IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON
Year: 1842

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LOUIS
NICOLAS DE MECKENHEIM, of Vienna, in the Kingdom of Austria, but now of
London, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Thirty-first day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-two, in the fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Louis Nicolas de Meckenheim,
my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Louis Nicolas de Meckenheim, my .exors,
admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Louis Nicolas de
Meckenheim, my exors, adññors, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within that part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Irelaud called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF IRON;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso that I,
the said Louis Nicolas de Meckenheim, shall particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause
the same to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and
at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Louis Nicolas de Meckenheim, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the figures and letters herein contained, and to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, that is to say :-
My Invention consists,-
Firstly, in utilising for various heating purposes, the superabundant gases
evolved by the blast and other furnaces, which superabundant gases are
suffered in the present mode of manufacturing iron to escape into the air; and
by my new system I effect a great saving of fuel.
Secondly, in a new mode of constructing the several furnaces used in the
manufacture of cast or pig iron and malleable iron, and in a new method of
manufacturing such iron, whereby a great saving of fuel is also effected.
I will now proceed to describe my several new processes, and will class
them, in order to be more clearly understood, under three separate and dis-
tinct heads-
Firstly, the mode of collecting the excess of the gases evolved by the
blast and other furnaces, and the manner of projecting and employing the
same.
Secondly, the mode of constructing my new furnaces. And
Thirdly, my new mode of manufacturing cast or pig iron and malleable
iron.
Firstly, the excess of the gases evolved by the blast and other furnaces are
collected and utilised by compression alone, or by compression produced by
vacuum. In order to collect the gases evolved from the blast furnace several
passages are formed in its circumference. These passages must be suffi-
ciently large and considerably inclined, and should be below the range of the
vapour, and generally from ten to fifteen feet below the charging place or
tunnel head; that is, from 0.28 to 0.30 of the entire height. The con-
ducting passages in the interior of the furnace must be lined with fire brick,
and each of them separately closed by a cast-iron plate, having two holes in
it, to one of which is fitted the receiver for collecting the gases, the other is
kept hermetically closed, but can be opened when required for the purpose
of clearing the passage into the furnace, in which case the valve of the
receiver must be shut, so that no air may penetrate from the exterior. The
mouth of the furnace being kept shut by one of the methods shewn in the
Drawings or some other equally efficacious, the gases are forced into the
conducting pipes by the compression produced by the blowing engine added

page_text: to the pressure of the superincumbent mass of materials, as well as by the
effect of their expansion. In some cases these means may not suffice, it will
then be necessary to employ an air pump, which by creating a vacuum will
form a current in the direction required. The ventilator will fully answer
this purpose, and will serve at the same time as a means of compressing the
gases so as to convey them to the distance required and into the different
furnaces; any other machine which is both exhausting and compressing may
be used. The gases, after flowing through the passages in the masonry, pass
into the receivers fitted to them. Each of these communicates through a
conducting pipe with another receiver placed below the mass, in order to
catch any ashes which may fall from the passage. The gases as they pass
into the receivers are collected, either in their dry state, by causing them to
flow through conducting pipes into another pipe in the form of a ring placed
above the receivers, or into a common receiver, or they may be collected by
cooling and condensing them, which can be effected by the following different
methods --Firstly, the pipes into which the gases flow from the receivers are
plunged into one or several other receivers placed below the mass, and partly
filled with water, by which means the watery vapour is condensed, and the
gases being cooled rise to the surface and pass into the conducting pipes.
Secondly, the gases may be conducted through pipes into receivers having
double bottoms, the top one of which is a metallic plate perforated with holes,
or a wire gauze, and the upper part of these receivers being constantly supplied
with water, it passes in a shower through the holes in the plate or gauze into
the lower part and then flows out, but always maintains a certain level, leaving
a distance of a few inches only between it and the perforated plate or gauze.
The conducting pipes terminate and convey the gases between this space,
where they are cooled by the action of the water and the vapours contained
in them condensed, they then pass into the eduction pipes. Thirdly, the con-
ducting pipes through which the gases pass before they are conducted into a
common receiver are surrounded with an exterior pipe filled with water; the
condensation then takes place, and the condensed vapours flow into a receiver
arranged for the purpose, and the gases collected in the common receiver then
pass into the conducting pipes. Whatever means may be employed, the gases
thus collected are exhausted by the ventilator and forced into the other fur-
In certain cases the ventilator may be placed at the extremity of the
furnace, when it will act by exhaustion only, or sometimes the draft caused
by a chimney may be used for the same purpose, but either arrangement must
depend upon the locality. The furnaces in which the gases are to be em-
ployed may be either isolated or placed one after the other, and the carbonic
naces.

