IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING LIQUID FUEL IN BOILER OR OTHER FURNACES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
& C° Patent Agents Southampton Buildings London for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING LIQUID FUEL IN BOILER
OR OTHER FURNACES communicated to him from abroad by Thomas Urquhart
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1883.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING
LIQUID FUEL IN BOILER OR OTHER FURNACES" [a communication to him from
abroad by Thomas Urquhart of Borisoglebsk, Tambov Government, Russia,
Engineer]
This invention relates to improved apparatus for utilizing liquid fuel in loco-
motive boiler or other furnaces, and is chiefly designed to effect the burning of
liquid hydrocarbons in a furnace in as direct a manner as possible, so as to ensure
complete combustion without smoke, by means simple in themselves, involving
small first cost and with no complexity of parts.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a spray injector which
operates by means of steam or compressed air or a combination of steam and air,
which may, if desired, be superheated. This spray injector is made with a cast
iron cylindrical box or casing which is fastened to the rear of the fire-box or in
any other suitable position thereon or in relation thereto; in this cylindrical
casing is screwed a tube of brass or other suitable material having a conical end
towards the fire-box and on its rear extremity a worm-wheel with which gears a.
worm whereby the said tube can be turned round and caused to travel backwards
and forwards within the cylindrical casing, the said tube sliding at the same time
upon a key fastened to the worm-wheel, by these means the regulation of the supply
of liquid fuel is ensured in a most sensitive manner.
On the end of the cylindrical casing towards the fire-box is fixed a conical tube

page_text: I
:
or nozzle; inside this cone is situated a smaller conical nozzle formed at the end of
the aforesaid tube.
The end of the cylindrical casing next the fire-box is formed with an inlet
aperture or channel serving to conduct the liquid fuel to the conical nozzle ; to
this channel is attached a pipe leading to a convenient tank where the liquid fuel
is retained; this tank should be situated about two or more feet above the level
of the said spray injector. Close to the fuel channel is arranged a second channel
which may be at right angles to the fuel channel. Through the second channel
steam or compressed air is conducted to a cavity in the interior of the cylindrical
casing. The aforesaid tube, at that part which traverses the said cavity, has three
or four small holes through which steam is admitted to the interior of the tube and
ultimately, through the conical end thereof, into the furnace.
The action of this part of the apparatus is similar to that of spray injectors of
other forms of construction, and consists in injecting by means of steam or
compressed air, a fine spray of globules of petroleum or other hydrocarbon fuel in
a liquid state into a furnace. The means of communication through which the fuel
is conducted from the exterior to the interior of the fire-box consists of a hollow
stay of sufficient diameter passing through the water space around the fire-box,
the orifice through this stay is made of conical forin and the conical fuel nozzle is
so situated in its interior that when in action a strong current of air is inducted
along with the spray thus tending to support combustion and keep the divider
hereinafter described cool.
In order to distribute the fuel over the whole area of the furnace, there is fixed
inside the fire-box a triple or quadruple knife or divider which tends to divide the
column of spray and at the same time permit a free induction of air through and
between the flame, thus thoroughly combining the ignited gases; the function of
this divider forms an important and essential element in the successful operation
of the apparatus.
The admission of fuel to the furnace is effected by simply moving the aforesaid
tube backwards by means of the aforesaid worm-wheel and worm, the spindle of
the latter having a small hand-wheel on its upper end and extending above the
foot plate of a locomotive, or on to the deck of a torpedo boat or steam launch, thus
placing the regulation of the supply of fuel under the complete control of the
engine driver, engineer or captain.
The above described arrangement is chiefly designed for locomotives or steam
launches; for ordinary boilers the worm-wheel and worm can be dispensed with,
if desired, and in their place a small hand-wheel can be employed.
An important feature of the said invention, and one which forms the part most
essential to success, is the employment of a combustion regenerative and accu-
mulative chamber, which is built inside the fire-box or furnace and is composed of
fire-bricks and fire-clay. The ash-pan is first covered all over its interior surface
with a layer of fire-bricks, on this as a basis are formed three walls which extend
to the top of the fire-box or furnace, the two side walls being supported by having
an arch between; them this arch can, in some cases, be dispensed with.
Between the side walls of the combustion chamber and the fire-box plates, I
make a series of channels each formed on three sides by fire-resisting material,
through these channels the ignited gases pass to the boiler-tubes, but before entering
the tubes the gases become thoroughly mixed in a chamber formed between the
main wall of the regenerator and the tube plate. In addition to the said channels
there are formed in the walls of the combustion chamber small apertures, the
number, position and area of which depend upon the construction of the fire-box or
furnace.
