IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES AND STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES AND
STEAM BOILERS." -A communication from Léon Isidore Molinos and
Charles Pronnier, Engineers, of Paris.
Sealed the 29th September 1857, and dated the 10th July 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th July 1857.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
FURNACES AND STEAM BOILERS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, in the first place, to various improvements in the
construction or arrangement of furnaces to be applied to the steam generators
either of stationary or locomotive engines, and to other purposes where furnaces
are required.
The Invention relates, secondly, to an improved construction of steam gene-
rator to be employed in combination with the first part of the improvements.
The object of the various improvements being to effect the perfect combustion of
the fuel, and the economical use of the heat given off therefrom, these objects

page_text: are effected by the following means:-A ventilator or blower is employed for
feeding or forcing in a current of air or a jet of steam or other suitable fluid
for supporting or assisting in supporting the combustion of the fuel and the
combustible gases evolved therefrom. By means of the ventilator, blower,
jet of steam, or other equivalent contrivance, air will be supplied at a much
greater pressure than by the ordinary chimney draft, and so that the pressure
in the furnace shall never be below that of the atmosphere. The air to
support combustion is introduced under the ash-pit and also through tubes or
tuyeres at the sides of the furnace or fire-place, above the fire bars, or just
above the fuel, and at such a distance therefrom that the combustible gases
given out by the fuel will be sufficiently hot to ignite spontaneously on the
introduction of the air. The fuel to be consumed is laid on the fire bars in a
thick layer so as to render the production of the combustible gases uniform,
and to obviate the variations arising from the frequent introduction of fresh
charges of fuel. The thickness of the charge may vary according to the nature
of the fuel employed, but will be always at least double that ordinarily fed
into steam boiler furnaces. In order to ensure perfect combustion, a space
or chamber is made above or behind the fuel to receive the gases, and air is
supplied to this space or chamber by means of pipes above to the flame and
unconsumed gases, and also to the space beyond the fire bridge, by which
means the further combustion of the gases is accelerated. By these means
an economical smoke consuming furnace is produced, applicable not only to
all kinds of steam generators, but also to other purposes, and presenting the
advantage of producing with a given quantity of fuel the greatest possible
amount of heat by the complete combustion of all the elements of the fuel.
When this improved furnace is applied to the generation of steam, an
improved construction of boiler is employed therewith for the purpose of
absorbing and utilizing as completely as possible the large amount of heat
produced. In order to effect this object the generator is made tubular, as is
well understood, and is arranged in such a manner that the gaseous products
of combustion are made to pass through in a circuitous direction, and in so
doing the heat contained in the gases is abstracted and imparted to the
water in the steam generator, and the incombustible part of the gases passes
off to the chimney or flue in a comparatively cool state.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th January 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Edward Newton, Her special license that I, the said
William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, excrcise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES AND
STEAM BOILERS," being a communication from Léon Isidore Molinos and
Charles Pronnier, Engineers, of Paris, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-.
This Invention of "Improvements in the Construction of Furnaces aud
Steam Boilers" is described by my foreign correspondents as relating, in
the first place, to various improvements in the construction or arrangement
of furnaces to be applied to the steam generators either of stationary or
locomotive engines, and to other purposes where furnaces are required.
The Invention relates, secondly, to an improved construction of steam
generator which may be employed in combination with the first part of the

