AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR MIXING WITH EARTHY MATTER AND FOR CONSUMING AS FUEL PETROLEUM OR OTHER HYDRO-CARBONS, AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT
Year: 1884

page_text: "
I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Civil Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention for AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR
MIXING WITH EARTHY MATTER AND FOR CONSUMING AS FUEL PETROLEUM OR
OTHER HYDRO-CARBONS, AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT,"
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a process of mixing hydro-carbons with fine earthy
materials or with granulated or pulverized coal, sawdust, or other like granular or
powdered materials for fuel; and to a process for mixing and simultaneously
consuming such mixed or compound fuel; and to an apparatus for feeding, igniting
and consuming such fuel after the same has been mixed.
The object of the invention is to obtain the complete or perfect combustion of
hydro-carbons such as crude petroleums et cetera. And to this end, one part of the
invention, consists, first:-In a process of intermingling hydro-carbon and fine or
granular earthy substances to prepare it for fuel by mechanically feeding a stream
of granular material, and a stream of hydro-carbon in juxta-position, and by a
separate blast scattering both streams, and thereby mixing the materials of both;
second, in the process of mixing as above described in a furnace or fire-box and
simultaneously igniting and consuming the hydro-carbon of the said mixed or
compound fuel.
In carrying out this part of the invention an apparatus is constructed consisting
of a hopper for holding the granular or powdered material, provided with suitable
conveyors and conduits, for conducting the material to the mouth of a vessel or
furnace, a suitable tank for holding the bydro-carbon provided with pipes, cocks,
et cetera for conducting and regulating the flow thereof, under a head or pressure
to the mouth of the furnace; a suitable blower or means for creating a blast to

page_text: scatter and diffuse both the hydro-carbon and solid materials and thereby
cause a perfect admixture of the two; and for carrying out the process of
combustion in addition to the foregoing, means are provided for producing a gas or
other jet flame, near the mouth of the conduits and blast pipe, whereby the
mixed fuel is ignited and consumed as it is scattered by the blast, while in
suspension.
This invention may be used with advantage in metallurgical processes. The
fluxes may thus be made to furnish a vehicle for separating the liquid carbon as
well as to serve its purpose in the fusion and reduction of metals.
That part of the invention which relates to the apparatus for feeding, igniting
and consuming pulverized fuel, or pulverulent earthy matters saturated with
petroleum, consists first-in the combination of an automatic feed, means for
producing a blast, and means for producing a jet flame, adjacent to said blast and
feed, for igniting the fuel as it is projected away from the feed tube by the blast;
second, in the combination of a blower, a carburetor and a series of blast pipes for
diffusing the fuel throughout the chamber and suspending it during combustion,
as well as for supplying oxygen; third, in the combination of a series of blast
pipes, and means adjacent thereto, for igniting the fuel as it escapes and enters the
fire chamber; fourth, the combination of a series of adjustable pipes and gates or
valves for controlling the direction, force and quantity of the blast, without
changing the speed of the blower.
Shafting mounted in suitable framing and connected together preferably by chain
gearing conveys motion to the different part of the apparatus. These shafts carry
a reciprocally differential and inversely graduated series of sprocket wheels carrying
chain belts, and connected to one of them is a series of clutches operated by levers
for throwing either of the sprocket wheels and its corresponding chain into
operation. When applied to a locomotive the use of the apparatus renders grate
bars unnecessary.
A concave or hopper bottom receives the unconsumed infusional
earth, and such unconsumed portion is removed by means of a screw conveyor to a
bin on the tender.
Date:
1
100

page_text: FOR
I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6 Lord Street Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention for AN IMPROVED PROCESS
MIXING WITH EARTHY, MATTER, AND. FOR CONSUMING AS FUEL, PETROLEUM OR
OTHER HYDROCARBONS AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a process of mixing hydro-carbons with fine earthy
materials or with granulated or pulverized coal, sawdust or other like granular or
powdered materials for fuel; and to a process for mixing and simultaneously
consuming such mixed or compound fuel; and to an apparatus for feeding, igniting
and consuming such fuel after the same has been mixed.
The object of the invention is to obtain the complete or perfect combustion of
hydro-carbons, such as crude petroleum et-cetera. And to this end one part of the
invention consists, first: In a process of intermingling hydro-carbon and fine or
granular earthy substances to prepare it for fuel by mechanically feeding a stream
of granular material, and a stream of hydro-carbon in juxtaposition, and by a
separate blast scattering both streams, and thereby mixing the materials of both;
second, in the process of mixing as above described in a furnace or fire-box, and
simultaneously igniting and consuming the hydro-carbon of the said mixed or
compound fuel.
In carrying out this part of the invention, an apparatus is constructed of a
hopper for holding the granular or powdered material, provided with suitable
conveyors and conduits, for conducting the material to the mouth of a vessel or
furnace, a suitable tank for holding the hydro-carbon, provided with pipes, cocks,
etcetera for conducting and regulating the flow thereof, under a head of pressure
to the mouth of the furnace; a suitable blower or means for creating a blast to
scatter and diffuse both the hydro-carbon and solid materials, and thereby
cause a perfect admixture of the two; and for carrying out the process of
combustion in addition to the foregoing, means are provided for producing a gas or
other jet flame, near the mouth of the conduits and blast-pipe, whereby the
mixed fuel is ignited and consumed as it is scattered by the blast while in
suspension.
This invention may be used with advantage in metallurgical processes. The
fluxes may thus be made to furnish a vehicle for separating the liquid carbon as
well as to serve its purpose in the fusion and reduction of metals.
That part of the invention which relates to the apparatus for feeding, igniting,
and consuming, pulverized fuel, or pulverulent earthy matters saturated with
petroleum, consists first-in the combination of an automatic feed means for.
producing a blast, and means for producing a jet flame, adjacent to said blast, and
feed for igniting the fuel as it is projected away from the feed tube by the blast;
second, in the combination of a blower, a carburetor, and a series of blast pipes for
diffusing the fuel throughout the chamber and suspending it during combustion,
as well as for supplying ogygen for combustion; third, in the combination of a
series of blast pipes, and means adjacent thereto, for igniting the fuel as it escapes
and enters the fire chamber: fourth, the combination of a series of adjustable pipes
and gates or valves for controlling the direction, force, and quantity of the blast,
without changing the speed of the blower; and further the invention consists in the
i
..

