Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron and Steel.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron and Steel.
We, JAMES HARDING LANCASTER, Engineer, of the "Broadway," New York
City, and MICHAEL ROBERT CONLEY, Engineer, of the City of Brooklyn, Kings
County, both in the State of New York, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to the treatment of iron ores and the manufacture therefrom
of iron and steel; and it has for its object the deoxidizing, desulphurizing, dephos-
phorizing and otherwise purifying and reducing the said iron ore.
It consists in treating the iron ore in horizontal retorts constructed of metal,
fire-clay, fire-brick or other suitable material or metal, formed at the front end,
with a small door opening, and at the rear end, with a large opening, and supported
within a furnace, provided at its rear with an auxiliary or supplementary heating
chamber. It also consists in intermingling with the treated ore, hydrocarbon or
other suitable gas, or with charcoal or coke, according to circumstances, for its
purification.
When the ore is ready for removal from the retorts, which is ascertained by
examination through suitable peep-holes, it is transferred or forced through the
rear openings of the retorts, into the auxiliary heating chamber without its exposure
to atmospheric air, which in itself is important as it gives the ore no opportunity of
taking up oxygen from the atmosphere, after being treated in the retorts.
In carrying my invention into practice, I provide a retort made of metal or
fire-brick and mounted in a brick setting furnished with fire-brick lining.
I further provide a fire-place or furnace, adapted to use coal, wood, coke or
gaseous fuel, according to requirements. Retorts can be heated hereby to about
1500° Fahrenheit. The above retort is partially open at the back end and is
provided with a sliding door or mouth piece at the front of which is constructed a
small sliding door.
A tube is used for admitting purifying gas into the retort and a pipe for the
discharge of impure gases from the retort while a chute serves for filling the retort
with ore which is provided with a lid or cover. These several communications
complete the means of access to the interior of the retort. The mouth piece is
provided with a lid of convenient shape.
To the rear of the brick setting is constructed an auxiliary or supplementary
heating chamber with fire-brick lining. The bottom of this chamber is provided
with outlets or openings leading from the interior of the same to a vessel resting on
a truck which moves on rails and is laid within a passage-way, formel under the
said auxiliary chamber. The outlets are opened or closed by a gate or plate, made
of fire-clay, and operated by any suitable mechanism placed outside the said auxiliary
chamber.
The opening in the back end of the retort leads into the interior of the auxiliary
heating chamber and is opened or closed by a fire-clay gate or plate operated from
the outside of the wall of the said chamber.
The above mentioned auxiliary chamber is provided with a sliding door mouth
piece which is chiefly used when the grappling shovel is employed for re.noving the
deoxidized ore or sponge to the open hearth furnace.
The said auxiliary chamber is heated from the furnace, by the products of
combustion passing therefrom and through suitable flues, running und rand around
said chamber and along the side and top thereof, and out of the chimney.

page_text: OPERATION.
In operation, the iron sea sand granulated or natural ore, after being finely
crushed, is cleansed or separated by a magnetic iron ore separator, is brought over
the retorts by a hopper car, which runs on rails laid on the top of the retort setting
aforesaid and along the entire length of the same. When the car is directly over
the mouth of the chute its contents are discharged into the same and after which
the cap is replaced. The retorts are supposed to be heated at this time to and
retained at a temperature of about 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. Hydro-carbon or
other suitable gas is then admitted into the retorts, which were shut off from the
auxiliary chamber before this stage of the treatment. When the hydro-carbon gas
is admitted to the retorts, it readily becomes decomposed by the heat, and then
combines with the oxygen, phosphorus, ulphur and other impurities in the ore, and
pass off and out of the retort at the outlet pipe or tube aforesaid from whence it
may be led to and under the retort to the furnace and used as a fuel, either with or
without other combustible agents.
During this purifying process, which usually requires three to four hours, the ore
is occasionally stirred preferably by hail, by the "slicing har inserted through the
small lide door opening in the innin door of the retorts. When the stirring takes
place, care should be observed not to open the door too wide, for the admission of
inch atmospheric air would injuriously affect the efficiency of the process,
If solid carbon is used, it may be introduced in the form of granulated charcoal
or coke, and mixed with the ore, previons to charging the retort, but the use of gas
as described, is preferable.