page_text: improvements, the object of the various improvements being to effect the
perfect combustion of the fuel, and the economical use of the heat given off
therefrom. These objects are effected by the following means:-A ventilator or
blower is employed for feeding or forcing in a current of air or a jet of steam,
or other suitable fluid for supporting or assisting in supporting the combustion
of the fuel in the furnace or fire-place and the combustible gases evolved
therefrom. By means of the ventilator, blower, jet of steam, or other
equivalent contrivance, air will be supplied at a much greater pressure than
by the ordinary chimney draft, and in such a manner that the pressure in the
furnace shall never be below that of the atmosphere. The air to support
combustion is introduced under the ash-pit and also through tubes or tuyeres
at the sides of the furnace or fire-place, above the fire bars, or just above the
fuel and at such a distance therefrom that the combustible gases given out
by the fuel will be sufficiently hot to ignite spontaneously on the introduction
of the air. The fuel to be consumed is laid on the fire bars in a thick layer
so as to render the production of the combustible gases uniform, and to
obviate the variations arising from the frequent introduction of fresh charges
of fuel. The thickness of the charge may vary according to the nature of
the fuel employed, but will be always at least double that ordinarily fed into
steam boiler furnaces. In order to ensure perfect combustion, a space or
chamber is made above or behind the fuel to receive the gases, and air is
supplied by means of pipes to the flame and unconsumed gases in this space
or chamber, and also to the space beyond the fire bridge, by which means
the further combustion of the gases is accelerated. By these means an
economical smoke-consuming furnace is produced, applicable not only to all
kinds of steam generators, but also to other purposes, and presenting the
advantage of producing, with a given quantity of fuel, the greatest possible
amount of beat by the complete combustion of all the combustible elements
of the fuel.
When this improved furnace is applied to the generation of steam, an
improved construction of boiler may be employed therewith for the purpose of
absorbing and utilizing as completely as possible the largo amount of heat pro-
duced. In order to effect this object the generator is made tubular, as is well
understood, and is arranged in such a manner that the gaseous products of
combustion are made to pass through it in a circuitous direction, and in so
doing the heat contained in the gases is abstracted and imparted to the water
in the steam generator, and the incombustible part of the gases passes off to
the chimney or flue in a comparatively cool state.
In order that the nature of the Invention may be more perfectly understood,

page_text: three arrangements of steam generators are, for the sake of example, repre-
sented in the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, two with an internal
fire-place, and one with a furnace adapted externally thereto. All these
generators have this peculiarity in common, namely, that they are provided
with a fire-place constructed in the manner (that is, with the peculiar cha
racteristics) above defined, and have also a tubular steam generator arranged
or placed in such a manner as to abstract the heat from the gaseous products
of combustion.
For engines of less than twenty-horse power a cylindrical boiler is employed,
similar to that represented in longitudinal and transverse sections at Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet I. of the Drawings. It will be seen, on referring to
these Figures, that it consists of an internal cylindrical boiler A, one portion
only of the length of which is occupied by the fire bars. B. Beyond this is a
brick fire-bridge C, and the remaining portion of the boiler forms the combus-
tion chamber proper D. It will be observed as an important point, that the
fire bars are placed very low in the generator, and that the ash-pit or pan E is
entirely outside the boiler. It is formed of a wrought-iron box, adjusted to
the orifice by means of a frame 6 rivetted to the body of the boiler F; or it
might be made of cast iron, as shewn in Sheet II., in which case it serves to
support the boiler, of which it surrounds the orifice formed under the fire bars,
or it might be constructed of masonry. In any case it is closed by means of a
door e; by this means the necessary. space is obtained in a small boiler (as
shewn in Sheet I.) for a thick layer of fuel. The tubes G for the admission
of air are placed laterally on a level with the top of the fuel, as shewn at.
Figures 1 and 5; or, in certain cases, they might be placed at G' (Figures
1 and 2) at the upper part of the generator behind the bridge. This arrange-
ment is, however, quite optional, and may rather be regarded as an addition
to than as a substitute for that first described.
The second arrangement of boiler with an internal fire-place, and which is
represented in Figures 6 and 7, Sheet II., is intended to be used for engines
above twenty horses power. The fire-place is placed in a fire box set in
vertical side plates A, which are made double and divided into compartments.
A cylindrical body H is rivitted thereto, the sides A (Fig. 6) being arched
at top so as to meet the cylindrical vessel II. This arrangement serves to
simplify the construction, does away with all the holdfasts and other fastenings.
of the tops of the fire boxes, and effects considerable economy in the cost of
construction. I therefore claim its application to the fire boxes of all kinds
of steam boiler furnaces.
The apertures or tuyeres G for the admission of air serving to assist the

