one nozzle or nose-piece may be substituted for another, to vary the size of the

page_text: jet or nozzle opening m, according to whether the supply of liquid fuel is to be
increased or diminished.
Many methods and numerous ways differing from this Invention more or less of
supplying to furnaces commingled jets or sprays of hydrocarbon liquids, gases or
vapors, air, and steam were devised prior to this Invention which relates to the
described apparatus, and therefore
I claim,
First. The combination with the injector of the plunger or clearing rod movable
end wise therein and playing at its end through the nozzles or jet openings of both
the inner and outer tubes thereof, substantially as and for the purpose herein before
set forth.
Second. The combination of the injector having the concentric tubes or passages
with the nozzles or jet openings, the plunger or clearing rod adapted to be pro-
jected at its end through said openings, and the handle or lever, substantially as
described.
Third. The combination of the injector tubes, the plunger working in the inner
tube, the lever to which the plunger is jointed, and the arm or rest supported on the
shank or extension of the inner tube of the injector in rear of the fuel and
steam pipe connections therewith, to which arm the lever is linked, substantially
as and for the purpose herein before set forth."
Fourth. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the injector
having the liquid feed passage and the steam passage in its outer and inner tubes
respectively, the clearing rod or plunger movable at its end through the tube nozzles
or jet openings, the feed pipe communicating with the fuel passage in the injector
around the inner tube thereof, and the steam pipe communicating with the steam
passage in the inner tube through which the plunger works.
Fifth. The combination of the injector having the steam and fuel passages in the
inner and outer tubes thereof and the nozzles or jet openings in line with each
other, the plunger, its lever, the arm or rest for said lever, the coupling box by which
the arm is secured to the shank or extension of the inner tube of the injector, the
superheated steam pipe connecting with said tube by way of said box and the fuel
feed pipe, these members being and operating substantially as herein before set
fortb.
Sixth. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the injector
having the fuel and steam passages, the fuel feed pipe connected with the injector
fuel passage, the pipe for supplying superheated steam to the injector steam passage,
the pipe for supplying live steam having communication with the fuel passage of
the injector, and cocks in the different pipes by which to admit the superheated
steam and fuel to their respective passages in the injector and admit of clearing out
the injector by the live steam admitted to the fuel passage when the supply of fuel
is cut off, as set forth.
Seventh. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the injector
having the passages for fuel and steam, the fuel feed pipe, the pipe for supplying
superheated steam, the pipe for supplying live steam, and having communication
with the steam passage of the injector, and the cocks in the fuel feed pipe, super-
heated steam pipe, and live steam pipe, by which to admit to the injector passage
the fuel and superheated steam, or admit the live steam alone or with the super-
heated steam to the injector steam passage to clear the nozzles of both the injector
passages, as described.
Eighth. The combination of the injector having the inner and outer tubes or
concentric steam and fuel passages, the fuel feed pipe and the pipe for superheated.
steam connected respectively with the fuel and steam passages of the injector, the
pipe for live steam connected both with the fuel feed pipe and the superheated
steam pipe, and the series of cocks by which to regulate or shut off the supply of
fuel superbeated steam and live steam, and serving also to direct the live steam to
the fuel passage of the injector by way of the fuel feed pipe and to the injector

page_text: steam passage by way of the superheated steam pipe, these members being and
operating substantially as herein before set forth.
Ninth. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the fuel
reservoir, the steam pipe therein, the fuel feed pipe leading to the injector, the
connecting steam pipe communicating with the reservoir steam-pipe and fuel feed-
pipe, and the cocks to cause the steam to pass from the reservoir steam-pipe by
way of the connecting-pipe to the feed-pipe to clear it or to soften the fuel, as
described.
Tenth. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the fuel
reservoir, its steam-pipe, the fuel feed-pipe, its cocks a, a', the connecting steam
pipe communicating with the reservoir steam pipe and with the fuel feed-pipe
between its cocks, and the cock d in said connecting pipe, for the purpose
described.
.
Eleventh. The combination of the fuel reservoir, the fuel feed-pipe leading from
the reservoir to the injector, the reservoir steam-pipe, the connecting steam pipe
leading therefrom to the fuel feed-pipe, the superheated steam pipe, the steam-pipe
connecting it with the pipe which communicates with the reservoir steam-pipe and
fuel feed-pipe, and the cocks in the several pipes, these members being and operating
substantially as herein before set forth.
Twelfth. The hereinbefore described improvements in supplying and burning
liquid fuels by apparatus such substantially as represented by the Drawings
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sydney Pitt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and seventy nine.
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