CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE PREPARATION OF PEAT
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of 29, Rue de
l'Abbaye, Montmartre (Department de la Seine), in the Empire of
France, Clerk, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR THE PREPARATION OF PEAT."-A communication.
Sealed the 30th March 1858, and dated the 22nd October 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 22nd October 1857.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of 29, Rue de l'Abbaye, Mont-
martre (Department de la Seine), in the Empire of France, Clerk, do hereby,
declare the nature of the Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR THE MECHANICAL PREPARATION OF PEAT," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in improvements in machinery for the preparation
of peat or turf for fuel.
The preparation of the peat or turf is divided into the following processes,;
viz., purification, compression, desiccation, and carbonisation..
The machinery employed in the process of purification consists, first, of a
"divider" for reducing the turf to a finely divided state, and for removing
sand and other impurities. This machine is formed with a suitable frame, on
which is mounted a hopper, into which the clumps of turf as dug from the
Price 8d.1

page_text: marsh are thrown. The turf is then exposed to the action of a number of
blades or saw teeth, fitted on the circumference of two rollers, in such a
manner that the turf placed against them is cut or divided into small pieces,
according to the number and size of the teeth. These cutting or dividing
rollers are immersed in water; the turfy paste is then submitted to the action
of the agitator formed with beating paddles, and placed under the divider.
By this action the sand and other impurities are removed; the turf thus
treated is taken up by an overshot or cup wheel. In order that the action
of the dividing rollers may be rendered more easy, a force pump placed at
the bottom of the cistern is used to pump water into the hopper, to prevent
adhesion caused by the weight of the turf.
The second purifying machine consists of a filter or strainer, which receives
from the cup wheel of the divider the cut turf purified from foreign matters.
The strainer is composed of a suitably sized vessel, fitted with a double
bottom composed of a trellis of wood, above which is a perforated metallic
plate and layers of cotton, cloth, or other material.
Upon this double
bottom a number of perforated tubes rest. This vessel causes the water from
the hopper to run through the holes of the double bottom clear, and the
turfy deposit becomes of the consistence of greasy unctuous jelly.
In this state the turf is ready for the process of compression and of
moulding. There are five machines employed in these processes; the first is
for moulding without pressure; second, for moulding with pressure; third,
for manufacturing dense fuel; fourth, in which the moulding and pressure
are intermittent; and the fifth, for pressure alone.
The first machine for moulding without pressure is composed of a hopper,
which receives the turf from the strainers or filters. The turf is then brought
by an endless screw to a compartment where it comes under the action of
wheels between the circumference of which the moulding takes place.
Second, the machine for moulding with pressure is similar to the preceding,
and in which the prepared turf is conducted by the screw and cylinders to
a kind of cartouch mould, and afterwards to the action of a series of pistons.
of a corresponding shape.
Third, the machine for forming dense fuel consists of an hydraulic press
of a peculiar form, with a piston having little friction. By this machine, the
turf placed in moulds may be reduced by pressure to complete dryness if
necessary. These moulds are made with perforated metal sides, and fur-
nished with wire gauze to prevent the escape of the matter under pressure.
In this process the moulds may be run upon tramways.
Fourth, moulding and pressure intermittent. This result is obtained by a