page_text: combustion of the gases rising at the top of the fuel are made through the
hollow partitions A. Two air boxes I fixed at the sides of the boiler serve to
supply air thereto through the tuyeres or pipes G; these boxes I are divided
into as many compartments as there are horizontal rows of apertures or
tuyeres; these compartments I are provided with regulating valves. The
combustion chamber D is formed, firstly, by the great height of the fire box;
and, secondly, by a bridge C made of fire brick, and forming a second and
additional chamber D', in fact affording a longer space for the traverse of the
flame, and allowing the perfect combustion of the products of combustion to be
effected previous to their entrance into the tubes of the boiler.
The cylindrical body F, containing the tubes f, presents this peculiar and
novel arrangement, that it is divided into two compartments by means of a
water-tight tube carrying plate F¹ (Fig. 7), which only allows of communica-
tion between the two compartments at f¹ above. A's the water is fed in
behind this plate through the pipe h, at the side near the chimney, the tubes
will have their extremity in cold water, which produces as perfect a cooling as
possible of the smoke. This applies equally to the preceding arrangement, and
I desire it to be understood that. I claim its application to all known con-
structions of tubular boiler...
The arrangement of furnaces and generators represented at Figures 8, 9, 10,
11 and 12, Sheet III.; consists of three cylindrical boilers F, F, and F"
placed above the fire-place. The flames and products of combustion circulate
in a large flue J (Figures 8 and 10) round 'these cylindrical boilers,: from
thence they descend to the back of the furnace and return to the side of the
fire-place, heating on the outside a large tubular heater K, into which water
is fed through a pipe h, as seen in Fig. 8. 'The smoke escapes from the
furnace by passing finally through the tubes f, which complete the cooling
thereof. This tubular heater or boiler communicates with the boilers F above,
and is arranged and constructed in such manner that admission may be
obtained to the interior for cleaning or for other purposes through the man-
holes i, j, k, (Figures 8, 9, and 11). The orifices G for the admission of air
to the top of the fuel are obtained by means of vertical slots made in square
cast-iron pipes. L set in the body of the furnace. Bricks m (Fig. 10) placed
edgewise between these slots prolong them as far as the inner masonry of the
furnace, and protect the cast-iron pipes from the effects of the heat.
The thickness of the fuel is obtained, as in the preceding arrangements, by
sinking the fire bars B below the bottom of the fire door. The combustion
chamber D is formed by the distance, which is much greater than usual
between the top of the fire-place and the boilers, which produces this chia-

page_text: racteristic arrangement of a distance between the fire bars and the boilers more
than double that which would exist in an ordinary furnace; the bed of the
furnace is also situate at a greater distance from the boilers. It must be also
observed, that the walls of the fire place above the air passages, and towards
the upper part, are considerably hollowed out. This is very important, the
object being to prevent the temperature being raised.too high in the fire-place!
by directing the heat (which radiates from those sides) on to the boilers where
it is absorbed. The heating. surface thus exposed to the action of the fire is.
much more considerable than if the boilers were brought near; at the same:
time the fire bars are smaller than they are habitually made for boilers of the
dimensions and power of those shown in the Drawings... These two arrange-
ments combined serve to improve the operation of the furnace by lowering the:
temperature. The fire bars may be of cast iron, and may be flat bars, such
as are ordinarily employed for steam boiler furnaces. The fire bars B repre-
sented as applied to a boiler at Sheet III. are those constructed for an oven,
puddling furnace, or similar furnace, and may be used with advantage when:
burning very impure coal which makes a great deal of dirt. The fire bars are
cleaned from underneath by shaking them or even taking some of them out if,
necessary in order to cause the scoria or cinders to fall out; it is then
advisable to put water into the ash-pit E, according to a custom often adopted
for keeping the fire bars cool, and quenching the coke which falls with the
cinders; it is afterwards sifted and put back into the fire-place as usual. In
this case the door of the furnace is smaller than if the cleaning operation were.
performed from above. In furnaces constructed of masonry, which always.
have a great tendency to become heated, it is advisable to employ this arrange-
ment of fire bars; it is indispensable, as above stated, with impure coal, which.
occasions frequent and considerable cleaning, whereby the furnace would be
cooled by the frequent and long continued opening of the door.
In setting the furnace to work, the fuel, which may be lighted in the ordi-
nary manner, must be laid on in a thickness of from eight inches to a foot, or
thereabouts. As there is always in furnaces a flue which conducts off the
products of combustion above the roofs of the houses, there will be sufficient
draft created to light the fire. In furnaces the first flue communicates with
the chimney, and the pressure is obtained without any smoke passing into the
tubular boiler. When steam is obtained the blower is set to work, and the
fuel is fed in in a thick layer and air is supplied from above; the valves are
opened to an extent just sufficient to prevent the formation of smoke at the
top of the chimney, and they are fixed in that position; there is then no occa-
sion to touch them any more, unless the nature of the fuel employed should