When the treatment of the granulated one has reached the desired stage or point
of deoxidization, the flame ceases at the end of the outlet pipe. The fire-clay gates
or plate leading to the auxiliary chamber are then raised, and allow the gaseous
products to enter and heat the interior of suid chamber, the said products passing
through the outlet pipe at the top. After the said gates are raised, the
contents of the retorts are discharged into the auxiliary heating chamber. This is
done by inserting a suitable implement through the main or sliding door at the
front of the retorts and then pushing the ore under treatment, out through the rear
opening of the said retorts and into the auxiliary chamber.
While transferring the heated ore from the retorts to the auxiliary chamber, care
should be taken not to admit much air during the operation. When the deoxidized
ore is transferred to the auxiliary chamber, it is subjected to another change or
treatment, through being acted upon by and at a different temperature of heat, while
under the influence of the gaseous products. The heated auxiliary chamber yields
a kind of oven heat, while the heat produced in the retorts is of a different nature
and produces a somewhat different deoxidizing effect which makes it possible to
convert the deoxidized ore into balls or a sponge like mass which may be readily
removed by tongs.
Storing and stirring the deoxidizing and deoxidized ore within the auxiliary
chamber at the changed degree of heat, has a tendency to produce a more advan-
tageous chemical change in the ore. than was possible to obtain while within the
retorts, and thereby a more perfect and complete deoxidization and sponging of the
ore is effected.
When the deoxidized ore has remained within the auxiliary chamber a sufficient
length of time, it is removed to the melting or open hearth furnace conveniently
placed near at hand.
There are two different means by which this removal of the ore can take place.
According to one arrangement we use a closed vessel on a movable truck running
on rails through a passage-way underneath the auxiliary chamber. Whenever the
removal is to take place, the uncovered truck is run under any one of the outlets of
the auxiliary chamber, and the gute of that outlet is opened to permit the deoxidized
ore to fall into the said truck or vessel. When the vessel or truck is full, the cover
is closed tightly, than wheeled to the hoisting apparatus, and instantly lifted over

page_text: and discharged into the melting furnace by opening a suitable valve, which allows
the deoxidized ore to run into the molten bath within the furnace.
According to another arrangement we remove the deoxidized ore from the
auxiliary chamber differently. This arrangement consists of a recessed tongs or of
a grappling shovel suspended from a movable hanger running on rails. The
grappling shovel is passed into the auxiliary chamber through a side opening then
filled and closed. It is, when filled, withdrawn swung around and passed into
another side opening of the open hearth melting furnace, where its contents are
deposited, and is then withdrawn. With each of these operations, care should be
taken to quickly close the doors, so as to prevent much air coming into contact with
the deoxydized iron ore.
When the retorts are made entirely of metal, we partially encase then with
removable slabs or plates of fire-clay, to prevent them from warping and otherwise
becoming damaged.
According to a modification of our invention we support the retort made circular
and of mictal or clay within the brick setting, and we also use a fire place or furnace
adapted to use coal, coke, wood or a gaseous fuel. The retort or retorts can thus
be heated to and kept at a temperature of about fifteen hundred degrees
(Fahrenheit). The said retort is closed at one end and partially open at the
other and the open portion or mouth piece is provided with a hinged door
containing a small sliding door. We likewise provide a tube for admitting the
purifying gas into the retort, and a tube for the discharge of the impure gases from
the retort, while a chute is used for filling the retort with ore, and is provided with
a lid or cover. These several communications complete the means of access to the
interior of the retort. The before mentioned mouth piece is provided with a shelf
shaped lip and with an opening having a suitable cover. Directly underneath this
lip is a receiving chamber secured to the brick setting and provided with an opening
at the top over which an air-tight cover is placed. This receiving chamber
terminates with a spout at the bottom, and is of sufficient length to be within
range of a movable vessel which is provided with a suitable discharge valve.
When the retort is required to be cleansed, its door is thrown open, and held
open by means of a latch as long as required. The retorts are filled and discharged
into and through the above receiving chamber the latter chamber being surrounded,
if desired by a jacket for heating the contents thereof.
OPERATION OF THE MODIFICATION.
