IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING AND CARBONIZING WOOD, PEAT, AND OTHER FUEL
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy, of Paris, Rue
Pigalle, No. 9, Civil Engineer, France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN DRYING AND CARBONIZING WOOD, PEAT, AND OTHER FUEL."
Sealed the 18th November 1862, and dated the 21st May 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Macedo Alexandre Le
Brun Virloy at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 21st May 1862.
I, MACEDO ALEXANDRE LE BRUN VIRLOY, of Paris, Rue Pigalle, No 9,
Civil Engineer, France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING AND CARBONIZING WOOD, PEAT, AND OTHER FUEL,"
to be as follows:-
The drying of wood, peat, and other materials in order to render them
suitable for fuel, has not hitherto been accomplished with much success owing
to the liability of these substances to take fire when arriving at a certain
stage of dryness and decomposition. Moreover the processes now adopted for
carbonizing wood and peat, have not produced more than 55 per.cent. of fuel,
either because the waste heat and the combustion of the volatile products have
not been sufficiently utilized, or because from the variability of the temperature
during carbonization, part of the fuel becomes combined with the volatile.
products, or a portion of the fuel is uselessly consumed during the operation by,
the influence of the atmosphere and other causes. By my Invention I am
enabled in a great measure to remedy these defects, and instead of obtaining
only 55 per cent. of fuel I get about 80 per cent. and at the same time I
collect at a small expense the volatile products.

page_text: The apparatuses for carrying my Invention into effect may be of any con-
venient form or dimensions, and may be placed either horizontally, vertically,
or inclined, and consist of chambers or furnaces made in masonry, iron, or
other metal, or even clay or sand supported and held together by metal plates.
In these apparatuses the temperature is maintained higher at one end than at
the other, the operation is continuous and the materials are caused to advance
successively from that point where the temperature is lowest to where it is
highest.
The main features of my Invention consist, first, in introducing wood, peat,
and other material at one side or end of a furnace, and withdrawing it from
the other side or end in a state suitable for its being employed as fuel.
Second, in hermetically closing the doors or other openings to the furnace
during the operations whereby liability to taking fire is avoided.
Third, in regulating by means of taps, valves, and registers the size of the
holes in the covers and in the apparatuses themselves according to circumstances
to increase or diminish, for example, the activity of the fuel and the operation,
or for regulating the admission and exit of air, gas, and other volatile
products.
Fourth, in collecting and removing therefrom a portion of the volatile...
products after the whole or part of their caloric has been utilized.
Fifth, in utilizing as far as may be the same materials and debris of slight
value, as well as the combustible gases produced by the operation itself; in
short, making use of the lost heat which in the ordinary processes of drying
and carbonizing is carried away by the vapors and gas escaping at a high
temperature.
Sixth, submitting the wood, peat, or other material to be treated first to a
low temperature, and gradually increasing it to a high temperature.
In
The operation may, if desired, be facilitated by fans, currents of air, gas, or
otherwise. When the furnaces are horizontal, or somewhat inclined, the
material to be treated is carried on waggons or trucks, as one waggon leaves
at one end of the furnace it is replaced by another at the other end.
these furnaces the inlet and outlet apertures are placed above the ends and
not at the ends, by which means hydraulic joints may be used. When the
furnaces are vertical or partially inclined, the fuel is generally placed in boxes,
in cases, or on wooden frames almost wholly occupying the internal space; s
they advance by their own weight towards the lower part where the tem-
perature is kept higb; when a certain quantity of the dried fuel has been
removed at the bottom it is replaced by fresh at the top. In all cases the
furnaces must be hermetically closed at each end, and, by preference, with.

