IMPROVEMENTS IN BESSEMER' CONVERTERS PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER CONVERTERS OR FURNACES. EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mallabey Murdock of Gilwern in the County
of Brecon Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BESSEMER'
CONVERTERS PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER CONVERTERS OR FURNACES.
EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mallabey Murdock
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1883
WILLIAM MALLABEY MURDOCK, of Gilwern in the County of Brecon, Engineer,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN 'BESSEMER' CONVERTERS PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER
CONVERTERS OR FURNACES EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND
STEEL,"
This invention relates chiefly to improvements in tipping or " Bessemer "
converters employed in the manufacture of iron and steel, but is partly applicable
also to other descriptions of furnaces employed in such manufacture.
"
The "Bessemer " converter as ordinarily constructed has the tuyeres fixed at the
part which is the bottom of such converter when the same is turned up for a
blow," and a considerable pressure of blast has therefore to be employed as it has
to be blown through the entire head or depth of metal within the converter. In
order to secure the advantage of employing a low pressure blast (as in the case of
fixed furnaces) tuyeres have been placed around one side of such converters so as to.
blow into the metal at a less distance below the surface thereof than the whole
head or height of metal therein. This latter arrangement however does not allow
so complete a distribution of the blast through the metal as results from the
employment of the ordinary construction of "Bessemer " converter or from the
employment of the fixed furnaces in which the tuyeres are arranged around the
whole circumference.
Now according to this invention I arrange the blast tuyeres around the entire
circumference of the converter and so as to be all at about the same level when the
converter is turned into position for a "blow." These tuyeres may be fixed at any
depth below the surface of the molten metal as may be necessary for the pressure

page_text: of blast employed. On a part of the converter which is above the level of the
metal when the "blow" is on, a receiver is placed of sufficient capacity to hold
the entire charge of metal when the converter is turned down after a "blow"
This receiver is in such a position with relation to the trunnions as to be capable
of being turned down to form the lowest part of the converter and may be formed
as a separate chamber connected by means of a passage or opening with the
converter, or may be formed as a bulged-out part of the converter itself. At that
part of the receiver which is the lowest point thereof when the same is turned
down after a "blow," a tapping hole is provided through which the metal is drawn
off instead of being poured out through the mouth of the converter, and the
deterioration is thus prevented which takes place as the metal passes over the slag
and other impurities when poured out of the mouth of the converter as in the usual
manner. This tapping hole may be shaped to slant upwards when the converter is
in its vertical position, and is thus used also, as a charging hole for charging the
converter through such receiver, in which case the receiver is of course shaped to
drain into the converter when the converter is turned up. If desired, a receiver
with its tapping and charging hole, may be arranged on each side of the converter
so that the same may be turned over in either direction for tapping the metal.
A slagging hole is provided, preferably on one of the sides of the converter
adjacent to the trunnions. When the converter is tipped up the molten metal runs
into the receiver on one side thereof and the tuyeres are thus all brought clear
above the surface of the metal in such receiver, after which the blast may of course
be turned off. Instead of arranging the tuyeres around the whole circumference of
the converter, two sets of tuyeres only may, if desired, be placed opposite to one
another in the circumference of the converter and preferably at right angles to the
axis passing through the receiver or receivers. The trunnions are preferably
mounted on girders carried on columns so as to leave the converter clear all round
for ready access to the tuyeres.
Any convenient construction of tuyeres, and of blast box or pipe for communi-
cation with such tuyeres, may be employed for the converter described above, but
such are preferably constructed as follows:-A blast chamber, suitably connected
by means of a pipe with the blast passage through one of the trunnions, passes
round the back ends of the tuyeres and a door in such blast chamber gives access
to each tuyere. A water box is inserted within the lining of the converter for each
tuyere such water box is about flush at its back end with the interior of the
blast chamber and its front end is back from the interior of the converter
sufficiently to allow a thickness of lining to protect it. A circular, or other
convenient shaped, hole is formed through the water box into which is inserted the
nozzle or tuyere proper made of ganister or other refractory material. The front
end of this nozzle is about flush with the interior of the converter and the back
end of the nozzle projects somewhat into the blast box. Water is of course
continually circulating through each water box and this keeps its corresponding
nozzle cool, and if any metal runs back through the tuyere the same does-not
come into contact. with the water box but runs simply into the blast chamber or
congeals within the nozzle. One blast hole only may pass through each nozzle or
any number of such holes may pass through as desired.
-The-tuyere
The water tuyere above described may be modified as follows:-T
proper may consist of an ordinary perforated nozzle of ganister or other refractory
material and the water box may consist of a block having perforations, there-
through to correspond with the perforations in the nozzle. This perforated block
may have a circular flange projecting at its front edge to fit around the back end
of the nozzle and thus fix its position centrally therewith. The block may also be
further steadied and fixed by being forced up into the lining of the converter... The
perforations through the block are made preferably tapering smaller towards their
back ends.. This water box tends to keep the perforated nozzle cool, and in case of
metal running back into the taper holes through the block such metal will be

page_text: instantly cooled and effectually stop the passage of further metal; and the taper
shape of such holes enables the pencils of metal therein to be readily driven out.
This water block must. of course be moved back before the nozzle can be replaced.
The pipes which carry the water to and from this block are preferably fixed to the
lid of the blast chamber and, by this means such water block is readily drawn back
and replaced together with such lid.
'I 1
The construction of tuyeres according to either modification herein before
described is of Course applicable as will be readily understood to furnaces
generally employed in the manufacture of iron and steel in which blast is blown
beneath the surface of the molten metal therein.
13

