IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT of COAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF AMMONIA OR AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS AND HEATING GAS AND IN, APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Young of the Town and County of Peebles North
Britain and George Thomas Beilby of Midcalder in the County of Midlothian
North Britain for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT of
COAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF AMMONIA OR
AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS AND HEATING GAS AND IN, APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Young & George
Thomas Beilby at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
25th October 1882.
WILLIAM YOUNG of the Town and County of Peebles, North Britain, and
GEORGE THOMAS BEILBY, of Midcalder, in the County of Midlothian, North
Britain "
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF COAL, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF AMMONIA OR AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS AND HEATING GAS,
AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
"
This Invention has for its principal object the production of ammonia or
ammoniacal compounds from the nitrogen compounds in coal, peat, and similar
bituminous or hydro-carbonaceous substances, and the conversion and utilization of
the combustible portion into a heating gas at one operation. The Invention consists
of a modification of the Inventions or Improvements for which Letters Patent were
granted to William Young, dated 12th April, 1881, Nº 1587, and to George Thomas
Beilby, dated respectively 18th May, 1881, N° 2169, and 3rd October 1881, N° 4284,
and jointly to the said William Young and George Thomas Beilby, dated
21 March, 1882, Nº 1377.
In the Specification filed in pursuance of the two patents first above named there
are-described various methods of obtaining the ammonia and ammoniacal compounds
from the nitrogen in the shale or coal, when distilled at a low heat for the pro-
duction of mineral oil; aud in the Specification--filed in pursuance of the third
above named Patent, various methods of recovering the nitrogen from the coal used

page_text: as fuel, or distilled at a comparatively high heat for the production of gas are
described.
In all those methods the shale, coal, or other bituminous substance is subjected
to a preliminary destructive distillation, and the coke or fixed carbon containing
the nitrogen is the part of the hydrocarbonaceous mineral which is made to
yield ammonia by being consumed in an atmosphere of steam or steam and air.
According to our present Invention we do not subject the coal, peat, or other
similar combustible substance to a preliminary distillation, but consume both the
volatile and fixed constituents of the coal, or other mineral fuel in an atmosphere
of steam or steam and air so as to convert the whole, or the greater portion of the
nitrogen into ammonia.
This object wo accomplish by, taking coal, dross, or other mineral in the state
wherein it is ordinarily met with, or by reducing the coal, peat or other mineral to
a fine state of division, and by means of a jet or jets of steam, gas, or air, or other
mechanical equivalent, injecting it into or by allowing it to fall down in a chamber
or chambers or retorts wherein it is suspended and consumed in an atmosphere of
steam or steain and air in quantity sufficient or in excess and at a heat sufficient
to consume the carbon or bituminous matter and to separate the nitrogen which is
thus liberated as ammonia or ammoniacal compounds, and the hydro-carbonaceous
part converted into heating gas. Or we construct and work the retorts or chambers
in which the coal is decomposed so as to cause the volatile constituents of the coal to
pass through the coke and be subjected to an atmosphere of steam or steam and
air, so that both the fixed carbon and the volatile matter shall be simultaneously
consumed and converted into a heating gas, and the nitrogen liberated as
ammonia.
The second part of our Invention has for its object the economical recovery of
_ the ammonia as fixed ammoniacal salts from the very large volume of gas and
steam coming from the decomposition of the coal, or other substance in the
decomposing chambers. This is accomplished by constructing a chamber of brick
or similar material, which will resist the action of sulphuric acid, and as far as
possible prevent the escape of heat.-This chamber is covered with a sheet of lead,
to prevent the escape of gas and it also rests in a trough of lead, to receive the
solution of sulphute or other salts of ammonia produced by the acid, which is either
made to trickle over fire-bricks loosely stacked inside the chamber; or ordinary
.coke may be substituted for the bricks, or the chamber may be left empty, and a
spray or shower of acid injected as described in the Provisional Specification of
George Thomas Beilby, N° 2585. A.D. 1882.