page_text: hydraulic joints, which must be opened rapidly with care, and, if possible, only
one end should be opened at a time to prevent the admission of air in too
large a quantity. The space between the internal and external metal lining
of which the furnace is composed is filled with earth, sand, or other non-con-
ducting material. The furnace is surrounded with a frame, which is easy to
set up and remove, and on which the whole structure is supported, as well
as the stoves for utilizing the waste heat for the preparation of the material
to be operated on. The frame before mentioned carries beams on which rails
are laid, and along which a truck is free to run for facilitating the opera-
tions, to be hereafter explained. The material to be carbonized is laid on
metal frames, and stacked or piled up below the stoves, spaces being left at
certain intervals between the material, which are filled by metal frames, wood,
or other means; a frame thus filled is raised to one of the stoves through
the bottom thereof by means of pulleys on a truck; chains surround the
pulleys, which are hooked to supports on each frame. When the furnace is
ready to be charged, one of the frames with the material is caught by
supports and placed in the stoves; for this purpose it is raised and taken by
means of a truck above the furnace, which has been previously opened, it is
then lowered by introducing the suspension rod through a rectangular hole
formed for that purpose, the metal or wood bars between the materials being
previously removed. By this arrangement the manual labour is considerably
reduced, while the material only requires to be once touched, and that is to
place it on the frames. One of the stoves is heated by the products of com-
bustion proceeding from two external furnaces, the other by the lost heat from
the volatile products which issue from the furnace by a pipe, and traverse a
case filled with some calcareous material for the absorption of acetic acid,
tar becomes deposited in front and bottom of the case, from whence it is easily
withdrawn. In both stoves the arrangements are so provided that the steam,
gas, and smoke are compelled to traverse the material before escaping by the
apertures formed in the doors which form the bottom. The case filled with
calcareous material is withdrawn from the stove, and after a certain time,
usually 12 hours, is replaced by another, when the quantity of acetic acid'
absorbed will in all probability be found to form very nearly a tenth of the
weight of the calcareous material. The acetate of lime, which forms in a
coating on the surface of the fragments of calcareous material is removed by
friction or otherwise, and the material is employed for fresh operations. The
coating can be removed by placing the calcareous material in barrels mounted
on axes, rotary motion being communicated to them; the lumps of material
are struck against one another, and the coating thereby becomes detached.

page_text: Another plan may be adopted for absorbing the acetic acid by means of the
calcareous. material; in this case also the calcareous material may be replaced
by lime, or other material capable of absorbing this acid; but the calcareous
material is cheapest and most effectual. These processes for collecting the
nitric acid are economical, especially when the carbonization is carried on in
forests. The beat for producing carbonization is maintained at the bottom of
the furnace by external fire-places. To the left of each of the furnaces at its
side and at top there is formed in the carbonization tube an aperture, by
which the combustible gases, which are generated inside, chiefly at the lower
part of the apparatus where the temperature is highest, are allowed to escape.
These, gases become ignited while passing over the incandescent material,
and their combustion is utilized to. the advantage of the operation before
becoming mixed with steam, the greater portion of which is generated in
the upper part of the apparatus. The apertures may be closed from the
exterior. The two. fire-boxes are furnished centrally with a register, by which
communication between the first and second stage of the flues may be cut off.
In this case the gases proceeding from the two external furnaces enter the
interior of the furnace by a rectangular orifice formed in the lower part of the
smoke box, by preference, below the second frame, so that they may expand
uniformly over the whole furnace, taking advantage.of the space formed by the
frame. This introduction is made,. as desired, wholly or partially during
the operation generally at the end to increase or regulate it, and to stop it
the orifice is closed, and the register before mentioned is opened. By this.
orifice, or by any other convenient aperture, air or gas, cold or hot, and even
steam may be admitted. The top cover is worked by means of a small crane,
and the lower is suspended by weights. The fastenings are hydraulic. Under
ordinary conditions, the lower frame, which supports all the others, rests on
piles or projections, and the suspension rod, which is only used for drawing
out the fuel is enclosed in the furnace by a cap put on the aperture in the top
cover, after an appliance which holds the rod to the truck. has been.
removed. As the combustibles diminish by the carbonization the frames
at the bottom of the furnace rest on one another, being supported by
supports, the height of which is regulated to avoid the breaking of the fuel
under the effect of the charge. The draught of the external furnaces, and
the escape of the volatile products are regulated by registers or other
suitable appliances. In the stove the volatile products are placed in direct
contact with the combustibles to be dried, but they may be isolated from
one another, by confining them in such manner that they may be made to
circulate round them, so as to yield a portion of their caloric.
In either case.