page_text: machine, in which a number of pistons are put in motion by hydraulic power
in a breech to which a rotatory motion is given. Each piston communicates
with a cartouch on the breech.
Fifth, pressure alone. This machine consists of a rotatory breech similar to
the one above described, working on a vertical axle and is submitted to the
action of a Nasmyth's steam hammer. This machine is specially applicable
to certain kinds of turf.
In the machines above described, steam is employed as the heating agent.
THE DESICCATING PROCESS.
Desiccation is obtained by causing trucks filled with moulded products to
travel in a stove heated by the waste heat of a carbonising furnace. If
operating with air, at a low temperature of heat, it may be passed through
chalk before entering the interior of the stove.
The carbonisation is obtained in retorts of the ordinary form. Boxes with
metallic bands and of the same form as the interior of the retorts receive the
fuel, and are introduced into the retorts to be carbonised. These boxes are
then placed in other wrought-iron boxes to preserve the fuel.
The gas arising from the distillation serves to heat the retorts, in com-
bination with the refuse of the fuel from the manufacture of gas. The tar
and other products are preserved.
Lastly, the retorts are disposed so as to be able to receive a current of steam
at a high temperature to be employed as a carbonising agent in certain cases.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Marc Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 16th April 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of 29, Rue de l'Abbaye, Montmartre (Departe-
ment de la Seine), in the Empire of France, Clerk, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent,bearing date the Twenty-second dayof October, 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 Marc Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence, that I, the said
Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, should at anytime 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 of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE
OF PEAT," communicated to me from a foreigner residing abroad, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons,
my executors or administrators, 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 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 Marc Antoine François Mennons, 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 hereto annexed, and
to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
The Invention communicated to me consists in a certain improved system
of machinery for the preparation of peat or turf for fuel. The system of
creating the peat or turf is divided into four processes, viz, firstly, the purifi-
cation of the turf matter by the thorough separation of the heterogeneous and
incombustible matters combined with it in its crude state; secondly, the
draining of the turf after its purification by a rapid expulsion of the water
employed for washing it; thirdly, the simultaneous compression and moulding
of the turf by the employment of a single machine; and, fourthly, its desic-
cation, torrefaction, and carbonisation. The purification of the turfy matter
is effected by the dividing and washing machine represented in Drawing 1,
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, partly in plan, section, and elevation. This machine is
composed of a wooden trough A, divided into three compartments, and on the
upper edges of which are placed four dividing cylinders B, the circumference
of which is provided with steel blades for teeth. A wooden hopper C is
superposed on the cylinders for the reception of the turf, and below the blades
is an inclined metallic plane 1), which occupies with the above apparatus the
first compartment of the trough ; a double conical purifying vessel E formed of
perforated sheet iron occupies the second compartment. The lifting apparatus
F is placed in a vertical position in the third compartment of the trough, and
lastly, a feeding pump G is fixed at the exterior on one of the sides of the
trough. All the parts of this machine are put in motion simultaneously at

page_text: different degrees of speed, either by the arm or by winch handles mounted on
the main shaft, which puts all the machinery in motion or, (as is in most cases
preferable) by means of a stationary or other steam engine. The crude turf is
placed in the hopper C, and is reduced to fine pulp between the cylinders B
revolving at a high rate of speed, and the steel teeth or blades of which are
guaged, according to the degree of density required in the product. On
egressing from the cylinders the divided turf falls upon the inclined plane D,
which is covered with water, and from whence it passes to the interior of the
purifying vessel E, the continuous rotatory movement of which effects the
separation of the heterogeneous matters held in combination with the turf and
collects them in the lower part of the vessel, through the apertures of which
they pass to the bottom of the second compartment of the trough, from whence
they are withdrawn as required by meaus of the apparatus H, Figure 1. The
turfy combustible matter, which is generally much less dense than in its natural
state, becomes still lighter after the operation of the dividing cylinders. In
this state it is held in suspension in the purifying vessel, which is itself
alinost entirely immersed in the water contained in the trough. The move-
ment of this vessel and of the screw paddles which are mounted on its axis
and revolve with it completes the washing and purification of the turfy matter,
which being thus worked and impelled continuously forward reaches the
extremity of the vessel, from whence it falls into the third compartment of the
trough in which moves the apparatus F, which raises it into its vertical tube
to the height of the discharger, from whence it passes into a channel which
carries it to the drainers hereafter described. The feeding pump G worked
by a crank fixed at the extremity of the main shaft supplies the hopper C with
the water required for the working of the dividing cylinders B for the washing
of the turf and for the maintenance of a constant level in the trough. The
vertical tube of the apparatus F is formed of sheet zinc, perforated with holes
over its entire height, from which during the ascension of the purified matter
a quantity of the water is run off, amounting to about ninety per cent. of the
weight of the matter. This arrangement is adapted with the object of obtain-
ing a preliminary drainage of the wash water and of maintaining its proper
level in the trough, thus reducing the supply to be furnished by the feed pump.
By the improved construction of the washing and dividing apparatus above
described, I obtain a thorough extraction of all heterogeneous substances, and
the turf thus treated is freed at this stage from all incombustible elements,
with the exception of the natural ash of the ligneous matter of which it is
composed. The draining of the turf after its purification by the rapid ex-
pulsion of the wash water is obtained by means of the improved conduit and