In operation, the granulated or natural ore after being crushed, and then cleansed
or separated by a magnetic iron ore separator, is brought over the retorts by a
hopper car which runs on rails laid on the top of the retort setting and along the
entire length of the same. When the car is over the mouth of the chute (the cap
having been previously removed) its contents are discharged into the same after
which the cap is replaced. The retort should be heated to, and kept at a tem-
perature of about fifteen hundred degrees Fahrenheit. When mechanical stirrers
are used, they should at this stage be set in motion. Hydro-carbon or other
suitable gas is then admitted into the retort, which speedily becomes decomposed
hy the heat and combines with the oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur and other
impurities in the ore, and then passes off and out of the retort at the outlet pipe
or tube aforesaid from whence it may be led to and under the retort to the furnace
and used as a fuel. During this purifying process which usually requires from
three to six hours, the ore is constantly stirred by rotary mechanical mechanism,
when such is employed, but when hand labour is used, the stirring by a slicing bar
must be done. As the stirring by hand requires the opening of the sliding door
formed in the retort door to insert the slicing bar, care should be taken not to open
the door unnecessarily wide, as the admission of much air injuriously effects the
working of the process. The carbon may be introduced in the form of granulated
charcoal or coke, mixed with the ore previous to charging the retort, but the use of
gus as described is preferable. The stirring is stopped when the impurities of the

page_text: retort have ceased to show themselves, which is noticeable by the appearance of
the flame at the end of the vent pipe or by an examination of samples of the ore.
When the treatment has reached a satisfactory point, the retort month piece door
is opened by simply raising it, and is held in position by the catch as described
while the retort is being cleansed. The cap covering the mouth of the receiving
chamber is then raised or removed and the products of the retort are as rapidly as
possible transferred into the said receiving chamber and the same instantly closed
when the removal is finished.
The transferring operation must be so conducted, that it will expose the purified
and deoxidized ore as little as possible to the oxidizing action of the atmosphere.
Dated this 30th day of April 1890.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the Manufacture of Iron and Steel.
We, JAMES HARDING LANCASTER, of 169 and 171, Broadway, New York,
U.S. Amerien, Engineer, and MICHAEL ROBERT CONLEY, of 162. Lav Avenue,
Brooklyn, Kings County, State of New York, US. America. Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
Statement:-
Our invention relates to the treatment of iron ores and the manufacture of iron
and steel and it has for its object the deoxidizing, desulphurizing and otherwise
purifying and reducing the said iron ore.
It consists in treating the iron ore in horizontal retorts, open at one end, and
supported within a furnace, provided at its rear with an ruxiliary or supplementary
heating chamber. It also consists in intermingling with the treated ore, hydro-
carbon or other suitable gas, or with charcoal or coke, according to circumstances.
for its purification. When the ore is ready for removal from the retorts, and which
is ascertained by examination through peep-holes, it is transferred or forced through
the rear openings of the retorts, into the auxiliary heating chamber, without its
exposure to atmospheric air, which in itself is important, as it gives the ore no
opportunity of taking up oxygen from the atmosphere after being treated in the
retort-.
Kefirring to the drawings forming a part of this Specification, of which.
Fig. 1a longitudinal vertical section of a firmave embodying our invention.
ig. 2 is another longitudinal vertical section, embodying a modification.
3 is a vertical section on line er, Fig. 1.
Fi
Fig.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the retort door.
Fig. is vertical section of a retort furmare, embodying a modification.
Fig. 6 is a front view of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7a detached front elevation of the mouth pieces of a retort, as shown
in Fig. 7.
Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on line ..., Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is another sectional elevation of our retorts, showing the apparatus for
stirring, operated by mechanical means, and also the retort using gas fiel.
Fig. 10 is another sertional elevation similar to Fig. 5, except that the retort
shows a construction for using coal or wood, instead of gas as a fuel.
Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of our improved retort.
Fig. 12 is a detached view of the latch for holding open the retort door.
Fig. 13 is a detached sectional view of the clutch worm used to drive the shinft
for revolving the stirrers.
Fig. is a cross sectional elevation of our retort, showing the arrangement for
melanie stirring.

page_text: 1. 10, 10, and 17 are decam se CO VICH
used in the mechanical stirring.