In order to more equally distribute the gases over all the tubes, the corners of
the combustion chamber are cut away or rounded at the part facing the tubes.
The necessary quantity of air for combustion is admitted to the furnace through
a series of apertures in the ash-pan and that quantity necessary for more immediate
ignition is admitted through the hollow stay. The air channels in the ash-pan can

page_text: be arranged in any suitable manner and the combustion chamber can be constructed
in a different manner to that above described for fulfilling the primary objects,
namely, thoroughly regenerating or reheating the gases to a high temperature and
thus ensuring thorough combustion.
The general action of the combustion chamber, regenerator and accumulator is
as follows. The liquid fuel from the spray injector enters the chamber, where it
becomes ignited, thoroughly mixing with the inducted currents of air entering
through the hollow stay as well as by the apertures in the ash-pan. The hot
gases, before their final exit through the tubes, are made to traverse the combustion
chamber and channels thus completely utilizing the whole heating surface of the
fire-box, the inflamed gases at the same time wholly enveloping the regenerator.
The gases being thus retained in close contact with the regenerator for as long a
time as possible, the combustible matter is completely consumed without smoke,
and the gases or products of combustion enter the tube at a very high
temperature.
.
The heat absorbed by the mass of brick work when lighting up is retained in a
hot condition so long as the furnace is in action, but as soon as the firing is
discontinued, the ash-pan doors are closed, and the brick-work gradually gives out
its accumulated heat, thus tending to retain the pressure of steam for some time
uniform and completely preventing cold air passing to the tubes.
Amongst the advantages of the said invention may be mentioned the following,
that is to say-Complete combustion of the liquid hydro carbons is ensured; cold
air is prevented from coming in contact with the ends of the boiler-tubes, thus
avoiding leakage around the tubes, as the air cannot find its way to the tube ends
in a cold state, even should the ash-pan doors by negligence be left open, the air
in every case, when the firing is discontinued, must pass through the combustion
chamber and the regenerative channels which are heated to a high temperature
and impart heat to the air in its passage. Moreover, the spray of fuel can be
ignited after a considerable stoppage simply by setting the injector in action,
because the spray coming in contact with the hot chamber is instantly inflamed
without causing any explosion, this point is most important when applied to
locomotives as the fuel can be wholly shut off when running down inclines or when
approaching stations where a few minutes standing time is intended; the fuel can
be shut off a considerable distance in advance of the station, the accumulative
part of the apparatus sufficing to preserve the pressure of steam uniform. And,
further, very rapid means are provided for raising steam to a pressure of say
eight (8) atmospheres from cold water. To start the injector, steam from a boiler
near at hand must be used for about twenty (20) minutes, when the firing can be
continued by means of steam from the boiler to which the injector is fitted.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th November 1883.
"
"
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING
LIQUID FUEL IN BOILER OR OTHER FURNACES A communication to me from
abroad by Thomas Urquhart, of Borisoglebsk, Tambov Government, Russia,
Engineer,
1
This invention relates to improved apparatus for utilizing liquid fuel in boiler
or other furnaces.
The said invention is chiefly designed to effect the burning of liquid hydro-
carbons in a furnace in a direct manner, so as to ensure complete combustion
without smoke, and to accomplish this result in a simple, efficient, and inexpensive
manner.
One part of the said invention comprises an improved spray injector or burner
for the liquid fuel. It also comprises the employment of this injector or burner in
combination with a hollow or tubular stay connecting the interior and exterior
plates of the fire-box, and in some instances with means for distributing the flame,
all as hereinafter set forth.
Another part of the said invention comprises a furnace with a regenerative or
accumulative combustion-chamber as hereinafter described.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a plan
Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 3 an end elevation of the improved spray injector or burner.
Figure 4 is an end elevation, and
Figure 5 a side elevation shewing details thereof.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal central section,
Figure 7 a section on the line x, x, Figure 6, and
Figure 8 a section on the line x¹, x', Figure 6, of a steam-boiler furnace with
the heat regenerator or accumulator and the spray injector or burner applied
thereto.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawing.