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Mallabey Murdock in the Patent Office on the 14th May
1884.
WILLIAM MALLABEY MURDOCK, of Gilwern, in the County of Brecon, Engineer,
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN BESSEMER CONVERTERS PARTLY APPLICABLE ALSO TO
OTHER CONVERTERS OR FURNACES EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND
STEEL"
"
This invention relates chiefly to improvements in tipping, or "Bessemer,"
converters employed in the manufacture of iron and steel, but is partly applicable
also to other descriptions of converters employed in such manufacture.
The "Bessemer" converter as ordinarily constructed has the tuyeres fixed at the
part which is the bottom of such converter when the same is turned up for a
"blow," and a considerable pressure of blast has therefor to be employed as it has
to be blown through the entire head or depth of metal within the converter.
In order to secure the advantage of employing a low pressure blast (as in the case
of fixed furnaces) tuyeres have been placed around or on opposite sides of such
converters so as to blow into the metal at a less distance below the surface thereof
than the whole head or height of metal therein.
"
"
Now, according to one part of this invention, I arrange the blast tuyeres around
the converter and so as to be all at about the same level when the converter is
turned into position for a "blow," and on a part of the converter which is above
the level of the metal when the " blow is on,
I place a receiver, of sufficient
capacity to hold the entire charge of metal when the converter is turned down after
a blow." This receiver is in such a position with relation to the trunnions as to
be capable of being turned down to form the lowest part of the converter. At that
part of the receiver which is the lowest point thereof when the same is turned
down after a "blow," a tapping hole is provided through which the metal is drawn
off, and the deterioration which takes place as the metal passes over the slag and
other impurities when poured out of the mouth of the ordinary description of
"Bessemer" converter is thus prevented. This tapping hole may be shaped to
slant upwards or be vertical when the converter is in its vertical position, and may
thus be used also as a charging hole for charging the converter through the receiver.
If, desired, a receiver may be arranged on each side of the converter so that the
same may be turned over in either direction for running the metal into a receiver.
A slagging hole is provided on the side of the converter. When the converter is
tipped up the molten metal runs into the receiver on one side thereof and the
tuyeres are thus all brought clear above the surface of the metal in such receiver,
after which the blast may be turned off. If it is found necessary or advisable, the
molten metal can be run back again from the receiver into the converter and be
re-blown. Instead of the tuyeres being around the circumference of the converter
two sets of tuyeres only may, if desired, be placed opposite to one another in the
circumference of the converter and preferably at right angles to the axis passing
through the receiver or receivers. The trunnions are preferably mounted on
girders carried on columns so as to leave the converter clear all round for ready
access to the tuyeres.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and figure 2 a front elevation of a "Bessemer"
converter constructed according to this invention. A is the body of the converter,
B B the trunnions, and C an annular blast box around the converter to which the
blast is conveyed through the pipe or passage D from one of the trunnions. The
tuyeres are arranged around the circumference of the converter preferably about 6
to 8 inches below the surface of the metal therein. E is a receiver or chamber
formed out on one side of the converter, as shewn, and, when the converter is
tipped over towards the side on which the receiver E is placed, the metal runs into
the receiver and is consequently clear of the tuyeres and the blast may then be
shut off. The metal is tapped from the receiver E through the tapping hole F