page_text: acid may in some cases be absorbed by any of the known methods, or by
simply causing the gases to pass through a receiver containing lime. To avoid
all possibility of accidents, safety valves or other suitable apparatus may be
adapted to the conducting pipes, but in general one or more divisions of wire
gauze inserted in them will suffice, and the apparatus being kept surrounded
with water. The conducting pipes, receivers, and ventilators must be care-
fully luted and protected from the exterior air. Before the gases are pro-
jected into a furnace, it is necessary that they should be combined with a
certain portion of atmospheric air which may be previously heated. Appa-
ratus for heating air are provided for that purpose, and may be constructed
in different ways, as may be seen in the Drawings. The gases and the air
being previously heated may be mingled together at the moment of their
entering the furnaces, or they may be heated together in a receiver placed in
front, or even at once in a hot-air apparatus. Great care must be taken that
the admixture be uniformly and thoroughly made. The tuyeres for imparting
the blast may be combined in several ways, but those shown in the Drawings
are preferred. The velocity as well as the quantities of gas and atmospheric
air to be supplied to the furnaces are regulated by valves. The construction
of the furnaces can be suited to the peculiar locality and circumstances.
These furnaces may sometimes be placed at such a distance from the passages
as to require, independently of the ventilator, either a gasometer, or, if receivers
are used, another compressing machine. The Drawings shew the disposition
of the different furnaces. The gases may be employed for smelting, refining,
puddling, and reheating iron; they may also be projected into the tuyere of
the blast furnace itself from which they are taken, and that either immediately
or after having heated the hot-air apparatus by means of them. For this pur-
pose a receiver of large dimensions is constructed, communicating by a sub-
terraneous canal in its bottom, with a draught chimney through which the
gases that are not combustible will escape. A small lighted fire will stop the
opening formed at the level of the ground, and this opening will serve in case
of need as a means of entry into the receiver. A ventilator or any other
blowing machine will project a sufficient quantity of atmospheric air into the
receiver; a cast-iron pipe communicating with the receiver and the tuyere
contains the hot air and the lighted gases, and these two bodies mingle toge-
ther at their entry into the hearth or crucible. The gases must as much as
possible be projected into the lower part of the receiver and the air into
the upper part. The gases may also be applied to heating the apparatus
for hot blast, the boilers of steam engines, the kilns for roasting the iron
ores, the apparatus for carbonizing with retorts, the apparatus for producing