The improved spray injector or burner is designed to be operated by means of
steam or compressed air or by a mixture of steam and air, which may, if desired,
be superheated. This spray-injector is made with a cylindrical box or casing A of
cast iron or other suitable material. The said box or casing is secured to the rear
side of the fire-box, or it may be arranged in any other suitable position thereon or
in relation thereto. In this cylindrical casing A is screwed a tube B of brass
or other suitable material having a conical end towards the fire-box, and on its
rear extremity a worm-wheel C with which gears a worm D. This worm is fixed
on a spindle D¹ which is carried in bearings D2, and which can be operated by a
hand-wheel or other suitable means to cause the tube B to rotate and thus move
backwards or forwards within the cylindrical casing. The tube B passes through
a stuffing box B' which has a screw-gland B. The worm-wheel C is secured upon
the tube B by means of a key C¹ fixed in the said worın-wheel and fitting into a
longitudinal groove in the tube B so that the said tube can slide to and fro in the
said wheel at the same time that it is rotated thereby. By these means I provide
for the regulation of the supply of liquid fuel in a very sensitive manner.
On the end of the cylindrical casing A towards the fire-box is fixed a conical

page_text: tube or nozzle E within which is situated the smaller conical nozzle formed by the
end of the tube B. Near this end of the said casing is formed an inlet aperture or
passage F sérving to conduct the liquid fuel to the conical nozzle E. A pipe F¹
connects this aperture or passage with a convenient tank wherein the liquid fuel is
retained; this tank should be situated about two or more feet above the level of
the said spray injector or burner. Close to the passage F is arranged a second
passage or pipe G which is shewn at right angles to the passage F.
Through the pipe G the steam or compressed air is conducted to a cavity I in the
cylindrical casing A. The tube B, at that part which traverses the said cavity, has
three or four small apertures K through which steam is admitted to the interior of
the tube B, the said steam then passes through the conical end thereof into the
furnace.
The action of this part of the apparatus is similar to that of spray injectors or
burners of other forms of construction, that is to say, it injects, by means of steam
or compressed air, a fine spray of globules of petroleum or other hydrocarbon fuel in
a liquid state into the furnace.
I sometimes employ the improved spray injector or burner in combination with
a hollow stay L of suitable diameter passing through the water space between the
interior and exterior plates of the fire-box. The orifice or passage through this
stay is made of conical form, and the conical nozzle E is so situated within it that
when the injector is in operation a strong current of air is induced along with the
spray, thus tending to support combustion and prevent the overheating of the
divider hereinafter described.
In order to distribute the fuel over the whole area of the furnace, I prefer to
fix inside the fire-box, a triple or quadruple knife or divider M which tends to
divide the column of spray and at the same time permits a free induction of air
through and between the portions of the flame, thus thoroughly combining the
ignited gases. This divider M forms an important and essential element in the
successful operation of the apparatus.
2
The admission of fuel to the furnace is effected by simply moving the tube B
backwards by means of the worm-wheel C and worm D, and opening a cock for
the admission of steam to the said pipe. The spindle D¹ of the said worm may
have a small hand-wheel on its upper end, which may extend above the foot-plate
of a locomotive, or on to the deck of a torpedo-boat or steam-launch, thus placing
the regulation of the supply of fuel under the complete control of the engine-
driver, engineer, or captain.
The above described arrangement is chiefly designed for locomotives or steam
launches; for ordinary boilers the worm-wheel and worm can be dispensed with
if desired, and in their place a small hand-wheel fixed to the tube B can be
employed.
Another important feature of the said Invention, and one which is essential to,
success in the use of liquid fuel in boiler or other furnaces, is the employment of
what I term a regenerative and accumulative combustion-chamber which is built
inside the fire-box or furnace as shewn in Figures 6, 7 and 8. In these figures a
is the furnace and b is the heat regenerator or accumulator, which is composed of
fire-bricks and fire-clay as follows, that is to say -The interior surface of the
ash-pan is first covered with a layer b¹ of fire-bricks; on this layer, as a basis, are
formed three walls 62, 63, 64, which extend to the top of the fire-box or furnace,
the two side walls 63, 6s being supported by an arch 6 placed between them.
This arch can, in some cases, be dispensed with.
Between the side walls 62, 63 and the fire-box plates I make a series of channels
or passages c, c, each formed on three sides by fire-resisting material, as shewn in
Figure 7. Through these channels the ignited gases pass to the boiler tubes d, but
before entering the tubes the gases become intimately mixed in a chamber e formed
between the main wall of the regenerator or accumulator and the tube-plate. In
addition to the channels or passages c there are formed in the walls of the accumu-
lator or combustion-chamber small apertures or channels f, f, Figures 6 and 7, the

page_text: number, position and area of which apertures depend upon the construction of the
fire-box or furnace. The combined area of the fire-box or furnace, of the various
channels c and f, and of the interior of the accumulator or combustion chamber
form the regenerative or accumulative element in the present invention.
In order to more equally distribute the gases to all the tubes, the corners of the
combustion-chamber are cut away or rounded at the part facing the tubes, as shewn
in Figure 8.
