IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- VERSION OR CAST IRON INTO STEEL AND MALLEABLE IRON
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Taylor, residing at Woodhall Cottage,
Shipborne, Tunbridge, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
VERSION OR CAST IRON INTO STEEL AND MALLEABLE IRON."
Sealed the 21st November 1856, and dated the 22nd September 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Taylor at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd September 1856.
I, WILLIAM TAYLOR, residing at Woodhall Cottage, Shipborne, Tunbridge,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONVERSION OF CAST IRON INTO STEEL AND MALLEABLE IRON," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in causing a stream or streams of hydrogen gas or
subcarbureted hydrogen gas, applied, the lower the better, under the surface of
molten cast iron direct from the blast furnace, or of cast iron subsequently
melted, to traverse the molten or melted cast iron, and afterwards, on issuing
above the surface of the molten or melted cast iron, to be burned on or above
the said surface by the application of atmospheric air.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Taylor in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st March 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
TAYLOR, of Woodshall Cottage, Shipbourne, Tunbridge, in the County of
Kent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Taylor, Her special licence that I, the said William Taylor, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Taylor, my executors, administrators, 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, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONVERSION
OF CAST IRON INTO STEEL AND MALLEABLE IRON," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Taylor, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their band 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 Taylor, do hereby declare s
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and the acccompanying Drawing:
This Invention consists in treating molten cast iron by means of a stream
or streams of hydrogen gas or subcarburetted hydrogen (by which I mean s
hydrogen gas containing only a small portion of carbon) gas, applied under
the surface or driven into the midst thereof either whilst the molten cast iron
is running from or immediately after it has run from the blast furnace, or
after such metal has been again reheated and melted in the cupola or other
furnace, and in such a manner that the gas shall penetrate every part of the
fluid mass, and being allowed to escape from the surface of the fluid metal.
I apply the gas, as before mentioned, when the molten metal has been run
into a vessel of suitable shape, composed of heat-resisting material, by means

page_text: of tuyer pipes placed close to the bottom thereof, and such tuyer pipes being
connected together by means of a belt or circular pipe connected with the
gasholder or gasometer, in which vessel a sufficient pressure is given for the
purpose of driving the gas through the mass of fluid metal.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn a vessel suitable for receiving
a quantity of fluid metal from the blast furnace or cupola; such vessel is
somewhat similar to the converting vessel of Mr. Bessemer; but I construct a
flue as shewn at Figure 1. I also cover the top of the vessel with a dome of
fire lumps or fire bricks having apertures therein, by which atmospheric air is
admitted or may be driven in under pressure.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the converting vessel, A being the sole
blocks or foundation; B, the bed; C, C, the sides or secondary wall of the
vessel; D, the dome with surrounding openings E, E, &c.; F, the flue;
G, the opening through which the fluid metal is filled or poured in; H is the
circular or surrounding belt, shewn square in section; I, the junction pipes
between the belt and the tuyers K, K; L, the lipped mouth-piece or shoot;
M, the tap hole, through which the charge N is permitted to flow.
Figure 2 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section; Figure 3 is a
sectional plan of Figure 1, taken on the line A, B; Figure 4 being details of
the tuyer blocks, with one or several passages.
By way of illustrating the application of my Invention, I would remark
that if carburetted hydrogen gas be used it must not be made from coal, but
must be made from oils, resins, or other substances which do not contain
sulphur. And supposing a charge of 6 cwt. of crude iron be treated, it will
contain on an average, say, 4 per cent. of carbon, or 22.7 lbs., or 136,200
grains, as the quantity of carbon which a cubic foot of hydrogen will take up
is uncertain, because it is probable that at the great heat to which it will be
exposed and its consequent dilatation, its absorbing power will be greatly
increased, as in the case of air as to water. But as this is uncertain, let it be
assumed that the pure hydrogen is converted into partly carburretted hydrogen
and partly olifient gas, then 373 grains of carbon will be taken up by each
cubic foot of hydrogen, or 365 cubic feet of hydrogen will be required to
remove the carbon from the crude molten metal; to ensure success this may
be doubled, or become 730 cubic feet. Supposing the time necessary to be
20 minutes, although the pressure to which the hydrogen is subjected may
be 10 lb. per square inch, yet, as there will be a resistance to its exit by the
fluid metal, the velocity of issue will only correspond to a pressure of, say,
2 or 2 lbs. on the square inch, and to pass 730 cubic feet in 20 minutes all
the orifices conjointly should not cccupy more than an area of, say, of a

page_text: square inch or 6 lines square. The greater the number of orifices to make up
this area the better.
The area of the orifices in this dome should be 10 times the area of the
orifices through which the gas is projected, and similarly the greater the
number of orifices in the dome to make up the conjoint area of 1th of a
square inch (or upwards of 2 square inches) the better.
The orifices in the dome may have telescopic pipes passing through the
dome, their depression and extension being under the control of the workman
in order to throw the atmospheric air at a proper distance from the surface of
the metal. The pressure may be 2 or 2 on the square inch.
The process of the manufacture of pure hydrogen gas is so well understood
as not to need explanation here; but I would remark that I prefer its being
generated by driving steam through iron pipes over iron or steel filings heated
to a suitable temperature.
Having described my Invention, and the mode of applying the same pre-
ferred by me, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is, the application
of hydrogen gas, as also subcarburetted hydrogen gas, in the manner and for
the purpose herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Taylor, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
WILLIAM SMITH,
10, Salisbury St., Adelphi.
WILLIAM TAYLOR. (L.8.)