The combustible gases from the decomposing chamber together with the
undecomposed steam prior to entering the absorbing chamber are cooled by being
made to raise steam, or otherwise only so far as to prevent, or nearly so, the deposition
as water of the undecomposed steam which accompanies the combustible gas
containing the ammonia; and yet sufficiently low to prevent the volatilizing of the
sulphuric acid, and as the walls of this absorbent chamber prevent the escape of
heat, the sulphuric acid forms a concentrated solution of sulphate of ammonia which
is drawn off from the lower part of the chamber and transferred to vessels where
the solution is concentrated and the sulphate of ammonia crystallized out in the
usual well-known manner.
The third part of our Invention has for its object the economical obtainment of
the large volume of steam or water vapour necessary to decompose the coal, peat, or
other similar substance, and also to measure or ascertain the relative quantities of
air to the steam admitted to effect the decomposition.
As is well known water will not give off vapour or steam in close vessels under
ordinary atmospheric pressure, under about 212° Fahrenheit; but, as is also well
known, water will give off vapour into an atmosphere of air at all ordinary
temperatures under 212°, the quantity being dependent upon the temperature and
pressure. At 140°, Fahrenheit air will take up about one-sixth of its own weight;
between 150° and 160°, it will take up a fourth; between 160° and 170° a third;

page_text: between 170° and 180°, a half, between 180° and 190°, its own weight, and
between 190°, and 200°, twice its weight.
Now we so construct our condensers that the cooling of the combustible heating
gases from the decomposition of the coal, peat, or other substance, together with the
undecomposed steam accompanying those gases, shall be made to heat water, and
over or through this water so heated is passed the current of air on its way to the
decomposing chambers. This air is thus made to take up the necessary quantity of
water in the form of vapour, and the relative proportions of air and water vapour
is ascertained by means of a thermometer placed in the pipe as it leaves the
condensing arrangement, and before passing to the decomposing chamber or retort,
and the relative quantities regulated by presenting a greater or less area of wetted
surface of the condensers, by means of valves or dampers to shut off the supply of
water or part of condensers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lotters Patent filed
by the said William Young & George Thomas Beilby in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 25th April 1883.
WILLIAM YOUNG, of the Town and County of Peebles North Britain, and
GEORGE THOMAS BEILBY of Midcalder, in the County of Midlothian, North
Britain IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF COAL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF AMMONIA OR AMMONIACAL COMPOUNDS AND HEATING
GAS AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Our said Invention has for its principal object the production of ammonia or
ammoniacal compounds from the nitrogen compounds in coal, peat and similar
bituminous or hydro-carbonaceous substances, or from the distillation of such
substances, such for example as (First) Tars or oils from shale-oil refining, (Second)
Tars or oils from Blast Furnaces, and (Third) The tars or oils from gas works or
from distillation of organic substances, such as bone oil, and it also consists in the
conversion and utilization of the combustible portion into a heating gas at one
operation..
The Invention consists of a modification of the Inventions or Improvements for
which Letters Patent were granted to William Young dated 12th April 1881
N° 1587, and to George Thomas Beilby dated respectively 18th May 1881, Nº 2169
and 3rd October 1881 N° 4284, and jointly to the said William Young and George
Thomas Beilby dated 21 March 1882, N° 1377.
In the Specification filed in pursuance of the two Patents first above named there
are described various methods of obtaining the ammonia and ammoniacal compounds
from the nitrogen in the shale or coal when distilled at a low heat for the production
of mineral oil; and in the Specification filed in pursuance of the fourth above
named Patent various methods of recovering the nitrogen from the coal used
as fuel, or distilled at a comparatively high heat for the production of gas are
described.
In all those methods, the shale, coal or other bituminous substances is subjected
to a preliminary destructive distillation and the coke or fixed carbon containing
the nitrogen is the part of the bydro-carbonaceous mineral which is made to yield
ammonia by being consumed in an atmosphere of steam, or steam and air.
According to our present Invention we do not subject the coal, pent or other
similar combustible substance to a preliminary distillation but consume both the
volatilo and fixed constituents of the coal or other mineral fuel in an atmosphere of
steam or steam and air so as to convert the whole or the greater portion of the
nitrogen into ammonia.