page_text: gas, and also to heating the kilns for burning lime or bricks, or for any other
purpose for which heat is required. It is not only the excess of gases from
the blast furnaces that may thus be collected and used, but by making certain
alterations and modifications to the apparatus, those of every other furnace
necessary for the manufacture of iron, as well as those employed in any
other description of manufacture, may also be collected and used as above
mentioned.
Secondly, I will now describe the mode of constructing my new furnaces,
the object of which is to economise fuel, and is effected, either by the succes-
sive employment of the flame of one furnace supplying heat to several other
furnaces, or by the use of the superabundant gases which are collected by
means of the apparatus above described, which is destined to replace the cus-
tomary draught chimnies. These improved furnaces may be made larger than
those at present used, and may have one or more doors for working, and
several adjoining furnaces. Hot air must be projected instead of cold air into
the furnaces, either by exhaustion or by blast, and may be heated in an appa-
ratus joined or near to the furnaces. The furnaces can be constructed of
different forms; but the following would be an advantageous mode of con-
struction: First, one fire should feed two furnaces placed against each other,
and having at their sides smaller furnaces. On leaving these furnaces the gases
may either be extinguished and collected, or may be used to heat the steam-
engine boiler or the kiln for roasting the ore, or for any other purpose that
does not require any great heat; or the gases not used may be conveyed to
the general receiver, and added to the quantity collected, so that these furnaces
with their counterparts will require but one ventilating apparatus. Secondly,
a certain number of furnaces may be placed against each.other, by placing
between each a feeding furnace, and behind either a ventilator, which would
collect the gases not consumed, or a draught chimney, after having first
employed the heat in the adjoining furnaces. An apparatus with regulating
valves will determine the force of the current and the quantity of atmospheric
air to be admitted; not only under the hearths, but also into the furnaces, by
regulating the quantity necessary for the complete combustion of the gases,
and distributing it as each furnace may require. This mode of construction
and of working may, with suitable modifications, be applied to heating the
boilers of steam engines and all kinds of furnaces. This mode of collecting
the excesses of gases evolved by blast and other furnaces, and of projecting
and utilising them, and also the mode of constructing my new furnaces, form
one of the most important features of my Invention.
Thirdly, another part of my Invention consists in separating the properties

page_text: of all fuel, and using them afterwards, either separately or together, in any
furnace whatever, and in applying them to the manufacture of iron in all its
stages.
My process consists of carbonizing the fuel in closed retorts, with a suitable
apparatus for collecting the hydrogen gas, and for purifying it. This may be
effected by any of the usual means by which gas is made. I only require a
perfect separation of the carbon and hydrogen for the purposes to which I
destine them. The excess of gases collected, as above described, may be used
in heating the retorts, which may be placed in a position suitable for that
purpose, and thus the expence of the fuel for that operation is avoided. Car-
bonization may also be effected in coke ovens, by affixing to them the appa-
ratus above described for collecting the gases. The fuel can be previously
dried by placing it in chambers, and causing a current of hot air to pass
rapidly through it by means of the ventilator; and this process may also be
applied to the drying of wood of all kinds for any purposes that may be
required. The blast furnace is to be worked by means of the coke obtained
by the method above described of treating the fuel. The superabundant gases
may be used in the manner indicated in the first part; they may also be used
to heat the ovens or retorts in which the separation of the carbon and bicar-
bonated hydrogen is effected. This latter is to be purified in the usual
manner, and be projected into the tuyeres of the same blast furnace by means
of a compressing machine or of a gasometer, after having been heated toge-
ther with the air with which it will mingle in sufficient quantity. Thus the
carbon mixed with the ore, as is customary, and the bicarbonated hydrogen
gas projected into the tuyere, form another principle of my Invention, by
the separation of the combustible matters, and employing their result simul-
taneously to the manufacture of pig iron. The method of converting cast or
pig iron into malleable iron, without the addition of any other fuel whatever, is
effected by using the bicarbonated hydrogen produced any usual apparatus.
The different manipulations may be performed, as above described, by project-
ing the gas into the furnace by the means already proposed, or by the same
means the iron ore may at once be converted into malleable iron without
passing through the intermediate state of cast or pig iron. This may be
effected, not only by the employment of the bicarbonated hydrogen produced
expressly for the purpose, as above described, but also by means of the, gases,
bydrogen and oxide of carbon, which escape abundantly from any description
of furnace and flames whatever. The position of the furnaces for this purpose
much depends on the quality of the iron ore, its necessary treatment, and the
quantity of iron to be. made. The species and mixture of ores with the fluxes

