IMPROVEMENTS IN COKE OVENS OR RETORTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1884

page_text: We, JOHN MCCULLOCH, of Calderbank Iron Works, Airdrie, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Manager, and THOMAS REID, of 4 South Frederick Street,
Glasgow, in the same County, Merchant do hereby declare the nature of our said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COKE OVENS OR RETORTS AND APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH and in what manner, the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
"
Our said Invention has for its object the conversion of coal into coke in an
improved and superior manner, and the improved apparatus for effecting the
conversion is constructed so that the heat of combustible gas may be efficiently
used in the conversion, and so that the volatile products driven off from the coal
may be saved and utilised. The improved apparatus consists principally of a
circular structure of brickwork supported on iron columns so as to have convenient
access beneath, and in this structure a number of ovens or retorts are arranged in
radiating positions with provision for introducing coal, preferably in the form of
dross or small coal, at the top, and for removing the coke at the bottom, whilst
between the retorts flues are constructed for the passage of the ignited heating
gases.
The constructive details of the improved heating apparatus will be most readily
understood from the accompanying explanatory drawings of which two sheets are
hereunto appended and from the following description with references to the said
drawings. Figure, 1, on sheet, 1, is a horizontal section as taken through the
retorts and heating flues. Figure, 2, is one half of it a plan of a combination of
iron plates forming the sole upon which the brickwork is constructed and
supported, the other half being a horizontal section at a lower level. Figure, 3, on
sheet, 2, is a vertical section, and figure, 4, is one half of it a plan of a combination
of iron plates covering the retorts and flues, the other half being a plan of railway
and gangway details above the retorts.
The number of retorts and other parts of the apparatus may be varied in
different cases,
but in the example shown in the accompanying drawings there are
SD...
37

page_text: twenty retorts, 5, in the one structure which is supported on fifteen iron
columns, 6, 7, arranged in an outer circle of ten and an inner one of five. Upon
these columns, 6, 7, there is fixed a combination of iron sole plates, 8, consisting of
horizontal parts with vertical flanges, and made. with openings for the bottoms of
the retorts 5, and with other smaller openings to give access to the flues; and these
sole plates guide the builders in laying the brickwork and combine with an
external cylindrical iron shell, 9, in binding tlie brickwork together, whilst a
combination of iron plates, 10, covering the retorts also assists in the same. -The
parts of the walls forming the retorts and flues which are acted on by the
ignited gases are built with fire bricks but ordinary bricks may be used for other
parts; and just within the bricks lining the outer iron shell, 9, an annular space
is formed and filled with sand or other suitable loose material to form an expansion
cushion.
In figure, 3, the section is taken as through one of the retorts, 5, on the left-hand
side, whilst on the other side the section is as through flues between two retorts.
Each retort, 5, is of a narrow oblong form in horizontal section and of a
rectangular form in vertical section; and has at its top four openings, two, 12, for
feeding in the coal or dross, a third; 13, for inspecting the interior.or..other
purposes, and the fourth, 14, for the attachment of the pipe, 15, for leading the
volatile products into the hydraulic main, 16, which last is in an annular form
encircling the structure. To facilitate the feeding of the coal and for other
purposes, a light iron framework, 17, is constructed above the retorts, and is fitted
with upper rails, 18, for trucks, 19, and with lower hanging rails, 20, for a small
wheeled hopper, 21, made with two spouts or shoots, to lead the coal into the
retort openings, 12.1
2
The combustible gas for heating the retorts is admitted into a central vertical
flue, 22, by a pipe which is not shown. but may connect with either the top or
bottom of the flue, 22, and from the central flue, 22, the gas passes by ports, into an
annular series of spaces, 23, which form combustion chambers, the air required-for
combustion being admitted from below by ports, 24, fitted with regulating valves.
From the top of each combustion chamber, 23, the ignited" gas passes into the top
of a vertical flue, 25, close to the inner end of a retort, 5; and descending finds its
way by a circular, flue, 26, at the bottom, to the bottom of a flue space, 27, between
two retorts, 5... The ignited gas, which rises up each space, 27, divides,and descends
by two flues, 28, in the space between two retorts, and afterwards.finds its way by
an outer circular. flue, 29, to the, bottom of a flue, 30, close to the outer end of, a
retort, and rising up this flue passes by a short horizontal flue, 31, at the top to a
chimney, 32, having, a valve or damper, 33, fitted to it. Various openings, 34;
fitted with stoppers or covers, are, provided at the top and bottom for examining
the flues and for introducing cleaning, instruments if required;, and short,horizontal
flues, 35, are also provided for giving access to, the main flues.,., Connecting, or
tying bricks are built, in so as to cross the flues at various points but are indicated
by dotted lines only in figure, 1.
Doors are provided for the bottom ends of, the retorts and are secured by, bolts
or fastenings of any convenient kind whilst the coking, operation is proceeding.
For, facilitating the opening or removing of the door when about to discharge, the
coked contents of, any, retort, a, segmental platform,, 36, is provided to run on
circular rails, 37, fixed to the outer, and inner columns, 6, 7, and on this, platform
there is placed a small hydraulic press,38, to be, used for holding up the door, whilst
loosening the fastenings... When the fastenings of the door, have been loosened the
platform, 38, with the door is moved to one side of the retort and the contents of
the retort, are allowed to pass down an inclined plate or shoot into a truck placed
below to receive them.
4. m
J
2.1
Having thus particularly, described the said Invention and, in what manner the
same is to be performed we have to state that, we do not restrict ourselves, to, the
precise details shown in the accompanying drawings and hereinbefore described

page_text: and we proceed to ascertain the distinctive features of novelty of the Invention by
declaring that what we claim is :-
。
The circular brick work structure divided internally by brick walls built to form
vertical ovens or retorts having between them and at their ends, flues for the
passage of ignited gases for heating the ovens or retorts, the said retorts being
provided with feeding openings at the top and with bottom discharge doors which
when open uncover the entire bottom of each retort, the various parts being
arranged and operating substantially as herein before described.
Dated this twenty-eighth day of February 1884.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.