page_text: following combinations of details, which will be hereinafter more particularly
described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings making a part of this Specification.
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of the apparatus for feeding and consuming pulverized
or compound hydro-carbon fuel.
Fig 2. is a side elevation of the same.
Fig 3 is a sectional end elevation from the side opposite the view in Fig. 2,
showing a plurality of blast pipes and their valve and lever connections.
Fig 4, is a vertical section of the fuel hopper or reservoir showing arms
projecting from a revolving vertical shaft located in the centre thereof, for stirring
and agitating the fuel.
Fig 5, is a vertical section of the carburetor forming a part of the apparatus.
Fig 6, shows the application of the apparatus to a locomotive and illustrates a
means of removing the debris from the fire box thereof.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of an apparatus adapted to carry out the processes
which constitute the first branch of this invention.
A is a blower of any suitable construction, a "Root" blower, being preferred.
This blower is provided with a relief valve a, so that the blast through the tubes
may be partially cut off without changing the speed of the blower. B is the air-
trunk from which the blast tubes b, b, lead to the mouth of a fire box or furnace..
These blast tubes are connected with the trunk by dove-tail bases 61 61; 62 62 are
levers which operate valves in the trunk for regulating the blast through the pipes
without changing the speed of the blower. G is a carburetor consisting of a vessel,
having a pair of wheels mounted therein, and having yarn or other fibrous
material stretched diagonally across from one to the other.
These wheels interlaced
with yarn constitute an agitator G¹ which tends to keep the gasoline in suspension
while the air is forced through the vessel. g, is a pipe leading from the air-trunk
to the carbureting vessel, and g¹, is the exit pipe leading from the carburetor to the
mouth of the furnace or fire box. This pipe is provided with a gas cock, for
shutting off the flow of gas, and thereby extinguishing the fire in the furnace. It
is also provided at its extremity with a lip or fender x, to guard against
extinguishing the flame by the force of the blast from the blast tubes, and with
perforations z, just below the mouth or burner, through which the gas escapes and
ignites, and thereby operating as priming jets to relight the main flame in case it
may be accidentally extinguished. A flexible branch pipe g2 leads from the pipe g¹,
which is used as a lighter for the gas within the furnace. K, is a driving pulley
to which power is applied for operating the blower, and from which motion is
imparted to the different moving parts of the machine.
H is a gasoline tank secured for convenience to the side of the hopper E, having
a conduit h leading to the carburetor for replenishing the same whenever required.
The amount of gasoline in the carbureting vessel is conveniently indicated by a
gauge y. E, is a hopper for containing a quantity of pulverulent compound fuel,
or of pulverulent earthy material saturated with hydro-carbon, and it is provided
with rotating mixers or stirrers e e, to prevent the fuel from clogging within the
hopper. Leading from the base of the hopper is a conduit el, e, e³, through the
branch e¹, of which the fuel is fed by a screw conveyor I, whence it drops by
gravity through the branch e², and is then by another like screw conveyor
delivered to the mouth of the furnace.
This latter conveyor does not quite reach to the end of its casing, and has
attached to its extremity, next to the furnace, an eccentric pin i to break up any
lumps which may have formed in forcing the material forward. The arbor of this
conveyor is also made hollow, and has a pipe i¹ leading from the air trunk or from
a source of steam or carbureted air, so that the stream of fuel will be broken
and spread as it issues from the conduit e3 to be caught by the blasts from the
tubes b b.
Shafting L M and N mounted in suitable frame work upon or above the blower
carry reciprocally differential and inversely graduated series of sprocket wheels