Fig. 18 is a front elevation of the retort, showing the arrangement of the apparatus
pertaining especially to the use of gas, fuel and purifying gas.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Letter A represents the brick setting of the retort, with fire-brick lining.
Supported within this brick setting, is placed the retort T, made of metal or
fire-clay, and preferably of the shape shown in Fig. 3.
a² is the fire place or furnace, adapted to use coal, wood, coke, or gaseous fuel, as
circumstances may demand.
The retorts are heated hereby to about 1500° Fahrenheit. The retort T. is
partially open at the back end, and is provided with a sliding door or mouth
piece M, and at the front of which is constructed a small sliding door P.
r. is a tube for admitting purifying gas into the retort, and C, is a pipe for the
discharge of impure gases from the retort, and as is a chute for filling the retort
with ore which is provided with a lid or cover.
These several communications complete the means of access to the interior of the
retort.
The mouth piece M, is provided with a shelf shaped lid S.
To the rear of the brick setting A, is constructed the auxiliary or supplementary
heating chamber A², with fire-brick lining.
The bottom of this chamber A', is provided with outlets or openings a³, «º,
leading from the interior of the same to the vessel D, re. ting on truck E, moving
on rails F, laid within the passage-way a, formed under the said auxiliary chamber.
The outlets as are opened or closed by the gate or plate a", made of fire-clay, and
operated by any suitable mechanism placed outside of the auxiliary chamber.
The opening in the back end of the retort leads into the interior of the auxiliary
heating chamber A², (see Figs. 1 and 2) and is opened or closed by the fire-clay
gate or plate T, operated from the outside of the wall of the said chamber.
The auxiliary chamber A, is provided with a sliding door mouth piece A*, and
this opening is chiefly used when the grappling shovel is employed for removing the
sponge to the open hearth furnace, as shown in Fig. 2.
The auxiliary chamber A is heated from the furnace, by the products of
combustion passing therefrom and through flues A', running under and around said
chamber and along the side and top thereof, and out of the chimney (not shown).
In operation, the iron sea sand granulated or natural ore, after being finely
crushed, is cleansed or separated by a magnetic iron ore separator, is brought
over the retorts by the hopper car 03, which runs on rails laid on the top of the
retort setting A, and along the entire length of the same. When a car is directly
over the mouth of the chute (the cap having been previously removed) its contents
are discharged into the same, and after which the cap is replaced.
The retorts are supposed to be heated at this time to, and retained at, a tem-
perature of about 1500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hydro-carbon or other suitable gas is then admitted into the retorts, which were
shut off from the auxiliary chamber A, before this stage of the treatment.
When the hydro-carbon gas is admitted to the retorts, it readily becomes
decomposed by the heat, and then combines with the oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur
and other impurities in the ore, and pass off and out of the retort at the outlet pipe
or tube C. from whence it may be led to and under the retort to the furnace and
used as a fuel, with or without other combustible agents.
During this purifying process, which usually requires three to four hours, the ore
is occasionally stirred preferably by hand, by the slicing bar inserted through the
small slide door opening in the main door of the retorts.
When the stirring takes place, care should be observed not to open the door too
wide, for the admission of much atmospheric air would injuriously affect the working
of the process.
If solid carbon is used, it may be introduced in the form of granulated charcoal

page_text: or coke, and mixed with the ore, previous to charging the retort, but the use of gas
as described, is preferable.
When the treatment of the granulated ore has reached the desired stage or point
of deoxidation, the flame ceases at the end of the pipe C. The fire clay gates or
plate Tading to the auxiliary chamber are then raised, and which allows the
gaseous products to enter and heat the interior of said chamber, and they pass off
through the outlet pipe at the top.
After the said gates are misel, the contents of the retorts are discharged into the
auxiliary heating chamber.
This is done by in ering a suitable implement through the main or sliding door
at the front of the retorts, and then pushing the ore under treatment, out through
the rear opening of the said retorts and into the auxiliary chamber A. While
transferring the heated are from the retorts to the auxiliary chamber, care should
be taken not to admit much air during the operation. When the deoxidized ore is
transferred to the auxiliary chamber, it is subjected to another change or treatment.
through being neted upon by and at a different temperature by heat, while under
the influence of the gaseous products. The heated auxiliary chamber yields a kind
of oven heat, while the heat produced in the retoris is of a different nature, and
produces a somewhat different deoxidizing effect, and which makes it possible to
convert the deoxidized ore into balls or å sponge-like mass, which may be readily
removed by tongs as shown in Figare 2.