page_text: they may be collected as they issue from the stove, and in. finishing the
condensation, the useful products are withdrawn, and the waste heat and
combustible gases made use of. A number of stoves may be fitted in a
similar manner on the same bed, or they may be of other shapes,. and in
other positions. The employment of stoves is not absolutely necessary, as the
combustible materials may be placed directly in the furnace, provided it is. not
considered necessary to utilize the waste heat or a portion of it. In this case
as a matter of compensation, the furnace is raised, the height of which ought
to be as near as possible in proportion to the fuel discharged at each operation.
The operation is as follows:-Supposing the furnace to be at work, the fuel
on the lower frame is in a state of carbon, it is below the fire-places, and in
this position it cools, while the fuel on the frame immediately above, which is
opposite the fire-places, is finished. The fuel on the upper. frames is prepared,
by the temperature in which they are placed, which decreases from the
external furnaces up to the cover above. The moment the frame is taken
from the bottom with the fuel, the furnace is opened at the bottom, the cover.
is lowered to the tram under the furnace, the "etouffuir" or extinguishing
box, is advanced by means of a truck of the suspension rod and guide, the
frames are somewhat raised, in order to disengage and withdraw to the rear
the piles or bearing supports, the whole of the apparatus then descends until
the lower frame has passed beyond the, standards. The latter are pushed
back inside the furnace, and the second frame rests. on them. The lower
frame alone continues to descend into the "étouffoir" with the suspension rod,
by which it is kept in a horizontal position through guides. In this position
the suspension rod is caused to make about a quarter of a turn, the lower
hook leaves the frame, the rod is free, and is drawn into its normal position,..
the "etouffoir" is raised, stopped, and the bottom of the furnace closed as
before. By this operation a space is made at the top of the furnace, and to
refill this after having detached and raised the suspension rod, one of the
frames loaded with fuel and resting on one the stoves is seized and is raised
and conveyed by means of the truck to the top of the furnace, which has been
previously opened, and into which it is caused to descend, as has been already.
explained, then the carbonization again commences, and to increase it, the..
whole or a portion of the gases proceeding from the external furnaces, is or
are caused to enter inside thereof. The temperature increases rapidly in the
furnace, and so much the more quickly according to the aperture left at the
top for the escape of gas and the volatile products. When the internal tem-
perature is high enough, the escape openings at top are diminished in size,
until the combustible gases formed in the furnace chiefly at the top of the

page_text: external furnaces, issue by the holes formed for that purpose at the side of
these furnaces on which they impinge, as has already been described. The
operation may be more or less active; it ordinarily lasts six hours. Towards the
termination the apertures for the escape of gas and volatile products are almost
closed, so as to choke the fuel under manufacture, and before opening the
bottom of the furnace to remove that which has been made during the pre-
ceding operation. The operation of horizontal or, inclined furnaces is carried on
in a similar manner. Desiccation of combustible materials or their decom-
position is carried on to all degrees desired in the same apparatuses and by
the same means, they must not be exposed to such a high temperature, however:
the operation is carried on with the greatest facility, when the arrangements
are such that the fuel does not come in contact with the heated sides. The
desiccating and carbonizing apparatuses may be placed close to blast furnaces
or other furnaces and factories, so as to utilize their lost or waste heat, as
well as their combustible gases. The apparatuses may have an inter-
rupted movement, particularly the horizontal furnaces. In this case the
combustibles generally remain immovable in the furnace instead of being
caused to advance progressively towards the point where the highest tem-
perature exists; but then the furnaces are made movable, which at first
moderately heats one of the ends; for example, they are caused to move
forward as the desiccation of the combustibles proceeds, and as they become
transformed into fuel. The gas and smoke are elsewhere combined in such
manuer as to utilize as much as possible the lost heat, and to collect the volatile
products either by processes ordinarily employed or by the immediate saturation
of the acetic acid. The chimneys and smoke boxes are usually made movable,
as will be explained, and as an example, this plan is described as applied to the
carbonization of wood. To simplify the arrangements and to reduce expense
as much as possible, the sides of the furnace may be made of turf, earth, or
other material, held together laterally by metal with wooden supports, and by
planks and stakes driven in the ground. The apparatus may be insulated,
1, from the action of the soil on which the furnace rests by placing metal
plates under the earth or other material which supports the wood; 2, from
atmospheric influences, by putting plates of metal on the layer of turf, earth,
or other material covering the wood. By these means the results produced
by the operation are improved, but in many cases these precautions are not
necessary to ensure success. The wood is piled in the interior, by preference
lengthwise of the furnace, in masses separated by spaces of suitable dimen-
sions, so that the diffusion of the flames, steams, and hot gases, the agents of
carbonization, may operate regularly among the wooden blocks. The flames,

page_text: vapours, and hot gases are introduced through apertures formed in the sides,
and, for the particular case under operation, furnaces at the side of the apparatus
are simultaneously run into the same vacant space; the products therefrom
first traverse the first mass, then the second, and enter a vacant space, from
whence they are taken outside either by one or two chimneys set vertically above
the space, or by one or two lateral chimneys with sinoke boxes and apparatuses
for collecting dry the nitric acids and the tar and other volatile products. The
furnaces and lateral chimneys are mounted on carriages, which run on rails
formed on the right and left of the furnace; the furnaces have, moreover, a
motion in a direction perpendicular with the axis of the furnace, a motion
which allows the orifices for the escape of flames and gas to be introduced into
the side orifices of the furnaces intended to receive them. The operation
commences at the first vacant space on the side where the wood is lowest;
the moveable furnaces are placed there to the right and left, the heat in which
is caused to progressively increase. The movable chimneys, whether vertical
or lateral, are placed in the vertical orifices formed at the top of the second
space. They remain there until the temperature of the gas escaping from the
furnace does not, for example, exceed one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.
Then they are placed on the vertical orifices of the third space in such
manner that the furnaces are separated from it by blocks of wood. All tlie
fateral introduction orifices which are not in communication with the furnaces
are stopped, as well as all the vertical escape orifices which are in communi-
cation with chimneys. Care must be taken to close all the fisures which may be
formed in the sides, and especially in the turf or earth covering at the top at
that time where depression resulting from carbonization is produced: When
the carbonization of the first mass is determined, the movable furnaces are
placed on the second tier, and the chimneys on the fourth tier, and so on up
to the end. The draft is regulated by registers or other appliances. Care
must be taken to choke the fuel as it is made, and for that purpose it is
advantageous to fill with earth the space by which the furnace is emptied. In
very long furnaces it is desirable to raise the cold fuel at one end while car-
bonization is going on at the other. The furnaces and chimneys may be at
any convenient distances apart, according to circumstances; the furnaces may
also be of any desired form or shape without altering the main features before
described, which consist in making the furnaces and chimneys moveable in
proportion to the advance of the operation. The desiccation of wood for its
transformation into a state of fuel, as well as the desiccation and carbonization
peat, may be effected in a similar manner. For peat interstices are formed
in the blocks for the passage of flame, steam, and hot gases. The furnaces
of

page_text: may be more or less inclined. One of the great advantages of these processes
is the employment of wood in great lengths without the loss and expense
occasioned by felling. In case of need, the external furnaces may be supplied
with fans or by any other plan capable of producing a current of forced gas;
the admission of air is regulated by a register in the furnaces before described,
and it is caused to circulate in a double envelope for heating and utilizing the
waste heat. Finally, the processes before described may be applied to
materials other than those mentioned.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th November 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MACEDO
ALEXANDRE LE BRUN VIRLOY, of Paris, Rue Pigalle, No 9, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy, Her special licence that I, the said
Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy, 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 DRYING AND CARBONIZING WOOD, PEAT, AND
OTHER FUEL," upon the condition (amongst others) that 1, the said Macedo
Alexandre Le Brun Virloy, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and

page_text: by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings here-
unto annexed, that is to say:
The drying of wood, peat, and other materials in order to render them
suitable for fuel has not hitherto been accomplished with much success, owing
to the liability of these substances to take fire when arriving at a certain stage
of dryness and decomposition. Moreover, the processes now adopted for
carbonizing wood and peat have not produced more than 55 per cent. of fuel,
either because the waste heat and the combustion of the volatile products have
not been sufficiently utilised, or because from the variability of the temperaturo
during carbonization part of the fuel becomes combined with the volatile
-products, or a portion of the fuel is uselessly consumed during the operation
by the influence of the atmosphere and other causes. By my Invention I am
enabled in a great measure to remedy these defects, and instead of obtaining
only 55 per cent. of fuel I get about 80 per cent., and at the same time I
collect at a small expense the volatile products.
The apparatuses for carrying my Invention into effect may be of any con-
venient form or dimensions, and may be placed either horizontally, vertically,
or inclined, and consist of chambers or furnaces made in masonry, iron, or
other metal, or even clay or sand supported and held together by metal plates.
In these apparatuses the temperature is maintained higher at one end than at
the other; the operation is continuous and the materials are caused to advance
successively from that point where the temperature is lowest to where it is
highest.
The main features of my Invention consist, first, in introducing wood, peat,
and other material at one side or end of a furnace, and withdrawing it from
the other side or end in a state suitable for its being employed as fuel.
Second, in hermetically closing the doors or other openings to the furnace
during the operations, whereby liability to take fire is avoided.
Third, in regulating by means of taps, valves, and registers, the size of the
holes in the covers and in the apparatuses themselves according to circumstances
to increase or diminish, for example, the activity of the fuel and the operation,
or for regulating the admission and exit of air, gas, and other volatile products.
Fourth, in collecting and removing therefrom a portion of the volatile
products after the whole or part of their caloric has been utilized.
Fifth, in utilizing as far as may be the same materials and debris of slight
value, as well as the combustible gases produced by the operation itself; in
short, making use of the waste heat which in the ordinary processes of drying
and carbonizing is carried away by the vapors and gas escaping at a high
temperature.

page_text: Sixth, submitting the wood, peat, or other material to be treated first to a
low temperature and gradually increasing it to a high temperature.
The operation may, if desired, be facilitated by fans, currents of air, gas, or
otherwise. When the furnaces are horizontal or somewhat inclined the
material to be treated is carried on waggons or trucks.
As one wagon
leaves at one end of the furnace it is replaced by another at the other end.
.In these furnaces the inlet and outlet apertures are placed above the ends and
not at the ends, by which means hydraulic joints may be used. When the
furnaces are vertical or partially inclined the fuel is generally placed in boxes,
in cases, or on wooden frames, almost wholly occupying the internal space;
they advance by their own weight towards the lower part where the tem-
perature is kept high; when a certain quantity of the dried fuel has been
reinoved at the bottom it is replaced by fresh at the top. In all cases the
furnaces must be hermetically closed at each end, and by preference with
hydraulic joints, which must be opened rapidly with care, and if possible only
one end should be opened at a time to prevent the admission of air in too
large a quantity.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings are views in vertical
section, and Figure 3 is a plan of a vertical furnace constructed according to
my Invention. The space between the internal and external metal lining A
of which the furnace is composed is filled with earth, sand, or other non-
conducting material. The furnace is surrounded with a frame B, which is
easy to set up and remove, and on which the whole structure is supported as
well as the stoves C, C¹, for utilizing the waste heat for the preparation of the
material to be operated on. The top of the frame B before mentioned carries
beams D, D, on which rails are laid, and along which a truck E is free to
run for facilitating the operations to be hereafter explained. The material to
be carbonized is laid on metal frames F, and stacked or piled up below the
stoves C, C¹, spaces being left at certain intervals between the material which
are filled by metal frames, wood, or other means; frame thus filled is raised
to one of the stoves through the bottom thereof by means of pulleys a, a, on
the truck E. Chains surround the pulleys which are hooked to supports b, b,
on each frame F, Figures 1 and 2. When the fuel has been sufficiently
prepared in the stoves C, C¹, and the furnace is ready to be charged, one of
the frames with the material is caught by the supports b, b, and placed in
the stoves; for this purpose it is raised and taken by means of the truck E
above the furnace which has been previously opened, it is then lowered by
introducing the suspension rod G through a rectangular hole formed for that
purpose, the metal or wood bars between the materials being previously

page_text: removed. One of the stoves C is heated by the products of combustion pro-
ceeding from two external furnaces II, II, the other C by the waste heat
from the volatile products which issue from the furnace by a pipe d, Figure 1,
and traverse a case I filled with some calcareous material, or with lime for the
absorption of acetic acid. Tar becomes deposited in front and bottom of the
case, from whence it is easily withdrawn. In both stoves the arrangements
are so provided that the steam, gas, and smoke are compelled to traverse the
material before escaping by the apertures made in the doors which form the
bottom. The case I is withdrawn from the stove C and is replaced by
another when the quantity of acetic acid absorbed forms about a tenth of the
weight of the calcareous material. The acetate of lime which forms in a
coating on the surface of the fragments of calcareous material is removed,
and the material is employed for fresh operations. On the side of each
of the furnaces and at top apertures are formed in the carbonization tube J,
by which the combustible gases which are generated inside chiefly at the
lower part of the apparatus where the temperature is highest are allowed
to escape. These gases become ignited while passing over the incandescent
material, and their combustion is utilized to the advantage of the operation
before becoming mixed with steam, the greater portion of which is gene-
rated in the upper part of the apparatus. The apertures may be closed
from the exterior by plugs or valves as desired. The two fire-boxes K, K,
are furuished centrally with a register, by which communication between the
first and second stage of the flues may be cut off. In this case the gases
proceeding from the two external furnaces H, H', enter the interior of the
furnace by a rectangular orifice formed in the lower part of the smoke box,
by preference below the second frame F, so that they may expand uniformly
over the whole furnace, taking advantage of the space formed by the frame.
This introduction is made as desired wholly or partially during the operation
to increase or regulate it, and to stop it the orifice 7 is closed and the register
is opened. By this orifice or by any other convenient aperture air or gas,
cold or hot, and even steam may be admitted. The top cover L is worked by
means of a small crane, and the lower cover M is suspended by chains e, e,
carrying weights ff. The joints of the covers L and M are made tight .by
hydraulic fastenings g, g. Under ordinary conditions the lower frame F which
supports all the others, rests on piles or projections h, k, and the suspension
red G, which is only used for drawing out the fuel is enclosed in the furnace
by a cap i, Figure 1, put on the aperture in the top cover L after an
appliance which holds the rod G to the truck E has been removed.
The operation is as follows:-Figure shows the lower cover M at the

page_text: bottom of the furnace, as well as the last frame F, in which the carbonization
of the fuel is effected. The other frames have been lowered by the truck and
rod G, and the last frame rests on the spindles h, h. The spindles have been
withdrawn to admit of the descent of the last frame, and have been replaced to
support the first. The carbonization of the fuel in the first frame is finished
at the height of the furnaces and flues, or at that part where the temperature
is highest. The other frames get gradually prepared, and the carbonization of
their charge increases as they approach the fires. When the fuel in the last
frame is carbonized, the lower or bottom cover M is opened and lowered on to
the railway P, Figure 2, along which a damper R is conveyed. The spindles
h, h, are withdrawn, and by means of a rod G and truck E all the frames are
lowered, and the spindles h, h, pushed back. The rod G has a quarter of a
turn given it, in order to disengage its lower hook from the last frame, which
becoming free, is received by the damper which is pushed along the tramway,
the rod is again raised, the hook of which seizes the last frame, and the cover
M is placed on to close the opening at the bottom of the furnace. To recharge
the furnace, the lengthening piece of the rod G is detached, a fresh frame is
taken from the stoves C, C¹, raised by the truck E, and lowered through the
upper opening of the furnace, the door L of which must be previously opened
for that purpose, and so on each frame successively until the furnace is filled
up; the cover is then put on, and carbonization proceeds as before. The
operation usually lasts six hours, and the action of the furnaces may be regu-
lated by varying the size of the apertures for the escape of the gas and other
volatile products. The operation of horizontal or inclined furnaces is carried
on in a similar manner. Desiccation of combustible materials or their decom-
position is carried on to all degrees desired in the same apparatuses and by the
same means, but they are subjected to the action of the heat. The desiccating
and carbonizing apparatuses may be placed close to blast or other furnaces
and factories, so as to utilize their lost or waste heat as well as their combus-
tible gases. The apparatuses may have an interrupted movement, particularly
the horizontal furnaces. In this case the combustibles generally remain
immovable in the furnace, instead of being caused to advance progressively
towards the point where the highest temperature exists; but then the furnaces
are made movable, which at first moderately beats one of the ends, for example,
they are caused to move forward as the desiccation of the combustibles pro-
ceeds and as they become transformed into fuel. The gas, steam, and smoke
are elsewhere combined in such manner as to utilize as much as possible the
lost heat and to collect the volatile products. The chimneys and smoke boxes
are usually made movable.