page_text: carrying chain belts, and shaft M has a series of clutches mounted thereon, operated
by levers m m for throwing either of the sprocket wheels, and its corresponding
chain into operation.
O is a hood arranged to protect the gearing for the stirrers e e.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
The hopper being charged with fuel and the carburetor with gasoline, power is
applied to the pulley K, the blower is put in operation and through the chain
belt p, the shaft L is revolved and through one of the chains p¹, p¹, p¹, p¹, the
shaft M, through gearings v causes the conveyor I, to force the fuel from the
hopper E, and the shaft N, through gearing v¹ drives a screw conveyor in the
conduit e and delivers the fuel to the mouth of a fire box or furnace.
The shafts carrying the fans of the blowers are geared together; and a sprocket
wheel mounted on one of these shafts operates chain belt p2 and through shaft P
and gearing rotates the stirrers e e. The shaft P through belt p³ drives the
agitator G¹, in the carburetor. At the same time blasts of air are driven through
the pipes bb bb, to the furnace for scattering and supplying oxygen to the fuel
and through pipe g into the carburetor, whence it issues by pipe gl, to supply gas
for the jet flame, and by the pipe , through the arbor of the conveyor in
conduit e³, to break up and separate the column of material fed forward by the
conveyor.
Fig 6 shows the application of the invention to locomotive boilers. This figure
shows a machine located in the cab, with the blast pipes projecting into the
furnace. The use of this apparatus renders grate bars unnecessary. In the furnace
shown a concaved or hopper bottom is made for receiving and concentrating the
unconsumed infusional earth. This unconsumed portion or vehicle for the fuel
may be removed from the furnace by means of a suitable conveyor as shewn, to a
receiving bin on the tender.
A form of apparatus for carrying out the process which constitutes the first part
of the invention, is illustrated in Fig 7, this apparatus is operated by the same
gearing and in the same way as that shown in the other figures and herein before
described. There is however a separate conduit D, for pulverized earth, and
another C, for the hydro-carbon, and the exit for the earthy material consists of a
series of openings d' d¹. These openings are in the underside of the conduit above
and forward of the exit orifice of conduit C, and beyond the mouths of the blast
pipes, so that the blast will force the liquid against the earth and mix and disperse
both.
It is obvious that the particles of earth saturated or surrounded by the hydro-
carbon, upon being separated by a blast, will divide the hydro carbon into minute
parts, so that the oxygen has access to and entirely consumes it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention as communicated to me, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I declare that what I claim is :-
1st The process herein described, of mixing and saturating fine or granulated
earthy materials with hydro-carbons for the production of fuel, consisting in
conducting separate streams of both and discharging them to a suitable chamber so
that they drop by gravity in juxtaposition, and while suspended intermixing both
streams by a blast as herein before set forth.
2nd. The process herein described of mixing fine material and hydro-carbon for
fuel, and simultaneously igniting and consuming said fuel, consisting in conducting
a stream of fine earthy material and a stream of hydro-carbon, and discharging
said materials from their conduits in juxtaposition, and while suspended intermixing
the particles of both streams, by a separate stream or blast of air, and simultaneously
igniting the fuel by a jet flame as hereinbefore set forth.
3rd. In an apparatus for mixing earthy matter and hydro-carbons and for
consuming the hydro-carbon therein, the combination of means for feeding the
earthy matter, a separate conduit for the hydro-carbon, means for producing and
separately conducting a blast of air and a jet of gas, substantially as set forth,
.

page_text: :
4th. The method herein described of burning hydro-carbons, consisting in
mixing the same with granular or pulverized material, feeding it to a furnace, and
then simultaneously scattering and igniting the same, and thereby consuming it
while in suspension as set forth.
5th. The combination, substantially as described, of a carburetor and a blower
having a blast through the carburetor to the furnace; to provide gas and pressure for
a jet flame, and a separate blast to the furnace, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
6th The combination of the automatic fuel feeding conveyors working the
fuel through conduits into the furnace, the separate blast pipe for projecting the
fuel through the furnace, and the jet flame adjacent to the nozzle of the conduit
and blast, substantially as specified.
7th In a furnace for burning pulverulent fuel, the combination of a series of
blast pipes and means for producing a jet flame adjacent thereto for igniting
the fuel as it issues from the feed pipe into the fire chamber, substantially as
specified.
8th. The combination of a series of adjustable blast pipes and a series of gates or
valves and levers for controlling the direction, quantity, and force of the blast,
without changing the speed of the blower, substantially as specified.
9th. The combination in a fuel feeding apparatus, of the inversely graduated
gearing and their connecting chain belts, the serrated clutches and their operating
levers, whereby the speed of the conveyors and the feed are adjusted with relation
to the blower, substantially as specified.
10th. The combination of means for changing and regulating the speed of the
conveyors with means for regulating the force of the blast without changing the
speed of the blower, substantially as specified.
11th. The apparatus constructed and operating substantially as described,
consisting of the combination of automatic fuel feeding conveyor, the separate
blast pipes, means for producing a jet flame, a locomotive having a concaved fire
box, and an automatic conveyor for removing the residuum of the fuel to a reservoir
bin, substantially as specified.