Storing and stirring the deoxidizing and deoxidized ore within the auxiliary
chamber at the change degree of heat, has a tendency to produce a more
advantageous chemical change in the ore, than was possible to obtain while within
the retorts, and thereby more perfert and complete deoxidization and sponging of
the ore is effected.
When the deoxidized ore has remained within the auxiliary chamber a sufficient
length of time. it is removed to the melting or open hearth furnace ( conveniently
placed near at hand. We have shown two different means by which thi- removal of
the ore can take place.
In Fig. 1 we show the closed vessel D, on the uvale truck E, running on rails
through a passage-way underneath the auxiliary chamber, A. Whenever the
removal is to take place, the truck uncovered is run under any one of the outlets of
the auxiliary chamber, and the gate of that outlet is opened to permit the deoxidized
ore to fall into the said truck or vessel.
When the vessel or truck is full, the cover is closed tightly, then wheeled to the
hoisting apparatus, and instantly lifted over and discharged into the melting furnace,
by opening the valve 1, which allows the deoxidizel ore to run into the molten
bath within the furnace.
By Fig. 2 we show another mode of removing the deoxidized ore from the auxiliary
chamber. It consists of recessed tongs or the grappling shovel V, suspended from
the moveable henger II, running on the rail (. The grappling shovel is passed
into the auxiliary chamber through its side opening A, then filled and elosed.
It is, when filled, withdrawn and swung around and passed into the side opening p
of the open hearth melting furnace, where its contents are deposited, and is then
witlulrawn.
With each of these operations, care should be taken to quickly close the doors,
so as to prevent much air coming into contact with the deoxidized iron ore.
When the retorts are made of metal, we partially ease them with removable
slals or plates of fire-clay T to prevent them from warping and otherwise becoming
damaged. (See Fig. 14.)
Referring to Figs. 5—6—7—8—9—10-11 -12—13--14-15-16-17—and 18,
wherein a modified form is illustrated, letter A, likewise represents the brick setting
with brick lining.
Supported within this brick setting is placed the retort T, made circular and of
metal or retort clay. is the fire place or furnace adapted to use coal, coke, wood
or a gaseous fuel, and in which latter case the pipe is employed. The retort or

page_text: degrees (Fahrenheit). The retort T, is then closed at one end and partially open
at the other and the open portion or mouth piece M, is provided with a hinged
door containing a small sliding door. is a tube for admitting the purifying gas
into the retort, and C, is a tube for the discharge of the impure gases from the
retort, and is a chute for filling the retort with ore, and is provided with a lid
or cover.
These several communications complete the means of access to the interior of
the retort.
The mouth piece M is provided with a shelf shaped lip S, with an opening, which
has a suitable cover.
Directly underneath this lip S, is the receiving chamber B, secured to the brick
setting A, and is provided with an opening at the top and over which is placed the
air-tight cover
This receiving chamber terminates with the spout 10, at the bottom, and is of
sufficient length to be within range of the moveable vessel D, (see Fig. 5) which is
provided with a suitable discharge valve.
Although this vessel is shown resting on a truck E, it can be hoisted up by means
of pulley and tackle I, J, K, & H, and moved upon and along the rail G, to a point
over the depression formed in the roof of the melting furnace C².
Upon the removal of the cap p', the contents of the vessel are discharged through
valve 1, into the molten bath within the furnace C*.
When the retort is required to be cleansed, the door a is thrown open, and by
means of the latch a', is held open as long as required. The retorts are filled at
opening a and discharged into and through the receiving chamber B, which said
receiving chamber can be surrounded, if desired, by a jacket for heating the contents
of same.
In Fig. 10 the retort is set in precisely the same manner as that shown in Fig. 5,
excepting the mouth piece of the retort has merely a plain hinged door instead of
shelf shaped lip.
In Figs. 9 and 10 the retort is shown with revolving stirrers d' placed within the
same and mounted on the shaft U, passing through stuffing boxes at each end of
the retort and supported at cach end in water cooled bearing d².