page_text: will be the same as usually employed, and the ores will be previously calciued
either in the usual way, or, in preference, by the heat of the excess of gases
from the furnaces, as before described. The projection of the gases, their
combination with heated air, and the different methods of working, will be the
same as already described. Thus the bicarbonated hydrogen gas, and, in
certain cases, oxide of carbon and bicarbonated hydrogen, employed in the
usual way, or by the direct or "Catalan " method of making malleable iron
immediately from the ore, form another part of my Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures A, B, C, D, E, represent different modes of collecting the gases:.
a, a, a, a, a, boxes in cast iron to close the mouth or top of the furnace at
which the materials are charged; b, b, b, b, b, b, passages in the brickwork to
allow the gases to pass through into the receivers.; c, c, c, c, plates in.cast iron,
which are fitted into the passages; each of these plates has a door i, i, which
can be opened when required to clean the opening into the furnace, and an
elbow pipe which joins each plate to the receiver D; y, y, valves which are
shut when the doors i, i, are opened; d, d, d, d, receivers for the gases}
e, e, e, e, pipes through which the ashes fall into the receivers ffff;
9.9, 9, 9, valves which are to be shut whilst the receivers f, f, f, f, are being
cleaned.
Figure A, m, m, m, m, pipes through which the gases pass from the
receivers d, d, d, d, to the circular pipe n, in which they are collected; p, con-
ducting pipe; a, point of junction of the conducting pipe with the ventilator
(Figure R), which exhausts and receives the gases.
P.
Figure B, m, m, m, mi, pipes for conducting the gases from the receivers
d, d, d, d, into a common receiver n, in which they are collected; p, conduct-
ing pipe; x, point of junction of the pipe p with the ventilator (Figure R).
Figure C, m, m, m, m, pipes for conducting the gases from the receivers
d, d, d, d, into a common receivér h, which is to be kept filled with water to
the height of about three inches above the orifices of the pipes m, m, m, m,
through which the gases are projected; p, conducting pipe; a, point of junc-
tion of the conducting pipe p with the ventilator (Figure R); r, feed pipe for
supplying water; 2¹, waste pipe.
Figure D, m, m, m, m, pipes which conduct the gases from the receivers
d, d, d, d, into a common receiver h, divided into two parts by a perforated
metal plate or wire gauze S, through which a shower of water passes; t, space
between the level of the water and the perforated plate or wire gauze, and in
which the gases are projected; p, conducting pipe; x, point of junction of the

page_text: conducting pipe p with the ventilator (Figure R); r, feed pipe for supplying
the water; waste pipe.
Figure E, mi, m, m, m, pipes which conduct the gases from the receivers
d, d, d, d, into a common receiver n; u, pipe through which the condensed
water flows into the receiver v, which is filled with water; u¹, waste pipe;
a, point of junction of the pipe p with the ventilator (Figure R); r, feed pipe
for supplying water; r¹, waste pipe; W, a box filled with running water, in
which the pipes m, m, m, m, are enclosed for the purpose of cooling the
gases; p, conducting pipe.
Figure F represents the mode of projecting the gases under a hot-air appa-
ratus, and into the tuyeres of a blast furnace. A, chamber in brickwork con-
taining the hot-air apparatus; B, pipes forming the hot-air apparatus, and
receiving air from the blowing machine through the pipe C, and projecting it
into the receiver D; E, pipe through which the air passes from the receiver
D to the tuyeres F. The air, on coming out, mingles with the gases, which
are compressed in the canal which joins the tuyeres to the chamber A, into
which a current of atmospheric air is forced through the pipe g; h, pipe
through which the gases are projected into the chamber A; x, x, points of
junction of the pipe h with the ventilator (Figure R); i, i, openings through
which the noncombustible gases pass out to escape through the canal j.
Figure G represents the mode of projecting into the tuyeres of a blast
furnace gases purified and obtained by the process of distillation. A, tuyere
divided into two compartments. The gases pass through the inner one, and
the air through the outer one. B, pipe for conducting the air into the tuyere;
C, pipe for conducting the gases to the tuyere. On leaving the tuyere the two
bodies mingle together, and the combustion is effected. x, x, point of junction
of the pipe c with the ventilator (Figure R) which projects the gases. The
gases, as well as the air, must, before their entrance into the tuyere, be
warmed in any suitable apparatus.
Figure represents the mode of projecting the gases, in order to supply
puddling furnaces and all other working furnaces. A, A, puddling furnaces;
B, B, heating furnaces; C, hot-air apparatus; D, pipe from the blowing
machine through which the air passes into the apparatus; E, E, pipes which
conduct the hot air to the boxes K, K; F, F, pipes serving to heat the gases;
and G, G, pipes for conducting the gases into the apparatus; H, H, pipes
which conduct the gases to the boxes K, K; x, x, point of junction of the
pipes G, G, with the ventilator (Figure R) which projects the gases; K, K,
boxes divided into compartments. The gases pass into the centre compart-
inent, and the heated air into the top and bottom ones. The two bodies

