IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF BURNING HYDRO CARBON OILS TOGETHER WITH STEAM OR. WATER AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of the firm of W. P. Thompson
& Boult, Agents for Foreign Patent Solicitors, of 323 High Holborn in the
county of Middlesex, Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF BURNING HYDRO CARBON OILS TOGETHER WITH STEAM OR.
WATER AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR" a communication from Charles
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th March 1883.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of the firm of W. P. Thompson & Boult Agents for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF BURNING HYDRO-CARBON OILS
TOGETHER WITH STEAM OR WATER, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR" [A communi-
cation from Charles Holland of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America]
This invention relates to the burning of liquid hydrocarbon in conjunction with .
water or steam or of the products of the distillation of hydrocarbon with steam or
water at a high temperature and has for its object the simplification of apparatus
and increased durability thereof together with increased economy of hydrocarbon
fluid and a greater facility of regulation and management.
To accomplish these results the invention embraces improved forms of retorts
and connections for supplying hydrocarbon and water thereto and in directing the
flow of the fluids, vapors, or gases during distillation and in an improved
arrangement of distributing pipes and burners and valves whereby the combustion*
is readily regulated and controlled in all parts of the furnace.
One form of apparatus embodying this invention is constructed as follows
viz:
A retort made of wrought iron or steel securely welded at all the joints or seams'
has a horizontal partition extending from the perpendicular end of the retort
towards, but not reaching the upwardly inclined or curved end.
In the perpen..
dicular end of the retort above the partition is the oil induct or supply pipe, and

page_text: below the partition is a water or steam induct or supply pipe at the top of the
upwardly curved end of the retort is inserted a discharge or outlet pipe, through
which the products of distillation are conveyed, to be burned, by a series of pipes
having branches provided with burners; the said pipes are arranged in sections
with intervening valves or gates by means of which the products of distillation
from the retort may be admitted to or excluded from any one or more sections of
the pipes and their connected branches and burners.
The several burners are surrounded by conical tubes, through which air is
admitted and directed upon the current of gaseous or vaporous fue! discharged
from the burners. These conical tubes are made of chilled cast iron this material
being found to be of more satisfactory durability than other metal or than iron cast
without chilling.
The several sections of branched pipes and retorts are arranged in the furnace so
that the retorts may be heated by jets of gaseous fuel directed upon them before
the supply of gaseous fuel is admitted to the entire furnace and by opening valves
or gates it may be afterwards admitted to the other burners in other parts of the
furnace.
A modification of this apparatus is constructed as follows viz:
A manifold or
many branched pipe has branches to which are attached tubes closed at their outer
ends and bearing burners or jet tubes. In each of these pipes are valves controlled
by levers moved by rods and handles accessible to the engineer.
In one form there are, say two manifold tubes having the branches with which
are connected pipes closed at the outer ends and provided with burners; valves
worked by levers and rods connect the alternate pipes with each manifold pipe.
In the series of tubes as described, the gaseous or vaporous fuel enters the
manifold tube, passes through the branches and through another tube and the
burners into the furnace chamber where it is burned with air entering in the
spaces between the tubes:
In the double series of pipes the gaseous or vaporous products of hydrocarbon
.distillation enter the pipe or manifold tube and pass into the other pipes and issue
from the burners, at the same time superheated steamn passes into the other
manifold pipe and is distributed through pipes and jet tubes or burners so that the
steam commingles with gases or vapors and the air rising in the interstices
between the pipes produces an intensely hot-volume of Hame in the furnace.
At intervals in the pipes valves are placed and controlled by levers accessible to
the engineer as stated by which the distance which the gas may traverse in the
tubes can be varied and controlled and the extent of the fire regulated.
In a further modification a box or chamber is provided with a suitable inlet pipe
which receives the supply of gaseous fuel either directly from the generating
retorts or after passing through intermediate apparatus; apertures or jet openings
of tubes are forined in the upper side of the box, preferably but not necessarily
placed at equal distances from each other and tubes are located in clusters around
the jet apertures, extending through the box so as to convey air from beneath the
box and deliver the air to the jets of gaseous fuel issuing from the apertures.
By this arrangement a full supply of fuel is delivered to each and every jet and
an equal supply of air provided for its combustion.
In operation the box is placed at either the lower part or at the side or end of
the combustion chamber and connected by the inlet pipe to the gaseous fuel supply
and on the lower side having access to the air; upon igniting the jets issuing from
the apertures the combustion chamber is filled with flame evenly distributed in all
parts.