page_text: drainers represented by J and K of the Figures, Drawing 1. I have already
shewn the enormous proportion of water with which it is necessary to saturate
the turf for washing and purifying it. In this state it is reduced to a liquid
pulp, which it would be impossible to press or mould without previously
expelling a considerable portion of the water. To attain this end, on which
the rapidity of manufacture mainly depends, the following arrangements are
adopted: The conduit J of the annexed Drawing is formed of oak plank, of
about one and a quarter inches in thickness and joined at right angles; at the
bottom of this conduit are fixed wooden rods, of about one inch broad by three-
quarters of an inch thick. These rods support a sheet of zinc perforated with
holes of about three times the diameter of the apertures in the vertical tube of
the apparatus F. This zinc sheet is covered with linen cloth, between which
and the wooden bottom a clear space is left for the escape of the water, which
passing through the apertures of the zinc sheet filters through the linen cloth,
which prevents the passage of the fine turfy matter. This water, which is
collected at the inclined part of the fall of the conduit, is passed back to the
trough of the dividing apparatus by a pipe leading into the third compartment,
thus diminishing the amount to be supplied by the feeding pump G. On the
sides of the conduit J and below the drainers hereafter described are formed
the dischargers, to allow the fall of the turfy matter as circumstances may
require. The drainers K, of which the capacity and number are proportioned
to the extent of the manufacture, are each composed of a long trough formed
of oak plank of about an inch and a quarter in thickness, supported by sup-
ports on the ground with an inclination of about half an inch per foot towards
one of the small sides of the trough. On the bottom of the latter, as also on
its vertical sides, are fixed wooden rods forming a grating, on which is placed a
sheet of perforated zinc, similar to that employed in the conduit J. It is also
mounted with cloth, leaving between it, the perforated zinc, the bottom, and
the vertical sides of the trough, an open space for the escape of the water
which passes through the cloth and the apertures of the sheet of zinc. This
water follows the incline at the bottom, egresses at the extremity of the drainer,
by an opening formed for this purpose, and falls into a small channel which
carries it to the reservoir, in which is plunged the suction pipe of the feed
pump of the dividing and washing apparatus, the volume of water which runs
from the drainers being in direct proportion to the draining surface afforded by
the arrangement above described. I increase the surface when required by
the addition of any number of moveable partitions in the trough. These par-
titions are each composed of a sheet of perforated zinc, folded in an elongated
V-form, with a sufficient space between the two branches to allow the passage

page_text: of the water, which thus escapes by the bottom on which those partitions are
placed, with their openings downwards. By means of the apparatus above
described, I effect in less than two hours the expulsion of more than half of
the water with which the turf remains saturated, especially in the last com-
partment of the dividing apparatus. At this stage it is found reduced to a
homogeneous mass, susceptible of immediate compression and moulding..
The simultaneous compression and moulding of the turf, after the washing
and purifying processes, are effected by hydraulic pressure; I employ by
preference, for this purpose, the apparatus described in my Patent of Twentieth
October, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, No. 2678, modified as
follows, to render it more readily applicable to the process in question.
This apparatus is represented in section and elevation, Drawing II., Figures
1 and 2. The framework of the press is composed of a sole plate and two
supports of oak, strengthened with iron bolts, united with iron pillars having
at each of their extremities a strong wrought-iron head. On the lower
support of the framework are placed the cylinder, the ram, and the table,
represented in section and on a larger scale in Figure 3; they are composed
of a lower bed A of oak, on which is fixed the strong sheet-iron cylinder B,
bound with iron hoops; the piston C is constructed also of oak maintained by
iron bolts; and between it and the metallic cylinder is a circular interval of
about one and a quarter inches, in which is placed a flexible casing composed
of layers of silk or other tissue covered with caoutchouc; this casing D, Figure.
3, assumes the form of the interior of the cylinder, and that of the exterior of
the ram, which it readily follows in its upward and downward movements;
Figure 3 shews the rollers mounted at the top of the cylinders to guide the
course of the ram, which is also provided with similar rollers fixed at its
middle; Figure 3 also represents in detail, the manner in which the flexible
casing and pump tube are fixed to the bottom of the cylinder; the casing is
secured by a copper piece E and a moveable nut; below the nut is found a
junction screw connected with the horizontal pipe F, which communicates
with a three-way stop-cock; in the upper part of the key of this stop-cock is
a safety valve, which regulates, by means of a lever and counterpoise G, the
maximum of the pressure to be produced. The pump H, Figures 1 and 2,
Drawing II., is fixed as represented to the framing of the
press for cases, in
which a single apparatus alone might be necessary, worked by the hand. For
extensive operations a number of these pumps are grouped together, (accord-
ing to the number of presses employed,) and worked by steam.
The special accessories for the compression of the turf are as follows:-
First, the truck apparatus J, Figures 1 and 2, Drawing II., mounted on four