page_text: thereon. This tapping hole F may be used also, if desired, as the charging door
for the converter. The bottom of the receiver E is inclined, as shewn by broken
lines, so as to drain into the converter when the latter is turned up for a "blow."
Gis a slagging door which may be used also, if desired, as the charging door.
It will be seen that, according to this arrangement of converter, the process may
be stopped at any point, as the metal is run off at once clear of the tuyeres into
the receiver E By the employment also of the receiver E the metal is poured out
from the converter without passing over the impurities collected in the mouth
thereof. In arranging the tuyeres around the circumference of the converter
allowance must of course be made for the passage from the converter into the
receiver, and the arrangement is, therefor, preferably of a horseshore character?
Thus the circumference may be divided into say seven or eight parts, tuyeres being
omitted at one or two parts, respectively, to allow for the receiver.
The converter may be tipped with a hydraulic cylinder in the usual manner, but
where hydraulic power is not conveniently obtainable I use a steam cylinder H;
with a cataract cylinder J to steady the motion.
Instead of the receiver E a spout K, shewn at figure 3, may be placed upon the
side of the converter through which to pour out the metal, but the process cannot
of course be so readily stopped in this case as when a receiver is employed, nor can
the metal be run back again to be re-blown. This spout is shewn in front elevation
also by figure 4. In figures 3 and 4 only as much of the converter is shown as is
necessary to shew the connection of the spout therewith.
A receiver E or spout K may be fixed on both sides of the converter so that the
same may be tilted in either direction to pour out the contents from the converter,
if desired, or a receiver may be fixed on one side and a spout on the other to be
used as desired.
Any convenient construction of tuyeres, and of blast box or pipe for communication
with such tuyeres, may be employed for the converter described above, but such are
preferably constructed according to one of the modifications illustrated, to an
enlarged scale, by the drawings on sheet 2 herewith, of which figure 5 is a vertical
section through the centre of one of the tuyeres and the blast chamber C shewn by
figures 1 and 2. L is a door to give access to the tuyere. M is a water box
inserted within the lining N of the converter so as to be flush at its back end with
the interior of the blast chamber and be back at its front end from the interior of
the converter sufficiently to allow a thickness of lining to protect it. O is the
nozzle or tuyere proper, made of ganister or other refractory material. This nozzle
is inserted and fits within a circular or other convenient-shaped opening through
the water box M, and is fixed with its front end about flush with the interior of
the converter and its back end projecting somewhat into the blast box as shewn,
Water is, of course, continually circulating through the water box and thus keeps
the nozzle cool, and if any metal runs back through the tuyere the same does not
come into contact with the water box, but runs simply into the blast chamber or
congeals within the nozzle. Figure 6 is a view of the front end of the nozzle
shewing several blast holes therethrough, but of course one blast hole only, if
desired, or any desired number, may pass through the nozzle. b and 6' are the pipes
for supplying and carrying off water to and from the water box. A modification
of this tuyere is illustrated by figure 7 which is a corresponding view to that shewn
by figure 5. P is a perforated nozzle or tuyere proper of ganister or other
refractory material. R is a water block having perforations a a etc: therethrough
corresponding in number and position with the perforations in the nozzle. S is a
flange projecting to fit around the back end of the nozzle P and thus fix the position
of the water block centrally with such nozzle. The water block is also, preferably,
further steadied and fixed by being itself forced up or inserted into the lining N
of the converter, as shewn. The perforations a a etc: through the water block
are made preferably tapering smaller towards their back ends, as shewn. This
water block tends to keep the perforated nozzle P cool, and in case of metal running
back into the taper holes through such block such metal will be instantly cooled

page_text: and effectually stop the passage of further metal, and the taper shape of such holes
enables the pencils of metal thus formed therein to be readily driven out. This
water block must, of course, be moved back before the nozzle P can be replaced.
The pipes which carry the water to and from the block are preferably fixed to the
lid of the blast chamber in the manner shewn, and by this means such water block
is readily drawn back and replaced together with the lid.
These water boxes or blocks, according to either modification, not only assist in
keeping the tuyeres and nozzles themselves cool, but aid materially also in
preserving the surrounding lining of the furnace.
The construction of tuyeres, according to either modification hereinbefore
described, is of course applicable, as will be readily understood, to converters
generally employed in the manufacture of iron and steel in which blast is blown
beneath the surface of the molten metal therein.
Having now stated the nature of my said invention and particularly described
and ascertained the manner of performing the same, I declare that what I claim as
my invention and desire to secure by the hereinbefore in-part-recited Letters
Patent, is :-
1. In a "Bessemer" converter, the receiver or spout, for pouring out the metal,
or rapidly clearing it from the tuyeres as the converter is tipped, in combination
with blast tuyeres arranged around the circumference of the converter, or on
opposite sides thereof, substantially as herein described and shewn.
2. In a "Bessemer" converter the receiver for the purpose of enabling the metal
to be run out of the converter and afterwards run back again and re-blown if found
necessary or advisable, substantially as herein described and shewn.
3. In a "Bessemer." converter in which the blast is blown through the sides, or
under the bottom, or in any convenient manner, the receiver or spout for the
purpose of pouring out the metal and thus preventing the deterioration incidental
to pouring it out in the ordinary way, substantially as herein described.
4. For "Bessemer" or other converters employed in the manufacture of iron
and steel, and in which blast is blown beneath the surface of the metal therein
either through the side or under the bottom or in any convenient manner, the
combination of water boxes with tuyeres of ganister or other refractory material
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated according to
two modifications by the drawings on sheet 2 herewith.
"
5. For a "Bessemer or other converter employed in the manufacture of iron
and steel and in which blast is blown beneath the surface of the metal therein
either through the side or under the bottom or in any convenient manner, the
combination of the water box M with the tuyere O of ganister or other refractory
material having the outer face thereof projecting into the blast box C, substantially
as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated by figure 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. For a "Bessemer" or other converter employed in the manufacture of iron
and steel and in which blast is blown beneath the surface of the metal therein
either through the side or under the bottom or in any convenient manner, the
water box R with perforations a a etc: therethrough, substantially as and for the
purpose herein described and illustrated by figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said William Mallabey Murdock have hereunto
set
my
hand and seal this twelfth day of May in the year of Our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
WILLIAM MALLABEY MURDOCK (L.S.)