One end of this shaft is provided with a worm wheel d* acted upon by the worm g
on shaft driven by a suitable cog gearing mechanism.
The worm
is so arranged upon the shaft, as to be acted upon by means of
clutches, controlled by levers i.
This is done to throw the worm in and out of gear for regulating the movement
of the stirrers as the treatment should require.
Where one or more retorts are used, the mechanism for revolving and stopping
them, is independent of one another, so that a retort can be discharged or cleaned
without interrupting the action of the others.
The arms of the stirrers are preferably arranged on their respective shaft in
straight rows for facilitating the cleaning of the retort.
Operation of the modification shown in Fig. 5. is as follows:
In operation, the granulated or natural ore after being crushed, and then cleansed
or separated by a magnetic iron ore separator, is brought over the retorts by a hopper
car which runs on rails laid on the top of the retort setting A, and along the
entire length of the same.
When the car is over the month of the chute (the cap having been previously
remove 1) its contents are discharged into the same, after which the e: p is replaced.
The retort should be heated to, and kept ta temperature of ab ut fiteen himlrel
degrees Fahrenheit.
When mechanical stirrers are used, they should at this stage, best in motion.
Hylo-carbon or other suitable gas is then admitted into the retort, which spelily
becoine decomposed by the heat and combines with the oxygen, phosphorus, sulphur,
and other impurities in the ore, and then passes off' and out of the retort at the outlet

page_text: pipe or fine C. from whence it may be led to ami under the retort, to the furrince,
and use to assist as a fuel.
During this purifying process, which usually requires from three to six hours, the
ore is constantly stirred by rotary mechanical mechanism, when such is employed,
but when hand labour is used, the stirring by a slicing bar must be done. As the
stirring by hand requires the opening of the sliding door formed in the retort door
to insert the slicing bar, care should be taken not to open the door unnecessarily
wide, as the admission of much air, injuriously affects the working of the process.
The carbon may be introduced in the form of granulated charcoal or coke,
mixed with the ore previous to charging the retort, but the use of gas as described,
is preferable.
The stirring is stopped when the impurities of the retort have consed to show
themselves, which is noticeable by the appearance of the flame at the end of vent
pipe C, or by an examination of samples of the ore. When the treatment has
renched a satisfactory point, the retort month-piece door is opened by simply
raising it, and is held in position by the catch as described, while the retort is
being cleansed.
The cap covering the mouth of the receiving chamber B, is then raised or
removed, and the products of the retort are as rapidly as possible transferred into
the said receiving chamber and the same instantly closed when the removal is
finished. If desired, this chamber B can be heated by surrounding same with
uitable heating apparatus or flues 13".
The transferring operation must be so conducted, that it will expose the purified
tul deoxidized ore as little as possible to the oxidizing action of the atmosphere,
The purified ore within the said chamber B. is then run off into the closed
Vessel 1, throngh spout. The vessel D, is then hoisted and held above the
depression, on the top of the open hearth furnace The cap P is then
removed. The valve 1 of the vessel is now opened and the ore allowed to pour into
the molten bath within the said furnace.
Afterwards the cap is replaced and the vessel remove and replaced upon the
track and wheeled again into position for future use.
Referring to Fig. 18, a gas producer Y, is shown of any suitable construction for
instance on the Siemens type. producing gas from soft coal with the aid of steam.
This is connected to the gas holder Z. and from this producer, gas is carried by
means of piping, through the retorts, for the purpose of purifying the ore, and
thence into the retort furnace to assist the combustión.
In some cases the gas from this producer is taken direct to the furnace and not
passed through the retort. If desired, the retorts may be con-tructed of fire bricks
imilt in any suitable maumer, instead of using retort- inade of fire clay or iron.
Having now particularly described and ascertained my invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. A retort furance for deoxidizing ore, provided with an auxiliary chamber
at its rear, having inlet and outlet openings, substantially as described and shown
and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, provided with an auxiliary
chamber as described, the retorts T provided with the filling chute u², with cover,
the outlet pipe C, front inlet M, and a rear opening, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth."
Third. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, constructed in connection with an
auxiliary chamber as described, and rearwardly open retorts T, the gates or sliding
plates T substantially as and for the purpose set forth and described.