page_text: mingle together on leaving the box, and combustion takes place. i, i, regu-
lating valves; L, chimney for the gases not consumed to escape. For this
chimney may be substituted the apparatus for collecting the gases, and several
furnaces for manipulation can be placed before it. Figure K represents
a mode of constructing furnaces for producing malleable iron by the direct
method. A, finery furnace; a, working door; B, furnace for roasting
the ore and the fluxes; b, b, b, b, working doors; C, furnace or oven for
drying the ores and fluxes; c, door for charging the furnace or oven; c', door
for running out the ore when dried. These two doors must be closed during
the operation. D, pipe, which communicates with a ventilator or draft
chimney, in order to force the air and gases through the drying oven; E, hot-
air apparatus; F, pipe through which the air from the blowing machine passes
into the hot-air apparatus; G, pipes forming the apparatus for heating the
gases; x, x, point of junction of the pipes G with the ventilator (Figure R)
which projects the gases; h, h, h, h, tuyeres with two compartments, the gases
being in the centre, and the air at the circumference. When these two bodies
leave the tuyere, they mingle together, and combustion takes place. Valves
regulate the quantity of gas and air to be admitted into the furnace.
Figure L represents certain furnaces for the manufacture of malleable iron
by the direct method. A, finery furnace; a, working door; B, furnace for
roasting the ores; b, box for charging the furnaces, and which serves also to
close the mouth. C, C, C, openings through which the gases evolved in the
furnaces pass into conducting pipes to utilise the excess of gases by one of the
methods before described. D, D, hot-air apparatus, consisting of vertical
pipes placed in the inner circumference of the furnace, which receive the air
from the blowing machine through the pipe d. E, apparatus for heating the
gases projected from the pipes x, a, which are connected with the ventilator
(Figure R). F, F, F, F, F, F, tuyeres with two compartments, the gases
passing into the centre compartment, and the heated air into the one near the
circumference. The gases and heated air coming from the apparatus D and E
mingle together on leaving the tuyere, and combustion takes place. The
quantity of gases and heated air to be admitted is regulated by valves.
Figure M represents a hot-air apparatus, heated by the flames or lighted
gases evolved from a blast furnace. A, register or damper for closing the
chimney of the tunnel head. B, a chimney which descends to the bottom of
the mass through which the flames proceeding from the blast furnace pass.
The quantity of atmospheric air necessary to keep up combustion is projected
into the chimney by exhaustion or blast. x, the point of junction with a
draught chimney, or with a ventilator, in order to force the flames in the

