AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFacture of IRON AND STEEL AND THE PRODUCTION OF PHOSPHATES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Clay Bull, of Brooklyn, New York, United States
of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFacture of IRON AND
STEEL AND THE PRODUCTION OF PHOSPHATES."
Scaled the 25th June 1880, and dated the 31st December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Clay Bull at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st December 1879.
HENRY CLAY BULL, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, now of
8, Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR
THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL AND THE PRODUCTION OF PHOSPHATES."
My Invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for the manufacture
of iron and steel, and for the production of phosphates of the materials used in such
manufacture.
In carrying this process into effect I use a "Bessemer" converter, and after the air
blow, when all of the silicon, manganese, and carbon are removed, steam is forced
through the molten iron in the said converter. The steam is decomposed, some of
the iron is oxidised, and the free hydrogen in a nascent state combines with phos-
phorous, forming phosphuretted hydrogen.
To prevent the oxidation of the iron and to reduce the oxides of iron formed
during the air or steam blow, a portion of the steam is forced through incandescent
carbon. For this process I use the apparatus described in the Specification accom-
panying my application for Letters Patent bearing the same date as the present
application. In this apparatus the steam is changed from an active oxidizing agent
to a reducing agent. The said apparatus is provided with suitable valves to separate
the steam from the air.
I provide means for replacing the bottom of the converter, so that it can be
rammed and fitted from the outside without waiting for it to cool
I also prefer to have the mouth of the converter separato, so that when worn out
it can be replaced without loss of time.
I provide a suitable lined box or ladle on a truck to empty the slag formed in
the converter, so that it can be removed at once.

page_text: I may also carry on the above described process for the reduction of the oxides
of iron in a well known Siemens' furnace, or in any other suitable furnace.
To provide a basic lining for a blast or other furnace I use a composition con-
sisting of China clay or kaolin mixed with petroleum or other suitable oil or
substance which will not shrink when exposed to a high temperature. The object
of using a basic lining in a blast furnace is to maintain in the same a basic slag,
which prevents the entrance of phosphorus and sulphur into the iron. The slags
will be rich in phosphate of lime, alumina, or other materials, and will therefore
be highly advantageous as fertilizers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Clay Bull in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th June
1880.
HENRY CLAY BULL, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, now of
8, Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR
THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL AND THE PRODUCTION OF PHOSPHATES."
My Invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for the manufacture
of iron and steel, and for the production of phosphates of the materials used in such
manufacture.
Under the first part of my Invention I reduce oxides of iron by the use of
carbonic oxide and hydrogen made in any known way, and the process may be
carried out or worked in any form of blast or reducing furnace, or Bessemer or
other converter.
To reduce the oxides of iron formed during the air or steam blow in the con-
verter, steam is forced through incandescent carbon, and then through the molten
metal. For this process I by preference use the apparatus described in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent granted to me, No 5323, dated 31 December 1879. In
this apparatus the steam is changed from an active oxidizing agent to a reducing
agent. The said apparatus is provided with suitable valves to separate the steam
from the air.
Under the second part, my Invention consists in providing a means for replacing
the bottom of a Bessemer converter, so that it can be rammed and fitted from the
outside, without waiting for it to cool. I accomplish this by providing a series of
circular plates or rings, which are hung in the annular space between the bottom
and sides of the converter by means of suitable rods secured to the blast box.
In order to more fully explain this method of replacing the converter bottom,
reference should be made to Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, in which,―
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a converter and blast box with the bottom in
position. A is the bottom; B, B, are the sides of the converter; C, C, are the
circular plates or rings; D, D, are the rods which support or carry the plates or
rings C, C.
Figure 2 is a plan of the blast box showing the opening E for ramming the space
between the bottom A and the sides B, B, of the converter

page_text: carbon, so that the steam is changed from an active oxidizing agent to a reducing
agent, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Under the second part I claim,-
The method of renewing the bottom of a Bessemer converter by using circular
plates or rings, such as C, supported by rods, such as D, arranged as described, and
for the purposes set forth.
Under the third part I claim,-
First The use of a basic lining in blast or reducing furnaces in order to success-
fully work a basic slag for the purpose of preventing phosphorous, sulphur, and
silicon going into the metal.
Second. The use of a gaseous fuel in blast or reducing furnaces in connection with
a basic lining and a basic slag for the purpose of making iron and steel of a superior
quality.
Third. The manufacture of iron and steel (by the hereinbefore described process)
containing a greater or lesser amount of carbon, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The reduction of the oxides formed during the air or steam blow in the
converter by forcing carbonic oxide through the molten metal, as set forth.
Fifth. Making basic bricks, substantially as herein described and at, forth.
Under the fourth part I claim,―
The manufacture of iron and steel by using ore, such as hematite ore, and
smelting it in a blast furnace, and afterwards refining it in a refinery fire which
has the bottom and sides of basic material, such as blocks of hematite ore, and
afterwards puddling at a high temperature and adding wet oxide of iron, as set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Clay Bull, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand night hundred and sights.