This object wo accomplish by taking coal-dross or other mineral in the state
wherein it is ordinarily met with, or by reducing the coal, peat or other mineral to
a fine state of division and by means of a jet, or jets of steam, gas or air, or other
mechanical equivalent injecting it into, or allowing it to fall down in a chamber or
chambers or retorts wherein it is suspended and consumed in an atmosphere of steam,
or steam and air in quantity sufficient or in excess and at a heat sufficient to
consume the carbon or bituminous matter and to separate the nitrogen which is
thus liberated as ammonia or ammoniacal compounds, whilst the hydro-carbonaceous
part is converted into heating gas.-Or we construct and work the retorts and
chambers in which the coal is decomposed so as to cause the volatile constituents
of the coal to pass through the coke and be subjected to an atmosphere of steam or
steam and air so that both the fixed carbon and the volatile matter shall be
simultaneously consumed and converted into a heating gas and the nitrogen
liberated as ammonia.
The second part of our Invention has for its object the economical recovery of the

page_text: ammonia as fixed ammoniacal salts from the very large volume of gas and steam
coming from the decomposition of the coal or other substance in the decomposing
chambers. This is accomplished by constructing a chamber of brick or similar
material, which will resist the action of sulphuric acid and as far as possible prevent
the escape of heat. This chamber is covered with a sheet of lead to prevent the
escape of gas and it also rests in a trough of lead to receive the solution of sulphate
or other salts of ammonia produced by the acid which is either made to trickle
over fire-bricks loosely stacked inside the chamber, or ordinary coke may be
substituted for the bricks, or the chamber may be left empty and a spray or
shower of acid injected as described in the Specification of George Thomas Beilby
N° 2585. A.D. 1882.
The combustible gases from the decomposing chamber together with the
undecomposed steam prior to entering the absorbing chamber are cooled by being
made to raise steam or otherwise only so far as to prevent, or nearly so, the
decomposition as water of the undecomposed steam which accompanies the
combustible gas containing the ammonia; and yet sufficiently low to prevent the
volatilizing of the sulphuric acid, and as the walls of this absorbent chamber
prevent the escape of heat, the sulphuric acid forms a concentrated solution of
sulphate of ammonia, which is drawn off from the lower part of the chamber and
transferred to vessels where the solution is concentrated and the sulphate of
ammonia crystallized out in the usual well known manner.
The third part of our Invention has for its object the economical obtainment of
the large volume of steam or water vapour necessary to decompose the coal, peat or
other similar substance and also to measure or ascertain the relative quantities of
air to the steam admitted to effect the decomposition.
As is well known water will not give off vapour or steam in close vessels under
ordinary atmospheric pressure under about 212° Fahrenheit; but as is also well
known water will give off vapour into an atmosphere of air at all ordinary
temperatures under 212°, the quantity being dependent upon the temperatures and
pressure. At 140° Fahrenheit air will take up about one sixth of its own weight;
between 150° and 160°, it will take up a fourth; between 160° and 170°, a third;
between 170° and 180°, a half; between 180° and 190°, its own weight; and
between 190° and 200°, twice its weight.
Now we so construct our condensers that the cooling of the combustible heating
gases from the decomposition of the coal, peat or other substance, together with
the undecomposed steam accompanying those gases, shall be inade to heat water,
and over or through this water so heated is passed the current of air on its way to
the decomposing chambers.-This air is thus made to take up the necessary
quantity of water in the form of vapout and the relative proportion of air and
water-vapour is ascertained by means of a thermometer placed in the pipe, as it
leaves the condensing arrangement and before passing to the decomposing chamber
or retort and the relative quantities regulated by presenting a greater or less area
of wetted surface of the condensers by means of valves or dampers to shut off the
supply of water or part of condensers.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we now
proceed inore particularly to set forth the system, inode or manner in or under
which the same is or may be used or practically carried into effect reference being
had to the accompanying Drawings and to the Letters and Figures marked thereon,
that is to say:-
Figure 1, is a transverse section and Figure 2, a longitudinal section the intter
taken on the line A, B, Figure 1, of a horizontal decomposing chamber constructed
according to our present Invention.
Figure 3, is a vertical section and Figure 4, is a view partly in plan and partly
in transverse section (the latter taken on the line C. D. Figure 3,) of a stack of
vertical decomposing chambers which together with the decomposing chambers
represented at Figures 1, and 2, illustrate how we may carry out the first part of
our present Invention.

page_text: Figure 5, is a vertical section of an absorbing chamber constructed according to
the second part of our present Invention.
Figure 6, is a vertical section of two absorbing chambers of a modified form
arranged in series.