page_text: vary. In any caso the production of smoke will give warning that there is a
want of air above the fire bars; this air should be supplied in the least
possible quantity, but it is always more advantageous to supply a little too
much air than to allow the formation of smoke.
When working a number of furnaces it is advantageous to provide a small
boiler which shall supply sufficient steam to work the blowers, and the steam
being quickly got up in this boiler, will, by means of the blowers, cause the
other furnaces to be quickly lighted, which is a great advantage for large
steam vessels.
It is preferable to have a small engine for the purpose of working the
blowers, as this will much facilitate the command over the fires, according to
requirements, which is a great advantage in these kind of furnaces.
It must also be observed, that as in this case the steam consumed by the
blower engine can always be perfectly condensed by the feed water, it will cost
nothing to work it, which would not be the case if it were worked by the
transmission of power from the main engine.
By the above methods a considerable quantity of steam is produced for
every square yard of heating surface, and it is obtained economically, as the
combustion of the fixed and volatile matters of the fuel is effected with equal
facility, whatever may be the quantity consumed in a given time; morcover,
the flame is kept at a higher temperature, and transmits a larger quantity of
heat to the heating surfaces than by the ordinary methods.
It has been stated above, that this Invention is applicable to any kind of
oven or furnace; it may without modification be applied to ovens in which
there is nothing to fear from the chymical action of the oxygen of the air upon
matters exposed to heat.
It has been seen by the above description that the gases disengaged by the
fuel are consumed at its surface at the moment of their being evolved; this
point is in fact the most suitable, as their temperature is sufficiently elevated
to cause their spontaneous combustion merely by contact with the air. When
it is required to consume the smoke of an oven or furnace without changing
the nature of the gaseous fluid which passes through it, the passages for the
admission of air must be removed sufficiently far away from the layer of fuel
for the bed of the oven to be in their passage, and they are to be placed about
the spring of the arch. Steam boilers are frequently placed next to puddling
or other similar furnaces, the products of combustion of which latter enter the
flues of the former, at the entrance to which a large combustion chamber is
placed for the purpose of effecting the object of the present Invention.
I would here remark, that this position of the air passages at a great distance

page_text: from the fire bars is not a deviation from the plan described in the intro-
duction to this Specification, as the temperature of a furnace is sufficient at the
part above mentioned to inflame the gases spontoneously by mere contact of
air, without its being requisite to introduce a body in a state of ignition, and
this is the object desired to be effected by placing the air passages in the fire
box of a steam boiler furnace on a level with the upper part of the fuel.
Having now described this Invention of "Improvements in the Construc-
tion of Furnaces and Steam Boilers," as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondents, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would
observe in conclusion, that I do not mean or intend to confine myself to the
precise details herein set forth, as they may doubtless be varied without
departing from the nature and object of the Invention; but that which I con-
sider to be new, and therefore desire to claim as the Invention secured to mo
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly, the mode of or combination of means for affecting the complete
combustion of the fixed or gaseous parts of the fuel. I claim the application
of the means herein shewn and described to ovens or furnaces of different
kinds as well as to steam generators.
Second, I claim the novel arrangement and combination of parts whereby
the objects above mentioned are effected.
Third, I claim the peculiar construction and arrangement of the steam
generators shewn in the Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lanc,
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)