page_text: In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to WILLIAM TAYLOR, residing
at Woodhall Cottage, Shipbourne, Tunbridge, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONVERSION OF CAST-IRON INTO STEEL AND
MALLEABLE IRON."
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
TAYLOR, residing at Woodhall Cottage, Shipbourne, Tunbridge, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Taylor, Her special licence that I, the said William
Taylor, my executors, administrators, 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, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
VERSION OF CAST-IRON INTO STEEL AND MALLEABLE IRON," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Taylor, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the

page_text: 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 calender
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Taylor, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention consists in treating molten east iron by means of in causing a
stream or streams, the more minute and numerous the better, of hydrogen gas or
subcarburetted bydrogen, (by which I mean hydrogen gas containing only a
small portion of carbon) gas applied, the lower the better under the surface, or
driven into the midst thereof, either whilst the molten cast-iron is running
from, or immediately after it has run from the blast furnace, or after such
metal has been again reheated and melted in the cupola or other furnace, and
in such a manner that the gas shall penetrate every part of the fluid mass,
and being allowed to escape from the surface of the fluid metal; this process
I perform by means of any known suitable machinery or apparatus.
I apply the gas, as before-mentioned, when the inolten metal has been run into a
vessel of suitable shape, composed of heat resisting material, by means of tuyer
pipes placed close to the bottom thereof, and such tuyer pipes being-connected
together by means of a belt or circular pipe connected with the-gasholder or
gasometer, in which-vessel a sufficient pressure is given for the purpose of driving
the-gas through the mass of fluid metal.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn a vessel suitable for receiving--a
quantity of fluid metal from the blast furnace or cupola; such vessel is somewhat
similar to the converting vessel of Mr. Bessemer, but I-construct a flue, as-shewn
at Figure 1. I also cover the top of the vessel with a dome of fire lumps or fire-
bricks-having-apertures therein by which atmospheric air is admitted, or may be
driven in under pressure.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the converting vessel, A being being the sole
blocks or foundation; B, the bed; C, C, the sides or secondary wall of the
vessel-;-D, the dome with surrounding openings E, E, &e.-; F, the flue-;-G, the
opening-through which the fluid metal is filled or poured in-;-H is the circular or
surrounding belt shewn square in section ; I, the junction pipes between the belt
and the tuyers K, K; L the lipped mouth piece or choot; M, the top whole,
through which the charge N is permitted to flow.-Figure 2-is a view, partly in
elevation and partly in section;-Figure 3 is a sectional plan of Figure 1, taken on
the line A, B; Figure 4 being details of the tuyer blocks with one or severel
Fassages.

page_text: By way of illustrating the application of my Invention I would remark,
that if carburetted hydrogen gas be used it should preferably must not be made
from coal but must be made from oils, resins, or other substances which do not
contain sulphur. And supposing a charge of 6 cwt. of crude iron be treated,
it will contain, on an average, say 4 per cent. of carbon, or 22.7 lbs. or
136, 200 grains, as the quantity of carbon which a cubic foot of hydrogen will
take up is uncertain, because it is probable that at the great heat to which it
will be exposed and its consequent dilatation, its absorbing power will be greatly
increased, as in the case of air as to water. But as this is uncertain, let it be
assumed that the pure hydrogen is converted into partly carburetted hydrogen
and partly olifient gas; then 373 grains of carbon will be taken up by each
cubic foot of hydrogen, or 365 cubic feet of hydrogen will be required to
remove the carbon from the crude molten metal to ensure success; this may
be doubled or become 730 cubic feet. Supposing the time necessary to be
20 minutes, although the pressure to which the hydrogen is subjected may be
10 lbs. per square inch, yet as there will be a resistance to its exit by the fluid
metal, the velocity of issue will only correspond to a pressure of say 2 or 2
lbs. on the square inch, or 6 lines square. The greater the number of orifices
to make up this area the better.
The area of the orifices-in-this-dome-should-be-10-times the area of the orifices
through which the gas-is-projected, and similarly, the greater number of orifices in
the dome, to make up the conjoint-area-of-10th of a square inch-(or upwards of
+4-square--inches) the better. The orifices in the dome may beve telescopic pipes
passing through the dome, their depression and extension being under the control
of the workman in order to throw the atmospherie air at a proper distance-from-the
surface-of the-metal. The-pressure may be 2 or 2-on the square iBeh.
The process of the manufacture of pure hydrogen gas is so well understood
as not to need explanation here; but I would remark that I prefer its being
generated by driving steam through iron pipes over cast-iron or steel-filings
borings, heated to a suitable temperature.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, I wish it
to be understood that what I claim as my Invention is, the application of
hydrogen gas, as also subcarburetted bydrogen gas, in the manner and for the
purpose herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of June One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-nine
W. TAYLOR. (L.S.)