Figure 7, is a front elevation (with four plates removed) of a condenser and
heater constructed according to the third part of our Invention.
Figure 8, is a side elevation (shewn-partly in section) of the same.
The construction of the decomposing chambers represented at Figures 1, and 2;
will be better understood from the description to be hereinafter given of the mode
of operating the same, which is as follows:-The coal-dross or other mineral in the
state wherein it is ordinarily met with, or after being reduced to a fine state
of division is charged into the hopper a, from which it is lowered by means of the
feeding wheel b, operated by means of the ratchet wheel c, and pawl d, to the latter
of which motion is imparted by any convenient ineans-On falling from the
feeding wheel b, the coal-dross or other mineral is driven (by means of the jet e, of
steam, gas, air or other mechanical equivalent) in the direction of the arrows along
through the decomposing chambers f, in its passage through which it is decomposed,
either in that state in an atmosphere of steam, or in an atmosphere of steam and
air, by the heat to which the retorts are brought up to, by the means hereinafter
more fully described.-The decomposed material together with the nitrogen
liberated as ammonia or ammoniacal compounds and hydro-carbonaceous gases
given off in the decomposition of the same are driven forward through the upper
division of the decomposing chamber in one direction and through the next division
in the opposite direction, as represented by the arrows, and so on until they arrive
at the outlet y, where the dust or ash and heavier matter fall by their own weight
into the ash-pit h, and the gases produced pass out through the outlet g, into the
pipe, to be conveyed by it to the absorbing chambers.-The steam, or steam and
air, admitted into the decomposing chambers f, passes in through the pipe j, in
which it is heated by the outflowing gases passing through the pipe 2, which is
encircled by the pipe j.-The heated steam, or steam and air then passes up through
the pipe, into the chamber Z, from which it pusses into the decomposing
chambers, through the ports m, where it mixes with the steam coming in from
the jet e, as herein before described.-The heating of the decomposing chambers f,
is effected on the regenerative system. The gas and air for that purpose flow in
respectively through the ports, and o.-The gases then flow in the direction
indicated by the arrows through the spaces p, into the mixing chamber q, from
which they flow in a mixed state through the ports r, to the flues 8, surrounding
the decomposing chambers f, when they are burned for heating the same.-The
waste products of combustion then leave the flues 8, through openings t, formed in
the bottom of the same and pass into the spaces u, in the direction indicated by the
dotted arrows on Figure 1. From the spaces u, the waste products of combustion
pass out through the ports v, into the flue w, which is connected to the main flue x,
through which they escape and may be used on escaping from this either for
heating further apparatus or may be allowed to escape to a chimney stalk.―The
chambers are provided with the doors y, which can be removed for cleaning the
retorts or for drawing forward any solid matter, which may collect therein, and so
passing it on to the next division, and the ash-pit h, is also provided with a door y,
for discharging the residue.-When liquids are to be decomposed by means of this
apparatus the hopper a, and the feed wheel b, are replaced by a feed pipe and
valve through which a stream of the liquid is run into the chambers.
The apparatus represented at Figures 3, and 4, is intended to be used for the
production of ammonia and heating gases in cases where for economic or other
reasons it is not desired to decompose the whole of the carbon of the mineral but
only such part as is necessary to produce a profitable yield of ammonia with heating
gases. It is therefore arranged so that the residue of the partially decomposed
mineral still containing carbon passes down to the lower part of the retort d', where,
by the regulated admission of air through the pipe x', it is burned into carbonic

page_text: oxide. This carbonic oxide being produced at a very high temperature passes
through the ports k³, into the flues, around the retorts d', heating them, it further
passes through the flue m', into the circular chamber n', and from there down
through the central flue o¹, heating the steam as it passes up the annular chamber f',
on its way into the retorts, having parted with so much of its heat the carbonic
oxide is led away to furnaces or for other industrial purposes by the pipe p¹.
When a large mass of coal is heated in a vertical retort it is apt to run into a
semi-fluid mass which more or less resists the passage of steam or gases through
it. The quantity of steam passing through the retort is thereby seriously reduced
at a time when it ought to be at a maximum so as to effect the decomposition of
the bituminous and tarry substances.
By our present invention, as carried out in the apparatus shewn in Figures 3,
and 4, we overcome this difficulty by the regulated feeding of the mineral into the
retort whereby the decomposition goes on quickly and continuously and the
formation of a semi-solid plug of the mineral in the retort is avoided.