The quantity of air required for combustion is admitted to the furnace through
a series of apertures g, h, Figures 6 and 7, in the ash-pan, and the quantity of air
requisite for the immediate ignition of the fuel is admitted through the hollow
stay L. The air-channels in the ash-pan can be arranged in a different manner
from that shewn in the drawing, and the combustion chamber can be differently
arranged according to circumstances for fulfilling the primary object of this part of
the said invention, namely, thoroughly regenerating or reheating the gases to a
high temperature and thus ensuring thorough combustion.
The action of the regenerative and accumulative combustion-chamber is as
follows, that is to say, the liquid fuel from the spray injector or burner A,
Figure 6, enters the said chamber, where it becomes ignited, thoroughly mixing
with the induced currents of air entering through the hollow stay as well as by
the apertures g, h, in the ash-pan. The hot gases before their passage through the
tubes d, are made to traverse the combustion-chamber and the channels or
passages c and f, as shewn by the arrows, thus completely utilizing the whole
heating surface of the fire-box, the inflamed gases at the same time wholly
enveloping the regenerator. The gases being thus retained in close contact with
the regenerator for a considerable period of time, the combustible matter is
'completely consumed without smoke and the gases or products of combustion enter
the tubes d at a very high temperature.
The heat absorbed by the mass of brickwork while steam is being raised to the
desired pressure is retained in a hot condition so long as the furnace is in action.
As soon as the supply of fuel is discontinued, the ash-pan doors are closed and
the brick-work gradually gives out its accumulated heat thus tending to maintain
the pressure of steam uniform for a considerable period of time and completely
preventing the passage of cold air to the tubes.
Amongst the advantages of the present invention may be mentioned the
following, viz-Complete combustion of the liquid hydrocarbons is ensured;
cold air is prevented from coming in contact with the ends of the boiler tubes,
thus avoiding leakage around the same, as the air cannot reach the tube ends in a
'cold state even should the ash-pan doors by negligence be left open, the air in
every case when the supply of fuel is discontinued, must pass through the
combustion-chamber and the regenerative chanuels or passages, which are heated
to a high temperature and impart heat to the air in its passage through them.
Moreover the spray of fuel can be ignited, after the supply has been discontinued
for a considerable time, by simply setting the injector or burner in action, because
the spray coming in contact with the hot chamber is instantly inflamed without
causing any explosion. This feature is of great importance when the apparatus
is applied to a locomotive, as the supply of fuel can be wholly shut off when the
locomotive is running down an incline; or, when the locomotive is approaching a
station where it is required to stop for a few minutes, the supply of fuel can be
shut off at a considerable distance in advance of the said station, the accumulative
or regenerative part of the apparatus sufficing to maintain the pressure of steam
uniform. Furthermore, very rapid means are afforded for raising steam to a
pressure of say eight (8) atmospheres from cold water.
To set the spray-injector in operation, in the first instance, steam from a boiler
near at hand must be used for about twenty minutes, when the supply of fuel can
be continued by means of steam from the boiler to which the injector is fitted.
Experiments have proved that in a locomotive having the present improvements
applied thereto, the pressure of steam can be maintained uniform or even raised,

page_text: while stopping at a railway station, simply by the action of the regenerator or
accumulator; very severe frosts not materially affecting it.
Moreover, while standing at a station or while running, the pressure of steam
may be rapidly increased to its maximum in about ten minutes.
Another great advantage of the said invention is that the risk of sparks issuing
from the chimney or of pieces of coal dropping from the ash-pan is obviated, thus
avoiding the fires which frequently occur from these causes.
Moreover by the said invention I effect economy by obviating the necessity for,
employing coal-heavers, wood-loaders or the like, as, in the case of a locomotive, the
fuel tank, which is on the tender, can be replenished by gravity in a similar
manner to that usually employed for supplying water to the tanks of locomotives..
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. The improved injector or burner wherein the adjustable perforated tube
having the conical nozzle is arranged in combination with the fixed conical nozzle
and with the pipes for the steam or compressed air and for the liquid fuel,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Second. The combination of the said injector with the tubular stay, substantially
as, and for the purpose, specified.
Third. The combination, with the said injector or burner, of the divider or
device for distributing the flame, substantially as above set forth.
Fourth. The regenerative and accumulative chamber constructed with a base
and walls of refractory material in the fire-box or furnace and provided with the
channels or passages, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The improved apparatus for utilizing liquid fuel in boiler or other
furnaces, which apparatus consists of the parts constructed and arranged
substantially as above described for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Seventeenth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three
: