Improvements in Apparatus for the Combustion of Fuel.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Combustion of Fuel.
I, FÉLIX DINZ, of Saint Jean des Vignes, near Chalon sur Saône, France, Manu-
facturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus designed for the continuous combustion of fuel.
The apparatus constructed according to the said invention is provided with superposed
hearths, and differs essentially from the apparatus hitherto used for similar purposes
by the absence of partitions which render the continuous feed of the fuel impossible.
The said apparatus is arranged with a view to ensure a free circulation of the com-
bustible gas so as to obtain a gradually increasing temperature which enables the fuel
which is poorest in carbon to be burnt as well as other fuel. In principle, the
apparatus is a blast furnace in which an intimate contact of the fuel with the com-
bustible gas is ensured and in which the draft can take place freely. These two con-
ditions which are necessary for a good operation, but are incompatible with the
employment of the furnaces heretofore known are fulfilled.
In order to make the advantages which result from the employment of my improved
apparatus better understood I will describe my invention with reference to the accom-
panying drawings, but only by way of example. This drawing represents the
practical means employed for realizing my invention.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent an arrangement of a furnace shown in plan and in
vertical and horizontal sections respectively.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent a horizontal section, a vertical section, and a vertical
section developed of four furnaces grouped around a central flue in which a return-
flame draft can be produced.
Figures 7 and 8 represent the horizontal and vertical sections of an accessory
arrangement used in combination with the improved apparatus for the combustion of.
small pieces of fuel.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 represent to an enlarged scale a vertical section, a plan seen
from above, and the base of this apparatus which is circular in section.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 represent a modification of the same apparatus.
Figures 12 and 13 represent a plan and a vertical section, partly in elevation of the
cylindrical wall having helicoidal grooves, and showing its central screw.
Figures 14, 15, and 16 represent a lower horizontal section, an upper horizontal
section, and a vertical section of the furnace.
In practice the apparatus can be constructed by means of a series of superposed
slabs preferably of refractory earth (Figures 1 to 6), which can be varied in number
according to the temperature which it is desired to obtain, and according to the nature
of the fuel.
Each of these slabs comprises one or more compartments according to the quantity
of heat to be obtained and each of these compartments constitutes a hearth
containing the fuel. I therefore confine myself to describe only one of the said
hearths.
This hearth a has a chamber into which the fuel drops through the opening bc in
the upper slab (see Figure 2); the fuel spreads out in the chamber a upon the slope :
the upper part of the heap is of the form of the orifice bc, the section of which is
sufficient to enable the fuel to drop freely in a continuous manner.
By the super-
position of slabs or elements such as d the furnace is constituted. The fuel drops,
spreads out in each chamber and is compelled to move upon the slopes e f g h so as
to be reduced again to a thickness fh equal to b c. The same is repeated in the case
of the following and all the succeeding chambers formed in the slabs.

page_text: As in each slab 'the fuel obtains a taper form the parts be, cc will be without
fuel, and the gas can circulate therein, as it passes from one flue i to the opposite
flue j.
The gas of the combustion will thus follow a zig-zag path and come in intimate
contact with the fuel whilst it is freely disengaged.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a furnace comprising four hearths grouped around a
central flue for the return-flame draft. In Figures 9, 10 and -11 which represent
the base of this apparatus, m denotes the hearths and n the conduits for the circulation
of combustible gas. The combustible gas (air) is preferably introduced through the
orifices o formed in the base or support for the apparatus. The ash-boxes p are
arranged in this support as shown in Figure 9. In the latter figure is illustrated
how the flues for the circulation of air are arranged at their upper part in order to
cause the air to be projected upon the top of the hearth, after it has impinged against
a solid part of the upper element. The gas circulates in these hearths upwardly and
successively as in the apparatus having one hearth (Figure 2). When it arrives at
the upper part it enters the central flue & through the orifices (Figures 5 and 6). In
this flue the combustion is effected. The arrangement of several hearths in the same
apparatus enables the temperature to be increased or diminished by lighting only one,
two, three or more hearths. In the case of small pieces of fuel, which have a
tendency to become piled up, I can employ cones extending one into the other, and
having external ribs which leave between them free annular spaces as represented in
Figures 7 and S.
In lieu of superposed slabs 1 can construct the furnace as represented in
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. In order to enable the fuel to be placed so as to form
sloping or tapering parts and thus enable the free circulation of the gases of com-
bustion and ensure at the same time an intimate contact of the combustible gas with
the fuel, I have provided helicoidal grooves in the sides of the furnace (Figures 12
and 13), and have placed in the axis of the latter a flue the exterior form of which is
similar to that of a screw. The furnace is composed of four parts (Figures 14 to 16)
.viz. :—
(1) The ash-box a which can be hermetically closed by means of a door b.
(2) The slab c (Figure 15) made of the form of a wheel having four arms d. The
spaces between the arms are designed for the passage of the cinders; these are
retained at e by a circular grate which is caused to turn horizontally through
45 degrees by means of a handle or knob in order that the four parts forming
a grate will be hidden or masked below the four solid parts or arms of the slab.
Thus placed the said grate permits the free passage of the cinders through its
four openings. Each arm of the above mentioned slab is hollowed out so as to
form a conduit g through which the annular conduit can communicate with the
central flue i.
(3) Upon the said slab, and supported upon it, is arranged the third part which
constitutes the hearth. This comprises the exterior case provided internally with
helicoidal threads (for example two convolutions of four threads); the screw kis
provided with the same number of similar threads and can be pierced with a hole
through its centre so as to obtain a flue i for either the downward or upward circulation
of the gas.
(4) The fourth part maintains the hearth; this is a slab similar to that of the
second part. The four openings I between the arms serve for the introduction of the
fuel. They are provided with plugs m (Figures 14 and 16).
The operation is as follows: The fuel introduced through the openings linaturally
assumes the shape of a crown between the screw k and 'the exterior case j. The air
entering through the door sustains the combustion as it passes through the grates.c.
The gas passes upward through the helicoidal spaces n, thus surrounding laterally the
interior and exterior of the fuel, at a gradually increasing temperature.
By this means the fuel offers the combustible gas a very large surface of contact
which is renewed in a continuous manner moreover the combustion is effected in a
methodical manner.

page_text: The gas of the combustion having reached the upper part of the apparatus passes
to the chimney either directly through pipes o or indirectly by descending through
the flues i in order to be conducted through g to the space and thence to o or p
according to the position of the valves qr.
Dated this 19th day of March 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Combustion of Fuel.
I, FELIX DINZ of Saint Jean des Vignes near Chalon sur Saône, France, Manu-
facturer, 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:
This invention relates to apparatus designed for the continuous combustion of fuel.
The apparatus constructed according to the said invention is provided with super-
posed hearths, and differs essentially from the apparatus hitherto used for similar
purposes by the absence of partitions which render the continuous feed of the fuel
impossible.
The said apparatus is arranged with a view to ensure a free circulation of the com-
bustible gas so as to obtain a gradually increasing temperature which enables the fuel
which is poorest in carbon to be burnt as well as other fuel. In principle, the
apparatus is a blast furnace in which an intimate contact of the fuel with the com-
bustible gas is ensured, and in which the draft can take place freely. These two con-
ditions which are necessary for a good operation but are incompatible with the
employment of the furnaces heretofore known, are fulfilled.
In order to make the advantages which result from the employment of my improved
apparatus better understood, I will describe my invention with reference to the
accompanying drawing and with the drawings left with my provisional specification,
but only by way of example. These drawings represent the means employed for
carrying my invention into practice.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent an arrangement of a furnace in plan and in vertical and
horizontal sections respectively.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 represent a horizontal section, a vertical section and a vertical
section developed, of four furnaces grooped around a central flue in which a return-
flame draft can be produced.
Figures 7 and 8 represent the horizontal and vertical sections of an accessory
arrangement used in combination with the improved apparatus for the combustion of
small pieces of fuel.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 represent to an enlarged scale a vertical section a plan seen
from above, and the base of this apparatus which is circular in section.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 represent a modification of the same apparatus.
Figures 12 and 13 represent a plan and a vertical section partly in elevation of the
cylindrical wall having helicoidal grooves and showing its central screw.
Figures 14, 15 and 16 represent a lower horizontal section, an upper horizontal
section and a vertical section of the furnace.
In practice the apparatus can be constructed by means of a series of superposed
slabs preferably of refractory earth (Figures 1 to 6) which can be varied in number
according to the temperature which it is desired to obtain and according to the nature
of the fuel.
Each of these slabs comprises one or more compartments according to the quantity
of heat to be obtained and each of these compartments constitutes a hearth con-
taining the fuel. I therefore confine myself to the description of only one of the
said hearths.
This hearth a has a chamber into which the fuel drops through the opening bc in
the upper slab (see Figure 2) the fuel spreads out in the chamber a upon the slope;"

page_text: the upper part of the heap is of the form of the orifice b, c, the section of which is
sufficient to enable the fuel to drop freely in a continuous manner. The super-
position of slabs or elements, such as d constitutes the furnace. The fuel drops out
in each chamber and is compelled to move upon the slopes e, f g h so as to be
reduced to a thickness f h equal to b c. The same is repeated in the case of the
following and all the succeeding chambers formed in the slabs.
c c¹
will be without
As in each slab the fuel obtains a taper form, the parts bb'
fuel, and the gas can circulate therein as it passes from one flue i to the opposite
fluo j.
The gas of the combustion will thus follow a zig-zag path and come in intimate
contact with the fuel whilst it is freely disengaged.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a furnace comprising four hearths grouped around a
central Hue k for the return-flame draught.
In Figures 9, 10 and 11, which represent the base of this apparatus m denotes the
hearths, and n the conduits for the circulation of combustible gas. The combustible
air is preferably introduced through the orifices o formed in the base or support for
the apparatus. The ash boxes p are arranged in this support as shown in Figure 9.
In the latter figure is illustrated how the flues for the circulation of air are arranged
at their upper part in order to cause the air to be projected upon the top of the
hearth, after it has impinged against a solid part of the upper element. The gas
circulates in these hearths upwardly and successively as in the apparatus having one
hearth (Figure 2). When it arrives at the upper part it enters the central flue k
through the orifices (Figures 5 and 6). In this flue the combustion is effected.
The arrangement of several hearths in the same apparatus enables the temperature to
be increased or diminished by lighting only one, two, three or more hearths. In the
case of small pieces of fuel, which have a tendency to become piled up, I can employ
cones extending one into the other, and having external ribs which leave between them
free annular spaces as represented in Figures 7 and 8.
In lieu of superposed slabs I can construct the furnace as represented in
Figures 12, 13, 14 15 and 16. In order to enable the fuel to be placed so as to
form sloping or tapering parts and thus enable the free circulation of the gases
of combustion and ensure at the same time an intimate contact of the combustible
gas with the fuel, I have provided helicoidal grooves in the sides of the furnace
(Figures 12 and 13) and have placed in the axis of the latter a flue the exterior form
of which is similar to that of a screw. The furnace is composed of four parts
(Figures 14 to 16) viz. :-
(1) The ash box a which can be hermetically closed by means of a door b.
(2) The slab c (Figure 15) made of the form of a wheel having four arms d. The
spaces between the arms are designed for the passage of the cinders; these are
retained at e by a circular grate which is caused to turn horizontally through an
angle of 45 degrees by means of a handle or knob in order that the four parts
forming a grate will be hidden or masked below the four solid parts or arms of the
slab. Thus placed the said grate permits the free passage of the cinders through its
four openings. Each arm of the above-mentioned slab is hollowed out so as to form
a conduit g through which the annular conduit / can communicate with the central
flue i.
(3) Upon the said slab and supported upon it is arranged the third part which
constitutes the hearth. This comprises the exterior case provided internally with
helicoidal threads (for example two convolutions of four threads) the screw kis pro-
vided with the same number of similar threads and can be pierced with a hole through.
its centre so as to obtain a flue for either the downward or upward circulation of
the gas.
(4) The fourth part is a slab similar to that of the second part. The four openings
between the arms serve for the introduction of the fuel. They are provided with
plugs m (Figures 14 and 16).
The central tube i is traversed by the exterior air penetrating through the
opening M (Figure 16) provided with a register by which its admission is regulated.

page_text: This air is heated to a high temperature as it rises along the red-hot walls of the
central tube i and arrives in the four passages N (Figure 14) in contact with the
oxide of carbon gas which it transforms into carbonic acid and leaves through
the chimney o producing therein a strong draught, thus constituting, besides its
oxidizing action, an effective fan.
The operation is as follows; the fuel introduced through the openings naturally
assumes the shape of a crown between the screw k and the exterior case j. The air
entering through the door b sustains the combustion as it passes through the grates e.
The gas passes upward through the helicoidal spaces n, thus surrounding laterally the.
interior and exterior of the fuel, at a gradually increasing temperature.
By this means the fuel offers the combustible gas a very large surface of contact
which is renewed in a continuous manner, moreover the combustion is effected in a
methodical manner.
The gas of the combustion having reached the upper part of the apparatus passes
to the chimney either directly through pipes o, or indirectly by descending through
the flue i in order to be conducted through g to the space h.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
First. In the improved apparatus for the continuous combustion, the arrangement
of a furnace composed of superposed elements, the vertical section of which has the
form of funnels, and the base of the upper element covers a part of the hearth
immediately below in such a manner that the fuel shall be surrounded by the gas
which circulates without obstructions around the combustible..
Second. An arrangement of apparatus for the continuous and methodical com-
bustion, consisting of a casing having its interior surface provided with helical
grooves corresponding with the exterior surface of a central part provided with
similar and corresponding grooves enabling the fuel to be surrounded by the gas
between two series of helicoidal circulations of this gas, the whole as above described
and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 5th day of December 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.