page_text: cast rollers, with iron axles and oak platform, which moves on two iron rails
fixed on the plate of the ram; secondly, the wooden pressure tables, faced on
each side with a wooden grating, and covered with a sheet of perforated zinc
to give free escape to the water expelled by the action of the press; thirdly,
the moveable wooden frames having on their inner faces a grating and a
perforated zinc sheet like the pressure tables of which they form the casing;
fourthly, a grating which divides the surface to be compressed, formed of
moveable iron strips placed edgewise and half notched one with the other, and
the separation of which regulates the size of the cubes of turf of which
this grating forms the mould, a cloth which envelopes the turfy paste, and
prevents it from escaping when under pressure. All these accessories are
represented in detail in the Drawing. The operation of simultaneous com-
pression and moulding is conducted in the same way as in the treatment of
oleaginous seeds, &c. Each press, which may be single, double, or triple,
according to circumstances, is provided with a double set of the accessories
above described, so that one charge of the truck apparatus J may be with-
drawn whilst the other is being submitted to the action of the press. The
drainers placed in close proximity to the presses supply the turfy paste, which
is placed on the tables supporting the truck J between the frames, the gratings,
and the cloth envelope; four or five lumps of the turf are thus superposed,
and are submitted together to the action of the hydraulic press, beingreplaced
in the interval by another charge,and so on continuously. When the moulding
is completed, the cubes of turf are placed in covered receptacles, where they
become dried in a few days.
The desiccation, torrifaction, or carbonisation of the turf is obtained as
follows: Firstly, for the desiccation of turf compressed and moulded by the
exposure of the cubes as they come from the mould on the shelves of a covered
drying apparatus, arranged in a similar manner to those of the pottery manu-
facturers; in a few days the desiccation is complete. When the atmosphere
is too damp to admit of drying in a reasonable time, the turf is placed on
wooden trucks which are moved into closed chambers, into which dry air is
propelled by ordinary ventilators; this air egresses at the opposite extremity
saturated with the moisture contained in the turf; the temperature of the air
thus introduced may be raised a few degrees by passing it through a heating
apparatus suitably placed; the temperature should not however exceed twenty-
five degrees to thirty degrees centigrade, at the most. Beyond this point
the solidity of the fuel would be perceptibly affected, and by a sudden increase
of temperature it would be rendered more friable and difficult of carbonisation.
Experience has proved that the firmness of the product and its facility of

page_text: carbonisation are in direct proportion to the slowness of the desiccating
process.
Secondly, the torrefaction or carbonisation of the turf.-Figures 1, 2, 3,
Drawing III., represent in plan, section, and elevation, a pair of retorts for
the processes of torrifaction or carbonisation of the turf. The iron retorts A,
which have nothing peculiar in their construction, are somewhat similar to
those employed in gas manufacture; their two extremities are closed by a
cast-iron plug B working on a strong hinge, and secured to the orifice of
the retort by a moveable band and pressure bolt of iron. The position of the
doors and grates of the furnace is shewn in C, Figures 2 and 3. A small
vertical tube D, Figure 3, is placed in the middle of the retort A, and gives
escape to the gases produced by the carbonisation; these gases, by means of
the pipe E, are passed to a reservoir when intended for other purposes than
that of heating the retort. When employed for the latter purpose, as shewn
in Figures 1, 2, 3, the gases are led directly under the furnace door by the
pipe F, from which they enter through the apertures formed in the said pipe;
these apertures are reduced or closed at will by means of a concentric tube,
which works inside the pipe F, by turning the key G. to accelerate the
carbonisation and facilitate the discharging of the gases, and to avoid the
breakage of the turf after the carbonisation, I employ the three capsules H,
Figures 4, 5, and 6; the first is shewn placed within the retort A, the two
others shewn on an enlarged scale in section and elevation. These three
capsules, which occupy the capacity of the retort, are formed of strips of
iron rivetted to three hoops; between each a sufficient space is left for the
circulation of the heat, and the free disengagement of the gases. After the
carbonisation or simple torrifaction to the required extent, the capsules are
pushed out of the retort into sheet-iron extinguishing boxes hermetically
closed, in which the cooling of the fuel is rapidly effected; each retort is
provided with a double set of capsules so as to charge and discharge without
intermittence. Figure 1, which represents the upper plan of the furnace of a
pair of retorts, shews in section on the half of this plan, the union of two
furnace chimneys in one, connected underground with a general chimney,
in which egress the products of combustion of several groups of retorts.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner
of carrying it out, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details of execution, but reserve the right of modifying them
according to circumstances within the principles which form the base of the
processes above enumerated; but what I claim is,—
First, purifying the turf by the employment of the toothed blades on the

page_text: dividing cyclinder, the double conical rotating purifying vessel of perforated
iron, and the general arrangement of the dividing and washing apparatus,
as represented in the Figures of Drawing 1.
Secondly, the draining of the turf after purification by the employment
of the vertical tube apparatus of perforated zinc with a conduit and drainers
as described.
Thirdly, the simultaneous compression and moulding of the turf by the
hydraulic press and accessoriesabove described, and represented in Drawing II.
Fourthly, the desiccation, torrifaction or carbonisation of the turf by
means of the apparatus described with the carbonising capsules and other
accessories, as represented in the Figures of Drawing III.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.