Fourth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, constructed with an auxiliary
chamber, as described, and provided with the rearwardly open retorts T, the treating
by heat of the said ore within the said retorts by charging it with hydro-carbon gas
and stirring it by manual labor, substantially in the manner described and for the
purpose set forth.

page_text: Fifth. In a retort furnace for oxidizing, constructed with an auxiliary
chamber, as described, and provided with retorts open at the rear, the flues A',
leading from the combustion chambers a², under and around the auxiliary chamber,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, with auxiliary chamber and retorts
as described, transferring the deoxidized ore from the retorts into an auxiliary
chamber, substantially in the manner described, and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, with an auxiliary chamber and
retorts as described, storing the deoxidized ore in the auxiliary chamber, and after-
wards conveying it to the melting furnace by means of the conveying vessel D,
substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore with an auxiliary chamber and
retorts as described, storing the deoxidized ore in the auxiliary chamber and after-
wards conveying it to the melting furnace by means of the recessed tongs or
grappling shovel, substantially as and in the manner described, and as shown, and
for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. The process of treating granular iron or other ore to relieve it of
impurities consisting in subjecting it to a heat in retorts as described, and when
sufficiently heated subjecting it to agitation, and passing through it hydrogen or
other suitable gas, for the purpose of dephosphorizing, deoxidizing and desulphur-
izing the ore substantially as specified.
Tenth. In a new article of manufacture, constructing retorts of a deoxidizing
iron ore apparatus entirely of fire clay, substantially for the purpose set forth.
Eleventh. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, the method or system of
treating the same within a retort containing revolving stirrers alternately operated
by clutch mechanism: said retort is charged with hydro-carbon gas, and heated by
means of coal, wood, or gas, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, the method or system of treating
the same within a retort with revolving stirrers; said retort being charged with
hydro-carbon gas and the gaseous product therefrom utilized for heating the same,
substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, the method or system of
treating the same within a retort heated to about fifteen hundred degrees Fahrenheit;
said retort being charged with hydro-carbon gas and agitated by suitable revolving
stirrers placed within the same, substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
Fourteenth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, the method or system of
treating the same within heated retorts charged with hydro-carbon gas, stirred
mechanically or by manual labour, and conveying the purified ore to a molten
furnace without submitting it to atmospheric action, substantially as described and
for the purpose set forth.
Fifteenth. In a retort furnace for deoxidizing ore, the method or system of
treating the same within a retort charged with hydro-arbon gas, stirred by manual
labour, and heated by coal, wood, gas, or the gaseous products from the said retort,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixteenth. The improvement in deoxidizing ore, consisting in heating the same
in a retort closed to the atmosphere and circulating through it a hydro-carbon gas.
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Seventeenth. The improvement in deoxidizing ore, consisting in heating and
agitating the same within a closed vessel or retort and circulating through it a
hydro-carbon gas, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Eighteenth. The improvement in deoxidizing ore, consisting in heating the same
and circulating through it a hydro-carbon gas and carrying off the gas resulting
from the treatment of the ore to a furnace, whereby the ore is heated, substantially
as described and for the purpose set forth.
Nineteenth. The combination of a retort for deoxidizing ore, a stirrer arranged
1:

page_text: within the retort and a gas pipe tending thereto, substantiany as described and for
the purpose set forth.
Twentieth. The combination of a retort for deoxidizing ore, a stirrer arranged
within the retort, a gas pipe leading thereto at one point and a gas pipe leading
therefrom at another point, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-first. The process of manufacturing iron, consisting in deoxidizing iron
tre, in storing the ore after deoxidization in a closed receiving vessel to protect it
against oxidization from the air; and in conveying the deoxidized air from the said
receiving vessel or chamber, to and into the smelting furnace, by means of the
vessel I), substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-second. The combination of the retorts, the chamber through which they
extend, living portions of the side walls downwardly inclined and converging, two
furnaces below the chamber, and an intermediate bridge wall, substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-thir. The combination of a retort, a stirrer arranged within the same, a
worm wheel upon the shaft of the stirrer, a driving shaft, a worm on the driving
shaft, a clutch for engaging the worm with and disengaging it from the driving
shaft, and a lever for operating the clutch, substantially as specified and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 29th day of Jammry 1891.