page_text: direction required. Several furnaces may be placed before this ventilator or
draught chimney, in order that the whole of the flames may be employed.
C, C, cast-iron pipes, which are heated in the chimney, and receive the blast
from a blowing machine. D, a receiver into which the air heated as above
passes. E, E, E, pipes which conduct the hot air to the tuyeres.
NEW METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING PUDDLING FURNACES, HEATING FURNACES, AND
ALL OTHER FURNACES.
Figure N-A, A, A, A, puddling furnaces; a, a, hearths for the fuel;
B, B, B, B, heating furnaces; C, C, wells in brickwork, into which the
flames are carried; c, c, the bottoms of these wells, where the scoriæ fall;
D, D, pipes for conducting the flames into a common receiver E. i, i,
regulating valves; C, pipe for conducting the gases after the flames have been
extinguished; x, point of junction of the pipe F with a ventilator which forces
the current, collects the unconsumed gases, and projects them into another
furnace; G, a receiver for the condensed water; G¹, waste pipe; II, box
filled with running water, and in which the pipes d, d, are plunged; J, feed
pipe for the water; J', waste pipe; K, K, hot-air apparatus; L, L, pipes
through which the air from the blowing machine passes to the hot-air
apparatus to be heated; M, M, pipes which project the gases under the
hearths and into the furnaces; 0, 0, 0, valves for regulating the admission
of air.
Figure O-A, A, A, A, A, A, puddling furnaces; a, a, a, hearths for the
fuel; B, B, B, B, B, B, heating furnaces; C, C, C, C, C, C, wells for receiving
the scoriæ; D, hot-air apparatus; E, pipe through which the air from the
blowing machine passes into the hot-air apparatus; F, F, pipes which project
the hot air under the hearths and into the furnaces; 0, 0, 0, valves for regulating
the admission of the air; G, pipe which receives the flames coming from the
hot-air apparatus; H, a receiver for the gases after the flames have been
extinguished; J, pipe through which the gases are exhausted; a, point of
junction of the pipe J with a ventilator which exhausts and collects the
unconsumed gases which can be utilised, as before stated; K, a receiver for.
the condensed water; K', waste pipe; i, i, valves; L, box filled with running
water in which the pipe G is plunged, in order to extenguish and condense the
gases; ; feed pipe for the water; l', waste pipe.
Figure P represents a drying furnace, which can be modified in several
different ways. A, drying furnace; a, charging door; a', door for running off
the ore; a¹¹, grate for supporting the fuel; B, pipe through which the hot air
from any hot-air apparatus passes; C, pipe by means of which the moisture or,

page_text: vapours are exhausted and the current of air continually kept up with great
rapidity by the ventilator or by a draught chimney. x, junction of the pipe c
with the ventilator; D, D, regulating valves; E, thermometer for ascertaining
the degree of temperature; F, pipe for injecting cold air when it is required
to lower the temperature; G, waste pipe for the condensed water.
Figure represents a new apparatus for distillation. A, brickwork
surrounding the hearth and the cast-iron retorts, in which the combustible
matter to be distilled is placed; B, B, B, cast-iron retorts, of which the form
may be varied, and which have an opening at each end, one for charging the
retorts, and the other for emptying them after the combustible matter is
carbonized; b, valves for closing the retorts; c, pipes for conducting the
carbon into a box d, where it is extinguished by closing the box; E, E, E,
conducting pipes for the gas; e¹, e', e¹, valves; F, pipe in which the gases are
collected; x, junction of the pipe F with a ventilator, which exhausts the
gases and projects them into the furnaces as above described.
Figure R represents a ventilator. x, junction pipe, by means of which the
exhaustion is effected; x, x, junction pipes, serving to project the gases. In
some cases a gasometer, or any other compressing machine, may be substi-
tuted for the ventilator.
Figure S represents the tuyere for projecting the gases. A, the part
which encloses the gases; a', the pipe which conveys the gases to the tuyere ;
B, the part which encloses the hot air; b, pipe which conveys the air to the
tuyere.
Figure T represents the box for projecting the gases. and the heated air.
A, the part which encloses the gases; a¹, pipe which conveys the gases;
B, the part which encloses the hot air; 6', pipe which conveys the hot air.
The Drawings shew several modes of constructing my new apparatus
and furnaces, and also various arrangements of parts; but it is evident that
the same may be altered or modified to suit the peculiar localities and
circumstances.
In conclusion, my new system consists in collecting the superabundant
gases evolved by the blast and all other furnaces, and which, in the present
mode of manufacturing, are suffered to escape into the air, and in utilising the
same for various heating purposes, as above described, and in a new mode of
constructing the several furnaces used in the manufacture of iron in all its
stages, as also above described; and also in separating all fuels so as to
augment their calorific power, in employing carbon jointly with the gases for
the production of cast or pig iron, but to employ exclusively the gases for the
manufacture of malleable iron, whether in the usual way, by reducing the

page_text: ore previously into cast or pig iron, or in what is called the direct or
"Catalan" method of making malleable iron immediately from the iron ore,
as also above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Nicolas de Meckenheim, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-two.