In a further modification there are retorts preferably made of wrought iron,
semi-cylindrical in form and placed in the furnace with their convex sides upward;
at the lower part of the retort are inserted small tubes through which water may
be introduced into the retorts, the flow thereof being.regulated by valves.
Another pair of pipes are connected with the retorts and convey naptha or other
hydrocarbon liquid into the retorts, the flow thereof being regulated by valves ;*

page_text: suitable pipes are inserted in the tops of the retorts and extend into similar
retorts through the tops thereof nearly to the bottom.
Small tubes provided with valves are inserted into the second retorts near the
bottom and serve to admit thereto, in regulated quantities a supply of Naptha or
other hydrocarbon fluid.
From the tops of the second retorts pipes extend downward to an elbow attached
by suitable couplings to the gas main or fuel pipe placed horizontally in the
centre of the furnace, preferably made rectangular in cross section and is made in
two or more lengths with valves between them which are opened or closed at the
option of the engineer by handles attached to levers.
Into the sides of the gas main are inserted at regular intervals horizontal pipes.
closed at the outer ends, having perforations made at regular intervals in them
from which gaseous fuel issues in jets obliquely to the horizontal plane, an angle of
45° having been found satisfactory.
Underneath the gas pipe and its branch are placed a series of floor plates so as
to shut up the bottom of the furnace chamber these floor plates are so fitted to the
furnace wall and to each other as neither to strain or open air leaks between them
as they expand and contract with changes of the temperature and have perforations
with short tubes projecting upward therefrom at regular intervals into the furnace;
the location of the apertures and short tubes are such that the current of air rising
through them intersects two of the jets of gaseous fuel issuing from the apertures
in the contiguous branch gas pipes.
Beneath the floor plates are a series of sliding plates supported upon guides so as
to move longitudinally and having perforations which may be made to coincide
with the perforations in the floor plates.
The sliding plates are arranged in several sections corresponding in length with
the sections of the gas main pipe so that the air admitted to the jets of gaseous
fuel issuing from the branch tube of each section of the main pipe can be separately
controlled by moving each section of sliding plates by means of separate handles
connected thereto by rods.
In describing this invention naphtha has been spoken of as the hydrocarbon
employed, this is preferable on account of its cheapness and abundance, but other
hydrocarbon fluids may be usefully employed instead and the utility of the
apparatus is by no means restricted to naphtha.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Julius Boult in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th September 1883.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of the Firm of W. P. Thompson & Boult, Agents for
Foreign Patent Solicitors of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF BURNING HYDROCARBON OILS
TOGETHER WITH STEAM OR WATER AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR a coinmuni-
cation from Charles Holland of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
This invention relates to the burning of liquid hydrocarbon in conjunction with
water or steam or of the products of the distillation of hydrocarbons with steam
or water at high temperature, and has for its object the greater simplification of
apparatus and increased durability thereof together with increased economy of
hydrocarbon fluid and a greater facility of regulation and management.
To accomplish these results the invention embraces improved forms of retorts
and connections for supplying hydrocarbon and water thereto, and in directing the
flow of the fluids vapors or gases during distillation and in an improved arrange-
ment of distributing pipes and burners and valves whereby the combustion is
readily regulated and controlled in all parts of the furnace..
The drawings show four forms of the invention.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. show a form of the apparatus adapted to burn either heavy
or light oils as applied to the fire box of an upright tubular boiler
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show a system of jet tubes and pipes adapted
to the distribution and burning of gaseous fuel in the fire box of a locomotive
boiler, and device for regulating and controlling the fuel supply to different parts
thereof
Figures 11, 12 and 13 show another method of introducing and distributing
gaseous fuel in a steam boiler furnace and admitting air thereto.
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 show a furnace or fire-box of a boiler with
retorts for generating fuel, and jet tubes and pipes for distributing the same to all
parts of the furnace and regulating the flow thereof and air supply to each part
separately so that the combustion may be maintained at the most economic degree
of intensity without using the entire burning capacity of the furnace, and thus
avoiding waste by proportioning the extent of the fire to the quantity of work to
be done
Figures 20, 21 and 22, are enlarged sections of parts shown in figures 15, 16, 17
and 18
Referring to the Drawings.
Figure 1, represents a plan of my invention.
Figure 2, a vertical longitudinal section in the plane indicated by the dotted
linex in figure 1.