For the purpose of attaining these ends, vertical retorts, represented at Figures 3,
and 4, are operated in the following manner:- -The coal or other mineral is placed
in the circular hopper a³, and from this hopper it is fed by the feeding wheels b',.
through the openings c¹, into the retorts d'In these retorts d', the mineral under
treatment is heated in an atmosphere of steam or steam and air, which passes in
through the pipe e¹, and up through the annular passage f¹, through the openings g',
and ports h¹, into the retorts d', and in this manner liberates the nitrogen as.
ammonia or ammoniacal compounds which together with the other gases produced
by the decomposition pass off through the pipe i, to the main j, and thence by
that main j, to be treated for the recovery of ammonia.-The covers v³, of the
retorts d', are provided with plug-holes w³, as represented in plan at Figure 4,
through which a rod is introduced to test the condition of the mineral, or if need be
to push it downwards.
The heating of the retort as already described is effected by the primary com-
bustion of the carbon into carbonic oxide at the lower end of the retorts d'.-In
certain cases it might be necessary to supplement this by further burning a small
quantity of the carbonic oxide by the admission of some air..
Where a number of these retorts are worked together some difficulty might be
experienced in regulating the draught in the out-going pipes p', and i, so that the
products from one or more retorts might go off entirely from the lower part of the
retort. In this case we terminate the lower end of the retort in a snout closed by
a door after the manner shewn at Figure 1, Sheet 1, of the hereinbefore mentioned
Specification of William Young N° 1587 dated the 12th day of April A.D. 1881, and
through or from which the hot coke is from time to time transferred to a gas
producer situated underneath as set forth in the aforesaid Specification-The
feeding wheels b', are all rotated by means of chain wheels q', secured to the upper
ends of their shafts r.—The chain wheels g', are geared into the chain 8', (repre-
sented on the accompanying Drawings by a dot and pick line) which chain s¹, is
driven from the chain-wheel t-The chain-wheel t, is carried upon the vertical
shaft u³, to which motion is imparted by any suitable means-Liquid hydrocarbo-
naceous products, such as tars or oil may be treated in this part of our Invention
for the recovery of the nitrogen they contain as ammonia by commingling them
with the solid substances previous to its being charged into the hopper a', or it
runs in a stream on to the top of the coal or other solid substance undergoing
decomposition inside the retort.
In carrying the second part of our Invention into practice we construct a
chamber of brick or similar material which will resist the action of sulphuric acid
and as far as possible prevent the escape of heat.-This chamber, as represented at
Figure 5, is covered with a sheet a³, of lead to prevent the escape of gas and it also
rests in a trough 63, of lead to receive the solution of sulphate or other salts of
ammonia produced by the sulphuric acid which is injected and showered down
from spray jets d', which are constructed according to the hereinbefore mentioned
'

page_text: Specification of George Thomas Beilby dated 1" June AD 1882, N° 2585.-The
combustible gases from the decomposing chamber together with the undecomposed
steam prior to entering the absorbing chamber are cooled by being made to raise
steam or otherwise only so far as to prevent, or nearly so, the deposition as water
of the undecomposed steam which accompanies the combustible gas containing the
ammonia; and yet sufficiently low to prevent the volatilizing of the sulphuric acid
and as the walls of this absorbent chamber prevent the escape of heat, the
sulphuric acid forms a concentrated solution of sulphate of ammonia, which is
drawn off at the pipe d³, and transferred to vessels where the solution is con-
centrated and the sulphate of ammonia crystallized out in the usual well known
manner. The absorbing chamber is operated when the valve e³, is opened by the
mixture of gas and undecomposed steam passing in the direction indicated by the
arrows through the openings f³, which are covered by the lead traps g.–The gas
and undecomposed steam is then in its ascent from the traps g³, to the escape
flue h³, liberated of its ammonia by the sulphuric acid falling in showers as
herein before mentioned from the jets c³.