page_text: To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-mentioned William Taylor,
to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the
the same relates, the above-written amended Disclaimer and Memorandum of
Alteration.

page_text: William the Fourth, entitled, "-An Act to amend the Law touching Letters
Patent for Inventions."
"
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I William
Taylor--of-Woodhall Cottage, Shipbone, Tunbridge, in the County-of-Kent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS a Patent was granted to me for the Invention of "-Improvements
in the Conversion of Cast Iron into-Steel-and Malleable Iron,"-bearing-date
the god day of September, in the year-1856-:-And-whereas a Specification of the
said Patent was duly enrolled: And whereas, in order to obviate any doubt that
might arise on the Title and Specification, I am desirous to diselaim part of the
said Invention, and to alter the Title-and-Specification: Therefore, I do-diselaim
the employment of carbureted hydrogen gas as the means to effect--the-object
in the said Invention,-and-limit- the means employed to hydrogen gas alone;
and---propose-to alter the Title-from-"-Improvements in the Conversion of
Cast Iron-into-Steel-and-Malleable Iron," into "Improvements in the Conversion
of-Cast-Iron-into-Malleable Iron-and-Steel ;" and I declare the Title of the said
Invention to be "Improvements-in-the-Conversion-of--Cast Iron-into-Malleable
Iron-and-Steel-"-and-I-propose-to-alter-and-de-alter the statement of the nature

page_text: of my said Invention, and in--what manner the same may be performed, and the
accompanying Drawing, into a more necurate statement, and a more full, accurate,
and clear description of the manner in which the same may be performed, and
the accompanying Drawing, as herein-after-mentioned.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William-Taylor, de hereby declare--the
nature-of-my-said Invention, and in what manner the-same-may be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained by the following statement and the accom-
panying Drawing.
My Invention consists in causing a stream or streams (if streams, the more
minute and numerous the better) of--hydrogen-gas-applied (the lower the better),
under the surface of molten cast iron direct from the blast furnace, or of east-iron
subsequently melted, to traverse the molten or melted east iron, and afterwards,
on-issuing-above-the surface of the molten or melted east iron to-be-burned on or
above the said surface, by the application of atmospherie air. The gas is gene-
rated by causing steam or water to pass thro' a retort or retorts, partially filled
with-east iron borings, such retort or retorts and-borings contained being brought
to and kept at a bright red heat.
The accompanying Drawing indicates the arrangement by means of which,
when steam is used, the-agency of the gas effectuates, accelerates, or facilitates the
conversion.
Fig 1-is a section of a puddling furnace of the ordinary construction, the only
difference in which is the addition at A of two or more malleable-iron retorts,
partially filled--with-east-iron--borings. The retorts may be used externally, and
disconnected from the furnace, and the gas generated by a separate-and-independent
fire B, B, By is the main pipe from boiler extending round tops of the furnnees,
from which descends a small branch pipe-C--conducting steam to retorts, the
pressure of which-may-be-regulated at the boiler; D is a small pipe-conneeting
retorts; E, E, pipe, to convey gas generated in retorts to main bydrogen--gas
pipe,-extending along side of steam-pipe; F, F, F,-main-hydrogen gas pipe ex-
tending-round building to supply various furnaces-from-which-descends, from any
suitable point, the nozzle-branch-pipe G, of which Fig. 2-is a full-size Drawing;
the nozzle-is-introduced at the usual opening in the furnace door at H, as shewn
by-dotted lines, and raked to and fro under the surface of the metal,-as-low-as
possible, for the object of removing the impurities.-Before-introducing-the-nezzle
pipe at the hole H, the hydrogen gas must be admitted freely to the nozzle-at-such
a-pressure as will maintain the issue of the gas into the metal. The nozzle pipe-to
be perforated by numerous and minute-holes, as shewn in Drawing, Fig, 9, and
to-be-fitted with as many universal joints as necessary, to enable the puddler-to-to

page_text: move the nozzle-pipe in any direction. When it is desirable to manufacture-steel
the process must be shortened and the metal withdrawn.
In-witness whereof, I, the said William Taylor, have hereto set my band
and seal, this Twentieth day of June-1859.