Figure 3, a transverse section in the plane indicated by the dotted line y. y. in
figures 1 and 2. and:
Figure 4, shows an enlarged view of the jet tubes or burners and air tubes
The same letters of reference apply to the same parts in these four several
figures
A. represents a retort made of wrought iron or steel, securely welded at all the
joints or seams and having a horizontal partition A! extending from the perpen-
dicular end A of the retort A, towards, but not reaching, the upwardly inclined
or curved end A³. In the end A2 of the retort A above the partition Al is the oil
induct or supply pipe B. and below the partition Al in the end A³ of the retort is

page_text: the pipes 3 and jet tubes or burners 4 so that the steam from the jets 4ª
commingles with gases or vapors from the tube 4 and the air rising in the
interstices between the pipes 3 and 34 produces an intensely hot volume of flame
in the furnace.
At intervals in the pipes 3 and 3 valves 6 and 6ª are placed, and controlled by
levers 7 and 7 and 9 and 9 accessible to the Engineer by which the distance which
the gas may traverse into the tubes 3 and 34 can be varied and controlled and the
extent of the fire regulated.
In the form shown in figures 11, 12 and 13 the gaseous fuel is admitted through
a box or chamber and issues in jets from the top thereof receiving a supply of air
through tubes passing through the box from below, upward; of this arrangement
Figure 11, shows a plan.
Figure 12, a vertical section as applied to a locomotive fire box and
Figure 13, an enlarged section of a portion of figure 12.
10. represents a box or chamber provided with a suitable inlet pipe 11 through
which it receives the supply of gaseous fuel either directly from the generating
retorts or after passing through intermediate apparatus; 12 are apertures or jet
openings of tubes formed in the upper side of the box 10, preferably but not
necessarily placed at equal distances from each other; 13 are tubes located in
clusters around the jet apertures 12, extending through the box 10 so as to convey.
air from beneath the box 10 and deliver the air to the jets of gaseous fuel issuing
from the apertures 12.
By this arrangement a full supply of fuel is delivered to each and every jet and
an equal supply of air provided for its combustion
In operation the box is placed at either the lower part or at the side or end of
the combustion chamber and connected by the inlet pipe 11 to the gaseous fuel
supply and on the lower side having access to the air, upon igniting the jets
issuing from the apertures 12 the combustion chamber is filled with flame evenly
distributed in all parts.
In the form of this invention shown in the remaining figures a great simplicity
of construction and durability is secured, a better distillation effected and all
, parts of the gas conducting pipes being in the furnace are protected from radiation
Figure 14. represents a front view of this form of the apparatus as applied to a
locomotive boiler, the front wall of the furnace being removed.
Figure 15. a side view with the side wall removed.
Figure 10. is a longitudinal section and:
Figure 17. a transverse section made respectively in the planes indicated by the
dotted lines x x and y. y. in figures 14 and 15.
Figure 18 is a top view with the furnace crown or roof removed
Figure 10. is an inverted bottom view showing the means of operating the air
and fuel valves and the remaining figures show several parts in section upon an
enlarged scale.
14 are retorts preferably made of wrought iron semi-cylindrical in form and
placed in the furnace 10. with their convex sides upward; at the lower part of the
retorts 14. are inserted small tubes 14ª, through which water may be introduced
into the retorts the flow thereof being regulated by the valves 14°.
Another pair of pipes 14° are connected with the retorts 14. and convey Naphtha
or other hydro carbon fluid into the retorts 14 the flow thereof being regulated by
the valves 14 pipes 14° are inserted in the tops of the retorts 14 and extending
into similar retorts 15, through the tops thereof, nearly to the bottom as indicated
by the dotted lines in figure 14.
Small tubes 15 provided with valves 15b are inserted into the retorts 15 near
the bottom and serve to admit thereto, in regulated quantities, a supply of naphtba
or other hydrocarbon fluid.
From the tops of the retorts 15. are pipes 15° extending downward to the
elbow 15d attached by suitable couplings to the gas main or fuel pipe 17.
The pipe 17. is placed horizontally in the centre of the furnace, preferably made

page_text: rectangular in cross section and is made in two or more lengths, with valves 17ª
between them which are open or closed, at the option of the Engineer, by
handles 17 attached to levers 17°.
Into the sides of the gas main 17 are inserted at regular intervals horizontal
pipes 17° closed at the outer ends, and having perforations 17 made at regular
intervals in them from which gaseous fuel issues in jets obliquely to the horizontal
plane 1 an angle of 45° having been found satisfactory.