Figure 6, represents two absorbing chambers arranged in series of a slightly
modified form to that herein last described. The mixture of gas and undecomposed
steam after leaving the cooling apparatus as hereinbefore mentioned is passed into
the absorbing chamber E, at the inlet , and proceeds in the direction of the
arrows through the outlet flue j³, in its passage upwards meeting the falling shower
of sulphuric acid injected into the chamber by the jets k³, of compressed gas which
are placed a little under the surface of the sulphuric acid in the chamber or tray l³,
or instead of spraying the acid by means of the jets k³, one or more revolving dash
wheels may be substituted for the jets for throwing the acid up into a spray.-
After leaving the chamber E, the mixture of gas and undecomposed steam are taken
into the chamber F, to be treated in a similar manner to that in which it was
treated in the chamber E, in order to still further absorb-the ammonia contained in
those gases. The concentrated solution of sulphate of ammonia is drawn off from
the chamber F, at the pipe 1, into the trough surrounding the chamber E, and
from that and the lower part of the chamber E, it is drawn off and transferred to
vessels where the solution is concentrated and the sulphate of ammonia crystallized
out in the usual well known manner and as herein before described with reference
to Figure 5, of the accompanying drawings.
In carrying out the third part of our Invention, we construct the condensers as
shewn at Figures 7, and 8, that is to say, they are formed of several batteries of
horizontal pipes a, all framed together in a suitable manner and opening at their
ends into horizontal chambers b-In the upper part of the condensers, is provided
the water inlet c', communicating with the perforated pipe d', so that the water
passed in at the inlet c, is sprayed out over a considerable area as shewn more
particularly at Figure 7, where one of the plates forming the walls of the con-
densers is represented as having been removed.-The connection of the pipes a*,
with the chambers b, is shewn more particularly at the lower part of the condensers
represented at Figures 7, and 8, where for the sake of explanation plates are
represented as having been removed. The gases entering the condenser pass in
through the pipe e, to the chamber b', which extends the whole length of the
condenser and from this chamber they pass to the chamber at the opposite end of
the pipes a, connecting them, from this chamber the gases pass into the chamber
immediately above it through the opening *; which connects the two chambers.-
From this chamber the gases pass back to the opposite side as represented by the
arrows and from that chamber into which they are led up into the one immediately
above it, and so on they zig-zag from one side of the condenser to the other until
they arrive at outlet pipe g, by which they are passed on to the absorbing
chambers as hereinbefore described.--The water passing in at c', and through the
perforated pipes d', in its descent both cools the gases passing through the pipes a*,
and becomes heated, and over or through the water so heated is passed the current
of air entering and leaving the condenser respectively at h*, and **, on its way to
-

page_text: the decomposing chambers.-This air is thus made to take up the necessary
quantity of water in the form of vapour and the relative proportions of air and
water vapour is ascertained by means of a thermometer placed in the pipe, as it
leaves the condensing arrangement and before passing it into the decomposing
chamber or retort and the relative quantities regulated by presenting a greater or
less area of wetted surface of the condensers by means of valves or dampers to
shut off the supply of water or part of the condensers.
When the air would be objectionable any other neutral gas may be substituted
to take up the water vapour in diffusion such as a part of the gas produced in the
decomposing chamber.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and the system, mode or manner in or under which the same is or
may be used or practically carried into effect we would observe in conclusion
that we do not limit ourselves to the precise forms or details of apparatus herein-
before described with reforence to the accompanying Drawings, but what we
consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
us by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is :-
First. The obtainment of ammonia from the nitrogen of substances such as
carbonaceous minerals, organic substances, tars from Blast furnaces, tars from shale-
oil refining, or from the distillation of organic substances such as bone oil by
decomposing them directly by steam, or steam and air at a suitable temperature
and in the presence of excess of steam, this end being accomplished by the rapid
presentation of a large surface of the mineral or other nitrogenous substance to the
decomposing atmosphere of steam or steam and air substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Second-The separation of ammonia or its salts from hot gases, as these gases
are produced and without preliminary condensation in the presence of a large
volume of water vapour and without condensation of the water vapour by means
of acid scrubbers kept at a suitable temperature substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Third The process by which waste heat of gases from any retort or decomposing
apparatus is made available to supply the whole or a portion of the water vapour
required for the decomposition of nitrogenous substances into heating gas and
ammonia substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fourth-The apparatus for each and all of these purposes substantially as
herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In Witness Whereof We the said William Young and George Thomas Beilby
have hereunto set our hands and seals this eighteenth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.
174 VOTNA