page_text: Figure 4 is a vertical section, and Figure 5 is a plan, of a horizontal
furnace; Figure 6 is a section through the dotted line 1, 2, 3, 4, and Figure 7
is a section taken at the line 5, 6, both of Figure 5.
To simplify the arrangements and to reduce expense as much as possible the
sides of the furnace may be made of turf, earth, or other material, held
together laterally by metal with wooden supports, and by planks and stakes
driven in the ground. The apparatus may be insulated, 1, from the action of
the soil on which the furnace rests, by placing metal plates under the earth or
other material which supports the wood; 2, from atmospheric influences, by
putting plates of metal on the layer of turf, earth, or other material covering
the wood, as shewn at Figure 6. The wood is piled in the interior, by pre-
ference, lengthwise of the furnace in masses B', B, B, separated by spaces
C, C, C, so that the diffusion of the flames, steams, and hot gases may
operate regularly among the wooden blocks. The agents of combustion are
introduced through apertures D₁, D", D, formed in the sides, as shewn,
which traverse the lateral furnaces H, H', and pass through the combustibles
in order to carbonize them, and they pass into the first space; traverse the first,
mass, then the second, and enter a vacant space, from whence they are taken
outside either by one or two chimneys set vertically above the space, or by one
or two lateral chimneys L, L, with smoke boxes and apparatuses for collecting
dry the acetic acids, the tar, and volatile products. The furnaces. H, H',
and lateral chimneys L, L', are mounted on carriages M, M¹, which run on
rails N, N', formed on the right and left of the furnace; the furnaces H, H',
have moreover a motion in a direction perpendicular with the axis of the
furnace, a motion which allows the orifices for the escape of flames and gas to
be introduced into the side orifices D', D, D1, of the furnaces intended to
receive them. The operation commences at the first vacant space C¹ on the
side where the wood B¹ is lowest. The movable furnaces H, H³, are placed
there to the right and left, the heat in which is caused to increase progres-
sively. The movable chimneys L, L', whether vertical, lateral, or on carriages,
are placed in the vertical orifices I", I", formed at the top of the second space
C". They remain there until the temperature of the gas escaping from the
furnace does not, for example, exceed a hundred degrees Fahrenheit; then
they are placed on the vertical orifices I, 1, of the third space C¹¹, in such
manner that the furnaces are separated from it by blocks of wood. All the
lateral introduction orifices D', D", D, which are not in communication with
the furnaces H, H', are stopped, as well as all the vertical escape orifices
which are in communication with chimneys. When the carbonization of
the first mass B' is terminated, the movable furnaces H, H¹ are placed in the

page_text: second space C", and the chimneys L, L, on the fourth space, and so on up to
the end. The draft is regulated by registers or other appliances.. Care must
be taken to choke the fuel as it is made, and for that purpose it is advan-
tageous to fill with earth the space by which the furnace is emptied. The
furnaces and chimneys may be at any convenient distances apart, according to
circumstances; the furnace may also be of any desired form or shape without
altering the main features before described, which consists in making the
furnaces and chimneys movable in proportion to the advance of the operation.
The desiccation of wood for its transformation into a state of fuel, as well as
the desiccation and carbonization of peat, may be effected in a similar manner
by forming interstices in the blocks for the passage of flame, steam, and hot
gases.
One of the great advantages of these processes is the employment of wood
in great lengths directly it has been felled, without the loss and expense
occasioned by cutting it up. In case of need, the external furnaces may be
fed by fans or other means, for producing a current of forced gas. The admis-
sion of air is regulated by a register, as in the furnaces H,,H', before described,
and it is caused to circulate in a double envelope for heating and utilizing the
waste heat.
The processes before described may be applied to materials other than those
mentioned.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim drying aud car-
bonizing wood, peat, and other fuel, substantially in manner berein-before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Macedo Alexandre Le Brun Virloy,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of November,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUD, Je,
M. A. LE BRUN VIRLOY. (L.S.)
Civil Engineer,
Boulevart de Strasbourg, 23,
à Paris.