Underneath the Gas pipe 17 and its branch 17° are placed a series of floor
plates 18 so as to shut up the bottom of the furnace chamber 16 these floor plates
are so fitted to the furnace wall and to each other as neither to strain nor open air
leaks between them as they expand and contract with changes of temperature and
have perforations 18 with short tubes 18b projecting upward therefrom at regular
intervals into the furnace 16 the locations of the apertures 18 and tubes 18b are
such that the current of air rising through them intersects two of the jets of
gaseous fuel issuing from the apertures 17' in the contiguous branch gas pipes 17°
Beneath the plates 18 are a series of sliding plates 18d supported upon guides so
as to move longitudinally and having perforations 18° which may be made to
coincide with the perforations 18% in the floor plates 18
The plates 18 are arranged in several sections corresponding in length with the
Sections of the pipe 17 so that the air admitted to the jets of gaseous fuel issuing
from the branch tube 17° of each section of the pipe 17 can be separately controlled
by moving each section of plates 18d by means of the separate handles 18°
connected thereto by the rods 18*
The operation of this form of the Invention is as follows:-
A small portion of combustible fluid is poured in the furnaces upon the plates 18
under the Retorts 14 and 15 which plates 18 are made concave or dished at this
point for the purpose and may be ignited by a lighted match previously laid
under the retorts
The flame from the fluid heats the retorts and the valve in the pipe 17 and the
valves 14 are opened admitting naptha to the retorts 14 through the pipes 14 a
very small amount of water is admitted through the pipes 14 to the retorts 14 by
opening the valve 14° the products of the distillation of naptha and water pass
from the retorts 14 through the pipes 14° into the retorts 15 and additional
Naphtha is admitted through the pipes 15 to the retorts 15 by opening the
valve 15 the products of this distillation pass from the retorts 15 by the pipes 15°
and elbows 15 to the gas main 17 and issuing through the apertures 17 in the
pipes 17 under the retorts 14 and 15 meet the air entering through the tubes 18ª
(and heat it in its passage) and burn generating intense heat the retorts 14 and 15
having thus attained sufficient heat the valves 17% are opened and also the air
valves or sliding plates 18 uuder the other sections of the pipe 17 and the
branches 17 connected therewith increased supplies of Naphtha and water may
now be admitted to the retorts 14 and 15 and the furnace chamber becomes filled
with burning gases generating intense heat but without much illuminating
properties the appearance of the flames in combustion being at the points of
entrance of the air above the tubes 18 in color like the flame of hydrogen and of
Carbonic oxide
The temperature thus generated is so intense that a less space for a combustion
Chamber than has heretofore been necessary in steam boilers and other furnaces
suffices.
All portions of the tube work exposed to changes of temperature being free
to expand and contract without strain the apparatus is durable and remains tight
in the joints and all parts of the apparatus being included in the furnace the
gases are not cooled or the combustion impaired by the loss of heat through
radiation.
It is found experimentally that the product of distillation passing through the
pipe 17 does not corrode or impair the valve 17% or the tubes 17° after first
forming a coating thereon by oxidation

page_text: In describing this Invention naphtha has been spoken of as the hydrocarbon
supply employed this is preferable on account of its cheapness and abundance but
other hydrocarbon fluids may be usefully employed instead and I do not wish
to be understood as stating that the utility of the apparatus is restricted to
Naphtha
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and the method of
performing the same as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I wish
it to be understood that what I claim and desire to protect, under the bereinbefore
in part recited Letters Patent is
First The method of burning hydrocarbon fluids with steam and air by
introducing such fluid into a heated chamber, from which any imperfectly
volatilized portions descend to a more highly heated compartment and after
mingling or combining with steam therein, are discharged to the burners in
gaseous or vaporous form and burned with air, substantially as and with the effect
set forth
Second-In an apparatus for burning hydrocarbons with steam and air, a
retort having compartiments partitioned from each other and intercommunicating,
substantially as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing and for
the purpose set forth.
Third: In an apparatus for burning hydrocarbons with steam and air a system
of distributing pipes provided with burners and arranged in sections inter-
communicating by means of valves or gates as and for the purpose set forth and
substantially as shown in Figure 20 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth In an apparatus for burning hydrocarbon gases
or vapours with
steam and air the employment of chilled iron air tubes F in combination with
the burners or gas jet tubes substantially as and for the purpose-set forth.
Fifth In an apparatus for burning hydrocarbon fuels in gaseous form with
steam and air a box or chamber adapted to be supplied with gaseous fuel and
provided with jet apertures upon one surface surrounded by clusters of air tubes
extending through said chamber substantially as and for the purpose set forth
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my hand
and seal this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
ALFRED J. BOULT (L.S.)
ALFRED J. BOULT (L.S.)